Shadows Of The Stumps

Untitled Part 182

The front door creaked open just as a squeal erupted from the living room.

Eva — now almost four months old and stubbornly expressive — was kicking her tiny socked feet in the air while Rahul, in full baby-voice mode, was dramatically gasping. Rahul was on the carpet, entirely engrossed in a one-sided conversation with four-month-old Eva, who was babbling at his nose with the kind of ferocity only babies could manage.

"Nooo, you did not just drool on my new shirt, young lady," he said, mock-offended. "Athiya, she has your talent for sabotage."

Athiya looked up from folding a baby blanket and rolled her eyes with fondness. "She also has my patience. You're lucky she hasn't bit you yet."

As laughter filled the room, the front door shut softly behind the returning group.

Eva squealed in delight, arms flailing.

Meera wheeled herself in slowly behind the others, eyes instantly finding Athiya near the kitchen counter. Without a word, she made her way toward her, bypassing everyone else — her motion smooth but unusually quiet.

"Hey," Athiya said gently as she saw her approach, instantly setting aside the glass she was cleaning. "You okay?"

Meera gave a slow nod, leaning her head briefly against Athiya's side.

 Athiya blinked, then wrapped her arm gently around Meera's shoulder, her expression shifting — soft, knowing. She didn't push, didn't ask. Just held her for a moment.

Arjun paused mid-step as he entered behind Meera, catching the scene.

Something was... off.

She hadn't looked at him once since they left Anamika's house.

Not in the car. Not now.

Usually, she'd have made some joke about Eva becoming the family dictator, or teased Rahul for baby-talking with too much commitment.

But now — she'd barely spoken. Her eyes were too quiet.

Rahul looked up from Eva, concern immediately crossing his face. "Bacha? You exhausted?"

Meera looked at him and smiled faintly — the kind of smile you give when you're too tired to explain something that isn't physical.

"I'm okay," she said simply, voice even.

At that moment, the door opened again, and in walked Hardik and Shubman — laughing about something from the grocery run, Shubman already complaining about the heat and Hardik balancing three bags and a milkshake.

"We're back!" Shubman announced dramatically. "With over-expensive blueberries that apparently Meera Dii can't survive without."

Hardik grinned. "And one suspicious-looking cold coffee that the guy said was sugar-free. We'll find out if that's true the dramatic way."

But both men paused as they took in the room — Meera quiet, Athiya watchful, Arjun stiff.

Hardik's smile faltered a bit. "Everything okay?"

Meera didn't respond immediately. She just reached out and took the cold coffee from his hand without looking at him, sipped slowly, then said, "Thanks."

Hardik gave her a curious look, exchanging a glance with Rahul.

Arjun stepped forward, tentative now. "Noor..."

Meera barely looked at him.

Not with anger.

But with something heavier.