CHAPTER 27 #2
Help Di and Jeeju pick a name. And yes, keep me updated.
Hugs and kisses to the baby. And, if allowed, to her beautiful aunt as well.
Baby’s Uncle,
Reyansh
Aanya felt the heat rise in her cheeks. Her skin tingled just reading his words —hugs and kisses to the aunt as well. Was this what butterflies felt like?
“Is he coming?” Radhika asked, sliding into the chair next to her at the dining table, peeling a pomegranate.
“How did you know I was reading his message?”
“You glow every time his name enters your thoughts,” Radhika said, pinching her cheek.
Aanya blushed and looked away. So it was obvious.
“He’s not coming. He’s heading to Cape Town again.”
“Oh…” Radhika pouted. “That’s alright. Let him come when he can stay longer. I don’t want him rushing back to work.”
A sudden wail of the baby came from the other room.
“I’ll check on her. You finish your fruit,” Aanya said, rising. Radhika watched her go, a soft smile curling her lips. Aanya had taken over most of the baby’s care without being asked. She would make a wonderful mother one day.
Day 105
Dear Baby’s Uncle,
I’m wiped out. The naming ceremony was beautiful. Did you know Di and Jeeju had planned to let me name the baby? If you knew and didn’t warn me, I swear I’m not going to forgive you easily!
Anyway, I named her Ruhi. It means “soul.” And she truly is their soul, isn’t she?
Baby’s Aunt,
Aanya
Day 106
Hello Ruhi’s Aunt,
Ruhi… What a beautiful name. You never run out of bright ideas, do you?
I’m still stuck in Cape Town. Your father and I had a long ‘man-to-man’ talk last night. I’ll tell you more when I get time. Off to meetings now.
Ruhi’s Uncle,
Reyansh
Aanya frowned at his short message. Cape Town was keeping him too busy. For three weeks now, his emails had grown brief. And what had he and her father spoken about? Something serious?
Her phone buzzed again. Hope flickered… only to die when she saw the screen.
It wasn’t from him. It was a photo message from Radhika.
Aanya opened it and smiled. It was Aanya’s first picture holding baby Ruhi. It was beautiful.
She made a mental note to set it as her profile photo tomorrow.
But tonight… she needed sleep. Just a little. Just enough to stop overthinking everything that Reyansh’s silence could mean.
Day 118
Aanya woke up with a jolt in the middle of the night, her breath ragged.
The dream had been disturbing. Reyansh was lying in bed with another woman.
The image had been so vivid it took her a moment to realize it wasn’t real.
Her hand reached instinctively for the glass of water on the nightstand.
She sipped slowly, trying to calm the thoughts screaming through her mind.
He wouldn’t do this. He wasn’t that kind of man. It had been a dream. Just a foolish, baseless nightmare.
Maybe it was because his emails had grown infrequent lately. Maybe the physical distance was starting to chip away at her confidence. She clutched the pillow and buried her face into it, attempting to shake off the insecurity gnawing inside her.
Day 119
By the time she returned from work the next day, she remembered she hadn’t changed her profile picture as intended. Determined, she logged in to her social account and updated it with the image of her holding baby Ruhi. Within moments, likes and comments started flooding in.
Even Navya had posted a series of pictures with Rohan from her latest shoot. Something was clearly brewing between the two of them. Aanya made a mental note to ask Navya about it later.
Just as she was about to log off, a sudden urge made her check Reyansh’s company page. She knew he wasn’t on social media, but perhaps she could find a glimpse of him there. Her eyes froze the moment they landed on the image on the homepage.
There he was in Cape Town, standing beside a stunning woman with his hand casually resting on her waist.
The breath left her lungs.
Who was she? Why was he standing so close to her? Was this the reason he had grown so busy and distant?
She saved the photo first and then attached it in the next email.
Subject: Who’s She?
Reyansh,
Who’s the beautiful woman beside you in that Cape Town picture? Looks like you took my ‘enjoy-your-singlehood’ advice quite seriously. Not that I mind, but… I had a strange dream last night. You were cheating on me.
I know you wouldn’t. But... I needed to check.
Aanya Malhotra
The moment she hit send, she sat frozen, eyes on the screen, heartbeat loud in her ears.
She knew he wouldn’t delay responding to something like this.
And though she didn’t distrust him, she needed his voice, his reassurance, because dreams had the power to sow seeds of doubt, even in the most committed hearts.
Almost four months had passed since they last saw each other.
Email communication had become their lifeline.
Every word from him had always held intensity of longing, a hint of regret, hope.
He wasn’t the man who would cheat. But tonight, she needed to hear it from him.
Her phone rang.
She didn’t need to check the caller ID. It was him.
The moment she picked up, his voice struck her.
“Never waste jealousy on a real man. It isn’t worth it.”
Aanya closed her eyes, exhaling deeply. Relief flooded her chest. He called. He still cared. He didn’t sound angry, just disappointed. She wanted to speak, but her throat constricted.
“I trust you implicitly, Aanya. And I want you to trust me too.”
She swallowed, finally finding her voice.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I was just… protecting what’s mine .”
