Chương 8: 66."I Can't Sleep Alone. I Want My Teddy"
[KRISHNA'S POV]
As we walked into the dining area, the sight of everyone seated on the ground, waiting for us, greeted us warmly. The familiar hum of conversation filled the air, and the aroma of home-cooked food stirred my appetite. Ramana, already stuffing his face with food, barely looked up before making a snarky comment. "Why are you late?" he asked, his mouth half-full.
Before I could answer, Raji beat me to it. "Krishna was just a little tired, so he was sleeping," she said, her voice casual yet protective.
Ramana rolled his eyes dramatically and retorted, "This monster tired? What a joke, see I'm even laughing." He gave a half-hearted chuckle, clearly not expecting anyone to take him seriously.
But Raji wasn't one to let things slide. She raised an eyebrow, her tone sharpening. "What do you mean by that?" she asked, irritation evident in her voice. Her fiery glare landed squarely on Ramana, who immediately shifted uncomfortably under her gaze.
Ramana quickly averted his eyes and muttered nervously, "Nothing, nothing at all." His bravado dissolved as everyone around us erupted in laughter, the tension dissipating as quickly as it had appeared.
I found a spot next to Ammu, and Raji sat beside me, the space filling with the warm sounds of shared laughter. Aunt Bujji, always the doting mother, turned to Raji and handed her a bowl of subji with a gentle smile. "Here, Raji," she said.
Raji took the bowl, and without hesitation, she began serving me first, carefully placing the subji on my plate before serving herself. It was such a small gesture, yet it held so much love. The way she cared for me, making sure my plate was full before hers, filled me with a sense of contentment.
"Ma, roti," Raji called softly, her voice respectful but firm.
Aunt Bujji nodded, passing over a stack of fresh, soft rotis. Again, Raji placed one on my plate before taking one for herself.
We started to eat, and the familiar flavors of home instantly warmed me. The food tasted better than anything, but it wasn't just the spices or the cooking—it was the atmosphere. Surrounded by family, with the sound of laughter and the warmth of care, every bite carried with it a feeling of belonging.
As we ate, the occasional joke or comment from across the room kept the conversation light.
As we continued to eat, Aunt Bujji turned her attention to me, a twinkle of curiosity in her eyes. "You know, some days ago, I was talking with your mother, Deepa," she began, her tone warm and engaging. "She mentioned Bheeshma and that ACP Deva's daughter—what's her name again? Ah, yes, Chaitra. They're in a relationship."
Uncle Rangam chuckled, his voice laced with disbelief. "When we all first heard about their relationship, we were surprised. I mean, knowing your father Anand and Deva's history, it seemed impossible. How did this even happen?" His eyes sparkled with amusement as he leaned back, clearly enjoying the topic.
I opened my mouth to offer my thoughts, but before I could speak, Ramana chimed in, shaking his head in disbelief. "What surprises me more is that Bheeshma even found a girlfriend! I mean, as far as I know, every girl he asked out has rejected him." His laughter rang out, a mix of disbelief and humor, and it was infectious.
Hearing Ramana's comment, Samba suddenly burst into laughter. "At last, he found someone—not like you—" But before he could finish, he realized he fucked up. A look of panic flashed across his face as he quickly shut his mouth, eyes darting to Ramana, who was now staring him down with a mix of amusement and annoyance.
Samba's nervousness was palpable. He knew Ramana wasn't the type to let such comments slide. "That's not what I mean, Bhaiyya!" he stammered, trying to backtrack as everyone around the table erupted into laughter.
Ramana, clearly entertained, leaned back with a smirk. "Who wants to waste time on those things? If I wanted to, I already—" But before he could finish, I chimed in, a teasing smile spreading across my face. "Yeah, yeah, we know. But seriously, Ramana, Samba has a point. You're already 28; soon the children in the village will soon start calling you 'Uncle.'"
Hearing what I said, everyone erupted into laughter, and Ramana shot me an angry glare, but I chose to ignore it. "Don't give me that look; I'm not wrong. Didn't that girl Vasundhara like you? But you always ignore her."
