Chapter 7: Silent Turmoil

Dinner was unusually lively that evening. The Agastya family and the newly moved-in Chauhan family were gathered around the large dining table, sharing a meal. The warm aroma of spices and freshly cooked food filled the air, but despite the festive atmosphere, Dhruvansh felt disconnected, as though he were watching the scene from a distance rather than being a part of it.

Dheeraj Chauhan, a forceful man with a commanding presence, sat across from Karna, his old comrade. The two men had already begun discussing various topics, but the conversation soon shifted to a serious and chilling subject: the terrorist attacks that had plagued the region for the past five years.

"It all started with the Kashi Residential Complex bombing," Dheeraj said, his voice low but clear. "That attack was unlike anything we had ever seen before. Civilian targets, an entire neighborhood wiped out, and for what? The group responsible still operates in the shadows, and we haven't been able to root them out completely."

Karna nodded gravely. "The authorities reacted too late. By the time we fully understood the scope of the attack, the group had already spread their influence. We've been playing catch-up ever since."

As they spoke, Riya Rai Chauhan, Dheeraj's elegant wife, chimed in with her own thoughts on how the local administration had failed to prevent such attacks from escalating. Her words were laced with both frustration and a sense of superiority that came from her position in society.

Devi, Dhruvansh's mother, added, "I just can't imagine what the families of the victims must be going through. Every year, it feels like there's a new tragedy waiting to happen. It's terrifying."

Through all this, Dhruvansh remained silent. He usually had something to say, some question to ask or thought to share, but not tonight. His mind was far from the dinner table, lost in a haze of confusion and emotional turmoil after the shocking revelation that he was adopted. The weight of the knowledge pressed heavily on his chest, making it hard for him to engage in the conversation.

While the others talked animatedly about the failures of the government, the strategies to combat terrorism, and what could be done differently, Dhruvansh's silence stood out. Normally, he would eagerly contribute to discussions, especially if they touched on matters of science, school, or his experiments. He loved talking about the successes and failures of his spider silk project or the latest book he had read. He would often ask for new experimental materials or extra books, eager to learn and explore new ideas. But today, he was too quiet—so quiet that it was beginning to unsettle Karna and Devi.

Devi shot a concerned glance at Karna, who nodded slightly in agreement. Something was definitely off. This wasn't like Dhruvansh at all.

Diya Chauhan, the young daughter of Dheeraj and Riya, suddenly spoke up. "I think the problem isn't just about catching these groups after they've attacked. It's about stopping them before they can even plan something like that. If our intelligence agencies were better equipped, they could prevent these incidents altogether." Her tone was confident, almost smug, as though she were far older than her years.

Diya's sharp intellect was evident in her words, but there was an undertone of pride, a sense that she believed she was far ahead of her peers. She glanced over at Dhruvansh, almost expecting him to react or challenge her. But when he didn't, she seemed to interpret his silence as a sign of intellectual inferiority.

"Don't you agree, Dhruvansh?" she asked, her voice laced with the confidence of someone who already believed they knew the answer.

Dhruvansh merely nodded, not trusting himself to speak. His mind was too clouded with thoughts of his own identity, his real parents, and why they had abandoned him. Was he unwanted? Why had they given him up? The questions gnawed at him, making it impossible to focus on anything else.

Karna and Devi exchanged another worried glance. Dhruvansh's silence was palpable, almost oppressive. It wasn't like him to retreat into himself like this. Karna couldn't bear it any longer and asked gently, "Dhruvansh, beta, are you okay? You've been awfully quiet tonight."

Dhruvansh looked up, his eyes unfocused, and answered absentmindedly, "Yeah, I'm fine." His words were automatic, but his mind was far away. In truth, he was thinking about his real parents, wherever they were. Why had they left him? Were they even alive? Did they regret abandoning him, or was he simply unwanted from the beginning?

Dheeraj, sensing the tension in the air and wanting to lift the mood, spoke up with a suggestion. "Hey, Dhruvansh," he began, his tone jovial, "how about you enroll in the Scholar Academy of Kashi with Diya? That way, you'll have a genius friend, and Diya will have a familiar face to start her new school life with. You two can go to and from school together, and neither of you will feel alone."

Dhruvansh blinked, slightly surprised by the suggestion. He didn't have many friends at school, mostly because he spent his free time working on his experiments or reading. He had always been more interested in his projects than in socializing. But the idea of going to a new school, especially one as prestigious as the Scholar Academy, intrigued him. He looked over at Karna and Devi, silently seeking their approval.

Karna and Devi noticed the subtle shift in Dhruvansh's expression. They knew their son well enough to recognize when he was interested in something. Even without words, it was clear from the look in his eyes that Dhruvansh was open to the idea. Both parents nodded in unison, giving their permission.

"Perfect!" Dheeraj declared, clapping his hands together. "Then tomorrow, we'll all head to the Scholar Academy of Kashi for the admissions process. It'll be great for both kids."

Riya and Diya exchanged surprised glances, though for different reasons. Riya was taken aback by how quickly the decision had been made, while Diya seemed slightly put off by the idea of having to share her school experience with someone she barely knew.

Before either of them could voice their thoughts, Dheeraj continued, "It's settled then. You'll be able to make new friends together, and Dhruvansh, I'm sure this will be a great opportunity for you too. I've heard from Karna that you're quite the quiet one at school, but maybe this will help you open up a bit more."

Dhruvansh merely nodded again, still lost in his own world. The idea of a new school and new friends seemed like a distant concern compared to the emotional storm brewing inside him.

As the dinner continued, Karna suggested that the Chauhan family stay the night. "It's getting late, and I'm sure your new place isn't quite ready yet. Why don't you stay with us tonight? You can move in properly tomorrow after the admissions are sorted."

Dheeraj, grateful for the offer, agreed. "That sounds perfect. I'll get some more time to catch up with my old friend."

Devi took the lead, offering to show Riya and Diya to the guest rooms. As the adults moved to wrap up the evening, Dhruvansh quietly slipped away to his room without saying goodnight to anyone, something that wasn't like him at all. He usually bid everyone a warm goodnight before retreating to his space, but not tonight.

Devi noticed his sudden departure and the sad, distant look in his eyes. She made a mental note to check on him later, but with guests in the house, she pushed the concern to the back of her mind. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was deeply troubling her son, and when the time was right, she would make sure to find out what it was.