Home Again

#1.01 Home Again

He was never a man of words. Expressing himself had always felt foreign, an unfamiliar language he never cared to learn.

He preferred solitude; people were messy, unpredictable, and he was never good with them anyway.

Some called him heartless. Others labeled him selfish, self-centered, even rude.

As if he cared.

ACP Arjun Rawte carried an I don't give a damn attitude like armor.

Emotions, empathy, pleasantries, none of it fit into his definition of duty.

He didn't have time to console grieving families or to sugarcoat the harsh truth.

When he walked into a room, he meant business.

No distractions. No delays.

Many despised him for his bluntness. Some feared him.

But no one, not even his harshest critics, could question his unwavering dedication.

He was relentless, razor focused, and brilliant.

And that was the only reason he still had a place in the force.

Because if it came down to attitude alone, he would've been out a long time ago.

Sakshi Anand, a crime journalist, had found that man a mystery since the day she walked into the team.

A man who was observant to a fault, someone who noticed things no one else did, who had his own unique way of seeing the world.

A man who left a mark despite his sharp tongue and unapologetic bluntness.

A man who never missed a chance to get under your skin, to test your patience with those maddening taunts.

Yet, there was something about him that was inexplicably captivating.

He had an aura that pulled people in.

At first glance, he made you believe he didn't care.

But if you looked closely, if you really paid attention, you'd catch those rare, subtle acts of care buried beneath layers of anger and indifference.

She did. She noticed.

She couldn't quite remember when it began, when she started observing the small things.

The way his eyes scanned every corner of a crime scene.

The way his jaw clenched while interrogating a criminal.

The way he spun his pen between his fingers when deep in thought.

His love for cutting chai.

His constant annoyance with protocols and rules.

His relentless drive for justice.

The care he hid so perfectly.

The kindness behind that stoic face.

The empathy woven between his harshest words.

The buried emotions in those tired eyes.

Her observations became part of her daily rhythm, as natural as breathing.

She found herself deliberately pushing his buttons just to get a reaction.

An angry glare.

The tight shut of his eyes, trying to hold back frustration.

The twitch of his jaw.

An exaggerated eye roll.

That "Are you out of your mind?" look.

The amused head shake at her antics.

A single raised eyebrow at her silly remarks.

His trademark "I'm done with you" expressions.

And, of course, the endless sarcasm.

Was there anything about him she wasn't fond of?

Apparently not.

What began as curiosity slowly bloomed into admiration and then...

She didn't dare to name it. She feared what it could mean.

She didn't know what it was maybe admiration, maybe affection, maybe something dangerously close to love.

Her heart fluttered at the thought.

But the more her heart leaned in, the more her mind hesitated.

Because deep down, she knew this path might only lead to heartbreak.

And the worst part?

He would probably never even know.

He'd never guess the depth of her quiet admiration.

Only if there had been a sliver of hope... a chance that her feelings might be returned.

But being a part of his world was already enough of a miracle.

And love? That felt like a far-fetched dream.

Until the twist in the tale came, unexpected, dramatic, surreal-

And

She became his wife.

____________________________

He asked her once and she agreed, just like that.

As if it were the simplest thing in the world.

No hesitation. No questions. Just a quiet, unwavering yes.

ACP Arjun Rawte, a man known for pushing people away, for building walls so high that even shadows stayed out had asked.

And she, Sakshi Anand, had stepped over every line he'd ever drawn with just one answer.

A YES.

It unnerved him.

He was a man who mastered the art of detachment.

He deliberately cultivated distance made himself unlikeable on purpose. Cold. Sharp. Unreachable.

Because attachments? They came with expectations.

And expectations came with responsibilities.

And responsibilities... they chained you. Tied you to emotions you didn't want to name, to wounds you didn't want to reopen.

Detachment helped.

It let him walk out when things got too heavy.

It gave him the freedom to pretend he didn't care.

It allowed him to stay silent instead of confronting ghosts.

But with her, it was different. Always had been.

And it wasn't like Mr. Observant hadn't noticed Ms. Admirer.

Of course, he had.

He noticed everything.

He noticed how her eyes sparkled when he responded even if it was with sarcasm.

How she always found something to admire about his work, no matter how gruffly he delivered it.

How she tried to match his pace, his intensity.

How her fear never showed, only admiration. Only quiet understanding.

