Shining Fragments of a Heartbeat

Warmth

Saturday morning, the farmhouse buzzed with life. Anaya had decided to skip her morning run, opting instead for some stretching and yoga to clear her mind. It had been a whirlwind of emotions lately, and she needed to centre herself. The weight of unspoken thoughts and unresolved feelings hung heavy in her chest. She needed the calm, the space to think, feel, and breathe. When daylight had fully settled, she walked into the garden, where she spotted her grandmother heading toward the greenhouse.

"Good morning, Nana," Anaya greeted her with a warm hug. 

Her grandmother, Sandhya, held her tight, her hands full of affection and concern. "Good morning, my darling. How are you today?" she asked, studying Anaya's face.

"I'm... managing," Anaya replied softly, her deep breath betraying the tension she was trying to hide.

"You know, I'm always here if you need to talk," her grandmother said gently, pinching her cheek with a smile.

Anaya giggled and hugged her tightly. "Are you Heading to the greenhouse?" she asked, sensing her grandmother's need to shift the mood.

"Yes. Come along," Sandhya replied, leading her inside. 

The moment Anaya entered the greenhouse, her smile faltered. There, kneeling by the plants, was Ranath.

"Ranath?" Sandhya exclaimed, surprise in her voice.

He turned and smiled. "Grandma. Naya, good morning," he greeted them, his gaze lingering on Anaya.

"What are you doing here so early, dear?" Sandhya asked, looking between them.

"Fixing the pipes. Dadu asked me to take care of it," Ranath explained, wiping his hands on his jeans. "Didn't he tell you?"

Sandhya chuckled. "That old man is always up to something." She eyed them both for a moment before turning to Anaya. "Why don't you help him out? He could use an extra pair of hands.

"Anaya's eyes widened in mild protest, but they said nothing. With a resigned sigh, she moved toward Ranath. Ranath smiled and requested that she help him by operating the garden's water tap. Together, they spent the next hour fixing leaks in companionable silence, exchanging light conversation here and there. Satisfied with the scene, Sandhya quietly slipped away, leaving them to their task.

"Rana, there's a new leak here," Anaya pointed out.

Ranath knelt beside her, studying the spot. "Looks like I'll need to replace this entire pipe," he muttered, shaking his head. "It'll cost, and I'll have to run to town for materials.

"Anaya found herself distracted by the intensity in his eyes, a flash of the younger Ranath she remembered—so focused, so determined. Her gaze lingered on him, admiring the familiar concentration she had always loved about him. It stirred something deep within her, a quiet but insistent reminder of their shared connection.

Ranath noticed her lingering stare and grinned. "See something you like?"

Anaya blushed slightly, breaking eye contact. "Maybe."

He chuckled, standing up. "Come on, let's go inside. I'm sure our grandparents have planned something for us," he said, washing his hands and pulling her along gently by the wrist. Together, they headed inside to prepare for breakfast.

---

The breakfast room was buzzing with activity as the family gathered at the long dining table. Grandpa sat at the head, his sharp eyes taking in the scene, while Grandma poured juice and tea for the little ones and adults. The room was filled with the soft clinking of utensils and the sound of children's chatter, with Raghuvaran, Marathi, and the rest of the family in their usual spots. The cousins whispered among themselves, casting envious glances as they half-heartedly picked at their plates. Ranath walked in, scanning the table, his expression calm but searching. 

"Where's Anaya?" he asked, breaking the quiet hum of the room.

Raghuvaran looked up, his lips twitching in a barely suppressed smile. "She's still in her room," he said casually. "She hasn't come down yet."

Without a word, Ranath turned and returned to fetch her, leaving a palpable tension in the room. Marathi leaned over to Raghuvaran the moment he was gone, her voice low but dripping with malice.

"He's wasting his time with that orphan," she muttered, loud enough for the rest of the family to hear. The cousins nodded, their resentment bubbling over.

"Grandpa and Grandma only care about her, like the rest of us don't even exist," one cousin added, bitterness heavy in their tone.

"I just hope Ranath divorces that girl soon and finds someone decent," Marathi continued, her lips curling into a smug smile.

The insults spread like wildfire; each cousin eager to stoke the flames. But while Grandpa and Grandma remained silent, Raghuvaran had heard enough. His voice cut through the whispers, sharp and commanding.

"Marathi shut up or leave the table," he warned.

Marathi's eyes narrowed in defiance. "Why are you always defending that bitch's kid?" she spat, her voice dripping with venom.

Before anyone could react, Grandpa's voice boomed through the room like a thunderclap. "Marathi, leave the table now!" When she hesitated, he leaned forward, his voice colder than ice. "If you want to stay in my will, leave, or I'll disinherit you."

A stunned silence fell over the room. Marathi's face twisted with shock, but she knew better than to challenge him further. She stood abruptly and stormed out, leaving the rest of the family stunned. Grandpa's gaze swept over the table; his eyes sharp as he delivered his final warning.

"Anaya is my daughter, my family—more than any of you. If anyone dares to disrespect her again, I promise you, you will not see a dime of the inheritance."

Silence reigned as heads dropped in shame. Just as the tension threatened to suffocate them, Ranath returned, Anaya beside him, her hand gently held in his. He pulled out a chair for her and sat next to her as the family, now chastened, quietly began serving themselves breakfast. 

---

Anaya looked around the table, confused by the sudden silence. Usually, she would have been the target of biting remarks and veiled insults by now. But today, nothing. No taunts. No jibes. It was unnerving. She glanced at her grandfather, who smiled reassuringly and decided to break the quiet.

"What's the plan for today, Nanu?" she asked, her voice light but curious.

Her grandfather's warm smile spread across his face. "Whatever you suggest, my dear," he replied, his tone affectionate.

Anaya hesitated, then asked, " Can we go to the temple this evening? To Chamundi Hills? I haven't been there in a long time." 

Her suggestion ignited a spark around the table. The family began discussing the idea, suddenly animated as they talked about travel arrangements, what they would wear, and how they'd prepare the pooja thalis. It was decided—everyone would visit the temple for the evening pooja. 

For the first time in years, Anaya felt a small flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, things were starting to change.

Ranath leaned closer, his smile soft as he squeezed her hand. "I'm glad you suggested this," he said.

Anaya returned his smile, feeling a sense of peace she hadn't experienced in years. "Will you be joining?" she asked.

"Wouldn't miss it," he said, his voice filled with warmth.

For the first time in a long while, Anaya felt a glimmer of happiness, surrounded by family and the man she had always loved. Her mind began to stir doubts, but she pushed them away and reveled in the warmth of her grandparents, Raghuvaran and Ranath.