Chapter 40 — You Can Call Me Baba

After freshening up, Arnav went toward Rishi's room.

He opened the door quietly.

Rishi was sitting on the bed.

Something immediately felt different.

Usually, the moment Rishi saw him, his face would brighten.

Usually—

“Baba!”

But today, there was no smile.

No greeting.

Rishi simply looked down.

Arnav walked closer.

Arnav: Champ, what happened?

Rishi: Nothing.

Arnav sat beside him.

Arnav: Lying is bad.

Rishi's eyes immediately filled with tears.

Arnav: Tell me.

Rishi tried to hold his tears back, but he couldn't.

Rishi: Baba...

Arnav's expression softened.

Rishi: Yesterday, one aunty said I shouldn't call you Baba.

Arnav became still.

Rishi: She said you're not my father.

His voice trembled.

Rishi: She said my real father died... and that you don't deserve us.

Arnav's face hardened.

Rishi wiped his tears.

Rishi: She said we're a burden.

Arnav's jaw tightened.

Rishi: And she said bad things about Mumma too.

Arnav: What else did she say?

Rishi shook his head.

Rishi: I don't remember everything.

He looked down.

Rishi: Mumma cried yesterday.

Arnav's heart sank.

Rishi: Mumma said maybe we will live at Dadu's house and won't come here.

Arnav was shocked.

Rishi looked up at him with innocent eyes.

Rishi: But Mumma told me my real Papa went to God...

He paused.

Rishi: And God sent you as an angel into our life.

Arnav's eyes softened.

Rishi: I like you, Baba.

He wiped his tears.

Rishi: I'm sorry for lying to you.

Arnav immediately pulled him into his arms.

Rishi: Should I call you Baba?

He hesitated.

Rishi: Or should I call you Uncle?

Arnav held him tightly.

Rishi: Please don't tell Mumma about that aunty telling me.

Arnav looked down at him.

Rishi: She will cry.

His voice became very small.

Rishi: Yesterday also she cried when aunty said bad things about Mumma.

Arnav's expression changed completely.

He gently held Rishi's face between his hands.

Arnav: Champ, look at me.

Rishi slowly looked at him.

Arnav: You can call me Baba.

Rishi's eyes filled again.

Arnav: Not because anyone told you to.

He wiped the tears from Rishi's cheeks.

Arnav: Because I want you to.

Rishi: Really?

Arnav nodded.

Arnav: Really.

Rishi: Even though you're not my real father?

Arnav: Biology doesn't decide everything, champ.

He pulled Rishi closer.

Arnav: Your real father will always have a place in your heart. I will never ask you to forget him.

Rishi listened quietly.

Arnav: But if you want me in your life, I will be there.

He kissed Rishi's forehead.

Arnav: You are not a burden.

Rishi hugged him tightly.

Arnav: And neither is your Mumma.

Rishi: Baba...

Arnav: Hmm?

Rishi: I can call you Baba?

Arnav smiled faintly.

Arnav: Always.

Rishi hugged him again.

Arnav held him close, but inside, anger was beginning to rise.

Someone had made his little boy question whether he belonged in his own home.

And Arnav knew exactly what he needed to do.

He would find out who had said those words.

But first, he would make sure Rishi understood one thing—

He was wanted. He was loved. And he belonged.