Author pov....

Deeksha’s fingers tightened around Deepak’s hand, her grip trembling yet desperate, as if she were holding on to the last thread of hope.

“Deepak… you will help, won’t you?” she whispered, her voice fragile, almost breaking under the weight of her fear.

Deepak sat there, his glasses hiding the storm in his eyes. To Deeksha, his silence felt unbearable.

She couldn’t read him, couldn’t understand what he was thinking. A cold fear crept into her heart what if he refuses? What if she was truly alone in this?

He, on the other hand, was lost in a whirlwind of thoughts. The words refused to come out. Just moments ago, his world had shifted he had discovered he had a daughter… and that same daughter was fighting blood cancer.

The reality struck him like a blow he wasn’t prepared for.

Deeksha’s strength finally gave way. Tears streamed down her face as she broke into soft, helpless sobs. She had tried to stay strong for so long, but now… she couldn’t anymore.

Deepak looked at her and really looked at her and something inside him stirred. He immediately stood up from his chair and gently held her shoulders.

“Deeksha… please, don’t cry like this,” he said softly, his voice filled with a tenderness he himself hadn’t realized. “I’ll help. Of course I’ll help. How could I not? She’s… my daughter.”

Deeksha looked up at him, her tear-filled eyes searching his face. Relief washed over her like a wave, and she broke down again, this time with gratitude.

“Th-thank you, Deepak… thank you so much…” she managed to say between her tears.

“Please… don’t cry,” he murmured, almost pleading. “It hurts me to see you like this.”

She quickly wiped her tears, trying to gather herself. Taking a shaky breath, she said, “Come with me… to the doctor. You need to get your bone marrow tested. If you match with Mannat… she can survive.”

Deepak nodded quietly. “Hmm.”

Deeksha stood up, picked up her bag, and said, “Let’s go.”

“Yeah,” he replied.

The two of them walked out of the café together, stepping into a world that suddenly felt heavier than before.

“I have a car,” Deepak said. “We can go to the hospital in it.”

“Okay,” Deeksha replied softly.

She followed him. Deepak took the driver’s seat, while Deeksha sat beside him, clutching her bag tightly, her heart still racing.

“Which hospital?” he asked.

Deeksha told him the name.

Deepak started the car, his hands steady on the wheel but inside, his mind was anything but calm.

Thoughts clashed and collided about the daughter he never knew, about the life he had missed, about the uncertain future waiting ahead.

He wanted to say something… anything.

But the words never came.

After what felt like an endless drive wrapped in silence and heavy thoughts, the car finally came to a halt outside the hospital.

Deeksha didn’t wait for a second. She quickly stepped out, her heart pounding against her chest, and

Deepak followed her without a word. The bright white lights of the hospital felt cold… almost unforgiving.

They walked hurriedly to the reception, and within moments, Deeksha was standing in front of the doctor, her hands slightly shaking as she handed over Mannat’s files.

“Doctor… these are all her reports,” she said, her voice low but urgent.

The doctor nodded and began going through the files carefully. The sound of papers turning echoed loudly in the quiet room, making every second feel heavier than the last.

Deeksha stood there, her fingers tightly intertwined, her eyes fixed on the doctor’s face searching for hope, for anything.

After a few moments, the doctor looked up.“We’ll need to run some tests,” he said calmly. “If he’s in a match, there is a strong chance we can proceed.”

Deeksha immediately looked at Deepak, her eyes filled with both fear and fragile hope.

Deepak gave a small nod.“I’m ready.”

Without wasting any more time, the doctor gestured for them to follow.

Deepak was led towards the testing room, and Deeksha walked beside him, refusing to leave his side.

Inside the testing room, the air smelled of antiseptic, sharp and clean.

A nurse prepared the equipment while the doctor turned to Deepak.

“We’ll start with a DNA and compatibility test,” he explained.

Deepak sat down quietly, rolling up his sleeve.

Deeksha stood close to him, her hands clenched together, silently praying.

The needle pierced his skin, and the sample was drawn.

The needle was withdrawn, and the small vial of Deepak’s blood was carefully labeled and set aside. The room fell into a tense silence once again.

The doctor removed his gloves and

looked at them both.

“The reports will take some time,” he said in a calm, professional tone.

Deeksha immediately stepped forward. “It’s okay… we’ll wait here,” she said quickly, as if refusing to let even a second slip away.

The doctor gave her a patient but firm look. “That’s not how it works. These tests take hours, sometimes longer. You should go home. We’ll call you as soon as the reports are ready.”

Deeksha shook her head stubbornly. “No… I’ll wait. I can’t leave.”

Her voice trembled, but her determination was unshaken. Waiting here, close to answers, felt easier than going back to uncertainty.

