Author pov..

Rahul stood there without moving, his body still but his eyes burning with unshed tears and anger held tightly together.

Ishani watched him carefully, her heart aching at the sight.

She spoke gently, trying to reach him.

"So much anger, Rahul... you're a good boy, aren't you? Then why all this stubbornness, this rudeness, running away from home? Why are you doing all this?"

She stepped closer, her voice softer now."Tell me, Rahul where would you even go after leaving home?"

Rahul said nothing.He remained standing there, silent, locked inside himself.

A little distance away, Abhay stood still, listening.

"So... you really don't want to go home?" Ishani asked quietly. "Say something at least. Or are you angry with me too? Tell me-what did I do?"

Rahul finally looked at her. His voice was low, controlled.

"You didn't do anything," he said. "Please go from here. I'm not going home."

Ishani's eyes softened, but her voice trembled."Alright. But home won't feel right without you," she said honestly. "If you're not there, how can anything feel good at home? Tell me."

Rahul replied flatly, "Everything will be fine. No one loves me anyway."

Those words cut deep.

Ishani took a step closer, her heart aching."But I do," she said softly. "Mai to krti hun na apn Rahul se pyar aise Mt kaho na ki koi nahi krta pyar."

Rahul's heart began to race. Thump. Thump. Thump.

The sudden rush inside his chest confused him and angered him.

Why does my heart react like this just because of her words? he thought bitterly.

Frustrated with himself, he snapped,

"Go away. I don't want to talk to you."

Ishani's voice broke just a little.

"Why don't you want to talk to me?" she asked gently. "Please don't say things like that, Rahul. It hurts me."

Nearby, Deeksha stood silently, watching everything unfold the way

Ishani kept explaining with love, the way she never raised her voice.

And slowly, without Rahul even realizing it, a faint smile appeared on his face.

For the first time that evening, the anger inside him loosened its grip just a little.

Ishani noticed the tiny smile on Rahul's face. It was barely there, but it was real.

Inside, she thought, My words are reaching him. They're working.

Encouraged, she spoke again, her voice gentle yet full of urgency.

"Please... come home now. We've been searching for you the entire day. Rani aunty is crying, Dadi is crying, Uncle is so sad. Everyone has looked for you everywhere."

She paused, then added softly,

"Vaibhav bhaiya is still searching for you too. Please, Rahul. Come home."

Rahul's expression changed. Fear crept into his eyes."No," he said quietly. "If I go home, Papa will beat me. Today I didn't even go to school. I lied and ran away from home."

Ishani immediately shook her head. She stepped closer, her voice firm with care."No one will say anything to you now. And if anyone dares to say even a single word, I'll scold them myself."

She looked straight into his eyes.

"You trust me, don't you? Tell me

have I ever lied to you?"

Her words weren't loud. They didn't need to be.

Deeksha spoke up as well, her voice full of concern."Rahul, no one will scold you. Didi is saying it, right? She'll protect you. Please... go home."

Rahul looked at Deeksha, then at Ishani.

Ishani gave him a small, encouraging smile and said softly,"Look how sensible your friend is. Please listen, Rahul. Where will you go after leaving home? The outside world is very cruel. Can anyone love you more than your own family? Tell me."

Slowly, Rahul began to understand.

The thought of being without his mother filled him with fear. Night was falling where would he even stay?

Ishani noticed the storm of thoughts crossing his face."What is it?" she asked gently. "You're thinking about something."

Then she added softly, almost teasing to ease him,"So... you don't trust me, Rahul?"

Rahul looked at her and suddenly, he broke down. Tears started falling from his eyes.

Ishani reacted instantly. She cupped his face in her hands, panic and care mixed together."Hey... why are you crying?" she asked softly.

She wiped away his tears with her thumbs."Don't cry. Tell me what's wrong."

Through his sobs, Rahul whispered,

"Papa will scold me..."

As he started crying again, Ishani said firmly yet gently,"If he scolds you, I'll scold him back for frightening my poor Rahul so much."

She wiped his tears once more, trying to calm him.

Then she turned to Deeksha and asked,"Do you have some water?"

"Yes," Deeksha replied quickly. She rushed to her car, brought a bottle of water, and handed it to Ishani without wasting a second.

Ishani took the bottle, her eyes never leaving Rahul as if her presence alone was promising him that he was not alone anymore.

