⛧°。 ⋆༺ ＳＡＲＡ'Ｓ ＰＯＶ ༻⋆。 °⛧

Seven beautiful years had passed since our wedding, and life had blessed us with double the joy — our mischievous twins, Aarushi Shubman Gill and Aarush Shubman Gill, both now five years old and full of endless energy.

It was a slow, cozy Sunday morning. The house was wrapped in silence, with Shubman and the kids still fast asleep. I stood in the kitchen, humming softly as I stirred a pot of creamy pasta for breakfast, the aroma filling the air.

Suddenly, I felt strong arms wrap around my waist from behind, followed by two tiny pairs of arms clinging to each of my legs. I didn't need to turn around — I already knew. My little morning gang was up.

Aarushi's sleepy voice mumbled, "Good morning, Mumma..."
Shubman pressed a gentle kiss to my neck and whispered, "Good morning, wifey."
Aarush, still half-asleep, mumbled something incoherent against my leg before letting out a tiny yawn.

I smiled, leaning back into Shubman's chest as our little ones held onto me like sleepy koalas. Mornings like these — tangled in love, warmth, and pasta — were everything I'd ever dreamed of.

I giggled softly, still stirring the pasta, as Shubman's chin rested on my shoulder. Aarushi had let go of my leg and toddled over to the dining table, rubbing her eyes and mumbling something about chocolate milk. But Aarush — my little cuddlebug — tightened his grip around my leg like he was claiming his favorite toy.

Suddenly, Shubman poked his dimpled face in front of mine and said with a dramatic flair, "By the way, Aarush beta, your mumma is my wife, okay? So technically... she belongs to me."

Aarush looked up at him with wide eyes, clearly offended. "Nooo! Mumma is my Mumma! You go find your own!"

I burst into laughter, pasta forgotten as the two boys in my life began a very serious battle for ownership.

Shubman squatted to Aarush's level, hands on his knees. "But she was my girlfriend first, my fiancée, then my wife. You came way later."

Aarush gasped, absolutely scandalized. "That's cheating! You didn't ask me!"

"Ohhh, you want me to ask now?" Shubman teased, dramatically turning to me. "Sara, who do you love more? Me or this little boss baby?"

I crossed my arms, playing along. "Hmm... tough choice. One's super cute, loves cuddling and always says 'I love you, Mumma'..."

Shubman gave Aarush a mock glare. "That's cheating!"

"And the other one..." I smirked at Shub, "... steals my blanket, leaves his socks everywhere, and eats all the chocolate when no one's looking."

Shubman looked genuinely offended. "Excuse me? That was ONE time!"

Aarush giggled, victorious. "Mumma's mineeee!" he shouted and flung himself into my arms.

I bent down and scooped him up while Shubman dramatically fell backward onto the kitchen floor, clutching his chest. "Betrayed... in my own home... by my own wife."

Aarush laughed harder, now pointing at his dad. "Sowwy, Papa! Mumma's mine!"

I kissed Aarush's forehead and looked at Shubman on the floor, shaking my head at both of them. "Boys. Honestly. You two are the same."

He winked from the floor. "That's why you love us."

I smiled. That was exactly why.

Just as Aarush snuggled into my neck, smug with his victory, we heard the soft patter of little feet. Aarushi had returned from the dining table, now fully awake and sipping on her chocolate milk with a mischievous gleam in her eyes.

She placed the cup on the counter, walked straight over to Shubman — who was still lying dramatically on the kitchen floor — and without a word, climbed right onto his chest, sitting cross-legged.

Shubman blinked up at her. "Uh-oh. What's happening now?"

She leaned down, cupped his cheeks in her tiny hands, and said seriously, "Don't worry, Papa. You're not alone. I'm your little princess, remember?"

His eyes softened instantly as he placed a hand on her back. "You are, huh?"

She nodded. "Forever and ever. Even when I'm a big girl with a shiny crown."

"Aww," he cooed, pulling her into a tight hug. "Then Papa's going to build a castle just for you, Your Highness."

Aarushi grinned wide. "And you'll be my king."

"Deal." He kissed her cheek and looked at me with a smirk. "See, I still have one supporter in this house."

I laughed, my heart full as I watched the two of them cuddle on the kitchen floor — Aarush still in my arms and pouting a little.

