Chapter 32 – Ours, This Time

Gayathri lay on the bed, her head resting on the pillow, watching Ravi as he sat beside her. There was something different in his expression—not tension, not anger—something… decided.

“Gayu,” he said.

She looked at him. “Hmm?”

“Let’s divorce.”

The words made her sit up slightly. “Ravi…?”

He didn’t react to her confusion. Instead, he leaned a little closer. “Listen first.”

She stayed quiet.

“This time,” he continued, his voice steady, “I want us to get married properly.”

Her brows furrowed. “What?”

“With rituals… everything,” he said. “Not like before.”

Gayathri blinked, processing his words.

“And I’m six months pregnant,” she said after a second, half confused, half amused. “How will I even wear all those dresses? Nothing will fit me.”

Ravi looked at her once, then said casually, “You’re wearing my shirts anyway.”

She couldn’t help it.

She smiled.

“I’ll gift you something,” he added, his tone softer now.

Her eyes stayed on him.

Then his expression shifted slightly. “Your father is already searching for a groom.”

Her smile faded.

“What…?” she asked quietly. “I didn’t know about this.”

“I got to know,” Ravi replied.

Gayathri didn’t speak for a moment.

Then she looked at him again.

He didn’t give her time to overthink.

He leaned in and kissed her.

She responded immediately, her hand moving to hold him, her lips soft but certain.

When they pulled back, she whispered, “I will never leave you.”

Ravi looked at her, his gaze steady. “I know.”

The words didn’t carry doubt.

They carried trust.

After a moment, Ravi leaned back slightly. “I’m hungry.”

Gayathri exhaled softly, a small smile returning. “Wait, I’ll bring something. We’ll eat together.”

He nodded.

She got up slowly and went downstairs, making sure no one noticed. The house was quiet enough, and she managed to bring a plate of biryani carefully back upstairs.

Once inside, she closed the door behind her.

Ravi was already leaning back against the headboard.

“You took time,” he said.

“Eat quietly,” she replied, sitting beside him.

She took a bite and held it toward him.

Ravi raised an eyebrow but leaned forward and ate from her hand.

Then he took another bite and held it toward her.

She smiled slightly and accepted it.

They ate like that—

Slow.

Comfortable.

Sharing without words.

After finishing, Gayathri placed the plate aside and looked at him.

“You should leave now,” she said softly.

Ravi frowned. “Why?”

She hesitated. “Innu will be alone…”

Ravi looked at her for a second. “You’re worried about that?”

She nodded faintly.

“Poornima is there,” he said. “She’ll take care of her.”

Gayathri thought for a moment.

Then nodded. “Okay.”

But neither of them moved.

Instead, Ravi shifted closer and lay down beside her, pulling her gently into his arms.

Gayathri didn’t resist.

She rested against him, her head on his chest, her hand finding its place naturally over him.

Ravi closed his eyes for a second.

“I missed this,” he murmured quietly.

She didn’t reply.

She just held him a little tighter.

The room was silent.

But it wasn’t empty.

It was full—

Of everything they had found again.

Ravi’s hand rested over her back, holding her close, his breathing slowly evening out.

Gayathri felt it.

The calm.

The warmth.

The safety.

And without realizing—

Both of them drifted off to sleep.

Together.

Like they belonged there.