Holding the bottle, Ishani softly washed Rahul's face, letting the cool water rinse away his tears.

She wiped his face with the edge of her dupatta, her touch careful and motherly, then held the bottle to his lips.

Rahul drank slowly, somehow managing to steady himself.

"Don't be so scared, Rahul," Ishani said softly. "I'm here. I'll handle everything. Just trust me."

Rahul nodded.

Ishani smiled and said gently, "Shall we go home now? Look Divya has been standing there for so long, watching you, worried."

Rahul looked across the road. Divya stood there, her eyes fixed only on him, anxiety written all over her face.

After a moment, he said quietly, "Okay... let's go home."

Ishani's face lit up with happiness.

"That's more like my good boy," she said warmly. "Now go on say bye to your friend. And thank her too, for not letting you go anywhere."

Rahul turned toward Deeksha.

"Thank you," he said softly.

Deeksha smiled. "It's nothing. Go now. Take care."

Rahul nodded.

Together, Rahul and Ishani walked toward Divya.

The moment Divya saw Rahul coming toward her, all her anger melted away. Her eyes softened instantly.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly.

Rahul shook his head. "It's okay."

"Come on, let's go home," Ishani said.

Divya and Rahul both nodded.

The three of them stopped an auto and began their journey.

Behind them, Deeksha and Abhay stood quietly, watching the three of them walk away together.

As Abhay replayed Ishani's words in his mind, a strange warmth settled in his chest.

There was a calm maturity in her way of speaking, a quiet wisdom. Without realizing it, his respect for her grew.

Deeksha smiled softly and said,

"That didi is so sensible, isn't she, bhaiya?"

Abhay nodded. "Yes... she really is."

Then he glanced at the sky and said lightly,"Come on now. Let's go home too. Otherwise Dadu will scold us for roaming around since morning."

Deeksha nodded.

The two of them got into their car and drove away toward their own home

leaving behind a day full of tension, emotions, and small moments of understanding that would quietly stay with them long after the road disappeared behind them.

Rahul, Ishani, and Divya finally reached home.

Vaibhav was standing there, restless and worried. He hadn’t been able to find Rahul anywhere.

But the moment he saw the three of them approaching with Rahul safe among them he ran straight to him.

“Where did you go?” Vaibhav said breathlessly. “I searched everywhere for you. And Ishani, you should have called me when you found him. I was so scared I didn’t even have the courage to go inside. I didn’t know what I would tell uncle and aunty.”

Ishani looked guilty. “Bhaiya, I was too tense to make a call. I’m sorry.”

Vaibhav let out a long sigh and nodded. “Alright. Come on, everyone’s been waiting.”

Ishani nodded, and all four of them went inside.

The moment Rani’s eyes fell on Rahul, she ran to him and wrapped him in a tight hug. “Where have you gone, my child?” she cried. “I would have died if you hadn’t been found today. Don’t you care about your mother at all?”

Seeing his mother like that, Rahul broke down too.

Tears streamed down his face as Rani kept speaking through her sobs, “Why did you leave the house like that? Did you even eat anything?”

Rahul just stood there, crying silently.

Ishani stepped in gently. “Aunty, he’s fine now. Please don’t cry. He’s safe.”

Rani looked at Rahul again and asked, her voice trembling, “Where did you go? Who leaves home like this? Your parents scolded you once, and you just walked away?”

“Aunty, please don’t scold him,” Ishani pleaded softly. “He’s already very scared.”

Rani sighed, wiped Rahul’s face with her hands, and said, “Alright. I won’t say anything. Okay? Stop crying now.”

Nearby, Devnath stood quietly, watching Rahul. A wave of relief washed over him at least Rahul was safe. But Rahul couldn’t even bring himself to look at Devnath, fear holding his gaze down.

Ishani spoke again, firmly yet kindly. “Aunty, Uncle, please don’t scold Rahul now. He understands his mistake. He won’t ever do this again.”

Devnath finally broke the silence. “Come on, everyone. He’s back now. It’s late, and we’ve all been hungry since morning. I’ll order food from outside. Tell me what does everyone

want?”

Everyone stared at Devnath in shock. He hadn’t said a single harsh word to Rahul.

Sensing the moment, Ishani smiled and took advantage of the calm. “Yes, Uncle, let’s order from outside today. I know everyone’s favorites.”

Devnath nodded. “That’s a good idea.”

