Mahi opened the door, her shoulders heavy with exhaustion from the long day. She stepped inside—and froze.

“Athrav? Advait? What… what’s going on here?”

The sight before her was nothing short of chaotic.

Athrav stood at the kitchen counter, flipping through a cookbook with a furrowed brow, his face smeared with a little flour. Advait, their son, was standing on a step stool, both hands deep in a mixing bowl, flour covering the counter, the floor—and most of himself.

“Hey, love!” Athrav called out, slightly sheepish but grinning. “We wanted to surprise you with dinner tonight!”

Mahi blinked, taking in the flour-dusted floor and the two guilty-looking chefs. She crossed her arms, a teasing glint in her eyes.

“I can see that. Advait, sweetheart, what are you doing?”

“I’m helping Papa cook!” Advait beamed proudly. “I’m a chef now!”

Mahi took a slow breath, half-exasperated, half-amused, and stepped further into the kitchen.

“That’s… wonderful, darling. But maybe next time let’s try to keep the flour in the bowl, okay?”

Athrav scratched the back of his head, chuckling nervously. “We’re attempting your favorite pasta. It might not be perfect, but... I thought it would make you smile.”

Mahi softened, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. “Well, it definitely surprised me.”

She leaned in to plant a quick kiss on Athrav’s cheek, then crouched down beside Advait, gently brushing some flour from his nose.

“How about you help Mumma set the table while Papa finishes cooking?”

“Okay!” Advait chirped and rushed off enthusiastically to get the plates.

Mahi stood, giving Athrav a knowing look. “You know… baking cakes is one thing, but dinner?”

Athrav laughed, stirring a pan of sauce. “I might’ve overestimated my multitasking skills. But with Chef Advait leading the charge, we’re making progress.”

Mahi walked over and brushed her fingers lightly across his arm before heading to help with the table. “I’ll give you points for effort. And for the record? You’re adorable when you’re flustered.”

Athrav blushed.

Soon, the family was gathered around the dinner table, plates steaming with pasta and laughter bubbling in the air. Mahi took a bite, raised an eyebrow, then smiled.

“This is actually really good. Maybe you should cook more often.”

“Only if my sous chef helps,” Athrav replied, grinning proudly.

“I’m a chef!” Advait declared once again, his pride radiating.

They all laughed, savoring the moment more than the meal itself.

Just as they were settling into the warmth of the evening, Athrav’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen and sighed.

“I’m sorry,” he said, standing. “It’s from work. I have to take this.”

Mahi’s brow furrowed. “Everything okay?”

“Probably just a quick thing. I’ll be back in a minute,” he reassured her before stepping away.

Mahi watched him go, then turned her attention back to Advait, who was still picking at his food with excitement in his eyes.

“Guess what, Mumma?”

“What, love?”

“I want to be a chef when I grow up!” he declared, his eyes lighting up.

Mahi chuckled. “A chef? That’s new. Why the sudden change of heart?”

“Because cooking with Papa is so fun! Remember when we baked that cake last week?” he said, eyes wide. “And I like making people happy with food.”

Mahi’s heart melted a little at the innocence and enthusiasm in his voice.

“That’s a beautiful reason. But two days ago, you wanted to fly planes.”

Advait giggled, a bit bashful. “I know… but now I want to be like Papa. And you too, Mumma. You both do cool stuff.”

Mahi reached across the table and took his hand. “You can be anything you want, Advait. A chef, a pilot, an astronaut… or all three if you’d like. Whatever you choose, we’ll always be proud of you.”

“Really?” he whispered.

“Really.”

Just then, Athrav returned, his face relaxed again.

“All good now. Sorry about that.”

“Papa, guess what?” Advait beamed. “I want to be a chef like you!”

Athrav’s face lit up with playful surprise. “A chef? That’s an excellent choice, buddy. But you might have to teach me next time.”

The room filled with laughter once again, the kind that wrapped around them like a blanket.

Later that night, with the dishes done and Advait tucked into bed, Mahi and Athrav sat side by side on the living room sofa. The house was quiet, wrapped in the soft hush that follows a day well-lived.

“And you once called me a clumsy oaf,” Mahi teased, nudging him with her shoulder.

Athrav smirked. “I still think you’re clumsy. But charmingly so.”

She tilted her head, smiling. “Yet you love me anyway.”

“Always,” he murmured.

They sat there in silence for a long moment, the kind that didn’t need to be filled with words. Athrav reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear with a tenderness that still gave her butterflies, even after all these years.

“You make every moment beautiful, Mahi.”

Her gaze softened, her voice a whisper. “And you make me feel seen, loved… safe.”

Their fingers intertwined, finding their familiar place in each other’s hands. Athrav leaned in, and their lips met in a soft, unhurried kiss—one that spoke not of passion, but of constancy. Of love that had endured through diapers and deadlines, flour storms and late-night worries.

When they pulled away, they rested their foreheads together, the air around them filled with unspoken promises and a quiet kind of forever.

Outside, the night deepened. But inside, in their little world, everything was exactly as it should be.

Sneak peek- Chapter 7

Mahi tried to stop him, but Athrav kissed her again with passion. Mahi holds his nape for support. Athrav is holding her bear waist. She response with same aggressive but Athrav is dominating her.

"Don't say this type of word again or else I am goona punish you so hard, that you will moan my name."

Athrav said.