UNIVERSITY ARC
The message arrived in less than a minute after my call with Mom ended.
I stared at the screen, stunned.
Finding a secure meeting place—one that wouldn't raise suspicion in the middle of a high-security, heavily monitored city—was no easy task. It was the kind of decision that should take at least two or three days of careful consideration.
Yet, Mom had decided in mere seconds.
That could only mean one thing—she had planned this long before she even called.
Because that's who she is. When it comes to matters involving our family, she is always precise, always ahead.
Don't get me wrong. If anyone in the family were to find out about this meeting—even just the fact that we spoke—Mom and I both knew exactly what would happen next.
A heavy feeling settled in my chest. It wasn't fair to let her bear all of this alone.
I shook off the thought and focused on getting ready. After freshening up, I let my friends know I was heading out and hailed a taxi.
The ride was silent, my mind replaying our conversation over and over.
After a while, the car pulled up at the location Mom had sent.
A quiet, unassuming restaurant, far from the city's chaos. The kind of place you wouldn't even notice unless you were looking for it.
I had never even heard of it before.
But of course, that was just like her. Always thinking ahead. Always finding the perfect place.
Here, no one would find us.
I stepped out of the taxi, my heartbeat picking up speed. My eyes scanned the entrance, unsure of what I would see—or rather, who I would see.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The restaurant was quiet, with only a few scattered customers. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm spices filled the air. My gaze swept the room until it landed on a familiar figure seated in a corner booth.
Mom.
She had her hands wrapped around a steaming cup of tea, her fingers delicate yet firm—just as I remembered. Her dark hair was neatly tied back, not a single strand out of place. She wore a simple, elegant outfit, exuding the same grace and composure she always had.
Yet, there was something different.
A certain softness in her eyes. A quiet yearning hidden behind her composed expression.
The moment our gazes met, a thousand emotions flashed across her face in an instant—relief, longing, an ache that had been buried for years. But she quickly schooled her expression, offering a gentle smile instead.
I took slow steps toward her, my feet feeling heavier with each one.
When I reached the table, she spoke first.
"You're here." Her voice was steady, but I could hear the quiet tremor beneath it.
I swallowed hard. "Yeah."
A pause. Then, she gestured to the seat across from her. "Sit, my dear. Let's talk."
I hesitated, then lowered myself into the chair, my fingers curling into my palms under the table.
She studied me for a moment, taking in every detail—the changes, the years, the weight of everything I had endured. And then, ever so softly, she reached out, her fingertips barely grazing the back of my hand.
"You've grown, Manoj."
Her words were simple. But the emotion in them struck deep.
I let out a slow breath, looking away for a moment before meeting her gaze again.
"So have you, Mom."
A small smile played on her lips. "Time does that to us, doesn't it?"
I nodded, my throat tightening. "Yeah."
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The years between us stretched wide and deep, filled with things unsaid. But somehow, in that quiet moment, we both understood.
We had finally broken the silence.
...
As the restaurant's soft lighting cast warm shadows over the table, my mother exhaled deeply, her fingers lightly tapping against her cup. There was something on her mind—something heavy.
"Manoj… you have to do something for me."
I frowned at her sudden seriousness. "A task? Mom, what are you talking about?"
She hesitated, and that hesitation alone told me everything.
"You remember Ravi Uncle, right? It's just… you…" Her voice trailed off, her eyes searching mine.
I leaned forward, my voice firmer now. "Mom, just say it directly."
She glanced away, gripping her cup tightly, and then—
"You'll do whatever I ask of you, right? Promise me first."
A sharp unease gripped me. "Mom, please! Don't act childish. I know what you are upto. You already know every inch of me, don't you? The breakup, the interview thing, all that had happened in my life up to this point."
Panic flashed across her face. "Manoj, please! Don't think of any stupid ideas, do you hear me? You don't need to stay here any longer. You can live your life as before, as a king. You are a free bird!"
I could hear the fear in her voice, see the deep worry in her eyes. But I couldn't just walk away.
"Mom, if anyone knows me better than myself, it's you. If you were in my position, you would've done the same thing."
Her expression darkened, the smile she had worn just moments ago completely vanishing. "Why? Oh… is it because of them?"
I didn't answer, but she already knew.
She shook her head slowly, her voice laced with quiet frustration. "Listen, dear, those people are not our kind. The farther you stay from them, the better. People change with time. There's no need for you to sacrifice everything for them."
"Mom, you're judging them wrongly. If I'm still standing here today, it's because of my friends. I can't just abandon them now. Please try to understand."
She closed her eyes briefly, as if collecting her thoughts, and when she opened them again, her voice was softer but no less urgent.
"Oh, really? Then tell me this—why did you suffer for all these years? Have you forgotten why you're here? Have you forgotten why you had to stay away from your own family? What about your safety? The people who trust you—are you going to put them in danger along with yourself?"
Her words struck deep, shaking my resolve. I had no immediate answer. Seeing my silence, she sighed and reached for my hand, her grip warm but firm.
"Look, dear… If you keep staying here, the consequences will be severe. And when that time comes, we won't be able to protect you. Knowing all this, will you still be this stubborn?"
But my decision remained unchanged. Realizing this, my mother took a deep breath, her gaze softening.
"Manoj, I know… this is hard for you. But think for a moment—do you know how many people fought for you to be freed from your restrictions? How many of our family members worked for ten years to bring you back? If you knew, you wouldn't be talking like this. After all these years, we were finally able to bring you back. Are you going to disregard everything they've done for you? After everything, can't you at least show them a little respect?"
Caught between two worlds, I clenched my fists in frustration.
She was right. I understood what she was trying to say. But that didn't change the fact that I had nowhere to go.
On one side, my friends, who had put their faith in me. On the other, my family, who had fought to bring me back.
I couldn't betray my friends by walking away. But I also couldn't turn my back on the family that had done so much for me. That would be unfair.
Lost in my thoughts, I took my mother's hands in mine. My voice was steady.
"Mom, I won't stay away from you forever. But I need some time. There are things I must do first. There are people who need me. Just this once… trust me. When we meet again, I won't come back as I'm now. I promise you."
A wave of calm washed over her face. I think my words have made her think. And then—she suddenly smiled. That same warm, familiar smile.
"So she was right! You really changed."
What? I'm confused. What is she talking about?
"Mom?"
She sniffled quietly, then cleared her throat, spoke softly with that smile.
"My son… you've really grown up. Even though I wasn't by your side while you were growing, just look at you! The way you speak… just like your father. He would be so proud of you."
Her words put my heart at ease. But she wasn't done speaking. This time, her expressions shifted to seriousness.
"Manoj, remember one thing—you must never forget who you are. And more importantly… never forget how many people are searching for you.Trust no one. Not even your friends." She paused for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly. "And be careful of the ones who watch from the shadows. Some may have their own reasons for keeping you in sight."
A sudden chill ran through me. Watching me? Who? Why?
Before I could ask, she suddenly stood up, her movements brisk and deliberate.
"Oh, dear, I almost lost track of time. Sadly, time waits for no one, and it's too risky to stay here any longer. I have to go before someone takes notice."
She stepped away but then turned back with a faint chuckle, lifting her thumb in a familiar gesture.
"Don't forget your promise. I will wait for you."
And just like that, she was gone, leaving behind more questions than answers, as she always does.