When Love Lasts✔️

Chapter 36

Mankirat Singh

As Sukhi hung up the phone, a sense of relief washed over me, mingled with a tinge of apprehension. It had been years since she had spoken to her mother, and the sudden contact was unexpected, to say the least. But as I looked into Sukhi's eyes, filled with a mixture of emotions, I knew that this moment was significant, a turning point in the complex tapestry of her relationship with her family.

"Sukhi," I began, my voice soft with concern, "are you okay?"

She turned to me, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, but there was a glimmer of hope in them that hadn't been there before. "I think so," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's just... a lot to process."

I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close in a comforting embrace. "Whatever happens, Sukhi," I whispered, my voice filled with conviction, "I'm here for you. Always."

She leaned into my embrace, seeking solace in the warmth of my embrace. And as we stood there in the quiet of our home, surrounded by the promise of new life and the possibility of reconciliation, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude wash over me for the woman in my arms—the woman who had faced so much adversity with courage and resilience, and who had taught me the true meaning of love and strength.

As I held Sukhi close, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for us—a future filled with uncertainty and challenges, but also with hope and possibility. But one thing was certain: no matter what lay ahead, we would face it together, hand in hand, united in our love and our shared determination to overcome whatever obstacles stood in our way.

And as I pressed a kiss to Sukhi's forehead, feeling the flutter of life within her, I knew that no matter what trials lay ahead, we would navigate them together, bound by the unbreakable bonds of love and family. For in the quiet moments between words, in the warmth of our shared embrace, I found a sense of peace and contentment that I knew could only come from being with the woman I loved, in the place I belonged—home.

As Sukhi leaned against me, her hands resting gently on her still-flat stomach, I felt a surge of emotion well up within me—a mixture of awe, excitement, and overwhelming love for the tiny life growing inside her. Without thinking, I reached out and tenderly placed my hand over hers, feeling the warmth of her skin and the gentle flutter of movement beneath our touch.

"Sukhi," I whispered, my voice barely above a breath, "I love you."

She looked up at me, her eyes shining with tears and the shimmer of unspoken emotions. And in that moment, as the weight of our shared journey and the promise of new life hung in the air, I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and gratitude for the woman in front of me—the woman who had stolen my heart and filled my life with endless joy and possibility.

Leaning down, I pressed a soft kiss to her stomach, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath my lips and the faintest hint of movement in response. It was a simple gesture, but in that moment, it felt like the most profound expression of love I could offer—a promise to cherish and protect the life growing within her, to be there for every moment, every milestone, every joy and every challenge that lay ahead.

And as I looked up at Sukhi, her eyes filled with tears of happiness and hope, I knew that no matter what the future held, we would face it together, hand in hand, bound by the unbreakable bonds of love and family. For in the quiet intimacy of that moment, as I kissed her bump and felt the flutter of life beneath my lips, I knew that our journey was just beginning, and that the best was yet to come.