Chapter 24: A Storm in My Son’s Heart

The house was usually buzzing with laughter and squeals from Aradhya and the twins, but that evening felt heavy, still, as if the walls sensed something was wrong.

Poornima stood by the doorway, watching Ayan walk into the house from school, his shoulders slouched, his steps slow. There was no smile, no sparkle in his eyes—the very eyes that lit up every time he saw her.

She smiled gently and opened her arms.

“Ayan... my lion cub, no kiss today?” she asked softly, kneeling in front of him.

He paused, looked at her briefly, then shook his head. “Nothing, Amma. I’m alright.”

Her heart sank at the word “Amma.” Usually, he’d call her “my amma,” adding a proud possessiveness to it. Today, it was just distant… formal.

She gently touched his forehead. “You didn’t even look at me properly. Are you tired? Did something happen in school? Did someone hurt you?”

Ayan avoided her eyes. “No, Amma. I’m fine. I want to be alone.”

And before she could say anything else, he quietly walked into his room and closed the door.

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Poornima stood frozen. Something was definitely wrong.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she turned to check on the twins and Aradhya, who were peacefully playing under the nanny’s supervision. But her mind was back in that room with Ayan.

She slowly walked toward his door, not to intrude but to make sure he was okay.

Peeking in slightly, her eyes welled up—there he was, curled up on the bed, hugging the teddy bear she had once gifted him, the one he never slept without. His tiny fingers clutched it tight like it was his only comfort.

She noticed the tears glistening on his cheeks, already drying.

Her throat tightened.

She wanted to go in, to hug him, to demand what was wrong, but her instincts told her to wait.

Ayan had always been expressive with her. If he was hiding something now—it meant someone had planted doubt in his heart.

And only one person came to her mind.

Sahana.

She sat on the floor just outside his door and whispered under her breath, “No one will take you away from me, Ayan. No one.”