Chapter 25 already on ScrollStack!!
This special update is coz now we are a family of 200 on Wattpaddddd😭❤️
Thnk u soo much for this guysss💟🫂
And ScrollStack readers u'll be also updated soon mostly tomorrow or Saturday😚
Anyways Happy Reading💕
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"Maaa maaa aaa baaaaaaa," Aarush squealed, reaching out his tiny hands to grasp at the air, trying to grab my attention.
"Yes, sweetheart, what is it?" I cooed as we made our way into the kitchen.
"Baa baaa oootthhaa aaa amm mamm," he babbled in his adorable baby gibberish, leaving me utterly clueless. "Oh, really?" I replied playfully, mirroring his excitement with a playful tone.
As I was about to lower him into his baby seat, Aarush suddenly protested, "Naaaaaa naaaa," and grabbed onto me tightly around my neck with his little hands and pressed his tiny feet against my waist.
"Don't want to sit, huh?" I asked, but it seemed as if my words went over his head, so I just chuckled in response.
While talking to Aarush in his baby voice, I roamed around the kitchen with him on my hip, fetching food from the fridge and heating it in the microwave. Aarush babbled something in his adorable gibberish that made me burst into laughter, his innocent babbling adding joy to our playful interaction.
"In the meantime, let's warm up some food for your Papa since he must be hungry," I said in a playful baby voice while talking to Aarush.
"Paaaa-paaa aaaa," Aarush replied, looking at me with his big, adorable eyes.
"Yes, Papa is hungry," I said, nodding in agreement and setting the timer on the microwave to heat the food.
"Paaapaaapaaaa aaaaammmm," Aarush bobbed his head as if he understood and began nodding along. I couldn't help but laugh at his antics.
"Aww my baby," I said, giving him a tight kiss on his chubby cheek.
Aarush grinned, and I sensed someone's gaze on my back. I knew who it was, yet I didn't turn around. I remained silent because I knew Aarav wanted to cherish this moment, watching Aarush.
"Aarush," I called out.
"Maaaaaaaaa aaaa," he called back in his baby voice.
"Oh, my baby!"
"Let's go call your Papa; he's been standing behind us for who knows how long," I whispered in Aarush's ear.
At the mention of Papa's name, his eyes sparkled. "Paaaaaaa aaa."
"Yes, he's behind us," I said softly and discreetly pointed with my free hand's fingers towards the direction behind us.
Aarush looked at me, confused for a moment. His eyes narrowed, and his lips formed a cute pout, creating an adorable expression. But when he saw the gesture of my fingers pointing behind us, he turned around.
As soon as he turned around, he beamed, "Aaaa dhaaaa," and my aim was spot on.
I turned around as if I had no idea, wearing an expression of innocence. "Oh, when did you arrive?" I asked, pretending as if I and Aarush were caught off guard by his sudden appearance.
Aarav looked a bit flustered as he nervously scratched his neck and replied, "Just now." Liar!
Just as the microwave bell chimed, signalling that the food was ready, I said, "Amm- aajaiye khana bhi garam ho gaya hai." I said slowly.
(Umm come the food is also heated)
Seeing that I was struggling a bit while trying to manage Aarush on my hips, Aarav helped me by taking out the dish from the microwave and nervously sat down at the dining table. He wasn't accustomed to all this; he seemed a bit uncomfortable. So, I thought I might as well have a bit more food, and I prepared a plate for myself too.
When both of our plates were ready, Aarav asked, "Haven't you eaten yet?" Assuming he would.
"I had eaten earlier, but seeing the food again made me hungry, and I thought I could keep you company," I replied
Aarush wasn't willing to be separated from me; he didn't want to sit in his baby seat. So, I just ended up holding him in my lap.
As we began to eat, the atmosphere lightened up, and Aarav's discomfort seemed to ease a bit. Aarush, on the other hand, seemed delighted to be part of the mealtime, reaching out his tiny hands to grab at the food on my plate.
"Looks like someone's hungry too," Aarav remarked, gesturing towards Aarush.
"Yes, it seems like he wants to join in on the fun," I replied with a smile.
I kept my spoon aside and took a small bit of dal chawal and smashed it a little with my hands. And took it near Aarush's mouth, he seemed to examine it narrowing his eyes, and tried to grab it with his own hands but I was quick enough to move away.
