Aditi had greeted Nanamma at home with a cheerfulness that was forced, drawing her into a conversation until both ladies had retired to their respective rooms.
The entire time, she had not spared him a glance. If this was an indication of her behaviour with him in future, Rian wasn’t sure he would survive it.
He checked his phone. The read notification told him she’d seen his message, but confirmed his fear. She was avoiding him.
He walked on leaded feet towards the hallway, noticing the lights under her door. He approached her room, apprehension and fear twisting his gut. What if she refused to speak with him? He rapped his knuckles against the wooden panel before he could change his mind. A moment later, the door cracked open to reveal her in her old, now familiar, pyjamas.
Aditi watched Rian open his mouth before closing it, evidently unsure of himself.
“I brought you dessert,” he said, wincing at his lame opening line.
She didn’t respond, and his wavering confidence plunged even lower.
“Doc, I. . .”
She turned away, heading for the armchair in the corner of her room. She turned on the small TV on her side wall, flipping through the channels. Rian stepped in and cleared his throat.
“You can watch whatever you want on the big screen in the living room. You don’t have to stay here.”
She didn’t acknowledge him.
“I’m sorry,” he said, fighting the urge to rip the stupid TV off the wall. He hated this awkwardness. “Will you please say something?”
“Okay,” she tossed out, eyes glued to the screen.
“That’s it?”
“Hmm.”
He left the room, confused. A moment later, he barged back in, standing directly in her line of vision.
“You won’t ask why I acted like a jerk?” The idea that she might not care enough to know his reason for behaving out of the ordinary bothered him. His restlessness was turning into a desperation for Aditi’s forgiveness.
Brown eyes pinned him for a moment, and he almost stopped breathing. Hurt and fear swirled in those chocolatey depths. Herchin trembled, the small flare of her nostrils telling him that she was reining in her feelings.
She was hiding from him. He knew instinctively that she would not ask him for clarification. The freedom she’d thought she had before—questioning him, teasing him, being silly with him—he’d snatched that away in one cruel moment.
Regret and shame washed over him, the weight of his actions unbearable. If he wanted her to feel free around him again, he would have to take the first step. He’d have to lay himself open and let her see the scars he’d always kept hidden.
Aditi fought hard not to rear back when Rian approached her and held his hand out. “Please."
She didn’t know what made her do it, but she allowed him to lead her out to the kitchen. She stood silently, trepidation and anxiety filling her when he pulled out a spoon and scooped a piece of the cake, holding it out for her.
The look of incredulity she shot him had him feeling like a fool. Rian sighed, his hand dropping to the counter.
“I know you have no reason to do as I ask, but please, can you give me a chance?”
Just when he thought she would refuse, Aditi picked up the spoon and took a bite. The stirring of relief he felt boosted his courage. He pulled out his phone and tapped on a music app.
“Pick a song.”
Her expression turned mulish. Accepting defeat, he pressed play on something he hoped she would like.
“Dance?”
Apparently this was her limit because Aditi whipped around, fully intending to walk away.
Rian rushed to block her path. “Please, Doc.” His hands itched to hold her so that she wouldn’t leave. Sheglared at him.