A New India

It had been a long day for Rohan. The nuclear test in Pokhran had changed everything. The world was now looking at India differently, with questions and tensions rising.

After all the speeches, the meetings, and the constant flow of information, he needed to leave it all behind for a while.

The cold air of the February night clung to Rohan as he stepped out of his car, shutting the door with a soft thud.

Looking at his house, beyond those doors, was the warmth he craved, a place where he could forget, even if just for a few hours, about the chaos that waited for him tomorrow.

And it hit him as soon as he stepped inside. The house felt alive, welcoming in a way that only home could.

The scent of dinner, the voices from the living room, the familiar sound of footsteps, it all grounded him, reminding him that there was more to life than the battles he fought outside these walls.

"Welcome home," Anjali called from the kitchen. Her voice, soft and filled with love, was like a balm to the weariness that clung to him.

Rohan smiled at the sound, the tension in his shoulders easing just a little.

He slipped off his coat, hanging it by the door, and took a deep breath.

The smell of home-cooked food filled the air, and for the first time in what felt like forever, he allowed himself to focus on something other than the world outside.

Anjali stepped out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dishcloth, her smile bright and warm as always.

"You're late again," she said, though there was no accusation in her voice, only understanding.

Rohan nodded, letting out a small sigh. "Yeah, but I'm here now."

Anjali reached up and touched his arm lightly, the simple gesture grounding him in the moment. "I made your favorite. I figured you could use something good after the week you've had."

Rohan leaned down to kiss her forehead, his smile soft. "You always know what I need," he said, his voice quiet.

Before they could talk more, the thudding of small feet came down the stairs, and in a flash, their youngest, Arjun, appeared in the hallway.

"Dad!" he yelled, his face lighting up as he ran toward Rohan.

Rohan chuckled, bending down just in time to catch his seven-year-old son as he launched himself into his arms. "Whoa, easy there, champ,"

Rohan said, lifting Arjun up as the boy grinned from ear to ear.

"I stayed awake! I didn't fall asleep this time!" Arjun announced proudly, clearly excited to be up past his bedtime.

Rohan smiled and hugged his son tightly. "I'm glad you waited. How was your day?"

"It was great! Priya helped me with my school project, and then we made cookies with Mom! It was awesome!" Arjun's excitement spilled over in his words, and Rohan couldn't help but laugh.

Just then, Priya, their thirteen-year-old daughter, appeared at the top of the stairs.

She was more composed, her growing teenage self trying to keep the excitement under wraps.

She walked down the stairs, giving her dad a small, warm smile. "Hey, Dad," she said, wrapping her arms around him in a quick hug once she reached him.

"Hey, princess," Rohan replied, smiling at her. "How was school?"

Priya shrugged, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's fine. Everyone's been talking about the news today, though. The test, your speech… it's kind of a big deal."

Rohan nodded, his smile fading slightly as the weariness of the day tried to creep back into his mind. "Yeah, it's been a long day."

Sensing the mood shift, Anjali stepped in. "Alright, let's save all of that for tomorrow. Tonight, we have dinner together. And no politics."

She smiled, her voice full of gentle tone, nudging them all toward the dining room.

"Right," he agreed, "I'm starving."

-----

Dinner was exactly what he needed. It was normal, simple, and filled with the familiar rhythm of family life.

They talked about Priya's school, Arjun's latest fascination with dinosaurs, and Anjali's plans for the weekend.

For the first time in days, Rohan wasn't thinking about international politics, nuclear fallout, or the delicate balance of power. He was just a father, sitting at the table with his family.

Arjun, never one to stay still for long, dominated the conversation, telling his dad every detail of his school project and the fun he had with Priya.

Rohan smiled and nodded, genuinely enjoying the animated way his son spoke. Priya, more reserved, talked here and there, her wit sharp and playful as she teased Arjun about his obsession with dinosaurs.

After dinner, they moved to the living room. Rohan played a board game with Arjun, who insisted on teaching his dad the rules, though he often bent them in his favor.

Priya sat nearby, reading a book, though she would glance up every now and then to correct her brother's "creative" interpretation of the game's rules.

Laughter filled the room, Rohan let himself be fully present, something that had been rare lately.

Arjun's infectious energy and Priya's growing maturity made him feel more happy.

But as the night went on, the energy began to fade. Arjun, usually full of life, started to yawn, his head resting against his dad's arm. "I'm not sleepy," he mumbled, though his eyelids were already drooping.

