The Charade

41| 𝕽𝖊𝖆𝖑𝖎𝖙𝖞

Chapter 42 is available on Scrollstack!!

A lot of dhum tana na na ahead.

AUTHOR'S POV

Kashi slowly opened her eyes to the soft mumbling of her son, Reyaan, who sat on the bed, playing with his toys. His baby babble filled the quiet morning, and she took in her surroundings, realizing how late it already was.

"Baba, come here," she whispered, pulling him toward her. Reyaan grumbled, his little face scrunched like an old man's, but he didn't resist when she showered him with kisses.

"When did you wake up, baby bull?" she asked, pressing a kiss on his tiny nose. He muttered something in response, his expression showed how irritated the little man was, but his mother cared less as she knew her son is grumpy.

"Do you and Papa have a secret?" Kashi teased. Reyaan's forest-green eyes lit up with a smile at the mention of his father.

"Pappaa?" he asked, his voice full of excitement.

Kashi smiled at his antics. "Papa," he began chanting, his little face bright with joy. Kashi sighed, closing her eyes, resting comfortably while Reyaan laid his head on her forearm, continuing his mantra.

The door creaked open, and Kashi's eyes flew to it. To her surprise, Adhikrit entered, not in his usual business attire but in casual clothes-a plain black t-shirt and grey joggers, his usual basics.

He glanced at her, and she motioned for him to join them on the bed. Without a word, he came down to her left. Reyaan giggled, thrilled by his father's presence.

"Kashi," Adhikrit called out softly, and she turned to him, hugging him close.

Her eyes fluttered shut. She felt safe. Exactly how she had always wanted to feel.

"What's wrong, Kashi?" His voice was soft, soothing. She shook her head as he ran a comforting hand through her hair, caressing her hair lovingly.

Reyaan grabbed his father's hand which made Adhikrit glare at the little boy, Kashi could feel it all happening. She felt Reyaan's small hand clutching at his father's, and suddenly, Adhikrit loudly shooed him away. "Stay away," he said, making Kashi pull back to look at him.

He glanced at her sheepishly and cleared his throat. "I was talking to your son," he clarified, a slight awkwardnes in his tone.

Kashi said nothing, simply hugged him again. They stayed quiet for a few moments, wrapped in each other's presence.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked, his voice unusually gentle.

Instead of answering, she pulled Reyaan into their embrace, settling the little boy on his father's lap while she rested her head against his chest. Reyaan sighed contentedly, then before Adhikrit could say he quickly sprang up, kissing his father's cheek. Reyaan's eyes found his mother and he immediately charged towards her making his father support him while he gave his mother playfull kisses.

"You're scaring me now, sweetheart,"

Kashi lifted her head to look into his eyes. Their eyes met, and suddenly, she leaned in, pressing her lips against his in a slow, soft kiss, Reyaan nestled between them. Adhikrit's hand slid to her throat from behind, the other resting protectively on Reyaan, as Kashi cupped his jaw, deepening the kiss in a delicate, tender moment. Baby Reyaan, looked at his parents with his forest eyes while mumbling things.

Kashi pulled away, her breath uneven.

"Where were you? Why did you vanish for those days?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Why did you break your promise? Why were you changed when you came back? Was it something I did? Did I hurt you?"