𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐀 : 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐈𝐅𝐄 | 𝟏𝟖+

CHAPTER 46

The soft morning light began to filter through the thin hospital curtains, casting a warm glow in the room. Tara sat beside Manik, wrapping him snugly in a thick woolen shawl that draped around his tiny frame.

She fussed over him with a motherly precision, folding the edges and tucking them in, ensuring every part of him was bundled against the chill.

Manik scrunched his nose, giving her an exaggerated sigh.

"Maa, I'm not a doll! You're wrapping me up like I'll melt in the cold," he protested, although the sparkle in his eyes betrayed how much he enjoyed her care.

Tara smoothed a stray strand of hair from his forehead and chuckled.

"Oh, is that so? I seem to remember someone shivering last night when I opened the window just a little bit," she teased, tapping his nose playfully.

"Only because you closed my blanket, Ma!" Manik replied, widening his eyes in mock indignation, making Tara laugh softly.

Prithvi stepped in, hands in his pockets, observing the exchange with a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Are we all ready for our morning adventure?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at Manik.

Manik turned to him with an eager grin, practically bouncing with excitement.

"Yes! Let's go, Baba!" he declared, reaching his small, armless frame toward Prithvi with a trusting smile. Prithvi carefully lifted him up, adjusting the shawl around him with a gentleness that contrasted his strong arms.

Manik snuggled into his father's embrace, resting his cheek against Prithvi's shoulder, a happy sigh escaping him.

As they made their way out of the room and down the quiet hospital corridors, Tara walked closely by their side, every now and then brushing the edges of the shawl to keep Manik warm.

They stepped out into the garden, where a faint mist clung to the grass, and the early winter sun was rising just above the treetops, casting long shadows.

Manik's eyes grew wide as he took in the open space, the morning breeze tousling his hair.

He inhaled deeply, his small chest expanding as he took in the fresh air, as if trying to capture the whole world in one breath.

"Oh, Maa! Look, look at those flowers! They're the same yellow as the ones at home!" he pointed out with his head, nudging towards a patch of marigolds blooming brightly under the sunlight.

"Yes, they are," Tara replied warmly, following his gaze. "Maybe we'll have to plant more like those in our garden when we go back home."

Manik's face brightened at the mention of home.

"Yes, and Baba, you have to show me how to plant them! You always say I don't dig right," he giggled, remembering their last gardening attempt together.

Prithvi chuckled softly.

"That's because you keep getting distracted by every worm and pebble you find, Manik," he said, ruffling his hair.

"But alright, we'll plant an entire row together, and I won't say a word if you stop to examine every bug along the way."

Manik's giggle echoed through the garden, filling the cool air with warmth. He leaned his head back against Prithvi's shoulder, looking up at his father with wide, grateful eyes.

"You promise?"

"I promise, little one," Prithvi replied, his voice tender. Tara watched the two of them, her heart swelling with love and gratitude, seeing Manik so full of joy after so many weeks in the hospital.