Long chapter Ahead...
Enjoy ❤️

Love Love
Srinidhi

SAANCHI
✨

It was still 6:30 am in the morning when I stepped back home. I didn't want to wake up Nishchay. I knew he was busy with all the hospital administration. Although it looked easy handling everything online he was working 14+ hours a day so I decided to simply unlock the door with my extra key. I removed my sandals and placed it outside the house. I was anyways planning to discard them.

After unlocking the door I took slow steps inside. I saw the curtains were still on and the rooms were dark although little sunlight peeping in. Winter nights at Dhaulpur were longer compared to mornings. Sunrise happened just sometime ago. I was super tempted to go to see my Kyra first but her safety was important. So first things first I went to my room and discarded my face mask and stripped down to have a warm shower. The solar wouldn't be too hot now but I didn't have the patience to wait for gyser to heat up so I took a quick shower.

Wrapping myself in a towel I walked out of the bathroom. It felt good coming back home and I was surprised to see Nishchay had managed to keep this room clean even in my absence. I smiled.

I went towards my cupboard and began searching for fresh pair of clothes. I picked a pair of pajamas and tshirt. I wasn't planning to take rest so I picked my sports bra and a matching pair of panties. My eyes fell on the mirror and suddenly I remembered what happened months ago when Nishchay saw me in a towel.

Damn it!!! I didn't want that to repeat. I didn't remember if I had locked the door so I went and checked upon the knob. Thankfully it was locked. I breathed a sigh of relief.

I quickly began dressing up. I wore my inners and wore my Pajamas but suddenly I heard a commotion at the door and before I could react I heard the knob unlock and before I could speak up the door slammed open leaving me speechless.

Nishchay stood there with his eyes and mouth wide open and I suddenly realise I haven't worn my tshirt. He stands frozen there. I'm standing in my sports bra infront of him and I didn't know what to do. In one go I pulled out the blanket from the bed and covered myself and probably that brought him out of his shock and he simply turned around saying

'I..I..I didn't know you were coming!!!' he was stuttering.

'I had locked the door!' I said still trying to absorb what happened.

'I...Uh...I have the spare key to this room!' he said hesitantly.

I turned around and looked towards him via the mirror. He was in his black sweatpants, and his usual white tshirt. He looked leaner and hotter.

Hotter??? What the!!! Stop it Saanchi! Think straight! And first cover yourself!!!

I gulped and wore my cream colored tshirt and said

'I ....Uh...I tried calling you but you didn't pick my call so I had dropped you a message.'

'I....I was working late...I ...may have missed!'

Idiot. Like he cares!!! Huhhh!!!
He hasn't picked my calls from my personal number until and unless it was anything related to Kyra or if I called him from my official mobile number.

'Its ok!!! You can turn around!' I said and he turned around and looked at me. His gaze lingered over my face for a longer time. I narrowed my eyebrows. I was not able to garner his thoughts. Those eyes spoke volumes but his stiff face was making it difficult for me to understand what was running inside that little brain inside.

'I...I am making waffles!!! It's Kyra's first day to school today!' he said.

Waffles??? Early in the morning???
That's sugar+flour+lots of chocolate and more sugar and some more sugar!!! A big no no!!!

'Nishchay...Stop!!! I...I don't think Kayu should eat Maida (refined wheat flour) plus she recently had a stomach worm. Sugar isn't good for her.

I will make Aloo Parathas for her. She loves them.' I said and Nishchay simply nodded.

He didn't argue? I didn't know if that was improvement or ignorance. I didn't want to really overthink this. I was dying to take my daughter in my arms. I was craving a hug from her.

'I...Uh...I... wanted to see Kayu. She woke up?' I asked him.

He didn't turn around and said
'Nope! Yet to wake her up. I will-'

'May I? I...I missed her so much!' I said and he turned around and looked into my eyes. We were standing few metres away from each other. I wasn't able to read his expressions again. I spoke up...

'Nishchay...are you still upset with me for not listening to you. You can see I'm safe and sound and Jassi was a great p-'

'I will boil the potatoes Saanchi. You...you can wake up Kyra!!! She... she should get ready.' he said interrupting me and walked out of the room without even waiting for a word from me.

✨

My daughter was cutely cuddling my teddy bear. I smiled seeing her after months. Without knowing my eyes went moist. She was a big girl today. She was going to attend her school today. Ofcourse it would be online. She would miss the experience of going to school for the first time. She may not have those memories like Nishchay or I had. But then I was still excited for her new experience.

