GARDEN – EVENING
The sun had dipped lower now, painting the sky in soft shades of lilac and gold. Shadows stretched long across the stone paths, and the lotus pond shimmered faintly under the glow.
Aahi sat alone on the garden bench, her bag beside her, forgotten.
Her chin rested on her knees, arms wrapped around her legs. Her face was calm, but her heart—unsettled. Her thoughts swirled louder than the wind.
She watched the koi fish lazily swimming beneath the surface, their world untouched by hers.
Here, everything was familiar. Safe.
And now… it was all changing.
Footsteps approached.
Soft. Steady. Known.
She didn't look up right away.
Her grandmother sat beside her, not too close, just enough to share the silence.
A few moments passed before Shaheen Begum spoke.
"You always come here when the world shifts beneath your feet."
Aahi let out a soft exhale.
"Because it's the only place that doesn't."
Shaheen smiled faintly.
Then, quietly—
"Your mother and I… we're going with you."
Aahi blinked.
She turned to look at her.
"What?"
Shaheen nodded, looking ahead.
"To the new house. We're not sending you anywhere alone. Wherever you are, beti… that's where home is for us, too."
Aahi's eyes softened.
"Even Naani can't live without my sulking and stealing the last mango slice?"
Shaheen laughed, warm and full.
"Especially that. What would I do in this big house alone? And your mother… she's changing too. She's seen you grow up in pieces, between airports and meetings. She doesn't want to miss any more."
Aahi looked away, swallowing the tightness in her throat.
Shaheen leaned in gently.
"The new city will be different, yes. But new doesn't mean bad. You'll join a new college — meet new people. Maybe even find someone who sees you the way you deserve to be seen. Not because I said so…" — she nudged her shoulder playfully — "…but because life will pull them toward you."
Aahi smiled.
A real one. Small, but honest.
She rested her head on her grandmother's shoulder.
"What if I'm not ready?"
Shaheen kissed her forehead.
"Then we'll wait. Together."
The wind picked up slightly. The leaves rustled above them like whispers of approval.
For the first time all day, Aahi felt light. Not because everything was solved… but because she wouldn't be walking into change alone.
The sun dipped behind the trees. The koi stirred lazily beneath the surface.
And in the pocket of her bag, the spirit charm pulsed gently — sensing something inside her shifting with the moment.
Not awakened yet.
But close.