As soon as their father left, Ishaan let out a deep sigh and sat beside Sanjana. He ran his fingers through her hair gently, the way he used to when they were kids. His eyes, dark with worry, searched her face.

  "Sanju… are you really sure about this?" His voice was quiet, almost hesitant. "You don’t have to push yourself so hard. Even Appa finally admitted his mistake. Why do you still feel like you have to prove something?"

  Sanjana blinked, startled. The words "No, Naana" slipped from her lips naturally, like they had in childhood. Her lips curled into a soft, nostalgic smile.

  She gave him a small, determined smile. "I thought everything through. I know I can crack this exam and become a ranked doctor."

  Ishaan exhaled, shaking his head before a mischievous smirk crept onto his face. "If you’re so sure, then fine. But tell me one thing—why do your words now sound completely different from what you wrote in those letters?"

  Sanjana’s eyes widened in shock. "Wait—YOU READ THEM?!"

  Ishaan leaned back, clearly enjoying her reaction. "Of course I did. How do you think I managed to show up at the perfect time?"

  Sanjana gawked at him. "But… but Fluffy always came back with nothing! I thought my letters were lost!"

  Ishaan chuckled, shaking his head fondly. "Sanju, Fluffy is smarter than both of us combined. That little dove never once failed you. It tracked me down when no one else could."

  Sanjana’s heart swelled with emotion. She had sent countless letters with their childhood pet, watching it return empty-clawed every time. She had convinced herself it had failed. But in reality, Fluffy had been her silent messenger all along.

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  "That sneaky little bird… I should have known." Her voice wavered between awe and exasperation.

  Ishaan smirked. "Underestimated your own dove, huh? Tsk tsk."

  She huffed playfully but couldn’t stop the warmth that spread through her chest. "Fine, fine. But tell me—what happened? Why didn’t you come back sooner?"

  Ishaan’s smirk dimmed slightly, replaced by a shadow of bitterness. "We were scammed, Sanju. Those men fed us grand stories about the Lunar Kingdom—about its beautiful women and unmatched artistry. But in reality? They just made us work like pigs in exchange for food and water. We barely managed to escape."

  Sanjana gasped, eyes wide. "Wait—you really went to the Lunar Continent?"

  Ishaan nodded dramatically. "Oh yes. And let me tell you—it was something else."

  Sanjana leaned in, curiosity burning in her eyes. "Tell me everything! Were the women as beautiful as they say?"

  Ishaan sighed, rubbing his temples. "Sanju… they were ridiculously beautiful. Their skin was like solid milk, their movements as fluid as poetry. And unlike our strict, duty-bound people, their cities were bursting with music, dance, and art."

  Sanjana perked up. "Ooooh, so did you talk to any of them?"

  Ishaan groaned. "I tried! But even their normal conversations were in poems. It took me forever to figure out what they were saying."

  Sanjana grinned wickedly. "Oho, so? Did you propose to one of them?"

  Ishaan looked horrified. "Sanju, let me tell you something. Those women have terrible taste in men."

  Sanjana burst out laughing. "Wait, wait—what happened? Did you get dumped?!"

  Ishaan scowled, looking truly traumatized. "Getting dumped would’ve been better than what actually happened."

  Sanjana gasped theatrically. "What did they do?!"

  Ishaan rubbed his face, as if reliving a nightmare. "First, they sighed dramatically. Then they asked me how many lovers I had. I proudly told them none—that I was a noble man, devoted to one woman for life."

  Sanjana clasped her hands together. "Aww, so romantic!"

  Ishaan glared. "No, Sanju. They LAUGHED at me. Then they teased me, saying even their five-year-old brothers already had five girlfriends. I ran away. Embarrassed. Forever."

  Sanjana collapsed into laughter, clutching her stomach. "Oh my god! What a dark memory! Hahaha!"

  Ishaan groaned, rubbing his temples. "Those women are beyond saving. They get played by overly dramatic playboys and STILL choose them. I don’t understand them at all."

  Sanjana wiped away tears of laughter. "Ishaan Naana, you deserve better. Maybe we should visit the Venus Kingdom next!"

  Ishaan shot her a mock glare. "Enough teasing, madam. Your body is weak, and you need to rest."

  Before she could protest, he pushed her down gently, covering her with a warm blanket. He dimmed the oil lamp, letting the soft flickering light cast gentle shadows around the room.

  As he reached the door, he turned back, his voice soft yet firm.

  "Good night, Sanju."

  Sanjana, her heart warm despite everything, smiled. "Good night, Naana."

  And with that, he stepped out into the quiet night, leaving behind the echoes of laughter, the flutter of a dove’s wings, and the comfort of a long-lost bond finally rekindled.