Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter - 135

The house was alive with warmth, the air thick with laughter and quiet concern. In their bedroom, Athiya lay curled up, exhaustion pulling her into a restless sleep, her fingers tightly clasped around Rahul's. He wasn't sleeping—his eyes remained fixed on her peaceful face, his thumb absentmindedly tracing over her knuckles. The thought of leaving her now, even for the tournament, sent a deep ache through his chest.

Out in the living room, the atmosphere was much lighter. Meera sat sprawled on the couch, her laughter breaking through the space as she nudged Shubman, showing him a video. "Shub, yaar, ye kya hai?!" she managed between giggles, pointing at the screen where he, Siraj, and the others were making absurd expressions in a recent ad.

Shubman groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Mujhe khud samajh nahi aaya ki humne ye kiya kyun tha."

Arjun smirked. "Bhai, tujhe toh acting ke award milne chahiye."

"Haan, 'Best Overacting' award," Meera teased, and everyone burst into laughter.

Anushka sat beside the kids, her arm resting lightly around Vamika, who was cuddled up with Luna, the golden retriever lazily sprawled beside her. Akaay had fully claimed Arjun as his playmate, tugging at his hoodie as he tried to climb onto his back.

"Captain Arjun, horse bano!" Akaay demanded excitedly.

Arjun huffed, shaking his head. "Arey, main horse nahi hoon, tu mujhe itni baar ghoda kyun banata hai?!"

Meera smirked. "Shayad aap paida hi horse hua tha, apko pata nahi hai."

Everyone chuckled as Arjun gave her a flat look, but he still adjusted Akaay on his back, pretending to gallop around the room while the little boy squealed in delight.

Virat shook his head with a fond smile before looking toward the closed bedroom door. "Rahul jaane wala hai tournament ke liye?"

Meera sighed, her laughter settling into a softer expression. "Jaana toh hai, but Athu usko jaane hi nahi de rahi. And honestly? Rahul khud bhi jaane nahi chahta."

Virat exhaled. "Samajh sakta hoon. Woh bhi jaane se pehle jitna waqt Athiya ke saath reh sakta hai, rehna chahta hoga."

Anushka nodded, her eyes gentle. "It's their first baby. These last few days are the hardest."

Shubman leaned back, crossing his arms. "Phir kya, bhabhi ko stadium le aaye na. Dressing room mein ek bed lagwa dete hain."

Meera rolled her eyes. "Haan, aur uske saath ek cradle bhi. Hai na, Gadhe!"

They laughed again, but beneath it, they all understood. Rahul and Athiya were on the edge of one of the biggest changes in their lives. And no matter how much love surrounded them, the weight of it all was something only they truly felt.

As the chatter and laughter filled the room, the door to the bedroom creaked open. Rahul stepped out, exhaustion written all over his face. His eyes were heavy, his shoulders slightly slumped, as if the weight of everything was finally catching up to him. Without a word, he walked over and sank onto the floor, resting his back against the sofa.

Meera, who was closest, immediately ran her fingers through his hair, her touch light, comforting. "Are you okay, Anna?" she asked softly.

Rahul just nodded, exhaling as he leaned into her touch, closing his eyes for a brief second.

Anushka, watching him with quiet understanding, reached out and held out a glass of juice. "Pee lo, Rahul," she said gently.

He shook his head almost immediately. "Thanks, Nush, but I don't need it."