MARRIED 'SINGLES'

SUDDEN CONNECTIONS

Happy reading......

Morning arrived with an unwelcome headache for Bela. She groaned, feeling like hammers were dancing in her head. She fumbled to switch off the alarm and slid off the bed, clutching her head in her hands.

Just then, Mahir entered the room, holding a glass in his hand.

"Here, drink this," he said gently, helping her sit back down on the bed. "It's lemon and honey mixed with water. It’s good for a hangover."

Bela took the glass and gulped it down in one go, despite Mahir's advice to drink slowly. The sharp, tangy liquid felt soothing on her dry throat, but her head still pounded. Seeing her discomfort, Mahir sat beside her, his concern evident.

"Let me help with that," he said, reaching out to gently massage her forehead and the back of her head. His fingers moved with practiced ease, applying just the right amount of pressure to ease the tension.

Bela sighed with relief, feeling the pain slowly ebb away under his touch. She leaned into him, closing her eyes, savoring the comfort of his presence.

"That feels so good," she murmured.

"Just relax," Mahir whispered. "You need to rest a bit more. I'll make something for you to eat."

Bela opened her eyes and looked at him, a soft smile playing on her lips. She reached up and pinched his cheek affectionately. "You’re a good man, Mahir."

He laughed, the sound warm and comforting. "Well, someone has to take care of you," he said, patting her head gently.

As he stood to leave, he couldn't help but admire her. Every day with Bela brought new surprises, new moments of connection. He was grateful to have someone in his life who could be crazy and carefree, who made even the simplest moments feel special.

Bela watched him go, her heart swelling with appreciation. Despite the lingering headache, she felt a deep sense of contentment. She lay back down, closing her eyes, ready to steal a few more minutes of rest. The knowledge that Mahir was there, looking out for her, made her feel safer and happier than she had in a long time.

Bela came out of her room after resting and freshening up, feeling much better. She was surprised by the scene that greeted her in the kitchen. The sight was endearing and hilarious: all the boys were rushing around, attempting to prepare breakfast.

Ruhaan stood over a pan, looking intensely focused as he experimented with something that looked like a mix between an omelet and a pancake. "I'm telling you, this is going to be amazing," he declared, flipping it with dramatic flair.

Daksh was at the counter, pouring juice into glasses. "Watch it, Ruhaan. Last time you said that, we ended up ordering pizza for breakfast," he teased.

Pratham, being the chef, looked like he had had enough of their antics. "Can we please stick to something simple? I'm not in the mood for another of Ruhaan's 'creations,'" he grumbled, stirring a pot of oatmeal with an exasperated expression.

Mahir, standing off to the side with a smile, seemed to be enjoying the chaos. He glanced over and saw Bela, giving her a warm smile.

"Good morning. Feeling better?" he asked.

Bela nodded, grinning at the lively scene. "Much better. What's going on here?"

Before Mahir could answer, Tanya called out from the living room, where she and Raima were lounging on the sofa, enjoying the show. "The boys are playing chef today! It's quite entertaining."

Raima added, "And they're surprisingly serious about it. Look at Ruhaan; you'd think he was auditioning for a cooking show."

Ruhaan shot a mock glare at the girls. "Hey, no mocking the chef! You’ll thank me when you taste this masterpiece."

Pratham rolled his eyes. "If it doesn't kill us first."

Daksh handed Bela a glass of juice. "Here you go. At least this is safe," he said with a wink.

Bela took the glass, laughing. "Thanks, Daksh. So, what's the special occasion?"

Mahir shrugged. "No special occasion. Just thought we'd whip up something nice for everyone."

Ruhaan, still focused on his pan, suddenly turned and announced, "And... voila! Breakfast a la Ruhaan is ready!"

Pratham looked over skeptically. "Is it edible this time?"

Ruhaan feigned offense. "Of course! Just because you are chef don't need to belittle my skills. Here, try it," he said, cutting a piece and offering it to Pratham.

Pratham hesitated but took a bite. His eyes widened in surprise. "It's actually... good. What did you do differently?"

Ruhaan puffed up with pride. "Secret ingredient, my friend. Secret ingredient."

Tanya and Raima clapped from the living room. "Bravo, Ruhaan! Getting compliments from real chef is no joke. You've redeemed yourself," Tanya called out.

Pratham playfully hit the back of his head as he got turned a bit shy at the sudden praise.

Mahir, shaking his head with a laugh, started plating up the rest of the food. "Come on, everyone. Let’s eat before it gets cold."

As they all gathered around the table, the room filled with laughter and chatter. Bela found a seat between Mahir and Raima, feeling completely at ease. The boys' efforts, combined with the girls' teasing, made for a wonderfully chaotic and heartwarming morning.

As they dug into the food, Daksh raised his glass. "To our first breakfast together and many more to come!"

"Cheers!" they all echoed, clinking their glasses.

Bela glanced around at her new friends, her heart full. She realized that she was not just finding her place in this group but was becoming part of a family.

After breakfast, everyone prepared to leave for work. As they gathered their things, Pratham stopped and glanced around, spotting Bela standing near her room, slipping into her heels. Concern etched on his face, he approached her.

"Bela, is everything okay at your new office?" Pratham asked gently.

Bela, surprised by the question, looked up at him with a cheerful smile. "Yes, everything's fine. Everyone's been very welcoming."

Pratham seemed relieved but didn't say anything more. Instead, he reached out and patted her head gently. Bela looked confused at the unexpected gesture, but before she could say anything, Pratham pulled his hand back and walked away without a word.

Mahir, who had witnessed the interaction, walked over to Bela. "Pratham had a little sister, Harika," he began softly.

Bela's eyes widened with curiosity and concern. "Oh!"

Mahir nodded, his expression turning somber. "She was a cheerful girl, just like you. On her 18th birthday, she went out to celebrate with her friends. While crossing a bridge, a car crashed into her. She didn't make it."

Bela's eyes filled with tears. "That's so tragic. I can't imagine the pain he must have gone through."

Mahir nodded, his voice gentle. "Pratham doesn't talk about it much, but seeing you must remind him of her. That's probably why he acted the way he did. Don't take it the wrong way; he's just... remembering."

Bela wiped her tears, feeling a mix of sadness and empathy for Pratham. "I'll try to be there for him, in whatever way I can."

Mahir gave her a reassuring smile. "Just being yourself is enough. You're already making a difference."

With that, they gathered their things and headed out, each carrying a piece of the morning's warmth and the weight of shared sorrow. As they stepped into the bustling world outside, Bela felt a renewed sense of purpose. She realized that she was not just fitting into this new life but was also becoming a part of a healing process for those around her.

*****

Pratham 🥺

( Viola : look , a la : prepared by FRENCH words)

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