CHAPTER 2 – Dreams and Cracks

Dreams of Bond

The sun was soft that morning, casting golden light over fields swaying with wildflowers. Laughter rang through the open air.

"Yuko! Stop running!" Aditya shouted, breathless, chasing after her barefoot through the green.

"Catch me, Adi!" she called out with a wide smile. "If you do… I'll give you a reward!"

"A reward?" he laughed. "What kind of reward?"

She glanced over her shoulder, eyes full of mischief.

"Guess."

The wind rustled through the grass. Aditya sprinted harder, closing the distance between them. He wrapped his arms around her waist, spinning her into a gentle embrace. She giggled, and their lips met—soft, familiar, filled with the kind of love that made everything else fade away.

Time didn't exist in that moment. There was only her heartbeat, the breeze, and the way her fingers brushed his cheek.

A New Life Begins

The memory faded into the soft glow of a quiet room.

Yuko sat on the couch, gently humming a melody. Her fingers absentmindedly traced the curve of her pregnant belly. Aditya sat beside her, one hand resting against her stomach, as though trying to feel the tiny heartbeat inside.

"The due date's getting closer," he said gently. "We have to be extra careful now."

"You're more nervous than I am."

"Of course I am," he smiled. "We're going to be parents. How could I not be?"

She placed her hand over his. The baby kicked.

"Hear that, little one?" Yuko whispered, smiling softly. "Your father's already wrapped around your little finger."

Aditya closed his eyes, overwhelmed by the quiet joy of that moment.

"I want to name her Akari," he said. "In my home country, daughters are said to be the father's light, so I am going to name her 'Akari'."

The Bloom of Light

Yuko's screams echoed through the delivery room.

Aditya held her hand tightly, whispering words of encouragement.

"Just a little longer, Yuko. You're doing great."

"Stay with us, ma'am," the doctor said firmly. "Just one more push."

And then—The sound of a newborn's cry pierced the room.

Tears filled Aditya's eyes as the nurse handed him the tiny, wrinkled miracle wrapped in white.

"Congratulations, Adi-san," the doctor smiled. "A healthy baby girl."

Yuko reached out, her face pale and glistening with sweat.

"We… really became parents," she whispered.

Aditya bent down, touching his forehead to hers.

"Thank you for this gift.""Her name is Akari."

Darkness Cracks the Sky

But joy is a fragile thing.

The rooftop wind howled. Akari stood at the edge, her arms hanging lifelessly at her sides. Her school uniform fluttered like a flag in mourning.

Below, students screamed. But she didn't hear them.

Her lips parted.

"Daddy..."

And then she fell.

Bang.

The world tilted. The silence that followed was louder than any scream.

A pool of blood spread across the concrete.

Far away, in the darkness of early dawn, Aditya woke up with a gasp, reaching forward with trembling hands.

"Akari!"

His voice broke in the empty room.

A second later, his phone rang.

"She's awake," came the voice on the other end. "She made it."

Hospital: Present Day

Rain tapped against the window like a ticking clock.

Aditya pushed through the hospital doors, soaked and frantic. His heart pounded. At the entrance stood Officer Yuta, casually sipping from a paper coffee cup.

"Why are you here?" Aditya asked, his voice sharp, eyes filled with suspicion.

"I heard your daughter regained consciousness. I need to speak with her."

Aditya stepped forward, fists clenched.

"Now?"

Before things could escalate, a doctor stepped between them.

"It's not possible."

Yuta raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"She's in a fragile mental state," the doctor explained. "Any pressure or questioning could severely set back her recovery. It's out of the question for now."

"We don't have time to waste," Yuta protested.

"And she doesn't have time to relive trauma," the doctor countered. "Wait until she's stable. Then you can talk to her—with her father present."

Yuta looked to Aditya, who met his gaze without flinching.

"You'll only speak to her when she's ready. And only when I'm by her side," Aditya said.

Yuta didn't argue. He turned and walked toward the exit, the rain swallowing him.

A Smile in the Rain

Later that evening, Aditya returned home. The apartment was dark, quiet, a shadow of what it once had been.

As he stepped through the door, a voice called out from behind.

"Hello, Uncle."

He turned.Yumi stood in the hallway, holding a pale pink umbrella, her school uniform damp at the edges. She smiled sweetly.

"Yumi," he said with tired surprise. "You came."

"I heard Akari's waking up… I was worried."

"She's getting better. The doctors say she'll be discharged soon. Maybe in a week."

Yumi smiled wider. "That's great. I missed her."

Aditya nodded, trying to muster warmth. "She'll be happy to see you again."

He began to close the door.

Yumi waved gently.

And then… something changed.

The smile on her lips remained, but the warmth behind her eyes disappeared. Her fingers, still raised, twitched slightly.

"So… Akari is coming back," she whispered.

Her voice held no joy. Only stillness.

"I'll have to welcome her properly."

She stood alone outside, the rain soaking through her sleeves. Her eyes stared at the closed door like a doll's—pretty, lifeless, empty.

Inside, Aditya removed his coat and exhaled.He had no idea the devil had already knocked on his door.