The mansion glowed with blinding lights. Servants stood in a neat line near the driveway, watching quietly as our car pulled in. Most of them were new, except for one familiar face—Mona Aunty. She was the one who had cared for me since childhood, more like family than staff.
My parents stepped out first. I followed, my gaze falling on the grand entrance. Mona Aunty stood there with an aarti plate in her trembling hands. The moment her eyes found me, they welled up.
A voice from the past stirred in my memory…
"Avi baba, why do you let yourself be so sad? The master has always been strict. It's just his nature."
"But why is it always me he blames? Today wasn't even my fault, yet Father still raised his hand against me."
"It wasn't like that, baba. You were at fault too. You shouldn't have gotten into a fight at school."
"So even you think I was wrong? They were bullying Viju! I had to fight back. Is helping a friend wrong now?"
"No… but hitting someone is still wrong."
"Mother, wasn't it necessary to teach them a lesson? Otherwise, they would keep hurting Viju."
"Mona, go bring him a glass of chocolate milk," my mother had interrupted softly.
"Yes, didi. I'll bring it right away."
"Avi, your father didn't punish you because you helped your friend. He punished you because you chose the wrong path."
"How can protecting my friend ever be the wrong path? If they hit Vijay, I'll hit back. How is that wrong?"
"Then tell me, was it right for them to hurt Vijay?"
"Of course not."
"Then how was it right for you to hurt them?"
"Hmm… if that's true, then how was Father right to hurt me?"
…Silence had followed, before Mona returned with the glass. "Here, Avi baba, your chocolate milk."
The memory faded as I walked closer. Mona Aunty put the aarti plate aside and suddenly pulled me into her arms. Her tears soaked into my shirt, her body trembling with emotions she could no longer hide. When she finally calmed, she studied my face, searching for something in my eyes.
"You're my Avi baba… aren't you?" she whispered.
I looked at her without a flicker of emotion. My expression was as still as stone. And then I spoke, my voice quiet but heavy.
"Once… I was."
Her face broke, the silence of the courtyard pressing down on everyone. My mother's eyes filled with worry, my father's brow tightened.
"What are you saying, my son?" my mother asked softly.
Before I could respond, Father cut in, his voice sharp but controlled. "Meera, he just returned home. Let him settle in. Questions can wait."
"You're right," Mother said quickly, brushing at her eyes. She forced a smile and turned to me. "Come inside, beta. Today I'll cook your favorite dishes myself."
I followed them into the house. Everything was still the same, though a few pieces of furniture had changed.
"Freshen up first," Father instructed, then turned to a servant. "Show him to his room."
I nodded, but as I moved past the table, my hand reached out instinctively. The vase of roses had always bothered me. Without a word, I pulled them out and replaced them with tulips instead.
When I turned back, Mother was watching me quietly. Her lips parted, a soft word escaping.
"Anaya…"
I froze for a moment, then forced my voice steady. "She must be in her room."
Mother smiled faintly. "Yes. Go freshen up. Dinner will be ready soon. We have so much to talk about."
I picked up my trunk, refusing the help of the servant who reached for it, and made my way upstairs. My old room opened like a time capsule, everything preserved exactly as I had left it. I placed the trunk on the bed and let my eyes wander, until they caught on a framed photo.
And just like that, the past came rushing back again.
"Honestly, your uncle should've slapped you ten times instead of one. What were you thinking, picking a fight with them?"
"Yeah, next time they beat you up, I won't bother saving your ass."
"Avi, your language!" Priya's voice had rung sharp in my memory.
"See, Priya? He's completely spoiled. Fighting one day, swearing the next. Your boyfriend's a wild one."
"What? You fought, Avi?"
"Priya, it wasn't like that! I was only protecting this idiot. And that curse slipped out because I didn't see you were there. I'd never use those words in front of you."
"Even if I wasn't there, you shouldn't speak like that."
"Okay, baba, I'm sorry. It won't happen again."
"People say love makes you stupid, and I think they're right. We've all been friends since forever, but now that you and Priya are together, you've forgotten us. Don't forget, Avi—before you're lovers, you're friends. Don't let love destroy that."
"You're right," I had said, smiling faintly. "You'll always come first."
"Good. So after the 10th exams, let's all go on a trip together. A celebration."
"Hmm… that's not a bad idea. But where?"
"Goa!" someone had shouted. "Beaches, freedom, fun… and of course, your romantic walks, you lovebirds."
"Goa it is," I had laughed. "But remember—we stick together. No one gets left out."
"Always."
"Always."
The memory faded, and I turned away, stepping into the bathroom. Hot water poured down over me, washing away the dust and exhaustion of travel. I stayed there longer than I should have, letting the warmth sink into my skin.
By the time I opened the door again, steam rolling out behind me, what I saw waiting in my room left me stunned.