ℳ𝑜𝒽𝑜𝒷𝒷𝒶𝓉 𝒦𝒾 𝒟𝒶𝓈𝓉𝒶𝒶𝓃: ℋ𝑒𝓇 𝒞𝓊𝓇𝑒, ℋ𝒾𝓈 𝒫𝒶𝒾𝓃

[5]

It was half past seven in the morning. Mr. Das sat on the balcony, sipping tea as he read the newspaper. Suddenly, he remembered that Rajvansh was supposed to come pick up Krisha for the temple visit. Finishing his tea, he folded the paper neatly and placed it on the table before heading toward Krisha's room.

"Krisha beta, wake up. You have to go to the temple, remember?" he called out gently.

Krisha lay curled under her blanket, shielding herself from the morning light pouring into her room.

"Nanu, I just went to sleep two hours ago. Please let me sleep for just thirty more minutes," she mumbled, her voice muffled under the blanket.

Mr. Das opened the door and walked over to her bed, sitting gently at the edge.

"You still can't sleep at night?" he asked softly.

Krisha lowered the blanket, her eyes still shut, and let out a deep sigh before slowly sitting up.

"Nanu, please don't worry about me. I've grown up now. How long will you keep looking after me? Now It's time I should start taking care of my sweet, adorable Nanu," she said, wrapping him in a side hug.

Mr. Das tapped her cheek affectionately and asked, "Did another message come?"

Krisha moved back and picked up her phone. "No, nothing," she replied while scrolling through her notifications.

"I think we should get your number changed," Mr. Das said with concern.

"There's no point, Nanu. I've already changed my number eight times in the past six months. I don't know how, but he always manages to get it again," Krisha said, running her fingers through her hair in frustration.

"It's okay. Everything will be fine," Mr. Das reassured her, pulling her into a hug and planting a kiss on her temple.

"I just wonder when things will go back to normal, Nanu," Krisha whispered.

"Come on, get ready. Your sakha will be here any minute to pick you up," Mr. Das teased with a playful smile.

"That wasn't nice, Nanu. What you did yesterday-teasing me like that-was so wrong! I had a reason for saying no to Mr. Scholarship, but you turned everything upside down," Krisha said as she got out of bed and stretched.

"Alright then, I'll call and cancel right now," Mr. Das said, reaching for his phone to call Rajvansh.

Krisha quickly snatched the phone from his hand and disconnected the call. "That's not nice, Nanu. It's bad manners," she said, frowning slightly.

Chuckling, Mr. Das stood up and pinched her cheek. "Yes, very bad manners."

"I better get ready now, or my sakha will be kept waiting," Krisha said, and Mr. Das laughed as he walked out of the room.

But just as he was about to step out, Krisha's voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Nanu," she called out softly. Rushing to him, she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. "I love you. And I'm sorry... for everything I've done."

Mr. Das stroked her hair tenderly. "I know, beta."

Krisha stepped back, gave him a tight smile, and returned to her room-leaving behind the quiet warmth of an unspoken bond.
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Krisha stepped back into her room, the scent of sandalwood lingering faintly in the morning air. The soft rustle of her curtains dancing with the breeze filled the silence. She stood for a moment, her back against the door, eyes closed, as if holding on to the comfort of that hug just a little longer.