Sanjana's home was in the same neighborhood as Aaron's apartment, so the route was familiar to him. As the car rolled along, Apoorva filled the silence with her thoughts—about the day's work, the projects they had handled, and even her perspective on life's philosophies, her voice carrying a calm conviction.
Aaron listened, but unlike before, when he would engage, question, or even gently debate, tonight he merely nodded. A faint hum of agreement here, a quiet glance there. He let her words pass through him like a current, not daring to reach out, not daring to break the thin layer of distance he had drawn around himself.
Apoorva didn't press. She spoke naturally, but somewhere within her tone lingered the awareness that Aaron was not the same tonight.
The car moved on, headlights slicing the dim-lit road, carrying them first toward Sanjana's home.
It was around six in the evening when they reached Sanjana's home. Her father welcomed them warmly, insisting they step inside for a few minutes. The small house carried a homely charm, and the family offered tea with a gratitude that felt genuine. The conversation was light, filled with thanks and small laughter, and when it was time to leave, Sanjana clung to Roohi for one last hug before waving them off.
After goodbyes between friends, the car turned toward Apoorva's home. The roads were still restless, shadows of the strike hanging heavy in the air, but inside the car there was a brief calm—Apoorva humming softly to Roohi, Aaron quietly steering through the lanes.
Halfway through, Aaron slowed the car in front of a modest apartment building. "Just a minute," he said, pulling to the side. "I need to hand over some files."
He dialed a number, and within moments, Meera appeared at the entrance, waving as she made her way down. Aaron reached across the seat to grab the file folder, but in his haste, it didn't cross his mind—Meera knew Apoorva. Not just by name, but well enough to recognize her, and Aaron hadn't prepared for that.
The thought came too late. Meera's eyes, bright with curiosity, were already scanning the car. Her expression flickered, shifting the moment they landed on Apoorva. Aaron's grip tightened on the file, his chest heavy with the sudden realization of the chaos that might follow.
Meera's gaze finally settled on Apoorva, and for a heartbeat she froze—then her whole face lit up with delight.
"Apoorva!" she exclaimed, her voice rising with unfiltered happiness. She clasped her hands together, as though a long-awaited dream had just unfolded before her eyes. In her heart, the pieces aligned on their own—her brother must have proposed, Apoorva must have agreed, and today he had brought her home, like a silent promise to the family.
Without a second thought, Meera leaned down toward the car window, her smile warm and affectionate. "Oh Apoorva, what a beautiful surprise! Welcome, welcome! You should have told us—you're already family now," she said, stretching her hand as if to gently pull Apoorva out of the car.
Apoorva blinked, caught off guard by the sudden affection, but her polite smile never wavered. Roohi clutched Apoorva's dupatta, unnoticed in the background, her small eyes peeking curiously at the strange woman calling her mother with such intimacy.
Aaron, however, stood rooted to the spot, the files clutched tightly in his hand. His throat felt dry, words refusing to come. He had imagined dozens of scenarios for this day—but not this one.
Watching Meera's joy, Apoorva's quiet confusion, and the little secret sitting on the backseat, he could do nothing but stand there numb, his mind spinning with what storm Meera's misunderstanding might unleash.
Aaron cleared his throat, his voice steady but carrying an urgency only Meera would recognize. "Meera, it's already late for Apoorva. Don't keep her standing here."
But Meera, lost in her joy, brushed his words aside with a playful shake of her head. She clasped Apoorva's hand tightly, her eyes shining. "Late? For family, there's never late. Come, Apoorva, at least step inside for a while. Amma will be so happy to see you—".
Before she could say more, Aaron gently but firmly pried her hand away from Apoorva's, pressing the bundle of files into her palms instead. "Meera," he said, lowering his tone, "Here. These are urgent—take them in. Tell Mom I'll bring her up. And… go quickly. Ask her to prepare something."
His words carried an almost boyish command, the kind he hadn't used in years. For a moment Meera blinked, confused, then a wide smile spread across her lips. "I knew it," she whispered, hugging the files close like they were proof of her suspicions.
And just as Aaron expected, she dashed off toward the apartment building with the giddy excitement of a little girl who had just been promised her favorite toy, leaving behind the faint echo of her laughter.
