The bus stopped slowly in front of the old gate.
Aruna stepped down first, holding Adhi's hand. Before she could even look around properly, she heard a familiar voice.
"Aruna…?"
She looked up.
Her grandma was standing there, one hand on the gate, eyes wide as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing.
"Grandma," Aruna whispered.
The next second, Grandma hurried forward and pulled Aruna into a tight hug.
"You came without telling me," Grandma said, her voice shaking. "Do you know how worried I get when I don't hear from you?"
Aruna didn't answer. She just hugged her back.
Grandma pulled away slightly and held Aruna's face.
"You've become so quiet," she said softly. "And you look tired. Are you eating properly?"
Aruna nodded.
"Yes, Grandma. I'm fine."
Adhi ran forward then.
"Grandma!" he shouted happily. "Look, I came too!"
Grandma laughed and hugged him.
"My little boy! You've grown taller."
Their father stepped closer.
"We thought it would be good to spend the holidays here," he said. "The kids needed a change."
Grandma smiled, but then her eyes moved past Aruna.
She noticed the girl standing a little behind, holding her bag tightly, unsure of where to stand.
Grandma tilted her head.
"And who is this?" she asked kindly.
Aruna felt her throat tighten.
"This is Maira," Aruna said after a moment. "She's… my friend. She came with us."
Grandma looked at Maira carefully, not in a judging way, but like she was trying to understand her.
Maira spoke quickly, nervous.
"Hello, Grandma. Thank you for letting me come. I hope I'm not disturbing."
Grandma smiled immediately.
"Disturbing? No, no," she said, waving her hand. "You travelled so far with them. That means you're important."
She placed her hand on Aruna's shoulder.
"Any friend of my granddaughter is welcome here."
Maira relaxed a little.
"Thank you," she said quietly.
Inside the house, Grandma showed them around, talking nonstop.
"You'll sleep in this room," she told Aruna and Adhi. "And you," she looked at Maira, "you can stay here too. There's enough space."
Dinner was simple but warm. Grandma kept putting more food on Aruna's plate.
"Eat properly," she said again and again. "You look like you've forgotten how."
Later that night, Adhi fell asleep quickly, exhausted from the journey.
Aruna sat on the bed, staring at the wall.
Grandma's question echoed in her mind.
Who is she?
Maira was unpacking slowly. After a while, she spoke.
"Your grandma is really kind," she said.
Aruna nodded.
"She always is."
There was silence for a moment.
Then Maira turned toward her.
"Are you okay?" she asked gently. "You've been quiet since we arrived."
Aruna hesitated.
"I don't know," she said honestly. "Everything feels strange."
Maira sat beside her.
"You don't have to explain anything right now," she said. "Just… rest."
Aruna looked at her.
"You didn't have to come," she said. "I know my family situation is messy."
Maira shook her head.
"I wanted to come," she said firmly. "And I'm not leaving you alone."
Aruna didn't reply. But she didn't move away either.
Outside, the house was quiet.
For the first time in a long while, Aruna felt safe enough to breathe.