The conference room was filled with tension. A multimillion-dollar deal was spread across the large screen as Atharv sat at the head of the table, listening carefully to every point being discussed. Senior directors sat around him, presenting numbers, projections, and strategies.

Atharv was focused.

Or at least, he was trying to be.

For a moment, his eyes missed an important point on the presentation. One of the senior directors immediately noticed.

“Mr. Atharv, are you okay?”

Atharv blinked and straightened in his chair.

“I’m absolutely fine, Mr. Sharma. I was just—” He paused briefly before gesturing toward the presentation. “Please, continue.”

Mr. Sharma nodded and continued. The meeting went on. And eventually, the deal was finalized.

One by one, everyone left the conference room. The door closed. Silence filled the room.

Atharv leaned back in his chair, rubbing his forehead as he stared at the documents in front of him.

Then—

“Sir?”

Rohan’s voice came from near the door. Atharv looked up.

“Yes?”

Rohan hesitated for a second before speaking.

“Actually, sir… there’s a call from Ma’am’s college.”

Atharv's expression changed instantly. He sat upright.

“What happened?”

His voice carried sudden concern.

“Is Mahi okay?”

Rohan quickly shook his head.

“Yes, sir. She’s absolutely fine.”

Atharv's shoulders relaxed slightly.

Rohan continued, “The principal just sent us a message. Ma’am has officially joined her classes today.”

Atharv simply stared at him. Then a small smile appeared on his face.

“She joined…”

There was something almost childlike in the happiness hidden behind those two words. His Mahi had finally stepped back into the world she had once left behind.

“Okay,” he murmured.

Then, after a pause, he looked at Rohan.

“Rohan?”

“Yes, sir?”

“Can you send me a coffee?”

Rohan nodded.

“Of course, sir.”

Atharv added seriously,

“And make it strong.”

Rohan couldn't help but smile.

“Strong coffee. Got it.”

He turned around and walked out, closing the door behind him. The moment he was alone again, Atharv sighed.

His eyes automatically moved toward the clock. He knew Mahi's schedule by now. This should be her free period.

Without wasting another second, he picked up his phone. He stared at her name on the screen for a moment. Then pressed Call.

Meanwhile, at the university... Mahi had just stepped out of the classroom with Ekansh. They were walking toward the cafeteria when her phone suddenly rang. She glanced at the screen.

Atharv ❤️

A smile immediately spread across her face.

“Ekansh, you go. I'll come.”

Ekansh stopped.

“You sure?”

Mahi nodded.

“Yes. I'll just take this call.”

“Okay.”

Ekansh walked ahead. Mahi watched him leave before answering the call.

The moment she picked up—

“Atharv…”

Her voice came out chirpy and happy. On the other side, Atharv closed his eyes for a moment. Just hearing her voice… It was enough.

The pressure of the multimillion-dollar deal, the endless meetings, the responsibilities, the secrets he carried—

Everything suddenly felt lighter.A soft smile touched his lips.Because somehow, no matter how chaotic his world became...

Mahi's voice always had the power to make his heart feel at home.

“Atharv… are you hearing me?”

“Yes, love,” Atharv replied, a smile already forming on his face. “I’m listening. Tell me, how was your day?”

Mahi's face immediately brightened.

“It went well. You know… I made a friend.”

“A friend?”

“Yes.” She nodded happily. “He helped me a lot today.”

Hearing the happiness in her voice, Atharv smiled.

“That’s good. I can already see some progress. You sound much happier now.”

Mahi immediately shook her head, a slight blush appearing on her cheeks.

“It’s not like that…”

Atharv chuckled softly.

“Then what is it like?”

“Actually…” Mahi paused. “I’m liking the vibe of the college.”

Her voice was cheerful, but suddenly it became quieter. Atharv noticed the change immediately. He didn't interrupt. He simply waited patiently for her to continue. After a few seconds, Mahi sighed.

“You know… I’m missing home.”

Atharv's smile softened.

“I’m missing cooking too,” she continued. “And our Adu…”

A small laugh escaped Atharv.

“He’ll be back in the evening, love.”

“I know.” Mahi smiled sadly. “I’ll meet him then. But… I used to go to his school to pick him up.”

There was a little ache in her voice. Atharv understood.

“Love, it’s okay. Adu is a grown-up boy now.”

Mahi smiled faintly.

“And you saw how happy he was when he found out you were joining college again.”

That brought another small smile to Mahi's face.

“He was really happy…Exactly. So don't worry about him.”

