Karan chuckled under his breath, leaning closer to her once more.
Nysa immediately ran to her mother, slipping her little hand into Komal’s. But Arin didn’t move. He stayed rooted to his spot, stubborn as ever.
“I’m looking for Mumma,” he announced, then knocked back to the bathroom door, harder this time.
“Dad… where is Mumma?”
From inside, Karan answered once more. This time, it was meant for Komal.
“Komal, can you give Arin a ladoo? He’s been asking for it.”
Komal arched an eyebrow, amused. Her gaze drifted briefly to the bed, and landed on Mishti’s phone lying there and she quickly understood where suddenly Mishti had disappeared.
A knowing smile curved her lips. She reached for Arin and pulled him gently towards her, replying just loudly enough for Karan to hear, “I didn’t hear a please.”
Inside the bathroom, Mishti had to clamp her hand over her mouth to stop herself from giggling. She saw Karan roll his eyes dramatically, then turn to look at her with a very clear expression that said she was absolutely going to pay for laughing at him.
Knowing very well he wanted Komal to take the kids away quickly, he finally sighed in defeat.
“Please, Komal.”
Komal chuckled, clearly enjoying this far too much, before nodding.
“Alright, alright.”
She guided both children out of the room at once.
Once they were safely down the corridor, she paused, then turned back and knocked once on the bathroom door.
“Have fun,” Komal called lightly, giggling before heading out.
The moment the door closed again, Mishti let out a slow breath.
“We really need to stop doing this when the kids are around,” she said, shaking her head. “Soon Arin will start wondering why his Mumma keeps disappearing for long stretches… especially when his dad is always conveniently in the shower.”
Karan grinned, completely unbothered.
“He won’t,” he said confidently. “He’s far too young to put all that together.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but she didn’t get the chance as his mouth found hers instead, silencing every sensible thought she had been forming. The kiss was slow, deep and devastating in the way onlyhecould manage. His hands drew her closer, pulling her flush against him, again, reminding her exactly where she belonged.
Mishti melted into him without resistance, her worries dissolving just like they always did with him. The world outside the bathroom, once again, ceased to exist, leaving only the two of them, wrapped in love and a desire that seven years had only made deeper.
****************
An hour later, when Mishti and Karan finally came downstairs, both freshly showered, the living room was already buzzing with Arin’s restless energy. His laughter filled the space as he ran around, unable to sit still even for a second.
Abhimanyu stood near the couch in his traditional kurta, while Komal fussed over him, fixing a stubborn button of his outfit. The children circled them, playing, laughing, turning the room into complete chaos.
The moment Arin spotted his parents, his face lit up. He ran straight to Mishti and immediately bent down, hugging her feet with dramatic affection before looking up at her with wide, accusing eyes.
“Mumma, where were you? I was looking for you everywhere.”
Mishti smiled softly. Her heart melted the way it always did with him. She ruffled his hair lovingly.
“I was in the garden, sweetheart,” she said gently. “And when you were busy eating ladoos, I came back upstairs to help your dad get ready faster.”
Karan raised an eyebrow and looked down at his son.
