When Charan opened his eyes the next morning, the first thing he noticed was the little blob of flesh wedged between Shreya and him and he was on the verge of falling off of the couch. Charan signed and lifted Akira and laid her on top of him.

He then looked at Shreya still sleeping soundly. Unconsciously a smile formed on his lips.

He liked it this morning.

When he lost Samantha, he lost a part of himself. But he still had Akira. He was not alone. He had a family. They did not give him much opportunity for him to feel lonely or broken. So for most parts he had been perfectly fine except for occasions when he will remember and miss her and with time he got used to them.

But then when Shreya barged into his life, he suddenly felt he had been missing something in his life. The sense of companionship… The warmth of having someone beside you… The care of someone waiting up for you to come home… Having someone beside you when you wake up… A person to share your life with…

Only when he had Shreya beside him did he notice what he had been missing all along. That is why he could cherish her without reservations.

He had already lost someone like this in his life, so he knew the importance of it more than anyone else. And he would not lose it over something as silly as holding himself back or second-guessing himself.

Because he knew how to truly appreciate what he had with Shreya, he was also not so bothered about their differences. They were superficial for him because he knew what true loss is and what it felt like.

When his thoughts wandered, Shreya subconsciously snuggled closer to him seeing as no small hands and legs were sticking out between them any longer.

He looked up the clock… he realized, they had slept in. He silently shook Akira awake. They have to go home, get ready and then go to school. It's late.

But when he shifted, Shreya woke up instead of Akira.

"What happened??" Shreya mumbled in had half-awakened state rubbing her hands over her eyes.

"We are late. We need to be going. I have to get her ready and then drop her off at school." He said once again shaking Akira.

It is earlier than her usual time but since they have to first go over to his house, he had no choice but to wake her up.

"Morning dada…" Akira mumbled and rubbed her eyes just like Shreya did a minute ago.

Charan shifted Akira and sat up with her on his l.a.p.s and Shreya was still lying down behind him.

"Morning baby," Charan said helping Akira tuck her loose strands behind her ears.

Once Akira came back to her senses, she looked around and found Shreya. She immediately abandoned her dad and snuggled with Shreya. And Shreya engulfed her into her arms gladly.

She then looked up at Charan and said with a puppy dog eyes, "Don't go, please… If you guys go, I will be left all alone here." She said with a pitiful expression.

"Even I don't want to go," Akira mumbled still buried deep in Shreya's arms but she just peaked her head out slightly so that only half her face with her begging eyes were visible to Charan.

Both were critical hits for Charan.

Charan helplessly looked at the duo. Those expressions should be made illegal.

"Akira you have to go to school," Charan said slightly exasperated.

Akira did not bother to reply; she just completely turned her back to him and snuggled into Shreya.

Charan instantly looked at Shreya half accusing and half begging. He for one was no good at handling stubborn Akira. He almost always ends up giving in for her because she wouldn't budge. But then she was always m.a.t.u.r.e so she won't be stubborn about smaller things or throw tantrums that often.

She was always a little too obedient to his liking, actually. Charan would have liked it if she had thrown tantrums like this from the start rightful for her age. When she was obedient, it was almost as if she had become an a.d.u.l.t a little too soon and it broke his heart that she did not get to be a child.

But it seemed like Shreya has brought back her childish side back. But even if he was happy, he has to be an a.d.u.l.t seeing as there were two kids here.

Shreya, of course, caught up to what Charan meant. She wasn't kidding when she said she did not want them to leave but then she did not want to be a bad influence either.

"Uhm… Ah…" Shreya started awkwardly.

Then suddenly her face brightened, "How about I come with you guys??? I will just take 5 minutes to get ready. Then I will drive my car. That way we will reach your place faster." She said with a proud smile. After all, it was early morning and her rash driving skills were top notch.

"That's okay with me," Charan said and looked at Akira.

At last, Akira slowly looked up and nodded. Shreya immediately handed over Akira to Charan and sprinted to her room. And like she said, exactly 5 minutes after she came out of her room in ripped jeans and some band t-shirt freshly showered.

By then Akira and Charan also slightly refreshed washing their faces.

Just 15 minutes later they were at Charan's house. Shreya went to help Shreya get ready.

"Shreya you go. I can get ready." Akira straightaway rejected her offer and shooed her away.

So she came to the living room and found Charan in the kitchen.

She went and sat on the island counter pouting.

Charan looked at her peculiarly and asked, "What happened??"

"She kicked me out," She said curving her lips upside down looking sad.

Charan chuckled but did not reply. He busied himself with the work at hand. Since he was getting late, he made a very simple breakfast with bread toasts and eggs. Shreya keenly looked at his every move. Now at least she can say she knows how to switch on a stove.

When he took out the bread, Shreya suddenly hopped down and said proudly, "I will toast the bread. I might not know how to do much else but I am an expert at toasting bread."

She was beaming gloatingly. Charan let out a chuckle.

"Toaster is over there. I will go get ready. And don't burn my kitchen down." Charan teased her and left.

Shreya made a silly face at his back but got to work.

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like