CHAPTER 39 #2
While he enjoyed meals with his sister and others, Aanya’s email reply buzzed on his phone.
Husband,
The meeting’s over. Had lunch with Shikha. Thanks for the reminder. I’d almost forgot the meds.
P.S. Did you really talk to that doctor yourself? What else did she say?
Curious,
Wife.
*****************
Wife,
Forget everything, except taking that medicine. Unless, of course, you’re secretly planning to delay having our baby.
I spoke to the doctor last week. She said if you continue the medication for a year, we’ll be in a good place to plan for our future family.
Husband.
**************
Reyansh,
That was a low blow. Don’t you dare imply I don’t want a baby with you. You have no idea how much I want that. How much I dream of it. I’ve never skipped a dose. I’ve even set reminders to make sure I don’t. I’m not careless.
Aanya.
***************
Wife,
I notice when you’re mad at me, you drop the “husband” and “wife” and use our names. Doesn’t matter how much we argue…we’re still us. I’m sorry if I hurt you. That wasn’t my intention.
Husband.
*************
Husband,
I’m sorry too. I overreacted. My mood’s been off ever since that client meeting. But it’s handled.
P.S. One year before we start planning a baby? Isn’t that a bit too long?
Wife.
***********
Wife,
What happened in that meeting? Are you okay?
P.S. We need that one year for ourselves. No third wheel yet. We’ve lost so much time already. We need to catch up on what we missed.
Husband.
*************
Husband,
I’ll tell you everything when I’m home. It’s not something I want to explain over email.
Yes, we definitely have a lot to catch up on… but for now, let me get back to work. Just give me an hour. We’ll continue our chat after that.
I love you.
Wife.
*************
Wife,
I love you. Infinitely... and beyond.
Husband.
Later That Day
Reyansh spent the afternoon playing with Ruhi after her long nap. Parenting didn’t come naturally to him, but he knew he’d have to step into that role someday and this was good practice.
“Reyansh, I’ll feed her the baby food,” Radhika said, entering with a small bowl in hand.
“I’ll do it,” he offered, surprising her.
“You?” she blinked.
He nodded, and she handed the bowl over. Reyansh settled Ruhi on his lap and fed her slowly with the spoon. She ate without fuss. Radhika, touched by the moment, quietly recorded a video of him and sent it to Aanya who was just wrapping up her day.
The video melted Aanya’s heart. Her husband doting over a baby…it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. On her way down from the office, she video called him.
“Hi baby,” she beamed. “I saw you feeding Ruhi. Di sent me the video.”
Reyansh looked confused. “She recorded that?”
“Hmm. You were amazing. I’ve always known you’d be a great father.”
He blushed.
“You’re coming home now, aren’t you?”
“On my way!”
“Where to?” she asked. “Di’s house or—”
“Penthouse,” he cut her off, the need in his eyes unmistakable.
She giggled and blew him a kiss before hanging up.
Penthouse – Night
“Now, tell me,” he said, handing her a mug of hot coffee. “What happened at that meeting?”
An hour had passed since she returned from work. The first half had been a blur of kisses and laughter. The next twenty minutes she’d spent showering…alone, thankfully. For the last ten, she’d been bracing herself to tell him the news while he brewed coffee.
As he sat beside her, snapping his fingers playfully to get her attention, she set the cup down and met his gaze.
“My client extended the contract.”
He arched a brow. “Meaning?”
“Meaning Shikha and I have to stay in California for another year.”
Reyansh went still. A full year? That was... heavy. He didn’t like it, but he respected her work too much to argue. She had built her career brick by brick, and he knew what it meant to her. Forcing her to choose between love and ambition would never be an option.
“That’s amazing,” he said, masking his emotions. “US clients are hard to impress. This says a lot about your dedication.”
She saw through his smile, of course.
“You’re okay with another year like this? Long-distance?” she asked softly.
“If that’s what it takes, yes. Or better…I’ll shift my work here. I run my business; I can run it from anywhere I want. That way, we don’t have to be apart at all.”
Then, he cupped her face.
“Come on, baby. It’s not something we can’t handle. We’ll face it together,” Reyansh murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
Aanya closed her eyes as his lips touched her skin. The warmth soothed her, but it couldn’t stop the lone tear that slipped from the corner of her eye. Reyansh noticed it the moment he pulled back. He reached out to wipe it away, but she caught his hand instead and pressed it to her chest.
“I knew you’d say that… for me,” she whispered. “But I’ve already made up my mind.”
His gaze locked on hers.
“I told my boss I won’t be extending my stay here once the first year ends.”
“What?” he asked, stunned. “Why?”
“Because I want to be with you, Reyansh. I know this job matters to me, that building a career is important. But not if it costs us .”
Reyansh had been prepared to accept whatever she decided. But hearing her say it…choosing him over everything else…shattered the last wall around his heart.
“You’re sure about this?” he asked quietly. “Aanya, I can make adjustments, but if you do this, it might mean giving up this job entirely. If you refuse to stay on with this client, your boss might not offer you anything back in Delhi either. Are you ready for that?”
She nodded without hesitation. “I’m ready for anything as long as I’m with you.”
He pulled her into his arms.
“And I’m always with you,” he whispered.
“I know,” she breathed against his chest. “And who said there are no other companies in Delhi? I’ve got experience now. I’ll find something new.”
He believed her. The location never mattered. Their togetherness did. That alone was enough.
“You’re absolutely sure?” he asked again, needing to hear it once more.
“Completely. Now let’s put this behind us,” she said, inching closer with a teasing smile. “And seal it with a kiss?”
She blushed when he grinned—and when their lips met, it was soft and slow, filled with the promise of tomorrow. But she pulled back suddenly.
“By the way, Kyle called,” she added.
Reyansh groaned at the interruption.
“She and Dad are planning to visit next month, for a week. Isn’t that great?”
He nodded, genuinely happy. Aanya’s bond with Kyle was mending, piece by piece. They didn’t speak daily, but three times a week was a miracle in itself.
“I was thinking,” she said, tilting her head, “maybe we should offer for them to stay here… with us. It’s a big house. What do you think?”
He didn’t argue. He knew her well enough by now, if he said no, she’d only find a way to convince him later.
“This is your home too… so, whatever you want, baby.”
She squealed softly, pinching his cheek. “I love you for this.”
She flung her arms around him and held him tight.
“And I love you…for everything ,” he murmured, burying his face in her hair.
“ Until infinity ,” they said together, in perfect sync—neither of them realizing that while they built this little cocoon of love, a storm loomed just around the corner, waiting to tear through it all.