The call connected.
A face appeared on the screen—his father. The same man who had once held Mirshad in his arms, who had sacrificed everything to give his family a future.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
They just looked at each other.
The silence wasn't empty. It was filled with years of unspoken emotions. Of struggle. Of love. Of longing.
Mirshad's father had aged, but his eyes remained the same—strong, kind, and carrying the weight of a lifetime of hardships.
Then, Mirshad finally broke the silence.
"How are you, Baba?"
His father's voice was calm, yet full of unspoken emotions. "I'm good, son. It's been a long time… Why haven't you called?"
Mirshad exhaled, his voice steady. "I was waiting for the right time."
His father's lips pressed together. "And is this the time?"
Mirshad nodded. "Yes, Baba. This is the time I have been waiting for my whole life."
Before his father could respond, another voice interrupted.
His younger sister had walked into the room, seeing her father on the phone. When she looked at the screen, her eyes widened in shock.
"Brother!" she gasped, grabbing the phone from their father's hands.
She was practically jumping in excitement. "It's really you! Do you know what day it is today?"
Mirshad smirked. "Hmm… something special?"
Before she could answer, he cut her off with a warm smile. "Happy birthday, my angel."
Her eyes lit up, happiness bursting through her face. "You remembered!"
Mirshad chuckled. "How could I ever forget?"
For a few minutes, they talked, laughing, sharing little moments. It was as if the years apart had never happened.
Then, his mother appeared on the screen.
But she didn't speak.
Her eyes welled up with tears, her lips trembling. She didn't have to say a word—her face said it all.
Mirshad's heart ached, but he smiled softly. "Maa… how are you? I missed you so much."
Her voice finally found its way through her tears. "I missed you too, my son… why haven't you come home?"
"I will, Maa. Soon."
Then, his younger brother appeared in the frame, squinting at the screen.
"Who is this?"
He looked closer, then his eyes widened in shock. "Wait… Mirshad? Are you still alive, brother?"
Mirshad chuckled. "Still alive. Somehow."
One by one, his family spoke to him, sharing everything he had missed—little moments, big moments. His sister's birthday, his cousin's wedding, the birth of a new baby in the family.
For the first time in years, Mirshad felt like he was home. Even from miles away.
Then, his mother said something unexpected.
"Everyone is here today. Your uncles, your aunts, your cousins… they all came for your sister's birthday."
Mirshad's heart warmed. "Where are they? Give them the phone."
His mother turned the camera, and soon, one of his cousins appeared.
Her eyes widened in shock the moment she saw him. She covered her mouth, staring.
"Oh my God… is this really you?"
Mirshad laughed. "Of course, it's me. Did you forget me already?"
She shook her head. "No… but… you look like an angel! What did you do to yourself?"
Mirshad smirked. "Nothing. One day I woke up, and everything changed."
She burst out laughing. "You haven't changed at all!"
She excitedly showed him her one-year-old daughter. "You missed a lot, Mirshad. You're an uncle now!"
One by one, his uncles and aunts took the phone. They all had the same reaction—shock. Amazement. A little disbelief.
The boy they had known was no longer just their nephew or cousin.
He was something else.
Finally, after everyone had spoken to him, Mirshad felt a wave of emotions flood through him.
He had missed so much.
But he was home now. Even if only through a screen.
Then, Mirshad turned to his mother. "Maa, place the phone on the table. I want to introduce someone."
His mother did as he asked.
Mirshad turned to Sophia, who was sitting beside him.
"Come here."
She hesitated for a second, then moved closer.
Mirshad looked at the screen, then back at her. "Meet my mother and father. Your new family."
His mother stepped forward, her face full of curiosity. "She is beautiful."
Sophia looked confused, not understanding their language.
Mirshad smiled. "She doesn't understand. Tell me what you want to say, and I'll translate."
His mother and aunts spoke, asking questions, showering Sophia with warmth. Some of his cousins spoke English, talking to her directly.
Then, someone asked the inevitable question. "So, when is the wedding?"
Mirshad laughed. "Soon. Very soon."
Sophia smiled and nodded. "Yes, we will come soon."
Then, Mirshad's expression turned serious.
"I called you all today because there is something I need to tell you."
They nodded, waiting.
"This truth might shock you. But you all deserve to know."
Silence.
"Do any of you know a name the world has whispered for the past year?"
His brother raised an eyebrow. "What name?"
Mirshad's lips curled into a smirk. "MRD."
His brother's eyes lit up. "You mean the killing machine? Bro, I'm a huge fan of that man! He's insane!"
Mirshad and Sophia burst into laughter.
"Perfect," Mirshad said, grinning. "Because that man… is me."
The silence that followed was unreal.
Nobody spoke.
Nobody breathed.
His brother finally broke the silence. "Wait… are you serious?"
Mirshad nodded. "Yes. I am MRD."
His cousin gasped. "This is insane…!"
Then, Mirshad continued. "One more thing. Have you heard of the name that appeared recently? The name of the wealthiest man in the world?"
His brother scoffed. "You mean BOSS? Of course! That guy is a mystery! The whole world is talking about him!"
One of his cousins narrowed his eyes. "Bro… don't tell us…"
Mirshad smirked. "I won't lie to you. Yes. That's me too."
His brother stared at him. "MRD is you. BOSS is also you. Bro… what even ARE you?"
Mirshad chuckled. "I'm the king."
Silence.
Everyone was still processing the truth.
Then, Mirshad's voice turned serious.
"I told you all this because after tomorrow, I will change the world forever."
His mother and father's eyes softened.
"Baba, Maa… I grew up watching you struggle. I saw the way people treated you. I heard the words they said behind your back. I never forgot. And I promised myself one thing—that one day, I would change everything for you."
He exhaled. "That promise… is now fulfilled."
His father wiped a tear.
"I have already booked your tickets. You will all be there to witness it with your own eyes."
Then, he added, "But keep this secret. None of you are safe if this truth spreads."
His mother smiled through her tears. "We are proud of you, my son."
She glanced at Sophia. "Take care of my daughter-in-law."
Mirshad smiled. "I will."
And with that—the call ended.
Mirshad leaned back, exhaling deeply.
Tomorrow, the world would change.
And his family would be there to see it.