"Naaa aaa mai khilari hu na" I cooed and again took my hands near his mouth, "You'll spoil your clothes baby"
(I am feeding you na)
Reluctantly Aarush brought his tiny mouth to my hands grabbed hold of my wrist and ate some chawal from it and started chomping on it.
As we silently began eating, Aarush chimed in with his adorable gibberish every now and then. After finishing our meal, it was time to clean up the kitchen. Aarav suggested taking Aarush, so I handed him over, and finally, Aarush went over to Aarav.
With Aarush happily settled with his dad, I started clearing the table and washing the dishes. Watching them together, I couldn't help but smile at the heartwarming sight and the thought of Aarav and Aarush bonding together.
With Aarav taking care of Aarush, I focused on tidying up the kitchen. As I wiped down the counters and washed the dishes, I could hear their- Nah only of Aarush's laughter echoing from the living room.
Aarav might take some time, and he's trying his best. I know this isn't easy for him; he has come a long way to reach this point, so it's natural for him to take time and gradually open up. I won't push him in any way because just seeing him trying brings me peace, and I have full confidence that Aarav will be a great dad to Aarush.
Though I haven't forgotten what Aarav said to Aarush in the past, the past is the past, and now that Aarav realises his mistake and is making an effort to rectify it, I believe in giving him that chance.
It's important to acknowledge his efforts and support him through this journey of fatherhood. Every step he takes towards bonding with Aarush is a step towards healing and building a stronger family. I trust in Aarav's love for Aarush and his commitment to being the best father he can be.
So, I'll be patient and understanding, giving Aarav the time and space he needs to form a deep connection with Aarush.
As I dried my hands and stepped out of the kitchen, I saw Aarush nestled in Aarav's arms sitting on the couch. Aarush's tiny fingers were exploring Aarav's face, brushing against his stubble, while Aarav looked down at him with a hint of curiosity and a small smile playing on his lips. Seeing this heartwarming scene, a wave of warmth washed over me, causing a pleasant shiver to run down my spine.
It was a moment of pure joy and connection between father and son, a sight that filled me with immense happiness and pride. Despite any past struggles or uncertainties, witnessing Aarav and Aarush bonding so tenderly filled me with hope for the beautiful future that lay ahead for our family.
I couldn't help but smile as I watched them, feeling grateful for this precious moment of togetherness and the love that surrounded us.
As Aarav gently rubbed his cheek against Aarush's, eliciting a delighted giggle from our son, a smile naturally spread across my face. Seeing Aarav's smile grow wider in response to Aarush's laughter sent a flurry of butterflies fluttering in my stomach. But suddenly, reality hit me like a slap in the face.
What's happening to you, Rhea? You can't allow yourself to feel these things. You agreed to this marriage solely for Aarush's sake, and Aarav has no expectations from this marriage either. His heart belongs to Sneha, always has, and always will!
And Aarav will never accept a girl like me. And when he learns the truth, he'll distance himself from me. And why wouldn't he? Rhea, you need to push these thoughts out of your mind.
This isn't right. When you know your heart is going to break in the end, why invest it in the first place? It's better to end things before they even begin, Rhea, please. It's for your own good.
As I watched Aarav and Aarush share a tender moment, my heart ached with conflicting emotions. On one hand, I yearned for the happiness that blossomed between them, while on the other hand, I felt the weight of the inevitable heartbreak looming over me.
I couldn't deny the connection that was forming between Aarav and Aarush, nor could I ignore the growing feelings stirring within me. But I knew deep down that pursuing those feelings would only lead to pain and heartache in the end.
Yet, as much as I tried to convince myself to stay away, my heart refused to listen. It continued to beat with longing, craving a love that I knew could never be mine.
Torn between my desires and my rationality, I felt lost and confused. But amidst the turmoil, one thing remained clear - I had to protect myself from the impending heartbreak, even if it meant sacrificing the chance at happiness.
With a heavy heart, I made a silent vow to keep my distance from Aarav, to bury my feelings deep within and focus solely on being the best mother I could be to Aarush.
It was a painful decision, but one that I knew was necessary for my own sanity and well-being. And as I forced a smile and joined Aarav and Aarush, I silently prayed for the strength to endure the storm of emotions raging within me.
"Let's go," I said, and both of them turned their attention towards me.
