The days in Trivandrum seemed to pass in a quiet rhythm, marked by training sessions in the courtyard, long conversations under the evening sky, and the comforting hum of family life. A week had slipped by since Smith left to visit his parents, leaving Aryan, Aditi, and Anitha to settle into their routines.
Aryan stood in the courtyard early one morning, balancing effortlessly on one leg as he moved through a sequence of kalari stances. Jimmy lay stretched out nearby, gnawing lazily on a branch, while Timmy perched on the edge of the roof, his sharp eyes scanning the neighborhood like a silent sentinel. The peaceful morning air was filled with the faint chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves.
Aditi stepped out onto the veranda, towel around her neck from her morning run. She watched Aryan for a few moments before calling out, "I thought you'd be taking it easy after all that training. But no, you're still at it."
Aryan lowered his stance, exhaling softly. "The physical test is coming up. Can't afford to slow down."
Jimmy perked up at the sound of Aditi's voice and trotted over, pressing his head against her leg. She laughed, bending down to ruffle his fur. "Well, at least someone knows how to relax around here."
Anitha emerged from the house, wiping her hands on her apron. "Arya, you've been at it all week. Maybe Aditi's right. Even soldiers rest before a battle."
Aryan smiled, but before he could respond, the distant sound of a car pulling into the driveway caught their attention. Jimmy's ears perked up, and Timmy let out a screech as he took flight, circling above the car as Smith stepped out with a broad grin.
"I'm back!" Smith announced, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "Miss me?"
Jimmy bounded forward, nearly knocking Smith over as he jumped up excitedly.
"Easy, Jimmy, easy!" Smith laughed, rubbing the dog's neck. "I've been gone for a week, not months."
Aditi crossed her arms and leaned against the veranda railing. "Feels longer than that. The house was too quiet without you cracking jokes every five minutes."
Smith grinned, approaching the steps. "Well, I'm back now. So, what did I miss? Any more boulders flying around the garden?"
Aryan chuckled, shaking his head. "Not quite. But things have been peaceful. How was the visit?"
Smith dropped his bag by the door and sighed contentedly. "It was good. My parents were happy to see me, but you know how they are. Always worried, even though I told them everything's fine."
Anitha stepped forward, offering Smith a warm smile. "It's important to visit family when you can. I'm glad you went."
Smith nodded, his expression softening. "They asked about you too, Mrs. Menon. They remember the time your cooking saved me when Aryan and I were kids."
Anitha laughed lightly. "You always did have a big appetite."
Aditi joined the group by the steps, brushing strands of hair from her face. "Smith, you should've been here the other day. Aryan gave Mom a bit of a shock."
Smith raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What did you do this time?"
Aditi grinned mischievously. "I told her about the boulder you lifted in the back garden. She didn't believe me at first."
Smith's eyes widened in mock disbelief. "You told her? Aryan, you were trying to keep it under wraps, remember?"
Aryan groaned playfully. "I didn't expect Aditi to blurt it out at breakfast."
Anitha shook her head with a smile but folded her arms. "I still don't understand how it's possible. You've always been strong, Arya, but this feels… different."
Aryan sat on the veranda steps, looking out over the courtyard. "It is different. I've changed since Dad passed. And I think whatever this is, it's connected to something deeper. I'm still figuring it out."
Anitha walked over and placed a hand gently on his shoulder. "Whatever it is, I trust you to handle it. But you don't have to carry it alone."
Aditi sat beside Aryan, nudging him lightly. "Yeah, we're in this together. Even Jimmy and Timmy seem to know something's up."
Timmy glided down gracefully, landing near Aryan and puffing out his feathers proudly. Smith laughed. "If Timmy grows any bigger, he's going to need his own room."
Jimmy, seemingly not wanting to be left out, wagged his tail and nudged Smith's leg. Smith crouched down, rubbing the dog's neck affectionately. "You've grown too, Jimmy. Look at you—like a lion disguised as a dog."
Anitha watched fondly. "Jimmy's been following Aryan everywhere. I swear he knows more about what's going on than we do."
Later that evening, the family gathered around the dining table. The smell of Anitha's cooking filled the air, adding warmth to the already lively conversation.
"So, Smith," Anitha began as she served rice onto his plate. "How are your parents?"
Smith smiled between mouthfuls. "They're doing well. My father's still working at the factory, but he's talking about retiring soon. Mom's taken to gardening again."
Aditi leaned in. "Did you tell them about Aryan's boulder-lifting antics?"
Smith laughed. "I thought about it. But then I figured they'd think I was making it up."
Anitha chuckled softly. "I wouldn't blame them."
As the night stretched on, Aryan felt a quiet contentment settle over him. The people he loved were safe, and for now, the burdens of the outside world felt distant. This was home. And with his family and friends beside him, he was ready for whatever lay ahead.