Chapter 38: The Truth

Yash continued kneeling in front of Aarhan.

He gently wiped the little boy's tears.

Yash: "It's okay."

His voice was calm and reassuring.

Yash: "Take your time."

Aarav stood beside them, waiting patiently.

Aarhan sniffled and took a shaky breath.

Finally, he spoke in a trembling voice.

Aarhan: "Some boys..."

He stopped, trying not to cry again.

Yash: "What did they do?"

Aarhan looked down at the floor.

Aarhan: "They asked me why my surname is Qureshi Rathore."

Yash's expression became serious.

Aarhan continued,

Aarhan: "I told them... my Abbu married my Ammi."

He wiped his eyes.

Aarhan: "Then they asked..."

His voice cracked.

Aarhan: "...'Is he your real father?'"

Tears rolled down his cheeks again.

Aarhan: "I said... no."

He covered his face with his little hands.

Aarhan: "They laughed."

Aarav clenched his fists.

Yash remained calm.

Aarhan: "They said..."

He struggled to repeat the words.

Aarhan: "...'Your real father didn't even want you.'"

Silence filled the washroom.

Aarhan sobbed.

Aarhan: "They said... that's why he left you."

Yash's jaw tightened.

Aarav looked away, trying to control his anger.

Aarhan cried harder.

Aarhan: "I didn't know what to say."

He looked at Yash with frightened eyes.

Aarhan: "Did... did my real father really not want me?"

The question pierced both brothers' hearts.

Yash immediately shook his head.

He gently held Aarhan's face so the little boy would look at him.

Yash: "Listen to me carefully."

Aarhan sniffled.

Yash: "None of this is your fault."

He spoke firmly.

Yash: "Sometimes adults make wrong decisions."

He continued,

Yash: "What your biological father did was his decision."

Yash placed his hand on Aarhan's head.

Yash: "It does not decide your value."

Aarav knelt beside them.

Aarav: "And from today..."

He smiled gently.

Aarav: "...if anyone says anything to you, don't hide here alone."

Yash nodded.

Yash: "Come to me."

Aarav added,

Aarav: "Or come to me."

Yash smiled softly.

Yash: "Because that's what big brothers are for."

Aarhan looked at both of them.

His tears slowly stopped.

He nodded.

Aarhan: "Okay... Bhaiya."

Yash stood up and held out his hand.

Yash: "Now come."

Aarhan placed his tiny hand in Yash's.

For the first time since entering the school that morning...

He didn't feel alone.