MEERA'S POV

I reached the orphanage.

Kavya dropped me at the gate and left after a quick wave.

“Little Heart Heaven.”

The name always felt heavier than it sounded.

I stepped inside and walked straight to the head ma’am’s office.

I knocked lightly and entered.

“Good afternoon,” I said.

She looked up with a soft smile. “Good afternoon, beta. How are you? Come, sit.”

I sat down across her.

For a moment, it was quiet… safe.

Then she asked, “So beta, how’s your day?”

I smiled politely. “It was good, ma’am.”

I hesitated a little before speaking again.

“Ma’am… today Your Home Enterprises’ owner is coming, right? Maybe we can talk about donation too. Atharv’s operation… we still need money.”

Her smile faded slightly. She leaned back and sighed.

“Beta… you’ve only joined this orphanage two months ago. You don’t know much about him.”

I stayed silent.

She continued, “He has already donated a lot in the past. He helped build this place. Without him, this home wouldn’t be what it is today.”

I nodded slowly. “Oh… so we can’t ask for more help from him?”

She shook her head gently. “When someone has already helped you so much, it doesn’t feel right to keep asking again and again. Even help has dignity, Meera.”

Her words stayed in the air for a moment.

I looked down.

“But ma’am… we are asking for a good cause,” I said softly. “Still… you’re right. Taking too much from anyone… it doesn’t feel good.”

I took a breath.

“I’ll try… I’ll adjust the budget from my salary.”

Before I could say more, she added quickly, “Whatever is in our fund, I’ll also try to add from that.”

I gave a small nod. “Okay… I’ll go meet the kids now.”

I stood up and left the office.

The moment I reached the corridor, the noise hit me.

Laughter. Screaming. Small feet running everywhere.

Kids.

I walked inside the play area.

And for a second, I just stood there.

Sometimes I feel annoyed… sometimes overwhelmed by their noise, their constant pulling, their endless energy.

But I can’t ignore them.

Because I love them too much to ever walk away.

I crouched down as one child ran into me shouting my name.

And I smiled.

Even if my mind was heavy… even if my thoughts were tangled…

Here, I had to be okay.

For them.

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AARAV'S POV

“Yeah—we’re here!”

Dad’s voice practically echoed as the car stopped.

I took off my sunglasses slowly, irritation already building.

“Dad,” I said flatly, stepping out, “are you a child? Can you not keep your voice down for once?”

He got out from the other side, dramatically offended.

“What kind of son are you?” he shot back. “No respect for your father at all.”

I didn’t reply.

Didn’t even look at him.

Just adjusted my watch and walked ahead.

He followed, still muttering under his breath, but there was a smile hiding in it.

Typical.

“Chalo, beta, let’s go inside,” he said, catching up beside me.

Then, as we walked toward the entrance, he added casually—

“Sometimes I wish… I meet my daughter-in-law soon. At least I’ll get to see my grandchildren.”

I paused for half a second.

A smirk tugged at my lips.

Soon.

Anaira will be mine.

The thought settled in my mind like a quiet certainty.

Possession.

Not love.

Never love.

I resumed walking, my expression returning to its usual cold stillness.

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AUTHOR POV

Unaware—

that just a few steps ahead…

another story was about to walk straight into them

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MEERA’S POV

“Ma’am, I’m hereee!”

“Nooo ma’am, catch me first!”

“Ma’am, you can’t find me!”

The entire play area was filled with chaos… and laughter.

I was standing in the middle—blindfolded—hands stretched out, trying to catch these tiny devils who were clearly enjoying my struggle way too much.

“Okayyy, enough!” I laughed. “Whoever I catch now is out!”

“Ma’am you can’t catch me!”

“I’m behind you!”

“No, I’m here!”

They kept confusing me on purpose.

“Cheaters,” I mumbled, smiling.

I turned quickly toward a voice and moved forward—

“Got you—!”

But instead of a small hand…

my fingers touched a face.

I paused.

That… was not a child.

My hand moved slightly—eyes… nose… jaw…

Wait.

Why is this “child” so tall?!

