𝐌𝐘 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍 ✔

97 . Midnight cravings

The women of the palace were gathered in the royal sitting room, bathed in the soft amber light that filtered through the jaali windows. Rumaisa sat between Kaushalya and Dadi Sa, with Kaki Sa and Akriti listening fondly as conversations drifted between wedding memories and everyday palace affairs. Laughter echoed softly, but Rumaisa's smile didn't quite reach her eyes today.

She suddenly looked up, her voice uncertain.
"Par Maa... koi movement hi nahi hai."

Kaushalya turned towards her with a gentle smile, but before she could speak, Dadi Sa reached forward, placing a comforting hand over her granddaughter-in-law's .

"It's ok beta," Dadi Sa said warmly, her tone filled with years of wisdom. "When I had Rudra, even he wasn't active early on. But when he turned two, he would turn the entire palace upside down!"

A soft chuckle escaped the women, easing the air just a little. Rumaisa tried to smile, but before she could say more, she suddenly flinched-
"Ouch!"

Everyone sat up straighter.

"Kya hua?" Kaushalya asked, instantly concerned.

Rumaisa's eyes widened in disbelief, her hand flying to her belly.
"I think... baby kicked."

"Really?" Akriti leaned in, her expression lighting up with joy.

Rumaisa nodded slowly, awe-struck. Her voice barely a whisper now.
"Sach mein... see..." She gently guided Kaushalya's hand to the spot where she felt it.

Kaushalya gasped, eyes glistening. "Oh my god..."

Without missing a beat, she reached for her phone. "Let me call Ranvijay."

As soon as he picked the call , Kaushalya ordered even without hearing anything "Tum jaldi aa jao. I don't know anything." Her voice cracked, emotions rising.

She didn't hear his response. But in record time, Ranvijay entered the room like a storm, eyes searching desperately for her. His hair messy , tie loosened but none of it mattered.

"Kya hua?" he asked, kneeling in front of her, completely forgetting he was the King. His world had narrowed down to the woman in front of him.

He cupped her face, his thumb brushing her cheek as he whispered urgently, "You ok?"

Tears shimmered in Rumaisa's eyes, her lips quivering as she nodded.
"Baby kicked," she whispered.

Ranvijay froze.

For a moment, he was silent-stunned. Then Rumaisa gently took his hand, guiding it to her belly.

"Really... see."

And right on cue, another tiny flutter met his palm. His eyes welled up, lips parting with awe.

Ranvijay remained kneeling in front of her, his palm still resting over the gentle curve of her belly as if afraid to move and break the sacred moment. Another soft kick pulsed beneath his touch, and a choked breath escaped him. Without a word, he leaned forward, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead-his lips lingering for a heartbeat longer than necessary.

Then, wordlessly, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close, still on his knees, as if grounding himself in her warmth. Rumaisa melted into the embrace, her arms curling around his shoulders, her fingers clutching at his shawl as though anchoring herself to him.

They stayed like that-silent, tearful, overwhelmed-while the room quietly stirred around them.

Kaushalya was the first to wipe her moist eyes, her heart too full. Dadi Sa's lips curved in a knowing smile as she whispered a quick prayer under her breath. Akriti and Kaki Sa exchanged glances before slowly walking over.