First day of school.
Chhota sa bag.
Water bottle thodi heavy.
Eyes me curiosity + thoda fear.
Anaya zyada nervous thi.
Aarav calm dikh raha tha.
Gate par baby — jo ab officially "kid" ban chuka tha — ne casually haath chhoda aur andar chala gaya.
Anaya freeze ho gayi.
"Bas itna hi?" usne halki si smile ke saath kaha.
Aarav ne jawab diya —
"Humne secure banaya hai. Isliye confident hai."
Car me wapas aate hue silence tha.
Ghar aakar house unusual quiet laga.
Crayons table par the.
Par awaaz nahi.
Anaya ne softly kaha —
"Har phase me thoda letting go hota hai."
Aarav ne fridge list ko dekha.
Usne ek aur word add kiya:
Release.