CHAPTER 3

The institute building smelled faintly of paper, wood, and something old yet comforting.

Students gathered in small groups, some laughing loudly, others pretending not to be nervous.
Reva found herself standing alone, observing.

“Hey, are you in first year?” a girl asked, adjusting her specs.

“No, second year. New admission,” Reva replied.

“Oh! Same. I’m Ananya.”

That was it. Simple. No effort. No force.

Soon, another student joined — Rhea, cheerful and curious, asking a hundred questions in one breath.

By the time the orientation began, Reva wasn’t alone anymore.

The professor spoke about design thinking, discipline, and patience. Reva listened carefully. She liked how architecture wasn’t just about buildings — it was about people, space, and emotions.

During the studio session, when they were asked to sketch freely, Reva’s pencil moved on its own. Lines flowed naturally. It felt familiar. Comforting.

And finally after all the hesitation and anxiety of the first day at a very new place where you barely know anyone and you have to spend your next 3 years, that anxiety and nervousness slowly began to fade away from reva's chest as the day was finally feeling familiar, with the two new people she found, who were genuine, and chaotic just like her.

AT RAJAJI NATIONAL PARK ,

The forest woke up before the sun did.
Ishvik stood near the entrance of Rajaji National Park, his outfit crisp, boots firm against the earth. The badge on his chest felt heavier than expected — not because of pride, but responsibility, and a deep sense of gratitude.

“Welcome, sir,” a forest ranger greeted him.

Inside the office, introductions followed. Officers shook hands, exchanged polite smiles. Maps hung on the walls, reports stacked neatly on desks. The air smelled of paperwork and soil.

“You’ll oversee this range,” a senior officer explained. “Human-wildlife conflict is a concern here.”

Ishvik nodded, absorbing everything silently.

Later, during his first field visit, he watched the forest closely — the tall trees, distant calls of birds, the quiet strength of the land. This wasn’t just a posting. It was a commitment...

As he stood there, something tugged at his chest — unfamiliar, yet heavy. He brushed it off, telling himself it was just the weight of a new beginning.

But somewhere deep inside, something stirred.

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The alarm rang ......, and Kriyansh groaned softly before rolling to the side and turning it off.

“Bas… five minutes,” he muttered, though he was already awake.

From the kitchen came the sound of utensils and his mother humming an old song. That was enough to pull him out of bed.

He freshened up quickly and walked out, hair still slightly damp, sleeves rolled up , shirt tucked in neatly.

“Good morning janeman,” he said, pulling his mother into a tight embrace.

His mother turned around and smiled instantly. "Good morning meri Jann"

“Office ka pehla kaam — chai.”

“Exactly,” he laughed. “Best motivation.”

He sat at the dining table while she placed a cup in front of him. He took a sip and sighed in satisfaction.

“Dad uth gaye?” he asked.

“News dekh rahe hain,” she replied.

Kriyansh walked to the living room, greeted his father with a quick hug from behind.
“Time pe ja raha hai?” his father asked glancing at his son with a smile.

“Yes, sir,” Kriyansh replied playfully. “Aaj site visit bhi hai.”

His father nodded, proud but quiet, the way he always was.

Before leaving, Kriyansh bent down and touched his parents’ feet, something he never skipped, no matter how rushed he was.. .
“Take care, and have your lunch in time ” his mother said, kissing his forehead.
“as you say , your highness,” he replied, flashing a smile.

At the office, the environment changed — files, discussions, deadlines. But Kriyansh remained the same. He greeted everyone, cracked small jokes during tea breaks, listened more than he spoke.

“Yaar, aaj kaam zyada hai,” a colleague sighed.

“Ho jayega,” Kriyansh said calmly. “Ek-ek karke karte hain.”

He wasn’t loud. He wasn’t dramatic. But somehow, when he was around, things felt manageable.

By the time he stepped out in the evening, he was tired — but content. He checked his phone, smiled at a message from home, and started his bike.

Another ordinary day.

Unaware that soon, he wouldn’t be just someone’s son or colleague — but someone’s safe place.

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The sun was already dipping behind the hills when Reva stepped out of her college campus, after saying bye to rhea and Ananya.
The day had been long but gentle, like it hadn’t rushed her at all.
She adjusted her bag, put on her helmet, and started the scooty.
Her phone buzzed once.

Dhriti: “I’m at the bus stop. Jaldi aana please.”

Reva smiled. “On my way.”

The road felt calmer now. Dehradun evenings always carried a different softness — cooler air, quieter streets, and lights slowly turning on in houses.

Dhriti was standing near the bus stop, arms crossed, clearly tired. The moment she saw the scooty, she sighed in relief.
“Finally,” she said, sitting behind Reva.

“Drama queen,” Reva replied lightly, starting the engine.

" Accha tell me how was your day?"

For a few minutes, there was silence. Then Dhriti spoke, almost reluctantly.
“Today was… weird.”

Reva glanced at her from the mirror. “kyun,college mein kuch hua kya?”