And it surprised him.

Why didn't she get annoyed like everyone else did?

Why didn't she flinch at his tone, or walk away from his silence?

Why didn't she hate him?

She didn't.

But he couldn't understand why.

There were signs, clear ones.

For the first time in his life, Arjun chose to ignore what he saw.

Not because he didn't understand, but maybe, just maybe, because he was afraid of understanding.

Afraid of what acknowledging it would lead to.

Afraid of what he might feel.

Afraid... of hope.

He believed, truly believed, that she deserved more.

Someone simple. Someone whole.

Not a man like him, complicated, bruised, and buried under years of pain, anger, and guilt.

How unfair would it be to drag someone like her, a girl with a thousand-volt smile, who breathed light and warmth into the chaos that lived inside him?

Unforgivably unfair.

He was Arjun Rawte, intimidating, detached, the man who wore "I don't give a damn" like a second skin.

She was Sakshi Anand, vibrant, unfiltered joy in human form.

A walking contradiction to his darkness.

They were nothing alike.

On paper, there was no compatibility, no reason, no logic.

But still...

There were moments.

Invisible threads.

Unspoken words.

Stolen glances.

Puzzle pieces that somehow fit, even if no one else could see the full picture yet.

And yet, despite everything-even the invisible gravity pulling them closer, he had never imagined a future with her.

Until destiny intervened.

Until one day, without fanfare or explanation, he found himself standing at her door-

Not with a case file.

But with a proposal.

A proposal of marriage.

_________________________________

#01.2 HOME AGAIN

He was never fond of rules and protocols.

They bound you.

And Arjun Rawte-he hated being bound.

After losing the only family he ever had, and in the most tragic way imaginable, something inside him broke.

So, he withdrew.

From people.

From feelings.

From life, even.

He built walls so high no one dared to climb them.

He wore his intimidation like armor-intentionally, deliberately.

He wanted to be unreachable, untouchable.

Because vulnerability? That was a luxury he couldn't afford.

He never once thought-what if he needed someone someday?

What would he do then?

The truth was, he had no one.

No friend to lean on.

No confidant to turn to.

No one he could rely on.

Until a single image broke through the silence.

Sakshi.

The name alone stopped him in his tracks.

Caught him off guard.

Would she help?

Why would she help?

His mind resisted-called it unfair, irrational.

After all, what had he ever given her in return?

Why should she offer him a hand when he never offered her a smile?

And yet...

He had no other option.

He asked himself again-what else could he do?

Silence.

No answers.

He was stuck, cornered by life in a way that not even his sharpest instincts could navigate.

And the only way out... looked a lot like her.

Still, the doubt crept in-What if she doesn't?

What if she walks away like everyone else should have long ago?

But his heart-it whispered something else.

It told him she was different.

That somehow, she was still approachable.

Still kind. Still there.

And so, for the very first time in what felt like forever, Arjun allowed himself to be selfish.

He asked for something.

Not a case solved. Not a criminal caught.

But something far more difficult.

He asked for a hand.

A hand to support.

A hand to rely on.

A hand to hold.

Just this once.

_____________________________

She didn't know the reason behind the sudden proposal.

Not really.

But once the initial shock wore off, she could hear it-her heart pounding in her chest, loud and clear.

The reason he gave had been... almost offensive.

Unromantic. Abrupt. Practical to a fault.

But despite that, despite everything-

She wanted him.

In her life.

No conditions. No explanations. No justifications.

So, she said yes.

And she saw it then-the unmistakable flicker of shock in his eyes.

Wasn't he expecting this?

No.

Not even close.

He had braced for rejection.

A harsh word, a furious outburst-maybe even a slap.

If not for the proposal itself, then certainly for the cold logic behind it.

Because how could anyone accept such a reason?

But the girl standing before him...

She didn't flinch.

She didn't recoil.

She didn't even question.

Because she understood what he couldn't say.

He might be an expert in building facades-

But she had learned how to look past them.

He might be a master of concealment-

But she had a quiet gift for noticing what others missed.

He could mask emotions behind silence, anger, sarcasm-

And she could feel them anyway.

All she saw was a man finally reaching out.

And all she wanted was to be the hand that answered.

A hand to support.

A hand to rely on.

A hand to hold.

And she offered it-without hesitation.

_____________________________

And then-they got married.

