While the Khanna home buzzed with laughter and the familiar clatter of breakfast dishes, just a few blocks away, the Malhotra residence was adjusting to the sudden return of its most unpredictable member-Siddharth Malhotra.
Anamika stirred awake with a half-frown still on her face. Though she'd fallen asleep in his arms the night before, murmuring empty threats about locking him out if he ever tried such a "surprise" again, she had secretly melted inside. It had been weeks since she'd had a proper hug that melted her tension like that.
The bed was empty now. She glanced at the clock-7:15 AM.
A delicious aroma wafted in from the kitchen. Her brows rose.
No way. Siddharth? Cooking
Now that was a surprise even bigger than his unannounced return.
She wrapped a robe around her and padded toward the kitchen, only to find Siddharth-shirtless, wearing track pants, and trying to flip an omelette with extreme focus. There was a mess of veggies chopped on the counter, a half-burnt toast in the toaster, and two mugs of half-filled coffee.
"Morning, chef," she said dryly, leaning against the doorframe.
Siddharth turned around with flour on his cheek and a sheepish smile. "I may have... underestimated your stove."
Anamika folded her arms. "What exactly are you trying to make?"
"Omelette... paratha... toast. I haven't decided yet."
She chuckled despite herself. "So basically, you're giving me a kitchen-themed disaster film to start my day."
"I missed this sarcasm," he muttered with a grin.
She walked in and began clearing up beside him, chopping the tomatoes properly while he observed.
"I was angry last night," she said without looking at him.
"I know."
"I had a really bad day at work."
"I figured."
"And then you showed up out of nowhere..."
Siddharth wrapped his arms around her from behind, his chin resting lightly on her shoulder.
"I was stupid. I should've called."
"You should have," she agreed, though her tone was much softer now.
"But... I'm glad I came back to you." His voice was a whisper against her skin.
Anamika didn't say anything for a moment. Then she placed the knife down, turned around, and looped her arms around his neck.
"Next time, I want flowers with the surprise."
He smirked. "You'll get a whole bouquet. With a backup omelette."
They laughed, their morning slowly filling with stolen glances, sizzling pans, and playful kitchen banter. And though the day ahead was busy-client meetings, site visits, more design headaches-for now, in this little chaotic kitchen, everything felt right.
Love wasn't always candlelight and roses.
Sometimes, it was half-burnt toast, flour-smudged hugs, and quiet forgiveness.
....
By late afternoon, the day had swept both households into their fast-paced routines.
At the Khanna Textiles Office, Vineet sat at his desk after finishing back-to-back meetings with the production and marketing teams. Though his face was composed as always, his mind occasionally drifted to Ruhana-wondering how her day was at the bank, if she had remembered to take her lunch, and if Ruhaani had finished that science assignment they'd started last night.
Just then, a message pinged on his phone. It was a photo from Ruhana-her lunchbox, half-eaten, with the caption:
"Your paneer paratha still winning awards. Also, survived another cranky senior manager. Love you."
He smiled, heart full, and quickly typed back:
"Always got your back, banker queen. Let's plan a coffee date tonight. Just us."
Meanwhile, across town, in the trendy glass-walled office of Studio AnSi Designs, Anamika sat cross-legged on her work chair, swiping through design ideas for a high-profile client who had the emotional maturity of a toddler. She was exhausted, yet oddly at peace. The reason? A little Post-it note Siddharth had sneakily placed in her laptop bag before she left home:
"You're fire, woman. Go burn those deadlines. PS: Dinner on me."
She had smiled like an idiot when she found it.
That evening, as the sun began to mellow and traffic thickened across the city, both couples found their way back to their partners.
---
As promised, Vineet picked up Ruhana from the bank right at 6 PM. She walked toward the car in her crisp navy saree, her hair pinned up, eyes lighting up at the sight of him leaning casually against the car with her favorite iced coffee in hand.
"For the banker queen," he said with a wink, handing it to her.
"And here I thought chivalry was dead," she teased, sipping happily.
"Chivalry lives where love breathes," he said, opening the door for her.
Back home, Ruhaani welcomed them with her usual dramatics.
"Papa! Mumma! I need help with this stupid English project! And guess what, we have to make a full length love story and a small skit!"
Vineet groaned, "Beta, I'm a businessman, not a theatre actor."
Ruhana chuckled. "Well, today you're both."
And just like that, their evening melted into a familiar rhythm-homework sprawled on the dining table, kitchen buzzing with snacks, soft music playing in the background, and the aroma of chai brewing.
---
Back at the Malhotras', Anamika walked in to find the living room lights dimmed, fairy lights blinking near the balcony, and Siddharth sitting with takeout containers and wine glasses.
"You really did this?" she asked, pleasantly surprised.
"Yup. No surprise entries today. Just dinner and a guilt apology."
She sat beside him, pouring the wine.
"Apology accepted," she said, clinking glasses. "But only because the lighting is good."
They laughed, ate straight from the containers, and talked about everything-the weirdest client of the week, the funniest moment on site, even silly TikTok trends Ruhaani had sent them on family WhatsApp.
Later, wrapped in a cozy blanket, Anamika rested her head on Siddharth's chest.
"You know, we're weird. And chaotic. But... we work," she whispered.
He kissed her forehead. "We more than work. We shine."
---
Two homes. Four people. Different temperaments. Different love languages.
But held together by one thing-unshakable love wrapped in everyday moments.
And as the city slowly drifted into night, so did they-tangled in laughter, peace, and the comfort of being seen.
......
To be continued....
