Later that day—
They were back home.
But the house felt different now.
Not broken.
But not whole either.
Ayaan played happily, unaware of the tension between them.
Ananya stood in the kitchen.
Aarav leaned against the doorframe.
"We need to talk," he said.
She didn't turn.
"I know."
Silence.
"I meant what I said," he continued.
"I know."
She finally looked at him.
"But that doesn't fix six years, Aarav."
His expression softened.
"I'm not asking it to."
"Then what are you asking?"
He stepped closer.
"A chance."
Her breath caught slightly.
"A chance to prove I won't hurt you again."
She looked away.
"That's what you said before."
His voice dropped.
"And I failed."
Silence.
"I won't make promises this time," he added.
"I'll just… stay."
The words hit deeper than any promise.
Because this time—
He wasn't asking for love.
He was asking for time.