No grand ceremonies, no celebrations.

Just a simple court marriage.

Quiet. Subtle. Just like him.

Just like the beginning they never saw coming.

She visited her parents afterward, hoping-perhaps-for a blessing, a smile, a moment of warmth.

But what she received instead was distance.

A coldness cloaked in formality.

Their touch felt unfamiliar, their words carefully measured.

Nothing heartfelt. Nothing real.

Just hollow gestures-crafted for a hollow world.

He noticed everything.

The way her shoulders drooped just a little.

The way her eyes glistened but never let a tear fall.

The way her feet dragged slightly, her silence heavier than usual.

She didn't complain. She never did.

But something in him stirred.

And before he could think too much-he stepped closer and took her hand in his.

She stopped, startled.

Her eyes shot up to meet his-confused, wide, and astonished.

He didn't know why he did it.

It wasn't planned. Wasn't part of any logic or protocol.

But in that moment, something unspoken pulled him toward her.

And for once, he didn't resist it.

He just... let it happen.

Naturally. Quietly. Honestly.

And for a man who never allowed himself attachments-

That single gesture meant more than words ever could.

________________________

Then came the day when he stood in court with his newly wedded wife, waiting-

Waiting for a decision that could change everything.

Sakshi stood beside him, her eyes drifting toward him quietly.

And what she saw was something rare-something almost unimaginable.

Emotions.

Real, visible emotions on Arjun Rawte's face.

It wasn't his usual blank expression.

Gone was the impenetrable mask, the sharp jaw set in cold control.

In its place-desperation.

Fear.

Longing.

For the very first time, she saw him without his armor.

The man who always carried strength like a shield now looked almost fragile.

And it startled her.

His eyes-so often cold and unreadable-were fixed on the child standing across the courtroom, filled with something close to ache.

His lawyer continued speaking, putting forth every argument, every proof, every effort to make the custody case fall in their favor.

Arjun Rawte-and his wife, Sakshi Arjun Rawte-a complete family.

Stable. Reliable. Loving.

Capable of raising a child in a home filled with care, structure, and warmth.

No longer could it be said that Arjun lived alone, that he had no one, no emotional ground to offer.

He had done everything to create the picture the world demanded.

If not for himself or Sakshi, then at least... for the child.

To the world, it might have looked like a contract.

An arrangement.

A marriage of convenience.

But Sakshi had stepped into that arrangement willingly.

Even if it wasn't love. Even if it wasn't forever.

She had chosen it.

And then-

The decision was made.

He won.

She watched as a wave of genuine happiness surged across his face.

For the very first time, it was undeniable.

He dropped to his knees as the child ran to him, wrapping his tiny arms around Arjun's neck with the kind of affection words could never hold.

Sakshi stood still.

The courtroom faded.

All she could see was a moment soaked in warmth, a picture painted in love.

Her eyes stung.

She blinked back the mist threatening to fall.

A happy family.

That's what it looked like.

And suddenly, she wondered-would she ever truly belong in that picture?

She never had a family before.

And maybe... she wouldn't have one now either.

Maybe she had only ever belonged on the outside.

Her feet began to move-

A quiet retreat, a silent surrender.

But she hadn't made it far when her steps faltered.

A pull.

She turned, startled.

Her wrist-firmly held in his hand.

He had pulled away from the embrace but hadn't let her go.

His grip was steady.

His gaze-clear.

"You can't withdraw your hand now," he said.

As if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

He didn't offer flowery words.

He didn't explain.

He didn't apologize.

He didn't need to.

Because in that one gesture, in that one line-

She felt it.

She was no longer standing outside the frame.

She was in the picture.

And maybe, just maybe-

This wasn't a contract anymore.

__________________________

She stepped into the house with him-and all of a sudden, it felt like a home.

The walls, once echoing with silence and sorrow, are now hummed with life.

The light that little creature brought with him-Arjun's nephew Aryan-was nothing short of miraculous.

It was warm, vibrant, and infectious.

Aryan roamed around her, tugging at her dupatta, requesting his favorite dishes, playing harmless pranks, cracking silly jokes, and laughing so freely that Sakshi often found herself laughing too-helplessly, loudly, joyfully.

Laughter that hadn't escaped these walls in a very long time.

Arjun never imagined that his shattered home would ever glow again with such affection.

Not after everything.

