The next day at college, Priya was determined to meet with the principal and inform her that she wouldn't be able to continue tutoring Arjun. Her mind was made up; the stress and complications were too much to handle. As she walked through the bustling corridors, she felt a mix of anxiety and resolve. Finally, she reached the principal's office and knocked gently on the door.

"Come in," came the principal's familiar voice.

Priya entered, ready to explain her decision, but before she could utter a word, the principal looked up with a smile. "Priya, I was just about to have a word with you."

Curiosity piqued, Priya took a seat as the principal gestured to the chair opposite her desk. "Priya, I knew you could work magic. I've been informed that Arjun is very comfortable with you. He even praised you a lot, just on your first day."

Priya's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?" she managed, her thoughts momentarily derailed.

"Yes," the principal continued, her face glowing with satisfaction. "Do you know, before you, they hired over twenty tutors, but none could make a breakthrough. You've done something remarkable. I'm sure you'll help him succeed in his finals. It's very important, you know. I've given my word."

Hearing this, Priya felt a swirl of emotions. The principal's confidence and the responsibility of Arjun's success weighed heavily on her. Leaving the office, she was a bundle of confusion, torn between her personal turmoil and professional obligations.

She made her way to the common room, her mind a battlefield of conflicting thoughts. Could she really walk away now, knowing that Arjun was finally comfortable and making progress? The principal's words echoed in her mind, a constant reminder of the trust and responsibility placed on her shoulders.

As she sat in the quiet corner of the common room, Priya took a deep breath and made her decision. It was just a matter of two months. She could manage that, couldn't she? She would focus on helping Arjun through his finals, setting aside her personal issues for the time being.

As days turned into weeks, Priya remained dedicated to her responsibility, and Arjun grew increasingly close to her, much like a younger sibling. An introverted boy, Arjun's quiet demeanor masked a deep well of emotions, especially the pain of a broken family. Priya often sensed his longing for his father's attention, an expectation rarely met.

One Friday evening, Priya arrived for their usual session. Arjun greeted her with an unusual sparkle in his eyes. "Ma'am, I have something to show you," he said, his voice filled with excitement.

Priya's curiosity was piqued. "What is it, Arjun?"

Arjun carefully pulled out his English paper, his face glowing with pride. "I topped the class for the first time in the weekly test."

Overwhelmed with emotion, Priya's eyes misted. "That's wonderful, Arjun! I'm so proud of you."

"This is because of you, Ma'am," Arjun said, his gratitude evident.

Priya smiled warmly. "Have you shared this with your family?"

Arjun's expression dimmed. "No. Grandma went to her kitty party."

"And your dad?" Priya asked gently.

Arjun stayed silent, his gaze dropping to the floor. Priya could sense the heaviness in the air. "What is it, Arjun?"

He sighed. "Dad never took much interest in these things."

Priya's heart ached for him. "Maybe you haven't involved him enough. Sometimes, parents need a little nudge."

After a moment of hesitation, Arjun nodded. "Dad's downstairs. I'll show him."

Priya encouraged him, "Go ahead."

But Arjun shook his head. "No, I won't go alone. You have to come with me."

Priya hesitated at first, but Arjun's earnest pleading wore down her resistance. Reluctantly, she agreed, her heart heavy with a mixture of apprehension and determination.

Together, they descended the grand staircase of the Kapoor mansion, the elegant decor feeling almost oppressive in the tense silence. They reached the living room,

Arjun slightly opened the door to his father's study, and both he and Priya were taken aback by the scene that greeted them. Ram was there, engrossed in conversation with the young woman from the previous evening, showing her his collection of vintage whisky. The room was filled with the soft clinking of glass and the muted glow of ambient light reflecting off the bottles.

The unexpected intrusion left everyone momentarily frozen. Arjun's face flushed with embarrassment, and Priya felt an uncomfortable heat rise in her cheeks. Ram, too, seemed caught off guard, a flash of guilt and annoyance crossing his features.

"Uh, I'll come back later," Arjun stammered, retreating quickly.

Priya stood there for a moment, torn between her professional duty and the sudden, awkward situation. Her eyes met Ram's briefly, a mixture of disappointment and frustration in her gaze. Without another word, she turned on her heel and left, her footsteps echoing down the corridor.

The encounter left a bitter taste in Priya's mouth. She had hoped to bridge a gap, to foster some connection between Arjun and his father. Instead, she found herself once again confronting the complicated dynamics of the Kapoor household.

Back in the hallway, Arjun was waiting, his expression a mix of confusion and hurt. "I'm sorry, Ma'am," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Priya placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "It's not your fault, Arjun. Let's go back to your study and focus on your work."

As they walked back, the atmosphere was thick with unspoken thoughts. Priya knew that her role as Arjun's tutor had become more complex than she had ever anticipated. But as she looked at the determined young boy beside her, she resolved to continue supporting him, no matter how challenging the circumstances might be.

As the days slipped by, it was now the week before Arjun's final exams. During her visits to the Kapoor mansion, Priya had crossed paths with Ram several times. Their exchanges were brief, mere nods of acknowledgment, but the undercurrent of unresolved tension was always present.

On a serene Sunday morning, the Kapoor family gathered for breakfast. The air was filled with the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries. Priya, knowing it was her last day tutoring Arjun, felt a mix of anticipation and bittersweet resignation.

Arjun descended the grand staircase, his steps slow and thoughtful. Priya stood by the foot of the stairs, her eyes meeting Mrs. Kapoor's. "Mrs. Kapoor," she began, her voice steady yet tinged with a hint of melancholy, "today is my last day. Arjun has his final exams in a few days, and I believe it's best for him to focus on revising."

Mrs. Kapoor looked up, surprise etching her features. "But we haven't discussed this before," she said, her tone tinged with confusion.

Arjun, who had been halfway down the staircase, paused, his face mirroring his grandmother's shock. "But, Ma'am..."

Priya offered a gentle smile. "I promised Arjun's dad that I would stop tutoring him after his finals, so I'm keeping that promise."

Ram, seated at the breakfast table, remained silent, his gaze fixed on his plate. The tension in the room was palpable, the unspoken words hanging heavily in the air.

Priya turned to Arjun, her expression softening. "Arjun, do well in your exams. Our hard work depends on that. All the best."

Arjun nodded, his eyes reflecting sadness. 

With a final nod to Mrs. Kapoor and a fleeting glance towards Ram, Priya walked out of the room. As Priya walked away from the Kapoor mansion, the echoes of her departure lingered in the air. Inside the dining room, the silence was thick with unspoken emotions. Finally, Ram rose from his seat, his movements deliberate and tense. He turned to face the room, his expression a complex mix of frustration and resolve.

Arjun, his eyes brimming with tears, had retreated to his room. His usually quiet demeanor was now overshadowed by the weight of Priya's departure. Mrs. Kapoor, her concern evident, looked at Ram with a mixture of frustration and confusion.

"Ram," she said, her voice laced with disappointment, "what is it? We finally got someone so good for Arjun, and you know how important she is for his career. I don't understand why you're acting like this."

Ram's face was a mask of controlled emotion. "Let me handle it, Maa," he replied, his tone firm but not unkind. There was a note of finality in his voice that suggested he wasn't open to further discussion.

Without another word, Ram left the room, his steps quick and purposeful as he ascended the staircase. He reached Arjun's room and knocked softly before opening the door. Inside, Arjun sat on the edge of his bed, his face buried in his hands, the weight of Priya's departure pressing heavily on him.

Ram stepped in quietly, his gaze softening as he saw his son's distress. "Arjun," he said gently, trying to bridge the gap between them.