Chapter 29: The First Morning

Morning arrived quietly.

The light filtered softly into the room, touching everything with a calm warmth.

Poornima opened her eyes slowly.

For a moment, she did not move.

Then reality settled.

She turned slightly.

Mannat was still asleep beside her, her tiny face peaceful, her hand loosely curled.

Poornima’s expression softened.

She leaned forward and gently kissed her forehead.

A small smile appeared on her lips.

Without making any noise, she got up and freshened herself.

When she returned, she wore a simple saree.

No heavy bridal look.

Just calm simplicity.

She lifted Mannat carefully into her arms and walked toward Aryan’s room.

The door was slightly open.

Aryan was already awake, sitting on the bed, rubbing his eyes.

The moment he saw her, his face lit up.

“Morning, Ammi,” he said.

Then he looked at Mannat.

“Morning, Mannu.”

Mannat smiled in response, her small hands moving happily.

Poornima smiled at both of them.

“Did you sleep well?” she asked gently.

Aryan nodded. “Yes.”

She helped him get ready, guiding him with the same patience, the same warmth.

Soon, all three of them were ready.

They walked downstairs together.

The house was quiet, peaceful in the early morning.

Poornima paused near the small temple area and bowed her head.

Aryan followed her.

Mannat rested calmly in her arms.

After the prayer, she turned and saw Yashoda coming toward her.

“Morning, Ammi,” Poornima said softly.

Yashoda smiled warmly.

“Morning, beta.”

She looked at her for a moment, noticing the simplicity, the calmness.

Then she said gently, “Today, you should cook something sweet. And at night, you will prepare dinner. Your first rasoi.”

Poornima nodded.

Before she could respond, Rajeev joined them.

“Make kheer,” he said with a small smile. “Let us taste your cooking.”

Poornima looked at him and replied softly, “Okay, Abbu.”

She went to the kitchen after that.

Slowly.

Carefully.

She prepared everything with attention.

The milk boiled gently, the aroma of cardamom and sugar filling the air, the rice softening perfectly.

The kheer came together beautifully.

Not rushed.

Not forced.

Just… made with care.

Upstairs, Veeresh woke up.

He looked to his side.

The bed was empty.

Mannat was not there.

Poornima was not there.

A slight irritation crossed his face.

“She did not even wake me,” he muttered under his breath.

He got up, freshened himself quickly, and walked downstairs.

The moment he entered, he saw them.

Aryan sitting comfortably.

Mannat in Yashoda’s lap.

Poornima moving quietly in the kitchen.

Something in him paused.

But the irritation did not completely leave.

“Good morning, champ,” he said, looking at Aryan.

“Good morning, Abbu,” Aryan replied happily.

The word came so naturally now.

Yashoda and Rajeev exchanged a brief smile.

Breakfast was served.

Everyone sat together.

But Veeresh remained slightly distant.

Not outwardly.

But inside.

Poornima served the kheer to everyone.

One by one.

She did not look at him.

Not even once.

They tasted it.

And instantly, their expressions changed.

“It is very good,” Rajeev said.

“Really good,” Yashoda added.

Poornima nodded slightly.

“Thank you.”

She moved away after serving, going toward the children, sitting beside them quietly.

Still not looking at him.

Yashoda glanced at Veeresh, then asked casually,

“Did Mannat cry at night?”

Veeresh replied calmly, “Yes.”

A brief pause.

Then he added,

“But Poornima handled it. She gave her milk.”

Yashoda’s eyes softened.

“Mannat loves her mother,” she said gently.

The word stayed in the air.

Mother.

Rajeev smiled slightly.

“Aryan also came to me in the morning,” he said. “He asked me, ‘Abbu is not there?’”

Yashoda laughed softly.

“He is an early bird,” she said.

For the first time that morning,

Veeresh smiled.

A small one.

But real.

And as he sat there,

Watching her with the children,

Not looking at him,

Not trying to please him,

Something shifted again.

Quietly.

Slowly.

Without asking permission.