His Scarred Butterfly ✅

38 - LOVE EVERYWHERE

உரையாடல் தீர்ந்தாலும்
உன் மௌனங்கள் போதும்.
(Even if the conversation ends,
your silence is enough.)

As a plate of steaming hot chicken biryani with brinjal curry was placed on the dining table, the spicy aroma of it permeated in the air. The aroma itself made Krishna's tummy rumble in hunger. Sitting in the dining chair, having Diya in his lap, Krishna inhaled the aroma of biryani as if breathing a flower fragrance. "Hmmmm, The aroma itself inviting me,"

Paayal laughed. "Krishna, Do you like biryani this much?"

"Yes. I like it, but I usually don't inhale the aroma like this. But, I have been having canteen food for the last six years. I missed home food. The more we miss, the more we get attached, the more we dream about it. So, This is a dream come true moment for me. That too, double the times!! Home food in your hands!! So, I am cherishing every bit of it."

Paayal's lips curved up to a warm smile. She wished to make it a more cherishable moment for him. She stepped close, taking a portion of the biryani in her hand and stretched her hand to his mouth. "Have it,"

Though the loving gesture engulfed him with warmth, He tilted his head back. "Have you had your breakfast?"

"No. But, I will eat later. You have your food first,"

"No. You too sit down. Let's feed each other," Krishna ordered.

"No. You have your food first. I...I will eat on your plate," She replied in a soft tone, blushing lightly.

Rolling his eyes, he giggled, "Why? Don't you have extra plates in this bungalow like home?"

"Krishna..." She clutched her teeth.

Diya intervened, spreading her little arms, "We have a lot of plates, Papa."

"Hmm," He smiled. "Paayal, I understand you want to serve food for us and make sure whether we had eaten enough. I understand it's your love. But I feel having food together as a family would spread more love between all three of us. Sit down," He ordered.

Paayal pouted her lips and sat down in the nearby dining chair, as she couldn't disobey him.

He smiled. "Now, let us feed each other," He said, taking a portion of biryani, mixing it with the curry, and fed Diya.

While Diya munched the food, he took another portion of biryani and extended his hand to Paayal's mouth. Her mouth immediately parted open, tears forming in her eyes, as she got her Krishna, her mom and best friend back after a storm that lasted years.

Krishna noticed her wet eyes, understanding her thoughts and shook his head lightly. "Don't cry. That too, in front of our child," He expressed through his eyes.

She forced a smile, fluttering her eyelids and extended her hand with the food to his mouth. He got it. They fed each other and Diya, sharing not only the food but also the smiles and love with each other, meanwhile admiring little Diya's cute antics and talks.

Once they completed their breakfast, Diya leaped out of Krishna's lap and ran to play.

Krishna and Paayal washed their hands. Despite the hand towel that was hanging above the washbasin, Paayal instinctively reached for her dupatta to wipe her hands. Her meal times would not be completed without turning her dresses as a towel. Even in the absence of dupatta, she would wipe her hands in her kurti itself. The ignored hand towels would be screaming, "Please, Respect the presence of me and use me." But she never acknowledged those silent screams.

But, Krishna reached for the hand towel.

"Krishna, Use this," Paayal stopped him, extending her dupatta, lowering her eyes with a blush.