Inside Anamika’s Cabin…
Aditya couldn’t help but smile seeing Anamika’s flustered face. He was clearly enjoying it, but he stopped himself, took a deep breath, and calmed down.
Looking at her fondly, he asked, “So tell me… what thoughts were you lost in today?”
Anamika, avoiding his gaze shyly, said, “Will you help me again… like last time?”
Aditya smiled, gently brushing a strand of her hair aside.
“Is that even a question? I’ll do everything I can to shine the brightest—and become your guiding star. From now on, it’s my responsibility to show you the right path.”
Anamika froze. Aditya had spoken without thinking, and when he realized what he’d just said, he turned red.
He turned his face away quickly, his breath almost caught in his chest.
“Hey—uh—don’t get me wrong!” he stammered. “I mean… don’t take that seriously! I didn’t mean it like that! I was not serious!”
He was still trying to recover when Anamika suddenly stepped closer, like a curious little rabbit. Her eyes were filled with innocent wonder as she asked softly, “Were you really not serious?”
There was a quiet hope in her eyes—like she wanted him to say “no.” Aditya’s heartbeat quickened at that look.
It raced so fast that his hand subconsciously went to his chest.
Seeing that, Anamika stepped closer with concern and asked, “W-what happened? Are you okay?”
Aditya quickly took a step back, shoved his hand in his pocket, and said, “It’s nothing! Really, nothing! You tell me… what were you thinking about?”
He was desperately trying to hide his nervousness.
Anamika didn’t say much. She stepped back too, turned slightly, and said, “Well… it’s not really a big problem. It’s just that Saniya asked me something strange this morning—without any reason.”
Aditya asked, “What kind of question?”
“She asked,” Anamika replied, “what do you like more—rivers, seas, ponds, or mountains?”
Aditya frowned. “Why? Is she planning to take you somewhere?”
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Anamika shook her head. “Impossible! Saniya can’t even take a day off right now. Her hospital’s short on emergency doctors. Rudra fired quite a few of them, so her workload’s doubled. There’s no way she can take me anywhere for the next few months.”
Aditya nodded thoughtfully. “Hmm… that’s strange. Why would Rudra fire so many doctors all of a sudden?”
Anamika pouted and turned to face him. “I don’t care about that! I just want to understand what’s going on with Saniya!”
Seeing her like that, Aditya smiled to himself.
“So… she really does care deeply about Saniya,” he thought.
“Though, honestly, those puffed-up cheeks of hers when she’s angry—they remind me of a chipmunk!”
He was still smiling when Anamika noticed it. She lightly punched his arm and said, “You’re laughing at me, aren’t you? Why!?”
Aditya grinned playfully.
“Laugh at you? My dear mangaka, I wouldn’t dare! Whoever laughs at such a sweet face—and an even sweeter heart—deserves a lifetime in hell.”
Anamika looked at him, slightly puzzled.
Aditya sighed softly, took her hand, and guided her to sit on the chair. Kneeling beside her, he said gently, “Alright… let’s think about your problem then. But tell me first—do you really think it’s something to worry about?”
“What do you mean? Shouldn’t I be worried about my friend acting strange?”
Her voice was full of concern, and her eyes reflected pure innocence.
Aditya smiled. “No… in fact, a true friend is someone who does notice even the smallest change in their friend—and actually cares enough to think about it.”
“Then why did you say my problem might not be worth worrying about?”
Anamika sounded like a child complaining about being misunderstood.
Aditya couldn’t help but smile at her innocence.
Looking straight into her eyes, he said softly, “You know… when you look at things from far away, they can seem either terrifying or incredibly beautiful. But is that always the truth? Maybe, maybe not. Tell me—will you let your guesses trouble you before you even know what’s real?”
Anamika asked quietly, “Then how do I find out what’s true and what’s not?”
Aditya replied, “Talk to her. Not to me—talk to her. The one you’re worried about. Don’t torture yourself until you know for sure if there’s something to worry about.”
Anamika’s voice grew faint. “But she hides things from me. If something’s really wrong, she’ll never tell me.”
There was sadness in her eyes—her gaze fell to the floor. Aditya’s fists clenched unconsciously.
In his mind, he thought, “My words aren’t helping her… Why can’t I ease her pain? Why can’t I be her strength when she feels so helpless? No… not this time. I won’t fail again.”
He gently held her hand and, with a warm smile, said,
“Faith, Anamika… you need to have faith in yourself. My mangaka can’t give up this easily! Earning someone’s trust takes time—but if you stop trying midway, all your effort goes to waste. You have to earn Saniya’s trust, so she feels safe sharing anything with you—without fearing whether you can handle it or not. You need to show her that you can. And that begins with one truth… go talk to her. Tell her that—”
“I can do it! I’ll fight for her!” Anamika finished his sentence before he could.
There was a soft smile on her lips as she continued, “I’ll make her believe in me. But Aditya… tell me honestly—if I say something like this to someone, will they believe me?!If I said the same to you, that I’ll help you and fight for you… would you believe me?”
Before she could finish, Aditya interrupted gently, “I already do. More than anything… I believe in you.”
He hadn’t even realized when those words escaped his lips. His eyes spoke louder than his voice — even if the world were to fall apart, his faith in Anamika wouldn’t waver.
Anamika hesitated, “Really? You mean… you trust me… isn't that because you want to make me happy, or—”
Aditya smiled and looked into her eyes.
“No… because it’s true. I really do trust you, Anamika. I have no doubts about your abilities. If you say you’ll do something… then I know you’ll make it happen.”
Anamika was speechless.
For the first time in her life, she felt what it was like to have someone truly believe in her.
All her life, she had been someone’s doll, someone’s precious friend, someone’s reason to smile — but never someone worthy of trust.
To some, she was a fragile girl trapped in darkness.
To others, a child who never broke free from the strings of fate.
And to a few… a delicate, beautiful possession — worth destroying the world for, but never worth trusting.
And yet, in Aditya’s eyes, she saw something different — the light of faith.
The kind of faith that didn’t cage her, but helped her find her own strength.
She smiled softly and said, “Aditya… I promise, I’ll always protect you. And I’ll become strong enough to do it. No matter what it takes.”
At that moment, Aditya’s heart skipped a beat.
With a smile, he replied, “I know you will. I truly believe you will.”