Atharv paused before adding casually,

“And I've decided to appoint a maid.”

Mahi's eyes widened.

“What? You’ll appoint a maid?”

“Yes.”

“But why? Without even telling me?”

“Love, it's needed. The maid we had earlier stopped working, right? So we need someone new.”

Mahi remained silent for a moment.

“And I'll appoint a driver too,” Atharv continued. “He'll pick you up and drop you back home.”

Mahi blinked.

“A driver too?”

“Yes.”

“Atharv…!!!”

“Mahi Love,I don't want you worrying about how you'll manage everything.”

Mahi sighed but eventually nodded.

“Okay. But after I come home, I'll talk to you about this properly.”

“Of course.”

There was a brief silence.Then Mahi asked,

“You had lunch?”

Atharv glanced at the files scattered across his desk.

“I just finished a meeting. I'm having coffee.”

Mahi immediately frowned.

“Only coffee?”

Atharv smiled.

“Don't worry. I'll eat.”

“You better.”

“I will. And you have your lunch too.”

“Okay.”

“And I'll call you after your college is over.”

Mahi smiled.

“Okay, Atharv.”

The call ended. Atharv looked at the screen for a few seconds before placing the phone down. That one conversation had somehow made the weight of the entire day feel lighter.

Meanwhile, Mahi made her way toward the cafeteria.As she entered, she looked around curiously.Students were sitting in groups everywhere, laughing, talking, and enjoying their lunch.

Then she heard—

“Mahi!”

She turned.

Ekansh was waving at her from a table.Mahi walked toward him with small, slightly hesitant steps.As she reached the table, she noticed another boy sitting beside him. Ekansh immediately introduced them.

“Mahi, meet him. This is Kaustab.”

Kaustab smiled warmly.

“Hi. Welcome.”

Mahi smiled back.

“Hi.”

Then she looked around the cafeteria and noticed something. Almost every table had groups of boys and girls sitting together.

And the girls…Mahi's eyes widened slightly.

Their clothes were fashionable, their accessories expensive-looking, and even their casual appearance seemed perfectly styled.

Rich kids.She quietly looked at Ekansh.

“Ekansh… you don't have any female friends?”

Ekansh looked at her as if she had asked the strangest question in the world. Before he could answer, Kaustab laughed.

“Actually, his girlfriend is very possessive. He's already rejected two girls because of her.”

Mahi's eyebrows shot up.

“Girlfriend?”

Kaustab nodded.

“Yes.”

Mahi looked at Ekansh.

“A girlfriend?”

Ekansh stared at her in disbelief.

“You don't know what a girlfriend is?”

Mahi shook her head innocently.

“No.”

Ekansh and Kaustab exchanged a look. Then Ekansh dramatically placed a hand over his heart.

“Okay. As your friend, apparently it's my responsibility to educate you.”

Mahi frowned slightly.

“Educate me?”

“Yes.”

He leaned closer.

“A girlfriend is someone you love. Someone you want to spend your life with.”

Mahi's expression softened.

“Oh…”

Spend your life with…For some reason, her mind immediately went to Atharv.

Her husband.

Her best friend. The person she had spent almost her entire life with.

Were Atharv and I girlfriend and boyfriend too?

Before she could think further, Ekansh said something that pulled her out of her thoughts.

Mahi blinked.

Then she looked at him.

“Ekansh…”

“Hmm?”

“Can a husband and wife be girlfriend and boyfriend?”

There was complete silence for two seconds.Then—Kaustab burst out laughing. Ekansh stared at her before laughing too.

“No, Mahi!”

Mahi looked confused.

“Why?”

“Because they're husband and wife!”

Kaustab shook his head, still laughing.

“But if it's a love marriage, then obviously they were girlfriend and boyfriend before getting married.”

Mahi slowly nodded.

“Oh…”

So that meant…She and Atharv had once been…Her cheeks warmed slightly.She quickly pushed the thought away.Kaustab looked at her.

“So, what will you have?”

Mahi glanced at the cafeteria menu.

“I'll just have tea.”

Ekansh immediately frowned.

“Tea?”

“Yes.”

“There is no tea here.”

Mahi's lips formed a tiny pout.

“What?”

Ekansh laughed.

“It's okay. There's a tea stall outside the college. I'll tell one of my friends to bring you a cup.”

Mahi quickly shook her head.

“No, no. That's fine.”

Ekansh raised an eyebrow.

“Are you sure?”

Mahi nodded.

“Yes. I'll manage.”

She smiled politely.

But somewhere inside her heart, one thought remained.