The doctor sighed softly and then glanced at Deepak, silently asking for help.

Deepak understood.

He turned toward Deeksha, his voice gentle but steady. “Deeksha… Mannat called you, right? She’ll be upset if you don’t go back.”

Deeksha froze for a second.

Mannat.

The name hit her like a sudden jolt. In all this chaos, she had almost forgotten.“Her medicines…” she whispered, panic flickering in her eyes. “I have to give her medicines.”

Her shoulders dropped slightly as reality settled in.“Okay… doctor,” she said quietly this time, nodding with reluctance.

The doctor gave a reassuring nod. “We’ll call you as soon as we have the results.”

Deeksha and Deepak stepped out of the hospital together.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Deepak walked ahead, then paused beside the car.

He opened the passenger door and gently gestured for Deeksha to sit.“Sit,” he said softly.

Deeksha nodded and sat down, still lost in her thoughts, her fingers absentmindedly gripping her bag.

Deepak walked around the car and slid into the driver’s seat. He took a deep breath, his hands resting on the steering wheel for a moment before starting the engine.

Deepak kept his eyes on the road, but his mind was anything but steady.

After a few moments of silence, he finally spoke.“Where are you staying?” he asked quietly.

Deeksha turned her head slightly and looked at him. “In a hotel.”

Deepak nodded. “Hmm… which one?”

She told him the name. He gave a small nod and continued driving, the car moving smoothly through the quiet streets. Neither of them spoke after that.

After a while, the car slowed down and came to a stop in front of the hotel.

Deepak turned slightly and looked at

Deeksha but she wasn’t looking at him. She was lost somewhere far away, her eyes unfocused, her mind clearly somewhere else.

“Deeksha… the hotel is here,” he said softly.

She blinked, as if pulled back into reality. First, she looked at him… then at the hotel.

For a brief second, she hesitated.

Then, almost cautiously, she asked, “Do you… want to meet Mannat?”

Deepak’s expression shifted slightly. “Does she… know about me?” he asked.

Deeksha shook her head. “No. But… she keeps asking about her father.” Her voice softened. “And today… she’ll be upset with me. I left without telling her.But… if she meets you, she won’t stay angry with me.” A faint, hopeful smile touched her lips. “She’ll even take her medicines without any fuss.”

Deepak looked at her for a moment, absorbing every word.“Okay…” he said finally, a little more certain this time. “Let’s go.”

A faint, relieved smile appeared on Deeksha’s face.

They both stepped out of the car. Deeksha walked ahead toward the hotel entrance, while Deepak followed behind.

But with every step he took, his heartbeat grew louder.

Faster.

He felt it in his chest, almost suffocating him.

What will I say to her?

How do you even talk to your own child… for the first time?

He didn’t know.

He had never learned.

He had been too young when he lost his own father too young to understand what a father was supposed to be, how he should speak, how he should care, how he should love.

And now, suddenly… life had placed him in that very role.

His steps slowed slightly as they entered the hotel.

Deeksha walked a few steps ahead, pushing the glass door open, then paused when she realized the silence behind her felt… different.

She turned.

Deepak was still standing near the gate.

Frozen.

As if his feet had refused to move any further.

A flicker of concern crossed her face.

She quickly walked back to him.

“Deepak… what happened?” she asked softly.

He looked at her, his eyes no longer calm there was confusion, fear… and something painfully vulnerable.

“I…” he hesitated, his voice catching. “What will I even say to her, Deeksha?”

Deeksha stayed quiet, letting him speak.

“I’ve never met her,” he continued, his words slowly spilling out. “How do I face her? What do I call her… what will she call me?” His breathing grew uneven. “If she asks where her father was all these years… why didn’t I ever come to see her… what will I

answer?”

His eyes dropped, filled with a guilt he didn’t even know how to carry.“I don’t know how to be a father,” he admitted, almost in a whisper. “I don’t even know what a father is supposed to say… or do.”

For a moment, there was only silence between them.

Then Deeksha stepped closer.

“Deepak… you don’t know her,” she said gently.

He frowned slightly, still unsure.

“She’ll talk to you on her own,” Deeksha continued, a softness filling her voice now. “In fact… she talks so much that you’ll get tired just listening to her.”

For the first time, something eased inside Deepak. A faint smile touched his lips small, but real. There was a strange comfort in hearing that… in imagining his daughter like that. Alive, talkative… full of life.

Just like a child should be.

Deeksha watched his expression change and felt a quiet relief.

“And you don’t have to think so much,” she added.

Deepak looked at her again, questioning.

A slight hesitation crossed her face, then she said softly, “I told her… that her father has gone to fight a monster.”

Deepak blinked, surprised.

