𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧

83⚚ Little family

Night had already draped the palace in silence, but the absence of Viraj was louder than any sound, and both his girls were now sulking and pouting. 

After Sharvi was born, Viraj had never come home this late. Yes, Amaira and Viraj had fought about this topic many times, and yes, Viraj had walked away... but he always came back soon, and they both made up very fast. 

Because well, they were magnets, two souls who simply couldn't stay without each other.

Now that he was still not back, Amaira was worried. She fed Sharvi with her own hands, and Rithvik made sure Amaira ate her dinner too. But even with food in their stomachs, the heaviness in their hearts remained, the silence stretching longer with each tick of the clock.

Amaira sat back on the couch, hugging her knees, while Rithvik and Daksh sat on either side of her, both helplessly watching their princess and little princess on the carpet playing with her dolls, her eyes fluttering with drowsiness but her stubborn heart refusing to give in.

Amaira sighed again, glancing at the clock. Past nine. He never does this... She turned to her brothers, her voice soft, breaking.

"It's past her bedtime, bhai... she needs to sleep."

Rithvik rubbed his forehead, already sensing the storm building inside her. He exchanged a look with Daksh before leaning closer. "Then let's try together."

Amaira called softly, "Baby... why don't you sleep with Mama tonight, hmm? Aren't you Mama's good girl?"

Sharvi turned her head with those droopy eyes, her curls sticking to her face, and gave the most tired yet stubborn smile. "No, Mama... Dada come. I wait for Dada. He muwt be bwsy..."

Amaira's chest clenched. She turned desperately to her brothers, her eyes begging for help. Daksh immediately scooted closer to his niece, crouching to her level.

"Lil princess," he said softly, cupping her tiny chin, "only for today, can I tuck you in? I'll tell you the best bedtime story ever, about a brave queen who fights dragons."

Sharvi's pout deepened, her little arms crossing. "Daksh, no. I lowe chu but... I want Dada."

Rithvik chuckled gently, trying to lighten the tension, and sat on the floor beside her. "What if I tell you a story about a big sister?"

Sharvi blinked, her pout twitching as curiosity sparked. "Big sistew?"

"Yes," Rithvik nodded dramatically. "A big sister who was so smart and strong, she protected everyone in the palace... even her Mama and Dada."

Sharvi tilted her head, her doll slipping from her hand. "She pwotected Mama? And Dada too?"

"Of course," Rithvik said with a wink. "Because she was brave... just like you."

Sharvi's pout melted slightly into a tiny smile, but she quickly shook her head. "But... Dada come home and tell him stowy too, na?"

That one sentence made Amaira's eyes sting with tears. She turned her face away, not wanting Sharvi to see her break down.

Daksh picked her up onto his lap and kissed her hair. "Princess, sometimes Dada get very busy with work. But he loves you more than anything, hmm? So even if he's late, he will still kiss you first thing in the morning."

Sharvi pressed her little palm against his cheek, whispering, "But... I no like morning kisses. I want now kisses."

Daksh's throat tightened, his eyes flicking to Amaira, who was already trembling. Rithvik placed a hand on Amaira's shoulder, squeezing it, while Daksh tried again.