FATE

chapter 2

Author's pov

The rumble of the auto-rickshaw echoed in the early morning streets its small cabin rattling with each bump  on the road.

Yn held onto Durva, one arm wrapped securely around him as he looked out the open side, his eyes wide drinking in the view of their neighborhood on last time.

The air was cool carrying a hint of the spice and warmth that had always been home to them.

Yn found herself looking around to each passing landmark pulling at her heart—a bittersweet reminder of all they were leaving behind.

" Amma," Durva said, leaning his head on her shoulder. " Are you sad to leave ?" Yn paused, glancing down at her son.

His innocent eyes were so full of questions that he was searching her face. She smiled softly and tucked a stray curl behind his ear. " A little bit ,yes," she admitted.

" it's hard to say goodbye to a place that has so many memories Durva. But somehow, starting somewhere new can help us grow, don't you think ?" Durva nodded, though she could tell he didn't fully understand.

"Will we have rides like this in Korea ?"

She laughed softly the sound lost in the morning hum of the city.

" Not quite like this, I think.  But I'm sure we'll find something new to love about it."

Her gaze drifting back out to the view the streets just starting to come to life with the morning sun casting a warm glow over everything.

The auto driver, an older man with kind eyes, caught her gaze in the rear view mirror. " Madam, I hope you have a safe journey. I'm sure you and your little one will do well there." He said his voice, gentle but firm.

" Thank you ." She replied, her voice filled with gratitude. She glanced at Durva, who gave the driver a shy smile .

They rode in comfortable silence for a while, the sound of the auto’s engine and the familiar city noises filling the space between them.

As they approached the airport, Y/N felt a tightening in her chest, realizing that this was it—the final stretch of their life here.

“Amma?” Durva’s voice broke her thoughts, his hand slipping into hers. “Can we still talk in Tamil sometimes? Even if people don’t understand?”

She felt her heart swell at his question. “Of course, Durva. Tamil is part of who we are. We’ll always keep it with us,” she replied, giving his hand a squeeze.

As the auto slowed to a stop at the airport entrance, Y/N helped Durva out, paying the driver with a smile and a respectful nod.

He gave them a kind wave, and for a brief moment, she felt the weight of leaving, not just a country but a lifetime.

Taking a deep breath, Y/N gripped Durva’s hand tightly, and together, they walked through the airport doors, stepping into the unknown—one last look behind them, and then forward, to whatever awaited them in their new life.

Time skip

Author's pov

The airport in Seoul was bustling, a whirlwind of activity and energy that immediately made Y/N feel both exhilarated and overwhelmed.

She held tightly to Durva’s hand as they made their way through the crowded terminal, her eyes taking in the bright signs and the foreign language that surrounded them.

“Amma, it’s so big!” Durva’s voice was filled with wonder, his gaze darting around to absorb every detail.

She chuckled, squeezing his hand. “It is, isn’t it? Welcome to our new adventure.”

Just as she spoke, the sound of hurried footsteps and loud chatter drew her attention to a group of people gathered at one side of the terminal.

Y/N barely had time to process what was happening when she noticed a swarm of fans and cameras moving quickly in their direction.

Security guards held up their hands, trying to keep the crowd back, but the energy was palpable—whoever was at the center of that group was someone important.

"Amma, look!” Durva tugged on her hand, excitement lighting up his face as he pointed toward the crowd. “It’s BTS! It’s really them!”

Y/N’s breath caught.

She followed Taemin’s gaze and saw seven men moving through the crowd, each of them distinct yet harmoniously in sync.

She recognized them instantly from the posters that adorned Taemin’s room back in India.

Though she had only paid passing attention to his idolization of the group, seeing them now, she couldn’t deny the magnetic presence they seemed to have.

As the boys walked, something strange happened—almost as if time slowed for a brief moment.

Y/N’s eyes met the gaze of the member at the front of the group, Kim Namjoon.

His face was calm and kind, his eyes meeting hers with a flicker of curiosity.

There was something grounding about his expression, like he was quietly observing the world around him despite the frenzy.

Almost immediately, another pair of eyes connected with hers.

This time, it was Seokjin, his warm smile instantly recognizable.

He flashed a charming grin that seemed to linger just for her before he continued walking, acknowledging the fans and cameras around them.

Then Durva gasped, his voice barely a whisper. “Amma, they’re looking at us !"

Indeed, Yoongi’s soft, focused gaze had drifted over to them, his expression unreadable but intense.

Y/N felt her heart skip a beat, her breath hitching.

One after another, each member seemed to glance her way: Hoseok with his bright smile.

Jimin with his soft, endearing look.

Taehyung with an intensity that felt almost unspoken.

Jungkook’s curious, boyish gaze, full of wonder.

The moment was surreal, almost dreamlike, as if the entire airport had faded away, leaving only her, Durva, and the seven faces she knew only through Durva ’s devotion.

And just as quickly as it started, the moment passed. BTS was ushered forward, disappearing into a secured section of the airport, the fans and cameras following them like a tide.

Durva turned to her, his eyes shining with awe. “Did you see that, Amma? They looked at us! All of them!”

Y/N managed a shaky smile, brushing a strand of hair from her face as she regained her composure and fixed her sari . “Yes, Durva… I saw.”

For a fleeting second, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t just a simple encounter.

Perhaps it was just the magic of a new place or Durva ’s excitement rubbing off on her, but something about those brief glances stayed with her, lingering like the first notes of a song yet to be played.

Taking a deep breath, she held Durva's hand tightly. " Let's go, shall we ?" She said with a bright smile on her beautiful pale face as they walked out the terminal.