Ekanksh sat through the fourth meeting in a row. His hair was slightly tousled, his hand having run through it more than a few times.
The company was running smoothly, even in his absence. He was relieved. But that didn't stop him from calling team meetings every now and then. He didn't want anyone to feel like he had left them alone to handle everything.
He was a considerate leader—a quality that made him stand out and inspired fierce loyalty in those who worked with him.
"I think that's enough for today, Ekanksh," Parth's voice sounded tired.
Ekanksh sighed, nodding in agreement.
Both of them sat together, the weight of the day clearly pressing on their shoulders.
A soft knock broke the silence, and the door clicked open. Sushmita walked in, carrying a bowl filled to the brim with freshly cut fruits.
"You both have got to eat. Just look at you," she sighed as she ran her hand through her younger son's hair.
Ekanksh melted into her warmth and leaned in for a hug. She instinctively held him close, his head resting on her chest. He was still at his desk, one arm slipping around her waist as she continued caressing his hair lovingly.
Parth smiled at the scene and leaned back to rest his aching back on Ekanksh's bed.
Both men stayed like that for a while.
Sushmita gently pulled away, but Ekanksh held on to her veil like a child clinging to his world. She smiled and let him be, scooping up some fruit and feeding him. He ate gratefully.
She moved to wake Parth, who was nearly dozing off.
He blinked up to find his friend's mother looking at him with fondness.
He sat up straight.
With the same love, Sushmita offered a scoop to Parth. He ate it gratefully, tears threatening to spill. It had been a long time since someone had cared for him like this. She ran her fingers through his hair too, and he closed his eyes momentarily, soaking in the affection.
"Are you two done for the day?" she asked.
"Yes, Ma. We are. And we're so tired," Ekanksh mumbled, snuggling closer.
She laughed softly and placed a kiss on his hair.
"Where's Baba?" he asked, his voice slightly muffled.
"He went out with Ansh."
Ekanksh pulled back and looked up, frowning. "Why didn't you go too, Ma?"
Sushmita laughed and gently caressed both boys. "If I had gone with your father, who would look after you two big babies?"
Both Ekanksh and Parth turned red.
"Let's go out now then," Ekanksh finally said, stretching as he stood.
"I'll go change," Parth chimed in happily.
"It's not needed. You both are exhausted after such a long day of meetings."
"You don't have to worry about us, Ma. We've been through worse—traveling between countries in a single day," Parth said casually.
He was used to calling Sushmita and Suryansh Ma and Baba now.
"You what?!" Sushmita gasped.
Ekanksh glared at Parth, who instantly realized his mistake.
"EKANKSH RATHOD! YOU NEVER TOLD ME YOU TRAVEL BETWEEN COUNTRIES IN A DAY?" She screeched, pulling his ears. Ekanksh winced under her grip.
He muttered angrily under his breath, glaring at Parth, who cowered under his intense stare.
But Sushmita wasn't done. She caught hold of Parth next, twisting his ear too. The strongest figures in the cybersecurity industry now stood cowering before a furious mother.
Right then, Ansh walked in and burst out laughing at the sight before him. He immediately pulled out his phone to capture the moment.
Ekanksh cursed him under his breath—knowing full well if Ma heard him, he was in even deeper trouble.
Still laughing, Ansh slipped into the chair beside the desk.
Both Ekanksh and Parth stood like five-year-olds caught stealing chocolates.
Suryansh entered just then, hearing the commotion. Calmly, he pushed Ansh aside and freed the two boys from Sushmita's grip. They immediately stepped back, covering their ears.
Sushmita continued to mutter furiously. Suryansh sat on Ekanksh's bed, gently pulling his wife down beside him.
"He said he travels between countries in a day," she complained to her husband, still fuming.
Suryansh raised his eyebrows. Even Ansh looked shocked.
Ansh walked toward his brother and flicked his forehead. Ekanksh winced, rubbing the spot.
Parth stood quietly, taking in the contrast—the cold, powerful man everyone feared in Tokyo, now flinching under his family's gaze.
Ansh placed his hands on his hips. "What's going on, Eksh? You swore to me you wouldn't overwork."
"That was just once, Dada…"
Ansh turned to Parth now. "Is it true?"
Ekanksh looked at Parth, pleading silently.
"Almost three times a month," Parth muttered.
"How many countries in a day?" Ansh's gaze now shifted to Ekanksh.
Parth hesitated. "Three."
"Is that why you keep a private jet, Ekanksh?"
"Dada, it's hard to stay in touch with clients otherwise…"
"Enough," Ansh raised his hand, silencing him.
Sushmita stood up, shocked. "You can travel to three countries in a day but can't come visit your mother?"
Her words cut deeper than any glare.
"Ma, it's not like that…"
"Then what is it like?"
Parth stepped in. "Ma, those are loyal clients. You know how Eksh stopped a cyberattack while still in college. He saved so many lives."
Ansh turned toward his brother again. "How long, Eksh?"
"A year," Ekanksh whispered.
Ansh rubbed his forehead. "You were trying to forget her, weren't you?"
Sushmita looked between them, confused. "What's going on?"
Ansh ignored her. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't want you to worry."
Ansh slammed his hand on the desk. Both Parth and Ekanksh jumped.
"She wasn't even worth your attention. Why overwork like this? You could've just come to me. Let Parth handle things."
Ansh stepped forward and pulled his brother into a hug.
"Hey… It's okay to stop sometimes, alright?"
Ekanksh shook his head. Ansh rubbed his back gently.
Their parents exchanged confused glances.
"What's happening? Tell us," Sushmita asked.
"It's nothing, Ma," Ansh said lightly. "This idiot gave his heart to an unworthy girl."
He flicked Ekanksh's forehead fondly again.
"You have a precious heart," Sushmita whispered, walking towards Ekanksh and placing her hand over his chest. "Feel it? It's still beating—waiting for someone worthy."
Ekanksh smiled, his eyes soft.
Suryansh stepped forward. "You both have hearts of gold. The woman who wins it will be lucky. But until she comes along, take care of it—and always remember, it's been in our hands all these years."
Ekanksh bowed deeply before his parents and his brother—Japanese courtesy showing through.
"I'm sorry for hurting you. I promise, this won't happen again."
Ansh pulled him into another hug. "Never suffer alone, got it? You've got an elder brother to annoy."
Ekanksh smiled mischievously. "Even in the middle of your meetings?"
"Okay, not then. Wait in my office," Ansh chuckled.
Everyone burst out laughing.
Across the room, Suryansh gave Parth a small nod—a silent thank-you for letting it slip just how much Ekanksh had been hurting.
Parth returned it with a quiet bow.
Far away, a girl who chased people for scaring her was unknowingly being prepared by fate to cradle the heart of a man who had shut people out, afraid to be broken again.
And somewhere, a heart that once broke was quietly waiting—not just for healing, but for the hands that would hold it with a love fierce enough to rewrite his story.