From the next day, a cab started arriving at Siya's house to pick her up for office.She had her own cabin, a high position, a great salary, respect—everything she had ever wanted.
She even brought back the fridge, AC, and other essentials that had been removed during financially difficult times.Her baba kept warning her not to spend as soon as the money came in, but Siya had always been used to a luxurious life.The last five years of middle-class living had exhausted her—she longed to return to the glamour she once knew.
At the office, Siya had heard a lot about the boss—how he was rude, short-tempered, and extremely unpredictable.He could be smiling one minute and yelling the next—no one could anticipate his reactions.
But Siya had never seen him even once.
Her office and his were in completely opposite directions. Siya entered through the left main door, while the boss had a special VIP entrance on the right.However, from the boss's cabin, Siya's cabin was clearly visible—and he often watched her from there.
One day, Siya got so involved in work that it got really late.She glanced at the clock—it was 10 PM.
She quickly shut her laptop, arranged the files, turned off the lights, and stepped outside.
Her cab wasn't there.
She tried calling the driver—but his number was not reachable.
The street was empty and desolate. It didn't seem safe to wait there too long.So she booked an online cab and waited quietly.
Suddenly, a black car stopped right in front of her.Startled, Siya took a few steps back.
The car door opened, and a handsome young man in a black jacket stepped out.Siya immediately recognized him—it was the same man who had interviewed her.
He smiled and walked up to her."You haven't left yet? It's really late..."
Siya, slightly uncomfortable, replied,"Just waiting for the cab... it should be here soon."
He smiled again."Where do you live?"
She hesitated."Sector 4, Narayan Nagar."
"Oh, that's perfect! I'm headed there for work too. Why don't you come with me?"
"But... sir, how can I? It might trouble you."
He chuckled."First of all, stop calling me sir. I'm Avyan Singh—you can just call me Avyan.And secondly, it's not any trouble at all. Please, come along."
Then under his breath, he muttered to himself,"Please agree, Bhabhi, or else he'll kill me later..."
Since it was already very late, Siya agreed.
Avyan opened the door for her, and before getting into the driver's seat, he raised his thumb in the air—a secret signal to Anurag watching from afar.
As Avyan drove, Siya sat beside him, silently racking her brain.Where had she seen him before?She kept glancing at his face and then looking away, trying to remember—but couldn't place him.
When they reached her home, Siya thanked him and went inside.
Avyan immediately pulled out his phone, dialed a number, and said:"Bro, the work is done. Bhabhi—I mean, Siya ji—has reached home safely."
There was no response from the other side, just silence. The call ended abruptly.
Avyan restarted his car and turned toward his own home.When he reached, everyone was asleep.So he tiptoed toward Anurag's room.
As he opened the door, a coughing fit hit him—the entire room was full of cigarette smoke.He quickly grabbed the cigarette from Anurag's hand, threw it away, and said:
"Bro, big brother mailed. He's coming back to India in a few days..."
Anurag jerked up."What?!"
Avyan flopped on a chair in front of him, making a grumpy face."Yep. Your beloved buddy is coming.When it was just emails, I at least had some importance.Now he's coming in person—don't know if I'll even exist in your eyes anymore!"
But Anurag didn't seem to hear a word.He was lost in his own thoughts.
That annoyed Avyan even more, and he began silently cursing "that big brother" in his head.
On the other side...
Siya entered her home to find Aman ji sitting in the living room.Seeing him, she rushed over.
"Deda, you're back?!"
Aman ji gently placed a hand on her head."Yes, my angel. Deda is back."
Siya hugged him tightly."I missed you so much, Deda!"
He stroked her hair."I missed you too, my princess."
Pulling away, Siya asked,"But Deda... where is Kabir? Why didn't he come with you?"
Aman ji's expression turned sad.
"What can I say, beta...Since Chandru left us, everything fell apart.There's still no trace of Raghav, and Kabir—he's completely lost in racing and gaming.He barely managed to graduate, and now he refuses to study further.I asked him to come with me, but he refused. I didn't force him.This city holds too many memories of his mom.After all, that's why we all left in the first place...But how do you remove someone from your heart just by changing cities?"
Raj ji placed a comforting hand on his shoulder."Don't worry, bhai-saab. Let Raghav return...Kabir will come around eventually."
Aman ji just sighed and fell silent.
To lift his mood, Siya started telling him about her new job—he listened with genuine interest and even laughed at times.
The next morning, Siya got ready and rushed out for office—although she was already running late.Seeing her hurried, Raj ji handed her some bread and jam to eat on the go.
As she stepped outside, she noticed a different man standing with the cab.Upon seeing her, he said politely,"Ma'am, your usual driver had to leave for his village due to his mother's poor health.That's why they sent me instead.If you have any doubts, you can call the office and verify."