Girlfriend and boyfriend…

So that's what they were called before becoming husband and wife.And somehow, remembering Atharv made her smile.

A few more classes passed.

By the time the final bell rang, Mahi felt both exhausted and strangely happy.Her first day had been nothing like she had imagined.

She had been nervous, lost, judged, embarrassed—and yet, somewhere between the unfamiliar classrooms and new faces, she had also found a friend.

She gathered her books and slipped them into her bag. As she stepped out of the classroom, Ekansh was already walking beside her.

“Okay, Mahi. Bye!”

Mahi looked at him and smiled.

“Bye, Ekansh.”

Ekansh gave her a quick wave before heading toward the college parking area. Mahi stood there for a moment, watching him walk toward his bike.

He unlocked it, put on his helmet, and started the engine.

Before leaving, he looked back once and waved at her.Mahi smiled and waved back.Then Ekansh rode away.

Mahi adjusted her bag on her shoulder and looked around the huge university campus.It had only been one day.

But somehow, this place didn't feel quite as unfamiliar anymore.She had a friend now.And that small thing made her smile.

A few minutes later, the driver arrived at the college gate to pick Mahi up. Mahi got into the car, placed her bag beside her, and looked out of the window as the car drove away from the university.

She watched the campus disappear behind her.Her first day was finally over.Soon, the car reached home.

Mahi stepped out and walked toward the entrance, but before going inside, she turned toward the driver.

“Did Adu come home?”

The driver nodded politely.

“Yes, ma’am. I dropped sir home.”

Mahi smiled.

“Okay.”

She adjusted her bag on her shoulder and quickly walked inside, already wanting to see her little boy.

The moment Mahi opened the door, her eyes immediately fell on the little boy sitting on the floor, happily playing with his toy cars. Her little baby.

Her five-year-old son.

Advait was completely lost in his own little world until he heard the door open. He looked up.

The moment his eyes landed on Mahi, his entire face lit up.

“Mummmmaaa!”

He dropped the toy car and immediately ran toward her.

“Adu!”

Mahi didn't care about her bag, her tiredness, or anything else.

The moment she saw her baby running toward her, she ran too.

She bent down just as Advait reached her and caught him in her arms. She hugged him tightly, lifting his little body off the floor.

“My baby!”

Advait wrapped his tiny arms around her neck.

“Mumma, you came!”

“Yes, my love. Mumma is home.”

She kissed his cheeks again and again. Even though Advait was already five years old, to Mahi, he was still her little baby.

The one she wanted to protect from everything.The one whose tiny hugs could make even her worst day disappear. Advait pulled back slightly and looked at her face.

“Mumma, did you miss me?”

Mahi smiled and kissed his forehead.

“More than you can imagine.”

Advait grinned proudly and hugged her again. And just like that, the tiredness of her first day at college disappeared.

Because she was home.And her baby was waiting for her.Just then, the maid walked into the room carrying a glass of water.

“Ma’am, here’s some water.”

Mahi looked at her and smiled politely.

“Thank you. What’s your name?”

The maid smiled.

“Ma’am, my name is Bella.”

“Bella…” Mahi repeated with a warm smile. “Nice to meet you.”

Her eyes then moved toward Advait, who was sitting beside her, happily playing with his toy car.

Mahi looked at him.

“So, did you have something to eat while Mumma was away?”

Bella nodded.

“Yes, ma’am. I gave him a strawberry milkshake. And I also made some cookies for him.”

Mahi looked at her son.

“Adu?”

Advait immediately nodded enthusiastically.

“Yes, Mumma! The cookies were crunchy.”

He thought for a second before adding proudly,

“I liked them!”

Bella smiled at his adorable reaction. Mahi couldn't help but smile too.

“Well, then I think Bella has already become your friend.”

Advait looked at Bella and grinned.

“Yes!”

Bella laughed softly.

And watching her little boy happily chatting with someone new, Mahi felt a quiet sense of relief. Maybe leaving Adu in someone else's care wouldn't be as difficult as she had feared.

Just as Mahi was about to settle down with Advait, Bella spoke from near the kitchen.

“Ma’am, what would you like for dinner?”

Mahi looked at her.

“Anything is fine.”

Bella paused, slightly confused.

“I mean, ma’am… Indian, Italian, Korean, Japanese—anything you prefer?”

Mahi's eyebrows lifted.

“You can make all of these?”

Bella smiled politely.

“Yes, ma’am. I’m trained in this kind of household work.”

Mahi couldn't help but feel impressed.

