A Smile Away

One slow weekend afternoon, Kamila and Rav lay curled together on the couch in her family’s living room. Their baby, Angel, was asleep in the next room. Her parents were several blocks away at the bakeshop, manning the store. The house was warm and quiet, perfectly still, except for the soft hum of the TV and the rise and fall of their breathing.

Kamila reached for Rav’s phone, mindlessly scrolling through it. It had become a habit, one she hated but couldn’t stop. As if she were searching for something to confirm her worst fears, to catch him in a lie, to prove that the goodness he showed her couldn’t be real. That she had been right all along—that people always leave, always betray.

Rav said nothing. He was probably used to it by now, resting with his arm draped protectively around Kamila, his eyes fixed on the TV. He was content simply holding her, always holding her as if she might fall apart the moment he let go.

But she found nothing. Just their old messages, pictures of Angel, pictures of stupid things he laughed at with his friends. Nothing suspicious. Nothing secret.

Kamila sighed quietly and nestled deeper into him, breathing in his scent, the one that always brought her back to the village, to simpler days. She began trailing kisses along his neck, soft and peppered, working her way to his cheek, then his lips, her arms tightening around him like she was trying to fold herself into his skin.

“I love you so damn much, honey,” she whispered, her voice fragile. “Please don’t ever leave me...”

Rav let out a low laugh and gently squished her cheek. “Why would I ever leave you, silly? When all I’ve ever wanted is you. I love you back just as much... maybe more. Definitely more!”

Her smile widened, her eyes softened. She kissed him then, slow, deliberate, hungry and patient all at once. Each kiss lingered, her lips tugging gently at his, her breath catching in the quiet space between them. She felt him stir beneath her and smiled, triumphant, as if she’d won a private, playful war.

“Damn it, woman,” Rav groaned, his voice low and teasing. “And here everyone thinks I’m the bad influence, when it’s always been you.”

“Stop complaining and just kiss me,” she whispered through a giggle, pressing herself to him again. He didn’t need to be told twice. His hands slid around her, pulling her closer as they melted into each other’s warmth, bathed in the afternoon light of their quiet, borrowed home.

And then, right on cue, Angel’s cry echoed from the bedroom.

The two of them froze, their laughter tangled in shared exasperation.

“Perfect timing,” Rav muttered, letting her go with a groan.

Kamila grinned and sat up, brushing a kiss against his lips one more time. “Better luck next time,” she teased, then stood and padded to the bedroom.

“Hi, little pea,” she cooed as she scooped Angel from the bed. The toddler automatically wrapped her tiny arms around Kamila’s neck and nestled into the crook of her shoulder, yawning with sleepy eyes. “Did you have a nice nap?”

“Mmm-hmm...” Angel murmured, still clinging to her tightly.

Kamila carried her back to the living room and gently placed her in Rav’s lap. His arms immediately enveloped their daughter.

“Hey, baby girl,” Rav whispered, his voice soft with love.

“Daddy!” Angel squealed, her face lighting up as she nuzzled into his chest.

“Such a daddy’s girl,” Kamila said with a playful shake of her head.

Rav glanced up at her with a grin. “Well, like mother, like daughter.”