The next morning—
a knock echoed against the wooden door of Tarun's house.
Kreena opened it.
"Rudra," she said, a faint smile forming.
"Come in. You must be here to check on Sahach."
Rudrahan nodded, returning a small, polite smile.
"How is he?" he asked.
Kreena began walking toward the hall.
"Better than yesterday," she replied. "His case wasn't as severe as yours, but still…"
"No need to worry, aunty," Rudrahan said calmly. "He'll be fine."
A slight pause.
"…Can I meet him?"
"Of course," she said. "You boys talk. I'll bring something."
She turned toward the kitchen.
Rudrahan stopped in front of Sahach's door.
For a moment—
he didn't enter.
Instead, he thought.
What should I say first…?
Then—
he remembered.
"Good luck."
A faint grin appeared on his face.
Without knocking—
he pushed the door open.
"Hey there."
Sahach looked up immediately.
"…Stop annoying me," he muttered. "I went through hell last night."
Rudrahan stepped inside, the grin still there.
"Feels good, doesn't it?" he said lightly.
"Knowing someone else had to go through the same thing."
Sahach stared at him.
"You're actually the worst," he said, grabbing a pillow and throwing it weakly toward him.
Rudrahan caught it without effort.
That didn't go unnoticed.
Before Sahach could say anything—
Kreena entered, placing a plate of snacks on the table.
"Eat first," she said. "Both of you."
Then she left.
Sahach immediately grabbed a cookie.
"You're a terrible person," he said between bites. "Why didn't you warn me properly? At least tell me what to expect."
Rudrahan leaned slightly against the wall.
"I did," he said.
"You said 'good luck'," Sahach replied dryly.
"That was enough."
Sahach narrowed his eyes.
Rudrahan looked away slightly—
but the faint smile didn't disappear.
To everyone else—
he was calm, composed, and mature.
But with Sahach—
he didn't need to be.
And somehow—
that side of him stayed hidden from the world.
"…Still," Sahach muttered, finishing the cookie, "that pain was insane. How did you even handle it?"
Rudrahan didn't answer immediately.
His expression shifted.
Just slightly.
"...You get used to it," he said.
Silence followed.
But something in the room had changed.
Not visible.
Not obvious.
Just—
different.
And neither of them had fully understood it yet.
Then Rudrahan broke the silence.
"From tomorrow," he said casually, "extra classes start. Astra basics."
He glanced at Sahach.
"You coming… or not?"
Before Sahach could answer—
Rudrahan leaned slightly forward, a sharp grin forming.
"…Or what?" he added. "You'll faint again?"
A pause.
"…hehe."
Sahach froze.
Then snapped.
"You—!"
He threw a weak punch toward Rudrahan's face.
Rudrahan tilted his head.
The punch missed.
"…Seriously?" Sahach muttered. "Everyone thinks you're some calm statue…"
He narrowed his eyes.
"…but I know what kind of devil you are."
Rudrahan didn't deny it.
Despite everything—
he wasn't cold.
Just quiet.
And that quiet—
only broke around one person.
Sahach.
Sahach leaned back, still annoyed.
Then, with a completely straight face—
"Well… you can't show your real self to anyone except your husband."
Silence.
Rudrahan blinked.
Then raised his hand—
ready to smack him.
Before he could—
The door slid open.
Kreena stood there.
She had heard it.
Both froze.
"…Mom?!" Sahach said slowly.
Kreena stepped inside.
"I always knew," she said softly, "you both had a special connection…"
A pause.
"…but I didn't expect this."
The room went still.
"But," she continued, placing a hand on her chest, "as a modern parent…"
Both boys stared.
"I support you."
"…What?"
She walked forward—
and hugged both of them.
"Rudra, don't worry about your parents. I'll talk to them."
Rudrahan's brain stopped.
"Aunty—"
"Why later?" she said suddenly. "I'll go now."
And just like that—
she turned and left.
Fast.
Very fast.
Silence.
Then Rudrahan slowly turned toward Sahach.
"…What did you just do?"
"…I was joking."
"Run idiot."
They moved instantly.
By the time they reached the stairs—
Kreena was already descending.
Before she could go further—
she stopped.
"…Huh?"
She turned.
Sahach was holding her foot.
Rudrahan stood behind him.
"Aunty," Rudrahan said quickly, "there's a misunderstanding."
"It was a joke!" Sahach added rapidly.
A pause.
Then—
Kreena laughed.
"Oh… you two…"
She shook her head.
"Fine. I won't tell anyone."
Both relaxed.
"…Thank you," Rudrahan said.
Kreena turned to leave again.
And as she walked away—
she smiled slightly.
Except my friends.
Behind her—
Sahach stretched slightly.
"…Wait," he muttered.
He moved his arm.
Then stepped forward.
Faster than expected.
"…I feel… lighter."
Rudrahan glanced at him.
Sahach looked at his hands.
"…Now I get it."
Rudrahan didn't reply.
But a faint smile returned.
The next day—
the week began.
For most people, it was probably just another morning.
For Sahach—
it wasn't.
Something had changed inside him.
Something that had happened the night
before yesterday.
Awakening.
And honestly—
it was horrible.
The worst part?
Unlike Rudrahan—
he stayed conscious through almost half of it.
Even remembering the pain made his body twitch slightly.
"…Hell," he muttered under his breath while grabbing his school bag.
After adjusting his uniform, he stepped out of his room and began walking downstairs toward the shop.
He wanted to meet his father before leaving for school.
But halfway down—
he stopped.
Someone familiar stood outside the shop.
Wearing the same uniform.
Hands in pockets.
Completely calm as usual.
Rudrahan.
Sahach stared at him for a moment.
Then narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…Why do you look so refreshed?" he asked in disbelief.
Rudrahan glanced toward him.
A faint smile appeared.
"…Good morning to you too."
End of Chapter