Chapter 36: First Steps Into a New World

The morning was soft and calm as they all left together.

Veeresh, Poornima, Aryan, Mannat.

A small family moving in the same direction for the first time without hesitation.

Kendriya Vidyalaya stood ahead of them, simple but full of life, with children already running inside, voices echoing through the corridors.

Aryan held Poornima’s hand tightly as they walked in.

Veeresh stood beside them, steady, observant.

They reached the admission office.

Veeresh took the form and began filling it out carefully.

His handwriting was firm, precise.

He paused for a second and wrote,

Poornima Veeresh Thakur

Then he moved to the father’s name column and wrote,

Veeresh Thakur

For Aryan’s details, he wrote carefully,

Aryan Mohammed Thakur

Poornima noticed it but did not interrupt.

Something in her eyes softened slightly at the name.

Once the formalities were done, they stood together outside the office.

Veeresh looked at Aryan and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Enjoy your studies,” he said calmly. “Make friends. And promise Abbu that you will share everything with me.”

Aryan looked up at him seriously for a moment.

Then nodded.

“Yes, Abbu. I will.”

Veeresh nodded back.

Satisfied.

Poornima smiled faintly.

She knelt slightly in front of Aryan.

“Shona,” she said gently, “wish bhai all the best.”

Aryan immediately smiled.

He turned and hugged her tightly.

“Ammi… I am scared,” he admitted softly.

Poornima held him closer.

“Don’t be scared,” she said. “You will enjoy. You will be happy.”

Her voice was calm.

Certain.

Veeresh stepped forward then and kissed Aryan’s forehead.

Poornima followed immediately and kissed his forehead too.

Mannat, watching all this, giggled happily in Veeresh’s arms.

Aryan slowly pulled back, still a little nervous, but now smiling.

“I will go,” he said quietly.

And he walked inside.

Poornima stood still, watching him disappear into the school building.

A small worry stayed in her eyes.

Veeresh noticed it immediately.

He placed his hand gently on her shoulder.

“I am worried,” she said softly. “He is very shy.”

Veeresh looked ahead.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “He will come out of that shyness. He will adjust.”

Poornima nodded slowly.

“Yes,” she agreed.

Veeresh then looked at Mannat in his arms.

“Come here, Mumma ka shona,” he said softly.

Mannat smiled widely at the sound of it.

Poornima stepped closer and took her into her arms.

For a moment, they stood there together.

Watching Aryan begin a new chapter.

Veeresh beside her.

Mannat in her arms.

And Poornima, quietly walking with them both,

Still holding a small worry in her heart,

But no longer walking alone with it.