ᴍɪʜɪᴛʜᴀ-𝓗𝓲𝓼 𝓲𝓷𝓼𝓪𝓷𝓮𝓵𝔂 𝓸𝓫𝓼𝓮𝓼𝓼𝓲𝓸𝓷

chapter 46

             Author's pov

As the days passed after Nila’s first birthday, life at the Ranawath household settled into a comfortable rhythm, but every day seemed to bring with it small, heartwarming moments that made the mundane feel extraordinary.

Mihitha often found herself marveling at how fast Nila was growing. It felt like just yesterday when she had been a tiny, fragile newborn, and now she was beginning to toddle around the house, her little feet making unsteady steps that were equal parts adorable and nerve-wracking. Mihitha would hold her breath every time Nila tried to take a step on her own, her arms always ready to catch her should she wobble. But Nila had a determination that reminded Mihitha so much of Rudransh. There was something fierce about the way their daughter navigated her tiny world like she was already set on making her own path.

Every morning started with soft sunlight filtering through the curtains, casting a golden hue over the bedroom. Mihitha would wake to the sound of Nila babbling from her crib, her sweet little voice filling the room. It was their gentle wake-up call, one that both Mihitha and Rudransh had come to cherish.

Rudransh, once the man who could go days without uttering a single unnecessary word, had become someone Mihitha hardly recognized soft, loving, and utterly smitten with his daughter. He would often be the one to get up first, cradling Nila in his arms and bringing her into bed with them, where she would giggle and play with his hair. The mornings were filled with these little rituals, moments of quiet joy as the three of them snuggled together before the day truly began.

"Good morning, little one," Rudransh would murmur, his voice thick with affection as he kissed the top of Nila's head. His once cold, distant demeanor seemed to melt away entirely when he was with their daughter.

Nila, always full of energy, would respond with a stream of incoherent babbling, though "dadda" still slipped from her lips more often than not, much to Mihitha’s playful dismay.

As the days passed, Mihitha found herself marveling at how much her world had changed. Her days were no longer defined by long shifts at the hospital, exhaustion hanging heavy on her shoulders. Now, her days were measured in moments with Nila and Rudransh watching Nila's tiny hands grasp her toys, listening to her laughter echo through the house, and sharing quiet, tender moments with Rudransh when the house was finally still at night.

Their home, once a cold, imposing mansion, had become a warm sanctuary. Mihitha often found herself reflecting on how far they had come. When she first married Rudransh, there had been so much darkness between them. Pain, betrayal, and fear had defined their relationship in the early days. But now, things were different. Love had blossomed in unexpected ways, and though their journey had not been easy, it had brought them here to this life they were building together.

The daily routine had its own kind of magic. Rudransh and Mihitha took turns with Nila’s meals, but more often than not, it was Rudransh who insisted on feeding her. He enjoyed every moment, sitting with her in the high chair, patiently coaxing her to try new foods, laughing when she made a mess or scrunched her nose at something she didn’t like.

"She’s just like you," Rudransh would tease, wiping Nila’s face after she’d rejected yet another new vegetable. "Picky and stubborn."

Mihitha would roll her eyes, but the affection in her gaze never wavered. "Or maybe she’s like you never satisfied until she gets exactly what she wants."

In those moments, the house was filled with the sound of their laughter and Nila’s infectious giggles. It was the kind of happiness that felt almost unreal, given everything they had been through to reach this point. Rudransh, who once kept his emotions guarded behind a wall of steel, was now a doting father who took pride in the smallest victories Nila taking a step, Nila saying "dadda," Nila learning to wave goodbye.

But not every day was easy. There were sleepless nights when Nila was teething, her cries piercing the silence and filling the house with worry. Mihitha would spend hours rocking her back and forth, her heart aching for her little girl’s discomfort. Rudransh, though often stoic in the face of adversity, would hover anxiously by the door, offering to help, though it was clear that his helplessness bothered him. The sight of his daughter in pain was something he had never fully prepared himself for, and it gnawed at him in ways that surprised even him.

During those long nights, Rudransh would often pace the floor, muttering to himself as if trying to figure out some solution that would ease Nila’s suffering. It was a side of him that only Mihitha had ever seen—vulnerable, desperate to protect his family from even the smallest of pains.

"She’ll be okay," Mihitha would whisper, though her voice, too, was tinged with exhaustion. "It’s just part of growing up."

Rudransh would nod, but the worry in his eyes would remain until Nila finally settled, her tiny body resting peacefully against Mihitha’s chest. He would watch them both, his love for them palpable, though he often struggled to find the words to express it.

Despite the challenges, there were more good days than bad. Nila’s first steps were met with joyous shouts from both parents, who watched in awe as she toddled across the living room, her face beaming with pride at her own accomplishment. Mihitha had cried that day, unable to hold back the tears of joy as she watched their little girl growing up before their eyes.

"She’s getting too big," Mihitha had whispered, her voice thick with emotion as she clung to Rudransh’s arm.

Rudransh had wrapped his arms around her, pressing a kiss to her temple. "She’s perfect."

As the days passed into weeks, Mihitha found herself treasuring the quiet moments as much as the big milestones. Sitting in the garden with Nila on her lap, watching as she explored the world around her with wide-eyed wonder. Sharing late-night conversations with Rudransh after Nila had gone to sleep, their love for each other deepening with every word, every shared memory.

They were building something beautiful together a life that was no longer defined by pain and betrayal, but by love, hope, and the small, tender moments that filled their days. It was in the passing of time that Mihitha realized just how much they had gained. Their past, with all its hurt and heartache, was fading, replaced by the quiet joy of their present and the bright promise of their future.

And though the world around them continued to spin, with its own share of challenges and uncertainties, inside the walls of their home, time seemed to slow, each day a reminder of just how far they had come, and how much love they still had to give.