Prerish: A Collection of Tales ✔️

~ Shot - 5 ~

The sky bled shades of orange and red, the first rays of the sun painting the world with morning warmth. They streamed, persistent, into the darkened room, weaving through the draped curtains, determined to awaken its inhabitants. A beam found its mark, falling gently on the face of a woman sleeping peacefully, nestled in the protective embrace of her husband. He lay, holding her tightly by the waist, his face nuzzled into the crook of her neck, his breath soft against her skin.

She stirred, a gentle shift as the warmth touched her. Her eyes fluttered open, slowly adjusting to the light. The first sight, the most comforting, was her husband's face. He slept like a baby, his mouth slightly agape, a faint smile playing on his lips even in slumber. She felt the warmth of his breath, the tingling sensation it left on her skin, goosebumps rising. A wave of tenderness washed over her, but she reined it in, a small, private smile touching her own lips.

Carefully, she began to ease out of his embrace, her movements slow and deliberate. She bent down, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead, a silent promise in the gesture. As she started to move away, to finally get out of bed, a sudden, powerful tug pulled her back. She tumbled backward with a soft gasp, landing against a warm, familiar chest.

She looked up, her eyes meeting his. A playful smirk danced on his lips, his eyes now wide open, twinkling with amusement.

"Where do you think you're going, Sweetheart," he murmured, his voice husky with sleep and possessiveness, "without giving me my morning dose?"

She shook her head, a soft laugh bubbling up, a silent acknowledgment of his playful stubbornness, even as she tried, half-heartedly, to wriggle free from his hold. He only tightened his arms, pulling her closer still.

"Rishab, leave me," Prerana whispered, trying to squirm out of his grasp. "In a few minutes, our daughter will be here to wake us up."

"Not so fast, Mrs. Prerana Rishab Bajaj," he countered, tightening his hold, a playful glint in his eyes. "You can't run away from me without giving me my morning dose. And even after two years, you are still shy in giving me my morning kiss, hmm?" He nuzzled his face into her neck, placing soft, open-mouthed kisses that sent shivers down her spine. Her cheeks flushed a rosy red, a testament to her enduring shyness, yet a wave of happiness washed over her. Two years. Two beautiful years since their true married life had begun, and their love felt as fresh and vibrant as ever. Sometimes, she still felt it was a dream, fragile and ready to break, but she trusted Rishab, trusted him implicitly, to ground her in their beautiful reality.

"Rishu, leave me please, we also need to get ready for the day," Prerana tried one last time, her voice soft with affection. He shook his head playfully, a firm "no." Seeing no other option, she leaned forward, slowly pressing her soft lips against his. He met her, kissing her gently at first, then with increasing warmth. It was their morning ritual, a silent testament to the love that had bloomed between them. Despite her playful protests, Prerana secretly cherished these moments, Rishab's charming antics to secure his morning kiss, always leaving her heart full.

Their shared moment was abruptly broken by a insistent banging on the bedroom door. Rishab groaned dramatically, a comical sound of protest.

"Why did God give me such cute, happy, joyful daughters who are enemies of my romance with my wife?" Rishab grumbled, looking up at the ceiling with mock despair. "Why, God, why?" Prerana laughed softly, playfully smacking his arm before untangling herself to open the door.

The sight that greeted her made her heart swell with overwhelming happiness. There, standing proudly, was their elder daughter, Sneha (Kuki), her beloved teddy bear—a gift from her father on her last birthday—clutched in her left hand. In her right, she held the tiny hand of her younger sister, Amara. The one-year-old, who had only recently found her footing, clung to Kuki's hand with her left, while her right thumb was firmly planted in her mouth, her treasured stuffed panther, Pooh, tucked tightly under her arm. Both girls offered Prerana bright, wide smiles. Prerana sank to her knees, knowing exactly what was coming next.