Aarav quickly hid his smile as soon as I approached. He nodded his head and scooped up Aarush. When Aarush caught sight of me, he started reaching out his hands towards me, so Aarav redirected him towards me. As soon as Aarush came into my arms, he rested his head on my shoulder and snuggled close, his adorable little arms wrapping around me.
As we headed upstairs, I gently patted Aarush's back, signalling him to sleep. Upon reaching the room, Aarav went straight to the study without saying a word or even glancing at me, perhaps he had some work to attend to.
I took a deep breath and began trying to soothe Aarush to sleep as we moved around the room. He quickly drifted off, tired after eating and playing. After gently laying him down in his cot, where he snuggled with his bunny soft toy, I checked the time and saw it was already two-thirty. Would he work until this late? I wondered silently as my gaze drifted towards the study room.
I thought about going there to ask him, but I felt a bit hesitant. What if he gets angry at me for disturbing him? I approached the door tentatively and knocked. After a moment of silence, just as I was about to leave and go to bed...
"Come in," I heard him say.
As I opened the door, the room was dimly lit, with a faint light emanating from the table. Aarav was lying halfway on the couch, engrossed in his phone.
"Aren't you going to sleep?" I asked nervously.
He lifted his gaze from his phone to look at me and casually replied, "I am sleeping."
My eyes widened in surprise. He was going to sleep here? But the couch wasn't that big. It was small, and he didn't seem to fit comfortably on it.
"Are you really going to sleep here?" I exclaimed.
He narrowed his eyes and casually responded, "Yeah."
"But...how will you sleep on this small couch?" I asked, puzzled.
Aarav glanced at the couch and shrugged, "I'll manage."
"No, you won't. It's too small for you," I insisted, stepping closer.
He glanced at the couch again and then back at me, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "I'll be fine, Rhea. Don't worry about me."
"But there's plenty of space in the bed, you know. It's much more comfortable, " I pointed out, gesturing towards the king-size bed that could easily fit three people.
Aarav glanced at the bed and then back at me, a hint of hesitation in his expression. "I don't mind sleeping here, it's fine," he insisted. Aarav hesitated for a moment, considering my suggestion. "I don't want to disturb you and Aarush," he finally said.
Aare but how will you disturb Aarush? He sleeps in his cot! I pointed out and I know where this is going.
Aarav hesitated for a moment before responding, "I don't want to make you uncomfortable," I knew it! And I am really grateful to him for thinking this.
"I know you don't want to make me uncomfortable, and I understand what you're thinking," I said softly. "But I'm fine with it, and if I were afraid, I wouldn't have let you come near me last night. I allowed you to comfort me. I know it's a bit weird to say this so soon, but I feel safe, Aarav. Here, in this house, with you."
Aarav seemed taken aback by my words, but after a moment of consideration, he nodded. "Okay, if you're sure..."
I smiled reassuringly. "I am. Trust me."
Aarav hesitated at first, but then he relented. As we entered the room, I quickly built a pillow wall to give us some privacy. It wasn't perfect, but it would do for the night.
We both settled into bed, each of us finding our own comfortable spot. As we lay there in the dim light, a sense of gratitude filled the room. Without saying a word, we both knew what the other was feeling.
In the silence of the night, our unspoken gratitude hung in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the trust and comfort we found in each other's presence. It was a moment of quiet understanding, a shared appreciation for the support we offered each other.
As sleep began to claim us, we exchanged a wordless thank you, knowing that our actions spoke louder than words ever could. Deep down, we both knew that we were grateful for each other's presence, for the sense of safety and security we found in the other's embrace.
But I need to keep a safe distance Rhea! My subconscious mocked me.
With that, I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment and security knowing that Aarav was by my side.
Stop it, Rhea!
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So Chapter 24 comes to an END!!
Did you guys enjoyed this Family Moment??
(Pls say yess pls say yess! This was the cutest chapter till now😭)
Which was your favourite part??🧐
And how do you feel about both of them trying to break the ice between them?
Well now I need your response here,
Sohow do you want Aarav and Rhea to confess their love to each other?
It's not like I haven't thought about it, but still, I just wanted your ideas so that I can make the Confession Part more interesting by combining all your ideas!
And to remind you, this is a slow burn, so it might take time! Also, it's really hard with a character like Aarav! 😊
The promo of Chapter 25 is in my instagram highlights!
Till then bye byee!
~𝑔𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑠_🦋