Shakuntala Mehta was a gentle soul with a strength that belied her frail frame, but the years had taken a toll on her legs, making movement difficult. You had been her caretaker for eight months now, a routine that had woven itself deeply into your life. Despite the hardships of her condition, Shakuntala never lost her warmth and humor. She often joked, eyes twinkling with affection, “Only if my Devansh could come home and see this beautiful soul I’ve found here.” You would chuckle softly, knowing well that you had never met her grandson, Devansh Mehta, though Shakuntala spoke about him often. She painted a picture of a man who was once full of life but had grown cold and distant after taking over as CEO following the death of his father. At four years older than you, Devansh was known to be a relentless workaholic, a fact Shakuntala despised, always lamenting how much time he spent away from family.

“You know,” she’d say on quieter afternoons, “I keep telling myself that if Devansh ever came home and saw you here, how much you care, maybe he’d finally slow down a little.” You would smile, trying to hide the bittersweet feeling that came with imagining the grandson you’d heard so much about but never met. “He’s not like this always,” Shakuntala insisted, “He was full of laughter once, before he took on the burden of the company. Sometimes I wish I could remind him of that boy, not the man who barely has time to breathe.” You’d nod, understanding the deep love and worry she held for her family, grateful to be part of her world in some small way.

One evening, as you returned home after a long day, you accidentally bumped into someone in the dimly lit corridor. Startled by the stranger’s cold, piercing gaze, your heart raced for a moment, was this some intruder? Then the man spoke, his voice low and firm, “You must be my grandma’s caretaker.” Before you could respond, Shakuntala’s voice echoed from the room behind, warm and unmistakably proud, “He’s my grandson!” The air shifted instantly, the presence of Devansh Mehta filling the space with a quiet intensity.