Chapter: The Wait Before the Door Opens

The morning felt different.

Not heavy—just uneasy, like the air pauses before rain.

Veeresh stood near the entrance, glancing at his watch for the third time. Poornima sat on the sofa, fingers folded tightly in her lap, eyes drifting to the door again and again without realizing it.

Then—

The gate opened.

“Papa!”

Samarth’s voice cut through the silence.

He stepped in, tall and straight in his Air Force uniform, pride stitched into every line of it. Veeresh moved first, pulling him into a tight hug—strong, wordless, full of everything a father couldn’t say aloud.

Poornima followed immediately, holding his face and kissing his forehead.

“My brave boy,” she whispered.

Samarth smiled, eyes soft.
“Mumma.”

Veeresh stepped back, looking at him properly now—uniform, medals, posture.

“Proud of you,” he said simply.

That was enough.

The siblings rushed in—Siya, Mannat, Charles—wrapping Samarth into a noisy group hug. Laughter broke out, teasing started instantly.

Adwait and Inayat ran toward him, hugging his legs tightly.

“Bhaiyaa!”
“You came!”

Samarth scooped them up one by one, laughing.

As the excitement settled, Siya checked her phone again.

“William still isn’t picking up,” she said quietly.

Samarth frowned slightly.
“He’ll come today. He told me in the morning.”

Poornima’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.

She stood, walking toward Veeresh, lowering her voice.

“Veer,” she said softly,
“I don’t know why… but I feel something isn’t right. Since morning.”

Her hand found his arm unconsciously.

Veeresh looked at her, steady, grounding.

He placed his palm over hers.

“Nothing will happen,” he said gently.
“Everything will be alright.”

He meant it—not as reassurance, but as faith.

Poornima nodded, but her heart still felt restless.

Outside, the road remained quiet.

Inside, love waited.

And somewhere between hope and worry,
a family stood together—
believing that the door would open again.