Chapter : 8

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Ananya fluttered her eyes open at exactly 5:30 AM, as if her mind was an alarm clock in itself. The dawn light seeped through the curtains, casting a soft glow on the room. She lay still for a moment, enjoying the quiet before the day's demands took over. With a deep breath, she stretched her arms above her head, feeling the satisfying pull of her muscles waking up. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up, her feet sinking into the plush carpet.

With a last glance at Rihaan’s pouty face, still deep in sleep, she couldn't help but smile. His hair was tousled, and his lips were slightly parted, giving him a boyish charm even in slumber. She leaned down and brushed a light kiss on his forehead, careful not to wake him, and then made her way to the bathroom.

The cool tiles sent a shiver up her spine as she stepped into the shower. She turned the knob, and a stream of cold water cascaded over her soft skin, making her sigh in calmness. The coldness was a familiar sensation, one she had come to appreciate. It was invigorating, a sharp contrast to the warmth of her bed and a perfect way to start the day. She stood under the spray for a while, letting the water wash away any lingering sleepiness, her mind beginning to organize the tasks ahead.

After a long, refreshing bath, she stepped out and wrapped herself in a silk bathrobe. The smooth fabric clung to her damp skin as she padded back into the bedroom. Her gaze fell on her husband once more, and she noticed the peaceful softness on his face. A soft smile formed on her lips when she saw him smiling in his sleep. Probably dreaming about ice cream, she thought, shaking her head lightly at the whimsical notion.

She made her way to the walk-in wardrobe, a spacious area filled with rows of meticulously organized clothes. She selected a formal, expensive suit-tailored to perfection-and a pair of nude heels. The suit was a deep navy, which contrasted beautifully with her skin tone, and the heels added just the right amount of height. She dressed quickly but with precision, appreciating the feel of the high-quality fabric against her skin.

Next, she moved to her vanity and applied her makeup, opting for a nude palette that enhanced her features without being too bold. She brushed her hair back into a sleek bun, her movements practiced and efficient. With a final glance at her reflection, she nodded in approval and checked her wristwatch. The time read 6:25 AM.

Ananya walked out of the bedroom, the quiet of the early morning still hanging in the air. She made her way towards the kitchen, where she found Mrs. Mehra already up and drinking a cup of coffee. The aroma of the freshly brewed tea mingled with the faint scent of toast, creating a comforting atmosphere.

"Good morning, Mom," Ananya greeted, her voice soft and calm.

Mrs. Mehra looked up from her cup, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Good morning, Ananya. Up early as always," she replied, her eyes twinkling with affection.

Ananya poured herself a cup of coffee and joined her at the table. The tranquility of the moment was a cherished ritual, a small pocket of peace before the whirlwind of the day began.

She finished her tea and asked Mrs. Mehra if she should make breakfast. Mrs. Mehra shook her head and said, "You don't have to do house chores, dear."

Ananya understood that Mrs. Mehra might be thinking she was doing it out of obligation. "I just want my family to eat food made by me," Ananya said softly. The words felt strange to her. "Family" sounded like a foreign concept, but it felt good-strangely good.

Mrs. Mehra gave her an affectionate smile, and Ananya realized she had been smiling all along. She hurried into the kitchen, suddenly feeling an unfamiliar warmth inside her. It was overwhelming, very overwhelming. As she calmed herself, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned and saw Mrs. Mehra placing the coffee cup in the sink.

She thought Mrs. Mehra might leave now, but she was wrong. Mrs. Mehra stood beside her and took out a few utensils from the cabinets. Without looking at her, Mrs. Mehra asked, "What are you planning to cook?"

"Cheela," Ananya replied.

Mrs. Mehra nodded and took out the besan container from the shelf. "Mom, I will do it," Ananya said, confused.

"I know you can," Mrs. Mehra said with a smile, "but I want to help you so I can spend some time with my daughter."

