“Bacha thodi na hu. Chala jaaunga, Priya.”

(I am not a kid. I will go, Priya.)

She nodded and they went to her parents to inform them about Atharva’s return.

“Achha laga tumse milke beta.”

(It was nice to meet you.)

Her mother said when Atharva bent down to touch her feet. He smiled and then touched her father’s feet, who patted his back affectionately.

“Khush raho. Ab toh aate rahoge na milne?”

(Be happy. You will keep coming to see us now?)

“Jee sir.”

(Yes sir.)

Atharva said and the tips of his ears turned a bit pink. Priya frowned in confusion. Atharva moved towards the exit and Priya escorted him out.

“Aise kyu bola papa ne? Ki aap aate rahoge milne?”

(Why did papa say that? That you will keep coming to see him?)

“Arre wo business tips ke liye. Aur kya hoga?”

(For business tips. What else?)

He said too quickly and nervously. Priya nodded and walked him out.

“Arre mai toh bhul gyi. Aapko baat krni thi na. Batao kya tha?”

(I forgot. You wanted to talk. Tell me what is it?)

She asked and Atharva got nervous.

“Haan wo mai…”

(Yes I…)

“Priya!”

She heard one of her family members call and sighed in frustration.

“Tsk! Aa rhi hu! Boliye na Atharva!”

(Coming! Tell me Atharva!)

“It’s ok. Itni bhi important baat nhi hai. Tum jaao. Kal baat krte hai.”

(It was not very important. You go. We will talk tomorrow.)

Priya cupped his face and said.

“Everything is important to me when it comes to you, Atharva. Aapki chhoti se chhoti baat mere liye important hai. But haan…kal baat krte hai.”

(Even the smallest thing related to you is important to me. But yes…we will talk tomorrow.)

She then looked around to make sure no one was looking and quickly pecked both his cheeks.

“Good night! Drive safe! Ghar pahoch ke call krna. I love you!”

(Call me when you reach home.)

With that she rushed inside because she had been called the fourth time in the meantime. Atharva saw her retreating figure and smiled softly.

“I love you!”

He whispered to her retreating form and sighed with a smile. 

Priya reached his home the next day, knowing he would not be home. It was a working day and he would be in office.

“Good morning uncle!”

She greeted the cook who smiled and greeted her back warmly.

“Kaisi thi aapki party?”

(How was your party?)

“Arre bhut achhi thi uncle! Mummy papa itne pyaare lag rhe the na. Mai aapko photo dikhate hu.”

(It was very nice! Mummy papa were looking so pretty. I will show you the pictures.)

She quickly fished her phone out and showed him her parents picture. 

“Aap bilkul aapni maa pr hai madam.”

(You are completely after your mother.)

Priya giggled and said.

“Sab log yahi kehte hai. Lekin bolte hai ki meri harkatein mere papa jaisi hai. Wo bhi aise hi bade chill aur sunshine pookie hai.”

(Everyone says this. But they say my actions are like my father. He is also very chill and a sunshine pookie like this.)

The cook and her shared a laugh. Priya turned her head at her name being called. She frowned in confusion seeing Atharva standing at the entrance of the kitchen.

“Atharva? Aap office nhi gye aaj?”

(You did not go to office?)

She asked, getting off the counter and walking towards him. They reached the main hall and Atharva looked at her nervously. 

“Haan wo…tumse baat krni thi.”

(Yes I…I wanted to talk to you.)

“Achha haan! Kya baat hai aisi? Sab thik hai na Atharva?”

(Oh yes! What did you want to talk about? Is everything ok?)

Priya asked, taking a step closer to hold his hands. They were cold and sweaty. Priya felt his forehead.

“Tabiyat thik hai aapki? Itna paseena aa raha hai par shareer thanda hai.”

(Are you alright? You are sweating but your body is cold.)

“Haan wo…Priya…mai…I wanted to say that…”

(Yes…Priya…I…I wanted to say that…)

He broke off and gulped. Priya looked into his eyes and waited.

“Say what? Aap ghabra toh aise rahe ho jaise propose krne waale ho.”

(You are behaving as if you’re about to propose.)

