The golden light of the early New York sun crept through the sheer curtains of their apartment, casting a warm, ethereal glow across the room. The city outside was just beginning to wake, its distant hum muffled by the quiet sanctuary of their shared space. Within the soft, sunlit cocoon of their bed, Nisha lay nestled against Aarav's chest, her head resting just over his heart. She could feel its steady rhythm, a gentle, comforting beat that matched the peace of the morning. For a moment, she simply lay there, savoring the warmth of his body and the safety of his embrace.
Aarav, sensing her subtle movement, instinctively pulled her closer, his arm tightening protectively around her. Even in sleep, he seemed to hold her as though he feared she might slip away. As the first rays of sunlight danced across their faces, his eyes slowly fluttered open. His first sight was of her—his Nisha, looking so serene, her face bathed in the morning glow. She was half-asleep, her features softened, a faint smile playing on her lips. In that quiet, delicate moment, she looked like a vision, her presence filling the room with warmth.
"Good morning, beautiful," he murmured in his deep, sleep-roughened voice, his fingers tracing gentle circles along her arm.
Nisha smiled, her eyes still closed, savoring the sound of his voice, so familiar yet always sending a warm thrill through her heart. "Morning," she whispered back, her voice soft, like a melody just for him.
Aarav shifted, propping himself up on one elbow so he could gaze down at her. His eyes softened as he took in every detail of her face, memorizing the way the light danced across her skin, the curve of her lips, the peaceful rise and fall of her breathing. Gently, he reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering against her cheek. It was these small moments, these quiet, stolen mornings, that he cherished most—moments where he could let down his guard, allowing himself to be vulnerable, to simply love without reservation.
"You have no idea how much I love waking up next to you," he said, his voice full of an almost boyish sincerity that few would ever imagine from a man as formidable as him.
Nisha's heart fluttered as she opened her eyes, meeting his gaze. She reached up, her fingers lightly tracing his jawline, her touch soft and affectionate. "I think I have a pretty good idea," she replied with a playful smile, her voice laced with affection and a touch of teasing. Her hand rested on his arm, her fingers drawing lazy patterns as she watched his eyes soften even further.
Aarav smirked, his gaze drifting to her lips. He leaned in, his face just inches from hers, close enough that she could feel the warmth of his breath. "Let me show you just how much," he whispered, his lips grazing hers in the barest of touches, teasing and unhurried, savoring the anticipation.
The world around them faded away as he kissed her, slow and tender, his hand cradling her face as though she were something fragile, precious. For a brief moment, nothing existed beyond that kiss—the gentle press of their lips, the warmth radiating between them, the connection that seemed to transcend words. It was in these moments that Aarav felt truly complete, as though all the chaos and power struggles of his world were meaningless without her by his side.
But just as their lips were about to meet again, a familiar sound shattered the peaceful silence. Nisha's phone rang, cutting through the intimacy of the moment. Aarav sighed, a hint of frustration crossing his face as he reluctantly pulled back, watching as she reached for her phone on the nightstand. She glanced at the screen, a small, apologetic smile playing on her lips as she looked at him.
"It's my father," she said softly, her eyes warm and understanding. "I should take this."
Aarav groaned playfully, flopping back onto the bed with a dramatic sigh, his arm draped over his face. "Of course it is," he muttered, though his voice held a teasing warmth.
Nisha chuckled, leaning down to press a soft kiss to his forehead, her touch lingering as if to promise she'd be back. With a quiet smile, she slipped out of bed, padding silently out of the room, her phone in hand. She made her way to the living room, the sunlight spilling in through the large windows, illuminating the space with a serene glow.
"Hi, Papa," she greeted warmly, a soft smile spreading across her face.
"Beta, good morning! Did I wake you?" her father's familiar, comforting voice came through the phone, filled with love and care.
"No, no," Nisha reassured him, her heart swelling with affection. "I was just waking up. How are you?"
"I'm good, beta. I just wanted to hear your voice. You know how I am," he said, chuckling softly. "How's everything there? Is Aarav taking good care of you?"
Nisha's eyes softened as she glanced back toward the bedroom door, imagining Aarav lying there with his playful pout. "Everything's good, Papa. Aarav's being… well, you know how he is," she said with a light laugh.
"Yes, I know," her father replied knowingly. "But I'm sure he's making you happy, isn't he?"
Nisha's heart warmed at his words, her smile growing. "He is, Papa. He really is," she said softly, her voice filled with sincerity.
"I'm glad to hear that, beta. Just remember, no matter what happens, you can always talk to me. I'm always here for you."
"I know, Papa," Nisha replied, touched by his unwavering support. "Thank you. You take care of yourself too, okay?"
"I will. You don't worry about me. You just be happy."
"I am, Papa," she whispered, a gentle smile on her lips. "I'll talk to you soon. Take care."
"Love you, beta."
"Love you too, Papa," she replied, her voice full of warmth as she ended the call.
Nisha stood there for a moment, holding her phone, her heart full of gratitude for her father's constant presence in her life. He had always been her guiding light, the anchor that kept her grounded even in the most turbulent times. With a soft sigh, she made her way back to the bedroom, her steps light and her heart content.
As she entered the room, she noticed that Aarav was no longer in bed. The sound of the shower running told her he was in the bathroom. She sat down on the edge of the bed, waiting for him, and soon enough, the water stopped.
Moments later, Aarav emerged from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist, droplets of water clinging to his skin, his hair damp and tousled. He raised an eyebrow as he caught sight of her, a playful smirk gracing his lips. "Talking to your favorite man, huh?" he teased, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
Nisha chuckled, shaking her head as she met his gaze. "He's my father, Aarav. What do you expect?"
Aarav crossed the room, closing the distance between them. He leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on the top of her head. "I'll let it slide… for now," he murmured, his voice low and affectionate.
Nisha rolled her eyes, playfully pushing his shoulder. "Oh, how generous of you."
Aarav grinned, his fingers brushing her cheek as he gazed at her with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat. "Just remember… I'm still your favorite in this house."
Nisha laughed, her eyes dancing with affection as she looked up at him. "We'll see about that."
With a smirk, Aarav leaned down, capturing her lips in a slow, lingering kiss. Time seemed to stand still as they melted into each other, savoring the warmth and connection that only they shared. It was these moments—these quiet, stolen mornings—that reminded them of the depth of their bond, a love that was as fierce as it was tender.
As they finally pulled away, they shared a soft smile, their hearts full as the morning sun continued to fill the room. The day had only just begun, and together, they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
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Author's Note:
Thank you so much for reading the first episode of *Shattered Choices*! I hope you enjoyed getting a glimpse into Aarav and Nisha's tender morning moments in New York. Their love is as beautiful as it is complex, and the challenges they'll face are only beginning. Will their bond withstand the trials to come, or will the weight of their choices pull them apart?
Stay tuned for more heartwarming scenes, intense emotions, and tough decisions that could change everything. If you're enjoying the story, please don't forget to like and support this book—your encouragement means the world to me!