You have to stop this

In the quiet of the evening, Rajeev sat alone in his room, his mind replaying the earlier moment with Gowthami over and over again. He could still feel the warmth of her body against his, see the way her eyes had fluttered closed in anticipation of his kiss. The memory of her soft breath, the way she seemed to melt into his touch, filled him with a deep sense of joy.

"Does she share my emotions for her since she didn't stop me from kissing her when I was going to do so, which makes me wonder if she felt the same way. Does she share my love for her because she is acting in the same way toward me?"

He leaned back in his chair, a small, unbidden smile tugging at his lips. Was it possible that Gowthami felt the same way about him? The thought made his heart race. He had always tried to keep his feelings in check, but her reaction had given him hope. Perhaps she was starting to care for him as much as he cared for her.

But as quickly as the happiness came, a stern voice of reason followed. He sat up straight, his smile fading.

" She had forgotten who she was, and although it's possible that she had a boyfriend in a past life, she may have forgotten about him due to memory loss. "

Rajeev knew he couldn't let his emotions cloud his judgment. He couldn't afford to let his heart lead him astray, not when Gowthami was still so vulnerable.

"You have to stop this," he muttered to himself, rubbing his temples as if to clear his thoughts. "You can't take advantage of her present condition."

Gowthami had lost her memories, and with them, any understanding of her past, her relationships, and her true self. He had no right to pursue his feelings without knowing who she really was or what she might have left behind. What if she had someone waiting for her? What if, in her past life, she was already deeply in love with another?

The idea of another man in her life caused a pang of jealousy to flare up in his chest, but he quickly pushed it aside. This wasn't about him. It was about doing the right thing for Gowthami.

He stood up and began to pace the room, trying to shake off the lingering emotions. He had to be patient. He had to respect her journey to rediscover herself. Any relationship they might have needed to be built on truth and mutual understanding, not on the fragile foundations of amnesia and confusion.

Rajeev sighed and ran a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of his thoughts. He had to remind himself that loving someone also meant respecting their space and their circumstances. Gowthami deserved the chance to find out who she was, without the added complication of his feelings.

For now, he would focus on supporting her as a friend and a doctor. He would help her recover, help her search for her past, and, if fate allowed, perhaps one day they would find their way to each other in a way that was honest and true.

As the evening shadows deepened, Rajeev made a silent vow to himself. He would wait. No matter how hard it was, he would wait for Gowthami to reclaim her life, her memories, and her identity. Only then, if she still chose to be with him, would he allow himself to fully embrace the love he felt for her.

...

Dinner time in the Rajeev mansion was usually a lively affair, filled with laughter, conversations about the day, and shared stories. But tonight, the atmosphere was different. Gowthami and Rajeev sat quietly across from each other, each lost in their own thoughts, the earlier near-kiss lingering in their minds.

Gowthami picked at her food, her mind replaying the moment when Rajeev had almost kissed her. She could still feel the warmth of his breath, the intensity in his eyes. Her heart had raced then, and it raced now just thinking about it. She wondered what it meant, what it could mean for them. But more than anything, she was confused by her own feelings and by Rajeev's sudden withdrawal.

Rajeev, on the other hand, was battling a mix of emotions. He felt elated at the thought that Gowthami might have feelings for him but was also wracked with guilt. His conscience kept reminding him that he needed to tread carefully, not to exploit her vulnerable state.

Radha, the long-serving and loyal housekeeper, noticed the stark difference in the usually vibrant dinner routine. She had always enjoyed the banter and the camaraderie that typically filled the room. Tonight, however, the silence was almost palpable, hanging over the table like a thick fog.

She glanced between Rajeev and Gowthami, noting the faraway looks in their eyes and the way they avoided each other's gaze. Radha's intuition told her something had happened, but as a servant, she knew her place. It wasn't her role to pry into the personal lives of her employers, no matter how much she cared for them.

Still, the change was unsettling. Radha cleared her throat softly, trying to dispel some of the tension. "Is everything alright, sir? Miss Gowthami?" she asked, her voice gentle but probing.

Rajeev looked up, pulled from his thoughts. He forced a smile. "Yes, Radha, everything is fine. Just a lot on our minds, that's all."

Gowthami nodded in agreement, though her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yes, Radha. Thank you for the dinner. It's wonderful as always."

Radha nodded, though she remained unconvinced. She quietly returned to her duties, her mind still turning over the possibilities of what could have caused such a change.

As the dinner progressed, the silence continued to stretch. Both Rajeev and Gowthami were deep in their thoughts, reflecting on the incident and what it might mean for their relationship. The unspoken words and unresolved feelings created a tension that neither knew how to break.

Eventually, dinner ended, and they both retreated to their rooms, still wrapped up in their respective thoughts. Radha watched them go, a crease of worry forming on her brow. She hoped that whatever was troubling them would pass, and the joyous dinners she was accustomed to would return. For now, she could only wait and watch, hoping that time and patience would bring clarity to whatever was brewing between them.