BETWEEN LAUGHTER AND GRIEF

The moment Yuvaa unlocked the door, it swung open, revealing the two people he loved most—his parents.

His mother beamed at him, her eyes twinkling with excitement. His father stood beside her, arms crossed, a proud smile on his face.

The warmth in their expressions made Yuvaa's chest ache.

They looked so happy.

So untouched by the storm raging inside him.

For a brief moment, a bitter thought crossed his mind.

"How can they be so happy when I feel so… empty?"

His fingers twitched at his side. His throat tightened.

Then, before he could think twice, he stepped forward and pulled them into a tight hug.

His mother stiffened in surprise. His father let out a small "Oh?" before they awkwardly wrapped their arms around him.

And then—before he could stop it—his breath shuddered, and a single tear slipped down his cheek.

He quickly shut his eyes, pressing his forehead against his mother's shoulder, desperately trying to will himself into control.

"Not now. Not in front of them."

His father chuckled, patting his back.

"Hey, son… what's with this sudden hug?"

Yuvaa didn't answer.

His father pulled back slightly, raising an eyebrow.

"Come on, man! This is your big day! Stop acting like a baby—you're not a child anymore!"

Slowly, Yuvaa forced himself to step back, blinking rapidly.

He took a deep breath, then forced a small, practiced smile.

"No, Dad… it's just that I can't imagine moving away from home and leaving you both alone." His voice was light, teasing.

"You know me—I can't even go a day without you two."

His parents exchanged a look—then, suddenly—

His mother dramatically placed a hand over her chest.

His father widened his eyes in fake shock.

And then, in mock horror, they exclaimed in unison—

"WHATTTT?!"

Yuvaa rolled his eyes.

His mother huffed, folding her arms.

"Oh, son, don't worry about us. You do remember that your dad and I are BLACK BELT HOLDERS IN KARATE, right? No one can mess with us!"

Before Yuvaa could react, she suddenly turned to his father and—

"KIHAPPP!"

She playfully kicked his leg.

His father yelped, stumbling back.

"OUCH! Honey, what was that for?!"

His father grumbled, rolling up his sleeves.

"Alright, you started it—now I need to show you—"

Yuvaa groaned, rubbing his temples.

"Please stop, guys!"

They both turned to him, pretending to be innocent.

His father pouted, rubbing his leg.

"What? Why are you stopping me? Your mom hit me first! I have to fight back!"

Yuvaa smirked.

"Wait… Dad, didn't Mom just say you have a black belt? Shouldn't you be able to handle one tiny kick?"

His mother burst out laughing, giving Yuvaa a high-five.

"Exactly! Tell him, son!"

His father crossed his arms, muttering,

"That's why I NEED to prove my strength now…"

Yuvaa sighed dramatically.

"Oh, Lord… Dad, please. This is NOT our house. If you both want to fight, at least wait until after the wedding. Then you can go home and do all the karate you want!"

His father sighed, still rubbing his leg.

"Fine, fine. But remind your mother—I will get my revenge later."

Yuvaa shook his head, chuckling.

"Noted. Now, are you both done?"

They nodded, still grinning.

But as Yuvaa looked at them again, his smile faded slightly.

His father suddenly clapped his hands together.

"Anyway! We actually came here for a reason, son."

Yuvaa raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? What reason?"

His father smirked.

"We came to see you for the last time as a single man."

Yuvaa's breath hitched.

His father chuckled, patting his shoulder.

"After today, you'll be someone's husband."

A cold, invisible hand wrapped around Yuvaa's throat.

His fingers clenched at his sides.

Husband.

The word echoed in his mind, but it felt wrong.

His father kept talking, unaware of the sudden shift in Yuvaa's expression.

"Your mother and I were just talking earlier… About how fast time flies. It feels like just yesterday you were a little boy running around the house, breaking things."

His mother sighed dramatically.

"Ah, yes. And today, you're getting married. My baby is all grown up."

