Aditi's POV
The next morning began with soft cries coming from the crib beside my bed.
My eyes fluttered open.
For a moment, I stared at the ceiling, trying to remember when I had fallen asleep.
Then I heard another tiny cry.
Instantly, I sat up.
My baby was awake.
A smile appeared on my face despite the exhaustion weighing down my body.
"Good morning, princess."
I carefully lifted her into my arms.
Almost immediately, she stopped crying.
I laughed softly.
"So all you wanted was attention?"
My baby blinked up at me.
Her tiny fingers wrapped around the collar of my T-shirt.
My heart melted.
Every time she looked at me, it felt like the rest of the world disappeared.
The pain.
The fear.
The uncertainty.
For a few precious moments, none of it mattered.
It was just me and her.
My mother left shortly after breakfast to visit a nearby temple.
"You'll be okay alone for a couple of hours?" she asked.
I nodded.
"We'll survive."
She smiled.
"I'll bring lunch."
After she left, the apartment became quiet.
Too quiet.
The television remained off.
The only sounds were the occasional traffic noises drifting through the windows and my baby's tiny coos.
I sat on the sofa holding her against my chest.
The warmth of her small body brought me comfort.
Yet my thoughts refused to stay quiet.
They drifted backward.
Back to memories I wanted to forget.
Back to promises that had been broken.
Back to the man who had walked away.
I closed my eyes.
For months, I had asked myself the same question.
Why?
What had changed?
What had I done wrong?
But no matter how many times I asked those questions, the answers never came.
All I was left with was silence.
And heartbreak.
My baby stirred against me.
Slowly, I looked down at her.
At her tiny nose.
At her tiny eyelashes.
At the peaceful expression on her face.
A lump formed in my throat.
She deserved so much more than this.
She deserved two parents.
She deserved a complete family.
She deserved a father who would love her.
The thought hurt.
More than I wanted to admit.
Because no matter how much I loved her...
There were some things I could never replace.
A tear slipped down my cheek.
I quickly wiped it away.
"No."
My voice was firm.
My baby blinked up at me.
As if she were listening.
I smiled sadly.
"You don't need to worry about any of that."
I gently kissed her forehead.
"You have me."
My voice trembled.
"And I promise that's enough."
The words felt important.
Like a vow.
Like something I needed to say out loud.
"You'll never feel unwanted."
Another kiss.
"You'll never feel unloved."
I held her a little closer.
"And no matter what happens..."
My eyes filled with tears.
"I'll always choose you."
For a long moment, the apartment remained silent.
Only the ticking clock filled the room.
Then the doorbell rang.
I frowned.
Who could that be?
My mother had her keys.
The bell rang again.
Carefully, I stood and adjusted my baby's blanket.
The doorbell rang a third time.
Whoever it was seemed impatient.
Taking a deep breath, I walked to the front door.
And opened it.
A tall man stood outside.
Dark hair.
Broad shoulders.
A black shirt with sleeves rolled to his elbows.
In one hand was a small parcel.
For a second, neither of us spoke.
His eyes briefly landed on the sleeping baby in my arms.
Something softened in his expression.
Then he looked back at me.
"Apartment 804?"
His voice was deep.
Calm.
I blinked.
"No."
He glanced at the parcel.
Then at the apartment number beside my door.
A small smile appeared on his lips.
"My mistake."
For some reason, my heartbeat stumbled.
Maybe because I wasn't used to talking to strangers anymore.
Maybe because life had become so small recently.
The man nodded politely.
"Sorry for disturbing you."
Before I could answer, my baby shifted in my arms.
A tiny sound escaped her lips.
The stranger immediately looked at her.
And smiled.
A real smile.
Warm.
Gentle.
Unexpected.
Something about it caught me off guard.
Then the elevator doors opened behind him.
The moment ended.
"Have a good day," he said.
And just like that, he walked away.
Leaving me standing there.
Confused.
Curious.
And completely unaware that the stranger I had just met would soon become one of the most important people in our lives.
To Be Continued...
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Thank you for reading! ❤️
Looks like someone unexpected has entered Aditi's life. 👀
What are your first thoughts about the mysterious stranger?
Do you think this meeting was just a coincidence?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments! ✨
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See you in the next chapter! ❤️
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