AKSHAT SINGHANIA - A literature professor in Singania Institute of Arts and Commerce. He is soft and caring person
with a tough exterior, who doesn't believe in love or marriage because of his parent's broken relationship and his ex wife's betrayal...
Kavya was the first to stir as the faint light of dawn slipped in through the drawn curtains, soft and grey. Her eyes adjusted slowly, and they instinctively fell on him,Krishiv,lying still beside her.
He wasn't touching her.
Not even the unintentional brush of fingers or an arm strewn over her waist by accident. His body lay turned slightly away, hands tucked close to his own chest. There was a certain stillness to him,one that almost hurt to see. As if even in his sleep, his unconscious mind had learned to keep a distance. As if it too had accepted what the heart couldn't say aloud.
She stepped out a few minutes later and made her way to Bulbul's room. The little girl was bundled under her blanket, hugging her soft toy close.
"Bulbul," Kavya whispered softly, sitting beside her, "Utho beta, school ka time ho gaya."
A muffled groan and a head shake from beneath the blanket.
Kavya smiled and gently peeled the cover off. "Mumma ne lunch bhi pack kar diya hai. Come on, warna van nikal jaayegi."
Bulbul sat up, hair messy, eyes barely open. "Five minute..." she murmured sleepily, rubbing her eyes.
Down in the kitchen, the morning bustle had picked up. Kavya was busy sealing the lunchbox, sliding it into Bulbul's schoolbag.
Krishiv walked in, now dressed in his office attire,navy trousers, crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled once at the forearm, his collar unbuttoned slightly, tie hanging loosely around his neck. His hair was damp, neatly combed, and his watch clicked into place as he adjusted it.
He looked composed. Controlled. But she noticed the tiredness behind his eyes,the kind that had nothing to do with sleep and everything to do with weight he never spoke of.
Just then, Bulbul came running toward him, her tiny hands holding up a comb and a rubber band.
"Papa!" she said brightly, offering them with her little palms open, eyes sparkling with the same hope she always carried when he was around.
Krishiv paused mid-step, looking down at her. And then... his gaze shifted to Kavya, who was zipping the schoolbag shut at the dining table.
Something inside him stilled.
He wanted to reach for her. His arms itched to pull her into his lap, to tie her ponytail like he did every morning before things became complicated. But now... now, with Kavya in the room, everything felt too fragile. Too loaded. One soft gesture, and he feared he'd crack wide open again.
He crouched beside Bulbul, his voice soft but distantly laced with restraint.
"Aap mumma se keh do. Main aapka bag pack karta hoon."
