I have nothing to do with him

Chapter 46

The sun peeked through the gauzy curtains, casting a golden glow across the room. Shivaay stirred first, feeling the warmth of Annika nestled against him. He smiled, cherishing the peaceful moment that followed their night of passion. The memories of their honeymoon danced through his mind like a sweet melody, each note resonating with love and joy.

He gently brushed a strand of hair away from Annika's face, marveling at how serene she looked in her sleep. The world outside was waking up, but for Shivaay, time stood still in this cocoon of bliss. He leaned down, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Good morning, my beautiful wife," he whispered, his voice barely above a murmur.

Annika stirred, her eyelids fluttering open as she smiled up at him, her eyes sparkling with the remnants of dreams. "Good morning, Mr. Oberoi," she replied playfully, stretching like a cat and snuggling closer to him.

They shared a soft laugh, the kind that filled the air with warmth and comfort. The reality of their life awaited them back in India, but for now, they reveled in the aftermath of their honeymoon—wrapped up in each other's arms, savoring every second.

After breakfast on their balcony overlooking the ocean, they packed their bags, each item a reminder of their adventures together—shells collected from the beach, trinkets from local shops, and photographs capturing stolen moments. They were ready to return home, but their hearts felt heavy with the thought of leaving this paradise behind.

As they boarded the plane, Shivaay took Annika's hand tightly in his. "Ready for our next adventure?" he asked with a grin.

"Always," she replied, her eyes glinting with excitement.

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Back in India

The moment they landed in India, the familiar hustle and bustle enveloped them like a warm embrace. The cacophony of sounds—the honking cars, street vendors calling out to customers, and the distant chatter—brought back memories of home. Yet, amidst this familiar chaos, something felt amiss.

"Let's surprise Arush!" Annika suggested as they drove toward his school.

Shivaay nodded in agreement. "He's been looking forward to seeing us."

As they approached the school gates, they noticed a group of children laughing and playing, but Arush stood apart from them, his shoulders slumped and his gaze distant. A pang of concern shot through Shivaay and Annika as they exchanged worried glances.

"Something's not right," Shivaay murmured, his protective instincts kicking in.

They parked the car and made their way toward Arush. As they drew closer, it became evident that he was not his usual cheerful self. His friends tried to engage him in play, but he merely shrugged them off, lost in thought.

"Arush!" Annika called out, her voice bright and cheerful.

He looked up, his expression shifting from surprise to confusion before settling into a frown. "Hi, Mom... Dad," he said quietly.

"Why do you look so sad?" Shivaay knelt beside him, concern etched on his face.

Arush hesitated for a moment before speaking. "It's nothing," he mumbled.

"Come on, buddy. You can tell us anything," Annika encouraged gently.

After a few moments of silence that felt like an eternity, Arush finally spoke. "I... I didn't make it to the basketball team." His voice cracked slightly as he revealed his disappointment.

Shivaay felt a wave of empathy wash over him. He remembered how much Arush had looked forward to trying out for the team. "I'm sure there will be other opportunities," he reassured him.

"But all my friends made it," Arush replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "I thought I was good enough."

Annika knelt beside him and took his hand. "Sweetheart, it's okay to feel sad. But this doesn't define you. You're talented in so many ways."

"But I wanted to be part of something... something fun," Arush said, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Shivaay exchanged a glance with Annika before speaking again. "How about we practice together? Just you and me? We can work on your skills, and when the next opportunity comes around, you'll be ready."

A flicker of hope ignited in Arush's eyes. "Really? You'd do that?"

"Absolutely," Shivaay affirmed with a nod. "And we can invite some friends over too."

Annika chimed in with enthusiasm. "We can make it a fun day! We'll have snacks and games afterward!"

As they spoke, Arush's expression began to change from sadness to cautious optimism. "Okay... I'd like that."

"See? This is just one setback," Shivaay said firmly. "You're going to have so many more chances to shine."

The three of them stood together for a moment, embracing the warmth of family love amid the chaos of school life. Annika felt her heart swell with pride as she watched her husband connect with their son, guiding him through this difficult moment.

"Now," Shivaay said after a pause, "let's go home and celebrate your return from our honeymoon! We've brought back some surprises for you."

Arush perked up at that. "Surprises?"

"Yes!" Annika said excitedly. "And we can plan our practice session for tomorrow!"

As they walked back toward the car, Annika slipped her hand into Shivaay's. Their hearts were full—not just from their recent adventures but from the realization that family was their greatest adventure of all.

Once inside the car, Shivaay turned to Arush. "You know what? Your mom and I have been talking about how we want to support you in everything you do. So let's make a plan for basketball practice!"

Arush nodded enthusiastically now that his spirits were lifted.

"I'll even help you design some new plays!" Shivaay added with a wink.

"And I'll bring snacks!" Annika chimed in playfully.

Laughter filled the car as they drove home—an echo of love that would linger long after their honeymoon ended. They had returned to India not just as a couple but as a family ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead together.

As they pulled into their driveway and stepped out of the car, the sun began to set behind them—a beautiful reminder that every ending also heralds a new beginning.

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