The car glided smoothly along the winding countryside road, framed on either side by a sea of lush greenery. The scent of damp earth mixed with the occasional breeze carrying wildflower fragrance. Small, sleepy villages peeked out from behind groves of trees as the morning sun filtered through leaves, dappled across the windshield.

Athrav remained focused on the road, his hands steady on the wheel, though his expression held a quiet tension. Mahi, seated beside him, cast furtive glances into the rearview mirror, her eyes landing on Advait.

The boy sat unusually quiet in the back seat, his small frame pressed against the window as he stared out, seemingly lost in another world.

“He seems so distant today… what could be troubling him?”

The thought passed silently through Mahi’s mind, laced with unease. She turned toward Athrav, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Athrav… have you noticed something different about Advait today?"

Athrav didn't take his eyes off the road, but Mahi’s tone caught his full attention.

"Different how?" he asked gently.

"He’s been so quiet since this morning. Not his usual bubbly self. And you saw the way he cried earlier… it wasn’t like him."

Her concern was evident. Athrav’s brows knit together in thought, his jaw tightening slightly as he absorbed her words.

"Do you think something’s bothering him?"

Mahi nodded slowly. "I can’t be sure… but I think we should talk about it. Maybe after we visit the orphanage. I don’t want him to feel we're worried in front of everyone."

Athrav reached out, briefly taking her hand in his—his touch reassuring and warm.

"We’ll figure it out. Together. He’s our son… and whatever it is, we’ll be there for him."

A grateful smile touched Mahi’s lips. She gave his hand a soft squeeze in return before turning her gaze forward again. The gentle lull of the road and the beauty of the passing landscape wrapped around them like a cocoon, grounding them in the present, even as their thoughts wandered to their little boy’s silence.

The car rolled to a gentle halt outside the familiar iron gates of the orphanage. The building stood modestly among trees and flowering bushes, its old bricks softened by time and nostalgia.

Advait’s posture straightened. His eyes lit up at the sight of the place—one he had only heard about but now felt inexplicably drawn to.

Mahi and Athrav exchanged a glance, a silent agreement to set aside their worry for now.

"Look, Advait... we’re here!" Mahi said with a smile, opening the door.

The little boy grinned, eagerly unbuckling his seatbelt before hopping out. His eyes danced with curiosity.

Mahi and Athrav followed, their hands linked loosely as they walked toward the entrance with hearts full of memories.

"Let’s talk after we’ve met everyone, alright?" Mahi said softly, her voice almost lost in the breeze.

Athrav nodded, his expression calm but watchful. They stepped through the gate, the moment full of meaning.

Inside the orphanage, time seemed to slow. The familiar scent of incense, sun-warmed walls, and books long read filled the space with warmth.

"Astha Ma, how are you?" Mahi asked gently as she approached the elderly woman lying on a simple bed by the window.

The old woman tried to sit up, but Mahi quickly moved to stop her, her touch reverent.

Athrav joined her, leading Advait forward.

"Astha Ma… meet our son. This is Advait," Athrav said, his voice thick with emotion.

The little boy pressed his palms together in a polite namaste, his eyes wide and curious.

Astha smiled, a tear forming in the corner of her eye as she placed a frail but affectionate hand atop Advait’s head.

"He looks just like… Advait," she murmured, lost in memory.

"He is," Mahi replied softly. "And he’s just as intelligent as his namesake. You wouldn’t believe how sharp he is—just like his father."

At this, Advait’s gaze shifted to Athrav, his expression contemplative.

Athrav chuckled, ruffling his son’s hair. "Oh no, Mahi. You forgot to mention his mischief—definitely inherited from you."

Advait looked from his father to his mother, his little brows furrowed in confusion.

"Papa… Mumma..." he said hesitantly.

They both turned to him at once.

"Whom do I look like?"

Mahi and Athrav exchanged a look—part amusement, part love.

Mahi pulled him into her lap, wrapping her arms around him.

"You look like yourself, baby," she whispered, brushing his hair from his forehead.

Advait smiled brightly, throwing his arms around her neck and holding on tight.

The scene shifted to their home later that evening—a cozy living room bathed in the golden hue of twilight. Bags rested by the door, and laughter filled the air as the family stepped inside, shedding shoes and worries.

"It feels good to be home again, doesn’t it?" Mahi said, sinking onto the couch with a sigh.

"Absolutely," Athrav replied. "Today was special... it felt like going back in time, just with a fuller heart."

"Mom, Dad! Can we cook together? I want to make my special spaghetti!" Advait chimed in excitedly.

"Of course, Adu! Let’s freshen up first and then we’ll cook together just the way you like," Athrav said with a smile.

The kitchen soon buzzed with activity. Laughter echoed as Advait chopped vegetables with his plastic knife, Mahi guiding him, while Athrav set the table.

Then, the ringtone broke the bubble. Athrav checked his phone—Rohan.

He excused himself, stepping into the hallway.

"Hey Rohan, what’s going on?"

"Sir, apologies for calling late. But the client’s pressing for an immediate site visit. We’ll need to relocate—outside the city. Possibly for a few weeks."

"That’s sudden," Athrav murmured, brow furrowed.

"They want confirmation today, sir. The timeline is tight."

"Alright, I understand. I’ll get back to you shortly."

He ended the call, returning to the kitchen with a thoughtful expression. Mahi noticed it instantly.

"Everything okay?" she asked, drying her hands.

"It’s work. They need me to travel out of town for a project… for a few weeks."

Mahi paused. "When would you have to leave?"

"They haven’t said yet. But soon. It’s urgent."

Advait looked up from the table, his voice small. "But Dad… we had plans. You promised."

Athrav knelt beside him. "I know, champ. I’m sorry. Let me figure things out, okay?"

Mahi stepped in, resting a hand on her son’s shoulder.

"Adu baby, sometimes work is important too, right? Let Papa go and finish this. He’ll come back to us soon."

The boy nodded, still disappointed, but trusting.

"Thanks for understanding, Mahi," Athrav said, his voice full of sincerity.

"Mention not, Mr. Khurana," she replied with a playful wink, and they shared a quiet laugh.

The moment was soft, full of unspoken love. Even amidst change, their bond remained steady.

Sneak peek- Chapter 9

"Take care of yourself, Athrav. We’ll be right here, waiting."

"I love you, Mahi. Give my love to Advait."

"Love you too," she replied softly, and the call ended with a quiet sigh.

Even in the silence that followed, love lingered—strong enough to span the miles between them.