The bus slowed near a small roadside stop, dust rising as it came to a halt.
"Five minutes," the driver announced.
Adhi jumped up immediately, asking for snacks. Their father nodded, stepping down with him. Maira turned to Aruna, but Aruna was already standing.
"I'll get water," she said quietly.
Outside, the air was warm and loud people talking, engines humming. Aruna walked a few steps away when she heard it.
A laugh.
Her body froze before her mind could catch up.
"No, no," a woman said lightly on the phone, "Aruna and Adhi are with their father now. They'll be fine."
Aruna's breath caught.
She didn't need to turn around.
She knew that voice.
"I couldn't stay there anymore," the woman continued. "I'm finally free."
The word hit like a blow.
The bottle slipped from Aruna's hand and rolled across the ground. She turned away instantly, her vision blurring, and walked back to the bus without looking back even once.
.She climbed into her seat and stared ahead, silent, unmoving.
Maira noticed right away.
"Aruna?" she asked softly.
No answer.
Maira leaned closer. "Hey… what happened?"
Still nothing.
The bus started moving again. The road stretched on.
"Please," Maira whispered, trying again. "Talk to me."
Aruna's hands trembled in her lap.
"She was there," she said at last, her voice barely a sound.
Maira stiffened. "Who?"
"My mom."
The words broke open everything.
"I heard her voice," Aruna continued, tears spilling over now. "She said my name. Adhi's name. She was laughing, Maira. She said she was free."
Maira's chest tightened.
"I thought maybe she missed us," Aruna cried softly. "But she sounded happy… like leaving us didn't hurt at all."
Maira didn't speak. She just reached out and held Aruna's hand, firm and warm.
"You were never the reason she left," Maira said quietly. "And you were always enough."
Aruna leaned into her shoulder, crying silently as the bus carried them farther away.
When the bus finally stopped again, their father stood.
"We're here."
Grandma's house stood ahead, calm and surrounded by trees, like it had been waiting for them.
Aruna wiped her eyes and stepped down.
The pain was still there.
But this time, she wasn't facing it alone.
A/N
Hi everyone , My exams are coming, so I won't be able to update for about 12 days. Thank you for your patience and support I'll be back soon!