Mafia's Heartbeat

chapter 13

Morning After Engagement

The morning sun bathed the haveli’s grand dining room in soft gold. The long wooden table was set with bowls of halwa, fresh puris, cut fruits, and warm milk — but in the midst of all the grown-up chatter, one soft voice stood out.

Tanuj sat curled up on the velvet dining chair, his knees pulled to his chest, wearing an oversized baby-blue kurta that nearly swallowed him whole. His bottom lip jutted out in a pout.

Tanuj (mumbling): “No sugar. Me mad. No sweeties today.”
Nishant (softly): “But sweetheart… you only eat sweet things.”
Tanuj shook his head furiously, curls bouncing.

Tanuj: “Sugar made tummy hurt yesterday. So me no eat it. Nope. No.”
He pushed the bowl of halwa away with a whimper.

Everyone paused >until Nishant gently pulled the bowl back and scooped a small spoonful.

Nishant (coaxing): “Then just one bite? For me? Please, baby.”
Tanuj peeked at him through his lashes, eyes huge and uncertain.

Tanuj: “Only cuz you asked nice…”
He opened his mouth obediently, letting Nishant feed him.

Tanuj (chewing with a smile): “Yummy… still mad tho.”
Nishant chuckled, wiping a sticky dot from the corner of his lips with a tissue.

At the far end of the table, Aarav sat watching, a soft, unreadable expression on his face. His fingers were curled around a warm mug of chai, but his eyes were only on his baby brother  his little one, always lost in his own world.

He watched Nishant feed him. Gently. Patiently. With love.

And then, he smiled.

But Nikhil seated right beside Aarav  wasn’t watching the breakfast. He was watching Aarav. The quiet fondness in his eyes. The way he unconsciously leaned forward when Tanuj giggled. The way his brows twitched in concern when Tanuj hiccupped.

Nikhil (thinking): You don’t even know how beautiful you look when you care.

He reached for his tea just as Aarav did  their hands brushed. They both froze. Then quietly sipped without a word.

---

Across the table, Kritika was on the attack.

Kritika (teasing loudly): “Soooo Kai… when are we printing wedding cards for Raj Bhabhi?”
Raj, mid-bite, choked on his toast.

Raj (blushing): “Di! Don’t—!”
Kai (coolly): “He’s not your bhabhi. He’s just… Raj.”
Kritika: “Raj Bhabhi sounds nicer. And look at that blush!”

Raj ducked his head, ears burning. Kai pretended to drink his juice, but a very faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
---

At the head of the table, Rahul and Anjali sat side by side, hands lightly clasped under the table. They didn’t speak — they just watched. Their children. Their chaos. Their love.

Until Anjali leaned in.

Anjali (softly): “Look at those two.”

Across the room, Komal and Kamolika sat stiffly, untouched food on their plates, glaring — not just in anger… but in disgust.