6 March, 2025

Anirudh's Pov:-

The morning sun filtered through the thin curtains, painting the room in soft and diffused light. Yesterday's intensity still clung to the air, a subtle warmth that wasn't entirely from the spring breeze creeping in. 

Soumya is nestled beside me but she slowly stirred and her gentle breathe brushed against my chest. Her hand, usually so quick to grasp mine in playful demand was currently plastered to her growing belly.

"My body is kinda...sore" she murmured and slowly opened her eyes. "You were screaming for more....faster.....fuck me rough.." I mimicked her and her cheeks turned rosy.

"Stop it...or else I am going to bite you" she said, hiding her face in my chest. "You already bite me a lot last night and seems like you are shy" I said, caressing her naked back.

"Cut it out" she whined and slapped my arm. I decided to not tease her anymore and just feel her in my arms. It was a serene silence and we can hear the sound of birds chirping.

"Anirudh, It's Sunday" she murmured, her voice still thick with sleep. It was laced with the same particular whine I had come to both dread and cherish. 

I hummed a noncommittal response, my arm tightening around her. "And?" I asked softly with a hint of amusement in my tone. With her, I become a totally different person.

"And, we should do something. Not just... lie here all day" she said and looked up at me. Those charcoal black eyes are like black hole and I could get lost in them for hours.

I know this look...it's the look that signaled a growing desire for attention especially now that she was carrying our child. "What do you have in mind, sweetheart?" I asked, tracing the curve of her cheekbone with my thumb.

She pouted, a characteristic expression that never failed to disarm me. "Anything! Just get me out of this house" she said and traced my jawline.

"You can call your friends to hangout with you" I said, trying to change her mind. She huffed and said, "Madhurima has a lot on her plate, Ruhi is in Lucknow and it's too quiet here"

The idea of "quiet" with Soumya was naturally contradictory. Her presence filled every space and her laughter echoed in my soul. But I understood. She craved the motivation and the normalcy of life outside.

Honestly the thought of a day dedicated solely to her, away from the pressures of the world was appealing to me as well. "Alright, but you have to promise me something" I said, leaning in to kiss her forehead. 

"What?" she asked warily, already sensing my motive. "You won't be eating anything from outside and if you feel uncomfortable, you will say it right away" I said and she nodded.

"Fine then you also have to let me choose where we go and you have to wear something... comfortable" she said, with a glint of excitement in her eyes.

"Comfortable for whom? You or me?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at her. "For both of us and ofcourse for our little one" she assured me and I nodded.

After much deliberation and a considerable amount of her enthusiastic and sometimes demanding participation, we settled on a nearby park. It was a sprawling expanse of green, usually alive with families and picnickers but not today.

Today it seems to be embracing a quiet serenity. It was a white cloudy day, a gentle canvas for the soft spring breeze that whispered through the leaves, carrying the faint scent of blossoms and damp earth.

Before we left I made a discreet call to my most trusted men, Rohan to brief him about the security. They were to blend in and not expose their identity because Soumya had been insistent on spending quality time.

While I was perfectly capable of protecting her myself but having them nearby offered an extra layer of security without invading on her desire for intimacy. When she emerged from our room, I found myself momentarily stunned. 

Her custom made suits, the elegant dresses and traditional attires, that usually adorned her were replaced by a simple, yet utterly captivating floral frock. It is in white colour and the pattern of tiny blue blossoms were a perfect echo of the spring air.

She had even managed to convince me to shed my usual suit in favor of casual yet still perfectly tailored clothes. A crisp beige colour collared T-shirt and white trousers. She had wanted me to be comfortable and to match the relaxed ambiance of the day.

In doing so, she had made me feel even more connected to her. Her face, flushed with excitement and a hint of anticipation was radiant. We found a secluded spot near a small, and peaceful pond. 

The water shimmered under the diffused sunlight, reflecting the white clouds above. I laid out a thick and soft blanket on the dry and springy grass, ensuring it was perfectly positioned. Soumya settled onto it, her movements careful and mindful of her growing belly.

To my amusement, she immediately produced a portable chessboard from her bag and we started playing. "Your move, my dear husband" she declared, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"You know you are not going to win, right?" I said and she rolled her eyes. "We will see about that!" she retorted, her competitive spirit ignited.

The game was, as I had predicted, a swift and decisive victory for me. Soumya, despite her intelligence and quick wit, had a tendency to get flustered when her strategies didn't immediately pay off. 

