PATHS OF HEART

31

After the hilarious debacle with the matrimonial agency, things settled back into their usual rhythm at the household. Anuj, however, couldn't escape the lingering teasing from his family. Every time his phone rang, Meera or Rajesh would quip, "Another proposal for you, beta?" or "Shruti and Jigna must be missing you!" Anupama, of course, had the most fun with it, throwing in dramatic sighs and mock glares whenever the topic came up.

But in between the jokes and the laughter, there was a subtle change in the air—a romantic undercurrent that started growing between Anuj and Anupama. It wasn't like they hadn't always been deeply in love, but after the whirlwind of the last few months, both of them felt the need to reconnect. Their busy lives, the pregnancy, and the chaos of raising a two-year-old had kept them so occupied that they barely had time for each other.

One evening, after putting Anika to bed, Anupama sat on the couch, her eyes soft as she watched Anuj across the room, working on his laptop. The light from the screen illuminated his face, casting a warm glow on his features. His brow was furrowed in concentration, and Anupama smiled to herself. This man, who could be so serious when he worked, was also the same man who danced with Anika in the living room just a few hours earlier, singing off-key nursery rhymes to make her laugh.

Without realizing it, Anupama let out a soft sigh.

Anuj glanced up from his laptop. "You okay?"

She nodded, her smile widening. "Just thinking."

He shut his laptop, sensing that there was something on her mind. He walked over and sat down beside her, his arm naturally wrapping around her shoulders. "What's on your mind?"

Anupama leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Do you ever feel like we're so busy being parents that we forget to be... us?"

Anuj's lips curled into a smile, and he kissed the top of her head. "I feel it too. But I think that's why I love moments like this."

She lifted her head to look at him. "Like what?"

"Like this," he said softly, pulling her closer, "When we're just sitting here, with nothing to do but hold each other."

A tender warmth spread through Anupama's chest. She gently placed her hand over his, their fingers intertwining. "I've missed this," she admitted. "I've missed just being with you."

Anuj's gaze softened, and he brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I'm always here, Anu. Even when things get crazy, you know that, right?"

She nodded, blinking away the sudden tears that pricked at her eyes. "I know," she whispered.

Anuj pulled her into a tight hug, his arms encircling her completely. He pressed his lips to her temple, whispering, "You and Anika are everything to me. And this little one too," he said, placing his hand gently on her growing belly.

A flutter of emotion filled Anupama's heart, and she placed her hand over his. For a moment, they just sat there, wrapped in each other's arms, feeling the quiet presence of their unborn baby between them. The house was silent except for the occasional creak of the wooden floor and the soft hum of the night outside.

The next morning, Anuj woke up with an idea. He wanted to do something special for Anupama—a surprise dinner to remind her just how much she meant to him. It wasn't anything fancy, just something heartfelt.

While Anupama and Anika were out with Anupama's parents, Sushma and Madhav, Anuj busied himself in the kitchen. He wasn't the greatest cook, but he had learned a thing or two over the years, and tonight, he was determined to make their favorite dish: pasta with homemade sauce.