Somewhere in the city…

The front door clicked open.
Nari stepped inside, shoulders heavy, every muscle aching after a long day at the office.

From the kitchen a familiar voice called out, gentle and warm.
“Babe? Are you home?”

She kicked off her shoes and answered with a tired smile.
“Yes, honey. I’m home.”

Dragging her bag behind her, she headed for the kitchen, thinking, My man is so handsome…

She reached him, leaned close, and whispered,
“I need a hug.”

He turned with a soft smile and opened his arms.
“Aww, come here, my love.”

They hugged—a long, quiet kind of hug that melted the day’s exhaustion away.

Still in his arms, Nari asked softly,
“Where’s my boy? Is he sleeping?”

He nodded.
“Yeah. He ate dinner and fell asleep.” A small laugh. “And you know what he said before dozing off…”

Hallucination

A breath, a blink—and he was no longer in the kitchen.

He sat on the edge of their bed.
Jay lay propped against the pillows, head resting on his father’s lap. The room felt hushed, time moving more slowly here.

“Dad?” Jay whispered, eyes tired but bright.

A gentle hand smoothed the boy’s hair.
“Hmm?”

Jay smiled faintly.
“Thank you… for being here. For Mom and me.”

A soft chuckle, tight with emotion.
“Come on, my boy. You must be sick of those tablets, huh? That’s why you’re saying such sweet things.”

Jay’s smile lingered.
“Maybe…”

“Just sleep now,” his father murmured, brushing a thumb across Jay’s cheek.
“I’m right here.”

Reality

Back in the kitchen, Nari still held him. She didn’t know what he had just seen, but her arms tightened, unwilling to let go.

He kissed her hair, then pulled back gently.
“Come on,” he whispered. “Drink some water.”

“I’ll check on my boy first,” Nari said.

Step. Step. Step.

She opened Jay’s door. Moonlight pooled across the bed; the curtains stirred in a soft breeze.
He slept peacefully, small chest rising and falling in calm rhythm.

Nari smiled.
“Have a sweet dream, my Jay…” she whispered, closing the door with a quiet thud.

A little later…

Changed into something comfortable, Nari curled on the sofa beneath a throw blanket. Peace settled over the room.

Suhaan entered; she looked up with a soft smile.
“I was waiting for you.”

He grinned, approaching.
“So… you’re in a good mood now?”

She nodded playfully.
“But, Suhaan…” She narrowed her eyes. “You seem to be in a naughty mood tonight.”

Brows arched in mock innocence.
“Maybe I am.”

He leaned closer; her quiet giggle filled the space.
Laughter, whispers, warmth—two people who had survived so much.

Later, wrapped in each other’s arms, Nari rested her head on his shoulder.
“I love you, Suhaan,” she murmured.

A kiss to her hair.
“Me too. Now sleep.”

Hours Later

Darkness.

Nari’s head drooped, breath shallow. A dim bulb flickered overhead, casting broken shadows.
She was tied to a chair—wrists bound behind her, ankles lashed to the legs.

Pain pulsed in her skull. Her eyes fluttered open.

“Where… where am I?” Her voice trembled.
She stared at the ropes. “Why are my hands—?!”

Panic rose.
“Suhaan! Suhaan!!” Her cry echoed; no reply came.

He must be looking for me… He must be searching…
But there was only silence, a locked door, and the chill of fear wrapping tighter than the ropes themselves.

“What should I do now?” Her voice cracked.

Step. Step. Step.

Footsteps in the hallway.

A metallic click.

The door unlocked.

Nari’s breath snagged as it creaked open.
A tall figure stepped inside—face hidden, silhouette backlit by the hall light.

Closer… closer…

Her eyes filled with tears.
“H-Hunh…? Suhaan?!”

[To be continued…]