She bit her lip, realizing the impact that one line would have on him. Silence stretched. She felt the shift in his breath.
Reyansh’s body had gone rigid, flooded with the need to hold his wife and kiss her endlessly. For the first time, he had felt it. That he belonged to her. Only her.
“I’m yours,” Reyansh broke the silence.
Her cheeks flushed. She knew he wasn’t there to see her reaction, but it didn’t matter.
“Would you mind telling me who she is?” she asked softly, needing closure.
He sighed on the other end.
“My cousin. Nadia. She’s like a sister to me.”
Aanya blinked. Cousin?
“She lives in Cape Town. Owns a boutique here. There was a party last weekend where she was there too. That’s when the photo was taken.”
More pieces clicked into place.
“Why didn’t you tell me about her when we were in Cape Town last time?”
“She wasn’t in town then. Off on a business trip. And you do remember we had to rush back because of Di’s health scare.”
Aanya nodded. That had been the trip that changed everything.
“So… all doubts cleared, Ruhi’s Aunt?” he teased.
“Yes,” she pouted, letting herself smile.
“It’s good to hear your voice.”
She toyed with the hem of her top, not knowing what to say.
“How’s Nani?” she asked instead.
“She’s well. She misses you all. Might come visit Di soon.”
“Really? Di’s been hoping she would.”
A knock interrupted Reyansh’s voice. It was Sunny reminding him of the conference call. Reyansh gestured for a minute more.
“You need to go?” Aanya asked.
“Yes, some delegates are waiting. I’m drowning in work here.”
“I understand,” she said softly. “When will Ruhi see her uncle?”
Reyansh’s lips curled into a knowing smirk.
“Soon.”
“How soon?”
“Very.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
She smiled, heart lighter.
“Go on then. Back to emails.”
“Bye, Aanya.”
“Bye, Reyansh.”
She ended the call and leaned against the headboard, overwhelmed by peace. One phone call had erased all her doubts. The promise of his visit to California warmed her more than she admitted. If this was her state now, how would she react when they finally meet again?
An email notification beep pulled her from her thoughts.
Subject: Caught You
Aanya,
Why do I get the feeling that more than Ruhi, her aunt is desperate to see me? I hope she’s got some secret agenda prepared for when I land.
Ruhi’s Curious Uncle,
Reyansh
She laughed aloud, shaking her head. He had read her like an open book.
Reply: No Agenda
Ruhi’s Curious Uncle,
You might be half-right. I can’t wait to see how you react when you hold Ruhi. I’ve always wondered what your expression would be like.
As for personal agendas? None. Your visit is strictly for Ruhi.
Ruhi’s Aunt,
Aanya
She waited. Sleep tugged at her, but she couldn’t rest without seeing his response.
Her phone lit up again and her smile returned.
Ruhi’s Stubborn Aunt,
I have never held a newborn before. But strangely, even I can’t wait to feel her in my arms. Let’s see how that goes.
If this visit is strictly for Ruhi, and there’s no hidden personal agenda from her Aunt, then I might just make it a one-day trip. Meet Ruhi and fly back the same evening… without meeting her Aunt.
Ruhi’s Depressed Uncle,
Reyansh
Aanya frowned at the screen. A one-day trip? And not even a plan to see her? Was he serious? How could he be this rude… this annoyingly indifferent? She couldn’t hold back her reaction.
Ruhi’s Rude Uncle,
If you’re expecting me to beg you to come here and meet me… don’t hold your breath.
Ruhi’s Adamant Aunt,
Aanya
The reply came in under five minutes. She hadn’t expected anything less from him.
Ruhi’s Aunt,
I enjoy challenges… and I win them all.
You will beg me to come to you… to see you… to spend time with you. And I will only board the flight once that happens.
Don’t make me wait too long.
It’s late there. Go to sleep and dream about me. But please, don’t see me sleeping with another woman again. I wouldn’t tolerate it, not even in your dreams.
For a change, why don’t you dream of me sleeping next to you? Just sleeping, mind you. No crossing lines. I promise to behave… even in your dreams.
Goodnight, Aanya.
Ruhi’s Aunt Dreamer,
Reyansh
Aanya stared at the message, her fingers frozen above the keypad. What could she possibly say to that? Would she ever beg him to come see her? She hoped not. She couldn’t be that desperate for him… could she?
But deep down, a sliver of doubt slid in, because the thought of him not showing up actually made her heart twist.
And as for dreaming of him sleeping next to her?
Damn the man.
Even from miles away, he knew exactly how to rattle her composure and stir something dangerous in her chest. She pressed her phone to her heart for a second longer than necessary, then curled up under the blanket, hugging the pillow close.
Just as he had hoped, his face flickered through her mind… flashes of him asleep beside her, his arm wrapped loosely around her waist, drawing her close to his chest. No words spoken, no deliberate touches… just the quiet comfort of his presence behind her as they slept.
And it felt heartbreakingly real.
For the first time in weeks, Aanya didn’t wake up missing him. She woke up from dreaming of what it might feel like to finally have him back.