At the airport, Raghav sat quietly. Dadu checked the tickets and brought a packet of chips for him.
But Raghav didn't speak… didn't eat… he just sat there, wordless, staring at the ground.
Dadu could sense Raghav's state of mind. He understood it perfectly. But once again, his ego overpowered all emotion.
His desire to keep Raghav close—to see him every moment—had blinded him to everything else.
Dadu took Raghav with him to Kolkata and got him enrolled in school there. Raghav used to talk to everyone on the phone, but he had become excessively quiet. He cut himself off from the outside world and stayed mostly in his room, painting.
Dadu would often think of taking Raghav back home, but his love for his grandson wouldn't let him.
Raghav had only one friend, Adit. He wasn't good at studies but was full of mischief. Raghav's Dadu and Adit's Dadu were good friends and often visited each other's homes—so the boys, too, had become friends.
Adit would fool around, and Raghav would show him his artwork. Inspired by Adit, Raghav even bought a bicycle and started commuting to school with him.
He had now developed a deep love for nature. When he used to go by car, only a small portion of the outside world was visible through the window, but on a bicycle, the whole world looked like a colorful painting to him.
From the morning breeze to the setting sun, capturing all of it in his eyes had become a habit.
Adit was passionate about playing the violin, so he always looked for calm and peaceful places. Raghav also preferred such quiet spots for painting. So they often ventured out together—Adit would play his violin while Raghav sketched.
On the other side, after Raghav left, everyone slowly returned to their own lives. Kabir had resumed his mischief, and Roki continued chasing after him. His pranks were increasing day by day. Aman Ji had gone away for work, and Chandrika Ji was left to handle Kabir. But deep down, there was still an ache in everyone's hearts that wouldn't go away until Raghav returned.
Time moved on, and four years passed by. In these four years, a lot had changed—Raghav had now turned 18 and was in 12th grade. Along with his growing height, his thinking and understanding had matured too. He found a strange peace in the fragrance of flowers and had set one goal for himself: to make natural perfumes from flowers, without causing any harm to the environment.
Dadu was now growing old, so he hired a middle-aged woman and her daughter at home. They were both homeless and in search of work, so Dadu gave them shelter and employment.
Janvi, the servant's daughter, was a year younger than Raghav and went to the same school as him.
Raghav was so involved in his private world that he hardly had time for Dadu, but Janvi had taken care of Dadu day and night.
Dadu liked Janvi and knew that she liked Raghav too. But after all, she was a servant's daughter, and he didn't want his prince to marry a servant. So he tried to keep Janvi as far from Raghav as possible. Raghav, on the other hand, didn't care for all this. His focus was entirely on his painting and learning the art of perfume-making.
Kabir and Siya had grown up as well. At 16, they were in that delicate age where feelings of love begin to sprout. They constantly fought like typical rivals. Every year on their birthday, they fought over Raghav's gifts, arguing over who he loved more.
Even though Raghav wasn't physically with them, he lived in both their hearts. Both were preparing for board exams and feeling helpless, having spent the entire year goofing around and getting into fights. They deeply missed Raghav and wished he were there to handle everything.
Time passed, their board exams ended, and the summer holidays began.
Chandrika Ji made up her mind to bring Raghav home this time. So she asked Aman Ji, and they decided to go to Kolkata.
Coincidentally—or maybe fatefully—around the same time, Dadu suffered a heart attack and was admitted to the hospital.
When the family heard the news, they rushed to Kolkata. The most nervous of all was Siya, as she was about to see Raghav's face after four long years—the boy her destiny was tied to.
Siya's heart began to race as soon as she reached the hospital entrance. Raghav, sitting beside Dadu inside, was also trying—unsuccessfully—to control the storm inside his chest.
Unable to hold back, Raghav stepped out of the ward just as the family, including Siya, entered to see Dadu.
Siya saw Dadu lying with an oxygen mask and several machines attached to him.
Just then, a nurse came and scolded, "Who are you people barging in like this? The patient needs rest. Don't you understand? Where's his grandson… what was his name… Raghav? Where is he? I told him only one person can stay inside. Why is it crowded here?"
Aman Ji stepped forward and said, "I'm his son…"
The nurse cut him off, "I don't care who you are, sir. Nothing's more important than the patient. Please wait outside."
Everyone stepped out slowly. Siya's eyes were still searching for Raghav.
Just then, a girl bumped into Siya, dropping some things in the process. She politely bent to pick them up and said, "Sorry…"
Siya didn't respond. The girl was Janvi. She headed straight to Dadu's ward, but Aman Ji stopped her, "Hey girl! Who are you? How can you just enter my father's room like that?"
Janvi turned and said, "Oh, so you're his son? Apologies, I saw your photo but didn't recognize you. I'm Dadaji's servant. Raghav Ji knows us."
As soon as Siya heard "Raghav," she turned to look at Janvi.
A 17-year-old girl—golden hair, large kohl-lined eyes, thick lashes, lips like rose petals adorned with a soft smile—her neatly braided hair and face-framing tendrils made her look stunning. In her light yellow Anarkali dress, she looked like a celestial being.