↑(A/N:OC)
Ramana's expression changed instantly, his eyes widening in shock. "What the hell are you saying?" he exclaimed, clearly flustered.
Before he could recover, Uncle Satyam chimed in, a grin spreading across his face. "You mean Rama's daughter, Vasundhara?"
I nodded, matching his smile. "Yeah, that's her! Didn't Raji tell you?" I glanced at Raji for confirmation, but she just shook her head, stifling her laughter.
Seeing the amusement on everyone's faces, Aunt Bujji chimed in, her smile warm and inviting. "If that's true, we should talk to Rama about it. What do you think, Bhaiyya?" she asked Uncle Satyam, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
Uncle Satyam nodded enthusiastically, a grin breaking across his face. "Of course! It would be quite the surprise!" But before he could finish, Ramana interjected loudly, "What the hell? No one is asking me about my opinion!" His exasperation only fueled the laughter around the table.
Amidst the playful banter, Uncle Satyam turned to me, his tone shifting to one of sincerity. "We also heard about that kid, Rajan. You did good adopting him." His approval felt like a warm embrace, adding depth to our conversation.
I smiled, the mention of Rajan bringing a swell of pride. "Yeah, he's a nice kid. He has a good heart."
Aunt Bujji's expression softened. "Yes, Krishna, bring him here next time," she encouraged, her voice filled with genuine affection.
I nodded, feeling a sense of responsibility. "Of course, I will," I replied, a smile creeping onto my face.
With that, we returned to our meal, the laughter and chatter surrounding us like a comforting blanket. Each bite was filled with not just the delicious food Aunt Bujji prepared but also the warmth of family and friendship.
As we finished dinner and settled into the large open hall, the night sky stretched above us like a canvas painted with countless stars. Their soft glow cast a serene ambiance, the perfect backdrop to the relaxed conversations flowing around. Everyone seemed at ease, laughing and chatting with each other, a peaceful contrast to the earlier excitement.
Uncle Satyam leaned back and glanced at me, his lips curling into a familiar smile. "So, Krishna, where are those things?" he asked, his tone playfully mischievous.
At his words, Uncle Rangam, Ramana, and Samba all perked up, their eyes lighting up with anticipation. I sighed internally. Of course, it was time for their evening drinks. They didn't even have to say anything—their eager expressions said it all.
Rolling my eyes but smiling nonetheless, I stood up. "Alright, alright. Just wait a minute," I said, knowing full well they wouldn't leave me alone until I got them their drinks.
I walked to the room, taking my time, knowing what was waiting for me when I returned. After a moment, I came back, casually holding four bottles of alcohol. As soon as Ramana saw me, he panicked slightly, "Be careful with them! Don't drop it!" His voice was half-serious, half-playful.
"Relax, I've got it," I replied, handing each of them a bottle. Uncle Rangam took one from me and immediately raised an eyebrow, examining it like he'd been given a meager portion. "That's it? Just one?" he teased, pretending to be disappointed.
Before I could answer, Aunt Bujji, who had clearly been listening from the sidelines, chimed in with mock indignation, "What do you mean, 'that's it'? This is more than enough!" Her voice was laced with amusement, but the sharpness of her words made Uncle Rangam sit up straight.
Looking caught, Uncle Rangam quickly glanced away, scratching the back of his head and offering a sheepish grin. "That's not what I meant," he muttered, clearly backtracking. His expression earned him a round of laughter from everyone.
Samba stood up and made his way toward the kitchen. A few minutes later, he returned, carrying glasses and other things to accompany their drinks. As they opened the bottles and poured themselves the first round, the mood in the hall grew lighter, filled with the casual clinking of glasses and friendly chatter.
Ramana, already sipping from his glass, turned to me with a mischievous grin. "Krishna, want some?" he asked, raising his glass in an offer.
Before I could respond, something came flying through the air—a small cushion, thrown with deadly precision by none other than Raji. Ramana barely dodged it, his eyes wide with alarm as he looked at her. "What the hell are you doing? What if that had hit me?" he exclaimed, sounding more shocked than angry.
