One autumn morning a postcard arrived from Meera’s father — a man she had not seen in years and had believed to be far away. The letter suggested a rekindling of roots, a decision to visit the town of her childhood. They planned the trip together. On the long drive, fingers intertwined, Meera confessed fears: of old wounds reopening, of being small again. Aarav asked only once if she would let him hold her hand through it — literally, he said, holding her finger and walking. She laughed, then pressed her palm into his, a firm yes.