Aakriti's POV

"Are you ok?" I asked him, and I placed my hand on his shoulder. He just stared at me without saying anything. I wanted to say something, but words were not forming in my mind.

"Dhruv." I said it softly. He looked at me with a bitter smile. How can I not know this smile? The smile, along with the blank eyes and stiff face, is what one has when they feel hopeless and have no desire to live. This smile that I have seen so many times and every time I have been not able to do anything. Dhruv, you were teasing me yesterday, and now you are in despair. What happened in one day that triggered you so much? Is it related to love? Did he also experience a heartbreak? Why is it always me consoling people regarding love? I didn't even experience love in my life. Did he kiss me, thinking I was someone else? Asshole. Stupid Pig. 

I hope he can put himself together. If I wasn't here right now, would he have harmed himself the way others did? No, no, Aaku, don't think about all those moments. Concentrate on Dhruv right now. Bring him back to his senses.

"Dhruv, tell me what happened. Why are you in so much pain? Did something happen? We can talk and sort out everything. If it is too much to take in, you can cry and let out everything. Nobody is going to judge you for doing that here. Please don't keep it in your heart. Please." I said.

What are you going through? Why are you in such a miserable state? Even after Dhruv being so strong, he is hurt to this extent. What is he exactly going through right now? Dhruv would have either harmed himself or gotten hurt accidentally. A tear fell down my cheek. I don't ever want to see anyone lifeless again. I have seen enough: Dad, Vihaan, and Meera; one more, and I will go mad.

He raised his eyebrow and looked upset. He merely wiped my tears with his right thumb and stroked my cheek.

"Why?" He asked with a broken voice.

Before I could say anything, he hugged me. He picked me up without breaking the hug and placed me on his lap like a stuffed toy.

He grabbed the back of my head, pulled my face slightly closer, and looked at me as if seeking permission. I circled my palm around his neck. I reduced the distance between us, and we were kissing each other. I was drawing circles with my fingers on his nape. This kiss is different from the first one. This kiss is so gentle and soft. I know that I shouldn't kiss him and should stop this kiss. But I felt comfortable in his embrace. I was experiencing peace for the first time after Dad's death, and it was difficult to convince myself to separate from him.

I felt some wetness on my cheek. Is he crying? I broke the kiss and looked at him. His tears were flowing non-stop. But he was not sobbing or having any expression, just that lost blank look. I hugged him and gently patted his back.

"Dhruv. What happened? Why are you in so much pain? I am worried about you. Please tell me." I said it anxiously.

"Those fucking bastards killed them. My parents didn't deserve to die in such a way. My siblings deserved a fulfilling childhood in their parents care. Just because of their greed, they destroyed our happy family. I will not leave them. I will make them pay for every tear that we shed." His grip on me became even tighter. I just allowed him to be like that, patting gently on his back. He is in so much pain. It makes me sad to see him in such a state. I know how painful it is to lose your parents and your happy home. But I didn't even know how to console him at this moment.

"I miss my parents. I miss my mom's delicious food. I miss the memory of me running around the entire palace and Dad chasing me when I riled up his anger. I miss Mom hugging me and saying that she loves me the most, and my dad making an ugly face at that statement of hers. I miss cooking with her." I smiled slightly at his words, which he said with great fondness. My happy memories started flashing in my mind that I never dared to recollect. These memories were making me feel so much pain because I knew they would never occur again. Aaku, this is not the right time. You need to console him, not the other way around. 

"I am all alone with all this burden and responsibility. Having no shoulder to lean on. I was supposed to protect my siblings from all the pain and misery. But I was not even aware of their situation. I failed. I failed to keep my promise because of my ignorance and arrogance. I sometimes wish to just end all this and just go meet my parents." He said it in a desperate tone. No, no, no. Don't scare me.
"Dhruv Don't think of all this nonsense. You are not alone. I am here to help you, and I can even be the shoulder that you want to lean on. You are not alone. Please never think like that. Your family and friends are always there to support you. You have not failed in protecting them. Your siblings feel safe because you are with them." I said desperately. I don't even know how to console people. Why is it always me who watches people give up on their lives? Being there with everyone, healing their pain, has left a big hole in my heart. He broke the hug and looked at me.

"It's ok. Everything is going to be alright. You are not alone; I am there for you." I said. I gently placed both my hands on his cheeks and wiped his tears. I hope he calms down and doesn't think about all this nonsense. I kissed his forehead unconsciously. I realized my action and quickly stood up. I sat at the other corner of the couch like a statue. 

Why didn't I feel agitated when he kissed me? Why did I allow him to kiss me a second time? Why didn't I feel weird sitting on his lap when he was not wearing a shirt? Why am I so bothered by his pain? Why did I feel so scared when he said that he didn't want to live? I felt safe in his embrace. Should I worry about it? I don't even know what I am doing here. Anyway, we won't be able to discuss the issue, so it would be better for me to leave. But what if I leave and he harms himself?

I was pondering answers to the questions that were running through my mind when I felt a weight on my lap. It shocked me when I saw Dhruv simply lying on my lap.  

"Dhruv, get up." I said this to him and tried to push him gently.

"Aakriti. I am tired." He said it in a soft tone. I felt hypnotized by his voice. Was it always so beautiful? I obeyed his words like a hypnotized person and allowed him to rest on my lap. He just laid on my lap with his eyes closed. There was complete silence in the room. I was moving my fingers in his hair. Why am I not feeling uncomfortable when a man, half naked, is lying on my lap? It is weird. I can feel his pain, and I want to ease it. But the question is, why? I never want to see him this vulnerable again. I never cared about anyone, but I wanted to ease his pain. Is it because I can relate to him to a certain extent? Am I not like him shouldering all the responsibility on myself? Maybe I can understand what he is going through because, at one point, even I went through it, and so I want him not to feel burdened and scared.

I slightly stroked his hair. I should wait for him to fall asleep and then leave. Now that I am sitting in peace, I can feel an ache in my body. I leaned behind to support my back. I closed my eyes and felt some pain in every part of my body. I felt a burning sensation on my lips. I touched my lips and felt some blood. Stupid, annoying idiot. Are you a dog? I will punch you if you dare touch me again. I don't care whether you are a prince or a king.

I gently patted him so that he would fall asleep. A few minutes later, Dhruv's breathing got even. Is he asleep? I should get going.
"Dhruv," I said very softly. No response. I tried to get up, but he suddenly opened his eyes and stared at me.
I felt guilty, as if someone had caught me committing a crime. I quietly sat back, and he looked at me with accusing eyes.
"Don't go." He said it weakly.
"Sleep. I am not going anywhere." I covered his eyes with my palm.
I was waiting for him to go to sleep, but I started dozing. It became difficult to keep my eyes open, so I closed them for a while. I slept without realizing it.

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