Chapter 49 - Midnight Cravings & Unspoken Emotions

The night had deepened. Moonlight spilled into the room, blending softly with the glow of a blue lamp. The window was still slightly open - the same one Vedant had used to enter earlier.

Vedant was on a call, pacing slowly near the window. On the bed, Pranavi twisted in discomfort, her stomach aching once again.

Vedant spoke into the phone, "Aditya... do you know anything about periods?"

Aditya paused, then replied, "Not much. I just know girls get stomach pain, mood swings, and they can get really angry. My younger sister Kashish becomes scary during that time. Also, cravings - random food cravings at any hour. That's all I know. Why? Is everything okay there?"

Vedant sighed. "No. Everything is not okay. Pranavi's in pain... and I don't know how to help her."

Just then, he heard a soft whimper from her side. He immediately cut the call and rushed to her.

Pranavi was trying to sit up, struggling from the discomfort and restlessness. Vedant placed a pillow behind her back and gently helped her sit up, concern written all over his face.

She noticed his expression and, despite her pain, asked in a low voice, "Was there any woman in your life before me?"

Vedant blinked, caught off guard by the sudden question. "Yes," he said simply.

Pranavi's eyes widened in shock. She grabbed his collar, glaring. "Who was she?! Tell me her name. Right now."

A tiny smile curved on Vedant's lips. "She was beautiful... gentle... always cared for me."

Pulling him closer in anger, she shouted, "WHO?!"

Vedant's expression softened. "My mom. She was the only woman in my life before you."

Pranavi let go of his collar, her hands trembling. Tears welled up in her eyes as she broke down suddenly. Vedant gently cupped her face, wiping her tears.

"What happened? Why are you crying?" he asked softly.

"There's no other woman in my life except you. Before you, it was only my mother."

Still crying, Pranavi whispered, "I miss my mom... she's gone. You still have your mom... and she loves you so much. But I don't have mine anymore."

Vedant gave a faint smile through the lump in his throat. Her emotional vulnerability was raw, childlike.

As she sobbed more, she pushed him slightly. "You're smiling! I'm crying and you're smiling!"

Vedant moved closer, wiped her cheeks again and said, "I'm not smiling. Look... I don't have my mom either."

Her tears paused. She looked at him, confused. "Don't lie just to comfort me."

Vedant gave a soft, bittersweet smile. "I don't. I lost both my parents when I was sixteen."I'm not lying," Vedant said quietly.

Pranavi's eyes widened. She wiped her tears quickly, guilt flashing in her expression. "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have brought it up. I didn't mean to hurt you."

Vedant pulled her into a hug, patting her back gently. "Hey... it's okay. I'm not sad. See? I'm fine."

She calmed down in his arms, sniffling slightly and pulling back. "I... I want an ice cream."

Vedant remembered what Aditya had said about cravings.

"Okay," he smiled. "Let's go."

She blinked. "Go? Where? We can't leave "

"We can," he smirked, pointing toward the window. "The same way I came in."

Pranavi's eyes widened. "If Aarav bhai finds out I left with you, through the window, in the middle of the night- he'll kill us both."

Vedant gently placed his finger on her lips. "Nothing will happen. I'll bring you back before morning. It's only 2 AM now."

She nodded shyly. "Okay... let me change."

"I'll wait," he said.

As she got up, she stumbled a little. Vedant immediately held her.

"Tell me what you need. No need to change - you look beautiful."

She steadied herself, frowning. "Mr. Rathore, I'm in a night suit. Not really ideal for sneaking out."

Vedant laughed lightly. "Fine then. Tell me what you want."

She sat down on the bed. "Anything. You choose."

He walked over to the wardrobe and pulled out a soft lavender dress. Handing it to her, he said, "This."

Pranavi took the dress and walked into the bathroom. Meanwhile, Vedant stood by the window and made another call.

"Aditya," he ordered in a low voice, "Find every ice cream store nearby and get all open. Now."

"Yes, sir," Aditya responded.

The sound of the bathroom door creaked softly as it opened. Vedant turned instinctively - and time stilled.

