Shivika OS : Lullaby

Shivaay walked into the darkened foyer, sighing at how late it was. Almost midnight. Everyone must be asleep, he thought.

He last spoke to Annika 3 hours ago, as she was getting ready for bed. They had a ritual, if he was coming back late, they say goodnight at 9. Annika wanted it that way, so they can hear his voice, safe and sound in his office. No grumbling, no nagging. No missed out moments.

He tip toed into their bedroom, dark except for the amber nightlight. He crept to the bed and saw Annika slumped, exhausted. Next to her, barricaded safely by pillows on all sides was a cheeky little boy.

Who was still awake.

Shivaay made a comical shocked face, and the little feet started kicking furiously in excitement. A broad gummy smile greeted him as hands stretched out to be carried. He chuckled as he gently lifted his son, who obviously had defeated Mumma again in their battle to sleep early.

" Naughty fellow, you made Mumma wait this long and you still didn't sleep?" he spoke conversationally to his 6 month old boy Shivaansh. Truth be told, it wasn't the first time he came home and found them like this.
"Mumma thinks she won the battle in making you obey her sleep time. She doesn't know we have midnight chitchats does she?"

He settled Ansh on his seat as he changed, casually chatting about his day. The boy had a surprisingly strong kanji eyed direct contact, as though he understood everything.

Shivaay talked about his meetings and deals and staff problems, giving him advice on how not to do things. Boring baby to sleep with business talk also never worked. He smiled, and Ansh smiled back.

Carrying the cuddly boy, he walked to the pool side. They leaned back on the cosy chair there and Ansh rested his head on Papa's chest. Something about Papa's warmth and his heartbeats, calmed him.

Annika can boast all she liked about how Ansh was just like her, but deep inside he was a serious boy who thinks a lot.

"We're a lot similar aren't we, buddy? We hold many cards close to the chest. Well, it'll serve you well as you grow, get you through school till you get where you wanna be..."

"Mumma and I want the best for you, Ansh. All our difficulties and troubles mustn't touch you, we'll make sure. You grow up and be whatever you want to be, okay..? Don't let Mumma tell you what to be..." he chuckled, expecting Annika to scoff in disgust.

" One day, love will hit you like a cricket bat to glass. It will be glorious and exasperating and frustrating, and painful and beautiful, and and... The most wonderful experience of your life."

"To find that other piece of your heart in another person, who wants what you want, is there for you come what may. The one you want to hold hands and experience everything with. Like me and your Mumma. Don't ever run away from that. Hmmm?"

He glanced down at his chest and saw the adorable face asleep, rising up and down with his breathing. Shivaay felt such a rush of love for the little boy and folded him into a gentle hug.

" Goodnight my boy. Grow up quickly, so we can share hot chocolate by the pool." he inhaled the smell of baby and carried him into the room. Settling him into the cot neatly, he quietly got under the covers.
Annika stirred, one eye opened enquiringly. Shivaay shushed her and took her into his arm and lay back.

" Ansh..? " Annika mumbled.
" He's asleep. You sleep now." he whispered and she snuggled into him. This is what he cherished by the end of the day. His little bubble of contentment, home. Shivaay sighed and smiled, welcomed sleep.

The End.