72.
Yug had to perform his mother's final rites according to Hindu rituals, and Aarav stayed beside him the entire time.
He couldn't stop the tears that welled up when memories of his own father's death crept in, but he held himself together—for Yug.
Even then, no one could truly understand the kind of pain Yug was swallowed by.
The childhood home was overflowing with relatives. Aarav felt a flicker of anger every time they whispered about Yug's mother as if she were a topic of gossip. But he couldn't throw them out. They had to stay for thirteen days. That was tradition.
The rituals went on as they always did. Yug's head was shaved.
He performed every ceremony himself, Aarav never leaving his side for even a moment.
Shaurya was still away, and Aarav had never felt this kind of loneliness in months—it felt like those days had returned, the days he forced himself to live without Shaurya.
For the sake of his own sanity, he would slip away to his apartment just to see Aarya.
His daughter couldn't be at Yug's house; people would ask questions.
And the media... they never failed to poke their noses into other people's tragedies.
Whenever Aarav stepped outside, a mic was pushed in his face.
"Sir, how's Yug Khuranna? You've been living with him now—" a reporter began.
"This is the last time I'm requesting you," Aarav said, voice low, dangerously steady. "And a warning. Leave us alone. Or I'll make sure your licenses are seized, and none of you have a career after this."
Silence. They believed him—he once got a police officer suspended. These were just junior reporters.
By the evening of the thirteenth day, the relatives had finally started leaving. The house felt strangely hollow—quiet, but not peaceful. Yug was slouched on the couch, staring absently at the TV when Aarav quietly settled beside him.
"The weather... it's getting better now," Aarav said softly.
Yug hummed, leaning back into the couch.
"I miss my hair," he muttered.
Aarav turned to look at him and snorted. "Sure you do."
"But I still look handsome—with or without hair," Yug said with a shrug, attempting a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Wow," Aarav raised a brow. "Anyway, it's for the best. Your stylists were frying your hair alive. At least now it'll grow back healthy."
"Right..." Yug murmured, running a palm over his shaved scalp.
"Papa!" a small voice called out.
Aarav's head snapped up. Aarya.
"Aarya?" he breathed, already moving toward her. He scooped her into his arms, holding her tight. "I missed you so, so much," he murmured, kissing her forehead again and again.
"I missed you too, Papa," Aarya giggled, pinching his cheeks.
"What's up, princess?" Yug asked as he walked toward them. Aarya recognized the voice, but the moment she saw him, she frowned, confused. Without his thick, styled hair, he looked like a different person.
"Who are you?" she asked bluntly.
"Ouch," Yug muttered under his breath. Aarav couldn't help the small laugh that escaped him.
"That's Yug Uncle, baby," Aarav said.
Aarya shook her head. "No. Yug Uncle has hair. Where's his hair?"
"Aarya," Aarav sighed softly. "His hair is gone for a little while. But it'll grow back soon."
Yug nodded, running a hand over his bald scalp in amusement.
"Won't you give me a hug too, Aarya? I missed you," Yug asked, crouching a little.
But Aarya huffed, folded her arms, and turned away. "No."
Aarav gave her a look. "Aarya..."
"It's alright, Aarav," Yug said with a small laugh, tapping Aarya's back gently. "Guess she needs some time to accept my new... uh, look."
"Hmm." Aarav shifted her in his arms. "Well, Aarya, who did you come with? Evie?"
She shook her head vigorously. "No. Daddy is back!"
Aarav froze. "Shaurya is back?"
Aarya nodded excitedly. "There he is!" She pointed toward the doorway.
Both Aarav and Yug turned.
Shaurya stood at the entrance, tall, composed, Ravi beside him.
"Can we come inside?" Shaurya asked.
Aarav nodded immediately—relief softening the tension around his eyes. Shaurya stepped forward first, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Aarav's forehead before turning to Yug.
"Are you okay?" he asked quietly.
Yug nodded. "Yeah."
"Sorry I couldn't be here earlier," Shaurya said.
"That's okay. Aarav explained it was something important," Yug replied.
Shaurya pulled him into a quick hug, his palm firm on Yug's back. When he stepped away, his gaze fell on Aarya's grumpy face.
"What's wrong with her?" Shaurya asked.
"She doesn't want to talk to Yug. She's been moody," Aarav whispered.
"She told me she missed him on the way here," Shaurya said, turning to Aarya. "Aarya? Why aren't you talking to him, hmm? Come here."
Aarya shifted from Aarav's arms and went straight into Shaurya's hold.
"You wanted to talk to Yug Uncle, right?"
"She's probably just shocked at how hideous he looks right now," Ravi commented from behind.
Aarav shot him a glare, while Yug rolled his eyes.
Shaurya ignored them. "Aarya, don't behave like this. Will you stop talking to me too if I lose my hair someday?"
Aarya gasped and shook her head immediately. "No!"
"Then come on... be a good girl and talk to him," Shaurya coaxed gently.
Aarya nodded slowly. She looked at Yug, then opened her arms toward him. Yug's expression melted. He stepped forward and lifted her carefully from Shaurya's arms.
"I missed you, Yug Uncle," Aarya said softly. "I miss your hair too."
Yug laughed and kissed her cheeks. "I missed you too, my little rat. And trust me—I miss my hair even more."
Aarya giggled and planted a kiss on his cheek, finally warming up to him.
"Aarya, I have a new colouring book for you. Can you bring it from my room? We can colour together. You remember where the colours are, right?" Yug asked.
Aarya's eyes instantly lit up. She nodded eagerly, and Yug gently set her down.
"Well, Aarav," Yug said, turning to him with a knowing look, "I'm guessing you want to talk to Shaurya. Your face is screaming it."
