"I don't want tears in these eyes, Shree," Madhav whispered tenderly, his touch soothing as he gently patted her cheeks dry with his palm. His touch sent shivers down her spine, igniting a warmth that spread through her entire being. Shree sighed softly, relishing the sensation of his palm against her cheek as she gazed into his eyes, each one filled with an ocean of love and charm. "I'll never make you cry!"

With a gentle yet firm hold, Madhav cradled her face in his hand, drawing her closer to him. Shree's breath caught in her throat as his fingers delicately intertwined with her untied hair, sending a shiver of anticipation coursing through her. As he tipped her chin up, she placed her hand on his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her touch.

Soft, tender kisses rained down upon her cheek, nose, and the corner of her mouth before finally landing on her lips. Each kiss was a sweet symphony, sending waves of pleasure coursing through her body. Shree whimpered softly against his lips, the sound a melody of desire that only fueled his passion further.

With a gentle yet firm hold, Madhav pulled her onto his lap, his lips trailing down her neck, leaving a trail of fiery kisses in their wake. Shree's moans filled the air as she felt the roughness of his stubble against her skin, each touch sending bolts of ecstasy coursing through her veins.

His fingers traced delicate patterns over her skin, exploring every curve and contour of her body with a reverence that left her breathless. Shree's fingers tangled in his dark hair, her grip tightening as she felt his hand slip beneath her kurta, his touch setting her ablaze with desire.

Every touch, every kiss, sent her heart racing with an intensity she had never known before. With each moment, she found herself yearning for more, her body craving his touch, his love, his passion. And as Madhav inhaled the intoxicating scent of roses that clung to her skin, he whispered those four words that would change their lives forever:

"Shree, will you marry me?"

* * * * *

"Life is funny. The man who promised never to make me cry, the same man who promised to keep me happy left me after getting me pregnant!" Shree smiled amidst her tears as she narrated her story to Nick, Olivera's boyfriend as she took the tray of freshly baked cookies from the oven.

"I'm sorry about that!" He says as he takes the tray from Shree. "I'll wrap it once they cool down!"

"But you should see how very strong Shree is! Balancing a degree, a new start-up and a pregnancy is not so easy." Olivera says as he whisks another bowl of batter. "She has totally forgotten about her husband. Haven't you?"

Shree nods half-heartedly.

"So how far along are you?" Nick asks her.

"Five months!"

"How many more months for the baby, then?" Nick asks curiously.

"Four more, crazy!" Olivera says tapping on his head. "Alright, Shree, how many cookies are we packing today and for whom?"

"It's for a little kindergarten nearby. It's run by an elderly couple. They want two dozen packs of cookies for the children."

"So, we have customers that quick?" Nick asks, his eyebrows raised in surprise.

Olivera smiles warmly. "Yes, Nick. Shree's cookies are in demand already."

Nick nods, impressed. "How much money are we making from this order?" he asks, curiosity evident in his voice.

Shree's smile grows a bit wider. "It's enough to cover our expenses and keep us going," she says. "It's not a huge profit, but it's a good start."

Nick looks around the kitchen, taking in the trays of cookies and the general hustle and bustle. "Can I help with packing?" he offers, his tone sincere.

Shree's face lights up. "Yes, that would be great, Nick. Thank you."

"Well then Oli and I will be in the dining room packing these good babies!" Nick says as he takes a tray of freshly baked cookies. "Join us quick!"

Suddenly, Shree felt a tingling sensation on the nape of her neck, like a whisper of cold air brushing against her skin. Her heart raced as a familiar voice echoed in her mind. It was Madhav.

"I missed you," the voice said softly, filled with a longing that made her chest tighten.

Shree shook her head, trying to dispel the illusion. "No," she whispered to herself. "He's not here."

The voice grew louder, more insistent. "Shree, I've missed you so much."

Her stirring became more frantic, batter splashing over the edges of the bowl. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the voice to go away, but it only seemed to grow stronger, echoing in her mind like a haunting melody.

"Stop it," Shree muttered, her voice trembling. She shook her head harder, trying to push away the very thought of him.

The room felt stifling, the air too thick to breathe. In her desperation to escape the voice, Shree's hand slipped, and she accidentally touched the hot oven door. The searing pain jolted her back to reality, and she yanked her hand away with a sharp gasp. The voice disappeared, leaving her in stunned silence. Shree washed her hand in cold water and decided to join her friends in the dining table.

"Shree," Olivera says, breaking the silence. "These cookies are amazing. The kids are going to love them."

Shree looks up from her work, a grateful smile on her face. "I hope so. I just want to make them happy."

Nick, carefully packing the cookies into boxes, nods in agreement. "You will. These cookies are like little pieces of happiness."

They continue working, the rhythm of their tasks creating a comforting routine. Shree feels a sense of accomplishment as they pack the last of the cookies, knowing that her efforts are bringing joy to others.

