Fifteen minutes had passed.Fifteen minutes since Yogesh had finally stopped fighting his own tears.

Fifteen minutes since all the walls he had carefully built around himself had come crashing down.

And Akanksha had let him.

She hadn't tried to stop him.

She hadn't asked him to be quiet.

She hadn't said, Don't cry.

She hadn't asked him to explain everything again.

She hadn't reminded him of what had happened between them.

She hadn't blamed him.

She hadn't even tried to make sense of what was happening.

She had simply held him.

That was all he seemed to need.

Yogesh's face was still buried against her shoulder, his arms wrapped tightly around her. His crying wasn't loud anymore. The force of it had slowly exhausted him.

Now, only small, broken sobs escaped him.Every few seconds, a hiccup followed.Then a shaky breath.

Then silence.

And again.

Akanksha could feel every uneven breath against her shoulder.Her hand moved slowly over his back.

Up.

Down.

Again.

Her other hand remained in his hair, gently caressing it.She didn't know how long she had been doing it.

She had stopped keeping track of time.

All she knew was that Yogesh had needed somewhere to put all the pain he had been carrying, and somehow, tonight, he had chosen her.

She didn't want to make him regret it.

So she stayed.Yogesh's fingers occasionally tightened around her clothes, almost unconsciously.

Every time that happened, Akanksha's hand would move a little more gently over his back.

"It's okay..." she whispered once.

His breathing hitched.

"You don't have to stop."

Another quiet sob escaped him.

Akanksha closed her eyes for a moment.

"Bas... let it out."

She didn't know if he heard her.

Maybe he did.

Maybe he didn't.

But slowly, his body began to relax.

The trembling became less frequent.

His sobs became quieter.

His breathing was still uneven, but it wasn't as desperate as before.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

The room was almost completely silent.Yogesh stayed against her shoulder.

Akanksha continued stroking his hair.

And in that silence, she realised something she hadn't expected.She wasn't angry anymore.Not at that moment.

Whatever questions she had, whatever hurt remained between them, whatever things she still didn't understand-

none of it mattered while he was sitting there, completely exhausted and vulnerable in her arms.

She could deal with everything else later.

Right now, he just needed to breathe.

Eventually, she felt his body grow heavier against her.His crying had almost stopped.Akanksha slowly looked down.

"Yogi?"

No response.

She gently moved her hand to his forehead.Her eyebrows immediately pulled together.

He was still burning.

The fever hadn't gone down.

"Yogesh..."

He gave a small hum without lifting his head.

"Your fever is still so high."

She tried to move slightly.The moment she shifted, his arms tightened.Akanksha stopped.

"Yogi..."

He didn't lift his head.

Instead, he moved closer, almost instinctively, hiding his face deeper against her shoulder.

Akanksha's expression softened.

She understood.

He didn't want her to leave.

Not even for a moment..

"Yogesh," she called softly.

"Hmmm..."

"Look at me."

He shook his head.

"Please."

Nothing.

Akanksha ran her fingers through his hair.

"I'm not going anywhere."

That made him pause.His fingers loosened slightly.

"Can you just lift your head?"

For a few seconds, he remained still.

Then, slowly, he lifted his face.

Akanksha's heart sank at the sight.

His eyes were red and swollen.

His cheeks were wet.

His hair was messy from all the times her fingers had moved through it.

His face was flushed from the fever, and there was an exhaustion in his eyes that made him look younger somehow.

Not physically.

Just... lost.

Like someone who had spent too long trying to find his way back to himself.

Akanksha slowly cupped his cheeks.

Her thumbs gently wiped away the remaining tears.

"Hey...look at me.."

He looked at her.

"Everything is okay."

Her voice was soft.She knew everything wasn't okay.But right now, he needed to hear it.

"I am here, na?"

Yogesh's lips parted, but no words came.

"Kahin nahi ja rahi."

His eyes searched hers.

"Promise?"

The word came out almost like a whisper.Akanksha swallowed.

"Promise."

She brushed his hair away from his forehead.

"But you have to let me take care of you."

He looked at her silently.

"You have high fever."

She touched his forehead again.

"Bahut zyada."

He looked down.

"Medicine leni padegi."

Immediately, he shook his head.

Akanksha almost sighed.

"Yogesh..."

"No."

"Why?"

"Don't want."

His voice was so quiet that she almost smiled.

"You don't want medicine?"

He shook his head.

"Of course you don't."

She gently touched his cheek.

"But unfortunately, today you don't get to decide."

He gave her a tired look.

"Please."

Something in his voice made her stop .She softened immediately.

"Okay."

She squeezed his hand.

"I won't force you."

His shoulders relaxed.

"But you still need it."