Siya looked him up and down.He was dressed in a neat white driver uniform and looked innocent enough.Without saying much, she got in the backseat.The driver started the car.
Meanwhile, Kabir was restless in his living room.Though he had declared he'd never return to India, the thought of his dad's health was eating him alive.
He paced back and forth, mumbling to himself,"How's Dad now...? Did he take his medicine...?Maybe he did... He's grown-up after all...But what if he forgot...?What if he drank sweet tea again?Ugh, Mom doesn't even know Dad's diabetic!God, why did he have to go back there?And now he's not even answering my calls...
Should I call Baba...?Or Siya...?Or Mom...?What if Dad told them about my racing habits?They'll all scold me!No way—Dad's not that mean that he'd go around bad-mouthing me.But wait... he did tell Uncle Alex...
Ugh! Dad's the worst—he even filed a complaint at my college!"
Kabir flopped on the couch with a pout and muttered,"But... he is my dad... What should I even do?!"
That evening, as Siya was about to leave the office, she noticed that some of her former college mates were hanging around near the right-side exit.If they spotted her, they'd definitely make her stay and chat for half an hour.To avoid that, she decided to sneak out from the left side instead.
She thought, What's the worst that could happen? The boss isn't going to pop out of nowhere...She hurried toward the left-side lift, walking absentmindedly while glancing toward the boss's cabin—and bam! she accidentally bumped into someone.
In the collision, her foot landed on the stranger's foot.She instantly began apologizing:"Sorry! I'm really so—"
But as she looked up...she froze.
Right in front of her stood the man with deep black eyes—the same eyes that once stirred the first feelings in her heart.He was wearing a black three-piece suit, clean-shaven, and looking more handsome than ever.
The man, too, seemed lost in Siya's gaze.Both stood still.
A loud cough broke the moment.
It was Avyan, who had been silently watching them with an amused smile.Anurag turned to Avyan and said sternly,"This area isn't for general staff. Didn't you inform them of that?"
Avyan stuttered,"I... I did, Anu—I mean, sir... I told her..."
Siya was already annoyed by being called "general people."Anurag glared at her and snapped,"What are you still doing here? Get out—right now."
Siya made a face and turned to leave,when another girl casually walked through the same space,but Anurag didn't stop her.
This triggered Siya.
She marched back toward him."Oh, hello? You said this area wasn't for common people, right?Then why didn't you say anything to her?!"
Anurag gritted his teeth and said,"First of all, I'm your boss—so speak respectfully.And second—not everyone is common like you."
Those words stung.Tears welled up in Siya's eyes as she walked away.
Once she was gone, Avyan commented,"Oye... you act like you're obsessed with her one minute and then behave like she means nothing the next..."
Anurag replied coldly,"You know the reason, don't you?"
Avyan said, a little irritated,"Anu, that's just an assumption.Life doesn't run on assumptions!Doctors aren't gods, man..."
Anurag loosened his tie and said quietly,"But what if... that assumption turns out to be true?"
Avyan had no answer.Shaking his head, he said,"Di is waiting at home. Let's go."
Anurag nodded and walked toward the parking area.
Meanwhile, in the cab, Siya kept wondering,Was that really Anurag? Is he the boss here... or was he just visiting...?
Next day...Aman ji left for Sydney again.
Sydney, Australia
A heated argument erupted between Kabir and Aman ji.
Kabir shouted,"Dad, why have you locked the door?!"
Aman ji replied calmly,"So that you can't sneak out."
Kabir retorted,"This is abuse! I'll file a child harassment case against you!"
Sipping his tea calmly, Aman said,"Sure, go ahead. But FYI—you're 22 years old."
Annoyed, Kabir snapped,"Dad, this is not fair! Today's the big bike race!If I don't go, someone else will take the prize!"
Aman ji glared."And tomorrow is your exam.If you don't study, you'll fail."
"Oh come on, Dad! I can just ask the guys in front and behind—"
He stopped mid-sentence.Aman gave him a sharp look."Planning to cheat, are you?Just so you know, I've already asked the principal to keep a special eye on you."
Kabir grumbled,"Dad, are you even my father or my enemy?!Without cheating, I'm doomed!"
Aman placed his teacup down and stood up."Go study, Kabir. Or forget the door key even exists."
Frustrated, Kabir stomped off to his room and opened a book with a dramatic sigh.
Just then, his phone rang.
An unknown number.
He ignored it.
It rang again.He angrily declined the call.
Third time—it rang again.
Kabir finally picked it up and snapped,"HELLO! Didn't you get it the first two times?! I don't want to talk!If you call again, I'll crawl through the phone and beat you—"
A deep, stern voice interrupted him:"Is this how you speak to your elders, Kabir...?"
As soon as Kabir heard the voice, he stood up from where he was.How could he not recognize that voice—the one he'd been waiting for, for who knows how long?Trembling, he said, "Bhai…" and burst into tears.
