Chapter 74 — The Quiet Son

Years had passed since the day Rishi had first called Arnav Baba.

The Qureshi mansion was now filled with even more laughter.

Arnav and Ritika had welcomed two little troublemakers into their lives—Arhan and Ayat.

Arhan, especially, had inherited a talent for troubling his father.

Arhan: Baba!

Arnav: What did you do now?

Arhan stood there innocently.

Arhan: Nothing.

Arnav narrowed his eyes.

Arnav: That "nothing" usually means something.

Ayat giggled from behind the sofa.

Ritika: Arhan, Ayat, come have breakfast.

The two children ran toward the dining table.

Arnav shook his head, but a smile appeared on his face.

He had become a completely different man over the years.

The once-cold and reserved Arnav was now a loving family man.

Rishi had grown up.

He was now mature, calm and observant.

He spoke less than he used to, but he noticed everything around him.

He had recently written the AFCAT examination and was waiting for the results.

He spent a lot of time exercising at the gym.

When he wasn't there, he was usually in his painting room, quietly working on his drawings.

That morning, everyone was having breakfast together.

Ritika looked toward Arnav.

Ritika: Arnav...

Arnav: Hmm?

Ritika: Please speak to Rishi.

Arnav looked at her.

Ritika: He seems so quiet these days.

She lowered her voice.

Ritika: He's always at the gym, or in his painting room.

Ritika: Even when I ask him what's wrong, he just says, "I'm fine, Mumma."

Shabana looked at Ritika.

Shabana: Beta, he has grown up.

Rehnaa nodded.

Rehnaa: Yes. He isn't the little boy who used to run around calling Arnav Baba anymore.

Abhram smiled.

Abhram: He is entering adulthood. Young men become quieter sometimes.

Ritika still looked concerned.

Ritika: I know, but I feel something has changed.

She looked toward the staircase.

Ritika: Earlier he used to tell me everything.

Arnav reached across the table and gently touched her hand.

Arnav: I'll talk to him.

Ritika looked at him.

Ritika: Promise?

Arnav nodded.

Arnav: Promise.

Arhan suddenly interrupted.

Arhan: Baba!

Arnav: What?

Arhan: Rishi Bhaiya is stronger than you.

Everyone burst into laughter.

Arnav looked at his son.

Arnav: Is that so?

Arhan nodded confidently.

Arhan: Yes!

Ayat: Bhaiya is very strong.

Arnav shook his head.

Arnav: Fine. I'll have a word with this strong man later.

Ritika smiled, but her eyes remained thoughtful.

She couldn't explain why.

A mother's heart simply knew when something had changed.

And Arnav knew that tonight, he needed to sit down with his eldest son and find out what was really going on.