Chapter 18 – Learning to Stay

Ravi leaned back in his chair, his thoughts still circling around everything Veeresh had said.

“It might take time for her to come back to the mansion,” Ravi said, his tone thoughtful, almost distant.

Veeresh didn’t argue with that, but he shook his head slightly. “Bhai… don’t think that far.”

Ravi looked at him.

“Right now, just focus on her,” Veeresh continued. “The rest… I’ll take care. You don’t worry about the house, the relatives, anything.”

For a moment, Ravi just stared at him.

Then a faint smile appeared on his face.

“Hmm,” he nodded.

He didn’t say much after that.

He just got up, picked his keys, and left earlier than usual.

Back at the penthouse, the atmosphere was completely different.

Gayathri sat on the floor with Inayat, a notebook open in front of them.

“Say it again,” Gayathri said softly, pointing at the page. “A…”

“A…” Inayat repeated proudly.

“B…”

“B!”

Gayathri smiled faintly, her eyes softer now. “Good, Innu…”

Thor and Simba lay nearby, watching lazily as if they were part of the lesson too.

“Mumma…” Inayat suddenly said, looking up at her with curiosity. “Baby mine?”

Gayathri paused for a second.

Her hand instinctively moved to her stomach.

Then she nodded gently. “Yes, Innu… baby is yours too.”

Inayat’s face lit up. “I am big sister?”

Gayathri smiled—this time a little more real. “Yes… you’ll be a big sister.”

“And baby happy?” Inayat asked again.

Gayathri’s fingers rested softly over her belly.

“Yes,” she whispered. “Baby will be very happy… to have us.”

Inayat grinned and hugged her tightly.

Gayathri closed her eyes for a moment, holding her back.

Something inside her felt… lighter.

The door opened quietly.

“Inu…”

Ravi’s voice came in, calm but warm.

Inayat turned instantly and ran toward him. “Papa! See! I learned A, B, C, D!”

Ravi bent slightly and picked her up, a small smile forming without effort. “Oh really? Then tell me.”

She started saying it again, excited and confident, while Ravi listened carefully, nodding like it was the most important thing in the world.

“Good,” he said finally, kissing her cheek lightly.

Gayathri stood there, watching them.

There was something about the way he listened… the way he gave attention… it stayed with her.

“Freshen up,” she said softly. “We’ll eat lunch.”

Ravi looked at her briefly and nodded. “Hmm.”

A while later, he came downstairs wearing track pants, more relaxed now.

Gayathri had already set the table.

Without unnecessary words, she served him.

Inayat sat beside him, while Gayathri fed her patiently, making sure she finished properly.

Ravi ate quietly at first, but his eyes moved between them.

After a few minutes, he got up, took another plate, and served Gayathri.

She looked at him, slightly surprised.

“You didn’t eat properly in the morning,” he said simply.

She didn’t argue.

She just sat down and started eating.

And for the first time—

She didn’t leave her plate untouched.

After lunch, Inayat quickly fell asleep, tired from playing and learning.

Gayathri made her lie down and covered her gently.

The room became quiet again.

Ravi stood near the window for a moment, then turned toward Gayathri.

“Gayu,” he called.

She looked at him.

“Tomorrow, we’ll go meet the gynecologist,” he said.

She nodded without hesitation. “Okay.”

There was no resistance this time.

No fear in her voice.

Just acceptance.

Ravi watched her for a second, then said, “Thanks.”

She frowned slightly. “For what?”

Ravi leaned against the wall, his tone quieter now.

“She got a mom,” he said.

Gayathri didn’t understand immediately.

“Inayat,” he added softly.

Her eyes shifted toward the sleeping child.

“She was just twenty days old when…” he paused briefly, then continued, “when her mother left. We got divorced.”

Gayathri’s expression softened.

“I didn’t know how to handle her at that time,” he admitted. “But now…”

He looked at Gayathri.

“I see she has you.”

Silence filled the space between them.

“And you’ll be a good mother,” he said.

Gayathri’s breath caught slightly.

“Do you think I can?” she asked, her voice quiet, unsure.

Ravi didn’t hesitate.

“Yes,” he said.

Not even a second of doubt.

That certainty reached her more than anything else.

She nodded slowly. “Thank you, Ravi.”

He gave a small smile in return.

“Sleep,” he said after a moment. “You need rest. I’ll finish some work.”

She looked at him for a second, then nodded. “Okay.”

Gayathri lay down beside Inayat, her body still a little tired, but her mind calmer than before.

Within minutes, her eyes closed.

Ravi sat beside them with his laptop, working quietly.

But every now and then—

His eyes shifted toward them.

Not out of worry.

But out of something else.

Something that had started to feel natural.

Staying.

Watching.

Being there.

Without saying it out loud.