Monster's Queen 👑

Chapter 18

As dawn began to break, the first gentle rays of sunlight crept into the room, casting a soft, golden hue over everything it touched. The early morning light filtered through the curtains, slowly illuminating the peaceful scene within. Abhimaan and Nandini were nestled in each other's arms, the warmth of their embrace warding off the chill of the morning air. Their breaths were synchronized, rising and falling in a perfect rhythm as they slept, lost in the comfort of each other's presence.

Nandini's alarm began to buzz softly, the sound gradually pulling her from the depths of sleep. Her eyes fluttered open, still heavy with drowsiness, and she felt the familiar weight of Abhimaan's arm draped protectively over her. For a moment, she just lay there, savoring the closeness, the way his presence made her feel safe and cherished. It was a feeling she had grown accustomed to, waking up in his arms, knowing that this was where she belonged.

As she shifted slightly to turn off the alarm, careful not to wake him, she felt a soft nudge against her leg. Snowball, their ever-energetic cat, was already awake, pawing gently at Nandini's feet, eager for attention. The little furball had a knack for knowing exactly when to break the serene bubble of their mornings, his wide eyes sparkling with mischief as he waited for his beloved humans to wake up.

Nandini chuckled quietly, reaching down to scratch Snowball behind the ears. The cat purred contentedly, clearly pleased with the attention. As she did so, Abhimaan stirred, his grip tightening around her waist for a brief moment before he too began to wake. He opened his eyes slowly, blinking away the remnants of sleep, his gaze immediately finding hers. A soft smile played on his lips as he tightened his embrace, pulling her closer.

"Good morning," he murmured, his voice still rough with sleep.

"Good morning," she whispered back, her heart swelling with warmth as she met his gaze.

Snowball, not one to be ignored, let out a small, insistent meow, reminding them of his presence. Abhimaan glanced down at the cat, his smile widening as he reached out to ruffle Snowball's fur. "Looks like someone else is eager to start the day," he said, his tone laced with amusement.

Nandini laughed softly, leaning into his touch as she looked at the playful cat. "He's always up before us, isn't he?"

Snowball, now satisfied with the attention from both his humans, hopped up onto the bed, nestling himself between them. The trio lay there for a few more moments, basking in the quiet peace of the morning, the warmth of their little family filling the room as the world outside slowly came to life.

Abhimaan shifted slightly, his arm still wrapped around Nandini. He hesitated, not wanting to break the serene moment, but knowing he had to share something important with her. Gently lifting her chin so she could meet his gaze, he spoke with a softness that only she ever saw.

"Nandini, there's something I need to tell you," he began, his voice laced with a reluctant seriousness.

She looked up at him, concern flickering in her eyes. "What is it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I have to go to Delhi today," he said, his thumb brushing lightly over her cheek. "I'll be leaving this evening, and it might take four to five days before I can come back."

A shadow of disappointment crossed her face, but she quickly masked it with understanding. "I see," she replied softly. "You have to go, I get it. I'll miss you, though."

Seeing the hint of sadness in her eyes, Abhimaan felt a tug at his heart. Unable to leave things on just words, he leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss that was both tender and profound. It was as if he was trying to imprint the memory of her into his very soul, every emotion he felt for her pouring into that one deep, lingering kiss. His hand moved to cradle the back of her head, drawing her even closer as the world around them seemed to dissolve.