Abhiram and Maithili had fallen asleep late, tangled in each other’s arms after a night that could only be described as electric. Their bodies had explored, demanded, and devoured—no softness, just wild, breathless passion. Maithili hadn't let him be gentle either; she’d wanted the fire, and Abhi had matched her desire with every bit of his own.

Around 5:30 in the soft hush of dawn, faint golden light crept into the bedroom. Maithili stirred first, her throat dry. As she moved slightly to reach for the water bottle, she became aware of how tightly Abhi was holding her waist. Their legs were still entwined beneath the sheets, the heat of the night still lingering on their skin. She blushed at the memory of just how wild they'd been.

She tried to shift again, but Abhi murmured sleepily against her neck, "Don't go, Maithili."

She smiled, heart fluttering at his possessiveness. "Let me just grab some water, Ram," she whispered.

He loosened his grip slightly, and she reached for the bottle on the nightstand. After a long sip, she turned back to him, only to be pulled instantly into his arms again. His hand found her waist like it belonged there. She traced her fingers softly along his face, running over the line of his jaw, to his lips.

Abhi’s eyes fluttered open with a lazy grin. "I'm ready for another round, Mrs. Sinha."

Maithili rolled her eyes, teasing. "Shameless. I thought you were sleeping."

"I was… until someone started exploring me with her fingers." He smirked, brushing his hand down her bare back.

Before she could reply, he was on top of her again, his mouth finding hers, then trailing down as if he hadn’t tasted her enough. Desire flared between them like a spark to dry leaves. In moments, he was buried inside her again, both lost in another wave of heated urgency. Maithili gasped, clutching at him as they fell over the edge together, breathless and tangled.

Abhi collapsed against her, resting his forehead on her shoulder, both panting, hearts thudding.

Suddenly, they heard Myra call, "Mamma? Papa?" They froze, feeling like teenagers caught in the act.

The door was on the verge of opening.

"One second, sweetheart!" Maithili called out in a half-panic, looking wildly for clothes.

Abhi jumped out of bed, pulling on his track pants in record time. Maithili spotted Abhi’s T-shirt in a heap nearby and tugged it over herself quickly.

Abhi opened the door and scooped a sleepy Myra into his arms.
"Why are you up so early, princess?"

She yawned and rubbed her eyes. "I woke up, didn’t see you or Mamma, got scared, and came to sleep with you."

Maithili reached out with a smile.
"Come, baby."

Myra nestled between them, sleepily cuddling into her mother while Abhi lay on the other side.

Then came the question they didn’t expect.

"Mamma, why are you wearing Papa’s shirt?"

Abhi chuckled. Maithili shot him a look. Suppressing a grin, he said, "Mamma was cold last night, so I gave her my shirt."

Myra nodded then asked innocently,
"But Papa, you're not wearing a shirt. Aren’t you cold?"

"No, baby. Papa is always warm. Only Mamma was cold," he replied with a wink at Maithili.

Myra’s brows furrowed as she observed them both.
"But you both look shiny shiny..."

"Shiny?" Abhi echoed, amused.

Myra nodded.
"I get shiny when I run a lot. But I don’t get shiny when I’m cold."

Maithili quickly intervened, chuckling nervously.
"Sweetheart, let’s sleep now. It’s too early for questions. Now close your eyes.”
Seeing Myra’s eyes gently close again as she snuggled in between them, Maithili leaned closer to Abhi and whispered under her breath, "Haven’t you locked the door last night?"

Abhi blinked, trying to remember. "I thought I had... but now I’m not so sure."

Maithili raised an eyebrow, giving him a look that said seriously? "From now on, I’m going to double-check. Every. Single. Night."

Abhi chuckled softly, trying not to wake Myra. "Relax, sweetheart. It’s not like she saw anything."

Maithili shot him a sharp glare. "She saw enough to ask why I’m wearing your shirt and why we’re both shiny, Mr. Sinha."

Abhi bit back a grin, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Well... we were glowing, weren’t we?"

She tried to hold on to her glare, but the corners of her mouth betrayed her, curving up just a little. Abhi caught it, smirking, and leaned in, brushing his lips against her temple.

