63. Fluttering Morning

Hi darlings

~✰♡✰♡✰~

The next morning, soft rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, gently illuminating the room.

Ananya stirred awake, feeling an unfamiliar warmth surrounding her.

Her eyes fluttered open, and the sight before her made her heart skip a beat.

Aditya’s arms were wrapped protectively around her, his face calm and serene as he slept.

For a moment, she simply lay there, observing him. The rare softness on his face, free of the usual coldness, made her chest tighten. A small smile tugged at her lips.

Carefully, she shifted, trying not to wake him as she sat up. She glanced back at him, her gaze filled with an affection she didn’t want to admit out loud. Her hand reached out instinctively, and she ruffled his hair gently.

"The best husband," she murmured under her breath, her words laced with fondness she couldn't hide.

As if her touch had reached his subconscious, Aditya stirred slightly.

Without opening his eyes, he shifted closer to her, his arms wrapping more securely around her waist. He pulled her back down slightly, his head finding a resting place on her lap.

Ananya froze for a moment, her breath hitching as he snuggled closer. But then a soft smile spread across her face, and she relaxed.

Her hand moved to his hair, her fingers threading through the strands in a soothing motion.

"Adi..." she whispered, her voice barely audible as her eyes softened. "Thank you."

Though he appeared to be deep in sleep, a small, barely noticeable smirk formed on his lips.

Aditya’s grip around her waist tightened just slightly, as though he had heard her but wasn’t ready to open his eyes yet.

Ananya chuckled softly at his stubbornness. She let him stay there, her hands continuing to caress his hair as she watched him. The moment felt too precious to disturb.

Minutes passed, and she noticed his breathing change slightly. Before she could say anything, Aditya’s voice, low and teasing, broke the silence.

"For what?" he asked, his eyes still closed but his lips curving into a faint smirk.

Ananya startled slightly, her cheeks flushing. "You’re awake?" she asked, embarrassed that he had heard her.

He opened his eyes slowly, the dark brown orbs locking onto hers. "You think I’d miss you calling me the best husband?" he teased, his voice husky from sleep.

Her cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red as she looked away, feigning annoyance. "Don’t get ahead of yourself, Patidev ji. I didn’t mean it like that."

"Oh?" he said, lifting his head from her lap slightly and propping himself on his elbow.

His other hand still rested firmly on her waist, keeping her from moving away. "Then what did you mean?"

Ananya fidgeted under his gaze, trying to find a way out of the conversation. "I just... You—" she stammered, only to have him cut her off by leaning closer.

"I think you meant it exactly as you said it," he murmured, his face dangerously close to hers.

Ananya’s breath hitched, and she pushed his chest lightly. "Stop teasing me!" she said, attempting to sound stern but failing miserably.

Aditya laughed softly, his rare smile lighting up his face. "Fine, fine," he relented, laying back down and pulling her back onto the bed with him.

"Hey! I wasn’t ready—" she protested, but he wrapped his arms around her, silencing her.

"Shh," he said, resting his chin on her head. "Let me enjoy this moment, kitten. You talk too much."

Ananya huffed but gave in, letting herself relax against him. As his arms tightened around her once more, she realized she didn’t want to leave either.

And as they lay there, wrapped in each other’s warmth, the unspoken feelings between them lingered in the air, growing stronger with each passing moment.

~✰♡✰♡✰~

Aditya lay comfortably with Ananya still in his arms, her head resting against his chest.

For a few moments, the room was filled with a peaceful silence until he spoke, his voice low and teasing, “You know… you called me something earlier.”

Ananya frowned, looking up at him. “What? When?”

He smirked, his hand lazily running through her hair. “You called me ‘Adi.’”

Her eyes widened as her cheeks flushed. “No, I didn’t!” she quickly denied, sitting up slightly, trying to wriggle out of his arms.

Aditya chuckled and tightened his hold on her waist, pulling her back down. “Oh, but you did, kitten,” he teased. “And you said it so sweetly too.”

Ananya huffed, crossing her arms in defiance. “Well, don’t get used to it! It just… slipped out.”

“Slipped out?” he repeated, raising a brow. His smirk widened, and a playful glint appeared in his eyes. “I don’t think anyone’s ever dared to give me a nickname, let alone call me one to my face.”

“Well, maybe they should have. You’re too stiff sometimes,” she shot back, her lips curving into a challenging smile.

“Stiff?” Aditya mocked offense, his tone dripping with amusement. “This ‘stiff’ person just spent half the night tickling you and carrying you around the room, might I remind you.”

Ananya bit her lip to stop a grin. “Okay, fine. Not always stiff. But still! It’s just a nickname, don’t make a big deal out of it.”

“Oh, it’s a big deal,” he said, his tone suddenly softer. His smirk faded, replaced by a rare, gentle expression. “Hearing you call me ‘Adi’... it did something to me.”

Ananya blinked, caught off guard by the sudden seriousness in his tone. “What do you mean?” she asked, her voice almost a whisper.

He leaned closer, his hand cupping her cheek. “It made my heart flutter,” he admitted, his deep voice laced with sincerity.

Her breath hitched, and she looked away, trying to mask the way his words affected her. “You’re such a flirt,” she muttered, more to herself than to him.

He chuckled, the sound vibrating against her as he pulled her even closer. “Not flirting, kitten. Just being honest. And you know what?”

“What?” she asked, her voice soft.

“From now on, I want you to call me that,” he said, his gaze fixed on her. “Only you. I like hearing it from your lips.”

Ananya stared at him, her face heating up. “Now way,” she mumbled, looking away again.

Aditya smirked, leaning closer to her ear. “Come on. Say it again,” he whispered, his tone playful yet commanding.

“Adi,” she finally muttered, her voice barely audible.

“Louder, kitten,” he teased.

“Adi,” she said again, this time louder, meeting his gaze with a mix of annoyance and shyness.

“Perfect,” he murmured, his smirk softening into a rare smile. “Now, don’t stop. That’s my name when it comes to you.”

Ananya rolled her eyes, trying to hide the small smile playing on her lips. “You’re too full of yourself.”

“And yet, you’re still here,” he quipped, pulling her back into his chest as she huffed in faux annoyance.

As they settled back into the bed, a comfortable silence fell between them again, but this time, it was filled with an unspoken understanding and a warmth neither could deny.

~✰♡✰♡✰~

No one dared, but she did—and he found his favourite sound...🧡💛