BLOOMING LOVE FROM HATE

Chapter 38

After waking up, Adhitya went downstairs with Anith and Diya. Sri was serving tea to everyone. Noticing Adhitya with the children, she returned to the kitchen and came back with a tray that held a cup of tea, a glass of hot chocolate, and a bottle of milk. Adhitya settled onto the couch with Anith in his lap, while Diya went to her father and hugged him tightly.

Anith, still groggy from his nap, began to behave crankily. He refused to drink his milk and started to whine. Despite everyone's attempts to console him, even Adhitya couldn't calm him down. Sri observed the situation and said, "Adhi, I think he wants his mother. Why don't you take him to Nithya's house?" Adhitya nodded and grabbed his bike keys.

He hoped the bike ride would excite Anith like it usually did with children, but today was different. All Anith wanted was the comfort of his mother, his playtime was over. Adhitya sat him in front and started the bike, driving off.

Meanwhile, Nithya was sitting on her couch, her mind racing with worries. What if her son preferred his father? What if Adhitya tried to take him away? She feared that if Adhitya chose to, she wouldn't stand a chance against him. Regret washed over her for having sent Anith there. Tears filled her eyes as she contemplated the worst.

At 6 in the evening, she heard the sound of a bike approaching and rushed to the main door. Relief washed over her when she saw Adhitya and Anith. As Adhitya parked the bike and began to get off, Nithya hurried over, taking Anith in her arms. He hugged her tightly, burying his face in the crook of her neck, and she carried him into the house.

Adhitya followed, feeling a mix of emotions. Nithya turned to him and asked, "Where are you going?" He stumbled over his words, unsure how to respond. "Uh, it's just... Anith," he said, wishing to spend more time with his son.

"Please leave," Nithya said, starting to turn away, but then Adhitya stepped closer, bending down to Anith's level. He gently took Anith's face in his hands and kissed him on the forehead and both cheeks. Nithya felt a jolt of surprise at this unexpected closeness.

After kissing his son, Adhitya reached out and held Nithya's face in his hands, kissing her forehead as well. Nithya was utterly taken aback, unprepared for such a gesture. Before she could react or scold him, Adhitya stepped back and left.

Nithya stood frozen, staring at the direction he had gone. Her thoughts were interrupted by Anith's whine, reminding her that he might not have eaten properly for lunch. She moved to the kitchen, cradling him on her hip, and switched on the stove to boil the milk. Her mind remained occupied with the unexpected events of the moment before.

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After having dinner, Adhitya settled down to work on his laptop in his room. He had skipped the office due to his son's unexpected visit, but now he found it nearly impossible to concentrate. His thoughts kept drifting back to the moment he kissed Nithya on her forehead, and a small smile tugged at his lips.

Yet, he couldn't shake the realization of what might have happened if he had lingered even a moment longer. The possibility that Nithya could have slapped him made his heart ache. With a deep sigh, he attempted to redirect his focus back to his work.

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The next day was Vijayadhasami, everyone in the family is getting ready for the temple, Adhitya's father being the village head, the pooja starts only after receiving the offerings from the family. So they have to reach the temple early.

Adhitya was getting ready in his room. Sri was dressed beautifully in a red kanjivaram saree, while Diya wore a matching red pattu dress. When Adhitya came downstairs in his traditional attire, he noticed the playful banter among Prem's family. He felt a tug at his heart and wanted Nithya and Anith to join them for the festivities, so he hesitantly asked, "Sri, is Nithya coming?"

"I don't think so, Adhi. Maybe you can go and pick up Anith, she might send him," Sri replied. If Adhitya hadn't been there, Sri would have never left Nithya alone, but now that he was, she wanted him to put in the effort to win her back. She decided not to play mediator between them and acted disinterested.

Everyone piled into their cars and left for the temple, while Adhitya took his bike and headed to Nithya's house. He knew she probably wouldn't come, but he hoped she might send Anith with him.

Standing in front of Nithya's door, Adhitya straightened his clothes and hair before knocking. After several attempts with no response, he thought she might still be sleeping since it was early. However, Nithya usually woke up early for festivals. Just as he raised his hand to knock again, the door swung open.

Adhitya was taken aback by the sight of Nithya. She was wearing a saree he had bought for her, although she believed it was a gift from Sri. Her hair was loosely braided with flowers, filling the air with their fragrance. His throat went dry as he took her in, but Nithya, wearing an irritated frown, asked, "What do you want?"

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