"𝘛𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦"
................
"Y-you're married?"
It wasn't a question. It was a statement, spoken like an acknowledgment of something he didn't want to belie...
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The golden rays of the morning sun bathed the room in a soft, warm glow as they fell upon the man sprawled face-down on his bed. A low groan escaped his lips, his peace interrupted by the shrill ringing of his phone. Without bothering to check the caller ID, he fumbled for it and answered, his voice thick with sleep.
"Speak."
"Get up, you sleepyhead."
The familiar voice jolted him awake, his eyes widening in recognition. "Oh God, Aradhya, can’t you let me sleep for just a few more hours? I got home late last night from duty, yaar."
"Well, Mr. Shekhawat, as much as you’re tired, so am I. And guess what? So is our entire team. But our ever-cruel sir has summoned us to headquarters. So, get moving and get here. Now." Her words tumbled out in one breath, giving him no chance to protest before she abruptly hung up.
Abhiansh stared at the phone in his hand, grumbling under his breath, "This Hitler lady..." A chuckle followed as he recalled her rapid-fire instructions.
Dragging himself out of bed, he headed to the washroom, and a while later emerged, looking far more refreshed. He threw on his uniform, grabbed his phone, and headed downstairs, his eyes instinctively seeking the one person he never left home without seeing.
"Maa," he called, spotting her approaching with a puja thali in her hands.
"Are, abhi jaa rahe ho? Kuch toh kha lo," she said, offering him the 'prasad'. He quickly took it, kissed her on the cheek, and dashed for the door.
"No time, Maa! I'll eat later," he called out, leaving her shaking her head in mild exasperation.
"This boy... He'll never change," she muttered, glancing up at the heavens. "Bhagwan, send someone to handle him, please."
---
Laughter echoed through the small living room as tiny feet shuffled behind a table. "Vedikaa, baccha, where are you?" Sayantika's voice was soft, feigning ignorance, though her eyes sparkled with amusement as she watched her daughter’s futile attempts to hide.
Peeking out from behind the table, the little girl was trying hard to suppress her giggles, but her mother was just behind her, waiting.
"Caught you!" Sayantika swooped down, making Vedikaa squeal in delight.
"No milk today!" the child pouted, crossing her arms defiantly.
Sayantika smiled indulgently. "Hmm, no milk? I suppose I'll just have to give this donut I got for you to Ahan, then."
Vedikaa's eyes widened in horror. "Nooo! Mummy, I’ll drink the milk! You can't give Ahan the donut. He’s bad, I’m good!" she cried, her tiny voice full of determination.
Laughing, Sayantika bent down and kissed her daughter on the forehead. "Good girl. Now, drink this up," she said, handing her a glass of milk. Vedikaa gulped it down obediently, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she wiped her mouth and held out her hand.