Then he looked at Ishani warmly. “Alright, beta, tell me what should we order? Today, everyone will get their favorite.”

Ishani tells Devnath everyone’s favorite dishes, and he places the order accordingly.

Rani then turns to Rahul and says gently, “Come on, let’s change your uniform.” She takes him to his room, removes his bag from his shoulders, and begins helping him out of his school uniform.

Rahul looks at his mother with trembling eyes and whispers, “I’m sorry, Mummy. I won’t ever do this again. Please tell Papa not to scold me.”

Rani looks at him with a soft smile full of love. “No, my child. No one will scold you. Don’t cry, my baby.” She pulls him into a tight hug and adds, “Just don’t do this again, alright?”

Rahul nods quietly. “Hmm.”

Rani helps him wash his face and hands, dresses him in clean clothes, and says warmly, “Come on now, let’s go eat. The food must have been delivered by now.”

Rahul is still scared of his father, but because his mother is with him, he gathers the courage to go downstairs.

Everyone is already seated at the dining table Malini, Vaibhav, Ishani, the entire Awasthi family, and the whole Pathak family too.

The room is full, yet calm, carrying the relief that Rahul is finally home.

Rahul walks downstairs with Rani and sees everyone already seated in their chairs around the dining table.

Ishani looks up, smiles softly, and says, “Rahul, come sit here beside me.”

Rahul glances at his mother. Rani nods gently, telling him to go.

He moves forward and sits next to Ishani, his head lowered.

His father, Devnath, keeps watching him there’s fear in Rahul’s eyes, the kind that doesn’t let him meet anyone’s gaze.

Ishani tries to ease the silence. “Look, Rahul,” she says quietly, “Uncle ordered your favorite food. Eat.”

Rahul murmurs a small “hmm,” serves himself, and begins to eat.

One by one, everyone else does the same. The dining table fills with nothing but the clinking of utensils against plates no voices, only tension.

After a while, Malini breaks the silence. “So, Ishani… where did you find Rahul?”

Ishani keeps eating, then looks up at her mother and answers calmly, “Maa, Rahul’s friend saw him and recognized him. She talked to him and kept him with her, didn’t let him go anywhere. Divya and I were traveling by auto when we ran into Rahul, and that’s how we brought him back.”

Rani spoke again, worry clear in her voice.“Rahul who was the friend who stopped you? Deepak is your friend, yes… but who else was there, my son?”

Before Rahul could answer, Ishani said softly,“No, aunty. It wasn’t a boy. It was a girl his classmate.”

Rani turned toward Rahul, surprised.

“A girl? Which girl, Rahul? Who is she?”

Rahul looked at his mother for a moment, then spoke quietly,“Deeksha Thakur, mummy.”

Vaibhav stiffened at the name.

“Deeksha Thakur?” he repeated. “The same Deeksha who studies at my coaching? My student… the girl from the Thakur family?”

Rahul nodded slowly.

A deep silence spread through the room. Everyone was shocked.

Nirmala Dadi broke the silence, her voice serious.“I always thought the Thakur family was not good… but it seems their daughters are raised with values.”

Rani’s eyes softened with gratitude.

“Yes, Maaji. That girl took care of my child. We should thank her.”

Nirmala Dadi nodded in agreement.

“Yes, Rani. We should.”

The Pathak family had already finished their meal, and the Awasthi family, too, prepared to leave after dinner.

Malini folded her hands politely and thanked Devnath for the food.

Devnath smiled and waved it off at once.“Oh, behenji, you always end up making us feel embarrassed. Just because we are neighbors doesn’t mean we are strangers we are family too. Please don’t thank us like this.”

Malini laughed softly, with warmth in her eyes.“jii bhaisahab It’s quite late now. We should leave.”

“Ji,” Devnath replied.

Malini and Vaibhav walked ahead toward the gate. Ishani lagged behind, her steps slower, her thoughts distant.

Devnath turned to close the door of his house. Just as he was about to shut it, Ishani came forward and stopped near the doorway.

Devnath noticed Ishani and paused.

“What is it, Ishani?” he asked gently. “Did you want to say something?”

Ishani looked at him with quiet concern.“Uncle, please don’t scold Rahul now. He’s already very scared. Talk to him with love.”

Devnath smiled, understanding her unspoken worry.“Yes, baccha. I understand. I’ll speak to him kindly.”

