CHAPTER 21
SIMRAN
I wake up feeling oddly rested, a stark contrast to the chaos swirling in my life lately. My mind immediately flits back to last night—the flood of emotions, my tearful confession to Vishnu, and the surprising sense of peace I felt afterwards. A part of me feels lighter now, as though the weight of guilt I’ve been carrying for months has finally eased.
Instinctively, I turn sideways on the bed, reaching out for Vishnu. He’s not there, but the sheets are still warm and rumpled from where he slept. Traces of his cologne still lingers on the pillow, and something inside me flutters at the scent. Last night, we just slept side by side, but the fact that he didn’t pull away from me means more to me than I can express. I run my palm over the space he occupied, savouring its warmth.
I’ve already apologised, but knowing Vishnu, forgiveness won’t come easily. He’s always been stubborn that way. But I’ve realised that I can’t force him to forgive me—it has to come naturally from within, just like I need time to come to terms with the fact that we’re having a courthouse wedding in ten days. I sigh, running a hand through my hair as I sit up. Ten days. I’m not ready for this, neither mentally nor emotionally.
It’s not easy to expediate the process and get an earlier date without pulling strings, and I’m sure Vishnu must have used his influence to make it happen. Fighting it will only make things more bitter between us, and I’m tired of the conflict. If marriage is what it takes to move forward, then so be it.
I reach for my phone on the bedside table to check on Veer through the baby monitor, but I can’t seem to find it. Strange—that explains why I didn’t hear any alarms. Where could it be?
Making my way to the kitchen, I find Claire busy with her morning routine.
“Claire, is Veer awake? Did he wake up at all last night?” I ask, trying to mask my concern.
She turns to me with a warm smile. “He’s been up for a while. He slept through the night, though. And you?”
“Actually, I also slept really well. I feel much better today,” I admit before adding, “Where is Veer now? And have you seen my phone?”
“Veer and your phone, both are with Vishnu. He’s in the nursery, by the way,” she grins.
I don’t stay around to analyse Claire’s amused expression and head straight to the nursery. The room is quiet when I enter, but the faint sounds of laughter and splashing draw me toward the bathroom. Curious, I push open the door, and the sight before me stops me in my tracks.
Vishnu is shirtless, giving Veer a bath in the custom-built baby bathtub. It’s one of those expensive, ergonomic ones with temperature control and soft edges that are a rage here in New York. But I barely notice the bathtub or Veer because I can’t take my eyes off Vishnu.
This is the first time I’ve seen him shirtless since that unforgettable night eighteen months ago, and my body instantly responds to the sight. Water droplets trickle down his sculpted chest as Veer splashes around playfully, giggling with joy. His joggers hang dangerously low on his hips, the waistband of his underwear slightly visible just above them. For a moment, I forget how to breathe.
I’d seen Vishnu like this on the night we created Veer, a memory that still sends shivers down my spine. But this? This is different. Watching him with our son now, so patient despite Veer’s mischievous antics, tugs at something deep within me.
I feel heat creeping up my cheeks as my eyes trace a path from that tantalising line up his toned abs, across his broad chest, along his strong neck, and finally to his eyes. That’s when I realise that he’s watching me watch him.
Caught staring, I quickly redirect my attention to Veer.
“Veer, how come you’re not giving Papa any tantrums today, sweetie?” I ask, moving closer and crouching beside the tub to plant a kiss on Veer’s wet cheek. “You’re usually the tantrum king during bath time.” I try hard to sound casual.
Veer giggles, splashing more water, some of it hitting my face. I laugh, wiping it off, and then glance at Vishnu, whose knowing eyes are still on my face, and my cheeks burn even hotter.
“And how did you figure all this out?” I ask him, trying to initiate a conversation.
“I’ve seen Aksh helping Devika bathe their daughter back at the Walia Mansion,” he replies, expertly holding a squirming Veer. “It’s not rocket science.”
“Did he also do it shirtless, or is that your special touch? The Vishnu Walia trademark?” I can’t help but grin.
“Looks like someone slept well last night,” he observes, clearly picking up on my playful flirtation.
My heart skips a beat at the flirtatious undertone. But his words also remind me of last night, of everything I poured out to him. I take a deep breath before speaking.
“Vishnu… about last night…”
“Whatever you had to say, you said it all last night,” he cuts me off. “I don’t need a repeat telecast now.”
I nod, accepting his response. He doesn’t want to talk about it. I get it. But what is that supposed to mean for us hereon?
“Need any help?”
“I’ve got this,” he replies, fully focused on Veer.
Leaning down, I kiss Veer once again, only for him to splash more water at me.
“You little troublemaker,” I tease, laughing as I stand up. “Have you seen my phone?” I ask Vishnu.
