Chapter 72 — A Father's Pride

Rishi had been secretly preparing something special for Father's Day.

He had bought a small gift with the money he had saved and made a handmade card with his little handprints.

He carefully kept everything in his school bag before leaving that morning.

At Qureshi Industries, Arnav was in the middle of a meeting when his phone rang.

It was Rishi's school.

Arnav immediately became serious.

Arnav: Hello?

Principal: Mr. Qureshi, could you please come to the school? There has been an incident involving Rishi.

Arnav: Is he alright?

Principal: He is fine, but I would like to speak with you personally.

Arnav immediately left the office.

When Arnav reached the school, he went straight to the principal's office.

He saw Rishi sitting there.

Arnav: Champ, what happened?

Rishi looked at him.

Rishi: Baba...

The principal spoke first.

Principal: Mr. Qureshi, Rishi hit another student.

Arnav looked at his son.

Arnav: Rishi, tell me what happened.

Rishi lowered his head for a moment.

Rishi: Baba, Rithik pushed me first.

Arnav listened carefully.

Rishi: I kept quiet.

He looked at Arnav.

Rishi: But then he said something bad about you.

Arnav: About me?

Rishi nodded.

Rishi: He called you a bastard.

Arnav's expression changed slightly.

Rishi: I got angry, Baba. I hit him.

Arnav took a breath.

Arnav: Rishi, hitting someone is not right.

Rishi nodded.

Rishi: I know, Baba.

Arnav turned toward the other child's parents.

Arnav: Please ask your son what happened before deciding who was responsible.

The parents questioned their son.

After a moment, the boy finally admitted it.

Rithik: I pushed him first... and I said it.

The principal looked at everyone.

Arnav remained calm.

Arnav: I understand that Rishi shouldn't have hit him.

He was about to apologise.

Arnav: I'm sorry for—

Rishi: Baba, wait.

Arnav looked at him.

Rishi stood up.

Rishi: Rithik, I'm saying sorry to you even though it wasn't my fault to begin with.

The adults became quiet.

Rishi: I shouldn't have hit you.

He paused.

Rishi: But listen to me.

Rithik looked at him.

Rishi: Next time, don't speak about my Baba like that.

His voice was firm.

Rishi: I won't stay quiet if you insult him again.

The principal gently intervened.

Principal: Rishi, that is enough. You have apologised. Now go back to your class.

Rishi nodded.

Rishi: Yes, sir.

He looked at Arnav.

Rishi: Bye, Baba.

Arnav: Bye, champ.

Rishi walked out toward his classroom.

Arnav remained standing there.

His expression had softened completely.

He wasn't proud that Rishi had hit someone.

But he was deeply moved by one thing.

Rishi had been ready to apologise even when he had been provoked.

And more than anything, the little boy had stood up for the man he loved.

Arnav thought about Rishi calling him Baba.

A warmth spread through his chest.

Arnav: My champ...

He smiled quietly.

For Arnav, there was no greater feeling than knowing that Rishi didn't see him as someone who had simply entered his mother's life.

Rishi saw him as his father.

And that meant more to Arnav than any award, business deal or achievement ever could.