After the tragic loss of his elder brother Arav and sister-in-law Ishika, he had given up hope of ever having a family again.

Arav had been his anchor-the only family he had left since their parents died when they were young.

It had been tough growing up, but their bond only grew stronger with time.

And when Ishika entered their lives, it was as if their home had gained a soul.

Arjun, the mischievous younger sibling, always found ways to rile up Arav, and Ishika-sweet, graceful, always smiling-had gleefully joined his team.

Their teasing, their banter... it was their language of love.

It wasn't loud, extravagant happiness, but it was home.

It was warmth wrapped in laughter.

It was affectionately masked as an annoyance.

And then, it all ended.

In one cruel moment, the accident took everything away.

Arav. Ishika. The laughter. The warmth. The meaning of home.

From that day forward, the house was just walls and dust.

The smiles disappeared.

And so did Arjun Rawte.

He didn't know when it happened.

When his gentle nature hardened into aggression.

When his polite tone turned sharp.

When his laughter faded into silence.

All he knew was-this was his new reality.

Happiness wasn't meant for him anymore.

And the final blow? Aryan being taken away from him.

The only piece of his brother he had left.

Arav's in-laws, who had once severed all ties with their daughter for marrying him, now stood at Arjun's door demanding custody of Aryan.

It boiled his blood.

They were never family.

They were strangers who had abandoned Arav and Ishika when it mattered.

And now-now-they dared to claim a right?

He didn't even think twice before slamming the door in their faces.

But closed doors don't end battles.

The next day, he was summoned to court.

And there, in front of strangers in black robes and fake sympathy, Arjun Rawte was dismantled.

"ACP Arjun Rawte is short-tempered. Unstable."

"How can he raise a child alone?"

"He has no family, no wife, no soft corner in him."

"Would any woman even marry a man like him?"

"What example would he set for a child? Violence? Anger? Aggression?"

The words cut deeper than he expected.

They weren't just attacking his ability as a guardian-they were questioning his humanity.

Violence. Aggression. Anger.

Why couldn't anyone see beyond that?

His pain was never acknowledged.

His loss never mourned.

His grief never respected.

Was it so wrong to be angry after watching your entire world fall apart?

It took everything in him not to lash out in court.

Not to throw something.

Not to scream.

But he held it in.

Because losing control meant losing Aryan.

And that wasn't an option.

His lawyer came with a solution.

Marriage.

A family on paper. A mother figure. A proper home.

Arjun didn't know if it was a solution or just another storm, but it was a flicker of hope in a pitch-black tunnel.

He couldn't afford to ignore it.

And strangely-only one name came to his mind.

Sakshi.

He didn't know why.

Maybe because she was the only one who didn't look at him with judgment in her eyes.

Maybe because she had always treated him like a human being-not a demon in uniform.

Maybe because when everyone else saw anger, she saw grief.

And humans grieve.

Humans make mistakes.

But they heal too.

Right?

He didn't know if she would agree.

Who would willingly tie themselves to someone like him?

He still heard the echo of those words in his mind.

"Would any woman marry a man like him?"

But Sakshi has always been different.

Her smile held mischief, her eyes sparkled with life.

She was everything he wasn't-everything he had lost.

And still, when he asked... she said yes.

Without hesitation. Without questions.

He was stunned.

Why?

Why would someone so full of light choose someone drowning in shadows?

Maybe he would never have the answer.

But in that moment, he knew one thing-

She didn't see an inhuman person.

She saw him.

And now, for the first time in a very long time, he dared to hope again.

__________________________

And that's how the days passed.

Arjun found himself slowly, unknowingly, being pulled toward her.

He had Aryan.

He had a home.

And he had a hand to rely on.

It was overwhelming-too much peace after too much pain.

But it was real.

The wounds that once throbbed day and night had started to heal-quietly, gradually, without any fanfare.

The violent streak that defined him began to settle.

The aggression that chased everyone away started to vanish.

The anger that burned in his chest for years was now just... smoke.

And in its place, a strange new emotion began to settle-relief.

Stillness.

Peace.

He never expected his home to echo with laughter again.

But here he was-watching Aryan and Sakshi burst into giggles over some stupid little joke that probably made no sense.

He stood in the doorway, frozen for a moment, just watching.

Watching them laugh.

Watching his people laugh.

Affection, admiration, and something deeper-something quieter-rose within him.

