Layers of Us

Chapter 22: Bonds of Comfort and Confession

Morning at Tripura's home was nothing short of heartwarming chaos. The kitchen bustled with activity as Amma prepared breakfast, humming her favorite old Tamil tune. Tripura, still in her nightwear, leaned against the kitchen counter, sipping her coffee and watching Amma with an amused smile.

“Amma, you’re spoiling me with all this,” Tripura teased, breaking the quiet.

Amma turned, a wooden ladle in hand. “Spoiling? Ma, you’ve been away for a week. This is me making up for lost time!”

Tripura laughed. “You don’t have to compensate, Amma. Your cooking is enough to make me want to stay home forever.”

Amma feigned a glare. “You say that, but work will call, and you’ll leave again. At least let me feed you properly while I can.”

Meanwhile, Siya was busy being her usual playful self, chasing Ruffy and Candy around the dining area with a small piece of dosa in her hand. “Candy! Sit! Good girl!” she commanded, giggling when Candy obediently sat down, whule Ruffy was wagging her tail furiously.

“Amma, Candy likes dosa too!” Siya announced, dropping a morsel onto Candy’s waiting tongue.

“Siya, you’re spoiling her,” Tripura said, shaking her head with mock disapproval.

“Just like you spoil me, Amma,” Siya retorted cheekily, running over to snuggle beside her mother.

Tripura wrapped an arm around her daughter, kissing the top of her head. “Guilty as charged. But that’s because I love you so much, kutty.”

“Love you more, Amma,” Siya replied, grinning as she reached for another dosa.

As the morning passed with warm conversations and playful laughter, Tripura felt a rare sense of peace. Surrounded by Amma’s love, Siya’s innocence, and the joy of their furry companions, it was a perfect start to the day.

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While in mumbai, Ram’s morning started on a different note. He woke early, his mind restless. The sunlight streaming through the hotel curtains only added to his already heavy thoughts.

He rubbed his eyes and sat up, his phone lying untouched on the bedside table. His finger hovered over Tripura’s email ID, tempted to mail her. “What would I even say?” he muttered under his breath.

By the time he reached the hotel’s dining area for breakfast, Vikram was already there, sipping tea and reading through project notes.

“Morning,” Vikram greeted.

Ram nodded, sitting across from him. “Morning.”

“You seem distracted,” Vikram observed.

Ram leaned back in his chair. “It’s nothing.”

“Don’t lie to me, yaar. I know that look. You’re thinking about bhabhi again, aren’t you?”

Ram gave a wry smile. “Can’t help it, Vikram. She’s... different. And she’s everywhere — in my thoughts, my dreams. It’s driving me insane.”

Vikram chuckled. “Sounds like love, my friend. But let’s not get too romantic first thing in the morning. We have a long day ahead.”

With that, the two dived into work mode, reviewing plans and discussing strategies. But no matter how much Ram tried to focus, his thoughts kept drifting back to Tripura — the warmth in her eyes, the quiet strength in her voice. She was quickly becoming a constant presence in his mind, one he couldn’t shake off.