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Aakash's POV
Maybe it was evening when we woke up-
Nope. It was already noon.
Last night had been exhausting, especially for my baby, who was now curled up in bed, sleeping peacefully, comfortably tucked under the blanket. She had been so drained yesterday that her eyes had literally pleaded for rest-sleep was begging to take her in.
No one else was awake yet-understandable, considering how much everyone danced last night. Even I had danced more than I thought I would.
Now, I was sitting on the couch in our room, working on my laptop. But my eyes-those traitors-kept drifting back to her. I'd even developed a new fear of leaving her alone on the bed at night. If she moved too much, she might fall off. It had become a habit now-to wake up around midnight, gently tuck another blanket over her because she always kicked the first one off in her sleep.
She's just like a baby-meri bacchi (my baby girl). I glanced at her with the same softness I reserve for my nephews, Aarav and Advik. That's when I realized-it was time to wake her up.
I walked toward the bed and knelt down beside her, brushing her hair away from her face. She was sleeping on her side, looking like peace itself.
"Wake up, cute little Doctor," I whispered with a soft chuckle, pressing a kiss to her temple.
She only hummed in response, eyes still shut. And I knew-this was going to be a tough task.
"Baby, wake up. It's past noon," I said gently.
She fluttered her eyes open, her lashes like soft wings. As soon as she saw me, she rubbed her face sleepily. I rose from the floor and ran my fingers through her hair, my voice even softer now.
"Wake up, baccha (baby)."
"Hmm..."
"Hmm nahi, uth jao. (Not hmm, get up.)" I said, teasingly firm.
"Uth rahi hoon," she mumbled in that beautiful morning voice-God, what a rare and precious thing to witness.
"Apke pairo mein dard ho raha hai?" (Are your feet still hurting?) I asked, remembering how those heels had nearly tortured her legs last night.
"Yeah... a little," she admitted, eyes still dazed with sleep.
I didn't think twice-I gently scooped her into my arms. Her eyes widened.
"Kya kar rahe ho?" (What are you doing?) she asked, startled.
"Apke pairo mein dard hai, betu." (Your feet are hurting, my sweetheart.)
"Par main chal sakti hoon," she protested.
"Haan shayad, par abhi to is sevak ki baaho mein hi rahogi aap, madam ji." (Maybe, but right now you'll stay in this servant's arms like a child, madam.)
"Aap jaake naha lijiye main niche hu , agar chalne ka mann na kare toh mujhe message kar dena. Ye sevak hazir hoga." (Go take a bath I'm downstairs. If you don't feel like walking back, message me. Your servant will be ready.)
I bowed dramatically, leading her to the washroom like she was a royal. She looked away, trying to hide her face, but I could clearly see the blush painting her cheeks.
I walked out, heading toward the dining area.
The mansion was quiet. The only sound was the soft clinking of utensils coming from the kitchen. I stepped inside and found my sweet Dadi Saa, preparing tea for herself.
"Uth gaye Maharaj?" (You're awake, my king?) she asked, smiling.
"Ji, Rani Saa," I replied playfully, bowing like a servant in front of a queen.
"Aur aapki Maharani kaisi hai?" (And how is your queen?) she teased.
"Vo to abhi bhi so rahi hai," (She's still sleeping) I said, sighing. "Vo bhi itni mushkil se uthi." (Even waking her was difficult.)
"Kyuu mushkil se?" (Why was it so hard?) she asked.
"Thak gayi thi na raat ko," (She was exhausted last night) I explained.
"tune hi thakaya hoga hai na," (Of course she must've been tired) she said knowingly. Her eyes twinkled mischievously. "Mrs. Sampada Singh Rajput,"i added with a teasing smirk.
I narrowed my eyes at her, but she just laughed and handed me a cup of tea.
"Chal, mujhse kuch baat karni hai," (Come, I want to talk to you) she said. We walked out and sat on the garden bench.
"Bolo," (Speak) I said.
"Kitna pyaar karta hai usse?" (How much do you love her?) she asked seriously.
"Utna hi jitna mere Dadu Saa aapse karte the, Rani Saa. Bilkul waisa hi pyaar karta hoon usse. Par meri puri zindagi tabaah ho jaayegi agar woh meri taraf na ho." (As much as my grandfather loved you. That same kind of love. But my whole life would be ruined if her heart doesn't lean toward me.)