I slowly went and sat next to her on the side of her bed and caressed her hair. I slowly bent down to leave a small kiss on her forehead and whispered

'Good morning Jaan (life)' and she slowly opened her eyes only for my eardrums to damage with the loudest scream ever.

'Mummaaaaa!!!' and the next second my sleepy little one was all super activated. Never have I ever seen her wake up so fast. She isn't a morning baby but still today that excitement on her face, that want, that need made me realise it's not just I who missed her. She missed me too.

Atleast she missed me ..unlike others who didn't bother to even call.

She smothered my face with wet kisses and pressed her head in between my breasts and threw her arms across my neck. Her little nails were still hurting me but I didn't care. I wanted this. I was dying for this hug.

I don't know for how long we hugged each other.

'You won't leave me and go again na Mumma?' she asked and I nodded.

She hugged me back.

✨

'Good morning Pa' she said taking a seat on the chair while I served her hot Parathas and Nishchay was busy mixing her milk chocolate.

'Mumma feed me please' she said and I smiled. I was about to feed her when Nishchay spoke up suddenly

'Kyra...you are a big girl now. You are going to school from today. Learn to eat your meal yourself!!!'

'But Pa it is still in Kayu's room na!!!' she said but Nishchay simply shot her a look saying

'Another 3 months and you will be 5 Kyra. Big girls eat themselves. And yes your school is right now from your room but soon you will go to school like Sufi used to...so nothing doing just eat!!"

'But Pa...I want Mumma'

'Nishchay it's ok! It's her first-' but before I could say anything he sat next to Kyra saying

'Can Pa feed you? Mumma is busy!!!'

I was not. What is he trying to do.

'I am not busy Ni!!!' but he beat me again into this by saying

'Saanchi...you please take some rest. I will feed my daughter!!!' he said and I don't know why the 'my' pricked me.

'Ours!!!' I said firmly.

He looked at me asking 'Sorry!"

'Ours!!! Kyra is our daughter and No!!! I am not busy. I can feed my child' saying I simply sat next to her and began feeding the Paratha.

Eventually Kyra ended up eating from both of us. A morsel each from her Pa and from her Mumma.

✨

Kyra was a smart child. She knew most stuff in the portion already. She was a fast learner but because the school expected one of the parents to be around because the classess were online. Nishchay introduced Kyra to the teacher and the students making sure her attendance was marked.

But soon I noticed Nishchay pulling out his laptop and settling in Kyra's room. The classes had begun. I made a coffee for Nishchay and offered him. He scanned me top to bottom like he was thinking twice before accepting the coffee from my hand however he took it with a straight face.

'Nishchay...I am free...I can be there for Kyra. You can continue your work!!! I don't have any appointments till afternoon'

To which he simply sipped onto his coffee saying
'Its ok Saanchi. You can go. I will be with Kyra. You don't need to bother.'

'I am not bothered in fact I'm happy. It's Kayu's first day and I would be more than happy to-'

'Oh...but don't you have you have to take permission maybe from your new boss!!!' the tone he said new boss irked me. But I still calmed myself down.

It's just a question Saanchi. Calm down!

'No I don't have to...I know my schedule and aren't you the admin...you definitely know my schedule better'

'I don't!!!'

'What???'

'I said I don't!!! I manage the hospital staff, management...I manage the business and those are ...my duties. Taking care of your appointments is a receptionist's job and I trust in our hospital staff. They do a great job. I am not like your 'New boss' to micro manage everything!!!'

That's the second time he was pointing towards Jassi. My jaw was ticking. I wanted to give it back to him but I calmed down again.

'Nishchay!!! I can manage my home and my baby side by side. Have done that for the past four months can do that in future too. So please. Go to your room and do your work. I am here for my child!!!' I told him in a firm tone. Anger was oozing within me but he smirked saying

'Ofcourse!!! You have learnt it from your 'New boss' na how to do multi tasking. We are humans but he...is the reincarnation of God!!!' he said sarcastically standing up from his place folding his laptop and taking a step closer to me. Suddenly I realise how close we are. His brown eyes shot into my black ones. His eyes were still expressionless but suddenly his gaze shifted to my lips and that made my chin quiver. I held onto my breath. But like the spell broke he took a step away and left Kyra's room. The minute he walked out I took a deep breath.

Damn he effects me like hell.