At first, she had assumed Bella would be like any other maid.

But there was something different about her. The way she spoke. The way she carried herself.The effortless elegance in her movements. There was a certain spark about her—an aura of quiet perfection that reminded Mahi of Atharv.

Mahi thought for a moment.

“Italian.”

Bella nodded.

“Certainly, ma’am.”

Mahi smiled.

“I remember Atharv telling me that he once went to a meeting and really liked the Italian food there. So… maybe you can make something like that.”

Bella nodded again.

“Of course, ma’am.”

She turned and walked toward the kitchen. Mahi looked down at Advait, who was still clinging to her.

“So, you missed Mumma, my champ?”

Advait nodded immediately.

Mahi smiled and kissed his forehead.

“Then come on. Let's go inside. Mumma is going to love you so much that you'll forget how much you missed her when she wasn't here.”

Advait yawned.

“Mumma… I'm sleepy.”

Mahi looked at the clock.

She hadn't even realized how quickly the time had passed.

5:30 PM.

“Oh, my baby…”

She gently picked him up and carried him toward his bedroom. After settling him comfortably in bed, Mahi tucked the blanket around him and kissed his forehead.

“Sleep, my champ.”

Within minutes, Advait drifted off. Mahi quietly left the room and headed toward the kitchen. She wanted to see what Bella was doing.

The moment she entered, she stopped.Bella was preparing the vegetables with remarkable precision.

Every cut was sharp and even. Every movement was quick, controlled, and perfectly organized.

For a moment, Mahi simply stood there, watching.She almost forgot to blink.Bella noticed her reflection and turned around.

“Ma’am?”

Mahi smiled.

“Yes?”

“Should I make tea for you?”

Mahi nodded.

“Yes, please. With ginger.”

Bella turned toward the counter. Mahi suddenly frowned slightly.

“Wait… how did you know I drink tea?”

Bella answered casually,

“Sir informed me.”

Mahi's eyes widened a little.

“Atharv?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

A small smile appeared on Mahi's face. Of course.

Atharv.

Even when he wasn't home, he somehow remembered everything about her. Bella prepared the tea and brought it to Mahi.

“Here you are, ma’am.”

Mahi took the cup.

“Thank you.”

She took a sip and smiled.

“It's perfect.”

Bella smiled politely.

“Thank you, ma’am.”

“Do you need any help?”

“No, ma’am. I'm perfectly fine.”

Bella paused before adding warmly,

“And I hope you enjoy your college life. I heard today was your first day. All the best.”

Mahi smiled genuinely.

“Thank you, Bella.”

There was something about Bella that Mahi really liked.

She was polite, composed, and carried herself with a strange sense of confidence. Almost like perfection followed her wherever she went. Mahi looked at her curiously.

“By the way… how old are you?”

Bella smiled.

“Forty.”

Mahi nearly choked on her tea.

“Forty?!”

Bella laughed softly.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“But you look so young!”

Bella shrugged with a playful smile.

“Ma’am, it's all in the genes.”

Mahi laughed.

“Oh…”

Bella smiled once more before turning back toward the kitchen. And Mahi continued sipping her tea, still slightly surprised. There was definitely something different about Bella. She just couldn't figure out what it was.

After putting Advait to sleep, Mahi sat down with her books. She opened the first chapter and began reading. But somehow, nothing was making sense. She read the same question once.

Then twice.

Then a third time. Still, she couldn't understand what it was asking.

“Ugh…”

Frustration slowly took over. Mahi closed the book and leaned back.

“Why can't I understand this?”

For a moment, she simply stared at the ceiling. Then she remembered Atharv.

His words came back to her.

“Mahi, if we put in our effort, we can achieve anything.”

A small smile touched her lips.

“Right…”

She opened the book again.This time, she read slowly.

She still couldn't understand everything, and there were plenty of things she missed—but at least now, some of it was beginning to make sense.

She picked up her pen and started making notes. She was finally getting somewhere when she heard a sleepy little voice.

“Mumma…”

Mahi looked up. Advait was standing at the entrance of the room, rubbing his eyes.

“Homework,” he mumbled.

Mahi immediately smiled.

“Yes, baccha. Come here.”

She pulled him beside her.Advait was a very bright student, but when it came to homework, he still needed someone beside him.

Especially his mumma.

Mahi sat next to him and helped him with his homework while he worked through his questions himself.

Once he finished, Mahi opened her own book again.Advait picked up his storybook and began reading quietly beside her.

For a while, the two of them sat together in peaceful silence.Mother and son.Both lost in their own little worlds.