"Toh der kis baat ki hai Aakash? Agar pyaar itna gehra hai, toh usse dikhane mein deri kyu?" (Then what's the delay, Aakash? If your love is that deep, why are you delaying showing it?) she asked in a soft, comforting voice.
"Kya pyaar sirf keh dene se sab theek ho jaata hai, Dadi Saa? Main uske laayak hoon bhi ya nahi, ye faisla uski aankhen karein toh behtar hai." (Does confessing love fix everything, Dadi Saa? Whether I deserve her or not-that's a decision her eyes must make.)
She gently placed her hand on my head. "Shashi teri kismat hai, chiru. Aur kismat se ladne waale kabhi sukoon nahi paate. Agar dil se chahta hai, toh uske dil tak ka raasta tay kar." (Shashi is your destiny, dear. And those who fight destiny never find peace. If you truly want her, then walk the path to her heart.)
She smiled-like a queen who had loved and conquered. Like only a woman with an epic love story of her own could.
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Author's POV
Beneath a silken-grey sky, the mansion slowly welcomed the close of day. The family had all gathered inside in the living room since it was too cold to sit on the lawn.
But three rebels-Shashi, Adarsh, and Saksham-had occupied chairs outside in the garden, wrapped in shawls. Shashi had made hot chocolate for all of them, and they were sipping it as if it were liquid heaven.
"Mujhe lagta hai usne kisi ke through invitation liya hoga, ya phir ho sakta hai kisi ke saath aaya ho," (I think he must've got the invitation through Rishi, or maybe came with someone else,) said Shashi, sipping her chocolate.
"Kis bhadwe ne usko invitation diya hoga? Mujhe toh kuch sahi nahi lag raha," (Which bastard gave him the invitation? I don't trust Rishi,) grumbled Saksham, leaning forward.
"Thank God usne kiya, nahi toh pata nahi apne se aake baat bhi karta ya nahi. Kaunsa naya scene create ho jaata," (Thank God he did, otherwise who knows if he'd have talked to us. Some new drama would've started,) huffed Adarsh.
"Mujhe nahi lagta uske rehne ya na rehne se humko farak padta hai," (I don't think it makes any difference to us whether he's here or not,) said Shashi coolly. "Sahi hai, zindagi idhar ki udhar ho jaaye, par bakchodi band nahi rukti." (Exactly, life may turn upside down, but bullshit never stops.)
"Bas karo yaar. Ab uske baare mein discussion band karo. Aur batao koi acchi baat," (Enough already. Let's stop talking about him. Tell me something nice,) she said with a tired smile.
"Ha mujhe kuch batana hai," (Oh I have something to tell you,) said Saksham.
"Maine decide kiya hai ki puri duniya bhaad mein jaaye. Main ab single rahunga." (I've decided the whole world can go to hell. I'm staying single forever.)
He declared it with full drama.
Shashi gave him the evil eye, waving her hand dramatically over him as if warding off bad luck.
"Bhai, kuch toh accha socha. Apna baar baar katwane se accha hai single reh," (Good. It's better to stay single than get your heart broken again and again,) said Shashi.
"Good decision," added Adarsh with a grin.
Just then, Laksha walked up to them.
"Aye panda," she called teasingly.
Shashi looked at her with a raised brow. "Bolo panda ki behen." (Speak, oh sister of a panda.)
"Sab andar chalo, bahar thand hai. Ab dinner kar rahe hain kyunki raat mein anime dekhenge," (Everyone inside now, it's too cold. We're having dinner now because we'll watch anime later tonight,) she declared like a queen. "Aur mujhe pata hai ki din mein tu soyi thi, abhi sone ka no chance." (And I know you napped in the day, so no more sleeping now.)
She pulled Shashi's cheek playfully.
They all laughed and walked inside for dinner, enjoying the warm Indian cuisine and the cozy luxury of the mansion.
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Later that night...
Everyone had changed into comfy clothes and gathered again in the lounge. They sat close to their partners, warm drinks in hand, snuggled in throws.
The screen lit up with the title: Your Name.
The favorite anime of the entire house.
As the movie reached its emotional climax, Shashi tried to stay awake-her eyes fighting the pull of sleep. But eventually, her head gently dropped onto Aakash's shoulder.
He looked down at her, heart melting, and whispered, "Tum meri ho. Hamesha se." (You are mine. Since always.)
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Word count - 1559
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