THE IInd DECISION

bonus chapter

A soft whimper pierced the silence of the night. Within seconds, it turned into a full-blown cry. Navya.

"Ayan... please, see her," I mumbled, barely audible, my voice laced with exhaustion. "I just fell asleep..."

"Hmm," he murmured, still half-asleep, stretching with a yawn as he sat up.

I heard the rustle of blankets and the gentle creak of the bed as he reached for her. Cradling Navya in his arms, he moved with a quiet tenderness that only comes with love. He poured warm water from the thermos on the bedside table into her bottle, added the milk powder with one hand, and shook it gently—all while rhythmically rocking her in his lap.

It was 2 a.m. My body begged me to wake up, to hold her, to feed her. But I was too drained. My limbs felt like lead, my eyelids too heavy to lift.

I listened, my heart full, as he soothed her without a single complaint. She calmed down almost instantly, her cries fading into soft gulps as she drank the milk. Before long, she drifted back into sleep.

Ayan placed her gently in the cradle, his movements slow and careful. Then, he slid back into bed, wrapped an arm around me, and pulled me close. I felt his warmth, his breath against my skin.

And then—a soft kiss on my forehead.

Sleep pulled me under again, but not before I whispered to myself, "He's a good father. He's my peace."

-----

Sunlight peeked through the half-drawn curtains, casting golden stripes across the bed and right onto my eyes. I blinked, groaned softly, and turned my face away—but the damage was done. I was awake.

The bed beside me was empty.

I heard the faint rustle of running water from the bathroom. He must've just come back from the gym.

Moments later, the door creaked open.

And there he stood.

Towel wrapped low around his waist, droplets of water trailing down his perfectly sculpted torso, hair still wet and messy from the shower. Not even a hint of sleep in his sharp, alert eyes.

God, was he real?

"Aise kya ghoor rahi ho?" he asked, catching me mid-stare, that trademark smirk tugging at his lips.

"Kaise itne chikne dikhte ho yaar tum?" I shot back, more jealous than I cared to admit, my voice tinged with irritation.

Ever since Navya was born, my body didn't feel like mine anymore. Hair fall, dull skin, the lingering weight that refused to budge—I felt nothing like the girl he once fell in love with.

He raised an eyebrow, walked over with slow, teasing steps, and replied, "Healthy diet se, baby. Main tumhare jaise bahar ke momo nahi khaata."

I scoffed, rolling my eyes and throwing a pillow at him. "Shut up, Ayan."

He caught it mid-air, laughing, then leaned down to kiss my cheek.

"You're still the most beautiful girl I've ever seen," he whispered softly, brushing a strand of my messy hair behind my ear.

And just like that, the self-doubt melted—at least for a while.

He gently lifted me out of bed, wrapping me in his strong arms. I melted into his embrace, resting my head against his bare chest. A soft kiss landed on my forehead, his hold comforting, protective—like home. I felt a slight wetness soak into my shirt from his damp hair, but I didn't care.

Then, without a warning, his lips brushed against mine—just a light, teasing peck.

I frowned in surprise.