FATE'S WEAVING

FEBRUARY 2015

The night was cold, the streets dimly lit by flickering streetlights. The sound of distant police sirens filled the air, but to Yuvaa, everything was a blur. His arms trembled as he held her close, his heart hammering against his ribs.

"Yadhana! Stay with me! Please, baby, keep your eyes open!"

His voice cracked as he begged, his fingers gripping her bloodstained dress.

Yadhana's breathing was shallow, her once-vibrant eyes flickering with fading light. Still, she forced a weak smile, her trembling hand reaching for his.

"Yuvaa..." Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"I'm here, baby, I'm right here," He choked, pressing her hand to his chest as if his heartbeat could tether her to life.

She let out a shaky breath, guiding his hand to her stomach.

"It hurts so much, Yuvaa..."

The warmth of her blood seeped between his fingers. His hands shook. His world collapsed.

"Shh... The ambulance is almost here. Just a little longer, baby, please..." His voice wavered, thick with desperation.

She gave him a fragile, broken smile. A smile that shattered him.

"I told you, didn't I?" She whispered. "The day my secret is known... is the day I'll be gone."

Tears spilled from Yuvaa's eyes.

"No, no, don't say that! You're not leaving me, Yadhana! You promised—"

Her fingers brushed against his cheek, weak and cold.

"I will always love you, Yuvaa... and I'm sorry..."

Her lips found his in a final, lingering kiss. Her breath was warm—then it wasn't.

"Yadhana?"

His voice broke.

"No, baby, please! Wake up! Wake up! Don't leave me!!!"

The ambulance arrived, red and blue lights flashing through the darkness. Paramedics rushed out, pulling Yuvaa away as they began CPR on her lifeless body. He struggled against them, screaming her name.

But deep inside, he already knew.

The love of his life was gone.

.

.

.

JULY 1995

The weekend sun cast golden hues over the orphanage courtyard, where laughter echoed through the air. Children ran across the dusty paths, playing chase, their giggles blending with the distant chirping of birds. Families arrived carrying bags of food, clothes, and toys, their voices creating a soft hum of warmth and generosity.

But behind a large tree, a small girl in a pink and white dress sat curled up, hugging her knees. Her fingers clutched the rough bark as she pressed herself against it, her heart racing.

She squeezed her eyes shut.

"Please, Lord, don't let him find me," She whispered.

The five-year-old girl trembled, praying that she wouldn't be discovered.

Meanwhile, a boy darted around the orphanage grounds, calling her name at the top of his lungs.

"Yaad! Where are you? I swear I won't do anything! Please believe me! If you come out, I'll give you your chocolate back, I promise!"

The nine-year-old boy's voice carried through the air, desperation evident in his tone.

Yadhana's pout deepened.

"Liar..." She muttered under her breath. "If I go out, he'll definitely bully me."

She had seen through his tricks before. Every time she believed his sweet words, she ended up falling right into his traps. This time, she wouldn't be fooled!

Minutes passed. Silence. Maybe he had given up? She let out a small sigh of relief and was about to peek out when—

"Yadhana Baby?"

Her eyes widened.

That voice wasn't his. It was deeper, familiar, and comforting.

Peeking out from behind the tree, her eyes lit up in surprise.

"Kirthink Anne!? (Brother)?"

The boy crouched down beside her, his lips curling into an amused smile.

"Hahaha, It's Karthik, maa."

His voice held fond exasperation as he shook his head at her.

"Why are you hiding here?"

Yadhana quickly straightened up, crossing her arms defensively.

"I—I'm not hiding!"

Karthik smirked, tilting his head.

"Oh really? Then why is my baby sitting all alone here?"

She huffed.

"It's your friend, Yuvash!" She complained, "He stole my chocolates and won't give them back! He's very bad! I'm not talking to him anymore!"

Karthik let out a soft chuckle, ruffling her hair.

"What, him? As far as I know, you're the one who usually bullies him!"

Her eyes widened in indignation.

"Nooo, Anna! This time, he's the one who bullied me!"

Karthik's grin widened.

"Okay, okay! Come with me, I'll scold him for bullying my baby, okay?"

Yadhana's face brightened instantly.

"Really?"

"Of course. Why would I lie to my baby?"

Giggling, she grabbed his hand, and together they walked toward the orphanage's play area, searching for the boy.

Karthik suddenly pointed ahead.

"Ah, there he is."

Yadhana's smile vanished. She quickly ducked behind Karthik, clutching his shirt.

"Anna, you talk to him first! I'll stay behind you, okay?"