“Bache toh chote hote hain…” I muttered under the blindfold, confused. “Yeh kaunsa bacha hai?”

The next second—

the kids burst into loud laughter.

“Ma’am!!! You caught uncle!!!”

Uncle?!

My eyes widened behind the cloth.

I quickly removed the blindfold—

And froze.

Oh.

Oh.

Standing in front of me… was not a child.

Not even close.

He was tall… way too tall. Sharp features. Intense eyes.

And right now—

he was staring at me like I had committed a crime.

My cheeks instantly warmed.

Great. Just great.

Behind me, the kids were still laughing like it was the best moment of their lives.

“Ma’am caught

“Uncle is lost!”

“Very funny,” I muttered under my breath.

Then he spoke.

Calm. Cold. Controlled.

“Do I look like a child to you?”

Oh God.

“I—I’m really sorry, sir,” I said quickly. “I didn’t know— I mean, I was blindfolded— and they—” I glanced at the kids, who immediately pretended to be innocent.

Traitors.

In my mind, I was already spiraling—

Who is he? Why is he here? And why does he look like he owns half the city?

One of the kids tugged my kurti softly.

“Ma’am, punish uncle also,” she whispered loudly.

I almost choked.

“Beta, no,” I whispered back, mortified.

But they weren’t done.

“Uncle also play!”

“Uncle’s turn!”

“Ma’am, blindfold uncle!”

I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me.

I looked back at him, forcing an awkward smile.

“Sorry… again.”

He didn’t smile.

Not even a little.

Just stood there—composed, unreadable… slightly irritated.

And somehow—

that made everything even more embarrassing.

And worse?

I couldn’t stop noticing him.

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AARAV'S POV

Dad and I walked into the head office.

Mrs. Renuka greeted us warmly, “Good afternoon.”

We exchanged formalities. She offered snacks—

Dad refused instantly. “No, no, that’s fine.”

Then, as always, he started.

“Mrs. Renuka,” he said casually, placing his hand on my shoulder, “if the children need anything… just let me know. My son—” he smiled proudly, “—is designing new things these days. He can design for the children too.”

I frowned slightly.

What is he even saying?

Dad continued, clearly enjoying himself—

“After all… this is Your Home.”

He laughed at his own joke.

Mrs. Renuka joined in politely.

I didn’t.

I looked at him, completely unimpressed.

What the hell…

“Dad,” I muttered under my breath, “stop.”

He ignored me like always.

Then suddenly, his tone shifted.

“Alright, enough jokes,” he said, straightening. “Tell me about your new branch. How can we help?”

And just like that—

he switched into businessman mode.

The conversation went on.

Numbers. Expansion. Planning.

I got bored.

“Dad,” I said, cutting in, “I’m going outside. You both continue.”

He waved his hand without even looking at me.

I stepped out.

The silence outside felt better.

I walked aimlessly through the corridor—

until I heard laughter.

Loud. Unfiltered. Real.

My steps slowed.

I moved toward the sound…

and reached the play area.

The inside structure—

I designed that.

A faint smirk appeared on my lips.

Of course, I did.

My gaze shifted to the children playing.

Running. Laughing. Screaming.

For a second—

a thought crossed my mind.

Kids.

My future.

My plan.

With Anaira.

A perfect life.

A perfect family.

Because whatever I want—

I get.

And she will be mine.

My eyes darkened slightly.

Then—

my attention shifted.

There was a girl.

Young.

Standing in the middle of the chaos—

playing with them.

Blindfolded.

I frowned.

Is she insane… or just careless?

She was laughing, trying to catch the kids while they ran circles around her.

Annoying.

Loud.

Messy.

I stepped closer—

and suddenly—

her hand touched my face.

I froze.

She froze.

Her fingers… brushed over my eyes… my jaw—

like she was trying to figure me out.

My expression hardened instantly.

Before I could say anything—

the kids shouted—

“Ma’am! You caught uncle!”

She muttered under the blindfold, confused—

“Yeh kaunsa bacha hai… itna tall?”

I stared at her.

What nonsense.

Then she removed the blindfold.

