“Come here, Advait beta. Have your dinner—Papa will call soon, and then you can talk to him.”

Mahi’s voice echoed through the softly lit dining room, filled with the aroma of home-cooked food. She tried to keep her tone light, but there was a trace of unease in her eyes.

“Mumma, when will Papa call? It’s already so late... I want to talk to him.”

Advait’s small voice held both hope and impatience, his large eyes searching her face for reassurance.

“Yes, Adu beta, you’re right...” Mahi replied gently, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “He usually calls me around this time... but today, I don’t know why he’s late.”

She reached for her phone, her fingers trembling just slightly. She tapped Atharv’s name and held it to her ear.

“The person you are calling is not answering.”

Mahi frowned. “Strange... Atharv never ignores my calls.”

Her voice was hushed, more to herself than to Advait, who was now sitting on the floor, flying his toy airplane through the air with distracted joy.

“Advait, finish your dinner. Right now.”

Her tone shifted, firmer. Advait paused, glanced at her face, and noticed the faint crease of worry on her forehead. Quietly, he obeyed, eating without protest.

She redialed.

“It’s saying switched off.”

Mahi’s heart sank. Her eyes lingered on the blank phone screen.

Just then, Advait came into her room, holding his notebook close to his chest.

“Mumma, can you help me with my math homework? I’m stuck.”

Mahi looked up, surprised. “Adu baby, you never ask me to help with math... isn’t that your favorite subject, sweetheart?”

He smiled, a bit nervously. “But Mumma, I’m not getting this multiplication... Can you help me?”

“Of course, baby. Come, sit.”

They sat together, heads bent over the page, her hand guiding his pencil gently. The ticking clock faded into the background, and before long, night wrapped itself around their home.

“Mumma, I’m sleepy.”

Mahi blinked, glanced at the wall clock, and gasped.

“Oh God, look at the time! Adu, put your books away and come here to sleep.”

“Okay, Mumma.”

He curled beside her in bed, snuggling into her warmth. With Atharv away, the night felt different—quieter, closer. Mahi began telling him a bedtime story, her voice weaving soft threads of fantasy. It was something Atharv usually did—his voice the one that brought gods, warriors, and magical lands to life.

As Advait drifted to sleep, Mahi’s thoughts wandered back to her childhood, to nights when Atharv would tell her stories in the same comforting tone.

Meanwhile, in a modest hotel room...

Atharv walked in, the door closing behind him with a soft thud. The furnishings were plain, the room dimly lit. He looked exhausted, having just returned from a farewell meeting with Mr. Rajvanshi.

His eyes darted to the clock.

Then to his phone.

Dead.

“Of course... I didn’t get a chance to call her.”

He sighed, rubbing his forehead as weariness settled deeper into his bones. He unbuttoned his coat, laid it over the chair, and searched his bag for the charger.

“Please... just a little charge.”

Back home, Mahi lay on the couch, a blanket wrapped tightly around her. Her phone was beside her, untouched. The house creaked quietly, settling into sleep.

Atharv, now sitting on the edge of his bed, plugged in the charger. He waited. The screen flickered.

As soon as the phone powered up, he dialed her number.

“Please pick up.”

It rang.

Then went to voicemail.

“Mahi, I’m so sorry. I got caught up, and the phone died. I’m on my way home now. I’ll explain everything when I get there. I miss you.”

The first light of dawn kissed the windows.

Mahi stirred, eyes fluttering open. The silence of morning wrapped around her like fog. She sat up, the blanket slipping off her shoulders, and reached instinctively for her phone.

It buzzed in her hand.

One missed call. One voicemail.

Atharv’s name glowed on the screen.

Her heart skipped. She pressed play.

ATHARV’S VOICE (V.O.):
“Hey love... I forgot to charge my phone—clumsy as always. I miss you and our boy. Call me when you can, okay? Take care. I love you.”

Her lips curled into a soft smile. She leaned back, the weight on her chest lifting. His voice lingered in the air, full of tenderness and quiet apology.

She held the phone close to her heart, eyes closing for a moment as warmth flooded her.

Then, slowly, she got up—ready to begin a new day, carrying his love with her like a whisper in the morning light.

Sneak peek - Chapter 12

"I said—" Advait’s voice cracked louder, "ENOUGH!"

He stormed forward and grabbed Raj by the collar, small hands clenched but steady.

Gasps rang out.

"Apologize. Now. You don’t get to insult my parents. Being rich doesn’t give you that right."