But before Karthik could reply, another voice cut through the air.

"Yaad?"

Yadhana's heart skipped a beat.

She peeked out cautiously, her gaze locking onto a familiar boy.

Yuvaa stood a few steps away, his expression worried. His eyes searched hers, relief flooding his face the moment he saw her.

"I was searching for you everywhere, and you were with him? You scared me, you know!!"

Karthik raised an eyebrow.

"Why were you scared, Yuvaa?"

Yuvaa huffed, crossing his arms.

"Because she was missing! I thought someone kidnapped her! I even told my mom... she's talking to the orphanage in-charge now!"

Yadhana gasped in horror.

"WHY DID YOU DO THAT?!"

Yuvaa glared at her.

"Because you disappeared, idiot! I was scared something happened to you!"

Before she could argue back, Yuvaa suddenly pulled her into a tight hug.

Karthik grinned.

"Aww, my babies look adorable."

Yadhana's entire body froze then she suddenly shoved Yuvaa away, her face burning.

"WHY DID YOU HUG ME?!"

She immediately started hitting him.

Yuvaa simply grinned.

"Why did you hug me back, then?" He teased.

Yadhana stomped her foot, her cheeks red with frustration.

"YOU!! YO..."

Karthik rolled his eyes, stepping between them before another fight broke out.

"You two are just like Tom and Jerry."

"Nooo, Anna! He—"

"What me now?" Yuvaa interrupted, smirking.

Karthik let out an exhausted sigh.

"WILL YOU TWO STOP IT?! I'M DONE WITH YOU BOTH!"

Then, he turned to Yuvaa.

"YUVAA, YOU'RE LIKE A BROTHER TO HER, SO—"

"I AM NOT HER—!"

"EEE!! HE IS NOT MY BROTHER!!!" Yadhana yelled, cutting him off.

She huffed, turning away with a pout while Yuvaa glared at Karthik.

Karthik threw up his hands.

"Fine, fine! Whatever! But at least behave like friends, not fighters!"

Both Yadhana and Yuvaa opened their mouths to argue.

Karthik cut them off immediately.

"No buts! I'm done! Anyway, baby, I wanted to ask—where's your friend?"

Yuvaa's brows furrowed.

"What friend? I'm the only friend she has!"

Yadhana snapped.

"Nooo, you're not!!"

Yuvaa crossed his arms.

"Yes, I AM!!"

"No, you—"

Karthik groaned loudly.

"NOT EVEN A MINUTE AND YOU TWO START AGAIN!!! YUVAA, I WAS ASKING HER, NOT YOU!"

Yuvaa opened his mouth, ready to protest, but Karthik shot him a glare.

"Shut up! I'm not talking to you!"

Then, turning back to Yadhana, he asked again.

"Yadhana, tell me...where is she?"

Yadhana tilted her head.

"Are you asking about Aagi?"

Karthik paused.

"Aagi? You mean Agatha?"

Yadhana nodded.

Karthik frowned.

"Where is she?"

Yadhana glanced toward the back garden.

"Hmm... she's probably by the pool."

Karthik nodded.

"Okay, I'll go and find her."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Yadhana and Yuvaa alone once again.

As soon as Karthik was gone, Yadhana whirled around, placing her hands on her hips.

"What is wrong with you, Yuvash?!"

Yuvaa raised an eyebrow.

"I am not Yuvash, I am Yuvaa!"

"Whatever! Why do you always irritate me?!"

Yuvaa smirked, stepping closer.

"Because..."

Yadhana waited.

Yuvaa leaned in.

"I like you."

Yadhana froze.

Her eyes widened.

"But I don't—"

Before she could finish, Yuvaa grinned mischievously.

"I LIKE YOU! I LIKE YOU ANDD..."

He suddenly paused, locking eyes with her. Yadhana frowned, confused. Before she could question him, he leaned in and whispered—

"And I like to irritate you."

Yadhana shot him a glare.

"And you look cute when you're angry."

He teased, pinching her cheeks.

She gasped, swatting his hand away.

"Ugh! You're such a buffalo!" She huffed, turning away.

Yuvaa smirked, watching Yadhana's irritated face as she stomped away.

"Well, if I'm a buffalo, then that makes you the buffalo's best friend."

Yadhana froze in her tracks. Slowly, she turned to glare at him.

"I am NOT your friend!"

"You are," Yuvaa grinned.

"I AM NOT!!"

"YOU ARE MY BESTEST FRIEND!"

Her eyes flared with frustration as she stomped toward him.

