Nilesh stood alone in the kitchen.
Plates were already served in front of him.
He muttered under his breath,
"Those boys left me alone… I won't forget this."
---
From the living room—
Nikora sat, waiting.
---
The sound of a bike reached her.
---
She didn't move immediately.
---
Then—
she stood.
---
And opened the door.
---
Dev stood outside.
Kai beside him.
---
For a moment—
no one spoke.
---
Something about them—
felt different.
---
"Welcome back… sir."
---
Dev leaned slightly toward Kai.
"Hey… should we go back outside?"
---
"Shut up."
---
Nikora's gaze shifted.
---
Not to Kai.
---
To the hoodie.
---
"Where did you get that?"
---
A pause.
---
"You weren't wearing it when you left."
---
Her eyes stayed on him.
---
"I saw you come back for your helmet."
---
Dev spoke quickly,
"He just went out to get it."
---
"Really?" she said calmly.
"Show me the bill."
---
Kai turned slightly.
"You moron."
---
From the kitchen—
Nilesh called out,
"Hey, honey… I'm hungry. Can I eat?"
---
"Of course," Nikora said calmly.
"If you don't want meals tomorrow."
---
Kai looked at her.
"Mom… I'll explain later."
---
Nikora's gaze shifted again.
---
This time—
to Dev.
---
"You were lying."
---
She smiled.
---
Dev swallowed slightly.
"Yes."
---
"Alright," Nikora said calmly.
"Come. Let's have dinner together."
---
A pause.
---
"I have something important to discuss… with both of you."
---
Kai closed the gate behind them.
---
"We'll come together, Mom," Dev said.
---
As Nikora turned away—
Kai and Dev leaned slightly toward each other.
---
"She knows," Dev whispered.
---
Kai didn't respond.
---
He already knew.
---
Nikora turned back.
---
Both fell silent instantly.
---
"Honey—" Nilesh called again.
---
"Honey?" Nikora repeated.
---
Kai and Dev moved toward the kitchen.
---
"Good."
---
Kai glanced at Nilesh.
"Dad… does Mom always act like this?"
---
"Yes."
---
"You're lucky you study away from home," Dev muttered.
---
"Shut up."
---
The moment Nikora reached the table—
the air changed.
---
Subtle.
---
But real.
---
"Can we start now?" Nilesh asked.
---
"Yes."
---
Nilesh frowned slightly.
"Why do these plates look different?"
---
"Don't you know?" Nikora said.
---
Nilesh looked at Dev and Kai.
---
Both avoided his gaze.
---
"Alright," Nikora said.
"Let's eat. Then sleep."
---
Silence—
---
and then, in sync—
---
"Thank God."
---
Nikora looked at them.
"Come again?"
---
"Don't eat that," she said.
"I've made something else."
---
"Then why all this drama?" Nilesh asked.
---
"I think Dad doesn't want to eat," Kai muttered.
---
"Dinner should be on time," Nikora said calmly.
"It's better for your health."
---
Silence settled again.
---
But this time—
it felt familiar.
---
Nikora served the plates.
---
No one spoke.
---
Dinner ended quietly.
---
Nikora looked at Kai.
---
"Kai."
---
A pause.
---
"We'll talk tomorrow."
---
Her gaze didn't move.
---
"Don't think I'll forget this."
---
Kai stood.
---
And went to his room.
---
Dev was already there.
---
Waiting.
---
"I knew you'd be here," Kai said.
---
Dev stood up.
---
"How did you know I was at the graveyard?" Kai asked.
---
"Isn't it obvious?" Dev replied.
---
His tone wasn't casual anymore.
---
"You didn't just go out."
---
A pause.
---
"You went somewhere specific."
---
Kai didn't answer.
---
Dev continued.
---
"You took that hoodie from him."
---
A pause.
---
"Sky."
---
The name settled.
---
Kai's eyes shifted slightly.
---
"You were planning something."
---
"I'm not getting it," Kai said.
"What are you talking about?"
---
Dev went quiet.
---
Then—
---
"You've said that before."
---
Kai stepped forward.
---
"Say it again."
---
"And you're done."
---
"Chill," Dev said calmly, sitting back down.
---
"That's enough," Kai said.
"You can leave now."
---
"Why should I?"
---
Kai exhaled.
---
"Fine. Stay if you want."
---
Dev looked at him.
---
"Was Arjun telling the truth?"
---
A pause.
---
"Was Canora at the graveyard?"
---
Kai's answer came slower this time.
---
"I don't know."
---
"When I got there…"
---
He stopped.
---
Dev noticed.
---
"Arjun was already there," Kai continued.
---
A pause.
---
"And Sky."
---
The name stayed.
---
"He wasn't surprised," Kai added quietly.
---
Dev's eyes narrowed slightly.
---
"If Canora was really there…"
---
He didn't finish immediately.
---
Then—
---
"We team up."
---
"We can't stand against Arjun."
---
"Especially if she's on the other side."
---
Kai nodded.
---
"Same here."
---
A pause.
---
"If she wasn't there…"
---
Kai's gaze hardened.
---
"I wouldn't step back."
---
"Even if you were against me."
---
Dev nodded.
---
"Alright."
---
He walked toward the door.
---
"See you later."
---
"I don't want to," Kai said.
---
Dev paused briefly.
---
Then left.
---
As the door closed—
---
he saw someone standing in front of him.
---
Krishna.
---
Still.
---
Watching.
---
Dev blinked.
---
Gone.
---
"…Not now," he muttered.
---
He stepped into his room.
---
Picked up his bottle—
empty.
---
He headed downstairs.
---
Nilesh was still there.
---
Sitting.
---
Looking toward Krishna's room.
---
Not moving.
---
Dev filled the bottle.
---
And went back.
---
The house fell silent.
---
But not empty.
---
Not anymore.