Raji crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing in mock annoyance. "Why are you even asking Krishna to drink? You know he doesn't touch alcohol. Don't try to make him like you," she shot back, her tone sharp yet affectionate.
Ignoring her entirely, Ramana simply poured another glass and took a long, deliberate sip, as if to make a point. It was typical of him—never taking things too seriously. Raji just shook her head with a sigh, but there was a small smile on her lips. The playful exchange made everyone laugh, the easy warmth of family filling the space.
As the evening continued, I excused myself and pulled out my phone, calling Anasuya and Keerthi one by one. We chatted for a while, catching up on small things. The sound of their voices, filled with laughter and lightness, blended into the soothing night around me. They even chatted with the girls here for a bit, making it feel like we were all closer than before.
Without realizing it, I had grown fond of Anasuya and Keerthi, our connection deepening over these conversations. As I ended the call, a thought crept into my mind—I should take them both out on a proper date once I'm back in Hyderabad.
As I sat comfortably with other's, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of the evening, my phone suddenly rang, its vibration cutting through the quiet chatter. Glancing at the screen, I saw Bheeshma's name flashing—a video call. With a grin, I swiped to answer.
"Yo, Bhaiyya! What's up?" I greeted with a wide smile, expecting some casual banter. But before Bheeshma could get a word in, another face popped up on the screen. Chaitra, beaming as usual, leaned into view and cheerfully said, "Me too! I'm here!"
"Chaitra?" I asked, caught off guard. "Where are you guys?"
As I spoke, I noticed my girls gathering closer, leaning in to see the phone screen, their arms wrapped around me, curious expressions on their faces.
Chaitra, grinning mischievously, corrected me, "It's Bhabhi for you, Krishna. Get used to it!" She winked playfully, enjoying the teasing. Then, without giving Bheeshma a chance to speak, she grabbed the phone out of his hands, flipping the camera around. "Let me show you where we are."
The screen switched, and suddenly I was looking at the familiar sight of my own house's living room. I blinked in surprise. There, on the couch, sat my mother, Anu's mother, Ammu's mother, Aamukta's mother, Chaitra's mother and Aamukta's sister Shreya, all chatting comfortably. They seemed so at ease, laughing together, like they'd been friends for years. Not far from them, Balu and little Rajan were huddled together on the other sofa, completely absorbed in a cartoon playing on the TV.
The girls and I exchanged stunned glances. None of us had expected this little family gathering. Seeing the warmth of that scene—our families all together, talking and enjoying each other's company—filled me with a strange mix of emotions.
Seeing the familiar scene unfold on the screen, I couldn't hold back my surprise. "What's going on? It's—" But before I could finish, Bheeshma quickly snatched the phone back from Chaitra, smiling as he interrupted, "Not just that."
I raised an eyebrow, grinning. "What do you mean?"
"Just watch," he said, a playful glint in his eye. He shifted the camera view, and suddenly the screen showed the garden at our house. My surprise deepened.
Sitting in a circle on the ground, I saw my father, Viswanath Uncle—Anu's dad, Anjaneya Uncle—Ammu's dad, Paani Uncle—Aamukta's dad, Nagaraju Uncle—Balu's father, and even Deva Uncle, Chaitra's father. They were all gathered there, sharing drinks and laughing heartily, enjoying a casual little party of their own. Rajesh, Balu's friend, along with Parimal and Seenu, were there too, adding to the liveliness of the gathering.
The girls next to me leaned closer, their eyes widening in surprise, just as mine had. I stared at the screen, unable to process how such an impromptu gathering had come together without us even knowing.
"What the hell is going on, Bhaiyya?" I asked with a smile, my voice carrying a mix of disbelief and amusement.
Bheeshma flipped the camera back to his face, his expression one of pure mischief. "Well, today everyone was free, so we decided to have a little get-together and enjoy the evening."
Before I could respond, Anu, sitting beside me, chimed in with a teasing voice. "Without us?"
