9 PM…
Anamika had almost finished all the kitchen work. Since she was home today, she thought she should cook so that Saaniya’s work would become easier.
If the food was already prepared, Saaniya could sleep early — thinking this, Anamika finished cooking early. But in the hall, Ira was sitting all alone, getting bored!
She was tired of playing games on the computer. The level was set to hard, and because of that, she just couldn’t win. Though she had never won even a single game against Anamika either, it was still fun playing with her.
Because even when she lost, Anamika would gently run her fingers through her hair, comfort her, patiently explain her mistakes, and give her sweet little tips that made her feel better.
Feeling extremely bored, she dropped herself onto the sofa. With no one to cheer her up, Ira stared at the ceiling and sighed, “Brother … what must you be doing right now?!”
Meanwhile
Both of them were at the door, not going in, because Shekhar had just said something to Aditya — something that Aditya completely refused to agree with.
Aditya stood there, arms folded like a stubborn child, making a sulky face. He had two bags in his hand, one of which clearly looked like it was from a jewelry shop.
Shekhar spoke in a firm but calm tone, “You really don’t want to give this to her?”
Aditya, who had turned his face away in annoyance, looked back at Shekhar and said, “Absolutely not! You told me you wanted to give it to her. That’s why I came along… and now suddenly—”
“Now I’m telling you to give it to her.” Shekhar’s face was calm, almost too calm. “It’s a beautiful gift. She’ll accept it.”
Aditya frowned deeper. “The gift is beautiful, yes — but you don’t just hand something like this to a girl without… context.”
“Sheesh, it’s just jewelry,” Shekhar replied with a casual shrug. “What’s the big deal?”
“Why don’t you get it!?” Aditya said with a childish pout. “Fine! I’ll give it, but then I won’t agree to the second condition! I’ll tell her… that the gift is from you!”
Turning toward the house, Shekhar said, “Absolutely not! If you do that, I’ll tell Aniket why I really came to meet him in India.”
Aditya shouted, “You can’t do that! Anamika won’t like it! And… Aniket will also be hurt! And the truth is… even you’ve been waiting all these years for a chance like this. You wanted to clear everything with your son Aniket and fix your relationship too, Uncle!”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Shekhar didn’t say anything for a moment.
Maybe he didn’t want to accept that what Aditya was saying was true.
Maybe… deep down, Shekhar really had been waiting for a situation that would bring him face-to-face with his son, one that would finally allow them to resolve the past — but he didn’t want to admit that in front of Aditya.
Looking away, he said, “Back then, what was in my heart is what’s now in yours. So… what you made me do then, I’ll make you do now. You once lied to me and forced me , now it’s my turn.”
Narrowing his eyes, Aditya replied, “So now you’re getting revenge on your Adi?”
Shekhar looked at Aditya and said meaningfully, “Didn’t you once tell me that you and Aniket follow in my footsteps? If that’s the case, then surely you know — I never let go of a chance for payback!”
Aditya tried one last time, “Uncle… please! Try to understand! I really can’t do this! I’ll give her some other gift instead — I promise!”
Aditya’s eyes were practically glowing with sincerity — enough to melt anyone’s heart.
But maybe Shekhar’s heart was harder than stone. It just wouldn’t melt.
Expressionless, he said, “Think carefully, Aditya. Right now, I’ve only handed this to you. But if you say please one more time…
I might give you something even worse.
Something that would make you want to bury yourself alive in embarrassment.”
He didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t need to.
That icy calm — that was enough to crush anyone.
Finally, taking a deep breath, Aditya said, “There’s no winning against you! Honestly, I was such a fool for thinking that just because I tricked you once, you’d let me go… but I guess, no matter how wounded a lion is—if you provoke it, it’ll strike back.”
Disappointed and defeated, Aditya stood still — And just then… a warm, affectionate hand rested gently on his forehead.
It stroked his hair — soft, fatherly.
Aditya looked up.
It was Shekhar… stern on the outside, but with a heart softer than anyone would imagine.
There was a small smile playing at his lips — light but genuine.
He said quietly, “One day, you and Aniket will go farther than I ever could… and I’ll make sure you’re both ready for it.
But to reach that point — you’ll have to go through a little fire.
Besides… I trust Anamika. She’s pure-hearted, and she’s innocent. She won’t be upset with you over something like this.
And if things do get messy — just drop my name. Deal?”
Aditya smiled and replied, “It’s fine, Uncle! I’m strong enough! I’ll agree to both of your conditions. I’ll give Anamika this gift with my own hands — and say it’s from me. I won’t tell her it’s from you. But Uncle… why don’t you want to give it to her yourself?”
As he walked into the house, Shekhar answered, “Because a gift like that… is something a boy gives to the girl he likes.
Not something you give to a daughter.
And anyway — I’ve already bought gifts for Anamika and all her friends. I took Aniket with me.”
“…Wait — what?! Then why’d you drag me to the shop? You told me you wanted to get something for Anamika?!” Aditya followed, confused.
Taking off his shoes, Shekhar said, “Ask yourself that! You already know the answer.”
Looking back at Aditya, Shekhar added, “By the way… how were you so sure at the shop? You knew Anamika’s hand and finger size a little too perfectly… didn’t you? Do you hold her hand all the time or what?”
Aditya instantly looked away.
His ears turned red in a second.
He stammered, “I-I haven’t held her hand that much! Maybe only four times or so… but even then, I know her hand size well. Because whenever she holds my hand, all I can think about is her fingers and her touch! Her hand is small compared to mine… soft and delicate, but really beautiful.”
Shekhar’s lips curved into a slight smile hearing that.
Turning to head further in, he added, “Don’t worry — everything will be fine.
Anyway… stay for dinner tonight. Aniket will be happy.”
Aditya stood there, thoughtful.
Then shook his head. “No… Ira’s at Anamika’s place. I’m going to pick her up.”
Shekhar stopped him, “Aniket’s home.
You’ve come all this way — at least say hello before you go.”
Aditya nodded, giving in.
And both of them began walking toward Aniket’s room.
Unaware of their arrival… Aniket was entirely lost in his laptop.
Something was loading on the screen — and his eyes were glued to it.
As if the secret to life itself was about to be revealed.
He whispered to himself, “Just a little more… A little more, and all my hard work will finally pay off!
Even one piece of her past… just one crack in the wall — and it’ll be worth it.”
But whose past is Aniket digging into? And how?Will he find the truth?And more importantly…What will happen when Aditya finds out?