Her vibrant personality had tiptoed into his quiet, brooding world.

She didn't barge in. She didn't demand attention.

But she made space for herself.

Her laughter had begun to fill the silence.

Her presence had begun to challenge the stillness he once clung to.

Despite his rudeness, cold demeanor, and occasional sharp remarks, she remained.

She didn't retreat.

She refused to give up on him.

Unlike everyone else-friends, family, colleagues-she stayed.

She stayed with her persistence, with her warmth, with her refusal to let him drown in himself.

And just then, as if sensing his gaze, her eyes caught his.

She paused.

And smiled.

That million-dollar smile.

Bright enough to soften years of pain.

Arjun Rawte-the man of few words, the man of unreadable expressions-was slowly being seen for who he truly was.

And Sakshi Anand had mastered the art of reading the unsaid behind those dark eyes.

The look in his eyes wasn't blank anymore.

It was alive.

It radiated warmth so fierce, it made her feel seen.

It made her feel alive.

She'd married him with no expectations.

None.

Yet every quiet gesture, every unspoken care, every fleeting glance-it all began to mean something.

To her, it meant everything.

Her heart fluttered every morning when he waited for her to sit before beginning his breakfast.

Her lips curled into a smile whenever he casually asked, "Had lunch?" in passing-his way of checking in.

She noticed the way he always placed her dinner plate before her-like it was the most ordinary thing, but to her, it wasn't.

She loved when he listened to her mindless blabber without interrupting.

When he replied to her silly questions with thoughtful answers.

When he nodded quietly in response to her greetings.

When he smiled-barely, but sincerely-at her not-so-funny jokes.

And she noticed more.

Much more than he thought.

How every night, the water bottle on her side table was refilled-somewhere between midnight and dawn.

How Aryan's mess was always cleared up by morning, just to make her day easier.

How the belongings she forgot-her file, her scarf, her ID card-magically appeared at her office desk.

How coffee found its way to her desk on time, no matter where she was.

She noticed.

And every time, it melted something inside her.

She looked at him now-standing a little away, his face still unreadable, but his eyes unmistakably warm.

Without thinking, she extended her hand toward him.

She didn't know why.

Maybe to say thank you.

Maybe just to connect.

Or maybe, it was simply time.

He didn't move.

Seconds passed.

Her smile began to falter.

Her hand started to drop-

And then, he moved.

With the quiet swiftness she had come to recognize, he reached forward and held her hand.

Not too tight. Not too soft.

Just right.

She looked at him, stunned.

But he didn't look back.

Instead, he turned his gaze to Aryan, who was now animatedly telling him a joke.

Arjun listened, still holding her hand-like it was the most natural thing in the world.

As if...

That's how it should be.

As if...

That's how it was always meant to be.

_________________________

He sat there, watching the silence stretch across the dining table.

The presence of Sakshi's family had turned the air cold-taut with discomfort, heavy with words left unsaid.

Something was off.

He didn't need to ask to know it. He could feel it.

He didn't speak. Just watched. Observed. Filed it away.

But the awkwardness didn't leave with them.

It lingered long after the door shut behind her family.

She disappeared after dinner.

He didn't notice it at first, but as the clock ticked on, the unease grew.

He looked for her-room to room-until finally, he found her.

Sitting at an idle corner, curled into herself. Lost.

Her posture was still. Too still.

He made his way to her and silently sat down beside her.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he observed her-her usual liveliness dimmed, her signature mischief missing.

All he could see now was a faint shadow of sadness dancing across her face.

Wasn't she laughing just moments ago?

What changed?

"Sakshi," he said softly, almost involuntarily.

She blinked, snapping out of her thoughts, and turned to him with a practiced smile.

That brightness returned for a second-mischief flickering in her gaze like it always did.

"Well, well... ACP Arjun Rawte gracing this ordinary girl with his precious presence?"

She teased, nudging his shoulder.

He rolled his eyes, but a corner of his mouth twitched-just slightly.

Typical Sakshi Anand, he thought.

The kind who teased through her pain.

Who made humor a shield.

But somehow, she looked... better that way. Familiar. Right?

"Shut up," he muttered.

But before he could process it, she reached for his arm and rested her head on his shoulder.

He froze.

Stillness stretched between them again, but this time it was warm. Safe.

His heart stirred-too much, too fast.

