4.The Weight of Silence

The morning light streamed through the curtains as Elena stirred awake. She could feel Rivaan's arm still draped over her waist, his breathing steady beside her. For a moment, everything felt serene, as if the tension between them didn't exist. But as soon as she opened her eyes and saw Ansh stirring in his sleep, reality crashed back into her.

Elena quietly shifted, careful not to wake either of them. She slid out of bed, gently tucking the blanket around her sleeping son before slipping into the bathroom. As she closed the door behind her, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her hair was tousled, her eyes slightly puffy from the emotions she had buried last night. The woman staring back at her seemed distant, almost like a stranger.

She splashed water on her face, trying to shake off the remnants of last night's confusion. The tenderness Rivaan had shown in bed was fleeting, a mere illusion. She knew better than to cling to those rare moments. After years of marriage, she had learned to expect the distance that would come once he woke up.

As she dressed and left the bathroom, she found Rivaan sitting on the edge of the bed, his back to her. Ansh was awake now, babbling softly as he reached for his father. Rivaan gave their son a small smile, lifting him into his arms. The sight of Rivaan being gentle with Ansh tugged at Elena's heart. She loved seeing him as a father, even if he rarely extended that warmth to her.

Rivaan didn't say anything as she crossed the room, but his eyes flickered toward her briefly before looking away again. The silence between them was palpable, filled with unspoken words and unresolved feelings.

Elena: "I'll get breakfast ready," she said quietly, her voice barely breaking the tension. She waited for him to respond, but as usual, he remained silent.

In the kitchen, Elena busied herself preparing breakfast for the family. She glanced at the clock, knowing their two older boys, Aarav and Reyansh, would be awake soon. The mornings were always hectic with three young boys, and it left her little time to dwell on her marriage. But even as she chopped vegetables and stirred the pot, her thoughts kept circling back to last night.

Why did he pull her close when he barely acknowledged her during the day? Why did he want her, but still seem to resent her? The questions gnawed at her, but there were no easy answers.

The sound of little footsteps broke her thoughts. Aarav and Reyansh came bounding into the kitchen, their energy filling the room as they clamored for her attention. Elena forced a smile, welcoming the distraction.

Elena: "Good morning, my loves," she said, bending down to kiss their cheeks. "Are you ready for breakfast?"

Aarav: "Mommy, can we have pancakes?" Aarav asked, his big brown eyes lighting up with excitement.

Elena chuckled, ruffling his hair. "Of course, sweetheart. Pancakes it is."

As she worked on breakfast, she could hear Rivaan's voice from the other room, playing with Ansh. It was a sound that should have brought her peace, but instead, it only added to the weight on her heart. He was a good father, she could never deny that. But as a husband, he remained a mystery—closed off, unreachable, and emotionally distant.

Once breakfast was ready, the boys gathered around the table, chattering away about their plans for the day. Rivaan entered the kitchen with Ansh in his arms, setting him in the high chair before taking his usual seat. Elena served everyone in silence, feeling the weight of Rivaan's presence, though they exchanged no words.

It was only when Aarav, ever the curious child, looked up at his father and asked innocently, "Daddy, why don't you smile at Mommy ?" that the atmosphere shifted.

Elena froze, her hand stilling as she placed a plate on the table. Her heart raced, and she could feel the tension thickening in the air. She hadn't expected her son's innocent question to cut so deeply.

Rivaan looked startled, his fork pausing mid-air. His expression was unreadable as he glanced at Elena, then back at Aarav. For a moment, it seemed as if he might actually answer, but instead, he cleared his throat and mumbled something under his breath before returning his focus to his plate.

Elena forced a smile, trying to deflect the awkwardness. "Daddy's just tired, sweetheart. He works very hard," she said softly, though the words felt hollow.

Aarav accepted the answer, nodding as he dug into his pancakes, but Elena couldn't shake the sinking feeling in her chest. She glanced at Rivaan, hoping for some acknowledgment, but his eyes remained downcast, focused on his food.

The rest of breakfast passed in strained silence, the earlier joy replaced by the heavy reality of their marriage. After clearing the table and cleaning up the kitchen, Elena retreated to the quiet of the living room, needing a moment to gather her thoughts.

Rivaan joined her after a while, his footsteps hesitant as he stood in the doorway. She didn't look at him, her gaze fixed on the window as she watched the sunlight dance across the yard. It was easier than facing him, easier than confronting the emotions she had buried for so long.

"Elena," he said, his voice softer than usual.

She turned to him slowly, surprised by the tone. There was something in his eyes—remorse, perhaps, or maybe just exhaustion. But before she could ask him what was on his mind, Ansh's cry rang out from the other room, breaking the moment.

Rivaan turned away, heading toward their son, leaving Elena once again with the weight of the words left unspoken.