She huffed and puffed, her brow furrowed in concentration then in frustration. When I delivered the final checkmate, she dramatically threw her hands up in the air.

"This is fixed! You are cheating, Anirudh.... It's the only explanation" she declared, pouting. I simply smiled slightly, my gaze softening as I watched her. 

The way her nose crinkled when she was annoyed, the slight tremor of her lip as she pretended to be utterly defeated argh these were the small details that made her so incredibly precious to me. 

She was the incarnation of everything I had never known I was missing and now I have found and would never let go of. "Sweetheart, you gifted me the opportunities and I merely took them" I said, reaching out to gently tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, 

She grumbled something under her breath but the pout quickly melted into a soft smile. We played Ludo next, a more chaotic affair that involved a lot more laughter and her theatrical declarations of injustice when her pieces were sent back to the start. 

Through it all, I remained watching her, absorbing every shade of her expressions and every sound of her voice. I knew my men were nearby, perhaps catching glimpses of this unexpected display of domesticity.

Their usual stoic expressions likely giving way to a flicker of surprise and even judgment looking at me. Well let them because this is our world and our moment. After our games, we strolled along the winding paths of the park, hand in hand. 

The air was cool but not cold and totally refreshing. Soumya's hand in mine was a comforting weight, a tangible link to the life growing within her. We eventually found ourselves by the edge of the pond again, settling under the shade of a grand old oak tree. 

I carefully arranged the blanket, making sure it was a comfortable resting place for her. The lunch she had prepared was a testament to her thoughtful nature. Vegetable cheese sandwiches, a crisp Caesar salad and orange juice. 

It was perfect, not overly elaborate but made with care and with the intent to nourish and delight. We ate in comfortable silence for a while, punctuated by her occasional comments about the taste or the breeze.

After lunch, she leaned back and a contented sigh escaped her lips. "My head feels a bit heavy" she murmured, her eyes already beginning to droop.

Without a word, I shifted making myself more comfortable against the trunk of the tree. "Here" I said and patted my lap. She didn't hesitate and she settled herself down, resting her head against my thighs. 

I carefully adjusted my position, ensuring she was as comfortable as possible and then gently ran my fingers through her hair. The soft spring breeze continued to play, rustling the leaves above us, creating a spotted pattern of light and shadow on her face. 

I could imagine the amazement of my disguised bodyguards witnessing their formidable boss in such a tender and domestic pose. This was a side of me I rarely showed and a side that existed purely for her.

Suddenly she pointed out a particularly vibrant rose bush and it had deep red petals. "Look Ani, it is as beautiful as you are" she mumbled and smiled.

"Am I beautiful?" I asked, as no one as ever told me that I am beautiful. It was always handso, hot, sexy, daddy or other stuff.

"Yes you are Ani, you a pretty little baby" she said and giggled at my confused expression. I know, it's some song because I have seen her listening to it.

I just chuckled and shook my head, I like seeing her all goofy. "Ahh...It's beautiful here" she said and sighed contentedly, her eyes scanning the tranquil scene. As I rested my head against the rough bark of the tree, my gaze drifted over the park.

I took in the scenery, the distant movement of a squirrel and the shimmer of sunlight on the pond.  "Anirudh, what do you think? Boy or girl?" she said, her tone shifting.

I met her question with my usual pragmatic response. "What matters most is that the baby is healthy. Boy, girl, it's all the same to me as long as they are well" I said, my voice stern as usual.

"The same? How can it be the same? Don't you have any preference? A son to carry on your legacy or a daughter to be your little princess?" she said, her voice which had been so soft moments before, now held an edge of accusation. 

Her response was immediate, sharp and laced with a familiar hormonal turbulence. Tears pricked at her eyes and the gentle curve of her lips tightened. I sighed inwardly, her moods were as unpredictable as a summer storm.

But I had learned to navigate them with a blend of patience and unwavering affection. I shifted slightly and pulled her closer, ready to sweep away her mood swings.

"Soumya, my preference is for your happiness and the well being of our child. If I say I have a preference for a boy and it's a girl, will you be disappointed? If I say I want a girl and it's a boy, will you feel bad? My only desire is for a healthy child and that is the one and only preference I have" I said and she blinked.

I delivered my words with a calm sincerity that seemed to soothe the tension that had begun to build within her. She leaned into me, her breathing evening out. 

