The days passed quietly.
Not fast. Not slow.
Just… steady.
Aarav had started helping Daren in the fields.
At first, it had been a disaster—wrong tools, wrong technique, and far too much confidence.
Now—
It felt almost normal.
Almost.
Daren glanced at the ground.
"You missed a spot."
Aarav looked down.
"…That was intentional."
Daren didn't even look at him.
"It wasn't."
Aarav sighed.
"…Okay, it wasn't."
Daren let out a quiet laugh and continued working.
Aarav smirked slightly.
*Progress.*
Not skill—
But survival.
---
Just then—
"AARAV!"
A familiar voice echoed across the field.
Aarav didn't even turn.
"…Why do I feel like this is never good news?"
Rian ran toward him at full speed, stopping right in front of him, slightly out of breath but clearly excited.
"Did you get your powers yet?"
Aarav answered immediately.
"No."
Rian frowned.
"Why not?"
Aarav rested the tool on his shoulder.
"I told you."
"I'm waiting."
"For what?" Rian asked seriously.
Aarav smirked.
"…The right moment."
Rian nodded.
Completely convinced.
Daren watched the two of them and smiled faintly.
---
Life had become simple.
Work. Food. Talking.
Repeating the same routine.
And somehow—
That wasn't a bad thing.
Aarav glanced toward the house.
Meera stood near the door.
Watching.
Not obviously—
But enough.
She always noticed.
After a moment, she walked toward them.
"You're still pushing yourself."
Aarav didn't look at her.
"I'm fine."
"You always say that."
"…This time I mean it."
Meera stopped in front of him.
Her eyes scanned him briefly—checking, as always.
Then—
Her expression softened.
Just slightly.
"Don't overdo it."
"…Yes, healer."
"That wasn't a suggestion."
Aarav raised his hands.
"Understood."
---
Later that evening—
The sky dimmed into shades of orange and gold.
Aarav sat beside Daren near the edge of the field.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Just the sound of wind—
And distant voices.
Then Aarav asked,
"Why does Meera want to become a healer?"
Daren didn't answer immediately.
His gaze stayed on the horizon.
"When she was little…"
He paused.
"My younger brother lived with us."
Aarav stayed quiet.
Listening.
"He was very sick."
"Meera used to sit with him every day—talk to him, take care of him like she could fix everything."
A faint smile appeared on Daren's face.
Then slowly faded.
"But one winter…"
He exhaled quietly.
"He didn't survive."
Silence settled between them.
Heavy—
But not uncomfortable.
Daren continued,
"She thought…"
"If she had known how to heal…"
"…she could have saved him."
Aarav looked toward the house.
Meera was inside now.
"…So she doesn't want to lose anyone again."
Daren nodded.
"Yes."
Aarav leaned back slightly.
"…That sounds like her."
And for some reason—
That thought stayed with him.
---
That night—
Everyone sat together for dinner.
The room felt warm.
Alive.
Rian was already talking loudly.
"And then I saw it! It was this big!"
He stretched his arms dramatically.
Meera replied without looking up,
"That was a cat."
"It was not a cat!"
"It was definitely a cat."
"It had glowing eyes!"
"It was night."
"It was still not a cat!"
Aarav looked away, trying not to laugh.
*This is serious business.*
On the table, something caught his attention.
A small cup.
Light-colored liquid.
Harmless looking.
Suspiciously harmless.
Aarav picked it up.
"…This looks safe."
Meera immediately looked at him.
"Don't."
Aarav raised an eyebrow.
"That's not for you."
"…That makes me want to try it more."
"It's strong."
"I can handle it."
"No, you can't."
Aarav smirked.
Bold decision.
Wrong decision.
He took a sip.
For a second—
Nothing.
Then—
"…What is this?!"
His face froze.
Rian burst out laughing.
"I told you!"
Aarav coughed.
"Why does it taste like burning leaves?!"
Meera calmly took the cup from his hand.
"I told you not to drink it."
Aarav pointed at her.
"You knew."
"Yes."
"…You planned this."
"Maybe."
Rian laughed even harder.
Even Daren smiled.
Aarav leaned back dramatically.
"…I've been betrayed."
---
For the first time—
Aarav laughed.
Not forced.
Not distracted.
Just… real.
No confusion.
No pressure.
No thoughts about anything else.
Just—
A normal moment.
He looked around the table.
At all of them.
This house.
This place.
This life.
And quietly—
A thought formed.
*Maybe… this is enough.*
A pause.
Then another thought followed—
Quieter.
Less certain.
*…Or maybe I'm just pretending it is.*
Aarav leaned back slightly.
The smile stayed.
But something behind it—
Didn't fully settle.
---
End of Chapter 9