TU HAIN TOH.....
EPISODE 1: Tu Hain Toh
SITARA (writer)
Not support
Sometimes, a house full of people can still feel lonely.
It was one of those evenings where the house never rested.
Laughter echoed through the corridors.
Someone argued over food.
Someone else complained about the TV volume.
In the middle of all that noise sat a man in his early thirties.
Veer Pratap Singh.
Still.
Composed.
Detached.
He sat on the edge of the sofa, phone in his hand, tie loosened, eyes tired not from work, but from carrying responsibilities that never asked if he was ready.
Being a single father didn’t give him the luxury of breaking down.
It demanded control.
📱 School WhatsApp Group – 08:30 PM
Random person
👈🏻 Class teacher
Random person
Mr Veer Rajpurohit, Good evening
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
straightened slightly**
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Yes ?
Random person
Reyansh didn’t speak a single word today.
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Jaw clenched**
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Was he unwell ?
Random person
No.
That’s what worries us.
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Puts the phone down**
The surrounding voices suddenly felt louder.
🏠 Singh House – Dining Area
Nandita Rajpurohit (ML MOM)
Veer, khaana thanda ho raha hai.
(Veer, the food is getting cold.)
Vikram Rajpurohit (ML DAD)
Aaj Reyansh ka favourite bana hai.
(We made Reyansh’s favourite today!)
Someone laughed.
Someone teased.
Veer stood up without a word.
He walked away from the noise.
The room was dimly lit.
Reyansh lay on the bed, school bag untouched, eyes fixed on the ceiling as if he was counting thoughts no child should have.
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
sat beside him**
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Did you finish your homework?
Reyansh Rajpurohit (ML SON)
yes
Silence followed.
Veer rarely asked unnecessary questions.
But tonight, silence scared him.
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
School kaisa tha?
(How was school?)
Reyansh Rajpurohit (ML SON)
Turned his face**
Reyansh Rajpurohit (ML SON)
DADDA
Reyansh Rajpurohit (ML SON)
do you ever get tired?
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Tired… why?
Reyansh Rajpurohit (ML SON)
Managing everything alone.
That night, Veer realized something important.
Silence was no longer strength.
It was becoming a distance.
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Declines it.**
unknown person
Mrs. Nandita Rajpurohit gave me your number.
Ira Malhotra (FL)
This is Ira Malhotra.
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Read the message but did not reply**
Ira Malhotra (FL)
She said you’re not looking for love…
Ira Malhotra (FL)
Just stability.
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Leaned back**
The house was full of people.
Yet for the first time,
he felt the weight of being alone.
SITARA (writer)
Sometimes, destiny doesn’t knock.
Sometimes, it just sends a message. 😊
EPISODE 2: Still Awake
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
(Sleep doesn’t come when your mind refuses to rest.)
The house was quiet now.
Too quiet.
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
(Reyansh didn’t smile today.
He didn’t complain either.
That scares me more)
Veer unlocked his phone again, scrolling through old photos.
Reyansh laughing.
Reyansh talking nonstop.
A version of his son that felt far away now....
Suddenly veer's phone buzzes with unknown message
unknown person
You don’t know me… but I’ve been thinking about Reyansh.
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Who is this?
Ira Malhotra (FL)
Ira Malhotra.
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
(A stranger knows my son’s name…
Why does that feel unsettling and comforting at the same time?)
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
How do you know Reyansh?
Ira Malhotra (FL)
He doesn’t speak much.
But his silence speaks loudly.
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Fingers tightened around the phone**
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
(That’s exactly what I couldn’t put into words.)
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
What do you want?
Ira Malhotra (FL)
Nothing.
Just to help… if you let me.
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Stood near the door 🚪**
The night lamp cast a soft glow on Reyansh’s face.
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
(I promised myself I wouldn’t depend on anyone)
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Adjusted the blanket gently, careful not to wake him**
Ira Malhotra (FL)
You don’t have to decide anything tonight.
Sometimes, acknowledging the problem is enough for one day.
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Exhaled slowly, shoulders finally relaxing**
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Good night.
Ira Malhotra (FL)
Goodnight, Mr. Rajpurohit.
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
(Strange…
For the first time in a long while,
the night doesn’t feel entirely lonely.)
SITARA (writer)
कभी-कभी खामोशी भी
बहुत कुछ कह जाती है,
और किसी अजनबी की एक बात
टूटे हुए हौसलों को
फिर से जोड़ जाती है।
💛
EPISODE 3: The Morning After
Veer woke up before the alarm...
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
(Some nights end…
But their thoughts stay)
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Glanced at his phone instinctively**
No new message.
Yet Ira’s words from last night still sat quietly in his mind...
The house was awake.
Laughter echoed.
Utensils clanged.
Someone argued over tea being too sweet.
Life went on — loudly.
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Stood there**
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Coffee mug in hand**
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
(So much noise…
Yet Reyansh feels unheard)
Reyansh walked in slowly, a school bag hanging loosely on one shoulder.
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Good morning betu...
Reyansh Rajpurohit (ML SON)
Morning, Dadda..
No smile.
No complaint.
Just routine.
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
(He answers… but he doesn’t open up)
Suddenly veer's phone vibrates... And a message pop-ups...
Ira Malhotra (FL)
Good morning.
I hope I didn’t overstep last night.
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Look at Reyansh**
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Then back at the screen**
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
You didn’t.
Ira Malhotra (FL)
That’s good.
Silence can feel heavier in the mornings.
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Paused**
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
(How does she understand without seeing us?)
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
He barely talks these days.
Ira Malhotra (FL)
Sometimes children speak more with their actions.
We just forget how to listen.
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Watching Reyansh tying his shoelaces carefully**
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
(I taught him discipline.
Did I forget to teach him comfort?)
Ira Malhotra (FL)
If you’re comfortable, we can talk more… slowly.
No pressure.
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Exhaled**
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Slow is fine...
Ira Malhotra (FL)
Then we’ll start there.
Reyansh turned back once before leaving for the school...
Reyansh Rajpurohit (ML SON)
Dadda… will you come early today?
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
Froze for half a second**
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
I’ll try. 🙂
Reyansh Rajpurohit (ML SON)
Nodded **
Veer Rajpurohit (ML)
(Maybe trying… is the first step)
SITARA (writer)
कुछ सुबहें सवाल लेकर आती हैं,
कुछ जवाबों की उम्मीद जगाती हैं,
और कभी-कभी एक छोटा सी ‘कोशिश’
रिश्तों को फिर से साँस दिला जाती है।”
🌷
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