Two Yearning Hearts

30

Kajal was in the dining area, setting the table happily. The delicious smell of her cooking wafted through the air, a warm welcome for her children. Just then, Viren walked in, a smile spreading across his face at the sight of the variety of dishes laid out before him.

“Wow! You prepared so many dishes today!” He said, genuine appreciation evident in his voice.

Kajal’s smile widened. “Yes, I missed the kids so much. I asked Suyash to drop them off before dinner, and I wanted to make something special for their return.”

Viren nodded in understanding. “With the kids around, this house will feel lively again.”

Excitement bubbled within Kajal as the sound of Suyash’s car horn echoed. Outside, Suyash parked and watched as Shikhar and Nikhil darted ahead, their voices ringing out, calling for their mumma. He stepped out, grabbed the boys' bags, and carried them inside.

As he entered, he saw Viren standing near Kajal, who was joyfully chatting with the boys about how much she had missed them.

“Hey, Suyash!” Viren greeted, his tone friendly yet laced with a hint of mockery.

Suyash forced a smile, his gaze flicking briefly to Kajal, who met his eyes for a fleeting moment. A familiar pang of regret welled up inside him, a painful reminder of their shared history now clouded by their separation.

“I’ll leave…” Suyash began, setting the bags down, but Viren interrupted.

"Why don't you stay for dinner?" he suggested, knowing the discomfort it would bring.

Suyash hesitated, looking over at Kajal, who seemed unenthusiastic about Viren’s idea. “Suyash must be busy,” she said.

However, the boys, bubbling with excitement, chimed in, “papa, please don't go!”

The pressure mounted on Suyash. He wanted to stay for the boys, but his reluctance was getting in the way. He caught Kajal’s eyes, and her expression mirrored his unease.

“Mumma, tell papa to stay!” Shikhar pleaded with a hopeful sparkle in his eyes.

“Please, mumma!" Nikhil added with longing in his voice. 

Kajal sighed, clearly torn but ultimately giving in. “Suyash, I suppose it’s fine if you stay for dinner,” she said, her tone lacking enthusiasm.

“Alright, I’ll stay,” he replied, smiling at the boys. Being with Kajal and the kids brought him joy, even if it was bittersweet.

As they gathered around the table, Suyash tried to concentrate on his sons, but his attention kept wandering. Viren leaned closer to Kajal, his hand resting casually on the back of her chair in a gesture that seemed surprisingly intimate.

“You make me fall in love with you every day,” Viren murmured softly.

Kajal blinked in surprise, a blush creeping to her cheeks. “Really? What did I do now to make you feel that?”

"Your cooking is just amazing!"  Viren playfully flirted.

A sharp pang of discomfort struck Suyash as his fork clinked against his plate. He swallowed hard, forcing his gaze downward. Viren’s proximity to Kajal, their shared smiles, twisted something deep within him, igniting feelings of jealousy and loss. He shifted in his seat, wrestling to conceal the turmoil brewing inside.

Throughout dinner, Viren continued his playful jabs, clearly enjoying Suyash’s discomfort. The boys, blissfully unaware, chatted excitedly about their weekend with their father.

Kajal was surprised when the kids revealed that they had spent the whole weekend at Parvati’s place. They chatted enthusiastically about their time in the park and the exciting rides they went on at the mall.