Ananya's eyes filled with sadness and softness hearing her. She kept staring at Mrs. Mehra, wondering why she hadn't had a mother like her sooner. Mrs. Mehra felt her stares and looked at her with a playful smile. "Now don't keep staring. Let's start making the tastiest cheela ever."

Ananya let out a soft giggle and nodded. Mrs. Mehra patted her cheek and started to make the chutney, while Ananya began preparing the cheela. Their cooking session was filled with Mrs. Mehra's funny family stories and Ananya's occasional giggles. It was a moment she wished she had experienced earlier.

As they worked together, Mrs. Mehra started sharing some of her favorite family stories.

"Did I ever tell you about the time your father tried to cook?" Mrs. Mehra began, a twinkle in her eye.

Ananya shook her head, smiling. "No, what happened?"

"Well, one Sunday morning, he decided he wanted to make breakfast in bed for me. I thought it was a sweet gesture, so I stayed in bed, waiting. About an hour later, I heard a loud crash from the kitchen. I rushed in to find him covered in flour and milk, and the kitchen looked like a war zone. He had tried to make pancakes but ended up making more of a mess than anything else. We ended up laughing so hard and then ordered takeout."

Ananya chuckled at the image of her father in law in such a predicament. "That sounds like something Dad would do."

"Oh, and then there was the time when Raj decided he wanted to be a chef," Mrs. Mehra continued, her voice filled with amusement. "He was about seven years old and thought he could make a five-course meal. He mixed all sorts of ingredients together-chocolate, pickles, pasta, you name it. He was so proud of his creation, and we had to pretend it was the best thing we'd ever tasted. Your father nearly choked on a chocolate-pickle spaghetti."

Ananya giggled, picturing the scene. "I wish I had been there."

Mrs. Mehra patted her hand. "You're here now, and that's what matters."

Ananya felt a pang of sadness mixed with joy. She wished she had experienced such moments with her own family, but she was grateful for the chance to create new ones now.

"Now, let's see if we can make the tastiest cheela ever." Mrs. Mehra gave her a playful smile.

******

Ananya walked into her room and saw Rihaan still sleeping soundly. The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over his peaceful face. She hesitated to wake him from his restful slumber, but she knew she had to. Glancing at the clock, she noted it was already 7:15 AM. Time was ticking.

She walked to his bedside and called his name softly, "Rihaan." He didn't stir. She tried again, gently shaking his shoulder and calling his name, but he remained unresponsive. Taking a deep breath, she bent down close to his ear and whispered softly but with a hint of urgency, "If you don't wake up, I'll have to leave for the office without you."

Instantly, Rihaan jumped up, his eyes wide open in alarm. "I'm awake!" he exclaimed, his voice a mix of panic and grogginess.

Ananya pressed her lips together, trying to maintain her stern facade despite the amusement bubbling inside her. "Good. Now let's get you ready, okay?" she said, her tone firm but gentle.

Rihaan nodded quickly, the urgency in his movements showing his desire not to be left behind. He scrambled out of bed and dashed to the bathroom. Ananya let out a quiet chuckle, shaking her head at his dramatic reaction. She also headed towards the bathroom to help him clean up.

The soft glow of the bathroom light created a cozy ambiance as Ananya turned on the shower. Warm steam began to fill the room, and she tested the water temperature with her hand to ensure it was just right.

"Okay, Rihaan, time to get in," she called, her voice gentle yet encouraging.

Rihaan stood by the sink, watching Ananya with wide, trusting eyes. He hesitated for a moment before stepping into the shower. Ananya adjusted the showerhead so the water cascaded gently over him, making sure it wasn’t too strong or too hot.

"How’s the water, Rihaan? Is it okay?" she asked, her hand on his shoulder.

Rihaan nodded, a shy smile spreading across his face. "It feels nice."

Ananya smiled back and began to lather up a soft washcloth with soap. She carefully washed Rihaan’s arms, back, and legs, speaking to him softly all the while. "See? Doesn’t that feel good?"

