The morning sun gently filtered through the curtains, coaxing Lathika from her sleep. She shifted beneath the soft duvet, the warmth still clinging to her skin. The coolness in the room hinted that it had rained earlier, and a soft chill lingered in the air. She stretched and pulled the duvet back over her head, savouring the comfort of the bed. But soon enough, she tossed the covers off and sat up with a start.

She reached for the clock, only to find empty walls staring back at her, a reminder that this was their new, unfurnished house. The realization hit her all at once—this place was theirs now, with all its bare bones and untapped potential.

Her eyes drifted to the other side of the room, where the one person she was now supposed to share this space with was missing. She murmured softly, "Missing?" scratching her head as she jumped out of bed.

She went to the window, where a view of the public garden lay just beyond a row of large trees. The quiet residential street outside, even at—she glanced at her empty wrist—whatever time it was, held a sense of calm. Lathika turned back to the mirror leaning against the wall.

She took in the sight of herself. Hair a tangled mess, the blush-pink saree from the night before crinkled and crumpled, and her face, tired and heavy with sleep. She wiped her face with the heel of her palm, trying to shake off the fog of the early morning, and headed for a shower to clear her head.

Downstairs, the light sounds of music filled the quiet house. It was a welcome change from the stillness upstairs. She followed the sound, her eyes scanning the living room until they landed on Prashanth. There he was, lounging on the couch, a book in hand, looking completely at ease. And, yes, handsome even. His presence, even in the quiet moments, seemed to make the house feel... fuller.

She paused at the base of the stairs, observing him. Was this how her mornings would unfold from now on? With him, in this new home they were building together?

Lathika allowed herself to wonder what their days would be like. Would they always feel like this—simple and calm, or was this just the quiet before the storm of newness wore off?

Lathika chided herself for thinking too far ahead... Who told her things would be smooth? Even the ocean isn't calm always. Lathika tapped her temple reminding her to stay at the present.

The soft clink of Lathika's bangles caught Prashanth's attention, pulling his gaze away from the pages of the book in his hands. He closed it with a snap, his usual charming smile spreading across his face as he watched her cross the quiet, empty house toward the kitchen.

"Good afternoon!" he called out, his voice carrying a lightness that seemed to match the warmth of the moment.

Lathika froze, surprised. "Wait. Afternoon?" She glanced at the window and then looking for a clock around—her new unfurnished house was still missing many essentials.

He chuckled, clearly amused by her confusion. "Yeah, it's around one now, Lathika." He rounded the kitchen counter, his voice still playful. "Coffee?"

She blinked, trying to shake off the grogginess that lingered from her long sleep. "I'll have water," she mumbled, still stunned by how much time had passed.

"Sure. Patti and Achi sent us breakfast. We can call it brunch or lunch, whatever you prefer," he said with a shrug, handed her a glass of water and headed to the stove.

Lathika's eyes lingered on the spread on the counter: idli, sambar, chutney, samosas, and vadai. The comforting smell of fresh food mingled with the warm scent of the house, pulling her fully awake.

"What time did you wake up?" she asked, more curious about his morning routine.

"Seven," Prashanth replied, not missing a beat.

Lathika's eyebrows shot up in disbelief. "What did you do that early?"

Prashanth leaned casually against the counter, his eyes twinkling with humour. "Showered, carried you upstairs, and threw you back on the bed. You slept like a log."

Lathika rolled her eyes, a small laugh escaping her. "I don't sleep like a log," she shot back, though she knew he was probably right.

He grinned, continuing his story with the ease of someone who had long since gotten comfortable in the routine. "Came back to clean the mess from last night, made a few phone calls, and here I am."

She shot him a playful glare as she checked the food, eyeing the samosas. "Did you eat?"

"Had some of the samosas," he said, now boiling water for his coffee, neatly arranging the sugar and coffee powder container on the counter. His movements were calm, methodical—he seemed completely at home in this space.

Lathika smiled, a little fondly. Despite the chaos of their lives, the madness of the wedding and settling into this new home, there was something comforting about the quiet moments with him. It was the small things, like watching him make coffee, or the way he knew exactly what she needed without asking.

As they both settled at the kitchen counter, Lathika took a deep breath before breaking the comfortable silence. "We need to get some things straight," she said, her tone serious but calm.

