Hours passed.
No news.
No updates.
No sign of Ayaan.
Ananya sat on the floor, holding his small toy car.
Her hands trembled.
"He was just here…" she whispered.
Aarav stood near the window.
Still.
Silent.
Dangerous.
"I should've stayed with him…" she cried.
"I should've protected him…"
Aarav turned sharply.
"This is not your fault."
"Yes, it is!" she shouted.
"I let my guard down!"
Her voice broke completely.
"He called you Papa… he trusted you… and now he's gone!"
The words hit deep.
Aarav clenched his fists.
Because she wasn't wrong.
"I will bring him back," he said again.
But this time—
It wasn't just a promise.
It was a vow.