Author's POV

Ekaksh was in the kitchen early that morning, preparing breakfast for Meera and himself. The soft hiss of butter on the pan mixed with the gentle pop of the toaster. He stirred the pot absentmindedly, his eyes constantly darting toward the baby monitor placed on the counter. The twins were still asleep, their tiny faces visible on the screen, but that wasn’t the only thing pulling his attention. His phone sat close by, the screen lighting up every few seconds as he checked it—restless, impatient, waiting for Meera to arrive.