In another corner of the world, miles away from the little moments that warmed Ashika's heart, lived a man the world knew as the Mr. Cold. Ekanksh Rathod was popularly known by this name by his subordinates as they had barely seen him smile or express any emotions.
At just twenty-four, Ekanksh had made headlines as the CEO of Astra Technologies, a Tokyo-based cyber-security startup that had done the impossible. It had shielded billion-dollar investors from a massive digital collapse.
Years ago, a ruthless hacker group had tried to siphon funds from multiple companies in one coordinated attack. While the financial world panicked, Ekanksh who was a university student back then had stepped in, decoded the attack, and locked it down within hours. He didn't just stop the breach—he restructured the core security systems of half a dozen corporations. Thus, Astra technologies was born. Its main focus was to shield the finance capital. His team constantly worked day and night in shifts to keep the digital world safe. And from that day forward, the investors owed him not just their money, but their faith.
Still, no matter how big the tech scene got or how high his company soared, Ekanksh remained the same—quiet, reserved, and emotionally locked up. Not one interview, not one headline, could peel back the layers of the man who rarely smiled and barely spoke unless necessary.
"Parth," he said that morning, his voice calm but assertive, "schedule?"
Parth looked up from his phone. "Boss, you've got a clear day. No meetings. Managers are taking care of your last round of audits. Threat report looks clean."
"Good," Ekanksh nodded, adjusting the sleek watch on his wrist.
Ekanksh had jet-black hair, neatly parted, and deep brown eyes that never gave away what he was thinking. His features were calm, too calm, like a sea that never showed the storm underneath. He was a tall and lean man with broad shoulders.
"Sir… if I may," Parth began, his voice a little hesitant.
"What is it?"
"Your father… he's been calling. I think… maybe it's time you visit them."
Ekanksh paused. Just for a second.
"Get the jet ready," he said.
Parth blinked. "Wait... really?"
Ekanksh finally looked at him. "We're going home."
That evening, the Rolls Royce pulled up outside a grand bungalow in Rajasthan. The gates creaked open to Ekanaksh's parents home.
It was huge bungalow Ekanksh's father had built long ago when he was a businessman himself. This bungalow had treasured so many memories of Ekanksh and his elder brother Ansh.
The moment Ekanksh stepped out, he heard his father call out to his mother.
"Arey sunti ho! Ekanksh ghar aaya hai! Hamara beta wapas aaya hai!" , his father's voice echoed through the halls of the bungalow calling out to his wife telling her that their younger son was home.
Before he knew it, his father was at the door—arms open, voice thick with emotion.
Ekanksh didn't say a word. He just stepped into his father's hug, a hug that felt like it had been waiting for years.
And in that moment, Mr. Cold was just his father's little boy again.
His mother came running from the kitchen. Her dupatta slightly askew, her eyes filled with tears.
"Ekanksh!" she gasped, throwing her arms around him. "You've grown thinner again! Don't they feed you in Tokyo?"
He chuckled softly, resting his head against her shoulder. He hadn't felt this kind of warmth in years. And oh, how much he had missed it. He held her tight refusing to let go. His mother held him and patted his back warmly.
Parth stood awkwardly at the door, unsure if he should even be witnessing something so private.
But Ekanksh gestured to him. "Ma, Baba—this is Parth. He is my assistant and my best friend, ever since college"
Before Parth could even greet them properly, Ekanksh's father pulled him into a hug.
"If you're my son's friend, you're my son too," he declared proudly.
After the introduction, both the men were ushered in by Ekanksh's parents.
His parents made sure that both of them were comfortable. Soon, the servants were walking in the dining room carrying dinner.
"Had I known earlier, I would've made even more food", Ekanksh's mother said as she began piling up food on Ekanksh and Parth's plates.
All of them sat down to have dinner, laughing and exchanging stories. The house felt alive with life and warmth.
Later that night, as the stars blinked above, Ekanksh leaned against the railings of his balcony gazing at the moon.
Ekanksh sighed as memories flooded. His girlfriend, whom he had intended to marry, had rejected his proposal. This had caused him to stop believing in love.
But, unknown to him, the universe was bringing his soulmate closer to him.
The moon, which meant little to right now, would soon make his heart ache for the presence of his, the one.
Somewhere, under the same moon, a girl who believed in small joys was about to walk into his life.