The morning started earlier than usual for Tejasswi. By 4 a.m., she was already awake, her mind running in circles about the group task ahead. The thought of elimination tomorrow loomed over her like a dark cloud.
By the time she reached Sahara Star, the environment was buzzing with energy, but Tejasswi couldn’t shake her nervousness. Despite putting in her best effort, her team lost, and the defeat hit her hard.
Back at home, Karan was restless, pacing in his living room. “Teju needs me right now. She’s under so much stress,” he muttered to himself.
---
By 10 p.m., Karan arrived at Tejasswi’s house unannounced. Her mom opened the door, surprised.
“Karan beta, itni raat ko? Sab theek hai?”
“Woh… Teju kaisi hai? Mujhe usse baat karni thi,” he said, trying to sound casual.
Her mom gestured toward Tejasswi’s room. “Thoda thaki lag rahi thi, lekin tum dekh lo.”
---
Karan walked into her room, finding her sitting cross-legged on the bed, staring blankly at her laptop. Her eyes were slightly puffy, and it was clear she’d been crying.
“Baby,” he said softly, shutting the door behind him.
Tejasswi glanced at him and quickly looked away. “Karan, abhi mood nahi hai. Please.”
Karan sat on the edge of the bed. “Laddoo, mujhe pata hai tum upset ho. Lekin hum baat karke solve kar sakte hain na?”
She shook her head, her voice cracking. “Solve? Hum kya solve karenge, Sunny? Tumhe pata hai, kal elimination hai… aur hum haar gaye. Maine itni mehnat ki thi. I don’t know what I’ll do tomorrow.”
---
Karan scooted closer, trying to hold her hand, but she pulled away.
“Teju, itna pressure mat lo. Tumne apna best diya hoga.”
She snapped, her emotions spilling out. “Sab bolte hain na, tumne best diya hoga, but kya faayda agar result hi nahi mila? Tum nahi samjhoge, Sunny. Tumhara kaam alag hai. Tumhe yeh sab nahi face karna padta.”
Her words hurt, but Karan stayed calm. “Teju, tumhari feelings valid hain, but yeh kehna galat hai ki main samajhta nahi. Tumhari stress aur tumhara pain mujhe bhi chubhta hai.”
She finally looked at him, tears streaming down her face. “Toh phir mujhe kyun lagta hai ki main akeli hoon is sab mein?”
---
Karan cupped her face, wiping away her tears. “Tum kabhi akeli nahi ho, Teju. Main tumhare saath hoon, aur rahunga. Aaj ke liye bas relax kar lo. Main yahin rukta hoon tumhare saath.”
Tejasswi didn’t argue, too exhausted to fight him. She simply nodded and leaned into his chest, letting him hold her.
---
Around midnight, Karan woke up to find Tejasswi tossing and turning in bed, her forehead damp with sweat.
“Teju, tumhara tabiyat theek lag raha hai?” he asked, worried.
“Mujhe lagta hai fever hai,” she mumbled weakly.
Karan immediately got up, grabbed a thermometer, and checked her temperature. “102. Laddoo, itna stress kyun le rahi ho? Ab dekho kya haal ho gaya hai.”
He rushed to get a wet cloth and placed it on her forehead. “Ab bas rest karo. Kal ka sochna band karo.”
Tejasswi gave him a weak smile. “Thanks, Sunny. Tum hamesha mere liye ho.”
“Tumhare bina toh main hoon hi nahi,” he said softly.
---
By morning, Tejasswi’s fever had subsided, but she still looked drained. She got ready for her shoot, giving Karan a quick hug before leaving.
“Karan, tum khud ka khayal rakhna,” she said, her voice tinged with concern.
“Tumhaare bina mujhe kuch acha nahi lagta, laddoo. Jaldi wapas aana,” he replied.
---
Meanwhile, Karan’s Noida event got canceled. He saw it as a blessing in disguise. “Aaj raat kuch bhi ho, main Teju ke saath sab theek kar ke rahunga,” he promised himself.
---
Happy reading.
YOU ARE READING
Echoes of Doubt
RomanceAmid rising misunderstandings and insecurities, Tejasswi and Karan's seemingly perfect relationship faces its toughest storm. Overwhelmed by negativity, anger, and a third person's interference, their bond begins to crumble. As unspoken words and un...
