I have nothing to do with him

Chapter 48

After their fun session in the room, they all gathered in the living room for some downtime before bed. The soft glow of the lamp illuminated their faces as they settled onto the couch together.

Annika turned on the TV and flipped through channels until she found an animated movie that caught their interest. "How about this one? A classic!"

Arush snuggled between his parents, his eyes lighting up at the familiar characters on screen. "Yes! I love this movie!"

As the story unfolded, they shared popcorn and exchanged playful comments about the characters' antics. Laughter filled the room as they cheered for the heroes and groaned at the villains.

Halfway through the movie, Arush leaned against Annika, who wrapped her arm around him protectively. Shivaay glanced at them, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude wash over him.

"This is perfect," he murmured to himself.

Annika caught his eye and smiled knowingly. "It really is."

As the credits rolled and they settled into comfortable silence once more, Shivaay felt a profound sense of peace enveloping them—a promise of many more nights like this to come.

"Hey," he said softly, breaking the quiet. "I love you both so much."

Annika turned to him, her eyes shimmering with emotion. "We love you too."

Arush chimed in with an enthusiastic nod. "Yeah! Best family ever!"

And in that moment, surrounded by love and laughter, they knew they were exactly where they belonged—together, as a family, ready to face whatever came next with open hearts and unwavering support for one another.

The sun peeked through the curtains, casting a warm glow in Arush's room. Annika entered with a cheerful smile, ready to start the day. "Good morning, superstar!" she said, pulling back the covers and gently shaking him awake.

Arush groaned playfully. "Do I have to? Can't I just stay in bed forever?"

Annika laughed, sitting on the edge of his bed. "Not a chance! You've got school today, and besides, we have a special surprise for you."

Arush's eyes widened, curiosity piqued. "A surprise? What is it?"

"You'll find out soon enough!" she teased, ruffling his hair. "Now, let's get you ready. What do you want to wear?"

As they rummaged through his closet, Shivaay entered the room, carrying a tray with breakfast. "I hope someone's hungry!" he announced, setting it down on the bedside table.

"Dad! You made pancakes?" Arush exclaimed, jumping out of bed.

"Of course! Your favorite," Shivaay replied with a grin. "Now hurry up and eat so we can get going."

After a quick breakfast filled with laughter and chatter about school and friends, Arush was dressed and ready to go. He wore his favorite jersey, the one with the number 23 that he insisted was lucky.

"Looking sharp!" Annika said as she adjusted his collar. "Are you ready for your big day?"

"Absolutely!" Arush replied, puffing out his chest like a little superhero.

Shivaay chuckled as he watched his son. "Alright then, let's hit the road!"

As they walked to the car, Annika felt a rush of nostalgia. Dropping Arush off at school felt like a rite of passage—one she had always dreamed of experiencing as a parent. They climbed into the car, and Shivaay turned on some upbeat music as they drove through the familiar streets.

"Are you excited about your science project?" Annika asked, glancing back at Arush through the rearview mirror.

"Yeah! I'm doing it on space," he replied enthusiastically. "Did you know that Jupiter has 79 moons?"

Shivaay raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Look at you! A future astronaut in the making."

Arush beamed with pride. "Maybe! But I think I'd rather be a basketball player."

"Why not both?" Annika suggested playfully. "You could explore space during the day and play basketball at night!"

As they arrived at the school, Arush's excitement was palpable. He unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to his parents. "Thanks for dropping me off! You guys are the best!"

"We wouldn't miss it for the world," Shivaay said, giving him a fist bump.

Annika leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Have an amazing day! We'll pick you up after school."

"Okay! Bye!" Arush called as he hopped out of the car, waving enthusiastically before rushing towards his friends.

Watching him run off, Annika felt a wave of emotion wash over her. "He's growing up so fast," she said softly.

Shivaay nodded, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "And we're right here with him every step of the way."

Later that day, as Annika sat in her favorite coffee shop, her mind raced with ideas. After taking a break from her wedding planning business to focus on family, she felt a spark reigniting within her. The thought of returning to something she loved filled her with excitement.

She pulled out her notebook and began jotting down ideas for her business relaunch. She envisioned beautiful floral arrangements, elegant venues, and happy couples celebrating their love stories.

"Maybe I can host a few small events to start," she mused aloud. "Get my name back out there."

As she sipped her coffee, she couldn't help but feel a sense of purpose returning to her life. She had always loved planning weddings—the joy it brought to others was infectious.

A few months passed quickly as Annika worked diligently to re-establish her business. She reached out to old contacts, attended bridal fairs, and even collaborated with local vendors to create packages that would appeal to couples looking for unique experiences.

However, amidst her busy schedule, Annika began to feel unwell. It started with mild fatigue and occasional nausea that she brushed off as stress from work. But as days turned into weeks, the symptoms persisted.

One evening, after a long day of meetings and planning sessions, she collapsed onto the couch beside Shivaay. He immediately noticed her pale complexion.

"Annika? Are you feeling okay?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

"I'm just tired," she replied weakly, leaning her head against him.

"You've been working nonstop," he said gently. "Maybe you should take a break."

"I can't! I'm on the verge of getting some big clients," she insisted, though her voice lacked its usual enthusiasm.

Shivaay frowned but didn't push further. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her tightly. "Just promise me you'll take care of yourself."