Author's POV
Shiva entered the room and, hearing sobs, understood that his grandson was hiding in the cupboard. Taking a deep breath, he opened the cupboard to find little Aadhavan hugging his knees, crying. That scene struck a deep chord with his old memories of hiding under the bench and crying alone whenever he was bullied for being an orphan...
Shiva released a deep sigh and offered a smile to Aadhavan, who gazed up at him, eyes brimming with tears.
"Aadhava....come out "
The little boy shook his head, signalling a negative response. Shivashankar sat down in front of him, mirroring his posture, and let out a painful groan intentionally His primary concern now was his grandson, who was struggling to cope with the harsh truth revealed to him in such an uncertain manner.
"Ahh see you are increasing my back pain little boy"
Shiva inquired, a playful smile on his lips as he raised his eyebrows.
"Neeinga en kela ukantheinga ???? ungaluku muthuku valikum nu theriyatha"
(why did you sit down?? Don't you know you have back pain)
Putting his sorrow aside, little Aadhavan enquired his grandfather. Shiva chuckled
"Because of you boy...you weren't ready to come out of your den....sari come to Thatha.."
"Can I call you Thatha now????" Aadhavan asked him in his low voice...
"OfCourse Aadhava you are my grandson..."
"They said Amma didn't give birth to me as Uyir athai did for Thulir and Issai maa did for Agathiyan... they said my appa and amma weren't mine, so how can I call you Thatha?.....I.....I am an or..orphaan"
The little boy's voice cracked as he cried, without a moment's hesitation, Shiva lifted him and embraced the seven-year-old Aadhavan... Shiva wiped his tears...
"You are not an orphan, Aadhava. You belong to this family that loves you dearly. Did you notice how your father and mother confronted that lady for causing you harm? How can you even think such things? You are my grandson, and the opinions of others do not matter to me because their words cannot alter our bond, understood?"
Shiva was pacifying the crying Aadhavan ....the little boy nodded his head up and down agreeing with his grandfather
"You are here, and I've been searching for you everywhere... What are you doing here? There's a lot of work that needs to be taken care of."
Agathiyan's voice pulled Aadhavan out of his thoughts. As he turned, Aadhavan saw Agathiyan's intense stare directed at the watch in his grasp—the very watch that belonged to Shivashankar.
"Aadhavaa..."
Agathiyan stepped closer and, with a tone of concern, called out to his brother. He had already guessed what might be on his mind.
"I don't want any issues today, Aaguu... especially not because of me."
Aadhavan said taking a deep breath and wore that watch...Agathiyan placed his hand on his shoulder comforting his brother knowing what he trying to say.
"Aadhava... Nothing would happen; even if something went wrong, we would manage. Nothing will ever slip through our fingers, and we are not children to be swayed by those words. It's Raghav Thatha's decision... Do you think we can change it when Magi Appa and Perimaa didn't want to stop him?"
"The issue is that I can foresee the upcoming events, yet it seems you cannot. Mii and Paah did not oppose Thatha's decision, nor did they suggest postponing it until I at least complete my master's degree. This implies they want this turmoil to occur."
