The evening sun painted the sky golden as Mukul's car stopped in front of the grand Desai Mansion. His heart was racing faster than ever. Today had been one of the happiest days of his life. He had met his second sister, Sanya, in college after ten long years. The warmth of her hug, her tears, and her proud smile still played in his mind like a beautiful melody.
As soon as he stepped out of the car, he rushed through the tall gates and ran across the marble pathway that led to the main door. "Shreya Didi! Shreya Didi!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the halls. He pushed open the door and entered the large, elegant living room filled with antique decorations and warm lights.
He looked around eagerly. "Didi, you won't believe it! I met Sanya Didi today in college!" he said excitedly, his eyes sparkling. "She hugged me and even kissed my forehead in front of everyone!" He laughed softly, still breathless from excitement.
But no reply came. The mansion was unusually quiet.
Confused, Mukul walked further in. Then, his eyes caught sight of a middle-aged couple sitting together on the couch in the main hall. The man looked strong and dignified, dressed in a neatly pressed formal suit. His hair had streaks of grey, but his sharp gaze showed power and discipline. Beside him sat a woman with gentle eyes and a calm, graceful aura. Her saree shimmered in soft gold, and her smile was kind yet filled with emotions she was holding back.
Mukul slowed down, frowning a little. Who are they? Guests?
But before he could speak, the woman stood up, her eyes already wet with tears. She whispered, her voice trembling, "Mukul..."
Mukul froze. That voice—it felt strangely familiar, warm… like a forgotten lullaby from another lifetime.
The man's voice broke the silence next. "My son… You've grown so much."
Mukul's heart stopped. His body went numb. His lips trembled as he stared at them. The truth struck him like lightning. Father... Mother…
Tears welled up in his eyes, and before he could stop himself, he ran forward. "Papa! Maa!" His voice cracked mid-sentence as he threw himself into their arms.
Nandini hugged him tightly, her body shaking as tears rolled down her cheeks. "You've come back to us… after all these years," she whispered, pressing his head against her shoulder.
Raghav wrapped his arms around both of them, his usually stoic face now filled with emotion. "We searched everywhere for you, Mukul. Every police report, every lead—every hope we held onto." His voice broke as he patted his son's back gently.
Mukul couldn't hold back anymore. Tears streamed down his face. "I… I thought I'd never see you again," he whispered, his voice choked. "I wanted to find you so badly… I missed you every day."
They held each other for a long time, the silence broken only by soft sobs and the ticking of the old clock in the hall.
After a while, Nandini cupped Mukul's face in her hands. "You look just like your father when he was young," she said, smiling through her tears. "But those eyes… they're mine."
Mukul smiled shyly, wiping his tears. "Maa, Papa… I've grown up now," he said softly.
Raghav chuckled, though his eyes were still misty. "No matter how much you grow, you'll always be our little boy."
They all sat down together on the couch. Nandini held Mukul's hand tightly, afraid to let go. She asked everything—how he had been, where he had lived, how he survived. Mukul didn't reveal everything about his cultivation and guilds, but told them how he had lived in a small village, studied, and worked hard to build his life again.
Raghav listened quietly, proud yet pained. "You've endured so much alone," he said. "But you stood strong. You made something of yourself even in those dark days."
Mukul looked down. "I just wanted to be someone you'd be proud of when we met again."
Nandini's tears fell again, and she hugged him tightly. "We were always proud of you, Mukul. Not for what you achieved… but because you never gave up."
Just then, the main door opened, and Shreya entered with shopping bags in her hands. She stopped mid-step, her eyes widening as she saw the three of them together.
"Maa? Papa?" she gasped, then smiled through tears. "So you both surprised him before I could?"
Mukul laughed through his tears, his voice trembling with happiness. "You didn't tell me, Didi!"
Shreya smiled warmly and joined the group hug. "I wanted it to be a surprise, silly. I told them to wait here because I knew you'd be home early today."
The four of them sat together, talking and laughing, as the mansion once again filled with warmth, love, and laughter—a sound it hadn't heard in ten long years.
Later that night, Mukul stood by his room's balcony, looking up at the stars. His heart felt peaceful, but his resolve grew stronger.
"I found you, Maa, Papa," he whispered to the night sky. "Now, I'll protect you all… no matter what it takes. This time, no one will take my family away."
And with that silent promise, the long-lost son of the Desai family finally slept under the same roof as his parents again—after ten long, painful years.