(Ishita’s POV)

I woke up to my mother’s loud voice echoing through the house.

“Ishita! Get up and come fast, you’re getting late!” she shouted from downstairs.

I groaned, pulling the blanket over my head for a second before reality hit me. Late? Again?

Half-asleep, I grabbed my phone and checked the time—7:24 a.m.

“Oh shit…”

I jumped out of bed and rushed to the bathroom. Within minutes, I was done with a quick shower, my mind still trying to wake up properly. I hurried to get ready, choosing a simple yet elegant long kurti with trousers. A little lip gloss, a quick glance in the mirror, and I was done.

“Not bad, Ishita… you still look alive,” I muttered to myself before running downstairs.

I didn’t even stop in the living room and headed straight toward the exit.

“Ishita, skipping breakfast is not good. Come and eat first,” Dad called out.

“Sorry, Dad! I’m getting late. I’ll eat later!” I replied quickly, not even turning back.

Grabbing my bag, I rushed outside, started my scooty, and sped off. The cool morning air hit my face, but I barely noticed. My only focus was the time.

My boss hated latecomers.

Actually, “hated” would be an understatement. For him, nothing mattered more than time and discipline. One mistake, one delay—and you were done for.

I had never personally experienced his anger, but the stories from other employees were enough to scare me.

I reached the office at 8:10 a.m., just five minutes before it started.

“Thank God… you saved me today,” I whispered to myself, parking my scooty and quickly heading inside. “Otherwise, I would’ve had to listen to a long lecture from that rude boss.”

It’s not like he has ever shouted at me—not even once—but everyone says he’s extremely strict. He even cuts half a day’s salary if someone is late.

Honestly… I’ve only seen him once.

And even that was from a distance.

As I stepped into the lift, I let out a small sigh of relief. Safe.

Or at least, I thought so.

A man was already standing inside. I didn’t pay much attention at first, too busy calming my racing thoughts. But then I felt it—his gaze.

I glanced up slightly.

He was looking at me.

Not casually. Not normally.

But as if he had just heard something… something he shouldn’t have.

Within seconds, he looked away, his expression unreadable. But the way his jaw tightened made my stomach drop.

Wait… did he hear me?

My heart skipped a beat.

Oh no… did I just say something bad about the boss out loud?

Before I could think further, the lift doors opened, and I quickly stepped out, trying to ignore the weird feeling building inside me.

My thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a tight hug.

“I thought you’d be late today!” Harpal’s cheerful voice rang in my ears.

I smiled, instantly feeling relaxed. “Yeah, I thought the same. But I’m God’s favorite child.”

She laughed as we walked toward our desks together.

As soon as I sat down, I started working. I had to finish everything early today. No distractions.

Because today… I had somewhere important to be.

(Time skip)

By the time the clock struck 5 p.m., I was already packing my things.

As I walked toward the exit, a soft thought crossed my mind—

Now I finally have time for him.

A small, almost shy smile appeared on my lips.

Harpal was already waiting near my scooty when I reached outside. The moment she saw me, her eyes narrowed playfully.

“Hmm… someone looks very happy today,” she said, crossing her arms. “Did you finally find my brother-in-law?”

I gave her a look—are you serious?

“Okay, okay!” she laughed, raising her hands in surrender. “But where are you going?”

I didn’t answer immediately. Instead, I started my scooty, my smile growing just a little.

“To meet him,” I said softly.

And without another word, we drove away from the office—leaving behind the routine of the day… and unknowingly stepping closer to something that was about to change everything.

Author’s POV

As Ishita reached her destination and made her way toward the entrance, Harpal looked at her in confusion. They were standing in front of an NGO.

Before Harpal could ask anything further, Ishita walked inside confidently.

“Why are we here?” Harpal asked, following her.

Ishita opened her mouth to reply, but before she could say anything, a small boy ran toward her and hugged her tightly around her legs.

“You’re late,” the boy said in his soft baby voice.

Ishita’s expression immediately softened. She bent down slightly and replied gently, “Sorry, baby… forgive me, please?”

The boy looked at her for a moment and shook his head.

“No…” he said stubbornly.

Ishita sighed dramatically and reached into her purse. She pulled out a chocolate and held it in front of him.

“Still no?” she asked with a teasing smile.

The boy hesitated. His small eyes kept shifting between Ishita and the chocolate. After a few seconds of internal battle, he slowly took it from her hand.

“I don’t think I forgave you,” he said, trying to sound serious, but his baby voice ruined his act.

Ishita chuckled softly. “Okay, fine. You’re still angry then.”

The boy then turned his attention toward Harpal, studying her carefully. He looked back at Ishita as if trying to understand something.

Ishita immediately understood what he was thinking.

“This is my friend Harpal,” she said warmly, then added with a smile, “And she’s your aunt too. Say hello to her.”

The boy looked at Harpal for a moment, slightly shy.

“Hii…” he said slowly, still clinging to Ishita’s leg.

Harpal melted instantly at his cuteness. “Aww, hello sweetheart,” she said with a soft smile.

Just then, a caretaker walked toward them. She smiled politely upon seeing Ishita and Harpal.

“Hello, Miss Mehra,” she greeted.

“Hi,” Ishita replied gently.

After spending some time there, Ishita played with Aarav, talked to him, and made sure he felt happy and safe. The NGO was filled with children, laughter, and a warmth that felt different from the outside world.

But as time passed, Ishita checked the clock. It was getting late.

She slowly stood up, and Aarav immediately noticed the change.

“I have to go now, baby,” Ishita said softly.

Aarav’s smile faded. He tightened his grip on her hand.

“Don’t go…” he whispered, his eyes already filling with tears.

Ishita’s heart clenched. She knelt down and gently cupped his face.

“I will come again, I promise,” she said softly. “Very soon.”

Aarav shook his head, tears now rolling down his cheeks.

“You always say that…” he said in a broken baby voice.

That hit Ishita hard.

She pulled him into a tight hug, holding him close for a few seconds longer than usual. Even Harpal stood quietly, watching the emotional moment.

After a long pause, Ishita finally pulled away and wiped his tears.

“Be a good boy, okay? And don’t forget me,” she said with a small smile.

Aarav nodded slowly, though his eyes were still watery.

As Ishita turned to leave, Aarav stood there quietly, clutching the chocolate in one hand and wiping his tears with the other.

And even though he didn’t say anything, his eyes spoke everything he couldn’t.

He didn’t want her to leave.

And Ishita… felt the same.