WebNovels

Chapter 14 - Chapter 13

After one month —

Steam still clung to my skin as I rushed out of the bathroom, water droplets sliding down my collarbone. Vaishank sat on the bed, half-leaning against the headboard, the glow from his laptop softening the edges of his bare chest. Without a word, I crossed the room and threw my arms around him.

He stiffened, startled, then felt the tremor in me. "What happened, Amrita?" His voice lowered, calm yet alert. He caught my wrists, gently pulling back just enough to see my face.

I couldn't speak. A tear slipped free, trembling on my chin before I smiled through it. I lifted my hand, the white stick trembling between my fingers—two faint pink lines.

For a heartbeat, silence. His eyes widened, searching my face as though afraid to believe it. Then they softened, glimmering with tears before a smile bloomed across his lips. He caught me in a tight embrace, pressing a kiss to my forehead that lingered a little longer than usual.

"Finally," I whispered, laughter breaking through my tears. "There's going to be one junior Vaishank."

He shook his head, his voice low and full of warmth. "No. Junior Amrita."

I laughed softly. "Doesn't matter whose name it carries—as long as the celebration is grand."

He cupped my cheeks, his thumbs tracing my skin like a promise. The golden light spilled over his lashes as he whispered, "Yeah… the heir of our family."

When he leaned in, his breath mingled with mine. The kiss that followed was slow and deep, tasting of joy and salt, of every dream we'd once whispered half-awake. When we finally broke apart, he rested his forehead on mine, eyes closed, smile trembling.

"We should tell our parents," I breathed.

He nodded, still smiling. In that moment, he looked nothing like the composed businessman the world knew—just a boy who'd been handed his most precious gift.

---

That evening, laughter filled every corner of our home. The table was crowded—my mother, Sudesh and his girlfriend Anjali, Vaishank's parents, Nikhil, and Anita. The scent of sweets and jasmine garlands mixed with the clink of plates. Tiny baby clothes wrapped in ribbons sat beside boxes of ladoos, waiting to be opened.

I sat beside Vaishank, watching his dimples flash as he served everyone. My chest swelled with something wordless—peace, maybe. Gratitude.

When Sona aunty's phone rang, she tried to get up, but winced, pressing a hand to her knee.

"Wait, I'll get it," I said, already rising.

Vaishank's fingers curled around my wrist, tugging me gently back down. "Your husband's here, remember?" His grin was half-tease, half-claim. "Let me handle it."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop smiling as he crossed the room.

Anjali leaned closer, resting her chin on her palm. "You two are disgustingly perfect, you know that? Right, Sudesh?"

Sudesh laughed, lifting his fork like a microphone. "Yeah, finally our Chittu found her fantasy prince." He bowed dramatically, making everyone laugh until even my mom's eyes crinkled.

Later, after dinner, the lights dimmed and blankets were passed around as we settled in to watch The Conjuring. My mom, Sudesh, and Anjali shared one sofa; Vaishank and I sat a little behind them, half-hidden in the shadows.

The room hummed with the movie's eerie silence. A cold breeze slipped through the curtains, and I tugged the blanket closer—until fingers brushed lightly against my waist.

I froze. His hand lingered, tracing a lazy line up my side. The others were too busy gasping at the jump scare on screen. Vaishank didn't look at me, only smirked faintly, his gaze fixed forward.

My pulse raced. Every breath grew shallower.

"You look pretty even in the dark," he murmured, his breath warm against my ear.

A shiver ran through me. I bit back a smile, pretending to watch the screen, when all I wanted was to turn, grab his collar, and taste that smirk off his lips. But with everyone there, all I could do was grip the blanket tighter, my cheeks burning.

He chuckled under his breath, his hand still tracing small circles on my skin until I thought my heart might burst.

By the time the credits rolled, the room was quiet—everyone asleep under the soft glow of the TV. His arm draped around my waist, his palm resting over the place where new life began.

And for the first time since my father's funeral, I fell asleep smiling.

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