Seetha Vallabha-the Love So True

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Author's POV

The time was well past midnight-one in the morning, to be precise. The house had sunk into a deep, almost sacred silence. Only the faint ticking of the wall clock and the occasional whisper of the night breeze broke through the stillness.
Shivika stirred in her sleep, a slight dryness in her throat pulling her awake. She reached for the glass of water beside her bed, only to find it empty. Letting out a soft sigh, she slipped out of bed and quietly made her way downstairs, careful not to disturb anyone.
As she stepped into the dimly lit living room, her eyes instinctively moved toward the source of the faint light.
And that's when she saw her.
Rupam was sitting by the threshold-still, composed, yet somehow distant. Her gaze was fixed ahead, as if she were waiting... for someone.
For a moment, Shivika simply stood there, watching her. There was something in that silence-something tender, something unspoken.
She slowly walked up to her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Maa? Kya hua, aap yahan aise kyun baithi hain?" Shivika asked softly.
Rupam blinked, as though returning from a faraway thought. A small, familiar smile curved her lips.
"Are kuchh nahi beta... woh Adhi abhi tak aaya nahi hai na. Aksar der ho jaati hai usse. Main soch rahi thi, usko khana khila kar hi so jaaun."
There was no complaint in her voice. Only habit. Only care.
Shivika's expression softened. She lowered herself to sit beside her, her tone gentle yet firm.
"Maa, woh sab mere aane se pehle hota tha. Ab main aa gayi hoon na... aap jaaiye. Main khila dungi unhe."
Rupam immediately shook her head, almost instinctively. "Nahi beta, tu kyun pareshan hoti hai? Main kar lungi."
"Maa..." Shivika pouted slightly, her voice turning playful, "aap hi toh kehti ho na ki yeh mere pati hain? Toh kya ab main apne pati ko khana bhi nahi khila sakti?"
For a brief second, Rupam just looked at her-then a quiet chuckle escaped her.