Prologue: Noor

11:40 PM. Delhi.

Rain had just stopped. The streets were wet and empty.

Adidev was in the passenger seat. Tie loose. Jaw tight.

Reyansh was driving. His best friend since school. Both were coming back from a late dinner that turned into 2 whiskeys.

The car stopped at a signal. Red light.

Adidev looked out the window.

And froze.

A boy stood under the streetlight.

Oversized grey sweatshirt. Wet hair sticking to his forehead. In his arms, a small kid, maybe 5. The kid was crying.

The boy dug into his pocket, pulled out 50 rupees, bought biscuits and water from the thela. He made the kid sit on the footpath, fed him slowly. Then he hugged the kid and whispered something.

Adidev’s heart skipped.

For one second, the whole city went silent.

He wanted to get out. Wanted to see more. Wanted to know who this boy was.

Reyansh: Bhai? Kya hua?

Adidev didn’t move. His eyes were still on the boy.

Before he could say anything, the boy stood up. Took the kid’s hand. Turned into a narrow gali and disappeared.

Gone.

Adidev exhaled. His fingers curled against the car door.

Reyansh: Tu theek hai?

Adidev: Haan.

But he wasn’t.

All the way home, that image didn’t leave him. The softness. The tired eyes. The way the boy protected that kid like he was his own.

Adidev stood by his window later that night. No lights on.

Itni raat ko apko bahar nahi ghumna chaiye. Noor. Wo bhi akele.

His voice was low. Possessive. Certain.