"I AM NOT! I AM NOT AND—"

Before she could finish, Yuvaa suddenly leaned in and pressed a quick kiss on her cheek.

His voice softened as he whispered—

"You are. Until our last breath, you're mine."

Then, without waiting for her reaction, he bolted.

Yadhana's eyes widened in horror before she let out an ear-piercing shriek.

"EWWWWW!"

Her hands flew to her cheek, rubbing furiously.

"YOU WILL BE THE DEATH OF ME, YUVASH! I SWEAR I'M GOING TO KILL YOU RIGHT NOW!"

She was about to chase after him when a familiar voice called out.

"LITTLE PRINCESS."

Yadhana froze. Her head snapped toward the voice, and her breath hitched.

"PAPA?"

Her father stood there, smiling warmly. Without hesitation, she ran straight into his arms.

He chuckled, lifting her slightly.

"Hahaha, look at my little princess, so excited to see her papa!"

Yadhana pouted.

"Of course! You didn't visit me last week!"

Her father sighed dramatically.

"I know, I know. I'm sorry, my princess. I had some work..."

She pulled back, crossing her arms.

"What work could possibly be more important than me?"

He let out a hearty laugh, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"Hahaha, nothing is more important than you! But this work... it was actually about you."

Yadhana blinked, tilting her head.

"About me?"

He nodded.

"Yes. I've decided to bring you home."

Her eyes widened.

"Really?!"

Excitement flooded her face—until, suddenly, it dimmed.

"But..."

Her father noticed the shift in her expression and gently cupped her cheek.

"But what, little princess?"

Yadhana hesitated before lowering her head.

"It's Aagi..."

Her father's eyebrows furrowed.

"Aagi? What about her?"

Yadhana bit her lip.

"She'll be all alone here if I leave..."

Her father sighed softly, placing a comforting hand on her head.

"She won't be alone, little princess. Soon, she'll be leaving too."

Yadhana's lips parted, but before she could say anything, he chuckled.

"If I let you talk any longer, I know you'll try to convince me."

Then, he turned and called out—

"Chitra baby, come here."

Yadhana's head snapped up in surprise.

"Aikk, Akka(sister) is here too?"

Her father nodded.

"Yes, she was even more excited to bring you home."

Just then, another voice answered.

"Yes, Papa? I was looking for my ba—"

Before she could finish, Yadhana squealed.

"AKKA!!??"

"HEYY BABY!!"

Chitra ran toward her, pulling her into a tight embrace.

Yadhana giggled.

"Akka!!"

Chitra cupped her face, smiling.

"How's my baby doing?"

"I'm good, Akka. What about you?"

Chitra pouted playfully.

"I'm good, but I'd be even better if you came home with us!"

Yadhana's smile faltered as she lowered her gaze.

Chitra's expression softened.

"Baby? You don't want to come?"

Yadhana shook her head.

Chitra frowned.

"Then why aren't you answering?"

Yadhana took a deep breath before whispering—

"It's Aagi... I..."

Chitra let out an exaggerated sigh, crossing her arms.

"Oh... I see. You don't like me, do you?"

Yadhana's eyes widened in panic.

"NO, NO, AKKA! WHO SAID THAT?!"

Chitra smirked.

"Then why won't you come with us?"

Yadhana hesitated.

"I just... I'm worried about Aagi... she'll be all alone here..."

Chitra smiled reassuringly, taking Yadhana's hands in hers.

"She won't be alone, baby. We can visit her often! You'll still see her."

Yadhana frowned.

"But ka—"

Chitra gently squeezed her hands.

"Please, baby... I'll be so lonely at home without you. If you come, we can play together, sleep in the same room, study together, and even watch movies! Please, baby, I really want you to come with me."

Yadhana's heart wavered.

Chitra pouted.

"Don't you love me, baby?"

Tears welled in Yadhana's eyes.

"I love you so much, Akka!"

Chitra grinned, hugging her again.

"Then come with us, baby. I promise we'll visit Aagi often!"

Yadhana sniffled, thinking for a moment before finally nodding.

"Okay... but you have to promise me! We'll visit Aagi often?!"

Chitra giggled, lifting her pinky finger.

"YES! I promise!"

Yadhana linked her pinky with hers, a small smile creeping onto her lips.

But a thoughtful look soon crossed her face.

"Before I leave... I need to talk to Aagi. Can I?"

Chitra smiled.

"Of course, baby. Go ahead!"

Yadhana nodded.

"Thank you, ka!"

Without wasting another second, she turned and dashed away, her voice echoing—

"AAGIII???!!!"