Aaron exhaled, his shoulders sagging. He turned to Apoorva, whose eyes held both curiosity and hesitation, and to Roohi, who was still nestled quietly in the backseat. The delicate web of lies and truths was tightening around him, and he could feel the strands pulling taut with every step Meera took upstairs.
Aaron leaned closer, his voice dropping so that only Apoorva could hear. "Please… just for a little while. Meera won't listen to me—once she decides something, she sticks to it. She really wants you to come inside. Only if you don't mind, Apoorva… I wouldn't ask otherwise."
Apoorva tilted her head, a playful spark dancing in her eyes despite the knot of hesitation inside her. "So it takes your sister to remind you about inviting a guest properly? Otherwise, I would've just been left stranded outside your home?"
For the first time that evening, Aaron's lips curved into a small, sheepish smile. He rubbed the back of his neck, caught between embarrassment and relief. "I guess I need a better sense of hospitality," he admitted softly.
As they started walking toward the entrance, Aaron stole a glance at Apoorva. Her smile was lighthearted, but her eyes… they carried questions he wasn't ready to answer.
The moment they stepped into the hall, Meera's excitement filled every corner of the house. Aaron walked in first, Apoorva behind him holding Roohi's tiny hand, her presence adding a quiet grace to the space.
"Please, sit here," Aaron said quickly, guiding Apoorva to the sofa. His tone carried urgency, though he masked it with a polite smile. "I'll be back in a minute."
Before Apoorva could respond, he caught Meera's wrist and hurried her into the bedroom. Closing the door behind them, Aaron turned to her with a seriousness she rarely saw in his eyes. "You didn't… say anything to Mom about Apoorva, did you?" His voice was sharp but hushed.
Meera blinked, then smirked, tilting her head with mischief. "No, why should I? You're the one who has to reveal it. It's not my responsibility, bro." She folded her arms, her grin widening. "But tell me—who's that little girl with her?"
Aaron's breath hitched. For a second, his composure slipped. He clenched his jaw, then stepped closer, lowering his tone. "Listen to me, Meera. Mom knows nothing. Not a word about Apoorva, not about… Roohi. Do you understand?" The teasing faded from Meera's face as she studied his expression—tense, guarded, almost pleading.
"She's Apoorva's daughter," he admitted quietly, each word carrying weight. "I'll explain everything… but not now. Not here. Please, Meera. Don't bring it up in front of Mom. I'll tell you everything once I return from dropping them home."
For once, Meera didn't argue. She saw the urgency in his eyes, the kind of seriousness that stripped away any room for her playful banter. She nodded slowly. Not telling a word and staying in shock, her curiosity burning brighter than ever.
In the hall, Aaron's mother was sitting with Apoorva, her face glowing with the fondness she instantly felt for her. Apoorva, dressed neatly and carrying Roohi on her lap, looked every bit the picture of grace. As Aaron and Meera stepped out of the bedroom, they caught his mother mid–conversation, her tone affectionate yet brimming with curiosity.
"Apoorva dear," she began warmly, "you look so graceful! Tell me, where do you live? Close by, or far? And what do you do exactly in Aaron's office?"
Apoorva smiled politely. "Aunty, I handle a few projects along with Aaron. Mostly management work."
"Wah, management! That's why you carry yourself with so much confidence," she praised, her eyes twinkling. "And do you stay with your family here? Your parents must be proud of you."
Apoorva kept her answers short but respectful, carefully balancing between revealing and concealing. Just then, Aaron's mother's eyes fell on Roohi, who was quietly fiddling with the corner of her frock. "And this little one? So pretty! What's your name, dear?", "Roohi," she answered softly, her voice like a whisper.
"How cute your name is as of you!" Aaron's mom reached out to pat her cheek, then turned back to Apoorva with genuine curiosity. "She looks so cute! But tell me, Apoorva, who is she? "
The unfinished question hung in the air like a weight. Meera glanced quickly at Aaron, while Aaron's heart skipped a beat. As soon as his mother's words trailed off, Aaron quickly leaned forward, placing himself between Apoorva and the piercing curiosity of the question.
