I'm Your Healer

~Don't try to be frank with me~

Meera's thoughts were racing as she stared out at the trees lining the road. She took a deep breath and tried to distract herself by focusing on the passing scenery.

Shivansh noticed her subtle movements and decided it was time to break the silence. Calling her name softly yet firmly, he said, "Meera."

Meera turned toward him hesitantly, her expression guarded yet curious-as if he had read her mind and interrupted her train of thought.

"Tum janna nahi chahti ki main achanak se tumhe tumhare ghar se dur akele is vacation pe kyun leke aaya hu?" Shivansh asked, his tone calm but probing.

Meera blinked at him in surprise before nodding slightly. She didn't speak but stared at him expectantly, waiting for him to continue.

Shivansh took a deep breath before speaking again. "Dekho," he began carefully, "main jaanta hoon ki hum dono apne parents ko dukhi nahi dekh sakte hain-lekin humari shaadi bhi nahi karna chahte hain. Lekin ab hum officially engaged hain." His voice softened as he added, "Iska matlab ye nahi ki main is chiz ko ignore kar sakta hoon ki tum is shaadi ki baat se bilkul bhi comfortable nahi ho."

Meera's heart skipped a beat at his words; he was acknowledging what she had been struggling with silently all along.

"Tumhari studies bhi complete nahi hui hain," Shivansh continued thoughtfully. "Tumhari age bhi shadi ki nahi hai-aur tumhe life mein kisi chiz ka experience nahi hai." He glanced at her briefly before continuing. "Phir bhi tum apne parents ke liye itna bada sacrifice karna chahti ho... I don't know if they have acknowledged it, but I have."

Meera's eyes widened slightly as she absorbed his words. She felt both seen and exposed-like he had peeled back layers of her carefully constructed facade.

"Main chahta hoon ki tum ye difference samjho," Shivansh said earnestly, "ki meri life mein tumhare aane se koi impact nahi padega-main aaj jitne uthta hoon, sota hoon, jo bhi khata hoon aur jo bhi kaam karta hoon wahi karta rahunga." He paused for effect before adding gently but firmly, "Lekin tumhari life 360° change ho jayegi."

Meera swallowed hard as his words sank in. She had never thought about it that way before-but hearing it aloud made her feel even more uncertain about everything.

"Maine tumhe samjhaya bhi tha ki agar tumhe mana karna hai toh kar sakti ho," Shivansh continued patiently. "Main ye isliye keh raha hoon kyunki main chahta hoon ki tum apni life ko fully experience karo-having a love relationship, living your life to the fullest, doing whatever you want."

His voice softened further as he added sincerely: "I don't want you to feel restricted."

Then came the part that made Meera's heart race even faster: "Aur main ye bhi bata dena chahta hoon ki agar tum after marriage kisi se affair bhi karo-like obviously you aren't in love with me but this is an imposed marriage-agar kabhi tumhe koi aur pasand aa jata hai toh I won't tell you to stay away from them."

Meera's jaw dropped slightly at his boldness; she couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Ab ye mat kehna ki main toh green forest hoon," Shivansh added with a faint chuckle to lighten the mood but still serious undertones in his voice. "I just can't see anyone being so helpless like you are-not even bothering to do a single thing of your liking."

Unable to hold back any longer, Meera interjected sharply: "Aap itna concern kyun hain mere liye? Aap toh mujhe jaante hi nahi! Kahi aisa toh nahi ki ek favor ke badle aap mujse koi kaam karwana chahte hain?"

Shivansh flinched slightly at her words but quickly replied: "Idk man-like seriously! Jab maine tumhe dekha aur tumse baat ki toh mujhe laga tum honest aur strong ho lekin ab mujhe pata chala ki mujhe tumhari madad karni padegi."