ICT One Shots

The wedding anniversary 2

Thanks for so many votes.
But I don't understand. If you can vote.

Whats five more minute to appreciate what I have wrote.?

You know its fun to read comments. But i understand you may find it time consuming.
And everyone isn't vella like me.

So here is the next lart.

_______________

Around noon, sunlight filtered softly through the sheer curtains, warming the edges of the room with a golden haze. The house was silent, save for the occasional rustle of the leaves outside and the hum of the air conditioner.

Sakshi stirred first.

Her lashes fluttered open, brow twitching as the dull ache in her head reminded her of the morning's chaos. She blinked slowly, the ceiling above her unfamiliar for a brief second—until her gaze tilted down and landed beside her.

Mahi.

Sleeping with his arms still wrapped around her like a shield. One arm tucked beneath her shoulder, the other sprawled across her waist, his fingers unconsciously curling into the hem of her kurta, like he was terrified she'd disappear again.

She turned slightly, wincing at the faint throb behind her temple, but her attention was stolen by the sight of him—so close, so vulnerable.

His brows were furrowed even in sleep. Lines etched deep around his eyes, his jaw clenched even though the rest of him looked melted against her.

Sakshi whispered, brushing her fingers softly through his hair, "Are you not sleeping peacefully, baby?"

But he didn't respond—at least not with words.

He simply shifted, almost instinctively, and nuzzled deeper into the crook of her neck, his breath fanning warm across her collarbone. One hand slipped behind her back, pulling her impossibly closer, like his body knew no rest without hers wrapped around it.

She froze for a second—just watching him.

Her hand came to rest on his head, fingers threading through the disheveled strands as she softly murmured, "You look like a baby."

Her heart gave a slow, aching tug.

There was something so deeply childlike about him in that moment. Something heartbreakingly unguarded. This was not Captain Cool, not the man the world saw. This was her Mahi—raw and stripped of all the weight he wore so effortlessly for everyone else.

"Aww," she smiled softly, "you look so cute while sleeping. Who can say that this handsome hunk—who will be turning 44 in three days—is just a baby inside?"

She chuckled under her breath, mindful not to wake him, but her voice caught a little.

Because beneath that playfulness, was a pang of something deeper.

He looked tired. Not just physically.
Worn. Heavy. Like he was carrying years of unsaid things, unresolved guilt, and quiet battles no one saw.
And she suddenly remembered how he'd pulled her along like a man possessed. How he'd refused to meet her eyes. How he hadn't spoken a word after the hospital, hadn't let go of her hand either.

His eyelashes fluttered open, heavy and reluctant, as if waking up from an emotional exhaustion rather than sleep. His head still rested near her shoulder, but the moment his senses sharpened, he gently pulled away—careful not to meet her eyes.

Sakshi, who had been running her fingers through his hair a second ago, instantly brightened.

"Look who's awake!" she grinned, leaning in. "Good nap, sleepyhead? You practically drooled on me."