Chapter 25: A Mother's Intuition

That night, Poornima sat on the edge of the bed, her thoughts tangled in worry. The twins, Arjun and Ira, were fast asleep in their crib, and little Aradhya was curled up with her stuffed bunny. But it was Ayan’s silence that echoed the loudest in her heart.

She had told Veeresh earlier that something was off with their son. And as always, he listened patiently.

“I’ll talk to him, Poornima. Maybe it’s just something small. Boys that age go through phases,” Veeresh had said, wrapping an arm around her.

And he did try. He sat beside Ayan that evening, helped him with homework, cracked a few jokes, and asked gently,

“Is everything okay at school, champ? You’ve been quiet lately.”

But Ayan only smiled faintly and said, “Everything is fine, Appa.”

Later, at dinner, he ate without complaints, spoke when spoken to, and even smiled a little at Aradhya’s silly face. But Poornima saw it—the spark was missing, the shine in his eyes was gone.

After dinner, Ayan kissed Aradhya on her forehead and quietly went to bed. Veeresh sat beside Poornima and sighed.

“He says he’s fine. Maybe I’m overthinking, but something feels... off. He’s pretending too well.”

Poornima nodded, her heart already aching.

“I feel it too. There’s a storm in him, Veeresh. And he’s trying so hard to keep it hidden.”

---

The next morning, Veeresh was preparing for his three-day business trip.

He held her gently by the shoulders, his eyes warm.

“Take care, okay? I’ll try to wrap up early and come back. Talk to him, Poornima. You always understand him better than anyone.”

She nodded and hugged him tight.

Before leaving, he kissed each child—

Aradhya, who giggled and clung to his neck.

The twins, Arjun and Ira, who cooed softly in their cribs.

And finally, Ayan, who stood silently by the door.

“Be a good boy, champ. Take care of Amma and the babies, alright?”

Ayan simply nodded.

Veeresh kissed his forehead, ruffled his hair, and left.

---

Poornima stood by the door for a long time after he left, watching Ayan from the corner of her eyes.

Her heart whispered: “Today, I will find out what is hurting my son.”

And this time, no silence would stop her.

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