48.
"Are you hungry?" Aarav asked. The kitchen was quiet except for the faint hiss of the kettle. Aarav was making some tea for him. Shaurya, seated on the counter stool, shook his head.
"Don't lie. You looked like you were about to cry when you saw the porridge," Aarav teased.
Shaurya gave a sheepish grin but said nothing.
Aarav sighed, pulled open the fridge, and took out a Tupperware. Standing by the stove, he glanced back. "Shaurya, pass me that pan?"
Shaurya obeyed, watching curiously as Aarav poured the contents in. The rich aroma of biryani filled the air, and Shaurya's stomach clenched painfully. Still, he kept quiet, pretending indifference.
When it was hot enough, Aarav plated some and took a spoonful himself, nodding. He slid the plate toward Shaurya. "Here. Try it. I don't want you to die hungry."
Shaurya hesitated, then gave in. The first bite made his eyes widen—it was heavenly. As he reached for another spoonful, he noticed Aarav watching him too closely.
"What?" Shaurya asked, raising a brow.
"Does it taste good?" Aarav asked with a small smile.
"It does. Mind if I take him with me back to Amritnagar?" Shaurya grinned and dug in again.
"I made it," Aarav said casually.
Shaurya froze, then swallowed quickly the remaining grains of rice inside his mouth. His voice softened. "...Can I take you with me then?"
He wasn't joking. Aarav chuckled, shaking his head.
"I can't believe that cartoon has been eating your food for years," Shaurya muttered.
"Excuse me?" Aarav narrowed his eyes.
"I'm talking about Yug," Shaurya said around another spoonful.
"He's not a cartoon," Aarav gave him a flat look.
When they finished eating, both men rose quietly. Aarav carried Shaurya's dish to the sink before they made their way to Aarya's room. She was already fast asleep, her little chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Eve had dozed off on the sofa nearby, curled into a cushion.
Aarav's lips softened into a smile the moment he saw his daughter.
He walked to her bed, sat down carefully, and took her small hand into his own, brushing a gentle kiss across her knuckles so as not to wake her.
Shaurya lingered at the door for a moment, watching the scene unfold—his heart tightening in ways he didn't know it could.
When Aarav glanced up, he patted the space beside him, motioning for Shaurya to sit. After a moment's hesitation, Shaurya crossed the room and lowered himself onto the bed. His eyes lingered on Aarya's peaceful face.
"I used to be afraid I'd forget my mother's face," he whispered, almost to himself. "But... now, I see her in Aarya."
Aarav smiled softly, his gaze never leaving his daughter. "Your mother was the most beautiful woman I've ever seen I'm glad Aarya takes after her. And after you." He reached out and gently caressed Aarya's cheek.
"Give me your hand," Aarav murmured suddenly. Shaurya frowned in confusion but held his hand out anyway. Aarav carefully lifted Aarya's tiny palm and placed it in Shaurya's much larger one.
Shaurya's breath caught. He looked up, meeting Aarav's eyes, but said nothing.
"Whatever happened today," Aarav whispered, guilt lining his voice, "I didn't expect it. She isn't usually like that. I promise she'll come around. I'm... I'm really sor—"
"Aarav." Shaurya's voice cut through gently. "She's perfect."
"But that doesn't mean what she said was right," Aarav insisted, lowering his gaze.
"I'm glad she loves her papa enough to be protective. She knows the difference between what feels safe and what doesn't. What's wrong with that?" Shaurya replied quietly.
Then, without thinking too hard, Shaurya lowered his head and pressed a soft kiss to Aarya's little hand, still resting in his palm. His thumb brushed over her knuckles in slow, careful circles.
Aarya murmured something in her sleep, her lips pouting. Then, suddenly, she shifted—grabbing hold of Shaurya's arm and hugging it tightly against her chest as though it belonged to her.
Shaurya froze. His entire body went rigid, afraid to even breathe. He didn't blink, didn't move, just stared at the small weight curled around his arm.
Aarav's gaze flickered from his daughter to Shaurya. His voice was low, trembling but steady. "If you want to cry... you can."
Shaurya exhaled shakily, his chest rising with a controlled breath that still felt like it might crack him in half. His eyes glistened in the dim light.
"I'll only cry for you, Aarav," he whispered. I don't want you to be hurt because of me Shaurya. Aarav thought.
After a quiet moment, Shaurya let out a soft chuckle. "She's a bit different. She's..."
"Mature," Aarav finished for him.
Shaurya's lips curved into a small smile. "Yeah. That."
Aarav exhaled, eyes dropping to his daughter.
"She's always been too mature for her age.
And it scares me sometimes... because I can't hide anything from her.
She sees through me too easily. I think it's because all she's ever known is me and Yug—working.
She's never had friends her own age. She doesn't get to live like the other kids.
" His voice wavered just slightly. "And it hurts, knowing I've taken that from her. "
Shaurya didn't interrupt. He understood.
The weight in Aarav's words echoed his own memories—of a childhood wrapped in restrictions, expectations, and duties too heavy for small shoulders.
Both Shaurya and Aarav were restricted from doing things, but their parents never hid them from the world. Unfortunately, they had to hid Aarya.
"That cartoon's been taking care of you two well, I suppose," Shaurya said suddenly, his tone light but edged with something deeper.
"Stop calling him that," Aarav muttered, though a faint smile tugged at his lips. "But... yeah. He does. Aarya loves him."
"And you?" Shaurya asked quietly.
Aarav hesitated for a beat before answering, his gaze meeting Shaurya's without wavering. "I like him."
Shaurya tilted his head slightly. "Why?"
Aarav swallowed hard. "Because... maybe I was tired of waiting."
Shaurya exhaled, running his fingers through his hair, a bittersweet smile forming. "Rajmata once told me a story. She said that Sita Ma had endless patience, but even she reached a point where she had enough... and she had to leave Ram."
Aarav listened silently, his chest rising and falling slowly.
Shaurya's voice softened. "Rajmata warned me—not to keep you waiting too long.
But I told her... Aarav's patience isn't like anyone else's.
He has the heart to forgive everything. Ravi once told me his Allah forgives all, and asks his angels to forgive as well.
And in my life..." Shaurya's eyes lingered on him, ".
..you're both. My God and my angel. And I know. .. one day, you'll forgive me too."