The Oculesics- Ek Kahaani Junoon Ki

23.

You sweethearts just completed the target in 24 hours, so guess what? Double update coming your way today! Love you all!

Target- 120 votes

Dhimahi's POV-

Everything feels so exhausting lately. My office has switched to a hybrid schedule—three days at the office and two days work-from-home. Honestly, I prefer the work-from-home days. They're less draining, and I don’t have to come up with tired excuses to hide my mood or my dull eyes. But in a way, I’m glad that Trayambak has been coming home late these days. He seems busier than usual. We barely spend time together anymore.

Sometimes, I find myself missing the old Trayambak—the one before marriage, He’s changed. More aggressive now, unpredictable. And yet, just when I begin to detach, he does something so tender that I end up confused all over again.

Like last night.
The cramps were unbearable—sharp, pulsing pain in my back and lower stomach. I was lucky that I didn't have to go to the office that day. For no specific reason, the office gave us an off day. Sometimes God really listens to my prayers. I was curled up on the bed, trying not to cry. Without a word, Trayambak sat beside me and started massaging my back, his fingers warm and slow, patient. He even placed a hot water bag beneath my lower back and stayed up the whole night. He didn’t sleep for a second. Just kept rubbing my stomach gently, asking softly if it still hurt. I slept under his touch, for the first time in days feeling safe.

I wish he stayed like that—gentle, caring.
But such moments are rare, and fragile.

Right now, I’m at the office. I lied to Trayambak, I said that I am going to meet my parents, and he agreed.

Thankfully it's my third day today, so no heavy flow or unbearable cramps. I was munching on my fruits. Trayambak always emphasizes on my diet—he’s obsessive about it, actually—but in the past few weeks, his concern has grown even more intense. He texts to ask what I ate, whether I skipped a meal, if I drank enough water. It's endearing and a bit suffocating sometimes.

My colleagues have been kind too. Especially Ayushman.

He noticed I was a bit uncomfortable today, shifting in my seat, trying to focus. I didn’t even realize I was grimacing until he placed a steaming cup of coffee on my desk and smiled, “Strong brew. Might help.” I gave him a tired thank you, grateful, but distracted.

Then during the lunch break, when everyone else was chatting or glued to their phones, Ayushman quietly slipped out. When he returned, he handed me a pizza box. “Figured you might want a change from that fruit bowl,” he chuckled.

I was surprised. “But… I didn’t even say anything.”

He shrugged. “You once said pizza is your comfort food. Remember?"

I had forgotten. He hadn’t.

It’s comforting to have a male friend who’s warm without being clingy, thoughtful without overstepping. Once, I had a mild headache and was rubbing my temple, and the next minute, Ayushman placed a roll-on balm on my desk without saying a word.

Everyone jokes that he spoils me, but I just laugh it off. He’s just being nice to me. He is like a brother to me.

But this evening, as I was about to pack up, he looked at me with concern again.
“You’re still pale,” he said softly. “Look, I can drop you home. Don’t argue, okay? You’re clearly not feeling your best today.”

“Ayushman, it’s really not necessary—”

“It’s not charity, Dhimahi,” he cut in gently, “It’s just me being your friend. Let me do that much.”