He lay there like a spoiled prince — arms sprawled, face half buried into the pillow, still pretending to be asleep after that forehead kiss.
I whispered again, this time with a little smirk, “Wake up, your highness. Or I’m making breakfast for one.”
No response.
So I leaned down, gently tugged his ear. “Dosas,” I whispered like it was some ancient spell. “Crispy. Hot. With extra chutney.”
He cracked one eye open, suspicious. “You’re bluffing.”
“Try me,” I teased, pulling the blanket off him halfway.
He groaned dramatically and grabbed my wrist, trying to pull me into bed instead. “Five more minutes. Or... drag me into the kitchen.”
“Oh, don't tempt me,” I laughed, dodging as he tried to reel me in like a sleepy octopus. One of his arms wrapped around my waist and I lost balance — landing right on top of him with a soft oomph!
We both burst into giggles. His arms were still around me, and he looked up, that sleep-flushed face glowing under the morning light. I brushed a few strands of his tousled hair off his forehead, quietly taking him in. His eyes had that lazy warmth, the kind that made time forget how to move.
I kissed his cheek gently. “You’re adorable, you know that?”
He pretended to scoff. “Dangerous thing to say to a man trying not to fall harder.”
Another laugh. Another stolen moment.
But I had a mission. I wriggled free and stood up with my hands on my hips. “Alright. Out. Of. Bed. Or I’m eating your share too.”
His groan followed me out of the room.
A few minutes later, I was in the kitchen. The dosa batter hissed as it hit the hot pan, spreading into that perfect golden crisp circle. The smell must’ve reached him because he finally appeared, freshly washed, hair still a lil damp, yawning dramatically like a lion who had to get out of bed only because he was promised food.
He hopped up onto the kitchen counter like he belonged there — which.... well, he did.
“Is it ready?” he asked, sniffing like a child.
“Almost. Sit still or I’ll serve you raw batter.”
“Rude,” he muttered, but grinned as I placed the first dosa on a plate.
He took a greedy bite, eyes fluttering shut like he’d just been kissed by God. “Marry me again,” he mumbled, mouth full.
“You’re impossible,” I laughed, tearing a piece off and feeding myself.
He tore another bite... A tiny bite ... and fed me it — with extra chutney.. I glared at him.. scrunched my nose and stuck my tongue out. “Mean!” I said.
Wiping off the dot of chutney at the corner of my lips... and licking his fingers.. “Perfect,” he corrected.
The dosa pile disappeared faster than I could flip them. We chatted about nothing and everything — a silly meme he saw, the plant we forgot to water, the neighbor’s dog that barked like it was owed rent.
Just as I reached for the last dosa, I checked the time and froze. “Shoot! I’m late!”
Panic mode: ON.
I zipped around the house like a woman possessed — gathering files, keys, wanting to toss clothes into the laundry basket, trying to remember if I left the geyser on.... He watched me for a beat and then stood up, grabbing my shoulders.
“Hey. Relax.”
“I can’t! The call starts in twenty and I still need to—”
“I’ll take care of it. I’m home today, remember?”
I stopped, just for a second, looking at him. He smiled softly, that lopsided smile that always got to me.
Taking in deep breaths... I melted into his arms. His hug was warm, full-bodied, like the kind you fall into after a long day even if the day hasn’t started yet. He kissed my forehead first. Then, a soft kiss on the lips — unhurried, sweet.
As I stepped back, he winked. “Go. Conquer the world.”
I turned to leave, shoes in hand, heart a little too full.
“Oh,” he called out, “And hey... I’ve got a surprise waiting for you when you get back.”
I paused at the door, eyebrows raised. “What kind of surprise?”
He grinned. “The good kind.”
And just like that... the day already felt better.