IT'S NOT OVER

Chapter 96

Raj went for his morning walk, the crisp air doing little to ease the heavy thoughts weighing on his mind. His son’s future and the widening gap between their perspectives loomed large in his thoughts. He sighed deeply and sat on the stairs of a nearby park, where fallen leaves created a makeshift carpet on the steps.

As he sat there, lost in his worries, someone approached quietly and playfully covered his eyes. "Please, Nandu, I'm not in the mood for games," Raj said, recognizing the familiar touch.

Nandini, a bright and spirited young woman who had recently moved to Mumbai, released her hands and sat beside him. She had been a student of Saroja Murthy, Raj’s mentor, and now, she was preparing to join college, having deferred her admission to care for her ailing grandmother. Staying at a hostel, Nandini often sought Raj’s advice, as he was both a beloved uncle and a cherished friend to her.

"What’s wrong, Uncle Raj? You seem troubled," Nandini asked, her voice filled with concern.

R