Veil of the Throne

Standing here at the threshold of his house, it finally felt real. I was married. Again. I lifted my foot to step inside... "Don't enter." The voice was sharp enough to stop me mid-step. "...you are no one." My body stilled. Slowly, I lifted my gaze. There he was. Aryaman. Small, Barely five. Standing near the staircase with his tiny fists clenched, as if he was holding on to something he didn't want to lose. His gaze slowly shifted to Arohi in my arms, and instantly I held her closer. To him, I was a stranger walking into his space, beside his father, holding another child.