Page 61 of Shattered

“You sure make it seem so easy, as if it were the most natural thing, but it seems quite complicated to me. I doubt I could ever cook like that.”

She reduces the flame of the stove, carefully removes the omelette from the pan, and slides it onto a plate. “You know, my dad used to make breakfast for my mom every Sunday,”she says,holding the plate out to me,her voice soft with nostalgia.

I raise an eyebrow, “Really?”

“Yup,” she says with a smile as she pours another batch of omelette batter onto the pan. Pausing to flip it, she glances at me, and then continues. “Cooking for Mom was his way of showing how much he loved and cherished her. He always went that extra mile to make it special. Like he used to add these lovely little touches—placing fresh flowers on the table and playing their favourite songs softly in the background. He’d even write these adorable notes and leave them next to her plate.”

I don’t miss how her eyes light up as she speaks. Absorbing her words, I make a mental note that I will learn how to cook, not only to replicate the joy her dad brought to her mom but also to bring her the same happiness she brings me.

I nod. “He sounds like a wonderful man.”

Turning off the stove, she places the omelette on a plate for herself before looking at me. “He truly was,” she murmurs softly, her eyes distant with longing. “Whenever I looked at him, I couldn’t help but wish for a man just like my dad to be by my side.”

I don’t say anything. I just remain silent, unable to find the right words. Placing my plate on the counter, I take hers and set it beside mine. She looks at me quizzically, but her expression quickly changes to surprise when my hands find her hips, lifting her onto the counter. Cupping her face in my hands, I stroke her cheeks tenderly.

“I promise I’ll learn to cook,” I say earnestly, locking eyes with her. “I don’t know if I’ll be as good, but I’ll give it my best shot. I want to make breakfast for you, just like your dad did for your mom. I want to create those special moments for us.”

Her eyes glistenwith unshed tearsas she places her hands on mine, giving them a gentle squeeze. “You don’t have to,” she murmurs softly. “I didn’t tell you that because I wanted you to, but because I wanted to share a part of myself with you.”

“I know I don’t have to, but Iwantto,” I say with a smile, gently kissing her nose. “And I’m grateful that you shared that with me. I can’t express how much it means to be a part of your life. It makes me feel incredibly special.”

“Youarespecial, and your willingness to do this for me means a lot,” she breathes softly, her voice filled with awe and love.

“I’d do anything to make you happy,” I say softly, brushing a tear from her cheek. “Seeing you smile is all I need.”

Her smile grows, eyes still glistening with tears. “You already make me so happy,” she whispers, squeezing my hand again. “Thank you for being you.”

“Don’t thank me just yet,” I grin, trying to lighten the mood. “You might want to try my cooking first—it might not even be edible!”

She laughs, her eyes sparkling now. “I’ll take my chances,” she says before adding, “I get the feeling you’re good with your hands.”

The moment the words leave her mouth, I smirk, raising my eyebrows, while her eyes widen and her face turns beet red as she realises what she just said.

“I... I didn’t...” she trails off, dropping her head down, too flustered to continue.

I grin, leaning in a bit closer. “Oh, really?” I tease, lifting her chin gently with my finger.

She blushes, her gaze flickering up to meet mine. “I... I didn’t mean it like that,” she stammers, her cheeks flushing deeper. “I meant cooking, you know... in the kitchen.”

I chuckle softly, loving the sight of her cheeks tinted with a deeper shade of red. “I knowexactlywhat you meant,” I say. “But I must confess, I find myself captivated by the way your blush adds an extra touch of beauty to you. It’s a sight I never tire of.”

She wraps her hands around my neck, gently playing with my hair, a shy smile still dancing on her lips. “I have a feeling, that with you, blushing might just become a permanent part of my expression.”

I smile back, tracing my fingers along her jawline. “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I reply and watch her bite her lip, which only deepens the desire burning within me. As if she can read my thoughts, she shakes her head, sensing where this might lead. I smirk, telling her she’s not wrong. Indeed, my mind is filled with wild thoughts, especially with her sitting on the counter like this.

“If we keep this up, our breakfast will get cold,” she says, trying to free herself from my hold.

Leaning in closer, I notice a sharp intake of breath. “I don’t care for breakfast. I want you,” I whisper.

Her eyes widenat my words, and she blinks up at me. “You want to do it again?”

“It’s all you, sweetheart. You make me crave more every damn time. I just can’t resist you,” Imurmur, placing my lips to her neck and gently nipping it, feeling her pulse quicken beneath my touch.

“Reyansh, we can’t,” she whispers, her breaths coming in pants as her hands clutch my hair. “We have to have breakfast, and I need to get home and work.”

“We can,” I whisper, trailing my lips up her neck. “And you can do all of it, but before that, I just need a few minutes, sweetheart,” I lean in, ready to capture her lipswhen, suddenly, my phone rings, breaking the magic of the moment.

“I’ll kill whoever it is,” I curse in frustration, pulling back as Kavya lets out a giggle.I glare at her, but the sound of her laughter makes it hard to stay annoyed.Reluctantly, I reach for my mobile, pulling it from my pocket. My heart lurches, and Kavya tenses as we both see Sidharth’s name flash on the screen. Pressing her hands in mine, I answer the call, putting it on loudspeaker.

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