umeed

chapter 3

The next morning, the soft glow of sunlight filtered through the windows as Ruhi slept peacefully in her cradle. Meanwhile, Rohit was in the kitchen, assisting Sheetal with breakfast preparations. The clatter of utensils and the faint aroma of spices filled the air as they worked together.

"Toh, tune khana banana seekha hai?" Sheetal asked with a teasing smile, glancing at Rohit as she stirred a pot on the stove.

Rohit, a little flustered, stammered, "Woh... woh... Ankit ke liye banana tha, bas... tabhi thoda seekh gaya." His voice carried a mix of nervousness and fondness as he mentioned Ankit.

Sheetal chuckled softly and said, "Achha? Chal, aaj hum sab taste karenge tere haath ka bana khana." There was warmth in her tone, as if she was encouraging him to relax and feel at home.

As they continued to cook together, the sound of footsteps approached. Rohan appeared at the kitchen door, looking a little concerned.

"Kya hua, Rohan?" Sheetal asked, noticing his expression.

"Didi, woh... Ruhi ro rahi hai," Rohan replied, his voice tinged with worry.

Sheetal wiped her hands on a towel and said, "Theek hai, tu jaa... main dekh loongi."

With a nod, Rohan quickly turned and left.

"Rohit, tu jaa ke dekh le Ruhi ko. Main yeh khatam karti hoon," Sheetal instructed, giving him a reassuring smile.

Rohit nodded, setting aside the task at hand. He made his way to the room, where Ruhi’s cries had begun to fill the air. His heart softened as he saw her tiny figure wriggling restlessly in the cradle.

Gently, Rohit bent down and scooped Ruhi into his arms, cradling her close to his chest. Her soft whimpers began to quiet as she nestled against him, finding comfort in his warmth and familiar scent. He swayed gently, murmuring soothing words, his heart swelling with love for the little one. Ruhi’s cries still lingered, even as she nestled against Rohit’s chest. He gently rocked her, trying to soothe her, but something seemed to still be bothering her. Worried, he looked down at her little face scrunched in discomfort, and that’s when he noticed the dampness around her diaper.

"Arre, toh isliye ro rahi hai," Rohit murmured softly, feeling a mix of relief and concern. "Pampers ganda ho gaya hoga."

With tender care, he laid Ruhi down on the changing table nearby. Her tiny legs kicked in the air, and her face showed signs of relief as the cold air hit her skin. Rohit winced a little, realizing just how uncomfortable she must have been.

"Sorry, Ruhi, thoda late ho gaya," he whispered with a soft smile, his hands working quickly and gently. He unfastened the wet diaper, wiped her clean with soft baby wipes, and carefully put on a fresh diaper.

"There we go, sab theek ho gaya ab," he cooed, making sure the diaper was snug but not too tight. Ruhi, now much calmer, blinked up at him with her wide, curious eyes. Her tiny hands reached out, grasping at the air, and Rohit couldn’t help but chuckle.

Picking her up again, he cradled her against his chest, feeling the warmth of her small body pressed against his. Slowly, her cries subsided into quiet murmurs, and soon, she was peaceful once again. He continued to sway gently, feeling a deep connection with the little one, a bond that was growing stronger each day.

As Rohit stood there, holding Ruhi close, he felt a sense of peace wash over him. This small moment, caring for her, seemed to fill a void in his heart, one he hadn’t even known was there.As Virat entered his office building, the atmosphere shifted immediately. Employees stood straighter, greeting him with respect as he walked past. Despite his formidable reputation, he greeted them back with a brief nod, his steps purposeful as he made his way toward his private cabin. The office was sleek, modern, and bathed in natural light, a sharp contrast to the darkness that often surrounded his persona. But behind the cold exterior, Virat was known for his unconventional code of ethics—though a mafia leader, he never spilled innocent blood and used his wealth to support NGOs and organizations that helped the underprivileged.