Waited For You

Chapter 22

THE PRESENT:-

INT. KITCHEN - DREAM - SOFT MORNING

The kitchen is alive with warmth-not just from the stove, but from the soft hum of life inside it.

Atharv stands at the counter, confidently flipping a perfect, golden-brown dosa onto a plate already lined with three more. A small bowl of chutney sits to the side, and a pot of filter coffee simmers gently. He hums a little tune under his breath-something cheerful.

He's calm. At ease. Everything around him speaks of quiet happiness-sunlight spilling in through lace curtains, the soft ticking of the wall clock, the aroma of roasted spices lingering in the air.

Suddenly, he feels it.

A gentle pair of arms wrap around him from behind-secure, loving. Sanchi. Her cheek rests against his back as she exhales softly, like even her soul was waiting for this moment.

SANCHI
(muffled, content)
You and your dosas are amazing... but this hug is my favourite.

Atharv chuckles, not moving, just letting her hold him.

ATHARV
Then take them as much as you want I am not going to complain about it ever.

She tightens her arms just a little. He closes his eyes for a second, and everything slows down. Her presence grounds him. He's already happy, but with her like this-it's a different kind of peace. The kind that sinks into your bones. Like nothing else matters. Like the world can wait.

Just then-

A tiny voice chirps from the doorway.

DAUGHTER
(squeaky)
Mumma! Papa! You're squishyyyy!

They turn, and there she is-their little girl in a onesie with stars on it, hair in a tiny puffball ponytail, holding a crayon-streaked teddy.

DAUGHTER
(covering her eyes)
I didn't see anything, okay? I'm a baby! No romance in front of me!

She peeks through her fingers, laughing.

ATHARV
(laughing, to Sanchi)
She's definitely your daughter.

SANCHI
(flashing a proud smile)
Ofcourse she is and I am proud of it.

Atharv bends down and swoops their daughter into a hug, sandwiching her between him and Sanchi. A full family hug. The giggles. The warmth. The togetherness.

This-this-is everything.

CUT TO:

INT. BEDROOM - REALITY - MORNING LIGHT

Atharv's eyes open slowly. The kitchen's gone. The dosa, the hug, the baby giggles.

But he's smiling.

Not just with his lips, but in that quiet, content way a person smiles when a dream touches the heart.

He stretches, still feeling the warmth of her arms, the little voice calling out, the smell of coffee.

And even though it was just a dream, he closes his eyes again for a moment-just to feel it one more time.

Because sometimes, peace lives in the smallest moments.
And sometimes, those moments come in dreams that feel more real than reality.

---
ATHARV'S BEDROOM - MORNING

Atharv stands by the mirror, adjusting the cuffs of his crisp shirt. There's still a softness in his eyes, the dream replaying in the quiet corners of his mind. He brushes his fingers over the photo frame on his nightstand-a picture of Sanchi. She would have never found these things while unpacking because they were stored in his personal belongings.