Chapter 4- The Hidden Letters
489 Words
After standing in the backyard for a long time, Aditya finally returned inside.
The house was quiet; Meera and Riya had gone to sleep.
But Aditya couldn't sleep.
Something in the diary kept pulling him back.
He sat on the floor beside the old wooden trunk near the bookcase — the same trunk his father used to store files, receipts, and old letters.
The lock was old. The key was still tied to the handle with a red thread.
He opened it.
Inside were:
neatly folded documents,
some faded family photos,
and a small cloth pouch…
covered in dust.
Aditya brushed the dust away and carefully opened the pouch.
Inside were three letters, tied with a thin cotton thread.
His father’s handwriting.
The ink slightly smudged.
Edges yellowed.
Paper soft from age.
His breath stilled.
He unfolded the first letter.
---
Letter 1 — Addressed to Meera
> Meera,
If you’re reading this, it means I could not say these words to you myself.
I have made a decision for our family — one that may look wrong, but it was the only way I could protect you and the children.
There are people I trusted who have betrayed us.
If anything happens to me, do not go to them.
Do not ask questions.
Just take care of Riya and Aditya.
Keep the family together.
For them.
— Arjun
Aditya’s hands shook.
Betrayal?
Whom did his father trust?
Who hurt him?
He took a deep breath and opened the second letter.
---
Letter 2 — Addressed to Aditya
> My son,
By the time you read this, you will be old enough to understand responsibility.
You have your mother’s patience, but your heart is like mine — stubborn, restless, questioning.
If you chase the truth, do it carefully.
Protect your sister.
Do not let anger guide you.
You must be the one to keep the balance in the family.
You are stronger than you think.
— Papa
Aditya felt something burn behind his eyes.
He blinked fast, swallowing the weight in his chest.
His father knew.
He knew his son.
He looked at the third letter.
It was addressed to Riya.
He hesitated, but didn’t open it.
Some things are meant to reach the right hands.
He wrapped the third letter carefully and placed it aside.
---
Suddenly, a soft voice came from behind.
Meera: “So… you found them.”
Aditya froze.
He turned.
His mother was standing in the doorway.
Eyes tired.
Heart heavy.
Not shocked.
She knew.
She had always known.
Aditya’s voice cracked:
Aditya: “Why didn’t you tell us?”
Meera stepped forward slowly, like walking through memories.
Meera: “Because your father asked me to keep you both safe. And sometimes… truth is not safety.”
The room grew silent.
The only sound was the quiet rustle of the letters in Aditya’s hands…
and the storm forming inside his heart.
To be continued....
- Writer