Bheeshma shook his head, laughing softly. "Well, it's not my fault that you're not here, is it?" Hearing that, all of us burst out laughing.
After that, we continued to talk for a while longer. At some point, Bheeshma passed the phone over to my mother and the other ladies, their familiar faces lighting up the screen. Seeing this, the girls around me quickly snatched the phone from my hands, eager to join in. Aunt Bujji, sitting next to us, joined the conversation as well, and soon they were all talking and laughing as if no time had passed between them. The hours seemed to fly by as their chatter filled the room, the kind of easy, joyful conversations that only happen when family is around.
Eventually, when they finished, Bheeshma took the phone back and handed it over to my father. He wanted to talk to Uncle Rangam. Seeing that, I passed the phone over to him. They were all well into their drinks by now, and it was obvious. With a half-smile, Uncle Rangam greeted my father and Viswanath Uncle on the screen, slurring slightly.
"Do you have any shame, Anand, Viswanath, drinking without me and Satyam?" he said with a teasing grin, his voice loud and playful.
My father and Viswanath Uncle chuckled in response, clearly just as tipsy. "Look who's talking!" my father shot back, his words slow but full of humor. "Don't you and Satyam have any shame? You're drinking without us!" They all burst into laughter, a drunken camaraderie that crossed the distance through the phone.
I couldn't help but shake my head, a smile tugging at my lips. This was such a typical scene—uncles bantering after a few drinks, their laughter echoing through the house. It was the kind of moment that felt timeless, like no matter how much changed, these little things stayed the same.
After a while, as the night stretched into midnight, I finally cut the call. The uncles were in no state to keep talking much longer, anyway. I stood up and helped Uncle Rangam, Uncle Satyam, Ramana, and Samba to their rooms. They were drunk, stumbling and giggling like kids as I guided them down the hallway.
Once they were settled in, I quietly made my way toward my room. The girls had already left, heading toward Raji's room, their soft voices still lingering in the air. The house felt peaceful now, the echoes of laughter and conversation slowly fading into the night.
As I came to the front of my room, I quietly opened the door and stepped inside. The house was completely silent now, save for the soft hum of the night outside. I gently pushed the door closed behind me and walked over to the bed, flicking off the light switch on the way. Darkness enveloped the room, except for the gentle silver glow of the moonlight streaming through the open window. The cool night air flowed in, carrying the scent of the earth and a quiet calmness that seemed to fill every corner of the room.
I lay down, pulling the blanket over myself as I gazed toward the window. The moon hung there in the sky, beautiful and serene, surrounded by countless stars twinkling like tiny diamonds. I slipped my hands behind my head, staring at the scene outside, letting the peacefulness settle over me. As my thoughts wandered, I began to think about the novels swirling in my mind, the stories that I could write next. There were so many ideas, but choosing just one felt impossible. Maybe I could even adapt a movie into a novel. But which one? The thought lingered as I drifted closer to sleep, my eyes growing heavy.
Just as I was about to fully succumb to the warmth of sleep, the faint sound of the door creaking open snapped me back. I turned my head toward the door, and there, in the soft glow of the moonlight, stood Aamukta, her small frame illuminated by the silver light.
I smiled at her, the drowsiness fading as I whispered, "Cutie pie, what's happened?" My voice was soft, barely louder than the breeze drifting in through the window.
Instead of answering, Aamukta silently walked toward me, her small figure moving with a kind of quiet grace. Without a word, she climbed onto the bed, slipping under the blanket beside me. She hugged me tightly, her head resting on my chest, seeking comfort in the closeness. I could feel her warmth against me, her breath soft and steady. Gently, I began to pet her head, running my fingers through her hair, calling her softly, "Cutie pie."
At the sound of my voice, she looked up at me, her eyes reflecting the soft glow of the moonlight. "Nothing... I just didn't feel sleepy," she whispered.
I smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face, and said, "Okay," keeping my voice calm and gentle. She stayed close, her head resting back on my chest, and I continued to pet her hair, soothing her with the rhythmic motions.