"Mumma," he whispered, "am I your prince?"

I held him tighter and kissed his hair. "You're my sunshine prince. Both of you are everything to me."

Shubman sat up, now with Aarushi still clinging to his shoulders. "So... Mumma's yours, Aarush. Aarushi's mine. Fair deal?"

Aarushi gasped. "Noooo! I want Mumma too!"

Aarush perked up. "Okay fine. Then Papa has to be everyone's."

They both looked at each other and then at Shubman, shouting in unison, "You're ours now!"

Shubman sighed dramatically again. "I always knew I'd be outnumbered in this house."

I chuckled, wrapping an arm around all three of them. "And yet, you wouldn't trade it for the world."

He looked up at me with those familiar dimples and said softly, "Never."

It was one of those rare peaceful evenings. The kids were playing in their room, and Shubman and I had finally curled up on the couch with a cozy blanket, a bowl of popcorn between us, and a rom-com playing quietly on the TV. His arm was wrapped around my shoulder, my head resting against his chest as I traced lazy circles on his shirt.

"Finally, some us-time," he whispered, brushing his lips against my forehead.

I smiled, letting out a content sigh. "I missed this. Just you, me, and—"

Thud.

We both froze.

Another thud. Then came the unmistakable sound of tiny feet sprinting across the hall.

And before either of us could say a word, bam! Aarush flung himself right onto Shubman's stomach like a mini torpedo, yelling, "ATTACK ON DADDY!"

"Oof—Aarush!" Shubman grunted, trying to breathe while laughing.

Not even a second later, Aarushi came in, giggling like a maniac, and dove straight into my lap. "Operation Cuddle Crash successful!" she squealed.

I burst out laughing, the popcorn bowl nearly toppling as the twins wiggled in between us like two happy puppies.

"We were watching a movie," Shubman said dramatically, tickling Aarush in retaliation.

Aarush squirmed, shrieking. "Now you're playing with us!"

Aarushi cupped my cheeks. "Mumma, movie later. Family snuggles now!"

I looked at Shubman. He looked at me. And we both gave in instantly, pulling the kids in tighter as they giggled and wriggled.

I shook my head with a smile. "So much for romance."

Shubman leaned in, kissing my temple. "This is romance. Just with more giggles and smaller feet."

"And sticky fingers," I added, feeling Aarush sneak some popcorn into his mouth.

"Best kind of love," he whispered, eyes twinkling.

And just like that, the movie faded into the background — replaced by laughter, cuddles, and four tangled hearts in one warm blanket.

Aarush somehow managed to worm his way between Shubman and me, resting his tiny head right on his dad's chest. Aarushi was still in my lap, now playing with the ends of my hair, humming a random tune.

"Papa," Aarush said softly, "do you love Mumma more or me more?"

Shubman grinned, glancing at me with mock mischief. "Hmm... that's a dangerous question."

Aarushi immediately perked up. "What about me, Papa? I'm your princess, right?"

Shubman acted like he was deep in thought, tapping his chin. "I think... I love the one who gives me the biggest hug right now."

The twins exchanged quick glances and in a split second, pounced on him, wrapping their arms around his neck and stomach. He laughed loudly, falling back onto the couch, crushed by their love.

"Okay, okay! I give up! I love both of you. Equally. But..." he added, glancing slyly at me, "your Mumma is still my favorite."

I raised my brows playfully. "Excuse me?"

Aarush gasped. "Papa! You said you love us more!"

Shubman winked. "I lied. I always pick your Mumma."

Aarushi crossed her arms. "Then I pick Mumma too!"

Aarush followed suit immediately. "Me too! Mumma's team!"

Shubman looked betrayed. "Traitors in my own house? I brought you into this world!"

I giggled, holding onto the twins tightly as they smothered me with kisses. "Sorry, Shub. Looks like it's 3 against 1 now."

He held his heart dramatically. "I've been outnumbered. Betrayed by my own babies."

Aarush crawled up and kissed his dad's cheek. "It's okay, Papa. I'll still play cricket with you."

Aarushi nodded. "And I'll let you braid my doll's hair."

Shubman placed a hand over his heart. "Forgiven. You're all forgiven."

