Only You....

Epilogue

The early rays of the morning sun interrupted my sleep, and I slowly opened my eyes. At first, I was a little annoyed—who likes their sleep interrupted on a weekend? But when I turned and saw Arnav's face next to mine, all my irritation disappeared.. I kept looking at him for a while; he looked so peaceful and so cute with his mouth slightly open and a soft smile spread across my face. His arm was draped protectively around me, and his warm breath tickled my neck. I brushed a strand of hair off his forehead and pressed a long kiss there...Though this is how my mornings have looked for the past six months, this morning felt extra special. After months of planning, we were finally taking a long-awaited family holiday today..

Thinking back to the day we patched things up still makes me smile. At first, we were so hesitant to share the same room. Both of us were nervous and a bit shy after all we'd been through. But my mother made it easy by taking Arushi to her room, closing our door, and ensuring we'd finally get the time to talk... That night, we stayed up talking about everything we'd held inside. We cried, hugged, and kissed immense times. As the hours passed, all the barriers between us started to dissolve. When we finally drifted off to sleep in each other's arms in the early hours of the morning, it felt like a new beginning, one I never wanted to let go of..

My thoughts broke hearing a soft knock on the door. Carefully, I wriggled out of Arnav's arms, and open the door. There was my little munchkin, Arushi, with her sleepy eyes and messy hair...

'Mumma!'she called out softly and stretched out her tiny arm...

I bent down and pulled her to my arms.. 'Good morning, bacha..' I whispered, kissing her head..

'Good morning, Mumma..' she replied wrapping her arms tightly around my neck.. 'Papa..' She said pointing towards the bed..

I pulled back slightly, brushing her hair out of her face, 'Papa is sleeping.. Shall we wake up Papa together?' I asked with a mischievous grin and she nodded eagerly.

'But.. ,we have to be very quiet. ok?' I said, holding a finger to my lips.

She mimicked my gesture, putting her little finger on her lips, 'Shhh..' she whispered, nodding her head and I kissed her cheek, my baby is so adorable..

Taking Arushi in my lap, I went near the bed and leaned over. I blow some air in Arnav's ear and he made a irritated face.. Arushi giggled seeing her father's cute face.. I gestured Arushi to do the same and she followed, Arnav again made an irritated face..

'Arnav...' I whispered, trying not to laugh at how annoyed he looked, 'Wake up... someone special is here to see you.'

He let out a soft groan and slowly open his eyes. Arushi climbed out of my lap and sat on his tummy, 'Papa, wake up.. Aru is here..'

That woke him up completely. He blinked a few times, and pulled her into his arms for a tight hug, 'Good morning, my little sunshine..'

'Good Morning, Papa..' Arushi said hugging him back and I smiled big seeing the father and daughter, my life lines.. Arnav reached out with one arm and tugged me down into the hug. 'Good morning to you too..' he murmured, 'Though, I wouldn't have minded a few more minutes of peaceful sleep..'

Arushi giggled, snuggling into his chest. 'No peace for you, Papa! Mumma and I wanted to wake you up!'

'Oh, is that so?' Arnav asked, pretending to look shocked, 'Then I guess I have to punish you..' saying that he started tickling Arushi. She let out a loud squeal, wriggling in his arms..

'Papa, nooo!' she cried between her laughter, trying to escape his grasp.

leaving her Arnav turned to me and started tickling me, 'And you too, Mrs. Raizada. No one gets away from my punishment!'