"Yes, Anya. It feels nice," Rihaan repeated, enjoying the warm water and gentle touch.

Once he was all soaped up, Ananya guided him under the showerhead again to rinse off. She made sure to keep the water out of his eyes, knowing how much he disliked that. "Close your eyes, Rihaan. Here comes the water."

Rihaan obediently squeezed his eyes shut, giggling as the water washed away the suds. "It tickles!"

Ananya laughed with him, pleased to see him enjoying himself. "All clean now," she said, turning off the water and grabbing a large, fluffy towel. She wrapped it around Rihaan, patting him dry with care.

"Thank you, Anya," he said, his voice soft and filled with innocence.

"You’re welcome, Rihaan," she replied, giving him a reassuring smile. "Let’s go get you dressed now."

They left the bathroom, steam following them out into the bedroom. Rihaan climbed onto the bed, sitting cross-legged with the towel still wrapped around his torso. He looked at Ananya with curiosity and a hint of mischief in his eyes.

"What do I wear, Anya?" he asked, his tone innocent and playful.

Ananya walked over to the wardrobe, considering his question thoughtfully. "Let’s see. How about something comfy since we’re going to the office today?"

Rihaan nodded eagerly. "Comfy sounds good!"

Ananya pulled out a soft, light blue shirt and a pair of comfortable grey pants. She brought them over to the bed and held them up for Rihaan to see. "How about these? They’re comfy and look nice too."

Rihaan inspected the clothes, then nodded with approval. "I like them. They look nice."

"Great choice," Ananya said, helping him into his clothes. She slipped the shirt over his head and guided his arms through the sleeves, then helped him step into the pants. "There we go. All set."

Rihaan looked down at his outfit, a big smile spreading across his face. "I look nice, Anya?"

"You look very nice, Rihaan," Ananya confirmed, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. "Are you ready for breakfast now?"

"Yes! Breakfast time!" Rihaan exclaimed, bouncing off the bed with excitement.

Ananya chuckled, loving his boundless energy. "Okay, let’s go have breakfast with everyone."

Rihaan held her hand, his fingers curling around hers with a gentle yet firm grip. With an innocent smile lighting up his face, he began to walk towards the kitchen, his steps filled with an eager bounce. Ananya couldn’t help but smile back, her heart warming at the sight of his enthusiasm. They descended the stairs to the dining room, where everyone was already gathered Mrs. Mehra was setting the table, while Mr. Mehra read the morning newspaper.

"Good morning, everyone," Ananya greeted, leading Rihaan to his seat.

"Morning, Ananya. Morning, Rihaan," Mrs. Mehra replied, smiling warmly. "Ready for your day at the office?"

Rihaan nodded enthusiastically. "I’m going with Anya today! We’re gonna have so much fun!"

Mr. Mehra peeked over his newspaper, a twinkle in his eye. "I’m sure you will, Rihaan. Just remember to behave and listen to Ananya."

"I will, Dad," Rihaan promised, already reaching for a piece of cheela.

Ananya filled their plates with cheela and fresh fruit. As they ate, she kept an eye on Rihaan, ensuring he didn’t make too much of a mess. His excitement was palpable, and he chatted animatedly about all the things he wanted to do that day.

"Can we have ice cream after work, Anya?" Rihaan asked, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"We’ll see," Ananya replied, ruffling his hair. "If you’re good and finish all your tasks, then maybe we can."

Rihaan grinned, showing off his dimpled cheeks. "I’ll be the best helper ever!"

After breakfast, Ananya gathered her things, making sure she had everything she needed for the day. Rihaan trailed after her, carrying his own little backpack filled with snacks and a few drawing books to keep him occupied.

"Ready to go?" she asked, looking at him.

"Ready!" he exclaimed, giving her his cutest smile.

"Okay then, let’s head out."

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