"Mom," he said firmly, "Roohi is Apoorva's daughter." For a second, the room fell into silence. His mother blinked, taken aback, her eyes darting between Apoorva's calm face and Roohi's innocent smile.
"Daughter?!" she exclaimed, her voice carrying both surprise and disbelief. "Dear, you're still so young… and already the mother of this cute girl?"
Apoorva answered with a quiet nod, her lips curving into a bright, assuring smile. The warmth in her eyes was enough to soften the weight of her admission. Aaron's mother, comforted by her grace, continued the conversation with a tender curiosity. After a few moments, she leaned closer, tilting her head slightly. "And tell me, dear, what does your husband do?"
The question, though simple in tone, landed heavily in the room. Apoorva's smile wavered for a fraction of a second before she quickly gathered herself. Rising gently to her feet, she smoothed her dupatta and said with polite firmness, "It's getting late, Aunty. My mother must have returned home by now, waiting for us. I promise I will come again, spend more time with you."
Her words carried both respect and escape, and Aaron's mother, sensing her hesitation, chose not to press further. Instead, she stood and embraced Apoorva warmly, as if they had known each other for years. Meera, though curious, offered a smile of her own, and together they bid her and little Roohi a fond farewell.
Aaron, ever the quiet protector, led Apoorva and Roohi to the car. The night air was cool, and the drive home slipped into a pocket of silence until he finally spoke. "Don't take all those silly questions to heart," he said, glancing at her as the streetlights washed over his face. "My mom and Meera… they can be overwhelming." Apoorva only smiled, her voice soft but steady. "No, Aaron. Don't apologize. What's silly in there, That's how people show love—with questions, with curiosity. I… I liked it. I felt loved."
Aaron looked at her then, her profile glowing against the passing lights, and something unspoken settled in his chest—a strange comfort, a stirring he couldn't name. It was 7:30 p.m. when Aaron pulled up in front of Apoorva's house. The soft glow of the streetlights bathed the lane in amber hues. "You're not leaving just like that," she said, her tone playful yet firm. "You'll have dinner with us. And no excuses—tonight you cannot refuse." Aaron hesitated, but the insistence in her voice, coupled with the sparkle in her eyes, left him with little room to argue. "Alright," he agreed softly.
As Apoorva led the way toward the entrance, the porch light flickered to life, illuminating her face and the simple ID card hanging around her neck—something she had likely forgotten to remove after work. Aaron's eyes fell on it absent mindedly… and then froze. For a second, his breath caught.
The name printed on the card gleamed clearly under the light, but most of the details beneath blurred in the shadows of the plastic cover. Only one thing stood out sharply, almost unnervingly so—the salutation before her name. "Ms. Apoorva …" Aaron's mind stumbled over it. Ms. Not Mrs.
The letters seemed to shine brighter than everything else, as though the universe itself wanted to draw his attention to this fact. His thoughts raced, tangled in confusion. "Yes, this was the strong clue that made me believe she was not married, now I remember! If she was unmarried… then what about Roohi?"
He quickly masked his surprise before Apoorva could notice, forcing an easy smile as she turned back to call him in. But inside, a dozen unanswered questions stirred, refusing to settle. By the time Aaron settled into the living room, Veena had also returned from the marriage, her cheerful presence filling the house. The aroma of freshly prepared food wafted from the dining area—the cook had anticipated their arrival and laid out the spread neatly.
Apoorva excused herself with a gentle smile. "I'll be back shortly," she said, heading toward her room to freshen up. Roohi, ever obedient, followed her mother, and even Veena disappeared briefly to tidy herself before returning.
Left in the living room, Aaron sank into the sofa, trying to calm the whirlwind of thoughts still swirling in his mind. Roohi curled up nearby with a small doll, quietly observing him, while Veena settled opposite him, her eyes warm and curious.
"So, Aaron," she began gently, "where do you live?" Aaron smiled politely. "Not far, Aunty. apartment in the Shalali Road." She nodded and continued, her tone warm but inquisitive. "And what do your parents do?", "They're both retired now," he replied. Veena leaned slightly forward, her eyes twinkling. "Do you have any siblings?", "Yes, aunty, I have a sister—Meera." Her gaze softened, but the questions weren't over. "And… are you married?" Aaron's throat tightened for just a moment, but he maintained a calm expression. "No, aunty. Not yet."