Deeksha’s eyes grew distant for a moment. “I told her you’ll come back soon… after defeating it.”

There was a pause.

Something deep and unspoken passed between them.

Deepak let out a slow breath, his chest tightening not with fear this time, but with emotion he couldn’t quite name.

Deeksha looked at him, her voice soft but certain.

“Deepak… there’s nothing to be scared of,” she said gently. “Kids don’t think that much. You can tell them anything… and they’ll believe it.”

Deepak watched her, absorbing every word. There was a strange comfort in the simplicity of it.

Deeksha gave him a small nod.“Come.”

Deepak nodded back.

They stepped into the lift together.

The doors slid shut.

Silence.

Neither of them spoke. The soft hum of the lift filled the space, but inside, both were lost in their own thoughts Deeksha thinking about Mannat.

The doors opened.

Deeksha stepped out first, Deepak following closely behind her.

They walked down the corridor and stopped in front of a room.

Deeksha pressed the bell.

A few seconds later, the door opened.

Ishani stood there, worried written all over her face but the moment she saw Deeksha, relief washed over her.

“Thank God, Deeksha, you’re back,” she said quickly. “I’ve been trying for so long to make Mannat take her medicine… please, only you can convince her.”

Deeksha gave a small, reassuring smile.“Ishani di… Deepak is here with me. Now Mannat will take the medicine, don’t worry.”

For a second, Ishani froze.

“Deepak… is here?” she repeated, shock evident in her voice.

Deeksha nodded.

She turned slightly and called out, “Deepak…”

Deepak stepped forward.

And then—Their eyes met.

After so many years.

Ishani looked at him, her expression softening. A faint smile appeared on her lips.

“Deepak… how are you?” she asked warmly.

Deepak gave a small, respectful nod. “I’m fine, di. How are you?”

“I’m good too,” she replied gently. “Come in.”

“Hmm,” Deepak responded quietly.

He stepped inside, Deeksha beside him.

Ishani stepped aside and gestured toward the living area.

“Sit, Deepak,” she said softly.

Deepak nodded and walked over to the sofa, sitting down carefully, as if even this simple moment carried weight.

Just then, small footsteps echoed from inside the room.

A little boy came running out Ishaan.

Deepak’s eyes shifted toward him instinctively, curiosity flickering across his face.

Then he glanced at Deeksha, silently asking.

Deeksha understood.

“This is Ishani di and Abhay bhaiya’s son… Ishaan,” she said gently.

“Hmm… oh,” Deepak replied softly, looking back at the child.

Ishaan, however, wasn’t as comfortable.The moment he noticed Deepak, he hesitated… then quickly walked over and clutched Ishani’s saree, half-hiding behind her. His small fingers tightened in the fabric as he peeked out shyly.

“He doesn’t mix with new people easily,” Ishani said with a faint smile, glancing down at him before looking back at Deepak.

Then her gaze softened… but carried a quiet depth.“You’ve changed a lot, Deepak,” she said.

There was a pause.“Did you… ever think of me?” she continued, her voice calm but laced with something unspoken. “Not even once did you call and ask di, how are you?”

Deepak looked at her, a flicker of guilt passing through his eyes.“I did think of you, di,” he said quietly. “But… I got busy with my life. That’s why I couldn’t call.”

Ishani held his gaze for a moment longer.Then her expression softened.

She understood.Because somewhere… she had done the same.

After moving to London, life had pulled her into its own rush, its own distance. Even she hadn’t been able to stay in touch with people the way she once thought she would.

“Hmm…” she murmured softly, a small, understanding smile forming.

Deeksha turned to Ishani, her voice edged with concern.

“Di… where is Mannat?”

“In the room,” Ishani replied softly. “She’s watching cartoons.”

Deeksha let out a slow, frustrated sigh. “Why didn’t you switch off the TV? She’s not well.”

Without waiting for an answer, she walked away. Ishani opened her mouth to say something but no words came out. She just stood there, silent.

Deeksha entered the room and immediately switched off the TV.

Mannat looked up at her mother and instantly, her tiny face hardened with anger. She pulled the blanket over her face and turned away, curling into herself.

Deeksha switched on the light and softened her voice.“Mannat, baby… you didn’t take your medicine.”

She walked to the bed and tried to pull the blanket away, but Mannat held onto it tightly, stubbornly refusing to let go.“Oh… so you’re upset with Mumma?”

Deeksha said gently, her voice now filled with guilt. “I’m sorry, baby. Mumma had to go out for something very important… I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” She paused, trying to coax her. “And Mumma brought a surprise for you.”

But Mannat didn’t believe her. In her little mind, this was just another trick to make her take medicine. She tightened her grip on the blanket, hiding her face even more.

