Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter - 139

The golden light of late afternoon poured into the room in long, warm streaks, casting gentle shadows over the quiet chaos of the morning. The house, once bubbling with laughter, clinking plates, and shuffling footsteps, had settled into a hush. Only the soft hum of the ceiling fan remained, swirling the air in slow, sleepy circles.

Athiya lay curled on one side of the bed, half-asleep, her arm protectively cradling the tiny bundle tucked beside her. Their daughter, just days old, breathed in soft sighs, her little fists balled near her cheeks. Luna, sprawled like an exhausted guardian near the foot of the bed, lifted her head briefly as Rahul stepped into the room.

He paused at the threshold, just looking.

His wife, her hair loose and messy, wore the exhaustion of new motherhood like a halo. And the baby—God, she was impossibly small. Fragile and perfect and his. The ache in his chest made him want to both cry and laugh. Instead, he padded in quietly, careful not to wake them, and settled into the bed beside them. The mattress dipped under his weight, and Athiya stirred, blinking her eyes open.

"You didn't wake me," she murmured, voice still thick with sleep.

"I considered it," he said, grinning as he leaned back against the headboard. "But I didn't want to get murdered."

A small smirk tugged at her lips. "Smart man."

Her fingers sought his lazily, and he laced them with his own. There was something indescribably grounding about the weight of her hand in his.

"I don't want to go," Rahul whispered, voice barely above the hum of the fan.

Athiya tilted her head to look at him properly. Her eyes—sleepy, soft, knowing—studied him for a second before she smiled.

"I know."

He let out a sigh, resting his head back with a thud. "Why can't I just... stay? It's such a big tournament. Surely no one will notice one player missing."

"Of course not," Athiya replied solemnly. "KL Rahul? Never heard of him. Let's replace him with a ball boy."

He groaned. "Stop making me laugh. I'm trying to sulk here."

Athiya grinned, poking his sides, "Acha? Let me help."

She cleared her throat, mimicking his voice dramatically and continuing "'Oh no, I have to leave my wife and baby and go play cricket, earn crores, and have the entire nation cheering my name. Life is so hard.'"

Rahul gave her an unimpressed look.

Rahul: "That was offensive."

Athiya innocently asked "Was it?."

He huffed but didn't let go of her hand, rubbing circles over her palm with his thumb. His eyes flickered down to their daughter, who was still peacefully asleep.

Rahul softly spoke again, "She won't even remember this phase, will she?"

Athiya followed his gaze, her fingers brushing over the baby's little fist, "No. But she'll feel it. She'll feel the love in every hug, every time you call, every time she watches you play and doesn't understand why the entire country is chanting her papa's name."

Rahul smiled at that, his eyes still fixed on their daughter. He carefully picked up one of her tiny hands, marveling at how small she was.

Her fingers curled instinctively, and his throat tightened.

"She's so tiny," he whispered. "What if she forgets me while I'm gone?"

Athiya teased him, "Oh, definitely. By the time you're back, she'll be calling Meera 'Papa.'"