Chapter 3: The First Spark

The pediatric ward at Manipal Hospital buzzed with anxious parents, fussy toddlers, and the faint smell of antiseptic. Children clung to their mothers, some wailed after injections, others giggled, unaware of what was coming.

Veeresh sat in the corner of the waiting area, his arms wrapped protectively around Ayan, who sat calmly on his lap playing with a soft dinosaur toy. Unlike other kids, Ayan never cried—never made noise. It was something Veeresh had both grown used to... and feared.

“Mr. Veeresh?” the nurse called out, snapping him from his thoughts. “Doctor will call soon.”

He nodded and looked at his watch. They were early.

Just then, a soft voice interrupted his silence.

“Excuse me... sir?”

He turned to see a woman, holding a chubby infant wrapped in a yellow blanket. She had deep, tired eyes but a polite smile. Her tone was hesitant, almost apologetic.

“Can you please hold my daughter for two minutes? I... I just need to use the restroom. She’s calm.”

Veeresh blinked. He looked at the little girl in her arms, wide-eyed and peaceful, then back at the woman. She had no one else with her. No family. No nurse. Just a diaper bag and tired shoulders.

He stood up, adjusting Ayan on his hip.

“Sure, ma’am. Go ahead,” he said calmly.

“Thank you so much,” she whispered and gently handed the baby over.

Veeresh awkwardly held the infant at first, not sure how to balance both children. But Aaradhya, curious and calm, just looked at him... and smiled.

Before he could even react, Ayan pointed with his little finger, eyes widening for the first time in weeks.

“Appa... baby is smiling at you.”

Veeresh’s heart skipped. He looked at the infant again.

Aaradhya reached for his finger, her tiny hand curling around it tightly. Then she let out a giggle—pure, bubbly, like a soft chime in the silence.

Veeresh felt something shift inside him. Something long-forgotten.

A minute later, Poornima rushed back, face flushed with guilt. “I’m so sorry. Thank you. I didn’t know whom to ask.”

Veeresh gave a soft, almost rare smile. “It’s alright.”

Just then, Aaradhya smiled again, as if recognizing him. Poornima noticed and was surprised. “She doesn’t usually smile at strangers…”

Veeresh simply handed the baby back gently. “She’s special then.”

Poornima nodded, adjusting Aaradhya in her arms. “Thank you again, Mr…”

“Veeresh,” he said. “And that’s Ayan.”

“Ayan,” she smiled at the boy. “Hello.”

Ayan blinked at her and then hid his face in Veeresh’s shirt.

She chuckled softly. “Shy.”

“I wish he wasn’t,” Veeresh muttered under his breath, barely audible.

Poornima nodded with understanding but didn’t press. She whispered to her daughter and walked toward the vaccination room.

Veeresh just stood there for a moment, still feeling the warmth of that tiny hand.

He looked down at Ayan, who stared at him thoughtfully. Then, for the first time in days, Veeresh smiled—not out of habit, but from somewhere deep.

Something about that woman... and her baby... felt strangely comforting.

Maybe even familiar.