Flames

01

- Seeking Warmth -

What's so special about rain?

It has the ability to soak you enough to veil your emotions.

That’s what he used to like about it—until he held his daughter in his arms.

On that day, he couldn't control himself and let his tears slip uncontrollably, dampening his heart and soul without fear of masking it.

The July he once cherished has become the month he despises the most. It took everything from him—the same month he fell in love and the same month she walked away.

Her cries softly faded as he clutched her to his chest, placing a kiss on her forehead. He rocked her gently, murmuring a few words.

She gazed up at him with her doe-like brown eyes, mirroring his own.

He chuckled, placing another kiss on her forehead. Reyansh moved towards the crib beside his bed and gently placed her inside. As she closed her eyes and breathed evenly, he stared at her for a few minutes until he felt wetness seeping onto his shirt. Looking down, he saw his baby’s drool all over it.

A chuckle escaped his lips.

“Navu?” he whispered softly.

She stirred, her tiny hands still gripping his finger as if she had wrapped her entire world in that little fist. His heart wavered slightly, unsettled. He swallowed hard and planted a soft kiss on her forehead.

The door to his bedroom knocked. He hissed, glaring at the door before muttering a silent, “Come in.” His mother entered quietly to avoid waking the baby. Her gaze shifted from her son to the small figure sleeping in the crib, swaddled in a fluffy blanket that Reyansh had wrapped around her on rainy days.

“When did she fall asleep?” she asked in a hushed tone.

He looked at his daughter and sighed.

“Just now. She was quite cranky all morning.”

His mother smiled at him, appreciating the fact that he had shared something, even if it wasn’t much. She walked to the bed and placed the bags on it.

“Did you think—”

“I don’t want to get married.”

The firmness in his voice nearly widened her eyes in surprise, but she masked it well, sitting on the edge of the bed. Despite her reasons for wanting him to marry, he remained resolute, and that terrified her. Her heart ached for the little life he had with him.

“Adi and Tara?”

He sighed again, getting up from the crib.

“They must be asleep by now—” He paused, chuckling as he met her eyes. “How would you know? You don’t live with us.”

“You don’t let me—”

“Yeah, because we don’t need you. You’ve already ruined my life; I won’t let the same happen to them.”

She looked down, guilt coursing through her. Regret was all that remained inside her.

“At least let me meet them—”

He pulled a shirt from the closet, giving her a look that made her avert her gaze. Just then, they heard a scream that startled them.

“I wanna meet her—”

“—shut up, shortie.”

Reyansh grabbed a shirt from the closet. He knew Aditya didn’t want to meet their mother, but Tara did. A child close to her mother craved warmth, and that was Tara. He dashed into the bathroom, letting out a frustrated sigh.