In the evening I walked into Nishchay's room and offered him tea and some biscuits. He thanked me but I apologized because I noticed he was on a video call with management.

But I heard Jassi say 'Heyyy Saanchi...how are you?' he asked. I could feel Nishchay's grip on the mouse tighten. He still didn't like Jassi.

'I am good Jassi. I didn't mean to interrupt the meeting. I didn't know you folks were.'

'Hey don't be so formal. You were here until last month so it must be Nishchay who must be really missing his wife' before I could say something Nishchay said

'I think it's a board meeting and you can call Dr Saanchi later. I am sure you folks have been together for soooo long so Mr Karry can the chitchat wait. We are talking about vaccine drives here. It's a serious topic!' he said and I was embarrassed. I had to talk to Nishchay. This wasn't healthy.

When Nishchay came to drop the cup and bowl into the kitchen sink I spoke up

'Nischay!!! I know you must be upset that I didn't listen to your words but please listen to me that last four months weren't easy for me too. I have seen people dying regularly infront of my eyes but it was my duty to protect and cure as many as possible. I know you don't have a good opinion about Jassi but he is just a good friend Nishchay. He has alw-'

But he didn't let me complete the statement and said
'Saanchi.... I respect your profession and I am proud that you were a corona warrior. I don't know why I was... You know...just... maybe I was still pissed that you went without listening to me...I misse...Kyra...Kyra missed you...we we...missed you...we were worried for your safety. And I'm sorry if I ...Just forget everything. You...you take some rest. I will prepare for the dinner'

'I will make it Nishchay. And thanks for understanding' I passed him a smile. But he suddenly took a step closer to me. My heart began its marathon again. He slowly tucked a strand of hair that was falling on my left cheek behind my ears. I shuddered under his gaze.

'Your hair has grown longer...' he whispered and my voice was stuck in my throat. I didn't know what to say. I wet my lips with my tongue saying

'Yyyyup... parlours haven't opened so...ummm' I was trying to avoid meeting his eyes but he was shamelessly looking straight into my eyes. Is he drunk? Maybe he had a little that's why...

'I....Ummm...I have to be with Kyra' saying I ran out of the kitchen to Kyra's room. I was trying to get a hold of my poor heart which was beating like it would explode today.

That man is dangerous!!!

✨

'Kayu...last morsel come on eat quickly!!!' I fed her dinner and although she whined but she finished her food. She was still a baby but was a school going one now. So I decided to put her to sleep by 8pm. So she sleeps well. I wanted my child to inculcate the best and healthiest habits.

Nishchay was ok since evening. But everytime he was looking at me I felt butterflies in my stomach which I knew weren't good for me. I know he feels nothing for me but his gaze...that smile is driving me crazy. Either he must stop or I will loose my shit. I don't know what games was he playing with my little heart. I had to convince myself every single second that this is nothing and that he doesn't feel for me.

My reverie was broken when Kyra said
'Mummmaaa...will you read me a story today!'

I smiled and nodded but Nishchay beat me into it saying
'This is cheating Kayu...Mumma came back so you ditched Pa is it? Even Pa wants to join the team!!!' and suddenly Nishchay's gaze shifted towards me. The mischievous tint I saw today evening was back. Is he planning to kill me?

We were in Kyra's room. I made Kyra lie down and sat on her left while Nishchay sat on Kyra's right. I was about to read out Saanchi's favorite Elsa's story when my phone rang.

It was Jassi. I noticed how Nishchay's expressions changed but I couldn't avoid Jassi he was a friend but also my boss.

'I have to take this. This is important!!!" i said and Nishchay said 'Ofcourse!!!'. I walked out of the room.

Jassi wanted me to provide assistance to Dr Verma for a second opinion in a critical case. The call went over for more than 2 hours. Jassi and Dr Verma thanked me and we finally disconnected. I noticed the clock was ticking 11.

I walked into Kyra's room and noticed Kyra sleeping on Nishchay's chest. I couldn't help but smile. I walked into the room and looks like it disturbed Nishchay's sleep. He slowly shifted Kyra onto the bed. Covered her with quilt and walked out of the room without even sparing me a look.

He was pissed. I tried calling him out but he walked into his room like he was possessed and without even listening to me slammed the door with a loud thud such that I shivered at once.

He was fuming.

I didn't know what to say so I slowly took a seat in the living room but that's when I heard something break and that noise came from Nishchay's room.

What the hell was that?