Chapter 65: The Blue Cage and the New Normal
The morning Raghav left home was defined by a heavy, profound silence. The emotional battle was over; the financial contract had spoken. His father, Umesh, stood by the front door, his arms crossed, his face a pale, rigid mask.
Raghav, his new ACA Academy bag—a crisp, symbolic blue against the backdrop of their worn-out wooden door—slung over his shoulder, stopped.
Umesh did not look at him. He was showing his defeat not through tears, but through a terrifying, absolute stillness. He was giving up control, and that surrender was more painful than any argument.
"Papa," Raghav whispered, placing his left hand on his father's rigid arm. "I will call you tonight. I will send the money home the moment it clears."
