THE END

Chapter 26 - 2010: Drenched in Joy

After seeing Nisha off to school, Ahalya decided to indulge in a rare moment of leisure. The house, usually abuzz with activity, was now cloaked in a serene stillness. She slipped into the bedroom, her body sinking into the soft mattress as she allowed herself the luxury of an afternoon nap. Outside, the sky darkened ominously, the gathering storm clouds rolling in like a tide of grey, promising a torrential downpour. 

In the living room, Ashwath was seated on the couch, his sharp gaze fixed on the flickering screen of the Dootha News channel. Headlines rolled across the bottom, but his attention drifted occasionally to the window. The first few raindrops tapped against the glass, tentative and scattered, before the heavens opened up in earnest. The rhythm of rain grew insistent, drumming a steady cadence that filled the air with a soothing hum. 

Realizing the impending deluge, Ashwath suddenly straightened, his mind flashing to the clothes left hanging on the terrace. He strode purposefully to the bedroom, the scent of rain wafting in through the slightly ajar windows. 

There, Ahalya lay peacefully, her face softened by the tranquility of sleep. The faint rise and fall of her breathing added a gentle rhythm to the room, contrasting with the storm’s intensity outside. Ashwath lingered for a moment, a tender smile tugging at his lips as he observed her. 

But the storm outside brooked no delay. He quietly made his way to the terrace, retrieving the damp clothes with swift efficiency. Balancing the bundle of garments in his arms, he descended the stairs and returned to the bedroom. Carefully, he placed the clothes on a nearby chair and began folding them with practiced precision, ensuring each piece was neatly arranged before tucking them into the cupboard. 

The rain grew heavier, its steady roar drowning out the softer sounds of the house. Suddenly, Ahalya stirred, her brows knitting together as realization struck. She sat upright, her voice tinged with alarm. 
“Oh no! The clothes—I left them on the terrace!” 

Ashwath, caught in the act of arranging the last shirt, turned towards her, a playful grin lighting up his face. “Relax. Oh no indeed,” he teased, mimicking her tone. 

She blinked, her gaze falling on the neatly folded stack of clothes. A smile broke across her face, equal parts gratitude and amusement. “You saved the day, didn’t you?” she murmured, her voice warm with appreciation. 

Ashwath shrugged nonchalantly, but his grin widened. “Someone has to be the hero around here,” he quipped, closing the cupboard with a soft click. 

Sinking back onto the bed, Ahalya pulled the sheets over her legs, her body already succumbing to the comforting embrace of the mattress. “Thank you,” she said softly, her words carrying a sincerity that needed no embellishment. 

Ashwath, however, was not one to let the storm outside pass without making the most of it. He leaned down, gently tugging at the sheets she’d cocooned herself in. 
“Come on,” he urged, his voice filled with playful insistence. “It’s Sunday, it’s pouring, and the weather’s begging for something special. Let’s fry up some pakoras and binge-watch a movie. I’ll even make tea.” 

Ahalya groaned in protest, pulling the sheets back over her head like a defiant child. Her muffled voice emerged from beneath the fabric, laced with amusement. “Ten more minutes, Ashwath. Just ten more. Then I’ll be all yours.” 

He laughed, the sound warm and rich, filling the room with its easy charm. “Fine. But don’t blame me if the tea gets cold and I eat all the pakoras myself,” he retorted, turning towards the door. 

Ahalya peeked out from under the covers, her eyes twinkling with mirth. “You wouldn’t dare,” she countered, a challenge clear in her tone.