Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter - 96

The breakfast table was quieter than usual. Conversations resumed, but there was an underlying tension, the kind that lingers after a storm has passed, leaving the air heavy. 

Rahul's eyes scanned the room, and his gaze landed on Arjun. He hadn't changed much—still that same magnetic presence, but now, the weight of injuries and the losses he'd faced was evident. Arjun's posture was sharp, but his eyes carried the heaviness of someone who had been through much more than anyone should bear.

Without a second thought, Rahul stood up, walking toward him. Without hesitation, he pulled Arjun into a hug. "How are you?" he asked quietly, his voice carrying a mix of concern and care. "And why are you here? Weren't you supposed to stay at the hospital a little longer?"

Arjun stepped back with a small smile, his eyes warm but tired. "I'm a little rusty, but back to work nonetheless," he replied. "How are you guys?"

He paused for a moment before continuing. "I met Athiya in the hospital. She came by to check on me and Dad. It was good to see her—she's doing well. I hope you are doing well too Rahul."

Rahul's expression softened, his brows furrowing briefly as he nodded. "Yeah, I'm good. I'm glad Athiya stopped by. And..." he hesitated, his tone becoming quieter, "it's really good to see you back, Arjun."

Arjun gave him a reassuring nod. Rahul continued, "Are you the senior officer Maithili was talking about?" Arjun nodded, smirking slightly. "Yeah."

Before Rahul could respond, Virat stood up and strode over, pulling Arjun into a hearty hug. "Good to have you back, man," Virat said warmly. "But please tell me you've got the doctor's clearance. And why didn't you stay back to rest? You've barely had time to recover!"

Arjun chuckled, shaking his head. "I couldn't stay any longer, Virat. It was suffocating there, and Dad wasn't doing well either. I had to force him to go on a holiday with his friends just to make sure he'd breathe again. As for me," he shrugged lightly, "I figured coming back to work would be the best way to heal."

"Typical," Virat muttered, shaking his head with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "You never change."

By then, the others had joined the conversation. Rohit approached with a smile, pulling Arjun into another hug. "Congrats, Rohit," Arjun said as they embraced. "Becoming a dad again is a big deal. I'm sorry none of us were there, and then..." His voice faltered as his gaze flickered briefly towards nowhere mind going back to Arya and Ayan. "Things happened the way they weren't supposed to."

A quiet pause followed his words. The loss of Arya and Ayan was still fresh, too raw for any of them to ignore.

Rohit's smile dimmed, his expression softening with unspoken grief. He rested a hand on Arjun's shoulder, squeezing it gently. "Arjun..." he began, his voice low, tinged with an ache he couldn't entirely hide. "Don't do this to yourself. You were fighting your own battles then—none of it was your fault. We all did what we could, and you..." He trailed off, swallowing hard as he glanced away briefly, then back at Arjun. "You're here now. That's what matters."

Arjun gave a small nod, his jaw tightening as he tried to compose himself. As the heavy moment lingered, a soft patter of tiny feet broke the silence. Three-year-old Vami toddled over to Arjun, her curious eyes wide and innocent, her curls bouncing with every step. She tugged gently at his sleeve, her voice as sweet as a melody.

"Did you miss us, Arjun?" she asked, her tiny head tilted to one side. Before he could answer, she added, "You know we've got a new baby brother from Ro chachu!" Her face lit up with pride as she announced the arrival of her sibling.

Arjun crouched down to her level, a soft smile breaking through the somber lines on his face. "Of course, I missed you, Vami," he said, his voice warm as he gently brushed a stray curl from her forehead. "How could I not? You're my little star."