After a few moments of silence, she spoke again, her voice quiet. "Sorry for earlier," she said, her tone filled with sincerity, as if the weight of the day was still on her mind.
I smiled down at her, reassuring her with a soft chuckle. "Don't worry, okay?" I said.
She let out a soft hum of acknowledgment, her eyes meeting mine briefly before she lowered her gaze. Without thinking, I leaned down and kissed her, gently pressing my lips against hers. The moment was tender, brief, but full of emotion. When we parted, she smiled slightly before resting her head back on my chest, settling into the warmth of my embrace.
I held her close, my arms wrapping around her protectively, and continued to stroke her hair as she slowly drifted off to sleep. The quiet rhythm of her breathing, steady and peaceful, filled the room as I stared up at the ceiling, lost in thought.
A minute later, the door to my room creaked open again, and Ammu walked in, her figure silhouetted against the soft glow of the moonlight. She climbed onto the bed and nestled under the blanket next to me. "What's happened?" I asked with a smile.
Without saying much, Ammu climbed onto the bed, slipping under the blanket just like Aamukta had done moments before. She looked up at me with those big, innocent eyes and whispered, "I can't sleep alone. I want my teddy." She wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly, finding her comfort in me like I was her safe place.
I smiled at her, touched by her sweetness. Leaning in, I pressed a soft kiss to her lips, feeling the warmth and tenderness in that brief moment. As we pulled away, Ammu's eyelids grew heavy, and soon, she drifted into sleep beside Aamukta, both of them breathing peacefully.
But the quiet didn't last long. The door opened again, and this time, Anu and Raji entered the room, one after the other. I raised an eyebrow, amused. "What's your excuse?" I teased, already knowing their answer.
Just like Ammu and Aamukta, they climbed into bed with me, nestling under the covers. "We couldn't sleep alone either," they both murmured in unison, giving me the same excuse as the others. I couldn't help but smile.
I kissed Anu, then Raji, feeling the softness of their lips against mine. They settled down beside me, and soon, the room was filled with the quiet, steady breaths of four girls, all sound asleep around me. I sighed softly, shaking my head as I looked at their peaceful faces.
As I gazed at their sleeping faces, a sigh escaped my lips. 'If all of you wanted to sleep with me, why did you even bother going to Raji's room in the first place?' I shook my head slightly, a small smile creeping onto my lips. 'Anu, Raji, Ammu, Aamukta, Keerthi, Anasuya... six girlfriends. I actually have six girlfriends.' A mix of amusement and disbelief filled my thoughts. 'How am I even going to handle this?'
But then, another thought struck me. 'And those other girls... it's been two years since I last saw them. I message them now and then, but... have I really been that distant?' I sighed again, this time with a hint of guilt creeping in. 'They're going to kill me when we meet again. Two years without seeing each other…'
I glanced down at the girls resting peacefully beside me, each of them so close, so trusting. I felt their warmth, the softness of their embrace, and for a moment, all the chaos in my mind faded. But the weight of my responsibilities didn't vanish. 'Everyone's been handling the organization well, but...' A flicker of determination crossed my mind. Paris. 'I'll see them all soon in Paris.'
With that thought, I slowly picked up my phone from the bedside table. Typing something quickly, I put it back down and exhaled deeply. The cold night air drifted in through the window, and I pulled the blanket a little tighter around us, feeling the gentle weight of the girls pressed against me.
I hugged them close, the warmth of their bodies surrounding me in a comforting embrace. The moonlight bathed the room in a soft glow, the stars twinkling outside like they were watching over us. Slowly, I let my eyes close, the peaceful sound of their breathing lulling me into sleep. As I drifted off, a sense of calm settled over me, knowing that for now, in this quiet moment, everything felt right.
And with them around me, I fell into a beautiful, dreamless sleep.
(A/N: If you'd like to support me, please use this UPI: omgadekar29@oksbi "Om Gadekar". If you do, please let me know your webnovel name so I can recognize you.)
(Word's Count:-3897)
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