The aroma of sautéing spices drifted through the warm kitchen air as Mahi worked with quiet diligence, her hands gracefully chopping vegetables while a pan sizzled on the stove. The rhythmic sound of her movements, mingled with the soft bubbling of curry, created a soothing domestic symphony.

The clock chimed eight.

It was time.

Mahi glanced toward the door just as the latch clicked. A familiar pair of footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Athrav had returned.

She turned, a luminous smile lighting up her face like a moonbeam breaking through clouds.

“Welcome home, Athrav,” she greeted warmly.

Athrav stepped in, weariness clinging to his shoulders, but the sight of Mahi instantly softened the fatigue in his eyes. He smiled—genuine and full of quiet affection—as he crossed the room and placed a tender kiss on her cheek.

“Thanks, love,” he murmured. “Smells incredible in here.”

Mahi chuckled softly. “You’re drenched in sweat, Athrav. Go shower first.”

Before he could respond, the pitter-patter of small feet echoed down the hallway.

“Papa’s home!” shouted Advait, their eight-year-old son, bursting into the kitchen with pure joy radiating from his face.

Athrav bent down and swept the boy into a bear hug, tousling his hair affectionately.

“Hey there, champ! How was school today?”

Advait grinned, his eyes sparkling. “It was great, Papa! I got full marks in my math test. And guess what? A girl in my class tried to give me a love letter!”

“Oh really?” Athrav raised an eyebrow in mock surprise. “And what did you say to that?”

Mahi, now wiping her hands, laughed softly, clearly amused.

“I told her I’m too busy being the smartest kid in school to think about love!” Advait replied, puffing up with pride.

Mahi and Athrav exchanged a glance, equal parts amused and astonished.

Later that evening, after Athrav had refreshed himself, Mahi set the dinner table. The three of them gathered around, sharing quiet conversation under the warm glow of the chandelier.

“Mumma, Papa, I scored 50 out of 50 in math!” Advait announced triumphantly, a proud smile on his face.

“We’re so proud of you, sweetheart,” Mahi said, gently spooning lentils onto his plate.

Athrav nodded in agreement, his eyes full of pride.

As they ate, Advait’s curiosity lit up once again. “Mumma, Papa... how did you two fall in love?”

Mahi’s gaze met Athrav’s across the table. A gentle warmth passed between them, unspoken but deeply understood.

“Your father fell first,” Mahi said teasingly, her smile playful.

Athrav laughed, nudging her under the table. “And harder too. I couldn’t resist her charm.”

Mahi blushed, the memory clearly still dear to her.

“We’ve known each other since childhood,” she added, her voice softening. “We grew up in the same orphanage. We were best friends before we became a family.”

Advait’s eyes widened, filled with wonder. “Wow! That’s like a fairytale!”

Athrav reached over and ruffled his hair. “It is, isn’t it? And now, we’re living our own.”

The moment was tender—simple, heartfelt, and beautifully ordinary.

Later that night, the room was bathed in the amber glow of a bedside lamp. Mahi and Athrav lay nestled together under a thick quilt, leaning against the headboard. Through the glass balcony doors, a sea of stars shimmered above the dark horizon.

“This is perfect,” Mahi whispered.

Athrav kissed the crown of her head. “Just you, me, and our little world.”

They sat in silence for a while, the kind of silence that needed no words—just the gentle pulse of shared existence.

“Do you remember the early days? The struggles?” Mahi asked, breaking the quiet.

Athrav’s gaze turned distant. He nodded, his expression wistful. “How could I forget? We’ve faced storms together, but we never let go of each other.”

Reaching toward the nightstand, he retrieved a slim file and handed it to her.

“Open it,” he said.

Curious, Mahi flipped it open—and froze.

A college admission form.

“Athrav... what is this?” she asked, her voice trembling with disbelief.

He clasped her hand in his. “It’s your dream, Mahi. It’s time.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “But I dropped out to support you, to work so you could study...”

Athrav gently cupped her face, wiping her tears with his thumbs.

“And now, it’s my turn. Go back to college, Mahi. Become the woman you were always meant to be.”

“But I’m older now,” she said, barely above a whisper. “What if I don’t fit in?”

“Age is just a number,” Athrav said firmly. “Dreams don’t come with an expiry date.”

Mahi’s heart surged with emotion. “Thank you... for never giving up on me.”

They embraced beneath the starlight, wrapped in hope and each other.

The sun rose gently, casting golden light across the quiet neighborhood as Mahi and Athrav stood at the threshold of their home. Mahi’s fingers clutched the strap of her bag, nerves fluttering in her stomach.

“I don’t know if I can do this,” she admitted softly.

Athrav placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. “You can. And I’ll be right here, every step of the way.”

Just then, Advait ran out, his backpack bouncing behind him. “Are we going to college, Mumma? Can I come too?”

Athrav crouched beside him. “Not today, champ. But how about an amusement park trip this weekend—just the three of us?”

“Really? Awesome!” Advait grinned, already forgetting the disappointment.

Athrav tousled his hair with a laugh. “Deal. But first, let’s get you to school.”

As they drove off, Mahi looked out the window, her heart still fluttering—but now with anticipation, not fear.

She was no longer just the woman who had sacrificed her dreams.

She was the woman reclaiming them.

And as the college campus loomed in the distance, she sat taller, hand in hand with the man who had never stopped believing in her.

The road ahead sparkled with possibility.

Their story was far from over.

It was only just beginning.

Sneak peek Chapter 3

Mahi rested her head on his shoulder. “There were so many nights I thought I’d never feel whole again. But you… you were my beginning.”

Atharv gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her face.

“You were always meant to have this happiness, Mahi. And I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you never forget that.”