Chapter 4: Building a New Family

Suddenly, I remembered: when we found Kabir with the police at the amusement park, he was staring wide-eyed at a little boy holding hands with his parents, loneliness and envy written on his face.

The memory stung. I could almost hear the chaos—kids screaming, gola and popcorn sellers shouting, my brother lost in the crowd.

"It’s not your fault," I sighed, comforting him. "Mausi’s too clever, that’s all."

Which child doesn’t want to go to an amusement park?

If I was his age, I’d have been tricked too.

Hearing this, Kabir looked up. Something flickered in his eyes, but he quickly looked down, mumbling, "Mm."

He fidgeted with a frayed thread on his shorts. I ruffled his hair, awkward but wanting him to feel I was there.

"Chalo, let’s go."

"...Okay."

I snapped back to reality and counted my savings.

Thankfully, after school, I’d saved seven-eight thousand, though a thousand was gone for rent.

We’d manage for now.

After shifting into the rented 2BHK, we spent the night cleaning and collapsed into bed.

Next morning—

I planned to buy groceries alone, but after washing up, I saw Kabir already awake, curled up on the faded sofa.

Morning sunlight fell on his face, highlighting the dark circles under his eyes.

When he saw me with my bag, ready to go out, he jumped up, eyes fixed on me, fingers gripping his pants.

His lips moved but nothing came out.

Seeing his panic, my heart squeezed.

I understood immediately—

He was scared I’d leave him too.

Yesterday’s WhatsApp comments flashed:

[Arrey, why does villain look so bechara?]

[What’s to pity? Pretending only! Twisted since birth. If I was his Didi, I’d have left him already.]

[...Don’t say that. Villain never hurt his Didi, okay?]

The comments blurred in my eyes.

While I hesitated, Kabir seemed sure I was leaving. The light in his eyes faded, hands clenched, lips pale.

Just as he turned to go, I called out, "I’m just going to buy sabzi. Aayega?"

He spun around instantly.

Meeting my smile, his gaze trembled and he blurted, "I’ll go."

I nodded.

Bas.

What evil could a little boy, who just wants to go to the market, possibly plot?

He slipped on oversized sandals and clung to my hand. Maybe, I thought, this is how families start—scraps of hope glued together.