ᴍɪʜɪᴛʜᴀ-𝓗𝓲𝓼 𝓲𝓷𝓼𝓪𝓷𝓮𝓵𝔂 𝓸𝓫𝓼𝓮𝓼𝓼𝓲𝓸𝓷

chapter 47

                   Author's pov

The night was quiet, the soft hum of the ceiling fan the only sound filling the bedroom. Moonlight spilled through the sheer curtains, casting a faint glow across the room. Rudransh lay on his side, his arm draped protectively over Mihitha’s waist, his fingers gently stroking her skin. His heart had softened in ways he could never have imagined. The weight of his past lifted each time he held her close, each time he saw Nila’s innocent smile.

Tonight was one of those rare, peaceful nights where Nila had fallen asleep early, leaving Rudransh and Mihitha with a few precious hours of uninterrupted time. Mihitha, nestled against him, let out a contented sigh, her hand resting on his chest.

"She’s so peaceful tonight," Mihitha whispered, her voice soft but filled with a warmth that reached into the depths of Rudransh's heart. She smiled, thinking of Nila, their daughter, whose every giggle and coo brought a new kind of joy into their lives.

Rudransh leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to the top of Mihitha’s head. "That’s because she had us chasing her around all day," he murmured, a chuckle rumbling in his chest. Nila had been particularly energetic today, toddling around the house, her laughter echoing through the rooms.

Mihitha smiled, her fingers tracing light circles on Rudransh's chest. "She’s going to be a handful when she grows up."

Rudransh tilted her chin up so their eyes met, his gaze soft but intense. "She’s already perfect," he whispered. His voice carried a depth of emotion that still sometimes surprised him.

Mihitha felt a warmth spread through her chest. "You’ve changed, you know," she said, her voice quiet but steady. "The man I first met wouldn’t have ever imagined saying something like that."

Rudransh’s lips twitched into a small smile. He brushed a strand of hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear. "That man didn’t know what love really was."

Mihitha’s breath caught for a moment, the weight of his words settling between them. She had seen him at his darkest, had felt his anger and his pain. But now, lying here with him, she felt the fullness of his love, and it was overwhelming in the best way.

"I’m glad he does now," Mihitha whispered, her voice thick with emotion. She pressed a soft kiss to his lips, lingering for a moment as if to cement the truth of those words between them.

Rudransh deepened the kiss, his hand slipping up to cradle her face. The kiss was slow, tender, a gentle exchange that spoke of all the unspoken words between them. There was no rush, no urgency just the steady rhythm of two souls who had found solace in each other’s presence.

When they pulled away, their foreheads rested against each other, their breaths mingling in the quiet space between them.

"I don’t deserve you," Rudransh murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Mihitha’s heart clenched at the vulnerability in his voice. She cupped his face in her hands, forcing him to meet her gaze. "You do," she said softly. "You’ve worked so hard to become this man, to make this life with me and Nila. You deserve every bit of happiness we have."

Rudransh’s eyes softened, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He kissed her again, slow and gentle, as if savoring the moment. When they finally parted, he pulled her closer, resting his chin on top of her head.

The room fell into a comfortable silence, the two of them simply enjoying the quiet together. For a while, it was just the sound of their steady breathing, the warmth of their bodies pressed together.

Then, as if on cue, they heard a soft cry from the baby monitor.

Mihitha smiled, her body already moving to get up, but Rudransh gently pressed her back down onto the bed. "I’ve got her," he whispered, his voice full of affection.

Mihitha watched him as he quietly slipped out of bed, his tall frame moving with an ease that belied the heaviness of his past. There was something so tender about the way he went to Nila, something so caring in how he scooped her up from the crib and held her close. The tough exterior he had once shown to the world had long since melted away when it came to their daughter.

Rudransh rocked Nila gently, whispering soothing words to calm her back to sleep. From the bed, Mihitha watched, her heart swelling with love. She could hardly believe this was the same man who had once made her life so difficult, who had once been so full of anger and hurt. Now, he was her partner, her love, and the father of their beautiful daughter.

Eventually, Nila’s soft cries turned to quiet coos, and Rudransh gently laid her back down, tucking her in with care. He stood by the crib for a moment longer, just watching her, as if memorizing every detail of her tiny face.

When he returned to bed, Mihitha reached for him, her fingers intertwining with his. "You’re such a good father," she whispered, her voice full of admiration.

Rudransh smiled, a rare, genuine smile. "I just want to make sure she’s always happy."

Mihitha leaned in, pressing her lips to his cheek. "You do more than that. You make us both so happy."

They lay back down together, Rudransh pulling her into his arms once more. As they settled into the quiet, Mihitha felt a sense of peace wash over her. This was what love felt like, she realized not just the passion and fire of the early days, but the steady, unwavering presence of someone who loved you, faults and all.

Later in the night, as Mihitha rested her head on Rudransh’s chest, she felt his fingers tracing patterns on her back. His touch was light, almost absent-minded, as if he were lost in thought. She could tell he was still awake, his breathing steady but not yet deep with sleep.

"Do you ever wonder what she’ll be like when she’s older?" Mihitha asked softly, breaking the silence.

Rudransh was quiet for a moment before answering. "I think she’ll be brave," he said. "Like you. Kind, too. And maybe a little stubborn."

Mihitha laughed softly. "She’s already stubborn."

Rudransh’s hand stilled on her back, and he tilted his head down to press a kiss to her forehead. "I hope she’s happy," he whispered, his voice full of sincerity. "That’s all I want for her. For both of you."

Mihitha smiled against his chest. "We are happy, Rudra. More than you know."

The night stretched on, the two of them wrapped in each other’s arms, with the soft sound of Nila’s breathing filling the room. It was in these quiet moments that Mihitha knew, without a doubt, that they had found something rare and precious love, in its truest and purest form. And as they lay there, with their daughter sleeping peacefully nearby, Mihitha knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, as a family.