Veena smiled approvingly, as if ticking boxes in her mind, satisfied with the straightforward answers. She leaned back slightly, her hands folded in her lap, the warmth in her gaze making the questions feel less like an interrogation and more like an affectionate welcome. Aaron chuckled softly to himself, the sound almost a whisper. "All mothers are the same," he thought, shaking his head slightly with a smile. Same questions, same concern, same curiosity.
Veena picked up a glass of water and handed it to Aaron with a warm smile. "Here, dear, have some water. You must be tired from all the driving." Aaron accepted it graciously, feeling the warmth in her gesture. He took a small sip and nodded.
"And tell me," she continued, tilting her head slightly, "what would you like to eat for dinner?", Aaron returned her smile, gentle and respectful. "Anything you provide, aunty," he said softly. "I'm sure whatever you make will be perfect."
Aaron leaned back slightly on the sofa, letting his eyes wander around the room, pretending to admire the decor while subtly probing. "So, Aunty," he began casually, "who all live in this house?" Veena's face lit up with a gentle smile. "Oh, dear, it's just the three of us—Apoorva, Roohi, and me. That's all."
Aaron nodded slowly, as if accepting her answer, but then, gathering a quiet courage, he dared to ask again, his voice careful but tinged with curiosity. "And… Apoorva's husband? Where is he?", Veena's gentle smile lingered, as if she were about to answer Aaron's unspoken questions, when footsteps echoed softly from the corridor. Apoorva appeared, her hair damp and wrapped neatly, a fresh glow on her face after her bath.
"Dinner's ready, everyone," she called warmly, her voice carrying a calm authority that invited and guided at once. "Please, come join." Aaron turned his head, catching her bright smile as she glanced briefly at him. For a moment, he forgot the question about her husband, the ID card, and the curiosity of the day. The simple, natural warmth she exuded pulled him back to the present.
Veena softly nodding toward Apoorva, then rose gracefully. Aaron followed, making his way to the dining area, his thoughts still spinning but tempered by the comfort of this ordinary, shared moment of family and food. After dinner, Apoorva gently guided Roohi to her bedroom and made the little girl's bed just the way she liked it. Within minutes, Roohi was fast asleep, her soft breathing filling the room with a calm serenity.
Apoorva returned to the hall, where Aaron and Veena were already settled comfortably, the glow of the evening creating a cozy warmth around them. They engaged in normal conversation, sharing light chatter about the day, work, and small amusing incidents that had occurred. Aaron leaned back slightly in his chair, a teasing glint in his eyes. "So, Apoorva," he said playfully, letting his voice carry just enough mischief, "Aren't you going to introduce your gentleman to me?", Aaron's teasing question hung in the air, light yet pointed, and Apoorva felt a sudden jolt of surprise.
She wasn't ready for this—not because she disliked the topic, but because she didn't have an easy answer. For a moment, she simply looked at him, her lips curving into a gentle, knowing smile, softening the weight of the unasked words. Aaron, sensing her hesitation, leaned forward slightly, his eyes filled with quiet patience.
She knew him well enough now—close enough to trust, close enough to consider revealing what she had carried all these years alone. Taking a subtle breath, Apoorva began, her voice calm, yet tinged with a hint of vulnerability. Apoorva's gaze met Aaron's, steady and deliberate, a quiet intensity simmering beneath her composed exterior. She leaned back slightly, her eyes softening as a small, playful smile touched her lips.
"When the time is right," she said gently, her voice calm yet carrying a promise, "I will surely make you meet him, Aaron." Even as she spoke, a warm certainty blossomed inside her heart. She knew, with quiet conviction, that one day she would share this part of her life with him. Her glance flickered briefly toward her mother, Veena, who sat nearby, unaware of the silent vow passing between them.
Apoorva's words, gentle as they were, hit Aaron hard. The promise in her voice couldn't hide the truth—she was already married. A sudden sadness washed over him. The hope he had held onto for seemed to vanish in an instant. He forced a small smile, but inside, his heart felt heavy. For a moment, he just sat there, quiet, trying to steady his thoughts as the reality settled in.