The walk back to my apartment stretched longer than usual under the dim streetlights. My mind kept replaying the meeting with Avinash — his casual disinterest, the way he only spoke about Roop, and the painful realization that this might be my future. The evening breeze felt cool against my skin, carrying faint traces of street food and rain-soaked earth, but it did nothing to lift the heaviness in my chest.

As I turned onto a quieter side street, soft, broken sobs reached my ears. A little boy, no older than five or six, stood near a parked scooter, rubbing his eyes with tiny fists. He looked around desperately, his small shoulders shaking with each cry.

I quickened my steps without thinking and knelt down on one knee in front of him, the rough pavement pressing into my jeans. Bringing myself to his eye level, I gently took his small, trembling hand in mine.

“Hey, little one,” I whispered softly. “Why are you crying? Where are your parents?”

He only cried harder at first, hiccuping between sobs. Then, without warning, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms tightly around my neck. I instinctively pulled him close, cradling his small body in my arms. One hand rubbed slow, soothing circles on his back while I murmured gentle words near his ear.

“Shh… it’s alright, beta. Everything is going to be okay. I’m right here. Don’t cry, sweetheart. You’re safe.”

His tiny body slowly relaxed against me. The loud sobs faded into soft, occasional hiccups. I kept holding him, rocking him gently, my chin resting lightly on his soft hair.

After a few moments, I asked again, my voice still calm and low. “Why are you alone here? Where is your mom or dad?”

He pulled back slightly, his big, beautiful sparkling eyes still wet with tears. “I don’t know…” he whispered, then buried his face back into my shoulder, hugging me tighter.

I looked around anxiously, scanning the street. A little further down, a woman was frantically asking passersby if they had seen a small child. Her voice cracked with panic.

I stood up carefully, still holding the boy’s hand. As we moved closer, he spotted her and cried out happily, “Mommy!”

The woman turned sharply. Pure relief washed over her face as she rushed toward us. She took her son into her arms, kissing his cheeks, forehead, and hair over and over.

“Oh thank God… my baby, you’re safe,” she murmured, her voice breaking as she rocked him close.

I stood quietly to the side, watching them with a soft ache in my heart. The pure, unconditional love between them was beautiful to witness.

The lady finally stood up, still holding her son, and turned to me with tearful eyes. “Thank you so much. I can’t even imagine what would have happened if you hadn’t found him. I only looked away for a moment…”

“It was nothing,” I said gently, offering a small smile. “I’m just glad he’s safe with you now.”

The little boy suddenly reached out and held my hand again, refusing to let go. His mother smiled through her tears. “You seem like such a kind person. Can I have your number? I’d really like to thank you properly — maybe invite you home for tea someday.”

I hesitated, shifting uncomfortably. “There’s really no need. It wasn’t a big deal at all.”

But she was persistent. “Please. I genuinely want to. You helped me when I was so scared.”

The boy looked up at me with those sparkling eyes and said sweetly, “Please, Didi. My mom is a little dramatic… but she’s good.”

His mother gave him a playful offended look. The boy responded with the most innocent, sweet smile.

I couldn’t help but hide a small smile behind my hand. After a moment, I gave her my number. “Okay… but really, there’s no need to thank me so much.”

She saved it happily. “I’ll contact you soon. Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart.”

Before they left, the little boy leaned forward and gave me a soft peck on the cheek. “Thank you, Didi,” he whispered.

I waved them goodbye as they walked toward their car. His mother turned back once, smiling warmly. I stood there for a moment, watching them leave, my hand still warm from where the child had held it.

Then I continued walking toward my apartment, the small, unexpected encounter leaving a gentle warmth in my chest amidst the heaviness of the day. For a brief moment, the world had felt a little kinder.