Here After!

30. Where We Are Meant to Be

Anu

I lay there, staring up at the ceiling, Giri's arm wrapped around me as I tried to ease my restless thoughts. Today had been overwhelming—Anitta's news, Papa's words, and even Anish's casual questions stirred feelings I didn't even realize I had. It was as though everyone around me was moving forward, marking milestones, and here I was, suddenly questioning if I was missing something essential.

Then Giri's words from earlier echoed in my mind: "Everything will happen when it's meant to." His calm confidence had a way of grounding me, making me feel safe and understood. Maybe he was right. Maybe, right now, we were exactly where we were meant to be.

As I thought about it, I felt a wave of gratitude for him—for his patience, his support, and the way he always seemed to know how to quiet my mind. I nestled into his embrace a little closer, realizing that for all the uncertainty I felt, this moment, right here with him, was something I was certain about.

The weekend with family flew by in no time. Early Monday morning, we returned home since Giri needed to head to the office, and Mom would be joining us a bit later on her own. I took on the task of preparing breakfast and a simple lunch for him—something Mom usually does because he isn't a fan of the office cafeteria food. Though he initially resisted the idea, he finally agreed with my help, but now I was a bit overwhelmed, wondering what exactly to make.

With dosa batter on hand, breakfast wasn't too challenging, but deciding on lunch and a side dish felt like a bit of an adventure. After a quick call with Mom for some easy recipes, I managed to pull together a meal. Just as I was finishing up, Giri came into the kitchen, fresh from his workout and nearly ready for work.

Giri looked around, a bit surprised. "Smells good in here," he said with a grin, leaning over to peek at what I'd made.

"Don't get your hopes too high—it's my first attempt without Mom's supervision," I joked, trying to hide my nerves.

He chuckled, "It'll be perfect; I trust you."

We shared a quick breakfast together, and I packed up his lunch. As he was leaving, he gave me a grateful smile. It was probably the first time in these three months that I was fully awake as he left for work, and a strange, warm feeling settled in as I watched him get ready.

"Anu, I'll lock up from outside. Mom has a spare key, so she'll let herself in. Make sure to lock our room from inside and get some rest, okay?" he said, pausing to put on his shoes.

"Sure thing, boss!" I replied with a grin. He shot me a playful look, somewhere between amusement and disbelief, and I couldn't help but laugh.

He stepped forward, placing a gentle kiss on my lips that lingered, leaving me with a sense of closeness as he pulled away. "This is nice... having you here, seeing me off to work. Feels like a first I want to get used to."

I smiled, watching as he headed out. "Take care," I called after him, feeling an unexpected thrill in sending him off. As he left, I stood by the door for a moment, listening to the distant hum of his car as it faded down the street. There was a quietness that settled over the house, a sense of stillness that felt different today—maybe because I'd watched him go instead of just waking up to an empty house.

I tidied up the kitchen and prepared to catch up on some sleep, but as I went back to our room, I felt a lingering happiness from our little morning routine. I lay down, pulling the covers up, and stared at the ceiling, letting myself replay the small moments from this morning.

Before long, I drifted off, comforted by the feeling that, even in the little routines, we were carving out something special together.

As I woke up in the evening, Mom was already in the kitchen making tea. We spent a few minutes catching up, and I shared the news of Anitta's pregnancy with her. She was thrilled and suggested we plan a visit over the weekend, to which I happily agreed.

The evening flew by, and soon it was time for me to head to work. Once there, the routine was the same: client calls, emails, and the usual buzz of a busy office. But it's Praveena's lively banter that makes it all feel less mundane. She's the friend who can make any day brighter, and honestly, my holidays are usually timed around hers—work just doesn't feel the same without her around. Between laughs and tasks, the workday wrapped up, and it was finally time to go home.

Eager to be with him in the early morning hours, I headed back quickly. He's always thoughtful, sending updates when he's home or grabbing dinner, and it makes me feel so connected to him, even from afar. There's something about him that pulls me in; just the thought of him has me blushing. Those precious morning hours, with me curled up in his arms, are what I look forward to the most. When he senses me beside him, he'll wrap me in his embrace, showering me with soft kisses—it's my little piece of heaven.

When I finally got home, the house was silent and dimly lit. I tiptoed to our room, not wanting to disturb him if he was asleep, but the moment I entered, I saw him stirring, his eyes slowly blinking open. He gave me a sleepy smile, one that said he was happy I was back.

"Did you just get in?" he asked, his voice soft and groggy.

I nodded, slipping under the covers beside him. He instinctively wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. The warmth and comfort of his hold erased every bit of the day's fatigue. In that quiet moment, it felt like the whole world had paused, leaving just the two of us in a bubble of calm.

We stayed like that for a while, just enjoying each other's presence. Then, as if he couldn't help himself, he brushed a gentle kiss across my forehead and whispered, "I missed you."

And all I could think was how grateful I was for these moments—the ones that made every tiring day and long night feel worth it. In his embrace, with his steady heartbeat beside me, everything felt complete.

After a few minutes of silence, I found myself talking about my day, the little things, the funny things Praveena had said, and even the usual work chaos. He listened, humming softly here and there, letting me know he was present. Sharing everything like this made me realize how much I valued these small exchanges, these threads that kept us woven together.

He shared the details of his day, and as he spoke, I absentmindedly traced small circles on his hand, feeling the rhythm of his voice under my fingertips. Gradually, our conversation slowed, our voices dropping to soft murmurs. His hand found its way to my back, pulling me closer as if he wanted to ensure I would never drift away.

In that intimate moment, he showered me with love, making me feel cherished and adored. Each time we were together, it felt like the first time, as he infused every interaction with a sense of magic. He had this incredible ability to make even the simplest moments feel special, and I found myself lost in the warmth of his embrace, knowing that this was where I truly belonged.