The Rathore Mansion, usually calm and dignified, was suddenly thrown into chaos.

A single phone call had changed everything.

"Make sure everything is perfect!"

"Prepare his favorite dishes."

"The soup must be served hot."

"Decorate the entrance."

"No mistakes today!"

Orders echoed through every corner of the mansion as servants rushed from one place to another. Fresh flowers replaced the old ones, crystal chandeliers sparkled brighter than ever, and the dining table was arranged with the finest silverware. It felt less like an ordinary evening and more like a grand celebration.

Among the servants, Tulasi quietly carried out her work as always. Dressed in a simple cotton churidar with a neatly pinned dupatta, she moved silently through the mansion, arranging the dinner plates with practiced hands, never asking questions and never drawing attention to herself.

Just then, one of the maids hurried into the kitchen, barely able to contain her excitement.

"Tulasi... did you hear?"

Tulasi looked up.

"Our young master... Veeransh Rathore... is returning tonight! After ten whole years!"

The ladle in Tulasi's hand froze.

For a brief moment...

Everything around her went silent.

Her heartbeat quickened so suddenly that she could hear it herself.

Veeransh...

He was coming back.

But within seconds, she lowered her eyes again and continued stirring the soup as though nothing had happened.

"Really?" she asked softly.

"Yes! The whole family has been waiting for this day."

Tulasi only nodded.

No one noticed the storm she had buried inside her heart.

Not even she wanted to acknowledge it.

...

Night fell.

The Rathore Mansion glowed beneath thousands of golden lights. The entrance was decorated beautifully, and every member of the family stood near the main gate, waiting impatiently.

Soon...

A luxurious black car entered through the gates.

It came to a smooth stop.

The driver stepped out and opened the rear door.

A polished black shoe touched the ground first.

Then...

Veeransh Rathore stepped out.

Tall.

Composed.

Powerful.

Ten years had transformed the once cheerful young man into someone whose mere presence commanded silence.

His grandfather smiled proudly.

His grandmother wiped away tears.

His father walked forward and embraced him firmly.

His mother held his face with trembling hands, unable to stop her tears.

"You've finally come home," she whispered.

Veeransh greeted everyone respectfully.

But his eyes...

They weren't looking at them.

They searched beyond them.

Every corner.

Every face.

As if looking for someone who wasn't there.

Only Devyani Rathore, his mother, noticed that restless search.

Her smile faded for a brief second.

She understood exactly whom her son was trying to find.

Before anyone else could notice, she smiled gently.

"Come inside first," she said. "You've just returned after such a long journey."

Everyone agreed and walked into the mansion.

Veeransh followed silently.

...

"I'll freshen up and join everyone for dinner," he said before heading upstairs.

Inside his room, nothing had changed.

The same books.

The same paintings.

The same balcony overlooking the vast gardens.

He walked toward it instinctively.

His gaze wandered across the beautifully lit garden before slowly shifting toward the servants' quarters.

There was nothing.

No familiar face.

No glimpse of the girl he had carried in his memories for ten years.

Just then...

A shadow moved near the servants' quarters.

His heart skipped a beat.

He looked carefully.

For one hopeful second...

He thought it was her.

But it wasn't.

Just another servant.

His eyes dimmed with disappointment.

Without another word, he turned and went to freshen up.

...

Dinner was served in complete silence.

The entire Rathore family sat together after years, smiling, asking Veeransh about his life abroad.

He answered politely.

But his attention wasn't on the conversation.

Suddenly...

A delicate hand appeared beside his plate, gently serving food.

His fingers froze.

He knew that hand.

Slowly...

He lifted his gaze.

There she was.

Tulasi.

Her head remained lowered.

Not once did she look into his eyes.

She quietly served everyone at the table, just as she did every day.

Veeransh couldn't take his eyes off her.

She had changed.

The little girl who once ran behind him laughing had become a graceful young woman.

Yet...

She wouldn't even look at him.

Tulasi could feel his gaze following her.

Her hands trembled ever so slightly.

The moment she finished serving, she quietly stepped back, intending to leave.

Before she could...

Devyani spoke.

"Tulasi... you may go now."

Tulasi simply nodded.

"Yes, Ma'am."

Without looking at anyone...

Without looking at him...

She walked away.

Veeransh watched until she disappeared from sight.

A strange ache settled in his chest.

Where was the little girl who used to run toward him with endless questions?

The girl who smiled only after seeing him.

The girl who believed he could solve every problem.

What had happened to her?

Veeransh watched until she disappeared from sight.

A strange ache settled in his chest.

Where was the little girl who used to run after him with endless questions?

The girl who laughed without fear...

The girl who believed he could fix everything with a smile.

What had happened to her?

Or...

Who had stolen that smile from her?

He kept staring at the empty doorway long after she was gone.

It's alright, he told himself.

Ten years is a long time.

Maybe... she just needs time.

But somewhere deep inside...

He couldn't shake the feeling that something far more painful had happened while he was away.