The front door creaked open, and the soft click of shoes echoed in the hallway. Aryan stepped inside, the faint scent of home mingling with warm nostalgia. He barely had time to remove his shoes when a small voice called out behind him.
"Brother Aryan!"
Alisha came running with her tiny arms wide after seeing him. Aryan bent down quickly and caught her mid-run, laughing as she threw her arms around his neck.
"You've grown heavier since I saw you last!" he teased, ruffling her soft hair.
"That's because I eat well." she said with a proudly serious face, making Aryan chuckle again.
Still carrying her, Aryan walked toward the living room where Adam, his father, sat reading the newspaper. The old man looked up with a warm smile that softened the lines on his face.
"You're back."
Aryan's throat tightened slightly. "Yeah… I missed you."
