Thank you for showing love to my series!! This is the semi-finale part of our story! Sit back and enjoyyy… share your reviews on mail or instagram!
PART 4
Riya’s gaze was steady and reassuring as she approached, carrying a small velvet-lined box she had thoughtfully prepared. Setting it beside Aashi, she carefully opened the box to reveal a few cherished items they had selected together. Aashi looked at them, feeling a surge of warmth and anticipation. Riya gave her a soft smile, her expression both calm and inviting.
“Are you ready?” Riya’s voice was gentle, her hand brushing against Aashi’s in a quiet gesture of reassurance.
Aashi’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she nodded, feeling safe and seen in this space they had created. “Yes,” she replied softly, her voice steady. She knew that tonight was about connection and a shared experience—both of them finding joy in one another’s presence.
With slow, deliberate movements, Riya reached for Aashi’s hand, guiding her with a gentle but steady touch. Aashi felt a sense of calm settle over her, knowing that Riya’s quiet strength was there to hold her. Every small sensation felt heightened—the warmth of Riya’s fingers as they moved, the softness of her gentle hold, and the trust that filled the space between them.
Riya leaned in close, her voice warm and tender. “You’re here with me, Aashi,” she whispered, her words a comforting reminder that she was safe, loved, and accepted exactly as she was. This simple statement brought a sense of ease, grounding Aashi in the moment, and she allowed herself to relax fully, trusting Riya to guide her.
Together, they moved with a quiet rhythm, every gesture intentional and meaningful. Riya’s touch was a blend of care and attentiveness, her presence steady and unwavering. She took her time, her hand resting on Aashi’s shoulder in a gesture that felt both protective and gentle. Aashi felt a wave of gratitude as they shared these moments of closeness, each one strengthening the quiet bond between them.
Throughout the evening, Riya spoke softly, her words gentle reminders of their shared trust and connection. Every glance, every small touch felt like a reminder of the safe space they had created, one where Aashi felt understood and supported. As the hours passed, they stayed close, their fingers intertwined in a comforting embrace.
When they finally lay side by side, Riya’s hand resting gently in Aashi’s, they exchanged a quiet smile, knowing they had shared a deeply meaningful experience. Aashi looked over at Riya, feeling a sense of warmth and gratitude.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice filled with sincerity.
Riya’s fingers gently brushed Aashi’s hand. “Always,” she replied, her voice filled with warmth. In the peaceful quiet of the night, Aashi felt cherished and profoundly connected, knowing that Riya was not only her partner but also her closest confidante and friend.
Whispers Among Friends
One afternoon, Aashi and Riya sat together in the college’s airy, sunlit courtyard, surrounded by the familiar chatter of their classmates. Aashi was wearing a soft, peach-colored kurti that Riya had picked out for her that morning, and as she adjusted the thin bangles around her wrists, she could feel her cheeks flush, wondering if others noticed her new look. She trusted Riya completely but couldn’t shake the nerves that came with every step of this journey.
Just as she was about to turn to Riya for reassurance, she overheard Dhriti and Payal whispering a few seats away. They hadn’t noticed her, their backs turned as they leaned in close to each other.
“Have you seen Aashi lately?” Dhriti murmured, her voice low but still audible in the courtyard’s stillness. “She’s… different. I mean, look at her skin—it’s so smooth now. I can’t believe how much she’s changed since last year.”
Payal giggled, glancing quickly over her shoulder before continuing. “And her hair! Riya has her growing it out now. She actually looks… well, kind of beautiful.”
Aashi’s heart pounded in her chest. She felt a confusing mix of pride and embarrassment wash over her, her cheeks growing hotter by the second. They were noticing every small change, the details that Riya helped her embrace with confidence in private. But out here, in the open, it felt exposed, raw. Every comment felt like it peeled away a layer of her privacy, her hard-won dignity, and she shrank a little in her seat, hoping Riya wouldn’t notice her discomfort.
But Riya, ever-attuned to Aashi’s feelings, rested a hand on her knee beneath the table, giving her a reassuring squeeze. It was a small gesture, but one that said, I’m here. I’ve got you.
Just as Aashi tried to steady herself, Poonam joined the conversation, her tone even louder. “Riya really is transforming her, isn’t she?” she said with a mix of admiration and curiosity. “And Aashi just goes along with it? I mean, doesn’t she push back? It’s almost like… like Riya’s the one in charge of everything.” She chuckled lightly. “But it seems like Aashi doesn’t mind.”
Aashi felt a wave of shame creep up her spine. She wanted to disappear, to escape the weight of their words that seemed to echo louder and louder in her ears. Was she really that transparent to everyone? Did they see her as someone simply molded by Riya, a willing canvas for her partner’s desires and expectations? The thought stung, but a part of her also felt a flicker of exhilaration at their attention, as confusing as that was.
The conversation didn’t stop there. Rutuja, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. “I think it’s amazing,” she said, her voice a little softer, almost thoughtful. “Aashi looks… like she’s coming into herself. And Riya, well… she’s the reason for that. But honestly, it takes guts. You can tell they have a strong bond. I can’t imagine Aashi could go through all that without feeling… safe.”
Aashi felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes—an odd blend of humiliation, gratitude, and the sense of being wholly seen. They all seemed to recognize what she and Riya shared, but their words still cut, each one feeling like it peeled away another layer of her carefully guarded self. She glanced down at her hands, fingers trembling slightly as they rested on the pleats of her kurti, and fought the urge to hide her face.
Riya noticed and leaned in close, her voice a soft whisper in Aashi’s ear. “Do you want to leave?” she asked, her tone gentle but strong. “We don’t have to stay.”
Aashi took a shaky breath, hesitating. A part of her wanted to run, but another part of her—the part she was learning to trust—wanted to stay. To let herself be seen, even if it hurt a little. “No,” she whispered, finding her voice despite the quiver in it. “I’m… okay. I want to be here.”
Riya’s hand slid up to Aashi’s shoulder, squeezing gently. “Then I’m with you.”
Aashi drew strength from Riya’s touch, grounding herself in the moment even as the comments around her continued, an ever-present reminder of how much her identity was shifting in the eyes of others.
Bold Submission
The next time they met at the hotel, Aashi sensed a new energy in Riya. Riya brought out a pair of colorful kurtis and asked Aashi to choose one. “Tonight, you take charge of your transformation,” she said, her voice steady yet tender. Aashi looked at her, slightly surprised, but took a deep breath and picked the deep maroon kurti.
What is this new energy all about??
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Last part to see through #RiaAash journey!! It has been an amazing story to write and I love how it has turned out to be!!
Thank you so much my sisters who read my stories whole-heartedly