Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter - 40

The warm Mumbai air drifted lazily into the Sharma residence, carrying with it the faint hum of the bustling city outside. Inside the house, however, it was unusually calm—a rare peace that felt like a collective sigh after the whirlwind in Kudremukh. Everyone had returned just the night before, and now the home was filled with familiar faces and a sense of comfort.

In the living room, Virat, Rishabh, and Shubman sat cross-legged on the floor with the kids, Sammy and Vami, who were completely engrossed in their coloring books. The men kept their conversation low and easy, occasionally glancing at the kids' masterpieces.

"Sammy, that's the coolest dragon I've ever seen," Shubman said with an encouraging grin, pointing at the bright green blob Sammy proudly called his "dragon."

"Bhai, yeh toh Picasso banegi," Virat teased, earning a small giggle from Sammy.

"Vami will be her art critic," Rishabh added, giving a playful nudge to Vami, who stuck her tongue out in mock annoyance but smiled nonetheless.

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On the balcony, Arjun sat hunched over his laptop, fingers flying across the keyboard as he worked on a report. A cup of half-finished tea sat beside him, long forgotten. The steady breeze ruffled his hair, but his focus remained unbroken.

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In the kitchen, the cheerful clinks of pots and pans filled the air. Anushka, Arya, Athiya, and Ayan were busy preparing dinner. The smell of masala and sautéed onions wafted through the house, making it feel even more like home.

"Yeh dal bas ho hi gayi," Arya announced, stirring a large pot with exaggerated concentration.

Athiya grinned. "Not bad, Arya! You're finally getting there."

"See?" Arya teased Ayan. "I can cook!"

Ayan chuckled, chopping onions with ease. "Yeah, only took you... twenty-five years."

From the doorway, Meera, leaning casually against the frame, rolled her eyes at their banter. "Twenty-five years well spent," she said with a smirk.

"Don't just stand there," Anushka called from beside the stove. "Come help us!"

Meera laughed but didn't budge. Instead, she went back to Hardik, who was sitting comfortably on the couch in the living room. They spoke in low tones, catching up on old stories, his easy laughter making her feel lighter.

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The quiet hum of the house was interrupted by the soft click of the front door. Rohit and Ritika stepped in, looking tired but relieved. Meera was the first to spot them, her sharp gaze catching every small detail—the way Ritika leaned slightly against Rohit, the exhaustion lining her eyes despite the smile she tried to wear.

Meera immediately crossed the room to meet them. "Sab theek hai, bhai? Everything alright?"

Rohit gave a reassuring nod, slipping off his shoes. "Haan, sab theek hai. She's just a little weak from all the stress."

A flicker of guilt sparked in Meera's heart, though she kept her expression steady. She knew Ritika had taken on too much—probably more than anyone realized. But Meera said nothing, swallowing the weight of that guilt for now.

From the floor, Virat glanced up and shot Ritika a playful frown. "Ritsy pagal, itna kyun sochti hai tu?"

Before Ritika could respond, Anushka's voice floated in from the kitchen. "She's your sister, Virat. Stress lena toh family trait hai."

The room erupted into soft laughter, and Ritika finally allowed herself a smile, shaking her head at their teasing.

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