"But... it's fun to imagine, isn't it? I think... I think it will be a boy. He will have your strong jawline, my black eyes and your quiet intensity. But then again a daughter... she will have your eyes, little bit of your personality and she will be just as stubborn as me. I can already picture her, a tiny replica of both of us" she said and her voice softened again with a dreamy quality returning.

"Well then I have to be extra careful because I would have to take care of two stubborn woman" I said and she slapped my thigh, then burst into laughter. We continued to talk, our conversation meandering through hypotheticals of lullabies and bedtime stories

The world outside our little bubble ceased to exist. The gentle breeze, the distant chirping and the warmth of the sun filtering through the leaves. Well it all faded into the background as we spoke of the future, of the tiny life that would soon fill our lives with even greater purpose.

Slowly, the rhythm of her breathing deepened. Her head became heavy with sleep, settled more firmly into my lap. I looked down at her, her face softened in slumber and a peaceful expression graced her features. 

Carefully, I adjusted my position and rested my head against the ancient tree. I continued to caress her hair and the quiet hum of her contentment was a balm to my soul.

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It was then, in the midst of this serene silence there was a subtle shift in the atmosphere. My professional instincts that are sharpened by years of operating in dangerous territories, flared instantly. 

My eyes snapped open, scanning the periphery. The easy calm of moments before evaporated and was replaced by a laser like focus. I saw the discreet signals from my men, a subtle hand gesture and a barely perceptible nod.

Suddenly there was a sound and my gaze snapped towards the direction of the sound, my body tensing almost unnoticeably. Then...I saw them, not the casual strollers or the picnickers I had expected. 

These were individuals moving with a purpose, a predatory intent that sent a cold wave of adrenaline through me. They weren't supposed to be here. My men had assured me of the area's complete security, Yet... here they were. 

"Soumya" I whispered, my voice tight with a sudden and primal instinct to protect. She stirred and mumbled sleepily, "umm...lemme sleep..."

"Soumya wake up, we need to go" I said, my voice stern. "What? What's wrong?" she asked and her eyes fluttered open, confusion clouding her features. 

"No questions" I said, my voice firm but not alarming. There was no time for details, no room for further contemplation. With a swift and practiced motion, I scooped Soumya into my arms.

Her weight felt both precious and precarious. I cradled her close, my senses on high alert and scanned our surroundings. I didn't need to see the threat to know it was real. I moved with a speed and purpose that changed the casual atmosphere of moments before. 

My focus was singular, to get Soumya and our child to safe zone. The walk to the car was a mere hundred meters, felt endless. Every shadow seemed to conceal a potential danger and every rustle of leaves felt like a start of attack. 

I held Soumya tighter, her head resting against my shoulder and her eyes wide with a mixture of confusion and dawning fear. "Anirudh, what's going on?" she mumbled, her voice thick with confusion. 

"Shhh sweetheart" I murmured, my voice a low and a reassuring rumble against her ear. "We need to leave, Now" I said as I met the eyes of my closest bodyguard, who was subtly making his way towards us.

A sharp nod and a silent command, Cover us. With Soumya held securely against my chest, I began to move, a swift and purposeful stride towards the car with my senses keenly aware of the approaching threat. 

The park moments which were before a harbour of calmness, had suddenly transformed into a silent battleground. I could feel her slight shift in my arms, the subtle pressure of her body against mine. 

My promise to protect her and to protect this precious life growing within her, echoed in my mind like a silent vow that fueled my every step. We reached the car, the familiar click of the door opening a welcome sound. 

I gently settled Soumya into the plush leather seat, her eyes now fully open with a dawning realization of the urgency in my movements flickering in their depths. As I slid into the driver's seat and purred the engine to life, I risked a glance at her. 

She was still drowsy, a little disoriented but her gaze met mine with a silent question in her eyes. "Don't think too much.. just a... change of plans" I said and held her hand to reassure her.

My hands tightened on the steering wheel, my gaze fixed on the road ahead and my mind already strategizing how to ensure our continued safety. The image of her sleeping peacefully in my lap flashed through my mind.

It was a stark contrast to the harsh reality that had intruded upon our perfect Sunday. I had promised myself and I would keep that promise. I would protect her and our child at any and all costs. 

The journey to home had begun and with it, a renewed determination to safeguard the fragile peace we had found.

(It's a filler chapter guys so it's Short but still it has 2.8K words)

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To Be Continued.....