Deval stood in the bustling terminal of the airport, his face partially obscured by a mask, blending into the sea of travelers around him. He had been waiting for nearly two hours, his patience wearing thin with every passing minute. His eyes flicked to the large clock hanging above the arrivals gate, and he sighed in frustration. *Of course, leave it to Advik to send me on a mission like this,* he thought to himself, a hint of playful annoyance coloring his internal monologue. *Always using me for the dirty work.*
Finally, his patience was rewarded. Through the automatic doors came a woman, her face partially hidden beneath a scarf. Despite the covering, her graceful movements and poised posture suggested undeniable beauty. She walked with a purpose, and beside her was a little boy, no older than three, clinging to her hand. Deval's eyebrows shot up in surprise at the sight of the child. The family resemblance was subtle but clear, and the presence of the boy added an unexpected twist to the situation.
Deval's breath caught in his throat, his mind racing. *Who is that boy?* His shock only deepened as he watched the pair draw closer. He had been expecting her, but a child? That was something Advik hadn't mentioned.
The woman approached him with a subtle nod, her movements measured and calm, as if she had done this a hundred times before. Deval, however, was far from composed. He forced a smile under his mask and stepped forward, his mind buzzing with questions he knew he couldn't ask—at least not here, not now.
As they neared, he spoke in a low voice, trying to mask his surprise. "Is this… your son?" He kept his tone as casual as possible, though inside, he was reeling.
The woman met his gaze, her eyes briefly softening as she looked down at the boy by her side. "Yes," she replied, her voice firm but carrying an undercurrent of something deeper, something that Deval couldn't quite place. "He's my son."
Deval's thoughts whirled. *When did she have a child? And why didn't Advik tell me?* But he knew better than to pry right now. The airport was no place for explanations, and their first priority was getting out of there unnoticed.
"Right," Deval muttered, shaking off his surprise. "We'll talk later. Let's just get out of here first." He motioned for them to follow him, leading the way through the throng of people, his senses on high alert.
He gestured for her to follow, and as they made their way toward the exit, he noticed the boy's innocent curiosity. Deval instinctively reached out and lifted the child into his arms, the boy's small frame fitting comfortably against him. The scene, with the woman walking beside him and Deval holding the child, resembled a family of three—a peculiar and somewhat surreal tableau.
Just as they were approaching the exit, the woman stumbled slightly, and Deval's reflexes kicked in. He reached out quickly, steadying her with a firm grip. "Careful there," he said softly, his voice carrying a note of concern.
The woman nodded gratefully, her face showing a flicker of vulnerability beneath her scarf. She adjusted her hold on the boy, and together, they made their way through the airport's exit.
They moved quickly, weaving through the crowds with practiced ease. Deval kept a protective eye on the woman and her son, his mind already working through the logistics of their escape. He guided them toward a side exit, avoiding the main routes where they might attract unwanted attention.
Once outside, Deval guided them to his car. The parking lot was quiet, and he swiftly helped the woman into the vehicle, securing the boy in the child's seat. The woman sat in the passenger seat, her tension visibly easing as she settled in. Deval slid into the driver's seat, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.
Deval glanced back at the little boy once more. The child's presence added a layer of complexity to an already delicate situation, but it also added weight to what they were about to do. *This isn't just about revenge anymore,* Deval thought to himself. *There's more at stake now—much more.*
With a final look around, Deval ushered them out into the cool night air, his mind already racing ahead to the next step. They had successfully avoided the prying eyes of the world for now, but the real challenge was just beginning. But for now, the immediate priority was ensuring their safety and getting them to a secure location.
.....
The dimly lit parking lot was almost deserted, save for the quiet hum of cars passing in the distance and the flickering lights casting long shadows on the ground. As Deval's car disappeared into the night, three figures slowly emerged from the darkness, their expressions a mix of shock and confusion.
Daksh, who had been watching the entire scene unfold, was the first to speak. His voice was low and tinged with disbelief. "Did your brother just... have a wife and kid? When did he get married?"
Levi, standing beside him, felt a knot tighten in his stomach. The sight of Deval with the woman and child had thrown him completely off balance. "I... I don't know," Levi stammered, his mind racing. "We shouldn't jump to conclusions. There has to be some explanation."
Neena, who had been silent until now, clenched her fists by her sides. Her initial shock quickly gave way to a simmering anger. The idea of being kept in the dark about something so significant was infuriating. But she was careful to mask her emotions, not wanting to reveal too much to the boys beside her. Her voice, however, betrayed a hint of irritation as she said, "If there's nothing wrong, why is Deval hiding it? Why the secrecy?"
Levi looked at her, then back to Daksh, who was still staring at the spot where Deval's car had been moments before. "Maybe it's not what it looks like," Levi insisted, but his words lacked conviction. He was trying to process everything—the woman, the child, the way Deval had handled the situation. It didn't add up.
Daksh's brow furrowed as he replayed the scene in his mind. "That boy... he looked a lot like Deval. If it wasn't Deval's kid, why would he be so secretive? And why would he bring them here in such a hush-hush manner?"
The weight of the situation pressed down on them, each of them grappling with the implications of what they had witnessed. Levi's mind flashed back to the morning when he'd asked Deval to borrow the car. Deval had been unusually firm in his refusal, citing an "important meeting out of the city." Now, that excuse seemed flimsy at best.
Neena, unable to contain her frustration any longer, spoke up, her tone decisive. "We can't just let this go. We need to follow them and find out the truth."
Levi hesitated, glancing at her with uncertainty. "Neena, are you sure about this? What if—"
"What if what, Levi?" Neena cut him off, her eyes narrowing. "What if your brother is hiding something important from all of us? We need to know. If there's nothing wrong, then fine. But if there is… we have to find out."
Daksh nodded in agreement. "Neena's right. We can't just pretend we didn't see anything. We need answers."
Levi finally sighed, the weight of the decision settling on his shoulders. "Alright," he agreed, though his voice was still laced with reluctance. "But we have to be careful. If Deval is keeping this a secret, there must be a reason. We can't just charge in without thinking."
With a plan forming in their minds, the trio made their way to Levi's car, their hearts pounding with anticipation. The night had taken an unexpected turn, and none of them knew what they would uncover. But one thing was certain: they wouldn't rest until they found the truth behind Deval's mysterious behavior. The engine roared to life, and as they pulled out of the parking lot, Neena, Levi, and Daksh knew they were about to dive headfirst into a mystery that could change everything.