His father grinned.

"That's right! By this time tomorrow, you won't be our Yuvaa anymore—you'll be someone's husband, someone's future."

Yuvaa's stomach twisted.

"I was always hers."

His hands shook slightly as he adjusted the cuff of his sherwani.

"I didn't need a wedding to know that."

But he said nothing.

Then—

His father suddenly smirked.

"But, you know… you say you can't live without us, huh?"

He nudged Yuvaa playfully.

"You seemed to do just fine when Yadhana was around."

The air shifted.

Yuvaa froze.

His body went stiff—his hands clenched into tight fists at his sides.

His mother immediately sensed it.

Her eyes darted to her husband, her face twisting in horror.

"YOU IDIOT!"

She smacked his arm.

His father yelped.

"OW! What?! What did I do now?!"

His mother glared at him.

"CAN'T YOU THINK BEFORE YOU TALK?!"

His father blinked, confused for a moment.

Yuvaa wasn't listening anymore.

His father's words kept echoing in his head.

"You seemed to do just fine when Yadhana was around."

His throat tightened painfully.

His mother suddenly cupped his face, her warm hands grounding him.

"Yuvaa, sweetheart. Look at me."

He blinked, his vision blurry.

She exhaled softly, her voice gentle.

"I know this is hard. But even if she isn't standing beside you today… it doesn't mean she isn't with you."

His lips parted. His chest ached.

She pressed a kiss to his forehead, whispering,

"She's still with you, my love. In every step you take, in every memory you carry."

Yuvaa inhaled shakily, nodding.

His father, sensing the tension, suddenly straightened.

"Oh… OH."

Realization hit him like a truck.

His entire expression changed.

Then, suddenly—

His father took a step back.

Another.

And then—HE BOLTED FOR THE DOOR.

"I—I SHOULD GO HELP OUTSIDE—BYE!"

And just like that—he was gone.

Yuvaa blinked.

"…Did he just run away?"

His mother sighed dramatically.

"Of course, he did! That man can talk big, but the moment I raise my hand—POOF! He disappears!"

She shook her head, then turned back to Yuvaa.

"Sweetheart… I know you're putting on a brave face. But you don't have to pretend in front of me."

The lump in Yuvaa's throat tightened.

She gently cupped his face again.

"I wish I could take away your pain, my love. But all I can do is remind you—you are not alone. You never will be."

He closed his eyes for a moment.

And when he opened them… she was still there.

Always.

"I know, Mom," he whispered.

She smiled.

But then, just for a second, her expression shifted.

She swallowed, her voice almost trembling.

"I miss her too, Yuvaa."

His chest collapsed in on itself.

His mother never said it out loud before.

Her eyes glistened as she whispered,

"She was supposed to be here."

His chest tightened. His breath caught in his throat.

It wasn't just him.

He wasn't the only one breaking inside today.

His mother blinked rapidly, trying to push back the tears pooling in her eyes. But Yuvaa saw it—the way her lips trembled, the way she swallowed hard as if trying to compose herself.

"I thought I was the only one holding onto her… but Mom…"

"Mom still carries her too."

She quickly shook her head, as if scolding herself for letting her emotions slip. Taking a deep breath, she forced a small smile, reaching out to pat his cheek gently.

"But…" Her voice was soft but firm,

"We have to keep moving forward, sweetheart. For her. For you."

Yuvaa's jaw clenched.

"How can I move forward when my heart is still trapped in the past?"

He didn't trust himself to speak, so he only nodded.

His mother stepped back, playfully dusting off his sherwani as if nothing had happened, as if she hadn't just opened a wound he was trying so hard to keep buried.

Then, with one final, reassuring look, she turned toward the door.

But before stepping out, she paused.

Just long enough to glance back at him.

Her eyes, warm and filled with unspoken sorrow, silently told him everything she didn't say out loud.

"She's still with us, Yuvaa. Always."