Eleven years had flown by since that fateful day at the orphanage. Ayan Sharma, now 18, had blossomed into a strikingly handsome young man. Standing at 6 feet tall with chiseled features, sharp jawline, and piercing dark eyes that mirrored his thoughtful nature, he turned heads wherever he went. His black hair was neatly styled, and his warm smile—often accompanied by a dimple—made him approachable yet mysterious. Girls at his college whispered about him, and even strangers complimented his looks, but Ayan remained humble, attributing it to good genes and the Sharma family's nurturing.
Life in the Sharma household had evolved. The tailoring shop had expanded slightly, thanks to Mr. Sharma's dedication, and the family now lived in a slightly larger apartment nearby. Priya, now 21, was pursuing a degree in fashion design, often collaborating with their father on new designs. Mrs. Sharma had retired from teaching to manage the home and occasionally help at the shop. Ayan, bright and ambitious, had secured a scholarship to a local engineering college, balancing studies with part-time work at a nearby café to ease the family's finances.
Weekends were still family affairs—dinners filled with laughter, where Ayan would share stories from college or help Priya with her sketches. He had grown close to his adoptive parents, calling them Ma and Pa with genuine affection. Yet, at 18, Ayan felt a pull toward independence. He dreamed of traveling, perhaps studying abroad, and wondered about his biological roots. The orphanage had given him a birth certificate with vague details, but no real clues about his origins. One evening, while rummaging through old family photos, he stumbled upon a faded letter in his room—something Mrs. Sharma had kept from his adoption papers. It hinted at a mysterious past, sparking a curiosity that would soon change everything.
As he gazed at his reflection in the mirror, Ayan felt a mix of pride and restlessness. Handsome and capable, he was ready to face the world, but little did he know, his journey was about to take an unexpected turn.