“No,” Dhriti said. “ ek pagal aadmi ki vajah se .”

Reva raised an eyebrow. “What man?”

Dhriti groaned. “I was just standing there, waiting. And this… very grumpy, very annoying person started arguing about something so unnecessary.”

Reva laughed. “You and arguments?”

“I didn’t start it,” Dhriti defended. “He did. And honestly, I don’t even want to remember his face.”

“Must’ve made an impression then,” Reva teased.

“Please. Let’s not talk about him,” Dhriti said quickly. “He ruined my mood for five minutes. That’s it.”

Reva smiled but didn’t push further. Some stories came out only when they were ready.

The moment they entered the house, familiar warmth wrapped around them.

“aagayai Meri bacchiyan?” Kavita’s voice came from the kitchen.

“Yes!” Reva replied.

Rajesh looked up from the sofa, tired but smiling. “First day survivors.”

Surendra ji chuckled from his chair. “Aa jao, dono idhar.”

Reva and Dhriti sat down beside him, one on each side, just like always. Savitri ji placed her hand on their heads gently.

“Toh batao,” Kavita said, wiping her hands and joining them, “kaisa raha din?”

Reva spoke first, sharing small moments — classes, new faces, the studio, and about her friends she made today.
. Dhriti listened quietly, then talked about her college, her nervousness, and how she survived the first day.

Rajesh nodded proudly. “I knew you both would manage.”

Surendra ji smiled. “Ghar ka pyaar saath ho toh har din aasaan lagta hai.”

Reva looked around — at her parents, grandparents, and Dhriti — and felt something settle in her chest. Safe. Complete.

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By the time Ishvik parked his car outside the familiar gate, the sky had already softened into shades of orange and grey.
The house lights were on — a small but comforting sight he had grown up with.
He removed his seatbelt and took a deep breath before stepping inside.

“maa , main aagya” he called out.

Almost instantly, footsteps followed.
“There you are,” his mother said, walking in from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her dupatta.
Her eyes scanned him the way only a mother’s could — tired face, dusty shoes, loosened collar.

“How was your day?” she asked.

“Long,” Ishvik replied honestly, placing his bag down. “But good.”

His father came in next, newspaper folded under his arm. “First day always feels heavier than it actually is.”

Ishvik smiled faintly. “True.”

" I'll go and get freshn up quickly, bahut bhookh lagi Hai" Ishvik said and moved towards his room.

They all moved toward the dining table. His mother placed a glass of water in front of him, then food, without asking. Some things never needed words.

“Sab theek raha?” she asked again, softer now.
“Yes,” Ishvik nodded. “New people, new responsibilities. But… manageable.”

His father nodded approvingly. “You’ll settle in soon. You always do.”

Ishvik ate quietly, listening to the familiar sounds — the ceiling fan, utensils clinking, his parents discussing small things.
The forest, the formal introductions, the authority of the uniform — all of it slowly faded.

Here, he wasn’t an officer.

He was just their son.

His mother looked at him with a small smile. “Thak gaye ho?, chehra dekh kar hi pata lag raha hai.”

“Han maa ,bas thoda,” he admitted.

“Rest kar lo,” she said. “Kal phir jaana hai.”

Ishvik nodded and hugged her.

As he walked toward his room, he paused for a second, glancing back at the dining table — his parents , his grandparents still there, still talking.

That warmth… it made the day feel complete.

As he just steeped in his room, his phone buzzed, a familiar name flashing on screen,

Kriyansh

He answered the call , and a familiar voice came from other side,

"Aree meri jaan , kesa hai?, apni biwi ko bhul to nahi gaya"

"Shut up, kriyansh"

" Dekh Bhai , tu Maan ya na maan , unofficial biwi to hu mein teri Varna tere itne nakhre iss kaliyug mein koi utha skta bhala"

Ishvik just smiled, kriyansh was no less than a brother to him, or maybe more than that ,they were together from childhood they were each other best friends before even  they knew   what the word best friend means. they were always there for each other whenever any of them needed the other.

"Accha bata, how was your first day as OFFICER ISHVIK MEHRA"

" Pretty decent. Accha, tell me when are you coming home , it's been very long since last you visited. Maa was also asking about you "

" Actually i was on a very important project, and site visits, mapping, planning everything was so hectic, couldn't get Time. But now it is almost done, i am coming this Sunday for sure. Aunty se bolna mere favourite aloo ke parathe bana kar rakhe"

"As you say your highness."

"Achcha bhai hai I wanted to tell you something actually umm,mm voo, .... Today, i ...."

"What, why are you getting so nervous ,ab kya kar diya tune? "

"Are I didn't do anything, okay forget it I will tell you about it in detail when we will meet okay"

"Sureee, and you know what, actually now I am also  very curious too know that what was the thing that has made The kriyansh Srivastava nervous." Ishvik said with a light chuckle.

"Haan haan , wait till Sunday. "

"Hmm, Bye"

"Bye meri biwi."

Ishvik sighed and smiled.

He put his phone on the table prayed gratitude and then moved towards his bed.

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