She joked but her smile diminished when Atharva smiled. A smile that said that he was indeed going to do what she said.

Atharva took a deep breath and cupped her cheek.

“I’ve wasted a lot of time…not seeing you…not holding you…not loving you. I don’t want to waste anymore time, Priya. I don’t want to hide it anymore. I love you. I love you, Priya.”

He whispered and rested his forehead against hers. Priya released a wavered breath. Her heart hammered in her chest and she processed his words, trying to make herself believe that this was real and she wasn’t dreaming.

“You…you love me? Like sachi wala love?”

(Like real love?)

Atharva smiled and pulled back. He looked into her eyes and whispered.

“I love you. Sachi muchi wala love.”

(Real love.)

A giggle escaped her lips and she launched herself in his arms. Atharva held her securely and hid his face in the crook of her neck. They whispered their confessions into each other’s ears and held on tighter, not wanting to let go.

“Marry me, Priya! Please! Marry me!”

He whispered and Priya held on tighter. 

“Yes! Ok! I’ll marry you! I love you Atharva.”

He felt the tension and nervousness leave his body and relaxed as he held her close and securely to himself.

A few years later

Atharva felt something wet on his chest. He stirred awake and saw his 6 months’ son drooling on his chest. He had started sleeping shirtless when he realised his son loved sleeping on his chest.

It was as if his heartbeat worked as a lullaby for him. He felt a weight on his arm also and saw his wife drooling there.

A low chuckle escaped his lips as he held them close. His arm ached a little, stiff from the weight but the pain also felt like heaven. Holding her in his arms.

A few years back, if someone had told him that someday, this would be his future, he would have laughed it off, calling it to be utter nonsense.

But now, this was his world. A world he cannot imagine his life without. 

Just as he held her closer, his alarm rang. Atharva groaned and sighed. He got up carefully, and placed his son in his baby bed, covering him and patting his chest softly. 

He then went back to the bed and laid beside Priya. 

“Wake up meri jaan!”

“Ummm! Bas thodi der aur.”

(Just a little more.)

She mumbled and snuzzled closer to him. He chuckled and kissed her head, holding her close. 5 minutes later, he softly shook her again.

“Priya! Utho ab! Late ho jaayega.”

(Wake up now! We’ll be late.)

She nuzzled her nose into his chest and sighed. Then, she slowly peeked up at him and grinned lazily. He leaned down and placed a quick peck to her lips. Priya made a disgusted face and wiped her lips.

“Eww! Atharva! Kitni baar bola hai aapse ki brush krne se pehle no kiss.”

(How many times have I told you that no kiss before brushing.)

Atharva grinned mischievously and leaned in again, making her shriek and run away. He laughed loudly and slumped back on the bed.

He heard a soft squeal from the baby bed and went to see his son awake. The blanket was thrown at a corner and his foot’s thumb in his mouth as he smiled and giggled at him.

Atharva picked him up and rubbed his belly, making him laugh. Priya came out after freshening up. She was wrapping her hair in a bun and smiled seeing the father-son duo playing.

She went toward them and placed a loud kiss on her son’s cheek.

“Meri kiss?”

(My kiss?)

“Brush kia aapne?”

(Did you brush?)

Priya asked sternly and he pointed out.

“Brush toh isne bhi nhi kia.”

(He also did not brush.)

“Usne daant nhi hai abhi, Atharva.”

(He doesn’t have teeth yet, Atharva.)

Priya deadpanned and Atharva pouted. He placed the little boy in Priya’s awaiting arms and went to brush his teeth.

He came out, brushing his teeth quickly and saw Priya breastfeeding their son. Without wasting another moment, he sat in front of her, cupped her cheeks and kissed her hard.

She looked at him in shock when he pulled back.

“Ye…ye kya tha?”

(What…what was that?)

“I love you.”

He whispered, giving her an eskimo kiss, rubbing his nose against hers gently. She bit her lip and leaned her against his chest, while patting their son who looked at the two of them with a curious look.

He kissed the top of her head and gathered the two in his arms. Priya smiled. She was right where she belonged. In his arms. 

And he had everything right there in his arms. His world.