2.Stolen Moments

The house was filled with the soft murmur of conversations as the family gathered in the dining room for their evening meal. Elena was seated at the table, helping Meera, her mother-in-law, serve the food. The warmth of the family's presence usually comforted her, but tonight, she felt an undercurrent of unease.

Rivaan had returned from the office just a few minutes ago, greeting everyone with his usual charm, though his eyes had briefly flickered toward her with an intensity that she couldn't quite decipher. He had disappeared into their bedroom to change, but when she heard her name being called from the other side of the house—loud and demanding—her heart skipped a beat.

"Excuse me," she muttered softly to her in-laws as she quickly left the dining room. As she made her way to their bedroom, she wondered what he wanted this time. He had a habit of calling her out of nowhere, and it wasn't always for something important. When she pushed open the door, Rivaan was standing there, dressed in a casual T-shirt and pajama pants, looking at her with that same intensity from earlier.

"Close the door," he commanded, his voice low but firm.

Without a word, Elena obeyed. She turned the lock, sealing them off from the rest of the house. The moment she turned back toward him, Rivaan was already hovering over her, his eyes dark with desire. He grabbed her by the waist, pulling her close as his lips found her neck, trailing slow, deliberate kisses down her skin. Elena shivered under his touch, her body reacting to him even though her mind was racing. He always did this—always made her forget everything else when he was near.

His hands were everywhere, roaming across her body as if he couldn't get enough. His lips captured hers in a kiss that was raw, hungry, and full of pent-up need. Two weeks of separation had clearly taken their toll on him. Elena felt herself melting into the moment, into him, her body surrendering to the familiar rhythm they shared.

Rivaan began pulling at her clothes, his urgency palpable. His hands fumbled with the buttons of her blouse, tugging at the fabric, but just as he was about to undress her completely, a knock sounded at the door.

"Elena? Rivaan? Dinner's ready, everyone's waiting," called Meera from the hallway.

Elena froze, her hands instinctively reaching for her clothes to cover herself. Rivaan exhaled sharply, annoyed at the interruption, but instead of snapping at her or anyone else, he leaned in and kissed her again—this time softer, more controlled. His lips lingered on hers for a moment longer, as if making up for the lost moment. Then, pulling back, he adjusted her clothes gently, his fingers brushing against her skin in a way that sent a shiver down her spine.

He quickly straightened his own clothes before walking to the door and opening it. Elena followed him out, her heart still racing from the intensity of the moment. As they entered the dining room, the rest of the family greeted them with smiles, none the wiser about what had just transpired.

The table was already set, with the children seated and waiting patiently. Rivaan immediately went to help Aarav with his food, scooping small portions onto his plate and chatting with their son as if nothing had happened. Elena watched him from the corner of her eye, marveling at how easily he could switch between the role of the demanding husband and the doting father.

As they ate, Rivaan's attention stayed on their children. He helped feed Ansh, their youngest, while Reyansh tried to scoop his own food but kept making a mess. Elena stepped in to help Reyansh, smiling at her messy little boy, who was always full of energy and enthusiasm.

After dinner, Elena began tidying up while Rivaan disappeared into the living room to catch up on some work. Once the dishes were cleared, she focused on the boys, preparing them for bed. Aarav and Reyansh, exhausted from the day, quickly fell asleep in their shared room. But Ansh, the youngest, was restless.

As Elena prepared to leave their sons' room, Ansh began to cry softly, reaching out for her. He was still so little, and his attachment to her was stronger than his brothers'. Elena couldn't bring herself to leave him there alone, so she scooped him up in her arms, cradling him against her chest.

When she entered their bedroom carrying Ansh, Rivaan was already lying in bed, flipping through a business magazine. He looked up at her, frowning slightly when he saw their youngest in her arms.

"Why is he here? Is he sick?" Rivaan asked, his voice gruff but filled with concern.

"No," Elena replied softly. "He just wants to sleep with us tonight. He's been crying, and I didn't have the heart to say no."

Rivaan's frown deepened, but he didn't argue. He knew how much their children meant to her, and despite his tough exterior, Rivaan had a soft spot for his boys, even if he tried not to show it. "Fine," he muttered, moving over to make room for them in the bed.

Elena settled Ansh between them, gently laying the little boy down on his back. Ansh was still fussy, his tiny hands reaching for Elena, his whimpers tugging at her heart. She unbuttoned her blouse slightly, adjusting herself so that she could breastfeed him. As soon as Ansh latched on, he quieted, his small body relaxing against hers.

Rivaan watched them in silence, his expression unreadable. He often looked at her like that when she was with the children—as if he admired her, or maybe it was something else, something deeper that he couldn't put into words. Elena glanced over at him, meeting his gaze for a moment before turning her attention back to their son.

Rivaan lay down on his side of the bed, his eyes still on her and Ansh. His hand reached out, brushing lightly against Ansh's tiny arm before he pulled the blanket up over them all. Despite everything, these quiet moments with their children brought a strange sense of peace to their lives—a temporary truce in the unspoken war between them.

As Ansh began to drift off to sleep, Elena sighed softly, her heart heavy with the weight of the day. She loved her children fiercely, and Rivaan's love for them was undeniable. But what about her? She longed for more than these stolen moments of passion and the brief flashes of tenderness. She longed for Rivaan to truly see her, to love her as much as he loved their sons.

But as she lay there, sandwiched between her husband and their child, she couldn't help but wonder if that day would ever come. For now, she would take what little she could get and hope that one day, Rivaan's heart would open to her the way it had for their boys.