Author's note: A huge THANK YOU to everyone who spent some time to leave a vote as a token of support for this story. I love and adore you guys so much!!❤❤

Also, a huge shoutout to rrahulcrave for these lovely character aesthetics. She has also create covers for this story as a sweet gesture. I am sorry about not sharing the covers but please check them out on her profile. Thank you again!! I really love them.😁😁

Purshottam Rawat sat back comfortably in the lawn chair. A cup of steaming tea in one hand and the newspaper in the other. He knew in some time the bomb that he had brought into this world would wake up and insist that they return to Delhi immediately. But, he wasn't leaving. Sure, he wanted to spend time with his family and at his house that he built with his sweat and blood, but he also wanted to stay here. The place he and his ancestors called home. He knew he was being selfish and maybe reckless where his health was concerned, yet the mental peace and satisfaction living here brought for the past month was undeniable.

Bringing the teacup closer to him, he took the last sip of the herbal tea and sighed in bliss. Closing his eyes, he leaned back in his chair enjoying the warmth of the early winter morning sunshine.

It wasn't till the sounds of the main gates opening that he actually sat up. Squinting, he tried to look who it was. He almost fell off his chair when he noticed Soumya and Rudra entering the house. He strained his a bit further only to see the young pair engaging in a conversation that involved smiles.

Was this a dream?

He was quickly made to realize his dream was apparently turning into a reality when Sweetie ran up to him and clawed at his leg till she got her fur ruffled, stomach rubbed and neck scratched.

"Good morning, Dadaji," Soumya greeted as she walked up to him with Rudra following her. "How are you feeling today?"

"Feeling much better," he replied with a smile.

"That's good," Rudra spoke before Soumya did. "Now, you can drink chai, coffee, eat spicy and oily food. No?"

"Don't act like your father, okay?" he reprimanded lightly. "Why do you both forget that I am still older and wiser than both of you."

"Uh-huh!" Rudra rolled his eyes and sat down on the lawn chair beside him. Immediately, he tried to get up, but Soumya shook her head.

"I didn't realize you guys go for these walks daily," he spoke trying to keep the bubbling excitement away from his voice.

"That's because we don't," Rudra replied.

"Why not? You both should go on walks every morning. So, you guys can talk."

Soumya looked confused while Rudra rubbed his face with his hand. "What?" she asked.

"I think Dadu means we can talk about exchanging medical expertise. Right, Dadu?"

Laughing nervously as Rudra gave him a meaningful glare that followed his question, he nodded. "Yes, of course. What else will you both talk about?"

Soumya didn't appear convinced, but she smiled it off, "I should get ready and head to the clinic."

"You're going to work today?" Rudra asked,  surprised.

"Yeah," Soumya shrugged. "I know I am technically not back yet, but I figured I could make myself more productive in the clinic."

"Shouldn't you be resting? I mean you haven't really slept off the exhaustion."

She shook her head at Rudra's question. "Reena is all by herself at the clinic. She's not a doctor and neither is she paid like one, so it's not fair to her that I make her do my job plus hers."

"What a kind-hearted girl you are!" he said rather loudly, startling both Rudra and Soumya. "I mean who thinks like this these days. Everyone just thinks about themselves. Isn't she so nice, Rudra?"

Rudra raised his eyebrows and looked discomfited by his question. But, then gave him a tight-lipped smile and a small nod.

"What was that?" Rudra asked immediately after Soumya left with Sweetie.

"What was what?" he asked feigning confusion.

Rudra scoffed incredulously. "Don't treat me like I am five. I finally realized what you are trying to do here."

Trying to keep up his facade, he continued acting confused, "What am I doing? I was just trying to help you both get along."

"I know why to want us to get along," Rudra said, rolling his eyes. "Is Dadi also involved in these schemes? You know what forget it. I'll just ask her myself."

Tanuja would be very displeased with him if she found out what he had been up to. "Don't tell your Dadi."

Rudra smirked. "Only if you stop these tactics hoping for whatever that it is that you're hoping for."

When he stayed stubbornly silent, Rudra continued, "Imagine how embarrassed Soumya will be if she finds out what you are attempting to do."

"I am not trying to embarrass anyone," he argued defensively.

"I know." Rudra reached over and squeezed his hand. "But, you need to stop matchmaking."

He didn't say anything again, so Rudra smiled. "Plus, you have other things to worry about. Like how you're going to manage to convince your son and my father that we are not going back to Delhi."

"I am not going anywhere," he said adamantly.

"Really?" Rudra's lips twitched in amusement. "You're quite confident."

"Of course I am!"

"If you say so."

Rudra's snickering riled him up. "I am serious."

"I am sure." Rudra covered his mouth with his hand, but he knew that Rudra was laughing.

"You don't think I can't win against your father."

"No, I am sure you can." He nodded but he could see the amusement in his eyes.

"Exactly! In fact, we are going to the Shiva temple today," he said trying to get the upper hand.

"That...we aren't going to do," Rudra argued.  "Why are you acting so careless?"

"Oh! Do you want to also fight me?"

Rudra raised his hand in defeat. "Not at all!"

"Good."

"Good," Rudra said, standing up.

"Rudra," he called out just as his older grandson just as he was about to leave.

"Huh?"

A smile appeared on his face as he studied Rudra's face.

Rudra fixed his glasses and nodded at him "What?" He asked, appearing self-conscious. 

"Nothing." he shook his head and smiled. "Go ask your Dadi if breakfast will be ready soon."

Rudra raised his eyebrows but nodded. Taking the empty cup, he walked into the house.

When Rudra disappeared inside the house, he sat back further into the chair. Seeing the glimpses of his old Rudra brought so much happiness to him. His face hadn't physically changed, but there was something about him and his personality that had taken an almost 180. The cloak and mask of emotional baggage and guilt that Rudra wore every single day after his failed surgery seemed to have been discarded to reveal the real Rudra underneath. Would this trip really bring out the kind, compassionate, soft-spoken and empathetic young man that Rudra had been? The one who he had hoped he would see before his death.