Bridges and Barriers

                  Next Morning

                  Thakkar House

As the morning light filtered through the curtains, Savi slowly woke up, feeling the warmth of Sai snuggled against her on one side. She became aware of something else, too-Rajat's arm draped over her on the other side, his presence close and protective. For a moment, she just lay there, her mind drifting back to the accident

As she replayed the incident in her mind, the chaotic blur of the crash seemed to settle into clarity. She remembered the screech of the tires, the forceful jolt as her car slammed into the pole, and the moment the airbag deployed, cushioning her from a more serious injury. But what stood out most vividly was the rush of fear that had gripped her-fear not for herself, but for Rajat and Sai. The thought of not being there for them, of something happening to her and leaving them behind, had terrified her more than anything else.

Her gaze shifted to Rajat as he lay beside her, still asleep, his breathing steady and calm. She realized that in that split second, when she thought her life was hanging in the balance, it wasn't Ishaan she had thought of. It was Rajat and Sai. The realization hit her with a force she wasn't prepared for. Was Rajat becoming more important to her than she had allowed herself to admit? How could she do this to Ishaan?

Just as she was lost in these thoughts, Rajat stirred. His eyes fluttered open, and he found her staring at him. There was a flicker of something unspoken between them-a connection that she couldn't quite define.

Savi feeling caught frowned slightly and asked, "What are you doing on my side of the bed?"

For a moment, she thought he might say something, that he might acknowledge whatever was hanging in the air between them.

But instead, Rajat's expression closed off. He pulled his arm back, got up from the bed without a word, and left the room, leaving Savi staring after him in confusion. She had expected him to say something, anything, but his sudden retreat left her feeling unsettled. What was going on in his mind? Why did he look at her like that and then leave?

Rajat walked out of his room, his heart racing. He had awoken to find himself next to Savi, and the memory of the previous night flooded back, But now, a wave of uncertainty crashed over him. Savi was mad at him for sleeping next to her, and if she ever found out that he loved her, would it ruin everything?

As he moved down the hallway, his mind began to drift into a vivid daydream. In this imagined scenario, he was sitting across from Savi in a cozy café, sunlight streaming through the windows. The ambiance was perfect, and he felt emboldened by the warmth of the moment. He took a deep breath, the words hovering on the tip of his tongue.

"Savi," he started, his voice barely above a whisper, "I love you."

But instead of joy or surprise lighting up her face, Savi's expression turned to one of shock, and then-before he could even process her reaction-she leaned across the table and punched him squarely on the face.

"Ow!" Rajat flinched, his body jolting awake as he stumbled out of his daydream. The realization hit him hard: Savi would see his confession as a breach of the unspoken agreement they had. This marriage was intended for her to be Sai's mother, a partnership built on friendship and support. He knew Savi didn't consider him more than a friend, even if their shared kisses hinted at a deeper attraction.