On the other end, Raghav smiled and said,"Pagal (fool), why are you crying?"
Still sobbing, Kabir said,"Bhai, you're really mean… so mean.You didn't remember us even once all these years—not a call, not a single message.I hate you, Bhai!"
Raghav chuckled and replied,"Well then, I guess I'll hang up now…"
Hearing that, Kabir started crying even louder.
Raghav said patiently,"If you're going to cry, just cry it all out first—then we'll talk."
Wiping his tears, Kabir said,"I'm giving the phone to Dad..."
He ran to Aman ji, who was busy working on his laptop.Seeing Kabir circling around him again, Aman ji said,"Kabir, pacing around me like this won't get you the key. Go study."
Kabir held out the phone, saying,"Dad… Bhai…"
Aman ji looked up and asked,"This better not be some prank…"
Kabir shook his head.
Aman ji immediately took the phone and said with disbelief,"Raghav...? Raghav, where are you, son? Are you okay?"
Raghav smiled and replied,"I'm perfectly fine, Dad. Don't worry."
"Where are you, son?" Aman ji asked again, still in shock.
Raghav grinned and said,"Well Dad, I'm currently standing in front of a house... locked from the inside.If you could kindly open the door, I could finally get rid of this heavy bag I'm carrying."
Aman ji nearly dropped the phone.
"What did you just say? Repeat that again..."
"Dad, please open the door quickly... my hands are starting to hurt," Raghav complained from outside.
Aman ji dashed to the door.As soon as he opened it with the key, there stood Raghav, smiling warmly.
Aman ji pulled him into a tight embrace,as if afraid that letting go would cause Raghav to vanish again.Kabir blinked repeatedly, trying to confirm that what he was seeing was real.
After a few moments, Aman ji stepped back and tried to take Raghav's bag,but Raghav said,"It's okay, Dad—I've got it."
Aman ji smiled and replied,"No, no, son. You've come from far away. And besides, I already have a permanent laborer for such things…"He glanced at Kabir.
Under normal circumstances, Kabir would've sulked and argued about being called a laborer,but today was different.It was about his bhai.He immediately grabbed the bag and brought it inside.Raghav and Aman ji followed.
Kabir tossed the bag on the couch and hugged Raghav tightly.Raghav laughed,"Kabir! Easy! I can't even breathe…"
Kabir let go instantly, wiping his tears."Sorry, Bhai…"
Raghav ruffled his hair affectionately and smiled.By then, Aman ji brought three cups of coffee and handed one to Raghav.
Kabir sat beside his brother.Aman ji settled in front of them and said,"Raghav, I'm not going to ask where you were or what you were doing.I trust you, son.Just tell me—you're not going to leave again, right?"
Raghav took a sip of coffee and replied,"No, Dad. I've come back with the intention of staying… permanently."
Kabir grabbed his arm and chirped,"Really, Bhai?!"
Raghav squinted playfully at him."Yes. And I have to fix you, don't I?"
Kabir looked sheepish.
Aman ji chuckled and added,"Absolutely. He's got an exam tomorrow, and this morning he was dying to go to a bike race.That's why I had to lock the door from inside."
Raghav nodded,"I know, Dad. But now that I'm back, you don't have to worry anymore.Just relax."
Then turning to Kabir:"And you—go start studying. I'm going to freshen up and then I'll come quiz you."
Kabir held his hand pleadingly,"Bhai, please… I hate studying…"
Raghav stroked his cheek and said gently,"But you have to study, Kabir.And don't worry—if you don't understand something, I'll help you."
Filled with confidence, Kabir declared,"Of course, Bhai. If you're with me, I'm not scared of anything."
Raghav smiled and said,"Come on, show me your room."
Kabir happily led him to his room,while Aman ji silently folded his hands in gratitude to God.
They all had lunch together,and Raghav helped Kabir revise the important topics.After the long travel and tutoring, Raghav was exhausted and went to bed early.
The next morning, Raghav personally took Kabir to college,to make sure he didn't run off to some bike race during exam time.He strictly instructed him,"You better write the entire paper."
While waiting, Raghav sat in a nearby restaurant, scrolling through his phone.Suddenly, he came across Siya's profile.
He tapped it.
It hadn't been updated in ages.
He looked at one of her old pictures, took a deep breath, and said quietly,"I had left, intending never to return…But I came back—for my family... and for you.I can't stand to see everyone suffer because of me.
Ever since Mom passed, I haven't had the courage to return to that house—The house filled with my childhood memories, her affection, her warmth…But if I don't return now, many lives will be ruined.And my mom's final wish—to make Siya her daughter-in-law—will remain unfulfilled."
Raghav closed his eyes.
His mother's face appeared in his mind.His eyes welled up with tears,but not wanting anyone to see, he quickly put on his sunglasses.
After all, in our society, boys aren't supposed to cry.