Anjali smiled from her spot on the couch. "I think it's time for bed, little man."

Arjun protested weakly, but Rohan was already lifting him into his arms. "Come on, champ. Let's get you to bed."

Arjun rested his head on Rohan's shoulder, already half-asleep as his dad carried him up the stairs.

Rohan felt the small weight of his son, and in that moment, he realized how much he had missed this, missed the simple, quiet moments of being a father, of just being home.

After tucking Arjun in and kissing his forehead, Rohan stepped into Priya's room to say goodnight.

She was already in bed, but she looked up with a smile as he leaned down to kiss her cheek. "Goodnight, Dad."

"Goodnight, princess," Rohan whispered, brushing a hand through her hair.

Back downstairs, the house was quiet. Anjali had dimmed the lights, leaving just the soft glow of the lamp beside the couch.

Rohan sat beside her on the couch.

Anjali leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"You're home now," she said softly, her voice filled with the calm reassurance he needed.

Rohan wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. "I've missed this," he admitted quietly. "It feels like I've been running nonstop for weeks."

Anjali nodded. "I know. You've been dealing with so much. But you handled it. You've kept this country safe, and you've done it with so much strength. But you don't have to carry it alone."

Rohan sighed, resting his head against hers. "There's still so much ahead. The test today… it's only the beginning. The world is watching us, and tomorrow will bring new challenges."

Anjali tilted her head to look at him, her eyes filled with love and understanding. "You've already handled so much. And you will handle whatever comes next. But tonight, we're here. You're home."

Rohan smiled, feeling the warmth of her words settle over him like a blanket on a cold night. "I don't deserve you."

Anjali laughed softly, her voice light. "That's probably true. But you've got me anyway."

They stayed silent for a while

"It'll be tough tomorrow," Rohan said, his voice low as he stared into the soft glow of the lamp.

Anjali squeezed his hand. "It always is." Anjali said softly, her hand warm in his.

"You know," Rohan began, his voice barely above a whisper, "it's easy to forget, sometimes, why I'm doing all this. Why it matters."

Anjali looked up at him, her eyes soft. "You don't have to explain, Rohan. I know."

Rohan shook his head slightly, leaning back into the cushions. "No, I want to. There's so much pressure, so many decisions that I have to make every day. Some of them… they don't always feel right, even if I know they're necessary. But being here, with you, with the kids, it reminds me why I'm doing it. It's not just about politics.

It's about protecting this, protecting our home, our family."

Anjali smiled, resting her hand on his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breath. "And that's why you'll always find your way, Rohan. Because you know what's truly important."

"Arjun really gave me a run for my money with that board game," Rohan chuckled, the memory of his son bending the rules bringing a smile to his face.

Anjali laughed softly. "He's competitive, just like you."

"And Priya," Rohan continued, his voice full of pride. "She's getting so smart. I can't believe how much she's growing up."

"She looks up to you, you know," Anjali said gently. "She sees the work you do, and she understands it more than you think. But at the end of the day, she just wants her dad to be there, even if it's for something as simple as dinner."

Rohan nodded. "I'll do better. I've been away too much."

As time went on Rohan and Anjali sat together for a while longer, talking softly, their conversation drifting between small memories, shared jokes, and the plans they would never have time for.

Eventually, the exhaustion of the day caught up with them. Anjali stood first, holding out her hand to Rohan. "Come on, it's time for bed. Tomorrow will come whether you're ready or not."

Rohan took her hand, rising from the couch and following her up the stairs. As they moved through the quiet house, he glanced into the kids' rooms

Arjun sprawled out across his bed, one arm still clutching his favorite stuffed dinosaur, and

Priya curled up under her blankets, her book still lying open on the bedside table. The sight filled Rohan with a deep sense of contentment.

In their bedroom, the soft light of the bedside lamp cast a warm glow, and as Rohan settled into bed beside Anjali, he let out a long, slow breath.

As he lay there, staring up at the ceiling, his mind drifted again to the challenges ahead,

Anjali shifted beside him, resting her head on his chest. "We'll be alright, Rohan. No matter what comes next."

Rohan wrapped his arm around her, feeling the steady rhythm of her breathing. "Yeah," he whispered, more to himself than to her. "We will."

Soon Rohan let his eyes close. The world outside might be waiting, with its demands and its challenges, but for tonight, there was peace. And for now, that was enough.

It was time to sleep. Tomorrow could wait.

(End of Volume 2)