And looked at me.

Her expression—

shock.

Embarrassment.

And something else.

I didn’t care.

“Do I look like a child to you?” I asked, my voice calm… but edged.

She panicked instantly.

“I—I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t know—”

Of course you didn’t.

I was about to say something else—

when suddenly—

“ARREEE WAHHH!”

Dad’s loud voice echoed from behind.

I closed my eyes for a second.

Of course.

Perfect timing.

He walked in, looking between us—

then at the kids—

then back at me.

And then

he grinned.

“Aarav beta,” he said dramatically, “yahan toh tumhari practice chal rahi hai!”

I turned slowly.

“Dad.”

But he wasn’t done.

He looked at the kids and announced—

“Bachcho! Yeh hai tumhare future papa!”

My jaw tightened.

The kids went silent for one second—

and then burst into laughter.

“Uncle papa!”

“Uncle papa!”

I felt my patience snap.

“Dad. Stop it.”

He laughed harder.

“Arre bhai, rehearsal toh karni padegi na! Future planning!”

I stepped closer to him, voice low and dangerous—

“Enough.”

But he just patted my shoulder casually.

Then looked at the girl—

“Oh ho… toh yeh hai jisne mere bete ko pakad liya?”

I went still.

He chuckled.

“Interesting.”

I exhaled slowly, controlling my irritation.

This place—

these people—

this chaos—

was getting on my nerves.

And yet—

for some reason—

my eyes flicked back to her.

Just for a second.

Unintentionally.

Unnecessarily.

And I didn’t like that at all.

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AUTHOR ’s POV

“Oh ho… so this is the one who caught my son?”

Aarav stood still the moment Vikram spoke.

Vikram chuckled, clearly entertained. “Interesting.”

Aarav exhaled slowly, already irritated.

Meera immediately spoke, flustered. “Sir, I’m really sorry… I didn’t know you were here—”

Vikram waved his hand dramatically. “Arre beta, don’t worry,” he laughed.

“Mera beta thoda sa sar-phira hai. Mood swings free mein milte hain iske saath.”

The kids giggled.

Meera laughed too.

Aarav turned his head slowly and looked at her.

One look.

Her laughter stopped instantly.

Vikram was still smiling in amusement, enjoying the situation.

Just then, Mrs. Renuka entered.

“Mr. Vikram, Mr. Aarav—” she said politely, then gestured toward Meera, “she is Meera. A teacher here. A very good child.”

Vikram nodded, observing her casually. “Ohh… so she’s part of the teaching staff here.”

“Meera,” Renuka continued, “meet Mr. Vikram… and Mr. Aarav. Mr. Aarav is the CEO of Your Home Enterprises.”

Meera blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Shock spread across her face instantly.

She hadn’t expected that.

Her gaze shifted toward Aarav again—this time differently, as if re-evaluating everything.

Before she could speak, Renuka’s phone rang.

“Excuse me,” she said and stepped aside.

Silence settled.

Meera spoke again, hesitant. “Oh… hello, sir. I’m sorry… I didn’t know you were… a big person.”

Vikram burst out laughing. “Big person?” he repeated. “Aarav, sun raha hai? Tu bada aadmi ban gaya hai!”

Aarav didn’t react.

Didn’t smile.

Didn’t move.

He looked at Meera—calm, cold, controlled.

“Miss… whoever you are,” Aarav said flatly, voice sharp but even, “stay within your limits. I don’t like anyone touching me.”

Meera frowned slightly, muttering under her breath, “I was blindfolded… how was I supposed to know…”

Vikram laughed again. “Yeh hui na baat!”

Aarav ignored both of them.

“Dad,” he said, voice clipped, “are you done talking to Mrs. Renuka? We should leave.”

“Ah… you go,” Vikram replied casually. “I’m coming. I ordered something for the kids, it should arrive any minute.”

“Come fast,” Aarav said.

His gaze shifted to Meera once more.

A brief, sharp glance.

Unreadable.

Then he turned—

and walked away without another word.

Behind him—

laughter, chaos, voices.

Slowly fading.

But the moment didn’t.