Priya stood outside, the evening air cool against her skin as she waited. The purr of an engine grew louder, and she turned to see Viraj's sleek car glide to a stop in front of her. With a practiced ease, Viraj stepped out, his demeanor a mix of concern and irritation. "Where is he?" he asked, his eyes scanning the area.

Priya's gaze was steady, a hint of resignation in her voice. "I've taken care of it. He left already."

Viraj's brow furrowed, his frustration palpable. "How dare he approach you like that," he snapped. There was a sharp edge to his words, but Priya remained calm.

"Actually, this isn't entirely his fault," Priya said, her tone softer. "Mom's the one who made this mess in the first place."

A chuckle escaped Viraj's lips, his mood shifting slightly. "Aunty is trying very hard to get you a partner. Why don't you give yourself a second chance?"

Priya's expression hardened as she shook her head. "Because I am no longer interested in men," she replied, her voice resolute. With that, she slid into the car, leaving Viraj with his thoughts.

He sighed deeply, disappointment etched across his face as he followed her inside. The car door closed with a quiet thud, and they drove away, the city lights casting fleeting shadows on their faces.

From a distance, Ram watched them leave. His heart pounded with a mixture of annoyance and self-reproach. He couldn't shake the feeling of having made a foolish mistake, his actions now a regretful memory. The image of Priya, her calm but unyielding stance, lingered in his mind, a stark reminder of the day's blunder.

The car pulled up at Priya's destination, the night air crisp and filled with the hum of the city winding down. As the vehicle came to a stop, Priya stepped out, the coolness of the evening brushing against her cheeks. She turned to Viraj, offering a genuine smile of gratitude. "Thank you for the lift," she said, her voice warm despite the day's trials.

Viraj's eyes softened as he called after her, "Priya." She paused and looked back, curiosity flickering in her gaze.

"Don't yell at your mom," Viraj advised, his tone gentle but firm. "Just let it slide."

A chuckle escaped Priya's lips, a brief smile playing on her face. "I'll try," she replied, her words carrying a hint of both amusement and resignation. With that, she turned and walked towards her home.

As Priya approached the door, she rang the bell, the sound echoing softly in the quiet night. Her mother answered, a look of relief washing over her face as she saw Priya.

"Where have you been? What took you so late?" her mother asked, her voice tinged with concern. "Arohi was up late, but I sent her to sleep."

"Yeah, got it," Priya said, her tone clipped but not unkind. She walked past her mother, heading towards the hallway.

Her mother's gaze followed her, a flicker of curiosity and worry in her eyes. "How was your date?" she asked, her voice hopeful.

Priya turned, her eyes narrowing slightly as they met her mother's. The look was enough to make her mother retreat slightly, understanding that perhaps now was not the time for more questions.

"Okay, you must be tired," her mother said quickly, sensing the tension. "Let's talk tomorrow."

With that, Priya gave a nod and walked into the house, the door closing softly behind her. The night wrapped around her like a quiet cloak, leaving behind the memories of an evening filled with unspoken words and unresolved feelings.

That night, as Ram walked through the front door of his home, the familiar warmth of the house greeted him. His mother, who had been tidying up in the living room, looked up in surprise. Her eyes widened slightly as she saw him, a rare sight this early in the evening.

"You came back home?" she asked, her tone a mix of surprise and curiosity.

Ram frowned slightly, his brows knitting together. "Yes, what's so surprising about that?" he replied, a hint of defensiveness in his voice.

His mother gave a small, wry smile. "It's just that you came back early. We hardly get to see you this early nowadays."

"Whatever," Ram muttered, brushing off the comment. "Where's Ruhan?"

"In his study room," she replied, watching him as he headed towards the hallway. As Ram walked away, she turned to the servant who had been quietly observing the scene.

"What's gotten into him? He's asking about his son," she mused, a hint of hopefulness in her voice.

"Maybe he had a good day," the servant remarked, with a knowing smile.

"Maybe," she echoed, her eyes following Ram's retreating figure.

Ram moved through the house with purpose, He approached the study room door, pushing it open slowly. Inside, the room was softly lit, Ruhan was seated at the desk, completely engrossed in his studies. The young boy's brow was furrowed in concentration as he scribbled notes, oblivious to the world around him.

Ram stood at the doorway for a moment, watching his son. There was something both tender and awkward in his stance, as if he were unsure how to break the silence. The scene was a quiet tableau of a father and son, each in their own world, yet so closely tied by bonds of family and unspoken love.

As the seconds ticked by, Ram finally stepped into the room, his presence a subtle disruption in the serene atmosphere. Ruhan looked up, startled, his eyes meeting Ram's. In that moment, the distance between them seemed to shrink.

As Ram stepped further into the study, Ruhan looked up from his books, surprised to see his father. He pushed his chair back slightly, uncertainty flickering in his eyes.

"Dad, what's happening? Why did you come to see me?" Ruhan asked, his voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. He had grown accustomed to his father's frequent absences, and this unexpected visit felt out of place.

Ram hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words. He took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts. "I... I wanted to check on you," he started, his voice softer than usual. "I realized it's been a while since we had a proper conversation."

Ruhan raised an eyebrow, clearly caught off guard. "Really? You've been so busy with work and everything else. I didn't think you noticed."

The words stung Ram, but they also held a painful truth. He felt a pang of guilt as he looked at his son, seeing the distance that had grown between them. "I know," Ram admitted, his tone heavy with regret. "I've been caught up in a lot of things lately, and I've neglected our time together. That wasn't fair to you."

Ruhan shrugged, trying to act nonchalant, but his voice betrayed him. "It's okay, Dad. I get it. You're busy." There was a hint of resignation in his tone, as if he had long ago accepted this as the norm.

Ram felt a lump form in his throat. He had always thought he was doing the right thing by working hard, providing for the family, but in that moment, he realized he had been missing out on something far more important. His son had lost faith in him, not because of any one moment, but because of a series of absences and missed connections.

"Ruhan, I... I'm sorry," Ram said, his voice cracking slightly. "I didn't mean to make you feel like you weren't important. You are, more than anything. I've just been so wrapped up in everything else that I lost sight of what really matters."

Ruhan looked down at his hands, fidgeting slightly. He didn't know how to respond. The apology was unexpected, There was a long pause as Ruhan processed his father's words. Slowly, he looked up, his eyes meeting Ram's.

You dont need to be sorry for anything i know you do care for me Ruhan said with a smile.

Ram felt a wave of relief wash over him. It was a small step, but it was a step in the right direction. For the first time in a long while, he felt a genuine connection with his son, and it was something he was determined to nurture.

As Ram walked back to his room, the quietness of the house enveloped him. The soft glow of the hallway lights cast gentle shadows, and each step he took felt lighter than the last. The disruption of his preplanned night, which had initially filled him with annoyance, now seemed like a strange blessing.

He replayed the brief but meaningful conversation with Ruhan in his mind. For the first time in what felt like ages, he had connected with his son in a way that mattered. It was a reminder of what he had been missing—something far more precious than any business deal or social obligation.

As Ram reached his bedroom door, a chuckle escaped his lips. He couldn't help but think about the irony of the evening. What had started as a potential disaster—thanks to an unexpected encounter with a stranger earlier—had led to a moment of clarity and connection with his son.

He paused for a moment, contemplating whether he should be thankful to that stranger who had inadvertently spoiled his night. It was a fleeting thought, but it brought a smile to his face. Sometimes, life had a way of throwing curveballs that, while initially unwelcome, could lead to unexpected and cherished outcomes.

With a deep breath, Ram pushed open his bedroom door, feeling an unusual sense of relief and contentment.