"Well..." Aarav began, embarrassed.
"You two need a moment. Go," Yug said, waving his hand dismissively. "I'm bored looking at your face anyway, Aarav."
"Whatever," Aarav muttered, but he couldn't hide the small smile tugging at his lips as he pulled Shaurya away with him.
Soon, only Yug and Ravi remained in the living room.
Ravi's eyes drifted to Yug's shaved head. Yug didn't say anything at first.
"So... no hair, huh?" Ravi snorted.
"Haan haan, haste raho," Yug grumbled. "But do I actually look that bad?"
Ravi nodded without hesitation.
"You really don't have to be this honest all the time, you know," Yug said, exasperated.
Ravi only chuckled and extended his hand. Yug raised an eyebrow but shook it anyway—until Ravi paused mid-shake, frowning.
"Wait—you're burning."
"I just caught a bit of cold," Yug said. "Aarav gave me medicines. It should go away in a few hours."
"Kuch kamzor ho aap," Ravi murmured.
"Excuse me?" Yug glared. "It's the weather change, okay?"
He sighed and sank onto the couch. "Why don't you sit?"
Ravi nodded and took the armchair. A maid entered quietly and set down a cup of tea for him. Ravi took a sip before asking,
"So... how's it going? Did anything change?"
Yug frowned. "What will change?"
"You were scared things would change," Ravi said. "People forgetting you... and all that trash you store in your head."
Yug looked away, exhaling slowly. "I don't know... but Aarav being here helped. He handled my relatives better than I ever could. I don't think anything has changed yet. I just... miss her presence."
"And anything else?"
"Um... I guess I miss sharing what I did the whole day," Yug admitted. "My mum used to listen. I used to yap—a lot. But these past few days I didn't do anything worth sharing. So... it's fine, I guess?"
He coughed lightly.
"You don't look fine to me. When did you last take your medicine?" Ravi asked.
"About two hours ago."
Ravi stood up abruptly and leaned in to check Yug's temperature by placing a hand on his forehead. Yug jerked back in surprise, but Ravi held his arm firmly and pulled him closer.
"Hm. Not that bad," Ravi said.
"I'm not a kid, you know," Yug muttered.
Ravi stared at him for a moment longer. Yug didn't look as terrible as he had teased earlier—yes, he'd lost a little weight, and the dark circles were obvious, but given the circumstances, it was all too normal. He didn't look bad at all.
"So? What does your magical hand-thermometer say?" Yug asked dryly.
Ravi stepped back, letting go of his arm.
"That your muscles are only for show. There's nothing inside them," Ravi said.
"Shut up," Yug groaned. "I'll go check on Aarya. Why is it taking her so long?"
Muttering to himself, he began walking toward his room taking his cap with him and wearing it on the way.
Ravi followed him silently. Yug glanced over his shoulder and flinched a little at the sight of Ravi's broad frame following him down the hallway.
He quickly straightened, pretending he hadn't been startled, and cleared his throat.
"Aarya?" Yug called softly.
The little girl sat cross-legged on the floor, coloring the book entirely on her own. She looked up, eyes brightening the moment she saw him, and flashed a wide grin.
"So you're not letting me color with you anymore?" Yug teased.
Aarya giggled and shook her head, hugging the book to her chest.
"You're being very naughty these days," Yug said, unable to stop himself from smiling.
Ravi stepped into the room behind them. The scent hit him immediately—warm, familiar, exactly how he remembered Yug smelled the last time they were close.
It surprised him how comforting it felt.
He looked around the room then, taking in the racing car posters, the soccer memorabilia, the clutter that belonged more to an enthusiastic teenager than a grown man.
Photographs covered one side of the room: Yug with his mother, Yug with Aarav and Aarya... snapshots that captured laughter and memories that now felt painfully heavy.
"Are you sure a kid doesn't live here?" Ravi asked dryly.
Yug shrugged. "I like it this way."
Ravi nodded and turned, only to find Yug staring at his own reflection in the mirror, exhaling slowly. He really had loved his hair, Ravi realized. More than he let on.
"Oi," Ravi called out.
"Yeah?"
"Move that hat. You're blocking the view. Let me laugh properly."
Yug rolled his eyes. "You barely speak, and when you do, it's to say nonsense. Just... shut up now."
Ravi smiled at that—an actual smile—and walked closer until they were both in front of the mirror. Then, quick as a flick, he snatched the hat off Yug's head.
"Ravi, seriously—we're not kids. Give it back."
"Nope," Ravi said, holding it high. "Try and get it."
"I'm tired." Yug reached for it half-heartedly. "Just give it."
Ravi easily dodged him. Yug tried again, and again, until Ravi finally tossed the hat aside. Yug looked at him, thoroughly irritated.
"What are you, eighteen?"
"Do I look that young?" Ravi asked with a raised brow.
Yug sighed and turned away, but Ravi caught his arm, stopping him.
"Wait." His voice softened. "I'm sorry. Really. Just... don't hide it. You look fine like this. Without hair." A small, earnest smile tugged at his lips. "Actually, you look good."
"Oh?" Yug narrowed his eyes, unconvinced. "You're still teasing me."
"I'm not," Ravi said, firmer this time.
"I don't believe you," Yug muttered, though his voice lacked its earlier edge. "But okay."
Ravi chuckled and turned toward Aarya. "Let's see what she's drawn."
He crouched beside her and studied the picture. He blinked. The drawing was... questionable. Very questionable. Ravi debated for a moment whether honesty was the best policy with a child. Is it okay to tell a child how bad the drawing is?
He decided no. Absolutely not.
Yug, on the other hand, beamed with fond pride.