Painted Number, Fated Hearts

Author POV

The apartment was unusually silent.

Only the soft, warm rhythm of Ranvijay’s breathing filled the room...his head still resting on Mridula’s lap.

Hours had passed, but she didn’t move even an inch. Not because she was afraid of waking him…
…but because she was mesmerised.

His face, normally guarded and stern even over calls, looked almost boyish like this. Soft. Peaceful. Vulnerable in a way she never imagined he could be.

His fingers were still curled around the edge of her kurti, gripping lightly even in sleep, like his body was clinging to her subconsciously.

Her heart tightened every time she looked at him.

This man…

The same man who blocked her out of hurt.

The same man who was furious but still gentle with her.

The same man who confessed he was a virgin while being a father.

The same man who slept in her lap like it was the safest place in the world.

She didn’t know when her fingers had begun brushing his hair again. Slowly. Carefully. Almost reverently.

The room’s peaceful silence was interrupted by a gentle knock.

Knock… knock…

Mridula jumped slightly, instinctively protecting Ranvijay’s sleeping head.

She gently placed a pillow beneath him and adjusted his head on it with utmost care.

She tiptoed to the door and opened it only halfway.

An elderly woman stood outside holding a baby boy...barely two years old...with big sleepy eyes and a tiny pout.

The woman whispered,
"Beta, he was crying for a long time. I think he missed Raanu. Couldn’t calm him."

Mridula froze.

Raanu.

Ranvijay.

This child…

His child.

The baby reached his arms out suddenly, little fingers curling in the air, soft whines escaping his mouth.

The grandmother looked exhausted.
"He doesn’t know you, but he wants someone to hold him. Would you…?"

Before she could finish, the baby leaned toward Mridula as if he recognized her warmth.

Her heart melted instantly.

She nodded softly and took the baby into her arms.

The child curled into her chest, breathing shakily but slowly relaxing as she rocked him gently.

Mridula held him close, swaying gently....instinctive, natural, almost motherly.

She whispered,
"Shh… baby, shh… I’ve got you…"

And he fell asleep on her shoulder, tiny fingers clutching her kurti exactly like Ranvijay had.

Almost symbolic.

Same as him.

And I smile caressing the baby back...

She carried him carefully into the room searching for a place and she found and placed him gently in the crib beside the hall.

She stood there for a moment, watching the baby’s tiny chest rise and fall.

And she whispered to herself
"He trusted me…
This little one trusted me... Thank you.
Same like him..."