“You okay?” he asks quietly, eyes scanning my face with that gentle attentiveness I’m still getting used to.
I nod. “Yeah. Just… it’s been a while since I’ve seen them.” I am so excited to see Bhai-sa and Bhabhi-sa and I really, really hope they brought Aadhya. I missed that tiny hurricane more than anyone, and she’s only been in my life for four years.
Dhruv’s thumb brushes over my knuckles bringing me back to reality. “They’re right inside.”
I can’t contain the excitement. I will get to see my family. Well. at least some of them. I cannot wait. I almost skip inside, and Dhruv just chuckles beside me.
Inside the palace courtyard, the air hums with movement. Officials, staff, security—everything perfectly coordinated, perfectly controlled. It should feel overwhelming.
It doesn’t. “Buiii buiiii!”
I barely have time to turn before something small and fast barrels straight into my legs.
“Oof—!” I laugh as I instinctively bend down, arms already opening.
Aadhya.
All curls and energy and chubby cheeks, she crashes into me with the full force of her three-year-old enthusiasm, arms wrapping around my knees like she’s afraid I might disappear if she lets go.
“There you are,” I breathe, dropping fully to the ground because pretending I can stay upright through this is pointless. “I missed you so much.”
She looks up at me with dramatic seriousness. “You wentvery far.”
“I did,” I admit solemnly. “I’m sorry about that.”
She considers this, then nods, clearly deciding to forgive me. “Okay. Don’t do again.” I almost cry at her words. Behind her, I hear Meher bhabhi-sa laugh softly, and something warm spreads through my chest before I even look up.
“There she is,” Bhabhi-sa says, stepping closer, her smile gentle and knowing. “I was wondering how long it would take Aadhya to tackle you.”
I stand, brushing my hands over my outfit for half a second before she pulls me into a hug.
“How are you?” she asks into my hair.
I swallow. “Better now.”
She pulls back, eyes scanning my face the way she always does—like she’s checking not just how I look, but how Ifeel. “Good. You look happy.”
I glance instinctively toward Dhruv, who’s already crouched in front of Aadhya, completely abandoning all kingly dignity. The last time they met was when Aadhya only oohed and aahed, he couldn’t even lift her because he was afraid of hurting her and I had laughed so hard.
“What’s that?” he asks her seriously, pointing at her tiny bangles.
“These?” Aadhya lifts her wrist proudly. “Maa-sa says I’m very fancy.”
Dhruv nods gravely. “I agree.” She beams.
Then she squints at him. “You’re my Dhruv fufa-sa, right?”
He grins. “Last I checked.”
She leans closer, stage-whispering. “You’re very tall.”
I snort. Dhruv pretends to look offended. “Is that a complaint?”
She shakes her head vigorously. “Good for climbing.”
Before anyone can react, she grabs his sleeve and tries—valiantly and unsuccessfully—to pull herself up his arm.
Meher bhabhi-sa laughs. “Aadhya, sweetheart, don’t climb your fufa-sa.”
