Broken Antler Fen kabhi khushi, kabhi gham

he was about to answer, too, when he noticed her glance toward her paws, sinking into the earthy loam. even now, the swamp sucked all comers into its grasp. not yet cold enough for it to be frozen completely over, perhaps.

step forward, bachchi, aditya instructed, doing so as well. keep moving. the swamp will not take your step if you continue on.

once they'd moved, he glanced over and smiled. i never had a father, ani, he explained. not one that i knew, anyway. but i've been told my family's word for father is babuji.

but— but 'ji' is so formal. it's a mark of respect, he went on. please, dear, just call me. . .baba.