"Again?" Prashanth raised an eyebrow, his voice playful but curious.

Lathika glanced at him, momentarily puzzled by his response. She shook her head, dismissing the thought. "Not that," she replied. She tore a small piece of idli, dipped it in the warm, fragrant sambar, and popped it into her mouth. "It's about what we're going to do next."

Prashanth leaned back slightly, holding his coffee cup with both hands. "Like what?" he asked, intrigued by the shift in her mood.

Lathika placed the idli down and looked at him, her expression firm. "Well, you and I will be going back to work in two days," she began, her voice steady. "We're not working a typical office job with a fixed schedule. So, I suggest we sync our schedules, figure out when we can shop for the house, and carve out some time for ourselves, especially when everything is still new between us."

Prashanth nodded thoughtfully, absorbing her words. She continued, her gaze never leaving his, "I still have a list of questions to ask you, by the way."

Prashanth chuckled, leaning forward as if he hadn't forgotten the endless questions, she'd teased him with earlier. "Oh, we still have them, huh?"

"Of course!" Lathika tilted her head to the side, narrowing her eyes playfully. "I don't have many in mind right now, but don't worry, I'll let you know when they come up... and you," she paused, her tone softening, "if there's anything you need to discuss, tell me. Okay?"

Prashanth couldn't help but smile at her earnestness. He raised a hand in mock surrender. "Yes, ma'am," he said, his voice full of affection, as he gave her an exaggerated salute.

Lathika nodded approvingly. "Good."

The days followed passed in a quiet rhythm, with Prashanth and Lathika gradually settling into their new life together. They spent their time unpacking boxes, arranging furniture, and decorating their home, each of them contributing to the space they would now share. There were moments of light teasing and the occasional disagreement—Prashanth playing the same song on repeat for the tenth time, Lathika stubbornly defending her love for pineapples on pizza—but these little quirks became the fabric of their daily lives.

As the weeks slipped by, their schedules became more defined. Prashanth was frequently away on long-haul flights, while Lathika devoted herself to her new clients and event planning. The demands of their careers kept them busy, but they carved out time for each other whenever they could, often working together on their home projects during their rare days off.

It was during these moments that Lathika began to understand just how much flying meant to Prashanth. It wasn't just a job—it was his escape. Flying offered him freedom, an exhilarating release from the weight of his past, from the emotional distance between him and his mother. It gave him a sense of purpose, a way to forget the quiet ache of his childhood.

Lathika respected that about him. She encouraged him to share more about his love for flying, even though it sometimes made her feel distant from him. But she knew it wasn't about her; it was something deeply personal for him, something he would have to work through on his own terms.

❁ ❁ ❁

Three months passed in a blur, a mix of busy schedules, fleeting moments of connection, and growing understanding between them. One night, after hosting a large gala for a prestigious client, Lathika returned home, exhausted. The house was quiet—Prashanth was on another long-haul flight, away again. She dropped her bags by the door and slumped onto the couch, letting out a heavy sigh.

Just then, the front door opened, and Prashanth stepped inside, holding a bouquet of lilies in his hands. He looked every bit the jet-lagged traveller, but his face brightened when he saw her. "Congratulations on your event," he said, his voice warm. "I came by earlier at the venue, but you were caught up. I didn't want to disturb you, so I headed back home."

Lathika blinked, surprised and took the bouquet from him. "You came? You should've told me, we could've had dinner together," she said, a hint of disappointment in her voice. She had grown accustomed to his absence, but she still longed for the moments when they could share something simple, like a meal. "Next time, let me know," she called after him as he disappeared into the kitchen.

Prashanth returned minutes later, carrying a bucket of warm water. "Here," he said softly, placing it in front of her. "Soak your feet. It'll help you relax."

Lathika was moved by his thoughtfulness, the tenderness of his gesture warming her heart. "Thank you," she whispered, putting her feet in it.

He sat beside her, his presence a quiet comfort. "It's one of the few things I think I can do for you. You've been dealing with a lot lately," he said, his voice gentle.

She leaned into him, wrapping her arm around his, and resting her head on his shoulder. "Well, thank you. Your little little gestures like this make me grateful, for myself, for the decision I made," she said, her voice soft with affection.

