Rekindled Love

12. his realisation

Gautami’s pov:

The sunlight kissed my face as I stirred from a peaceful sleep. A serene smile graced my lips; I felt unusually fresh, as though today would bring something special. As I shifted slightly, I realized two strong arms were securely wrapped around my waist. A sense of warmth flooded me, and I tilted my head to see who it was.

It was Abhyudaya, his face soft and peaceful in sleep. His slightly tousled hair fell over his forehead, and his lips were parted ever so slightly. A chuckle escaped my lips—how could someone so mischievous during the day look this innocent at night?

I couldn’t resist the urge to caress his face gently, tracing his jawline with my fingers. He stirred lightly but didn’t wake up. Sighing softly, I slid out of his arms carefully so as not to disturb his rest. After freshening up and taking a quick shower, I dressed in a simple kurta and made my way downstairs for breakfast.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air as I entered the dining area. Riya, my sister-in-law, was already there, scrolling through her phone.

“Good morning, bhabhi!”
she greeted cheerfully, her eyes twinkling.

“Good morning, Riya,” I replied, pouring myself a cup of coffee.

“Bhaiya still sleeping?” she teased, raising an eyebrow.

I chuckled. “Yes, as always. He’ll probably rush like a headless chicken once he wakes up and realizes the time.”

We both laughed, sharing a moment of camaraderie, before settling into a comfortable silence.

Abhyudaya’s pov:

I woke up with a yawn, my body stretching lazily against the sheets. My first instinct was to turn towards Gautami, but her side of the bed was empty. Frowning slightly, I blinked away the sleep and sat up.

“She still does that,” I mumbled to myself with a smile, reminiscing about how she used to wake up early during our college days.

Images of her sleeping face floated into my mind—soft, serene, with a hint of a pout on her lips. I couldn’t help but grin like an idiot. She still had that magical ability to make my heart flutter, even after all these years.

My moment of peace was rudely interrupted when my eyes landed on the clock.

“10:35?! Oh no, I’m gonna be late!” I yelled, jumping out of bed.

I dashed to the bathroom, splashing water on my face and brushing my teeth at lightning speed. After hurriedly pulling on my shirt and trousers, I grabbed my tie, but my hands froze. I could never get the hang of tying it properly.

“Ugh, not now,” I muttered, fumbling with the fabric in frustration.

Just then, the door creaked open, and Gautami walked in, holding a tray of breakfast.

“Are you having a problem?” she asked softly, setting the tray on the table. Her voice was calm and soothing, contrasting my frantic energy.

“Um… yeah…” I admitted sheepishly, holding up the tie.

Without a word, she stepped closer, taking the tie from my hands. Her fingers brushed against mine, sending a small jolt of electricity through me. She worked deftly, her face inches away from mine as she concentrated.

“There,” she said, smoothing down the tie and stepping back with a satisfied smile.

I couldn’t help but smile back at her. “Thanks, Gautami.”

“Don’t be late,” she replied, her voice carrying a hint of teasing before she turned and left the room.

I stood there for a moment, still holding the knot of the tie as if it were some precious gift.

As I reached my office, a sense of unease loomed over me, though I couldn’t quite place its origin. My mind was still replaying the morning moment with Gautami—her gentle smile, the way she had fixed my tie so effortlessly, and the lingering warmth of her fingers brushing against mine. It was hard to concentrate with her occupying so much space in my thoughts.