Pranavi stepped out wearing the lavender dress he'd chosen. The fabric hugged her frame delicately, falling just above her ankle, swaying lightly with her steps. Her hair was slightly damp, falling around her shoulders, giving her a fresh, dewy glow. Her eyes-soft, slightly nervous-and the way she fidgeted with her fingers made her look breathtakingly innocent.

Vedant didn't blink. His breath hitched as he watched her approach.

In that moment, she wasn't just a girl in a dress.

She was everything beautiful he had lost... and never thought he'd feel again.

His thoughts swirled - How can someone look so delicate and powerful at the same time? Her presence pulled him in like gravity. A softness settled in his eyes, the kind only she could bring out.

"You're staring," she whispered.

"You're glowing," he whispered back.

Pranavi looked away, blushing, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"You look beautiful," Vedant added, voice low.

She gave a shy smile. "Let's go?"

He nodded, offering his hand. She hesitated for a moment, then placed hers in his.

Helping her down from the balcony, he held her hand as they carefully climbed down. As they reached the car, Pranavi smiled softly, "I'm okay. I can walk."

Vedant smirked, "Doesn't matter. I want to hold your hand."

He helped her into the car and got into the driver's seat. As he started the engine, Aditya's voice came from the side, "And what about me?!"

Vedant replied, "Follow in another car."

Aditya huffed and kicked the tire of his car. "What am I? A chaperone?" But he got in and followed.

Inside, Pranavi rolled the window down. The cold breeze hit her face, making her hair dance around her cheeks.

"I've always wanted to go out like this at night... when the whole world sleeps and it's just... quiet."

Vedant turned to look at her. She was glowing. Like a child seeing the world through wonder. Her lips curled up in a smile that melted every inch of steel around his heart.

He didn't say anything. He just stared.

Vedant glanced at her, heart melting.

A few minutes later, the car stopped near an ice cream parlour. Vedant turned to her.

"Which flavour?"

"Chocolate choco chip," she said instantly. "What about you?"

"I don't like any. Never tried ice cream."

Her eyes widened in shock. "What?! Then try one today. I'll come with you."

She took off her seatbelt and stepped out. Vedant opened her side of the door and offered his hand. She placed hers in his, her smile lighting up the night.

"I'm totally fine now. No more pain," she said.

"I still want to hold your hand," he replied softly.

"This place is actually open?"

"It is now," Vedant said, simply.

She giggled. "Feels like magic."

She smiled wider, and they walked into the store. All the workers instantly looked down respectfully.

One staff member stepped forward. "What would you like, sir, ma'am?"

Pranavi beamed. "Can we choose ourselves, please?"

The staff gestured politely toward the open display, allowing them in. As they walked forward, Pranavi whispered, "Why are they all acting so formal? It's like royalty just walked in..."

Vedant just smiled.

Vedant watched her from behind as she walked ahead like a kid in a candy shop - her fingers grazing the cold glass, her eyes wide with excitement, her smile genuine.

"So?" he asked again. "Which flavour?"

Pranavi picked up her favourite. "Chocolate choco chip!"

She turned to him. "Come on, try something! Butterscotch? Vanilla? Strawberry?"

He didn't respond.

His eyes were still on her. In that fluorescent lighting, she looked ethereal. A little girl. A woman. A storm. A lullaby. Everything.

How can someone carry this much light in them? he wondered. And still not see how bright they shine?

She poked his arm. "Hello? Earth to Vedant?"

"Huh?" he blinked.

"Flavour. Choose."

Vedant was just staring at her - the way she lit up, her childish excitement, her glowing smile... she looked adorable.

"Chocolate choco chip," he said finally.

She blinked. "Are you sure you want to try my favourite flavour?"

He didn't answer. He was still lost in her.

He didn't mention that he had no clue how it would taste.

For now, he was only interested in the flavour of her laughter. The way her happiness filled the air, and how - for the first time in years - he wasn't just breathing.

He was living.

End of Chapter 49

- To be continued...

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