As they finish up, Olivera takes a moment to reflect. "You know, Shree," she says thoughtfully, "this is more than just cookies. This is about bringing a little bit of happiness into the world, one batch at a time."

Shree nods, feeling a sense of pride and fulfillment. "You're right, Olivera. And it's also about finding my own happiness in the process."

Nick looks up, a playful grin on his face. "Well, I think we've got a good start. And who knows, maybe this is just the beginning."

*****

As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over the streets of Lewisham, Shree, Nick, and Olivera got into Nick's minivan. The back was filled with neatly packed boxes of cookies, ready for delivery. 

When they arrived at the kindergarten, they were greeted by the sight of children playing in the garden, their laughter ringing through the air. The elderly couple who ran the kindergarten, Mr. and Mrs. Gate, were waiting for them at the entrance. They were a sweet, gentle pair.

"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Gate," Shree greeted them with a warm smile as they approached, carrying the boxes.

"Good evening, dears," Mrs. Gate responded, her eyes twinkling with delight. "Are these the delicious cookies you made for us?"

Shree nodded, her smile widening. "Yes, they are. We hope the children will enjoy them."

Mr. Gate shook his head, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "No, no. We can't just take them from you. Come inside and give the cookies to the children yourselves. They would love to meet the bakers."

Shree exchanged a glance with Nick and Olivera, all of them smiling in agreement. "It would be our pleasure," Shree said.

Inside, the kindergarten was bustling with energy. Children were running around, playing games, and drawing colorful pictures. The sight of their bright, innocent faces filled Shree's heart with joy.

As they handed out the cookies, the children's faces lit up with excitement. Shree felt a warm glow of satisfaction watching them enjoy the treats. She knelt down, chatting and laughing with them, her worries momentarily forgotten.

"These are delicious!" a little boy exclaimed, his mouth full of cookie crumbs.

"Thank you!" Shree responded, her heart swelling with pride and happiness.

Once the cookies were distributed, Shree noticed a beautiful little girl with jet-black hair running toward her parents. The girl had a radiant smile, her eyes sparkling with pure, unfiltered joy as she flung herself into her mother's and father's arms, hugging them tightly. The sight pierced Shree's heart like a dagger, and she found herself standing frozen, imagining what it would be like to have a daughter of her own, to share such tender, precious moments.

"If I had a daughter, she would look like this," Shree thought, her lips curling into a bittersweet smile. The image of the little girl wrapped in her parents' loving embrace was both breathtakingly beautiful and excruciatingly painful. It brought with it the devastating realization that her own baby might never know such a moment, might never experience the love of a father.

A deep, aching sadness settled in Shree's heart as she watched the family. The father's protective arm around his daughter, the mother's gentle, adoring smile – it was all too much. She felt a pang of longing so intense it was almost unbearable. Her eyes misted over, tears threatening to spill as she thought of her unborn child and the uncertain, lonely future that lay ahead.

Nick, noticing the sudden change in her demeanor, walked over and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You okay, Shree?" he asked gently, his voice filled with concern.

She forced a smile, though it felt like her face might crack under the strain. Her eyes, however, betrayed the depth of her sorrow. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... thinking," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

As they said their goodbyes to Mr. and Mrs. Gate and headed back to the minivan, Shree couldn't shake the image of the little girl from her mind. The drive home was a silent one, each of them lost in their own thoughts. Shree's heart felt heavy, weighed down by a mixture of emotions – the joy of seeing the children's happiness, and a profound, soul-crushing sadness for what her own child might miss out on.

Back at her apartment, Shree found herself standing by the window, staring out at the twinkling city lights. The day's events had left her feeling utterly drained. She felt a flicker of joy from seeing the children's happiness, but it was overshadowed by the deep sadness for her own baby's future.

She touched her belly gently, feeling the life growing inside her. A single tear rolled down her cheek, followed by another and another, until she was quietly sobbing. "I promise I'll give you all the love I can," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "Even if it means doing it alone."

The realization was like a punch to the gut. She would have to be both mother and father to her child, to fill every role, to provide all the love and support her baby would need. The enormity of the task ahead of her was daunting, but she knew she had no choice. She had to be strong, for herself and for her baby.

Her thoughts drifted to Madhav, and a fresh wave of pain washed over her. She knew she couldn't force him to care, to be there if he didn't want to be. But the thought of her child growing up without a father, without that love and guidance, was almost too much to bear.

In that quiet moment, standing alone by the window, Shree vowed to focus on the positives. The business idea that her friends had suggested was a good start, a way to channel her energy into something productive and rewarding. It would be a new beginning, a chance to build a future for herself and her child.

She took a deep breath, wiped away her tears, and straightened her back. She had to stay strong, not just for herself but for her baby. She had a support system in Nick and Olivera, and she was determined to make the best of her situation.

Lying in bed that night, Shree closed her eyes and let herself dream of happy times ahead, of laughter and love, and of the strength she knew she had within her. The road ahead might be difficult, but she was ready to face it, one step at a time.