He looked away.

"Come on."

She stood slowly.

"Bed pe chalte hain."

Yogesh didn't move.Akanksha held out her hand.

"Come."

He looked at her hand.

Then at her face.

Finally, he took it.She helped him stand.The moment he got up, his body swayed.

"Yogesh!"

Akanksha immediately caught him.

"Careful."

He closed his eyes for a moment.

"Chakkar?"

He nodded

.

"Okay. Slowly.

"

She slipped an arm around him and supported his weight.

"Don't try to walk fast."

They slowly reached the bed.

Akanksha helped him sit.

"Now lie down."

He obeyed.

She adjusted the pillows behind him and pulled the blanket over him.

"Thand lag rahi hai?"

He nodded.

She tucked the blanket properly around him.

"Better?"

Another nod.

Akanksha sat beside him.For a moment, neither spoke.Yogesh simply looked at her.There was something almost anxious in his eyes.

Akanksha noticed.

"What?"

He shook his head.

"Nothing."

"Then why are you staring?"

He looked away.

Akanksha smiled faintly.

"I'm still here."

His eyes returned to her.

"I know."

She reached for his hand.

"Good."

A few seconds passed.Then Akanksha stood.His fingers immediately closed around hers.

"Don't go."

She looked down.

"I'm only getting your medicine."

He didn't let go

.

"I'll come back."

His grip remained.

"Yogesh."

"Don't go."

There was fear in his voice now.Not loud.Not dramatic.Just a quiet fear that made Akanksha sit down again.

She gently rubbed her thumb over the back of his hand.

"I'm not leaving you right now"

He looked at her.

"Then why?"

"Because I need to get your medicine."

She smiled softly.

"Two minutes."

He didn't answer.

"Main bas do minute ke liye jaungi."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

He finally loosened his grip.Akanksha squeezed his hand.

"Kahan jaungi tumhe chhod kar

..hmmm?"

His eyes remained on her.

"Bas abhi gayi aur abhi aa gayi."

She touched his cheek.

"Tab tak aankhein band karo."

He nodded.

"Rest."

Before she stood, she leaned down and gently pressed her lips against his fever-warm forehead.

She paused for a fraction of a second.

She hadn't planned it.

She hadn't thought about it.

It had simply happened.

Akanksha straightened.

"I'm coming back."

Then she walked toward the door.

Yogesh's eyes followed her.Even after the door closed, his gaze remained fixed on it.

The moment Akanksha stepped into the living room, four pairs of eyes turned toward her.Sorab stood immediately.

"Kaisa hai?"

Akanksha opened her mouth.Nothing came.

Her eyes filled.

She quickly looked down and blinked.

"Fever abhi bhi hai."

Her voice was quiet.Sorab's face became serious.

"Abhi bhi?"

She nodded.

"Thoda shant hua hai. Crying bhi ruk gayi."

She swallowed.

"But he's really weak."

Gullu took a step forward.

"Main ek baar-"

Akanksha shook her head.

"Gullu..Abhi nahi."

Gullu stopped.

"He doesn't want anyone to see him."

Her voice softened.

"Please."

Sorab nodded.

"Okay."

Akanksha looked toward the bedroom door.

"He's embarrassed."

She wiped beneath her eye.

"He kept saying he doesn't want you all to see him like this."

Niharika's expression softened.

Sorab looked toward the medicine.

"Dawai?"

"Ha."

He immediately picked it up.

"Ye jo hum laaye the."

He handed it to her.

Akanksha took it.

"Paani?"

"Main laati hoon," Subhangi said immediately.

She disappeared into the kitchen.Gullu looked worried.

"Akku..."

Akanksha looked at him.

"He'll be okay, na?"

The question was so innocent that it almost broke her.

"I hope so."

She took a breath.

"Bas abhi usse rest chahiye."

Subhangi returned with a glass of water.Then she brought a small plate of simple food.Akanksha looked down at it.

"He hasn't eaten since yesterday."

Sorab nodded.

"I think he should eat something before taking medicine."

Akanksha picked up the tray.

"Agar tum bologi toh shayad maan jaaye," Sorab said.

Akanksha gave him a tired look.

"Hopefully."

She turned toward the bedroom.

Before entering, she looked back at them.

"Please... abhi koi andar mat aana."

Sorab nodded.

"Don't worry."

Akanksha opened the door.Yogesh was still looking toward it.The moment he saw her, something in his face changed.The tension disappeared slightly.

Akanksha noticed.

"You were waiting?"

"No."

She smiled.

"Accha?"

He looked away.She walked toward him.

"Liar."

She placed the tray on the nightstand.

"First, temperature."

