Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter - 105

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Three days later, Meera, already dressed and ready for the day, made her way to Rahul’s room. She knocked once but didn’t wait for an answer before pushing the door open.

Inside, Rahul was perched on the edge of the bed, his phone propped up in front of him. “Yes, yes, Athu, I’ll call you back once—” he began, but before he could finish, Meera dashed over and flopped onto the bed beside him.

Grinning mischievously, she snatched the phone from his hand. “I miss you, Athu!” she exclaimed into the screen, her tone dramatic and playful.

Athiya laughed on the other end of the video call. “I miss you too, Meera! But what’s this? Poor Rahul doesn’t even get a peaceful moment with me now?”

Meera feigned innocence. “What can I say? I have to remind my sister-in-law who loves her the most.” She shot a teasing look at Rahul, who rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress his smile.

“Alright, give me my phone back,” Rahul said, attempting to grab it, but Meera held it just out of reach.

“Not until Athu tells me she loves me more than you!”

“Meera!” Rahul groaned, though his tone was more amused than annoyed.

Athiya, clearly enjoying the chaos, played along. “Okay, okay, Meera, you’re my favorite. Rahul, you’ve been dethroned.”

Rahul threw his hands up in mock exasperation. “See what I deal with every day, Athu?”

Meera grinned triumphantly and handed the phone back to him. Then she comfortably settled against his shoulder.

Rahul continued in a softer tone now, “I miss you, Athu. I wish you were here.”

Athiya’s face softened on the screen. “I miss you too, Rah, but we’ll be home soon, right?”

Meera smiled at them as Rahul asked, “How’s your health? What did the doctor say during the checkup?”

Athiya replied cheerfully, “All is good. The baby is healthy, I’m healthy, and the doctor has made me a strict diet plan. Oh, and I’ve been warned about mood swings, but thankfully, they haven’t started yet.”

As the trio laughed, Meera added with a playful grin, “Maybe the baby’s waiting for Dad to come back to show tantrums.”

Athiya laughed. “You’re probably right! But then again, I can predict nothing with this little one.”

The conversation continued, full of warmth and teasing, before Rahul suddenly handed Meera a box.

“What’s this?” she asked, looking up at him.

“Your new spectacles,” Rahul replied with a grin. “Just in case you break them again, not very unlikely with you, so I got these made.”

Athiya chuckled. “How many have you broken by now, Meeru?”

Meera gave a sheepish smile. “Well, it’s just one this tour…”

Athiya smirked. “Ah, just the first? That’s progress.”

With that, the conversation quickly turned into Meera and Athiya teaming up to tease Rahul about everything from his “overprotective dad mode” to his habit of carrying extra pairs of glasses for Meera.

As laughter filled the room, Rahul could only shake his head in fond exasperation, “You two are impossible.”

Meera grinned. “We’re the best, Anna. Just admit it.”

Athiya nodded. “She’s right, Rah.”

Rahul sighed dramatically, making them laugh even harder. It was a light, joyful start to what promised to be another long day.