Dons of Punjab: Fluke of Reality✔️

Chapter 38

Amandeep Singh Aulakh

As soon as I stepped into the house, a familiar warmth wrapped around me. The scent of home-cooked food filled the air, mixing with the faint perfume my wife always wore. It was comforting, a reminder that after a long day of dealing with shady business, this was where I truly belonged.

I loosened the buttons of my shirt, rolling my shoulders to ease the tension that had built up throughout the day. My body ached from the long hours at work, but none of that mattered now. I was home.

My feet instinctively led me to the kitchen, where I knew I'd find her. And there she was—my wife.

She stood at the counter, her back facing me, humming softly as she stirred something on the stove. A few loose strands of her hair had slipped out of the bun she had tied up, framing her face beautifully. She looked so at peace, so unaware of the storm I had weathered all day.

For a moment, I just watched her, letting the sight of her ease the weight on my shoulders. She was my peace. My calm after the storm.

Without warning, I walked up to her and wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her against me. She gasped, startled.

"You're back early," she said, tilting her head slightly but not pulling away from my embrace.

"Couldn't stay away from you any longer," I murmured, pressing my lips against the side of her neck.

She huffed, pretending to be annoyed, but I could feel her body relax against mine.

"Let me finish cooking," she protested half-heartedly, but I wasn't letting go just yet.

I smirked. "Food can wait. I missed you."

She sighed dramatically. "You act like you've been gone for weeks."

"It felt like it," I admitted, resting my chin on her shoulder. "Every second away from you is too long."

She turned slightly, her eyes meeting mine. "You're being dramatic."

"Am I?" I grinned before, in one swift motion, I lifted her off the ground and threw her over my shoulder.

She shrieked, kicking her legs. "Put me down!"

"Not a chance."

She smacked my back playfully. "You're impossible!"

I laughed as I carried her up the stairs, ignoring her protests. It had become a habit—whenever I had a rough day, all I wanted was to be close to her.

By the time we reached our bedroom, she had stopped struggling, sighing in defeat. "You're so stubborn," she muttered as I gently placed her on the bed.

I leaned down, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "Only when it comes to you."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the small smile playing on her lips.

I kicked off my shoes, loosened my tie, and climbed onto the bed, lying down with my head resting on her lap. The second I felt her fingers gently thread through my hair, I let out a deep breath, feeling the tension in my body disappear.

She hesitated for a moment before asking, "Rough day?"

I nodded, closing my eyes. "The usual. But I don't want to think about that right now."

She continued running her fingers through my hair, her touch light and soothing. "Then what do you want to think about?"

I opened my eyes, looking up at her. "You."

She flushed, shaking her head. "You say things like that so easily."

"Because they're true," I murmured, reaching up to hold her hand. "You're my safe place. When I'm with you, nothing else matters."

For a moment, she didn't say anything. But then, her fingers brushed gently against my cheek, her touch filled with warmth.

"Get some rest," she whispered. "I'll be right here."

With a content sigh, I closed my eyes, letting sleep take over, knowing that as long as she was with me, I was home.

As I rested my head on her lap, I felt a deep sense of peace settle over me. Her fingers moved gently through my hair, a soft, soothing motion that made my eyelids grow heavy. It was as if every worry from the day melted away under her touch.

She let out a small, amused sigh. "You're acting like a child," she murmured, her voice filled with warmth.

I turned my head slightly, looking up at her with a lazy smile. "Maybe I am," I admitted. "But can you blame me? This is the only place where I can truly relax."

She hummed in response, her fingers continuing to run through my hair. "You must be exhausted," she said, her voice softer now. "You work too much."

I closed my eyes, inhaling her familiar scent. "It's part of who I am. You know that."

She didn't respond right away. Instead, she traced gentle patterns on my forehead with her fingertips, as if lost in thought. Then, after a moment, she spoke. "You're always out so late. You come home tired, and sometimes, you look... different."

I knew what she meant. She had seen the exhaustion in my eyes, the weight of my responsibilities pressing down on me. She had noticed the moments where my hands were unsteady, my body tense. But I never wanted to bring that darkness into our home.

I opened my eyes and sat up slightly, resting on my elbow as I looked at her. "I never want you to worry about me," I said, my voice firm yet gentle. "My world outside... it's messy. But when I'm with you, none of that matters. You are my peace, my home."

She searched my eyes, as if trying to find any cracks in my words, any unspoken truths. But I meant it. Every word.

A small smile played on her lips, though I could see the worry still lingering in her expression. "Just promise me," she whispered. "Promise me that you'll come back to me, always."

I reached for her hand, bringing it to my lips. "Always," I vowed. "No matter what happens, I'll come back to you."

She exhaled softly, her fingers squeezing mine. "Good," she murmured. "Because I don't know what I'd do without you."

I cupped her face gently, brushing my thumb along her cheek. "You'll never have to find out," I assured her. "Because I'm not going anywhere."

She held my gaze for a moment longer before finally relaxing. I could see it in the way her shoulders softened, the way her lips curved into a small, knowing smile.

"Fine," she said, playfully rolling her eyes. "But you're still sleeping on my lap like a spoiled child."

I chuckled, lying back down with a satisfied sigh. "And I wouldn't have it any other way."

She shook her head with amusement, but her fingers never stopped running through my hair. And as I closed my eyes, surrounded by her warmth, I knew there was no place I'd rather be.