"You know," he whispered, "a little risk adds spice."

Maithili rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped her.
"Spice is fine. Trauma for our daughter is not."

Abhi nodded solemnly, then reached over Myra’s tiny frame to intertwine his fingers with Maithili’s.
"Agreed. Next time, door locked. Thoroughly. Even if I’m too distracted by someone wild and irresistible."
She shot him one last warning glance more playful than stern and rested her hand over her daughter’s back and whispered, "Next time, don’t forget to lock the damn door."

Abhi nodded obediently, still grinning. "Yes, boss."

She gently wrapped an arm around her. Abhi leaned over, his eyes soft as he looked at the two most precious people in his life. He kissed Myra’s forehead, then Maithili’s cheek.

Maithili looked at him with a secret smile. The fire from the night still lingered in her eyes, but now it was wrapped in warmth, family, and love.

And just like that, the wild lovers became the gentle parents once again.

As the sun rose, Maithili quietly got up. She moved carefully to avoid waking Abhiram or Myra, who were both sleeping together under the quilt. Myra was resting against her father, and she was drooling onto Abhiram’s chest. Their breathing was slow and steady.

A soft smile curved her lips as she stood at the edge of the bed. She reached down and gently pulled the blanket up to cover them better, tucking it snugly around Myra’s little body. With a quick glance at the sleepy duo, she crossed the room and pulled the curtains tighter, darkening the space just enough to keep the morning sun from waking them too soon.

After freshening up, Maithili slipped into a pale, sleeveless co-ord set and headed downstairs. The air was still, tinged with the faint aroma of brewing tea and sandalwood from the morning puja.

In the living room, Amrutha and Rajesh sat with their morning cups,

“Good morning, Ma. Good morning, Papa,” Maithili greeted warmly as she stepped in.

“Good morning, beta,” they echoed in unison.

Amrutha looked up from her cup. “Did your brother arrive in India?”

Maithili nodded, taking a seat beside them. “Yes, Ma. He went straight to Ma’s place.

Rajesh gave a pleased nod. “Invite him over for lunch or dinner, beta.”

“I will, Papa. Abhi already asked him to join us, but he said he’ll come over after he’s done catching up with Ma.”

Amrutha smiled, her gaze lingering on Maithili. There was something softer about her this morning—a light in her eyes, a serenity in her tone. The tension that had shadowed her face yesterday had melted away. She was glowing. Happy. And it didn’t take much to guess why.

Something had shifted between Abhi and Maithili and it was unmistakably for the better.

“It’s Saturday,” Maithili said brightly. “I’ll make pancakes before Myra wakes up.”

Amrutha watched her daughter-in-law disappear into the kitchen, still smiling to herself.

Once out of earshot, she turned to Rajesh and murmured, “Seems like everything’s back to normal between them.”

Rajesh smirked knowingly. “Didn’t I tell you? Married life needs a few storms clears the air.”

Amrutha chuckled. “Still... I never thought we’d witness one. Abhi and Maithili usually solve everything with logic and long speeches.”

“Even logic melts when there’s love involved,” Rajesh said, taking a sip of his tea. “They’re fine.”

Amrutha chuckled. “True. But the way they understand each other it’s beautiful. So rare.”

Rajesh shrugged playfully. “Even the best couples argue. What matters is whether they find their way back. And clearly, they have.”

In the kitchen, Maithili busied herself with mixing batter, her hands moving with practiced ease. The maid helped arrange poori and curry on the table as the scent of cardamom and vanilla pancakes filled the air.

A little later, Abhiram and Myra came downstairs, both fresh and smiling. Myra clutched her Papa’s hand and skipped over to the table.

“Mamma! You made pancakes!” she squealed with delight. “All for you,” Maithili said, placing a glass of milk before her.

As breakfast began, Myra sat between her grandparents, with Maithili and Abhi across from them. Maithili began slicing the pancakes into smaller bites. But just as she passed the plate, Myra paused, squinted up at her mother, and asked sweetly:

“Mamma… you’re not cold anymore?”

