𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑹𝒊𝒅𝒆

PART-72

"Anusuiya."

Aanand's steady voice drifted from behind her, blending into the quiet hush of the morning.

The dining area glowed in soft sunlight filtering through the tall windows. Dust motes floated lazily in the golden beams. Steel utensils clinked gently against ceramic plates as Anusuiya arranged the table with careful precision while humming a devotional tune.

"Hmm?" She turned slightly, glancing over her shoulder. The moment her eyes found him standing there, watching her, her expression softened. "Good morning!"

A quiet, warm smile curved across Aanand's lips, reaching his eyes and settling there. He walked toward her, his steps unhurried, and slipped an arm around her shoulders. "A very good morning to you too, Anu."

Her hands paused mid-air above a plate. For a second, she didn't move. Then her eyebrows lifted slowly, and her lips curved. "Anu? Hmm?" She tilted her head just enough to look at him from the corner of her eye. "It took you twenty-three years to call me that again?"

Aanand let out a soft breath that turned into a low laugh. He leaned forward and gently nudged her cheek with his fingers. "I always tried. But it was you who pushed me away and taunted me every time."

She scoffed lightly, turning back to the table and adjusting a bowl that was already perfectly aligned. "If my children are not happy," she said sharply, "I will not let anyone live in peace either."

Aanand stepped closer, closing the remaining distance between them. His arms tightened slightly around her shoulders. One hand slid forward, gently cradling her chin and turning her face toward him with quiet patience. "So..." he asked softly, his eyes searching hers as if looking for cracks in glass. "Are you happy now?"

She watched him. Then her nose scrunched slightly as she reached up and lightly pulled both his cheeks, stretching his face. "So much!" Her eyes shone in that silent way happiness does when it has been fought for.

She leaned in, resting her head against his shoulder. Her hand moved to his chest, fingers spreading slowly until her palm settled over his heart. "Are you coming with us to my mother's house today?" she asked gently. "Or will you join from tomorrow onward?"

Aanand covered her hand with his own. His thumb brushed over her knuckles absentmindedly. "No... you three go. I'll join the morning and evening prayers from here."

She pulled back immediately. "Why?"

Aanand exhaled heavily. He squeezed her shoulders once before letting his hands fall. "I don't want to make him uncomfortable with my presence," he said quietly. "Let him settle on his own terms."

Anusuiya's forehead creased. She lightly slapped his chest and stepped back. "You're thinking too much," she said firmly. "Rudraksh loves you more than he loves me."

A short, dry chuckle escaped Aanand. "He hasn't even greeted me since the moment he arrived.

Anusuiya pursed her lips, the argument rising to her tongue but softening before it could take shape. "Then why don't you take the first step?" she said quietly. "You're his father."

"He doesn't see me as his father," Aanand replied plainly. He looked past her for a moment, at nothing in particular, perhaps at the years he wished he could rearrange.

"Can you recall the last time he called me 'Dad'?" His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. His throat moved once. When he spoke again, his voice fractured just slightly. "He hates me."

Anusuiya fell silent.

The house seemed to grow quieter, as if even the walls were listening.

Slowly, she inhaled. Her fingers curled into the edge of her saree before she released it. Taking a step closer, she smiled. "He's trying," she said softly.