Ajnabee - The ecstasy of one sided love. ( completed )

Chapter 40

As the morning sun gently filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow into the room, Bondita's eyes fluttered open. Her eyes wandered around with hazy gaze. She couldn't decipher what was changed in her room. Then she felt the softly thumping heart under her hand. She looked up and... She didn't need heaven.

Bondita watched Anirudh with a mixture of awe and tenderness and a little bit of longing . He lay asleep, his features softened by slumber, cradling their baby girl against his chest. The baby, nestled in the crook of his arm, slept peacefully, her tiny fingers curled around his shirt.

He fell asleep in her room.

Bondita couldn't help but smile as she observed the scene before her. Aniruddh , who was always stiff and hard around others looked so vulnerable yet so content in that moment. His protective embrace around their daughter spoke volumes about the depth of his love and the newfound sense of responsibility that fatherhood had bestowed upon him.

Actually he was a father long before they had a child. He always wanted to be a father. So he was a father no matter he has a child or not.

Bondita leaned down to press a gentle kiss on Anirudh's forehead, careful not to disturb his peaceful slumber. She then gazed down at their daughter, who brought immense happiness to their life.

Despite the unspoken barriers between them and Anirudh's hesitations about fully embracing their family, Bondita couldn't help but feel a surge of affection as she witnessed this tender moment between father and daughter.

As Anirudh stirred awake, his eyes fluttering open, he was momentarily disoriented until they settled on Bondita who was leaning on slightly and looking at them . Anirudh's gaze drifted to their daughter, his heart warming at the sight of her peaceful face. He carefully adjusted his hold on her, then turned back to Bondita , hesitancy lingering in his eyes.

" I'm sorry pata nahi kab aankh lag gayi. " he said.

" koi baat nahi I don't mind you sleeping with me " she uttered without realizing and making his eyes jerk towards her. His face burned with imagining the meaning behind the words. Because every night he did exactly what she said with her in his dreams.

Then she realized what she has said and bit her tongue. She flashed him a silly grin saying " here kehna bhul gayi "

They both got back their attention to the baby as she stirred in her sleep and rubbing her eyes. But then fell asleep again.. This time catching Anirudh's sleeve in her tiny fist.

Bondita smiled at her. " Aapse bohot close ho gayi hai . Aapke paas kitne aaraam se so rahi hai nahi? " she said as she wondered the baby slept over the whole night in his arms.

Anirudh nodded slowly, a soft smile gracing his lips as he looked back at their daughter. " meri beti hai ...to mujhse to close hogi hi "

" haww to meri kya door ki bhatiji lagti hai... Meri bhi to beti hai "

He smirked but decided not to tease her. " han to maine kab mana kiya... Humari beti hai "

Their eyes met, and in that moment, something shifted between them. Anirudh felt a tug at his heartstrings, a realization dawning on him what he just said.

He , for the first time said out loud that ....they were a family.

" umm " he cleared his throat breaking the eye contact. " mujhe chalna chahiye " he said getting up but was pulled by her causing to land on the bed, his face incredibly close her that he forgot to breathe. On the top of that... The smile of her was doing something to him. He glanced at her lips then at her eyes back.