𝑺𝒊𝒍𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕

𝐈𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭

Chapter Twenty-Seven: In Her Scent

Geetanjali composed her sexual frustation and blushed as she reminisced about the moments from just a few minutes ago while preparing for a relaxing bath, something she hadn't indulged in for several days. She immersed herself in the hot water, feeling the soothing warmth wash away the stress accumulated over the past few days. Closing her eyes, she relished the precious moments of solitude.

Meanwhile, Shubman took the time to adjust his appearance, eager to meet his beloved "bundle of sunshine." Stepping out of the car in front of his parents' expansive house, he was greeted by the sight of a beaming smile on his mother's face as she opened the door.

"Mumma," he said, embracing her tightly and burying his face in her shoulder, seeking solace and relief from the stress of the past few days.

"I know it has been tough, but everything will be okay," his mother reassured him, patting his back, unaware of the specifics of what he had been through, except for the mention of a divorce.

"Hmm," he muttered, letting out a sigh as he pulled her even closer. When he looked up, he was surprised not to find Anamika around. Worried, he asked, "Mum, where is she?"

Sighing, his mother responded, "Don't worry; she's just upset that you weren't here when her mother left her with us."

"Where is she?" he asked, eager to mend things and not repeat the same mistake of leaving her again.

"In her room, playing with her toys," his mother replied, leading him towards his daughter.

Shubman followed his mother through the familiar corridors of his childhood home. As they approached Anamika's room, he felt a mix of anticipation and guilt, knowing that he had unintentionally left her feeling abandoned.

Gently pushing the door open, Shubman saw Anamika engrossed in playing with her toys. The room was adorned with colourful decorations, a testament to the effort his mother had put into creating a cheerful environment.

Anamika glanced up from her toys when Shubman entered the room, but her expression quickly shifted. She turned away, pouting with a hint of anger evident in her demeanour. Shubman's heart sank at the sight of his daughter upset, realizing the impact his absence had on her.

"Hey, sweetheart," he began, his voice gentle, "I'm really sorry for not being here when you needed me. Daddy made a mistake, and I promise I'll do my best to make it up to you."

Anamika continued to play with her toys, purposefully avoiding eye contact as Shubman spoke. Despite his attempts to connect with her verbally, she remained silent. Undeterred, Shubman decided to engage with her through the activity at hand. He joined her on the floor, helping her build with the colourful blocks scattered around the room.

As Shubman began to stack the blocks, he stole glances at Anamika, hoping to break through the barrier she had erected. However, she remained focused on her toys, her expression still guarded.

Surprisingly, when Anamika noticed her father actively participating in the play, she abandoned the blocks and moved away towards her small desk. Shubman watched as she picked up a colouring book, her actions speaking louder than words. Sensing her desire for space, he respected her choice and gave her room to express herself.

Shubman observed Anamika as she immersed herself in colouring, the sound of crayons softly scratching against the paper filling the room.

Wiping away his tears, Shubman stepped out of the room, his mother placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Give her time; she'll come around. She can't stay angry at her daddy for long," she reassured him.

With a grateful nod to his mother, Shubman took a deep breath, trying to steady his emotions. He knew his mother was right; Anamika's anger would likely dissipate with time and patience. Shubman resolved to give his daughter the space she needed to process her feelings while also reaffirming his commitment to being there for her.

As he made his way through the house, Shubman found himself reflecting on the events of the day. Despite the challenges, he felt a glimmer of hope knowing that healing was possible, both for himself and for his relationship with Anamika.

After taking a shower to relax, Shubman treated himself to a home-cooked meal, a soothing balm for his frayed nerves. The familiar flavours and comfort of the food provided a much-needed sense of solace, easing the tension that had built up over the past few days.

Shubman sat on the edge of his bed, the soft sunlight filtering through the curtains and casting a warm glow in his old bedroom. With a sigh, he picked up his phone and opened his messaging app, his thumbs moving deliberately over the screen as he composed a message to Geetanjali.

"Hey Gia, just wanted to let you know I'm back at my parents' place. Anamika's a bit upset about my absence, and I can see it's affecting her. Trying to give her space and time, but it's tougher than I thought. Any advice or thoughts? Miss you" - Shubman"

Shortly after sending the message, Shubman's phone buzzed with a response from Geetanjali.

"Hey love, I'm here for you. Give Anamika the time she needs, and just let her know you're there when she's ready. Maybe try something she enjoys to lift her spirits? Sending you strength and love. ❤️"

Smiling at Geetanjali's comforting words, Shubman quickly responded with a heartfelt "Love you and thank you." Setting his phone aside, he hoped for a peaceful nap to alleviate the stress weighing on him. As he closed his eyes, feeling the lightness settle over his body, he glanced down to find Anamika preparing him as her makeshift bed for the evening nap.

Looking down at her, Shubman felt a surge of tenderness as Anamika gazed up at him, burying her face in his neck. "I missed you, Daddy," she whispered.

Shubman reciprocated, gently running his fingers through her hair, "Miss you too, sunshine." He gently draped a blanket over them, enveloping them both in a cocoon of warmth and comfort. In that tender moment, surrounded by the soft embrace of the blanket and the sweet scent of Anamika's hair, Shubman allowed himself to forget the tensions that surrounded them. They lay together, enjoying the simple pleasure of each other's company and the soothing rhythm of their breaths as they drifted into a peaceful nap.