Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter - 125

Mumbai, Two Days Later

The city outside hummed with its usual chaos, but inside, the house was wrapped in the kind of warmth that only home could bring. After weeks of travel, matches, and packed schedules, the team had a short break before they left for Dubai. It wasn't much, but it was enough to breathe, to feel human again.

For Rahul, it meant being with Athiya.

He had barely let her out of his sight since they landed, guilt gnawing at him with every passing moment. She was nearing the final stretch of her pregnancy, and though she assured him she was fine, he wasn't. The thought of leaving her again so soon made his chest tighten unbearably.

Right now, she was nestled against him, her head resting on his chest as he stroked her hair absentmindedly. One of his hands held a piece of fruit to her lips, and she took a small bite, chewing slowly.

"You need to eat more," he murmured.

Athiya hummed, already half-asleep, exhaustion creeping in despite her carefully maintained diet, yoga, and exercise. She handled everything with grace, but Rahul knew. He saw the little tells—the way she sighed more when she sat down, the extra time she took to get up.

His arms tightened around her instinctively, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

Meera, sprawled across the couch in front of them, played with Luna, the dog's tail wagging lazily as she pawed at Meera's hands.

"You keep hovering over her like this," Meera teased, tossing Luna's toy in the air, "and she's going to start charging you for emotional labour."

Rahul shot her a glare. "I am not hovering. I'm being a responsible husband."

Athiya chuckled, nudging him. "She's right, you know. You're fussing too much."

Rahul huffed. "I'm not fussing."

Meera smirked. "You say that like those two things are different."

Athiya's laughter was soft but genuine, and even Rahul cracked a reluctant smile.

Just then, Luna, sensing the lightened mood, jumped onto the couch with full enthusiasm—right onto Meera's stomach.

"Luna!" Meera groaned, half-laughing, half-wheezing as the dog excitedly licked her face. "Oh my God—help! Someone get this overgrown furball off me!"

Rahul, being the traitor he was, merely leaned back, smirking. "You brought this on yourself."

Athiya giggled, watching Meera struggle as Luna continued her enthusiastic assault. "You did say you wanted attention."

"Not this kind of attention!" Meera yelped, finally managing to push Luna off, only for the dog to plop down next to her with a dramatic huff. Meera wiped her face with her sleeve, glaring playfully at Rahul. "You could've helped."

Rahul shrugged. "I'm busy being a responsible husband."

Meera picked up one of Luna's toys and chucked it at him.

Athiya sighed fondly. "You two are actual children."

Meera grinned. "Well, at least Luna loves me."

As if on cue, Luna barked happily and immediately tried climbing onto Meera again.

Rahul burst out laughing. "Yeah, looks like it."

Athiya shook her head, eyes twinkling as she watched them bicker. The house, for all its quiet moments, was never really quiet. And that was exactly how she liked it.

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The doorbell buzzed, cutting through the comfortable noise of the room, and before anyone could get up, the door swung open.