Maithili and Abhiram choked on their food simultaneously.

Amrutha looked up concern creasing her forehead. “Maithili, beta are you not feeling well?” Before either parent could steer the conversation off a cliff, Myra delighted to continue without pause “No Dadi!” she said animatedly, “Today morning, when I woke up, Mamma and Papa were not in bed. So, I went to their room and Mamma was wearing Papa’s big black T-shirt!”

Abhiram’s spoon clattered against his plate. The silence at the table thickened.

“Papa said mamma was feeling cold, so he gave mamma his shirt so mamma could be warm!” Myra declared proudly but mamma was all shiny-shiny like me after running, and you know Dadi, Mamma was looking so cute in Papa’s shirt!”

Maithili’s face turned crimson. She stared down at her plate like it held the secrets of the universe. Her entire body screamed for the earth to swallow her.

“I… forgot my phone upstairs,” she mumbled, standing up so fast she nearly knocked over her chair. And before anyone could respond, she bolted.

Abhiram blinked, caught between a laugh and an attempt to vanish under the table.

Across from him, Amrutha and Rajesh had exchanged a glance then burst into a shared, silent laugh, eyes twinkling with amusement.

Amrutha ruffled Myra’s hair gently. “Myra, sweetheart, next time maybe knock before going into Papa and Mamma’s room, okay?”

Myra looked up at her and nodded. “Okay.”

Amrutha gave her a small smile. “Good girl. Now go call your mamma. She might be hungry.”

Without another word, Myra turned and ran up the stairs.
Rajesh shook his head, chuckling. “Someone really needs to start locking that door properly.”

Abhiram rubbed the back of his neck, sheepish. “I did lock it. At least I thought I did. But apparently…..”

Rajesh cut him off with a grin. “Apparently you didn’t. Your daughter just gave a full report.”

Abhiram groaned. “Unbelievable.”

Amrutha raised an eyebrow, amused. “Welcome to parenthood, beta. Privacy ends the moment they learn to talk and ask questions.”

Rajesh added, smirking, “And repeat everything. Loudly. At breakfast.”

Abhiram let out a sigh. “Great. I’ve been exposed by a four-year-old.”

Amrutha chuckled. “You better start bribing her with chocolates whenever this happens.”

Rajesh laughed. “Or teach her the art of keeping secrets—though good luck with that.”

Amrutha playfully nudged him. “Stop it, Rajesh. Bechara, look at his face—he’s mortified.”
Then, turning serious for a second, she added, “But really, Abhi, be careful. There shouldn’t be a next time. Double-check the lock before you know...”

Abhiram groaned. “Maa, not you too.”

Amrutha just chuckled and poured herself a cup of tea. “What? I’m just saying. Prevention is better than explanation.”

Minutes later, Myra returned victoriously, dragging Maithili back with her.

“Come, Mamma! Eat now.”

Maithili returned to her seat beside Abhi, her eyes carefully avoiding everyone’s gaze. She quietly nibbled on a piece of poori like it was the most fascinating thing she had ever eaten.
Abhiram bit his lip, barely holding back a smile. Under the table, Maithili’s foot gave his shin a swift little kick.

Amrutha glanced at Maithili, who had turned crimson and hadn’t lifted her head once since returning downstairs. Her tone was warm but unmistakably teasing.

“Don’t worry, beta. We were young once too,” she said, laughter bubbling up. “But next time… tighten that latch.”

She burst out laughing, and Rajesh quickly joined in, shaking his head with mock disapproval.

Maithili let out a soft groan and buried her face behind her glass of water.

And just when she thought the moment couldn’t possibly get worse, Abhiram leaned in, brushing his lips close to her ear, his voice a playful whisper.

“Still cold, sweetheart?”

Maithili stabbed her poori with unnecessary precision. “Eat. Or I’ll make sure you’re cold tonight.”

Abhiram grinned, murmuring under his breath, “Challenge accepted.”

Across the table, Amrutha and Rajesh shared a quiet look of pure contentment. The house felt full again with laughter, mischief, and the gentle rhythm of love rediscovered.