She took the thermometer.Yogesh didn't complain.The thermometer beeped.Akanksha looked at it.

"101."

She frowned.

"Fever kam nahi hua."

He didn't respond.

"Okay. Medicine."

She helped him sit up.His body was still weak, so she adjusted the pillows behind him.

"Comfortable?"

He nodded.

"Paani."

She held the glass to his mouth.He took a few small sips.Then she picked up the plate.

"Now eat."

He immediately shook his head.

"Bhukh nahi hai."

"I know."

"Then?"

"Then also you have to eat."

He sighed.

"Akanksha..."

"Just a few bites."

"I don't want."

She looked at him.

"Yogi."

He looked back.

"Please."

Something in her expression made him give up.She tore a small piece of roti, dipped it in the sabzi and held it toward him.

"Just one."

He opened his mouth.Akanksha smiled.

"Good"

She prepared another bite.

He ate.

Then another.

She didn't rush him.Between every bite, she waited.

"Enough?"

He shook his head.

She fed him another.After a few more bites, he caught her wrist.

"Bas."

She stopped immediately.

"Aur nahi?"

He shook his head.

Akanksha looked at the plate.He had eaten enough for the medicine.

"Okay."

She didn't argue.She put the plate aside and gave him water.Then she picked up the medicine.

"Now this."

He took it without complaining.

Akanksha watched him swallow.

"Good."

She took the glass from him.

"Main haath dho karke aati hoon."

He didn't stop her.When she returned, he was lying against the pillows, eyes open.

She sat beside him.Her hand automatically moved into his hair.

"Better?"

He nodded.

"Medicine okay?"

Another nod.

For a while, they stayed quiet.Then Akanksha spoke.

"Yogesh..."

"Hmmm?"

"Sorab, Niharika, Gullu aur Subhangi bahar hain."

His face immediately tightened.

"They want to see you."

He shook his head.

"No."

Akanksha didn't push.

"Okay."

"I don't want them to see me."

"I know."

"I don't want anyone to see me like this."

Akanksha looked at him.

"Why?"

He was silent for a long moment.

Then he said,

"They'll think I'm weak."

Akanksha's expression changed.

"Who?"

"Everyone."

"Everyone doesn't matter."

"They'll know."

"That you're hurt?"

He didn't answer.

"That you're not okay?"

His eyes lowered.

Akanksha gently touched his cheek.

"Yogi, being not okay doesn't make you weak."

He looked at her.

"You don't have to prove anything to them."

He swallowed.

"They'll look at me differently."

"No."

His eyes remained doubtful.

"They won't."

"How do you know?"

"Because I know them."

She smiled faintly.

"And because I know you."

He looked away.

Akanksha continued softly.

"They're not standing outside because they want to judge you."

"Then why?"

"Because they're worried."

He remained silent.

"They care about you."

He looked at her..

"Sach?"

"Sach."

She squeezed his hand.

"But you don't have to meet them if you're not ready."

His shoulders relaxed.

"Abhi nahi."

"Okay."

She immediately reached for her phone.

"Koi nahi aayega."

She messaged Sorab.A few seconds later, his reply came.If you need anything, call me. We're all here in the next room.Akanksha put the phone aside.Yogesh watched her.

"Happy?"

He nodded.

"Good."

She checked his forehead again.

"Now sleep."

"Neend nahi aa rahi."

"Why?"

He hesitated.

"Head."

"Headache?"

He nodded.

"Bahut?"

He nodded again.

Akanksha's expression became concerned.

"Dawai abhi li hai. Thoda time lagega."

He looked at her.

"I don't want to sleep."

"Why?"

His eyes moved away.For several seconds, he didn't speak.Then he whispered,

"If I sleep..."

He stopped.Akanksha waited.

"If I sleep, everything will start again."

She understood what he meant.

The memories.

The thoughts.

The things he was trying to escape from even while awake.She didn't ask him to explain.She simply held his hand.

"Nothing will happen."

His eyes returned to hers.

"I am here."

He stared at her.

"If you wake up in sleep ....I'll be here."

His fingers tightened around hers.

"If you're scared, wake me."

"Really?"

"Really."

She gave him a small smile.

"Main kahin nahi ja rahi."

His breathing slowly began to settle.

"Now close your eyes."

He obeyed.

Akanksha continued running her fingers through his hair.

Minutes passed.His face slowly relaxed.His breathing became slower.

Akanksha thought he was finally asleep.Then his eyes opened.

"Kya hua?"

"Head..."

He frowned slightly..

"Dard?"

He nodded.

Akanksha looked at him for a moment.Then she adjusted the pillows.

"Come here."

She gently patted her lap.

"I'll massage your head."

Yogesh hesitated.

