Chapter 65: Aryan's Warnings

The next morning, the haveli was alive with its usual chaos.

Poornima was in the dining room preparing Aryan's tiffin while Veeresh tried to make sure their son actually got ready for school instead of turning the entire morning into an adventure.

" Aryan!"

Veeresh called out.

"Your shoes."

"Coming, Dad!"

A few moments later, Aryan came running down the stairs with his school bag bouncing behind him.

His hair was slightly messy.

His shirt was tucked in only on one side.

And his tie looked like it had survived a battle.

Veeresh sighed.

"Come here."

Aryan immediately knew what was happening.

"Dad..."

"Come here."

Poornima smiled as Veeresh fixed his tie properly.

Then adjusted his collar.

Then combed his hair with his fingers.

"There."

Aryan inspected himself proudly.

"Looking handsome?"

Veeresh nodded.

"Very handsome."

Aryan grinned.

Then suddenly remembered something important.

"Dad."

"Hmm?"

"I am still going to put a frog in your shoes."

Poornima almost dropped the tiffin box from laughing.

Veeresh stared at his son.

"Young man."

Aryan smiled innocently.

"Yes?"

"I am telling you."

Veeresh pointed a finger at him.

"I will put you in the swimming pool."

Aryan gasped dramatically.

"Dad!"

"No mercy."

"Mumma!"

Poornima laughed.

"Both of you stop."

Aryan immediately hid behind Poornima.

"See, Mumma supports me."

Veeresh folded his arms.

"That's the problem."

Aryan giggled proudly.

After a few moments, Poornima handed him his lunch box.

"Take care."

Aryan nodded.

Then looked at Veeresh.

"Dad."

"Hmm?"

"Evening you should take me to the fields."

Veeresh smiled.

"Yes."

Immediately Aryan's face lit up.

The fields were his favorite place in the entire world.

He loved everything about them.

The crops.

The tractors.

The workers.

The animals.

Every visit felt like an adventure.

Then suddenly he announced,

"Dad, I want to become a fighter pilot."

Both Veeresh and Poornima looked at him.

"A fighter pilot?" Veeresh asked.

Aryan nodded seriously.

"Yes."

"Why?"

Aryan thought for a moment.

Then spread his arms.

"Because planes go fast."

Poornima laughed.

Veeresh smiled.

A simple answer.

A very Aryan answer.

Then Veeresh placed a hand on his son's head.

"You will."

Aryan's eyes widened.

"Really?"

"Really."

Aryan smiled proudly.

"As fast as possible."

"As fast as possible."

For a moment, Veeresh simply looked at him.

Children had a beautiful way of dreaming.

Without fear.

Without limits.

And he silently promised himself that he would always support those dreams.

Then Aryan remembered something even more important.

His expression suddenly became serious.

He looked at his father suspiciously.

"Dad."

"Hmm?"

"No kissing Mumma."

Veeresh blinked.

Poornima immediately covered her face, trying not to laugh.

"What?"

Aryan nodded firmly.

"She is mine."

Veeresh looked toward the ceiling.

"Again?"

Aryan continued.

"I am asking her this afternoon."

Poornima finally asked,

"Asking what?"

"If she wants me or Dad."

Veeresh burst out laughing.

"Very brave."

Aryan nodded.

"I know."

Poornima couldn't stop laughing now.

The confidence of this child was unbelievable.

Finally the school vehicle arrived outside.

Aryan quickly hugged Poornima.

"Mumma, bye."

"Bye, beta."

Then he hugged Veeresh.

"Dad, field."

"I remember."

"And frog."

"I remember that too."

Aryan grinned mischievously.

Then ran toward the gate.

Halfway there he turned back.

"Love you!"

Poornima smiled warmly.

"Love you too."

Veeresh smiled.

"Love you too, fighter pilot."

Aryan saluted dramatically before running off.

The moment he disappeared through the gate, silence returned to the haveli.

For a few seconds, both Veeresh and Poornima simply stood there smiling.

Then Veeresh suddenly laughed.

Poornima looked at him.

"What happened?"

Veeresh shook his head.

"I spent years handling village politics."

"Hmm?"

"I can manage government officers."

"Hmm?"

"I can settle disputes."

Poornima was already smiling.

"But this little boy..."

He pointed toward the gate.

"...has completely defeated me."

Poornima laughed.

A soft, happy laugh.

The kind Veeresh loved most.

And hearing it, he smiled too.

Because their mornings had become louder.

Messier.

Full of threats involving frogs and swimming pools.

But somehow, those noisy little moments had become some of the happiest parts of their lives.