Anvi said, “Say hi. He is your caretaker—name is Vi…”

Virat quickly replied, “John.”

Arya said, “Hi, myself Arya,” and extended her hand for a handshake.

Virat—sorry, John—smiled and said, “Pleasure to meet you, dear.”

Arya felt something different when she shook his hand. She slightly pulled Anvi’s pants and whispered, “Mumma, ears please. A secret.”

Anvi bent down. Arya whispered, “Mumma, I like him.”

Anvi smiled. “You liked him? Great. Don’t disturb him and be a good girl, okay?”

Arya replied, “I’m a good girl only,” and kissed Anvi.

    The train arrived. The students came out of their coach and greeted Anvi. She greeted them back, then turned to Arya and said, “Goodbye, Arya.” She boarded the train. Arya stood near the window, waving her hands in the air as Anvi took her seat inside. The train slowly began to move. John, who was watching Arya, received a call from Anvi.

“Buddy, sorry, I didn’t talk to you properly. Goodbye! Be careful and take care of her.”

John smiled. “It’s okay. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of her. Stay safe. Happy journey.”

He ended the call and noticed Arya murmuring something while looking at the moving train.

He asked, “Dear, what are you doing?”

She turned toward him and said, “A small prayer. Mumma should come back fast.”

John replied softly, “Don’t worry, she will. Shall we go?”

    Arya nodded. She held John’s hand, and they walked out of the station together. John noticed how tightly she held his hand, making sure she wouldn’t get lost in the crowd. Outside, John said, “Dear, please wait.” He went to the parking area, brought Anvi’s scooty, and stopped in front of Arya.

“Shall we go?” he asked.

Arya looked at him and said, “Do you know how to drive?”

John smiled. “I do, dear.”

She asked again, “Do you have a licence?”

John frowned playfully. “Come on.”

Arya laughed. “Just joking!”

They both sat on the scooter. As he started driving, Arya suddenly grabbed his stomach due to the speed. John immediately noticed and slowed down.

“Is it fine?” he asked.

Arya loosened her grip. “Yeah, fine.”

John was heading toward Anvi’s home—now their home—using the map. At a two-way diversion, he turned right following the map.

Arya tapped his shoulder. “Uncle, don’t go there. Take that side,” she said, pointing to the left.

John stopped the scooter at the side. “Why?”

“That’s the long route. This is a shortcut,” Arya replied confidently.

John nodded, turned the scooter, and followed her direction. Within five minutes, they reached home.

Arya immediately ran inside, rushed to the bedroom, and jumped onto the bed.

“Perfect landing!” she said proudly.

John smiled and asked, “Dear, I forgot to ask—what’s your name?”

Arya quickly sat up straight. “Arya! Yours?”

John sat on his knees and replied, “John. You can call me whatever you like.”

Arya thought for a moment, then said, “I don’t know… but I like you. You are handsome and cute—just like me! Can I call you ‘John’?”

John paused for a second. Virat—hidden behind that name—felt a small, soft warmth in his heart.

He smiled and replied, “Sure. No problem.”

Then he added gently, “Now tell me—what do you like to eat?”

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To be continued

Chapter 7: Food Stories