Ishani smiled in relief.“Alright, uncle. Good night. Bye.”

“Good night, beta,” Devnath replied.

Ishani turned and walked back to her house.

From a distance, Vaibhav kept looking toward the gate, thinking she wouldn’t come. But Ishani soon appeared beside him.

“Shall we go, bhaiya?” she said.

Vaibhav nodded quietly and closed the door behind them.

Malini was still standing there. Her eyes fell on Vaibhav, and she asked suddenly,“How did you get this injury, Vaibhav?”

Vaibhav froze.Maa doesn’t know about this, he thought. If she finds out, I’ll be scolded again.

Trying to sound casual, he said,

“It’s nothing, maa. We had a football match today, so I got a small injury while playing.”

Malini accepted his answer at once and said with mild scolding,

“Are you still a small child, Vaibhav? You should be careful while playing. Look, it’s bleeding.”

She turned to Ishani.“Ishani, go bring the first-aid box. He needs a bandage. And make some turmeric milk too.”

“Yes, maa,” Ishani replied obediently, and hurried inside.

Meanwhile, in the Pathak household, everyone retired to their own rooms.

Devnath closed the door behind him and walked straight to Rahul’s room.

Rahul was sitting quietly on his bed.

The moment he saw his father enter, fear rushed over his face.

He quickly got down from the bed and stood up, nervous and tense.

Devnath noticed how frightened Rahul looked. This was never what he had wanted.

All he had wished for was a little discipline, a little more focus on his studies but things had turned out the opposite.

With a heavy heart, Devnath walked over and sat down on Rahul’s bed. In a calm, gentle voice, he said,

“Rahul… look at me.”

Rahul didn’t look up. He stood there with his head bowed, trembling with fear.

Devnath watched him closely and said softly,“I’m not scolding you, Rahul. Then why are you so scared? Look… I haven’t said anything, have I? Look at me.”

Tears began to slip from Rahul’s eyes.

He slowly lifted his gaze toward his father and said in a broken voice,

“I’m sorry, Papa. I’ll never do this again.”

Devnath nodded gently. He placed both his hands on Rahul’s shoulders, pulled him close, and said,“Okay. I’m not angry with you. It was my mistake too. I shouldn’t have scolded you in front of everyone. I’m sorry, Rahul.”

He wiped Rahul’s tears away with his own hands.

Rahul stared at his father in shock, unable to believe what he was hearing.

Devnath said softly,“Rahul, all I want is for my child to study well, become a good person, and earn an honest living. Am I thinking wrong? Tell me.”

Rahul shook his head through his tears.“No, Papa.”

“That’s the only reason I scolded you,” Devnath continued. “I’ve told you so many times lying is wrong. Rahul, if you don’t learn this now, you’ll keep lying even later in life. I worry about you, my son. And today, when you ran away from home… it felt as if my very life had left me.”

Hearing this, Rahul broke down completely and started crying harder.

Devnath held him firmly and said,

“Never do this again, Rahul. The world outside is very cruel. Do you understand what I’m trying to tell you?”

Rahul nodded.

“Come on, don’t cry,” Devnath said gently. “And from today onwards, never lie to me. Even if you are failing in school, you must come and tell me ‘Papa, I have failed.’ I will never scold you. Do you understand?”

Rahul nodded again, holding onto his father’s words like a promise.

Rahul said through his tears,“No, Papa… I will study. Please don’t say such things. I’m sorry—I made a mistake. I didn’t focus on my studies. Papa, please forgive me.”

Devnath nodded slowly and said,

“See, if you had come and told me this yourself, just like this, I wouldn’t have said anything. But you didn’t tell me. That’s why I got angry. From today onwards, never lie to me and never even think about running away from home. Okay?”

“Yes, Papa,” Rahul replied softly.

Devnath pulled him into a tight embrace. Rahul started crying again, clinging to his father.

“That’s enough, my child,” Devnath said gently. “You’ll make yourself sick. Don’t cry so much.”

Rahul slowly calmed down. Devnath wiped his tears and said,“Come on, go to sleep. You have school tomorrow. Are you going or not?”

“Yes, Papa. I’ll go,” Rahul answered.

Devnath smiled.“Good. Now sleep.”

He helped Rahul lie down on the bed, covered him with a blanket, switched off the lights, and quietly closed the door of the room before walking away.

Like and comment ❤️🙏