Aman Ji asked, "But where is Raghav?"
Janvi looked a little worried. "He was here just now… I don't know where he went."
Chandrika Ji said, "It's okay, dear. We'll call him."
She dialed his number—and the phone rang in Janvi's hands. Everyone looked surprised.
Janvi nervously said, "Raghav Ji gave me his phone to call home."
Yamuna Ji said, "That's fine, but where did he go? It's been a while and still no sign of him."
Just then, Adit came running and asked, "Janvi, how's Dadaji now?"
Janvi said sadly, "Still not sure…"
Adit asked, worried, "And Raghav… where is he?"
Janvi replied, "We're all looking for him too… Adit, this is his family—and that's probably his younger brother," pointing to Kabir.
Adit folded his hands and said, "I'm Adit, Raghav's friend."
Raj Ji said, "Then please go find your friend. No idea where he's wandered off."
Adit rushed out calling Raghav's name. He spotted a garden within the hospital and smiled as he walked toward it.
There, Raghav sat on the ground, breathing in the fragrance of flowers, trying to calm the chaos within him.
Adit placed his hand on Raghav's shoulder and softly said, "Raghav…"
Hearing Adit's voice, Raghav hugged him and said, "Look, man… what's happened to Dadu. I can't see him like this… it hurts so much…"
Adit gently rubbed his back and said, "I understand, but pull yourself together. Your family is here…"
Raghav looked at him in surprise, and Adit blinked in confirmation. Raghav immediately ran back into the hospital.
As soon as he saw his mother, his eyes welled up, and in a trembling voice he said, "M... Mom…"
Chandrika Ji turned and, seeing Raghav, hugged him tightly. The reunion after four years was like two souls reuniting after centuries. Both Raghav and Chandrika Ji sobbed in each other's arms. Everyone around them got teary-eyed watching the emotional moment.
Aman Ji came over and said, "Still your mom's favorite, huh? Forgot your Deda?"
Raghav hugged him too and sobbed, "Never, Deda! You are my lifeline…"
Kabir also came and hugged him. Meanwhile, Siya was trying to catch a glimpse of Raghav's face, but Aman Ji's tall frame only let her see his hair.
After calming down, Raghav playfully pulled Kabir's cheeks and said, "Still so thin even after eating all my chocolates alone?"
Kabir laughed, "Well, I also get double the scolding!"
Raghav chuckled.
Seeing Raj Ji, Raghav hugged him. Yamuna Ji stroked his head and said, "You've grown up so much, my child…"
Raghav smiled and said, "I'm taller than you now!"
Yamuna Ji hugged him, "My eyes were longing to see you…"
Raghav, with moist eyes, said, "I missed you too much, Mom…"
As he looked around, Raghav's eyes met Siya's, and a strange silence enveloped them—one they couldn't break, even if they wanted to.
Just then, Janvi came out and pulled Raghav's hand, "Raghav Ji, Dadaji is calling you…"
Raghav went in with her, leaving Siya flooded with a wave of emotions.
Everyone followed behind.
Dadu called Raghav close and said, "I'm sorry, child, for keeping you away from your parents all these years. Seeing Aman's childhood reflection in you, I couldn't help myself. Forgive me… I stole your childhood…"
Raghav held his hands and said, "No, Dadu… you may have kept me away from them, but you gave me their share of love. You pampered me like a mother, guided me like a father, mischiefed like a brother, and taught me life like a true Dadu. I never felt a lack of anything with you. Don't blame yourself—you're my Super Dadu, and you have a solution to all my problems. I love you so much… please just get well soon. Then everything will be okay."
Everyone got emotional listening to them.
Kabir piped in, "Hey Dadu, don't tell me you forgot me…"
Dadu smiled, "How can I forget you, little devil?"
Kabir corrected, "No, no, correction! im biger devil
Dadu laughed, "You'll never change…"
Kabir proudly said, "Well, after so much scolding from Mom and beatings from Mom, I didn't change—so why now? By the way, get well soon. I need to pull your dhoti again—remember that childhood prank?"
Everyone laughed. Dadu playfully scolded him.
Raghav said, "Kabir, stop now… and Dadu, please sleep. You need rest. He talks all day—I'll stay with you."
Dadu smiled and closed his eyes. Raghav gestured everyone to leave and stayed beside him, holding his hand.
As Siya turned to comfort Raghav, she saw Janvi place her hand on his shoulder instead.
Siya saw this and quietly walked away.
A little later, Raghav came out and said, "You all have come from far; you must be tired. Please go home and rest. I'll stay here…"
Aman Ji said, "Son, you've been here since last night. You need rest too. I'll stay…"
Raghav replied, "No, Dad. Dadu needs me. He needs me. Please let me stay…"
Aman Ji patted his back, "Seeing my father's values reflected in you gives me a pride I can't describe. Truly, no one else could've raised you like he did…"
Raghav smiled and went back into the ward. Seeing Janvi there, he turned and said, "Janvi, you should go home too… get some rest. I'll call if needed."
Janvi tried to say something, but Raghav interrupted, "I don't like repeating myself."