"You walked into the lion's den, sweetheart," he whispered, stepping closer. "And lions don't let go so easily."
He looked down at her leg, at her trembling hands, and the fear in her eyes.
"A beautiful young girl like you," he chuckled, "shouldn't...
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I felt the nerves creep up the moment I stepped into the Khan mansion again.
The familiar smell of rose attar and strong coffee lingered in the air.My bag strap was digging into my shoulder.
"𝙈𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙩𝙞!"
Aaliyah bhabi's voice made me flinch. She stood by the staircase, hands on hips, eyes narrowed in pure disapproval. Right behind her was Sadafa, arms crossed, shaking her head like a disappointed teacher.
"I swear to God," Sadafa huffed. "One more vanishing act and I'll lock you in my wardrobe."
Shama aunty appeared from the dining hall, her dupatta flapping dramatically. "You think this is some drama serial, beta? You left without a word!"
I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could answer, a familiar giggle cut through the tension.
"𝙈𝙞tti!" Abid came charging like a cannonball and collided into my legs, wrapping his tiny arms around me.
I crouched, pulling him into my arms like I hadn't just been falling apart for days. He clung to my neck tightly, resting his warm little head on my shoulder. His breath was raspy, his skin still a little too hot.
"I miss you," he whispered.
"I missed you too, genda phool," I smiled weakly.
Aaliyah bhabi came closer with a sigh. "He won't take his medicine. He cries, screams, throws it out. Maybe you'll have better luck."
I nodded and took the small cup from her. "Abid, let's play a game," I said softly. "Open your mouth and let's pretend we're swallowing dragon juice to get powers."
"Real powers?" he blinked, intrigued.
"Real. Like flying and... and making chocolate rain from the sky."
He laughed and opened his mouth. I fed him the syrup and wiped the corners of his lips. No fuss. No screaming. Just... trust. The kind that broke my heart a little.
He didn't move from my lap even after that. He just stayed, curling into me like I was his safe place. My fingers brushed through his hair, my heart heavy.
And I couldn't help but wonder - in a house like this, filled with warm people and soft voices and kind hands... How did someone like him live here?
---
"Abid!" I whispered loudly, adjusting the pallu clinging to my shoulder as I tiptoed down the corridor.
The hall lights had dimmed. The soft yellow bulbs replaced by long shadows and an occasional flicker of firelight from the antique wall sconce. But his giggles echoed.
"Abid!" I huffed again, pressing my saree pleats down as I turned a corner.
This child-God. He'd snatched my hair clip and sprinted off. In this mansion, even hide-and-seek turned into a cardio session.