"It's okay."

He looked uncertain.Akanksha didn't force him.She simply waited.After a few seconds, he slowly moved.She helped him settle down.His head rested against her lap.Akanksha adjusted the blanket around him. While he slept on his stomach while keeping his head on her lap

"Comfortable?"

He nodded.

"Okay."

Her fingers slowly moved through his hair.She massaged his head gently.

"Now close your eyes."

Yogesh did.

"Don't think."

He gave the smallest nod.

"Bas rest."

Her fingers continued moving through his hair.Slowly.

Patiently.His breathing began to even out.The tension in his forehead disappeared.His grip on her hand became weaker.And after a while, he fell asleep.

Akanksha knew because his breathing had changed.

The small movements of his fingers had stopped.

His face looked peaceful.

Finally.

After an entire night of fear, tears and exhaustion, he was finally sleeping.

But Akanksha didn't stop.Her fingers continued moving gently through his hair.She looked down at him.And something inside her ache.

Because this was the same person she had once known so well.

The same person she had once trusted without thinking.

The same person whose silence she could once understand.

And yet tonight, she had realised how much she still didn't know.

How much he had been carrying.

How much he had hidden.

Her eyes moved over his tired face.

"You should have told someone..."

The words came out as a whisper.

She knew he couldn't hear her.

Maybe that was why she could finally say them.

"You should have told me."

Her fingers moved through his hair again.

She swallowed.

"But maybe..."

She stopped.

Maybe she hadn't given him enough reason to believe he could.

That thought hurt.

Akanksha looked away.

She didn't know what tomorrow would bring.

She didn't know how Yogesh would behave when he woke up.

Would he remember everything he had said?

Would he remember how tightly he had held onto her?

Would he regret letting her see him like this?

Would he pretend everything was fine again?

Would they talk?

Would they fight?

Would they finally say all the things they had avoided?

She didn't know.

And for once, she didn't want to know.Tonight was already too much.

Her eyes returned to him.He shifted slightly in his sleep.Akanksha immediately adjusted the blanket.

"Shhh..."

Her hand rested lightly against his forehead.The fever was still there.

She worried about that too.She knew they would have to keep checking it.

If it remained high, they would need proper medical attention.

But for now, he was sleeping.That was enough.She leaned back against the headboard.Her hand never left his hair.And slowly, her thoughts returned to everything that had happened.

The moment she had walked into the room.

The way he had looked at her.

The way his voice had broken.

The way he had finally cried after holding everything inside for so long.

She remembered how he had held onto her as though letting go meant losing the only thing keeping him steady.

Her chest tightened.

She didn't know what to do with that.

She had spent so long convincing herself that she had moved forward.

That she had accepted what had happened.

That she could see Yogesh without feeling everything all over again.

But tonight had proved otherwise.

She still cared.

Maybe more than she wanted to admit.And that scared her.

Because caring was easy when there was distance.

Caring from far away didn't demand anything.

But sitting beside him now was different.Now she could see every tired breath.Every small movement.

Every trace of fear.And she couldn't pretend it didn't affect her.

Akanksha looked toward the bedroom door.

Beyond it, their friends were waiting.

They were probably worried too.

But none of them knew what had happened inside this room.

None of them knew how completely Yogesh had broken down.

None of them knew how frightened he had been.

And maybe that was okay.

Some things didn't need an audience.

Some pain didn't need witnesses.

For tonight, he could simply sleep.

For tonight, he didn't have to be Yogesh everyone expected him to be.

He didn't have to be strong.

He didn't have to explain.

He didn't have to smile.

He could simply rest.

Akanksha gently moved a strand of hair away from his forehead.

"You better be okay tomorrow, Yogi..."

Her voice was barely audible.

"Because I don't know what I'm supposed to do if you're not."

He didn't move.

He remained asleep.

Akanksha smiled sadly.

"Y

ou always make everything complicated."

A tiny breath escaped him.

She looked down at him again.

Her smile disappeared.

Because beneath everything else was one truth she couldn't escape.

She couldn't watch him suffer and walk away.

Not tonight.

Maybe not tomorrow either.

But what happened after that?

She didn't know.

And she wasn't ready to decide.

Tomorrow would bring its own questions.

Tomorrow, they would have to face everything they had been avoiding.

Tomorrow, Yogesh would wake up.

And Akanksha would still be there.

But tonight...

Tonight, she would simply stay.

Her fingers continued to move gently through his hair.And for the first time in a long while, neither of them had to say anything.

There was no apology.

No explanation.

No promise about the future.

Only silence.

Only the soft rhythm of his breathing.

And Akanksha sitting beside him, quietly watching over him until the night grew deeper.

To be continue....