Chennai Railway Station — Anvitha stepped off the train, carrying Adhvait on her shoulder. That day, it was raining heavily in Chennai.
Adhvait, just three and a half years old, clung to her tightly and said, "Amma, I'm scared."
Anvitha, who had just turned 26, held him close to her chest. She was dressed in a light yellow salwar kameez.
"Don't be scared, sweetheart… Amma is here," she said, hugging him tighter and planting a kiss on his cheek.
She picked up her luggage and placed it on the ground, but she couldn't stand in the rain for long. She quickly ran and stood under a nearby shelter. After putting Adhvait down, she wiped the raindrops off his clothes with the towel she had in hand. She also dried herself slightly.
Just then, a porter approached and stood near her.
"Madam, tell me where you want to go, and I'll carry your luggage and place it in a vehicle. I know some auto drivers and call taxi drivers around here. I'll make sure you reach safely," said an elderly man around 50, wearing a porter's uniform.
Anvitha glanced at him up and down and said, "No thanks... I don't need anything right now. Please go... I'll leave as soon as the rain eases a little."
Hearing this, the porter replied, "Rain won't stop anytime soon, madam. The TV said there'll be a storm for the next two days. How long can you stand here like this, especially with a child? Just tell me where you need to go. I'll ask a trusted driver to take you safely."
Anvitha paused for a moment, thinking: he was right. How long could she keep standing there carrying a child in this rain?
She took out the address she had brought from her handbag and asked the porter if he knew the place.
Looking at it, the porter said, "Oh! That area, madam? It's a bit far from here. The fare might be a little high. Is that okay?"
"That's fine... as long as the driver is safe and trustworthy, that's all I care about," replied Anvitha.
"Don't worry, madam. Nothing to fear, especially during the daytime. Just be confident and follow me," the porter said, picking up her luggage and moving ahead.
Adhvait, despite being just three and a half, was always curious and active. While Anvitha was talking to the porter, she had let go of his hand. As soon as the porter lifted the luggage, she turned to look for Adhvait — but he wasn't beside her.
A jolt of panic shot through her.