Years passed quietly in America.
Though the Rathod family lived far from India, they never forgot their roots. Puja's mother, Jessica, had once been a Christian, but after marrying Harsh Rathod, she wholeheartedly embraced Hindu traditions. Their maid, originally from Bhadrak, kept the essence of Indian culture alive in their home. Every year, they celebrated Diwali, Holi, Durga Puja, and every Indian festival with joy, lights, and devotion.
Even though sita was surrounded by American luxury — elegant rooms, glittering cities, and foreign friends — she never forgot her culture, her family values, or her little world back in India.
And yet, among all those years… there was one name she never truly let go of — Tabu.
Her cat, now grown into a majestic male with soft fur and calm eyes, carried that name. She loved him dearly, but sometimes, in her dreams, she saw another Tabu — a crying boy at a temple, his chubby cheeks red from tears. She didn't miss him exactly, but whenever that memory appeared, she felt warmth and mischief in her heart.
Every time she woke from that dream, she smiled unconsciously and whispered,
"That silly boy… still crying, huh?"
Sometimes she even wished she could see him again — just to tease him a little.
Then, one day, fate knocked on their door.
Harsh received a sudden phone call from India.
It was his mother — her voice trembling.
"Your father's health is not good, Harsh. He had a heart attack… We don't know how long we have left. Can't you come home, my son? Does your work mean more than your parents?"
Before Harsh could answer, the line went silent.
He called back immediately, again and again — but no one picked up.
He knew then… they were angry, not just hurt.
Guilt wrapped around him like a storm. He had not visited India for so many years — always too busy, too distant.
But what he didn't know was that his parents' plan was slightly different. They didn't truly wish to see their son. What they really longed for… was their daughter-in-law Jessica, and their granddaughter Sita. They missed their laughter, their warmth, their presence.
Without wasting time, Harsh gathered his family and told them everything.
But Jessica and Sita already knew. They had overheard the call — and truth be told, they were both excited. For years, they had been dreaming of returning to India, to their roots.
Within two days, the family was on a flight to India.
As soon as they landed, they went straight to the hospital.
Harsh father lay on the bed, weak but still sharp-tongued. Harsh rushed to his side, tears falling freely.
"I'm sorry, Papa… I should've come sooner. I should've been here every year…"
The old man smiled faintly, teasing as always.
"You came all this way just for a small thing like a heart attack? Work is important, my boy. Don't waste your time on old bones like us."
But behind those teasing words, there was love — and pride.
Harsh looked down, voice trembling.
"No more excuses, Papa. I'm staying. We're settling here, in India."
Jessica smiled, tears in her eyes, and Puja stood beside them, her heart full.
When they reached home, Sita's grandmother opened the door — and the little girl who once left India years ago ran straight into her arms.
"Grandma! I missed you so much!" she cried, hugging her tightly.
Her grandmother laughed, stroking her hair.
"Oh, my sweet princess! You've grown so much!"
Then her grandfather cleared his throat dramatically.
"Ahem! What about me, huh? Didn't you miss your grandpa?"
Puja turned to him with a mock-serious face and said,
"Who missed you? I came only for Grandma!"
Everyone burst out laughing.
Even Harsh and Jessica couldn't stop smiling — it was like the house had come back to life.
Her grandfather grinned, remembering old times. When Sita was a little girl, he used to tease her — stealing her candies, saying,
"If you eat too much, your teeth will turn black like Grandma's!"
And every time, she would cry and complain,
"Grandpa, you're bad! A thief! I'll tell Grandma!"
And then Grandma, soft-hearted as ever, would secretly give her more candy to stop her tears.
Now, years later, that same playful bond returned.
As the family settled into their old house in Bhadrak, Jessica greeted her in-laws with warmth and grace. Her mother-in-law whispered to her husband,
"Our plan worked perfectly."
The old man chuckled under his breath,
"Heh, sometimes drama brings the family home."
Little did they all know — fate was preparing another reunion.
Because the school where Puja was about to be enrolled — Saraswati Sisu Vidyamandira — was the very same school where a certain shy, strong, and wolf-haired boy named Tabu was studying.
And soon…
The two names — long separated by time and continents — would finally meet again.
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