Streaks of sunlight penetrating through the sheer curtains concealing the glass door of the balcony, fell over her eyes as she slowly opened them. She tried moving but there was resistance. Frowning she looked aside. Shoot! No. 

..Shivaay.

She blinked, shocked. She sighed inaudibly rubbing her fingers on her forehead. Right! He had come back the previous day. It wasn't a dream. He was back for real. The fact did not fill her with warmth as it was supposed to. There pounced into action her concern.

His face near her shoulder was tempting. His perfect lips, his few days old stubble. His nose - the one she loved rubbing hers with. She gazed at him. Tears forming in her eyes. She was tired of this unknown overwhelming feeling. She tried moving out of bed. 

Alas!

Her leg was over his, right between his legs. While his other leg was over hers. His hand on her waist keeping her close. She smiled involuntarily. It made her feel nice. Someone to stay entangled with. Specifically him. To stay tangled with him.

Was she going through a premenstrual syndrome? Well quite likely. Cause she had no idea of those extreme feelings she had been experiencing for over a day now. Nice way of blaming nature!

She moved her eyes to the alarm clock. It was just a few minutes past six. She could sleep for some more time at least until he got up. For she had no experience in getting untangled from this mess of a position. Perhaps she did not want to. Or maybe the former more.

* * *

He stretched his arm up into the air and was going to flip over to sleep with his abdomen against the mattress. That's when he realized there was no place. If he hadn't opened his eyes slightly he would've collided with her sleeping form. A charming smile curved up his face. He placed his elbow on the pillow and scooted upwards. Resting his head on his hand he gazed at her. His fingers made way to her black locks. Gently, he ran his fingers through those silky tresses. His eyes hungrily sinking in the features of her face. His pretty wife.

His fingers stilled when his gaze stopped at her lips. There he was losing his control. Just a kiss away. He slowly bent down. His lips inches away from hers. He then realized she was sleeping. He didn't want to wake her up. She seemed exhausted the previous day. Placing a feather kiss on her head he sat up, slowly pulling his leg away from hers. 

The smile was inevitable. He was smiling like an idiot he knew. But he couldn't help it. It was so good to be back home. Stretching himself he walked to the bathroom. Soon life would change and reach that milestone of perfection he had dreamed of. 

* * *

Anika was mad at herself for sleeping so late. But she couldn't deny the fact that she slept well after so many days. She hurried about the kitchen preparing breakfast while Pinky was making tea. 

"Where is Shivaay ?"

"I don't know Mumma. He isn't at home."

"Now where did he go? Since when did his morning come so soon?" She laughed.

Anika smiled at her taunting remark. She couldn't help but once again go back at thinking where was he?

"Morning Lovely Ladies!" His voice made the women turn around at once.

"Think of him and he is here!" Pinky smiled.

"We were discussing about you?"

"So I am the hot topic is it?" He said grinning giving his mom a side hug. 

"Hmmm..see Mr. NRI. Anika I am telling you he is on cloud ten, forget nine! Hot huh?" She pulled his ear.

"Come on mom. " he freed himself. 

"I guess you are still running on the US time zone!'

"Nope. Went for a morning jog!"

"Oh. Ho. I am impressed. Anika, see this man who once hated waking up early forget about exercise has gone for a jogging walk."

"Well. With what I have learned, someone is very particular about fitness at home. So obviously, I have to follow the Law of land." he said once again looking at her. He couldn't help but steal glances at her. She looked so beautiful with her hair tied in a messy bun with stray strands all over. Despite the imperfections, she looked perfect to him.

Anika had been quietly doing her work. Smiling at the mother-son remarks but not looking up. He looked devilishly handsome in that same black gym-tee and tracks. Hair moist with sweat and that grin that did not show any signs of wiping off his face. She looked up when he made her mention quite indirectly though.

"Ahem." Pinky cleared her throat. "That I agree. Your wife is very particular about exercise. At least to me. I am the mother in law after all. So she has to be strict with me. Oh, Shivaay you have no clue, of what I have endured in your absence!"

Anika and Shivaay both gaped at Pinky. She broke into hysterical laughter. "I was kidding. "

"Obviously!" Shivaay shrugged.

Anika narrowed her eyes at her mother-in-law. "No seera, for you today." She smiled.

"That's not fair," Pinky argued. "I am not diabetic, my husband is!"

"But your cholesterol is high. Plus, you just ended up with minus one for falsely accusing me." Anika leaned against the kitchen counter. Shivaay gazed at her fondly.

"I was joking!" Pinky argued.

"I took it a little too seriously." Anika played along.

"Remember, I did one extra round of walking yesterday?" Pinky was relieved she had a point to put forth.

"Remember two days back you did two less?" Anika said giving a winning smile. 

"Women. Hold your horses. How about you both continue this later? My stomach growls." Shivaay intervened the court proceedings going on in the kitchen.

"First bath Shivaay!" Pinky gave him a tight smile, letting him know she meant what she said. She walked out with the tea on the tray for Shakti.

"Anika won't let you sit at the table otherwise!" She added on her way out.

He looked at her. Suddenly the kitchen grew smaller and the heat was inevitable. The heat of their locked gazes. Anika tore away her gaze from him and tried to focus on what she was doing. She could feel him walk closer. Her heart was jumping crazily. 

She felt him closer and closer. Still close. A little more close. Her back was inches away from his chest. She tried hard to not be obvious that she was affected. His hand came forward. Anika could only blindly guess what he was up to. He simply grabbed an apple from the fruit basket before her.He pulled his hand away. She looked up at him, her eyes slightly wide. A look and she knew, he did it on purpose. That grin gave away big time. He was going to bite into it when she startled him by calling his name.

He stared at her. Finally a glimpse of his wife like she would be.

"Wash it!" 

He nodded and hesitant at his staring she tucked back a lock. It was best to escape at the moment. Before she could his hand held her wrist.  She turned back to look at him. 

"Thank you!"

For telling him to wash the apple before eating? She looked at him questioningly.

"For everything!"  He said softly. He knew he owed her much for being there by his parents and loving them, taking care of them, and more importantly for being in his life. Only he knew how much of his life was what it was because of her. He could never tell in words. 

Just a piece of information. According to a psychological article I read, couple who sleep like that ---

"When you sleep with arms and legs tangled, it's a sign that you can't get enough of each other — even while you sleep. It means your lives are intertwined, that you function as a pair."

 While as Shivaay was sleeping..

His head on her shoulder... It would mean he sort of depends on her.

Of course not necessarily but in general.

Did a random reading on sleeping habits of couple while writing that part. Because usually the way you sleep tells a lot about what's going on with you or your general behavior. 

-Anami!💜