Sunrays peeked through the window, lighting up the room with a soft golden glow. Ram was still asleep on his stomach, his muscled bare back is exposed. The warm yellow rays made his skin glisten, adding an effortless charm to his rugged presence.
Slowly, his eyelashes fluttered. He stirred awake, his internal clock already sounding the alarm before his phone could. He glanced at the bedside table.
7:00 AM.
For anyone else, it might be the start of a quiet morning, but for DCP Ramachandra, it was already late. Time was a luxury he rarely possessed. Without wasting another second, he swung his legs off the bed, the cool floor grounding him.
He headed straight to his private gym area, the rhythmic sound of heavy weights soon echoing through the quiet house as he pushed his body to its limits.
Downstairs, the heart of the home was already beating. Radhika, his amma, was busy in the kitchen, her movements practiced and fluid. The aroma of freshly brewed ginger tea—Ram's favorite—filled the air, competing with the scent of tempering spices. She poured a steaming cup into a ceramic mug and walked toward the living room.
"Evandi, Tea..." she said softly, handing it to her husband.
Krishna, immersed in the morning newspaper, took the tea with a grateful nod. He looked up and noticed the slight dullness in his wife's expression, the way her shoulders slumped just a fraction.
"DCP garu, vaccharu intiki." she said, her voice dropping. (DCP sir has come home.)
Krishna frowned slightly, folding a corner of the paper. "When did he come? I didn't hear the jeep."
"I don't know... maybe late at night. I saw his car parked outside this morning." Radhika replied, a hint of sadness lacing her tone. "He probably didn't even eat. Just came and crashed."
Krishna folded the newspaper completely and looked at her with a gentle, commanding gaze. "Hey... don't start your day with that sad face. I don't like it." he said softly. "I want my cheerful Radhika. That's what makes my day better."
She gave him a beautiful, albeit slightly forced, smile.
"Have you finished preparing breakfast? Chandu will come down anytime." Krishna asked, checking his own watch.
"Ha, ha... I know! If it's even a minute late, he'll rush out without eating a single morsel. Stupid fellow... just like his father." she said, rolling her eyes playfully, her mood finally lifting.
Krishna chuckled, the sound deep and resonant. "That's because he is my son—and he loves his duty more than his stomach."
"Oh, hello!" she shot back instantly, pointing a spatula toward the living room. "He is my son too. You keep your daughter with you—that girl is a she-devil! She only takes after your side of the family."
Shaking her head, she walked back into the kitchen, leaving Krishna laughing behind.
Just then, the sound of heavy boots on the stairs announced the man of the hour. Ram came downstairs, looking sharp and composed in a blue shirt that strained slightly against his chest. His presence instantly filled the room, bringing with it a sense of disciplined energy. He walked into the dining hall, where his father soon joined him.
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