Author's pov
Unbeknownst to Y/N, shadows began gathering closer than she could ever imagine.
Ajay arrived at Durva’s school, his posture straight and his eyes sharp beneath a hat pulled low over his face.
Dressed in inconspicuous clothing—a plain, dark jacket and jeans—he blended seamlessly with the other parents, teachers, and caregivers.
He had carefully calculated every detail of his appearance, ensuring no one would recognize him.
The perfect disguise.
Each day, he watched from a distance, waiting patiently, learning the routines, and familiarizing himself with every inch of the school.
The scent of freshly-cut grass and the chatter of children were all too normal for such a twisted mission, but he stayed composed, each day growing bolder.
Then, one morning, he spotted Durva on the playground during recess, laughing with a couple of other children.
Ajay’s face softened for a split second, but a cruel smile crept in as he walked closer, careful not to draw attention to himself.
With practiced ease, he found himself close enough to call out to Taemin without alarming the nearby teachers.
He crouched down, lowering his voice so only Durva could hear.
"Hey, buddy. Do you remember me?" he asked, keeping his voice gentle, almost too friendly.
Durva blinked, studying the man in front of him.
There was something familiar in the man's eyes, something that tugged at the corners of his memory.
He shook his head, stepping back slightly, his face uncertain.
“No… I don’t think so,” he replied, his young voice cautious but polite.
Ajay’s smile tightened. "It’s okay. I’m a friend of your mom’s. I’m here to make sure you're doing alright.” He noticed Taemin’s hesitation and added quickly, “I’m just here to help. You’re safe with me.”
Durva’s guard lowered a little. “You know my mom?”
“Yes,” Ajay replied, his tone dripping with feigned kindness.
“Your mom and I… we go way back. I’ll see you around, Durva ”
With that, he slipped back into the crowd before any teachers noticed, leaving Durva standing there, confused but comforted by the stranger's words.
Ajay knew he would need to be careful, but he couldn’t resist the satisfaction of knowing he had gotten close enough to speak to his son.
From a distance, he watched as Taemin returned to playing with his friends, oblivious to the danger lurking nearby.
Author's pov
Y/N adjusted her apron and took a deep breath, looking around the bustling café.
The soft hum of coffee machines, the chatter of customers, and the aroma of freshly baked pastries filled the air.
It was her third day on the job, and she was still getting used to the fast pace.
But it felt good—focusing on something steady and routine helped calm her restless mind.
The job was busier than she had expected, and today looked even busier than usual.
Glancing at the time, she realized she wouldn’t make it in time to pick Durva up from school.
She bit her lip, trying to think of a solution. Hesitantly, she picked up her phone and dialed a number.
"Hello?" came the familiar voice of Namjoon on the other end.
“Namjoon, hi,” Y/N said, a bit rushed. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
"Not at all," he replied warmly. "What’s up?”
“I… I just started this new job, and today’s a bit overwhelming. I’m worried I won’t be able to pick up Durva from school. Do you think… Could you or one of the guys pick him up and take him to your place for a while? I’ll come by and fetch him as soon as I finish my shift.”
There was a brief silence, and then Namjoon spoke, his voice full of reassurance.
“Of course, Y/N. Don’t worry about it at all. We’ll take care of him. Durva’s in good hands.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Namjoon. Really, I can’t thank you enough.”
“Anytime,” he replied. “We all enjoy spending time with him. I’ll let the others know, and one of us will pick him up.”
After School
The final bell rang, and Durva ’s eyes lit up as he gathered his things, eagerly searching the school gate.
When he spotted Yoongi’s familiar figure leaning casually against his car, he ran over, a huge grin on his face.
“Yoongi-hyung!” Taemin called, waving excitedly.
Yoongi looked up, a small smile softening his usual expression.
He opened his arms, and Durva ran into the hug without hesitation.
“Hey, kiddo,” Yoongi said, ruffling his hair. “How was school?”
“Good!” Durva replied, already chattering away about his day.
Yoongi listened, chuckling softly at the boy’s animated storytelling as they got into the car.
When they arrived at BTS's shared house, the other members were already waiting, eager to welcome their young guest.
Jin quickly offered Durva a snack, while Jimin challenged him to a game, which had Durva laughing within minutes.
Time skip
As Y/N’s shift finally ended, she hurried to BTS’s place to pick up Taemin.
She felt a mix of relief and gratitude, knowing he was safe and in good hands. When she arrived, she found him nestled comfortably between the members, his face beaming with happiness.
“Mom!” Durva called out, running to hug her as soon as he saw her.
Y/N smiled, glancing at the members, who looked at her with friendly, welcoming smiles.
“Thank you all so much for looking after him,” she said sincerely.
Jin waved it off with a grin. “No need to thank us. He’s part of the family.”
As they chatted briefly, Taemin recounted his afternoon adventures with his “hyungs,” his excitement contagious. Y/N’s heart softened, feeling a warmth she hadn’t felt in a long time—a sense of belonging, of safety.
YOU ARE READING
FATE
AcakA story based on an Indian single mother and THE incredible members of BTS
