The Second Bloom • 18+ [Completed ✓]

Epilogue (Varun's POV)✿

It has been two months since our Vani came into my life and blessed it with love and light. She is everyone's world. My family's. My mother's. My father's. She is their whole heart. I cannot believe, my father — who used to remain so silent, so tough — has melted after Vani came into our lives.

He plays with her like he has become a child too. My mother loves her as if Vani is the only kid in this world. My mother has actually changed a lot too. She respects Malini more after whatever happened back then. Six months ago. The entire village came to know about Nandani and her deeds. I was saved, thankfully, no one blamed me.

As a result, Nandani's mother had to call her Nani Ghar back. And later on after three months or something, I heard she got married off to someone else. I would have kept my friendship if she would have kept hers. She ruined it all.

So, that was my family's recent update.

And mine?

And I just couldn't stop adoring my little world.

The curve of our daughter's tiny lips was identical to my wife's, soft and full, like a delicate petal. Her eyes, those deep, almond-shaped pools, were the exact shade of her mother’s, dark and expressive. When she opened them and looked up at me, it felt as if I was staring into my widesy-gaze all over again, the same warmth, the same innocence.

Her skin, smooth and dusky like the glow of the evening sun, reminded me of Malini’s complexion when I had first seen her. Even the way Vani's little nose crinkled when she stirred in her sleep was a miniature reflection of her mother's expressions.

Watching Vani is like watching a piece of Malini come alive in a new form.

“Ab so jaiye, Varun, kitni der nihaarte rahenge apni beti ko?”

She was breastfeeding her and Vani was suckling on Malini's nipples. It's night. Malini's asking me to sleep.

“Jab yeh so jaegi, fir hum bhi so jayenge.”

“Yeh nahin soyegi abhi. Aap jaante hai na kitni badmaash hai. Raat bhar jaga kar rakhti hai hume. Itna toh aap bhi nahin jagaye rakhte hai saari raat,” she complained cutely and I pulled her cheeks.

“Aapki yeh khwaish bhi poori kar denge hum jald.”

She shook her head, “Koi zarurat nahin, yeh kam karti hai, jo ab aap bhi karenge?”

Vani left her nipple and turned her face towards me.

“Aww, humara baccha. Pet bhar gaya humari betu ka,” I pulled her towards me while Malini tucked her breast inside.

Vani giggled.

I took her in my arms, her little face rosy and content.

I sat up and held her gently against my chest, feeling the warmth radiate from her tiny body. She burped as a soft little sound escaped her lips, and I tapped her back gently.

I gently rocked her back and forth, caressing her head and back lightly.

My eyes fell on Malini who was looking at us. I smiled and patted her head lightly, “So jaiye, jaan. Hum hai na. Yeh so jayegi fir hum bhi aapko pakar kar so jayenge.”

She nodded her head, her eyes worn out. She has turned weak after giving birth to Vani. Very weak. I understand. Young age. Looking at the household. Looking after Vani. I help her when I'm at home. But when I'm not, I don't know how much she exerts herself.

She closed her eyes and I smiled.

I stood up and carefully walked along with Vani in my arms around the room, patting her back, caressing it lightly.