"To yourself?" Prashanth asked, his tone a mixture of curiosity and tenderness.

Lathika chuckled softly. "Because I decided to marry you, despite my reluctance," she said, teasing him with a playful grin, sticking out her tongue as if the words had slipped out unintentionally.

Prashanth smiled, feeling a warmth spread in his chest. They sat in silence for a while, both lost in their own thoughts, savouring the quiet, simple comfort of the moment. It was one of those rare instances when the world seemed to slow down, and they could just be with each other, without the pressures of work, schedules, or expectations.

Eventually, Prashanth broke the silence. "I'll be on long-haul flights the whole next week," he said, his voice carrying a hint of resignation.

Lathika's head shot up in surprise. "My birthday's next week, Prashanth. Does that mean you won't be here?" Her voice held a tinge of sadness.

Prashanth paused, his expression softening as he saw her disappointment. "I'll try to get someone to cover for me on that day," he said, his tone earnest.

"You better," she replied teasingly, but her eyes revealed how much she truly wanted him there. It wasn't just about the celebration—it was about marking the first special occasion they would share together as husband and wife.

❁ ❁ ❁

Lathika had set her work aside for the day, handing off some tasks to her team and taking two days off to celebrate her birthday. Birthdays had always been special to her—cakes, gifts, and calls from friends—but this year felt different. This year, she was celebrating as a married woman, with the man she had come to love, the imperfectly perfect man who had become her husband.

Though she had her doubts, she had hoped that Prashanth would make it back in time to celebrate with her. The weather in Europe had been unpredictable, and with his last flight taking him to Poland, she knew the chances of him getting back before midnight were slim. But still, she clung to the hope.

She woke up to the familiar buzz of messages pouring into her phone, the bright screen lighting up the dark room. Prashanth had sent a message a few hours before her birthday had even begun, explaining his next flight but promising to return by midnight, though she could feel the doubt in her chest. The stormy weather was making it difficult for flights to take off or land, and she wasn't sure he'd make it at all.

Determined to enjoy her day regardless, Lathika got up, dressed, and went about the morning. She spent the first few hours on calls with her parents, grandmother, and friends, wishing her a happy birthday, offering their warm words from a distance. Then, as the day unfolded, she ventured out to enjoy herself, a quiet breakfast at a cozy café, some window shopping, and a visit to a book fair where she picked up a couple of novels—one for herself and another for Prashanth. She even treated herself to a fancy lunch, enjoying the food while sending him pictures of her activities, playfully taunting him with a smile, showing him what he was missing.

Later that evening, she dressed in a navy-blue saree, a thoughtful gift from Prashanth. It was a colour she had always loved, and it seemed the perfect choice for the day, even if it felt a little odd to wear it alone. The sky was darkening, the first stars starting to twinkle faintly as the night rolled in, and with that, she made her way to her favourite spot in the house—the garden. She spread out a picnic blanket, adding a couple of pillows, a small table, and her little birthday cake still wrapped in its box.

She had planned to set up her small celebration there, with an iPad in hand to watch a show, a video call with Amrita and Nithi to catch up, and, if Prashanth didn't make it back in time, to eat the cake herself while stargazing. Alone, but content.

As she laid back on the soft grass, the cool evening air wrapping around her, she switched on the documentary titled Our Ocean, trying to distract herself. But the words on the screen blurred as her thoughts began to drift, and she soon found herself turning off the iPad in frustration. Lying flat on the blanket, her eyes turned toward the sky, now dotted with the faint crescent moon and countless stars.

She sighed, letting her mind wander. This was her new reality. A life with Prashanth, a life full of hope and uncertainties, of love and distance. She dreamed of their future together, what it might look like when they weren't just partners in marriage but in everything else. She envisioned a home filled with laughter, a life full of shared moments, and perhaps, one day, children running around. But tonight, it was just her, the stars, and the soft hum of the night air.

Time passed, and she let herself soak in the quiet, content in her solitude for the moment. It wasn't how she imagined her birthday, but it was still hers. The quiet serenity of the evening soothed her, even if the emptiness of the space around her was a reminder of what she missed.

As the night wore on, she couldn't help but glance at the clock. It was getting late. Midnight was approaching.

❁ ❁ ❁

Will he make it by midnight?

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