Vansh turned slightly to face him. "I'm fine here," he replied simply, his tone respectful yet firm.
The old man let out a short chuckle. "Why? Do you not like the party, or is it that you don't have any friends here?" He paused, studying the boy's expression before adding, "If it's the latter, you can always make new ones."
"Nothing like that," Vansh responded, shaking his head. "I have plenty of friends. But my grandfather is attending this event for the first time, and I wanted to accompany him."
The old man's eyes twinkled with amusement as he leaned in slightly. "Then go and accompany him," he said with a teasing smile. "Go, go... don't stand here wasting time."
Vansh exhaled, already recognizing his grandfather's playful nature. He had heard about it from his father countless times. A knowing smirk played on his lips as he responded, "I already am accompanying him."
The old man narrowed his eyes, pretending to be confused. "You are? Then where is your grandfather? Shouldn't you be with him instead of standing next to an old man like me?"
Vansh took a deep breath, his expression growing serious yet affectionate. "I am with him," he said softly. "Because you are my grandfather."
For a moment, silence stretched between them, only the distant hum of the party filling the space. The old man's eyes flickered with emotions, though he kept his composure. He had already recognized the boy, but he had been waiting for him to say it aloud.
"You are...?" he prompted, feigning uncertainty.
Vansh straightened his posture and met his grandfather's gaze with unwavering certainty. "I am your grandson."
The elderly man let out a hearty laugh, shaking his head in mock disbelief. "That chap's lad, huh? So, it's you…" he mused, referring to Vansh's father. He then sighed dramatically, stroking his chin. "But your father kept boasting that his son is just like me—dashing, handsome, and charismatic. Yet, looking at you, I must say... you don't even have one percent of his bragging."
Vansh rolled his eyes at the cheeky remark, already understanding why his father and grandfather never quite got along. It was a battle of egos, both too stubborn to give in.
"You really don't change, do you?" Vansh muttered under his breath, shaking his head with a small smile.
The old man grinned. "What's the fun in changing? Besides, I quite like who I am."
A warm silence settled between them, and for the first time that evening, Vansh felt at ease. His grandfather might be difficult at times, but there was something undeniably comforting about his presence.
As the party continued around them, unnoticed by the rest of the world, a bond long overdue was quietly rekindled between grandfather and grandson.