It wasn't that he didn't feel things for her. He did. He just... didn't trust those feelings.

What if his brokenness ruined her brightness?

What if he was the storm that destroyed her peace?

"Why didn't you leave, Sakshi?"

The words escaped him in a whisper before he could stop them.

She pulled away slightly, startled. Her expression twisted with confusion, hurt briefly flickering in her eyes.

He looked away, avoiding her gaze.

"I'm rude, stubborn, emotionless, and-"

"And broken," she finished for him.

He looked at her-finally-and she smiled. A soft, knowing smile.

The confusion faded. So did the hurt.

All that remained was quiet understanding.

"And those sharp broken pieces can make you bleed,"

He said bitterly.

"They don't," she replied gently, tightening her hold on his arm.

"Not if the sharp edges are mended carefully."

Her other hand found his, and slowly, their fingers laced together-effortlessly, as if they belonged that way.

He had no words.

He was tired-tired of waking up every day with no purpose.

Tired of carrying guilt like a second skin.

Tired of pretending that avenging Arav and Ishika's deaths had brought him peace.

It hadn't.

He had no direction. No fire.

Only Aryan.

And even that hope had nearly been snatched away when they called him unfit to raise the child.

Violent.

Broken.

Alone.

He feared failing Arav. Failing Aryan. Failing himself.

He feared the promise he made-that he'd keep Aryan happy and safe-was too big for someone like him.

And then Sakshi had come.

She didn't fix him. She didn't try to.

She just stayed.

And in doing so, she had stitched together the parts of his life he thought were irreparable.

And yet, here he was, questioning her again. Questioning himself again.

"Why?" he asked, voice tight.

"Why do you keep finding good in me?"

She exhaled slowly. Her thumb brushed against his knuckles.

"Why do you keep insisting you're not good enough?"

"Because I'm not," he said, his voice cracking under the weight of truth.

"And what made you believe that?"

He looked away. The defeated look crept back onto his face.

"Everything."

She didn't reply right away. She didn't rush to comfort him. She just sat there beside him, letting the silence say what words couldn't.

Because some answers didn't need fixing.

They just needed someone willing to stay through the storm.

She took a moment to gather her thoughts before her voice finally echoed into the quiet.

"My father was a fearless journalist."

Was.

That one word struck him like a silent blow.

"A brave man... and a loving father. Everything was fine until the day he exposed a high-level scam."

"Our lives turned upside down after that."

She paused, her voice steady but low.

"He went out one day... and never came back."

"My parents-well, actually, my adoptive parents-my father's cousin and his wife... they were kind. They treated me well. But the distance between us? I was never able to bridge it."

She sat beside him, unraveling memories she had never dared share with anyone.

To the world, Sakshi Anand was laughter, charm, and light.

But grief-quiet, unseen-was stitched into her very being.

Once, there had been a small home filled with warmth.

A proud daughter. A doting father.

He had never let her feel the absence of a mother, playing both roles so perfectly that she never noticed the void.

He was her world, and she was his.

That little home brimmed with joy-until the day tragedy shattered everything.

The fearless journalist died in what the world called an accident-but she knew better.

That day, the bright little home turned cold and silent.

She lost count of the lonely days spent in that house.

Until she was taken in by her father's cousin.

A teenager, too young to live alone.

Forced to leave behind the walls that once held her happiest memories.

She remembered walking away from that house-the colors faded, the laughter gone.

The walls suddenly dull. Lifeless.

But she didn't let herself shatter.

She chose to become what her father was.

Brave. Fearless. A seeker of truth.

She exposed the very people who tried to silence justice by taking his life.

They were arrested.

Justice, finally served.

And yet... the emptiness remained.

She craved a family.

And somewhere along the way, she found one-in the form of a team that loved her.

But her heart wanted more.

It longed for home.

A place. A person. Him.

Arjun Rawte.

It felt impossible-until the day he stood before her with a marriage proposal.

Her mind gave her a dozen reasons to say no.

But her heart... it started dancing to a beat that didn't even make sense.

She knew what he was offering.

A contract. An arrangement.

Nothing more.

And still, she agreed.

Willingly stepping into the undefined-into him.

Because the home she wanted...

The little house she'd lost years ago...

She could see it again, but this time-with him.

And then came Aryan.

The little boy who had the key to Arjun's smile.

TBC............