After finishing his homework, Advait suddenly looked up.

“Mumma, can I draw?”

Mahi nodded.

“Of course.”

Advait happily took out his drawing book and began filling the pages with colorful little pictures. Mahi smiled at him before returning to her own studies.

Time passed quietly. Soon, Bella appeared.

“Ma’am, dinner is ready.”

Mahi looked at the clock. She hadn't realized how late it had become.

Bella continued, “You can have dinner. I'll leave for my apartment now.”

Mahi nodded.

“Okay, Bella. You can leave.”

Bella smiled politely.

“Good night, ma’am.”

“Good night.”

Bella left.

Mahi turned toward Advait. He was still holding his pencil, but his eyes were already closing. Mahi smiled.

“My sleepy baby…”

She gently picked him up and carried him to the couch. After settling him comfortably, she quickly gathered her college books and all the essentials lying around the room.

She put everything back in its place. Then she picked up her phone to call Atharv. But before she could, a message appeared on her screen.

Atharv ❤️

She opened it.

I'll be late, love. Have dinner, hmm? And don't wait for me.

Mahi smiled softly.

“Always busy…”

She put the phone aside.Then came the real challenge. Getting Adu to eat.

“Mumma, I don't want vegetables.”

“Adu…”

“No.”

“Just a little.”

“No, Mumma!”

Mahi sighed. Eventually, she gave up trying to negotiate.

“Fine. But you have to eat properly.”

She fed him his dinner, skipping the vegetables he stubbornly refused to eat. Once he had eaten enough, Mahi finished her own dinner as well. But getting Advait to sleep was another battle altogether.

“Mumma, I don't want to sleep.”

“You're already falling asleep.”

“No, I'm not.”

Mahi smiled when his eyes closed halfway through his sentence.

“Sure.”

She carried him to his room and gently laid him down on the bed.

The bed was large enough for three people, and tonight, Mahi didn't have the heart to leave her little boy alone.

She lay down beside him. Advait immediately moved closer and wrapped himself around her.

Mahi hugged him tightly.She kissed his forehead.

“Good night, my baby.”

Advait murmured something sleepily before snuggling closer.

Mahi closed her eyes.

It had been a long day.Her first day of college.

New people.New books.New responsibilities.And a thousand little emotions. But lying there with her son in her arms, everything felt peaceful.

Within moments, Mahi too drifted into dreamland, holding her little world close to her heart.

It was past midnight. The clock had already struck 12:00 AM when the front door finally opened.

Atharv stepped inside, exhaustion evident on his face after the long day.His eyes immediately went toward the dining table. Dinner was waiting for him.

He removed his coat and placed it aside before walking further inside.He already knew where Mahi would be.

With Adu.

He quietly made his way to their bedroom, but when he didn't find them there, a small smile appeared on his lips.

Of course.

His wife had probably fallen asleep beside their son. Atharv quickly took a shower, changed into comfortable clothes, and then walked toward Advait's room.

As he entered, his expression softened. There they were.

Mahi and Advait were sleeping peacefully beside each other.

Advait was curled up close to his mother, while Mahi's arm rested protectively around him.Atharv stood there for a few seconds, simply looking at them.

His family.

The sight alone made something inside him settle.He didn't want to disturb them, so he quietly walked back to the dining area.He reheated the food and sat down to eat. He had barely taken a few bites when his phone rang.

Atharv glanced at the screen and answered.

“Yes?”

A woman's voice came from the other side. Atharv's expression immediately became serious.

“So… she didn't find your true self, right?”

“No, sir.”

Atharv leaned back slightly in his chair.

“Well done.”

There was a brief pause.

“Good job.”

He ended the call.

His expression remained unreadable for a moment. Then he put the phone down and continued his dinner as if nothing had happened.

Once he finished, he placed the dishes in the sink and quietly walked back toward the bedroom.

The house was silent.

He entered Advait's room again.Mahi was still sleeping peacefully. Atharv carefully slipped onto the bed beside her, making sure not to wake her.

The moment he pulled her gently into his arms, something inside him changed.

Her familiar warmth. Her soft breathing.

And the faint scent of her hair.He had missed this.

More than he had realized.All the stress of the day seemed to disappear in that one moment.His heart finally felt calm.Atharv closed his eyes and held her a little tighter.

Then, barely above a whisper, he murmured,

“Love… I missed you.”

He placed a soft kiss on her forehead. And with Mahi safely in his arms, Atharv finally allowed himself to surrender to sleep.