We lay there, in a warm pile of tangled limbs, laughter, and the soft glow of the TV dancing across the room. And as the kids slowly drifted into sleep, curled between us, Shubman laced his fingers with mine, leaned in, and whispered, "This is the best Sunday ever."

And I couldn't have agreed more.

It was a quiet, peaceful night. The kind of silence that wraps around you like a warm blanket. The lights were dimmed, the soft hum of the AC in the background, and Shubman's arm was lazily draped over my waist as we lay face to face, cuddled up under the sheets. His fingers were gently tracing patterns on my back, and every now and then, he'd press a soft kiss on my forehead.

"I missed this," he murmured, eyes half-closed.

"Mmm, what? Me in your arms or no kid yelling for water every five minutes?" I teased, brushing my fingers through his hair.

He chuckled. "Both. But mostly you. Just like this. Quiet. Close. Mine."

I was about to respond with something equally sappy when we heard a tiny knock.

Then came Aarushi's soft voice: "Mumma..."

Shubman groaned under his breath. "Oh no..."

I sat up, already smiling because I knew what was coming. The door creaked open slowly and two little heads peeked in.

"We can't sleep," Aarush said, clutching his dinosaur plushie.

"And I had a bad dream," Aarushi added, rubbing her eyes dramatically.

Before either of us could protest, they waddled in with their blanket dragging behind them. Shubman looked at them, then at me, and mouthed, "help me."

"Okay, come on," I said, scooting back to make space. Aarushi climbed into my arms like a little koala, snuggling close, and Aarush instantly took over Shubman's chest, as if it was his personal bed.

Shubman sighed dramatically. "So much for romantic cuddles."

I grinned. "This is romantic. Family cuddles."

He blinked at me. "You're really gonna say that while Aarush's foot is in my ribcage?"

I laughed softly, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "You'll live, Mr. Gill."

He mock-glared, then smiled as he looked down at Aarush snoozing on him and Aarushi fast asleep in my arms.

"I guess I'll take this version of heaven too," he whispered.

I nodded, heart full as I rested my head next to his. "Yeah... we're pretty lucky, huh?"

"Yeah," he said, pulling the blanket over all four of us, "the luckiest."

And just like that, in our cramped little bed filled with sleepy murmurs and soft giggles, we drifted off—wrapped in love, chaos, and two tiny humans who had us wrapped around their fingers.

I shifted slightly, pulling the blanket up as Aarushi turned in her sleep and clung tighter to me, her little fingers curling around my nightgown. I glanced at her cherubic face, her lashes resting softly against her cheeks, and then looked over to see Aarush sprawled across Shubman's chest, his tiny hand resting right under Shub's chin.

Shubman let out a barely-there chuckle.

I looked at him, amused. "What?"

He glanced at me with a warm, nostalgic smile and whispered, "I still remember when they were tiny... like really tiny. They used to curl up in one arm—one! And now look at them... occupying half our bed like they pay rent."

I let out a soft laugh, brushing a hand through Aarushi's hair. "They do pay, in tantrums and snack demands."

Shubman smiled and turned to look at Aarush, who had now kicked off the blanket in his sleep. He adjusted it gently and said, "Remember when Aarushi refused to sleep without holding onto your dupatta? Every night, without fail, she'd clutch it like her life depended on it."

I smiled, my eyes misting up a little. "And Aarush... always needing your heartbeat to fall asleep. You'd pace around the room for hours some nights, humming lullabies just to calm him."

Shubman shook his head, clearly lost in the memory. "And now he's out here drop-kicking me in the stomach in his sleep."

I giggled softly and leaned forward to kiss his temple. "Well, that's the evolution of love, Mr. Gill."

He reached out and caught my hand, lacing his fingers through mine between the sleeping kids. "If this is what growing up with them looks like... I'm in. All of it. The sleepy cuddles, the chaos, the lost space on the bed—every inch of it."

My heart swelled. I looked at our two tiny humans sleeping peacefully between us, and then at the man who was my whole world. I gave his hand a little squeeze.

"We really made something beautiful, didn't we?"

He nodded, eyes never leaving the kids. "The most beautiful."

And in that moment, with half our bed stolen by two tiny tornadoes, hearts brimming with memories, and fingers tightly entwined, we fell asleep again—cradled in the kind of love that only grows stronger in the stillness of the night.