31
Chapter 31
Our First Date... Again
A week passed peacefully.
For the first time in years, Anaya wasn't constantly looking over her shoulder.
She still had difficult days.
There were moments when guilt resurfaced.
Moments when she wondered if things would ever truly be normal.
But every time those thoughts became too heavy, Kabir somehow managed to make her laugh.
Usually without trying.
---
Saturday morning...
Kabir was eating cereal while swinging his legs under the chair.
He suddenly looked at his mother.
"So..."
Anaya immediately became suspicious.
"So?"
"When are you going on your date?"
The spoon slipped from her hand.
"What?"
Kabir looked confused.
"You and Dad."
Anaya blinked several times.
"What makes you think we're going on a date?"
Kabir looked at her as if the answer was obvious.
"You smiled yesterday."
"...And?"
"You only smile like that when Dad calls."
Anaya covered her face.
This child observed far too much.
---
At exactly six in the evening, the doorbell rang.
Kabir sprinted to the door before Anaya could.
"Dad!"
Aarav smiled as he walked in.
"Hey, buddy."
Kabir crossed his arms.
"You're taking Mumma out."
Aarav glanced at Anaya.
Then back at Kabir.
"I am."
"Good."
Kabir nodded seriously.
"You both need it."
Neither adult knew how to respond.
Where did a six-year-old learn to speak like that?
---
Five minutes later, Anaya walked out of her room.
She had chosen a simple pastel blue kurti with white palazzo pants.
Nothing extravagant.
Just elegant.
Aarav looked up.
Then forgot what he was about to say.
Not because of the outfit.
Because she looked relaxed.
Comfortable.
It reminded him of the woman he'd fallen in love with years ago.
"You look..."
He paused.
"...beautiful."
The compliment was quiet.
Sincere.
Without exaggeration.
Anaya felt her cheeks warm.
"Thank you."
No teasing.
No awkwardness.
Just gratitude.
---
Before leaving, Aarav knelt in front of Kabir.
"I'll be back before bedtime."
Kabir nodded.
"I know."
"You'll stay with Dadi for two hours."
"Okay."
Then the little boy leaned closer and whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear-
"Don't make Mumma cry."
The apartment became silent.
Aarav gently smiled.
"I won't."
He didn't laugh.
He didn't brush it aside.
He answered seriously.
And Kabir seemed satisfied.
---
The restaurant overlooked a quiet lakeside.
Soft music played in the background.
The atmosphere was peaceful.
Exactly what they both needed.
For the first few minutes, neither spoke much.
It wasn't uncomfortable.
Just unfamiliar.
Eventually, Aarav broke the silence.
"I've been thinking."
Anaya looked up.
"That's dangerous."
He laughed softly.
"I deserved that."
The smile on her face stayed a little longer this time.
---
Their food arrived.
As they ate, the conversation slowly became easier.
They talked about work.
Kabir's obsession with dinosaurs.
His habit of hiding vegetables under his rice.
The time he'd tried to teach the neighbour's cat to fetch.
The memories came naturally.
Without forcing them.
For the first time, they weren't talking about pain.
They were talking about life.
---
Halfway through dinner, Aarav became unusually quiet.
Anaya noticed immediately.
"What happened?"
He looked down at his coffee.
"I missed his first day of school."
She reached across the table without thinking.
Her hand rested lightly over his.
"You didn't choose to."
"I know."
"But I still missed it."
His voice carried quiet regret.
"I can't change that."
"No."
She smiled gently.
"But you'll be there for his next one."
He looked at her.
The words eased something inside him.
He squeezed her hand once before letting go.
A small gesture.
Respectful.
Warm.
Never demanding.
---
When they left the restaurant, light rain had begun to fall.
Anaya looked at the sky.
"We forgot an umbrella."
"I didn't."
She turned.
Aarav opened the car door.
Then reached into the back seat and pulled out a large umbrella.
"You planned this?"
"I checked the weather."
She laughed.
"You've become prepared."
"I have a son now."
The answer came so naturally that both of them smiled.
---
Back at the apartment, they found Kabir waiting near the door.
The little boy looked between them carefully.
Then grinned.
"You smiled."
Aarav blinked.
"What?"
"Mumma smiled."
He looked at Anaya.
"That's good."
Kabir nodded proudly.
"My plan worked."
Anaya frowned.
"What plan?"
"I told Dad to buy your favourite chocolate before the date."
Both adults turned toward Aarav.
He looked completely caught.
"I may have received some advice."
Kabir puffed out his chest.
"I'm very smart."
"You are," Aarav agreed.
"The smartest."
Kabir looked pleased with himself.
Mission accomplished.
---
Later that night, after Kabir had fallen asleep, Anaya walked onto the balcony.
She found Aarav standing there, ready to leave.
"Thank you."
He looked at her.
"For tonight?"
"For not rushing me."
He smiled softly.
"I waited five years."
His eyes met hers.
"I can wait a little longer."
The words settled deep in her heart.
Because they weren't a promise to win her back.
They were a promise to respect her pace.
For the first time since their reunion...
Anaya felt hope.
Real hope.
Not because the past had disappeared.
But because the future finally seemed worth believing in.
To be continued...