“It’s on the table outside.”
I nod, my eyes drifting to Vishnu’s lips of their own accord. The spark between us is impossible to ignore, and I catch him watching me. He noticed. Of course, he did. The corner of his mouth lifts into a knowing smirk. I haven’t just woken up well-rested and light-hearted, but I’m also feeling a bit desperate and restless, though I have no idea why? Biting my lip, I turn away and head out to the nursery, where I find my phone exactly where he said it would be.
I wait for the phone to turn on. After my apology last night and accepting that the wedding is inevitable, the guilt has been lifted, but in its place is something entirely new—something electric, uncertain, and full of possibility with Vishnu.
My heart nearly stops when I see the time on my phone: 10:30 AM. By now, I’m usually halfway to my boutique, handling the morning rush.
“What?” I exclaim just as Vishnu steps out of the bathroom. Veer is wrapped in a fluffy towel and cuddled against his bare chest, his tiny face peeking out with a look of pure contentment. I reach for Veer instinctively, taking him from Vishnu’s arms.
“Why didn’t you wake me up?” I ask, patting Veer dry while trying to keep my mounting stress in check. “And my alarms… they didn’t ring. Did you turn off my phone?”
Vishnu watches me with those intense eyes, his expression completely unapologetic.
“Yes, I did. I wanted you to rest.”
“Vishnu!” I protest, drying Veer with the towel as I speak. “You can’t just—”
“I’ve already spoken to Julie,” he cuts in, his tone leaving no room for argument. “She told me there was nothing urgent on your schedule except a dinner meeting with a client tonight. I’ve already arranged for Abhay to take you there.”
I gape at him, momentarily at a loss for words.
“You… you spoke to Julie?”
“I know how important your work is to you, Simran. After what happened at the boutique yesterday, I had to resist the urge to shut down the place completely and make you work from home. And after seeing your state last night—your body needed a break before you mentally exhausted yourself again. You need to stop pushing yourself, just for today.”
For a moment, I can’t argue. He’s right—I did need the rest. My body feels more relaxed than it has in days, and for the first time, my head feels clearer.
Before I can respond, Veer starts squirming in my arms, making his usual hungry sounds that always follow bath time. He nuzzles against my chest, his tiny hands pressing against my nightgown as he tries to suckle through the fabric. It’s such a natural reflex for him, and suddenly, I become hyper-aware of Vishnu’s presence, his eyes darkening as he watches us.
Vishnu’s gaze moves to where Veer is suckling, his expression unreadable. For a split second, his jaw tightens, and then I catch it—a flicker of something deeper in his eyes. Hunger? No. It’s desire. Raw… and simmering beneath the surface of his carefully controlled exterior.
The air grows thick with tension as Veer continues his soft whimpers. Although I’ve been gradually weaning him, only nursing at night and using formula during the day since my milk supply has dropped, I can tell he needs this comfort right now.
My heart hammers against my ribs as I search for something to say, something to break the silence. But before I can react, Vishnu swallows hard and, as if sensing my need for privacy, he gives me a quick nod and quietly leaves the room. I release a breath I didn’t realise I was holding. Relief and disappointment war within me as the door clicks shut behind him. Letting out a shaky breath, I carry Veer to the couch in the nursery, where I usually feed him.
As I settle down, I look at my son, his innocent face lighting up as he realises he’s about to get what he wants.
“You really couldn’t wait, could you?” I tease softly, brushing a kiss against his forehead.
He giggles, oblivious to the awkward moment his hunger just caused. As he latches on to my breast, I let out a deep breath of contentment and stroke his tiny hand with my thumb. “Veer, you need to stop doing this in front of your papa,” I murmur, half-laughing, half-serious. “At least not until Mama and Papa figure out their own comfort zone again, okay?”
He coos softly in response, his tiny fingers curling around mine as if to say he doesn’t care about the complexities of adult relationships. He is content in his own little world. I stroke his soft hair, sighing as I watch his peaceful face. Leaning back against the couch, I let my head rest on the cushion. My thoughts drift back to Vishnu and the way he looked at me a moment ago. Not to mention, last night, he stayed. He didn’t pull away like before. That has to mean something, right?
But as much as I want to hold onto that hope, I know better than to assume Vishnu’s walls will crumble so easily. He’s a man defined by loyalty and pride, and I’ve hurt him in ways I now fully understand.
How long will this awkwardness between Vishnu and me last? When will we find our way back to each other without this constant tension hanging between us? For now, I’ll take whatever I can get. One step at a time.
“Let’s just focus on you for now, my little troublemaker,” I whisper softly, watching Veer as his eyes grow heavy, his hunger now satisfied.