Chapter 109: chapter 109

MADHAVIt’s funny to see Sruthi's reaction as soon as I ask her the question that’s been weighing on me since the moment we kissed. I want to share a bed with her. I’m ready for it. Her face gives her away immediately—she’s blushing, and I can practically see where her thoughts are headed.I tap her forehead lightly. “Don't think anything dirty. I mean just sleeping… literal sleep.”“Oh, okay,” Sruthi says, nodding quickly. We’re both a little awkward, but I’m glad we’re able to talk about these things. “We can share a bed.”“I’ll grab my pillows,” I say, heading to my room.❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥It was one hell of a day.Never in my life has a single day been filled with so many events. I woke up grinning, replaying Sruthi's confession in my mind. After getting ready for work, I left my room hoping to catch a glimpse of her, only to be met with an empty hall.I waited a few minutes before realizing she was still asleep and only had half an hour before she needed to leave. Waking her up and seeing her smile at me fondly was the best part of my day. Then I dropped her off and thought it would be a normal day, but out of nowhere, the police called about Vishnu.It was shocking. Then, when I went to Vikram's house to invite him to the expo, I found his front door ajar. Inside, I overheard Sruthi talking to her brother. The second shock of the day was hearing Sruthi confess to him that she was afraid my feelings for her had changed. Her voice was so vulnerable, filled with sadness.I was confused—how could she misunderstand me so soon after we confessed to each other? But when I confronted her, I understood. In trying not to come on too strong, I’d accidentally pushed her away and created doubts. I’m grateful we were able to clear up the misunderstanding quickly. I was enjoying a quiet moment with her, but it was interrupted by another call from the police station, saying I had clearance to talk to Vishnu. That conversation only left me with more questions, and by the time I got home, exhausted, it was almost midnight. But finding Sruthi waiting up for me made my whole day worth it.Now, she’s fast asleep in my arms, breathing evenly, her face relaxed. I, on the other hand, can’t sleep. I still have to tell her about Vishnu, but I don’t know where to start. She’s finally happy, laughing again, and I don’t want to spoil that by telling her there’s a threat to her life. But I can’t keep it from her. She deserves to know.Tomorrow. No matter what, I have to tell her tomorrow.❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥I wake up to the smell of coffee. I’m not in my room, and the next thing I notice is that Sruthi isn’t next to me. Did I oversleep? I glance at the clock and groan—it’s seven-thirty. How did I oversleep? I scramble out of bed and rush to the hall, where I find Sruthi emerging from the kitchen with a steaming cup of coffee.“Good morning,” she says with a smile.“Morning,” I reply, taking in her appearance from head to toe. She’s already dressed in her work outfit—a yellow top that reaches her knees, paired with black jeans. Her hair is in a messy bun.“Is that for me?” I nod toward the cup she’s holding.“Hmm, yeah, actually I wanted to surprise you with coffee in bed, but you woke up first.”I shake my head. “No, it was the smell of your coffee that woke me. Mission accomplished. Keep that cup warm—I’ll be back after I brush my teeth.”❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥“How’s the little girl in the yellow dress? Do her parents still come late to pick her up?” I ask as I drive Sruthi to work. I want to tell her about Vishnu, but I’m still working up the courage. I don’t understand how she can speak so bluntly about difficult things, while I’m struggling.“Yellow dress?” Sruthi frowns before it clicks. “Oh! You mean Neetu? She’s doing fine. Her grandparents are in town now, so they’ve been picking her up. Do you want to meet her?”“I do,” I answer, thinking of that adorable little girl. I never knew I had a soft spot for kids. “I’ll come meet all the kids in your class once this wretched expo is over.”“Wretched?” Sruthi laughs.“Yes, wretched. It’s stealing my time with you. I can’t wait for it to be over.”“For someone who waited seven years, you’re suddenly very impatient,” she teases, shaking her head.“I’m done waiting. And with the way things are with Vishnu, I don’t want to risk anything.”“Vishnu?” Sruthi’s expression shifts, concerned. “What’s happening with Vishnu?”My mouth goes dry. Damn. I didn’t mean to bring him up yet, but his name slipped out. Now that it’s out, I may as well tell her the truth.It takes the whole drive to explain my conversation with Vishnu. By the time I finish, we’re parked at her school. I turn off the car and look at Sruthi, dreading her reaction.To my surprise, she gives me a calm smile.Wait—a calm smile? I blink, wondering if I’m seeing things, but no—she looks calm and collected. There’s worry in her eyes, but she isn’t panicking, not like when she saw the newspaper clipping or thought Vinoth was after her.“I’ll be honest,” she says, before I can ask anything. “I am worried that my life might still be in danger, but this time I’m ready. Facing Vishnu alone that night showed me how trivial life is in the face of death.” She looks determined. “I’m ready to face this threat. I know we can find out who’s behind this and bring them to justice.”“Aren’t you afraid of dying?” I ask, taken aback by her calmness.“I was,” she says with a small laugh. “But after standing in front of a gun and getting shot, death doesn’t feel so intimidating. I’m re—” I place a hand over her mouth to stop her.“But I’m scared,” I say, remembering the day in the hospital. “I felt like I died when I saw you in that room, hooked up to all those machines. Don’t downplay your life’s value. Yes, death is inevitable, but let it come after we’ve lived happily for years—not now.”Sruthi unbuckles her seat belt and cups my face in her hands. “I’m confident that you and my brother won’t let anything happen to me. I’ll stay alert. Don’t worry.”It’s funny—she has such faith that I’ll keep her safe, even though I doubt it. I used to be confident, but that confidence once led to her getting hurt. I can’t make that mistake again, not until we’ve dealt with everyone tied to Raj.❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