Setting: Night. The big house glows with soft golden light. Crickets chirp faintly outside the windows. Inside, the warmth of home embraces every corner like a blanket.
Aahi stepped into the house, her bag slung over one shoulder, shoes in her hand — her face glowing with something new.
Her grandmother, sitting on the living room couch with a cup of warm milk, looked up and smiled.
> "Back so late, beti? I was about to send a search party."
Aahi chuckled and dropped onto the sofa beside her.
She rested her head on her grandmother's shoulder like she used to when she was little.
> "I made friends today."
There was a pause.
Her grandmother slowly turned toward her, eyebrows rising.
> "Real ones?"
Aahi nodded.
> "Tina is… incredible. She just took my hand and didn't let go. And then there's Snow, Sapphire, Shine, Ruby, George, Varun…"
She laughed. "They're all a little weird. But the good kind of weird."
Her grandmother's eyes sparkled.
> "Weird people make the best family."
Aahi nodded, her voice softer now.
> "I didn't think anyone would… welcome me after what happened. But Tina—she saw me. Like, really saw me."
Her grandmother stroked her hair gently.
> "That's how you know it's real. Not when they cheer for your name… but when they sit beside you in silence."
Aahi closed her eyes.
> "I think I'm going to like this place."
Her grandmother kissed her forehead.
> "I knew you would. You just needed the right people to remind you of who you are."
The clock ticked in the background.
The night deepened outside.
But inside — for the first time in a long time — Aahi felt safe.
And loved.