Deeksha watched her for a moment, then said softly almost like revealing a secret,“Mannat… your Papa has come to meet you.”

For a second, everything went still.

Mannat heard it and suddenly pulled the blanket off her face. Her wide, hopeful eyes searched her mother’s face. Deeksha smiled at her, warm and reassuring.

Mannat quickly looked around the room.“Where is Papa?” she asked, her voice filled with doubt. “You’re lying, right? Just to make me take medicine?”

“No, baby,” Deeksha said, her voice was steady. “Mumma is telling the truth.”

“Then… where is Papa?”

Deeksha stood up, her heart racing, and stepped outside. She looked at Deepak and called him softly, urging him with her eyes.

Deepak rose from the sofa, his steps slow, heavy with emotions he couldn’t yet name.

Deeksha returned with him and said

softly,“Look, Mannat… Papa is here.”

Mannat looked at him.

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

She had never seen her father before. Not once. And now, standing right in front of her, was a man she was supposed to call Papa. It felt unreal.

She looked at her mother.

Then back at Deepak.

Deepak stood frozen.

His eyes filled with emotion as he looked at her his daughter. So fragile, so thin… weakened by illness. His heart clenched painfully. He didn’t know what to say, how to begin… he hadn’t even known she existed until now.

The silence between them felt endless.

Then, in a small, trembling voice, Mannat finally spoke—“Papa… are you… my Papa?”

Deepak nodded.

And just like that, Mannat’s face lit up with pure, innocent joy. Happiness so sudden, so bright, it almost felt fragile.

She tried to get up from the bed, eager to go to him but the moment she moved, a sharp pain shot through her body.

“Ahh…” she winced, her tiny voice breaking.

In an instant, both Deeksha and Deepak rushed to her side.

“Mannat, baby! Are you okay?” Deeksha’s voice trembled as she cupped her face, panic rising in her chest. “Show me, where does it hurt?”

Deepak stood beside them, equally shaken. Seeing such a small child in pain it unsettled him deeply, more than he could explain.

Mannat forced a small smile.“Mumma, I’m fine…”

But she wasn’t.

The pain still lingered in her body, quietly spreading but she chose not to say it out loud. She knew her mother would worry too much.

Still, Deeksha kept looking at her anxiously, her eyes scanning every little expression.“Mumma, I’m really okay,” Mannat insisted softly. “Why do you worry so much?”

Then her gaze shifted to Deepak.

Her eyes softened instantly, filling with warmth and something she had never felt before… belonging.

“Come here,” she said gently.

Deepak stepped closer, almost hesitantly.

The next moment, Mannat wrapped her arms around him.

“Papa…” she whispered, hugging him tightly, “I missed you so much. Why didn’t you ever come to meet me?”

Deepak froze.

Her small arms around his neck her voice… her words it all hit him at once. He didn’t know how to answer. How could he? He hadn’t even known she existed.

Deeksha watched the moment quietly, then stepped in, her voice soft but steady.“Mannat… I told you, didn’t I? Papa had gone to fight monsters. That’s why he couldn’t come. But now… he’s here, isn’t he?”

Mannat slowly pulled back from the hug and looked up at Deepak, her eyes wide with curiosity and admiration.“Papa… you defeated all the monsters, right?”

Deepak nodded again, unable to find his voice.

A bright smile spread across Mannat’s face.“Papa,” she said seriously, her tiny hand reaching forward, “now don’t ever leave me and Mumma again, okay? Promise?”

She lifted her little finger toward him.

Deepak looked at her finger… then at Deeksha, confusion flickering in his eyes. He didn’t quite understand what she was asking.

Mannat giggled softly.“Papa, you’re so silly,” she teased, her voice light despite everything. “Don’t you know how to do a pinky promise?”

“Papa, look… I’ll teach you,” she said, lifting her tiny hand again. “Like this… you hook your little finger with mine.”

Deepak couldn’t help but smile, a soft chuckle escaping him as he bent down to her level.

“Alright,” he said gently, his voice warm for the first time, “teach me properly then.”

Mannat carefully hooked her little finger with his, her touch light but full of excitement.

“Now you say promise,” she instructed, her tone was serious like a tiny teacher.

“Promise,” Deepak repeated, watching her with a tenderness he didn’t even realize he had.

“And you can’t break it,” she added quickly, narrowing her eyes a little. “Otherwise… it’s very bad.”

Deepak laughed softly. “Okay, I won’t break it.”

Mannat’s face lit up instantly.

“Good! Now it’s sealed,” she said proudly. “Now you can’t leave me and Mumma. Ever.”

Deepak’s smiled

Still holding his finger, Mannat began to speak, her voice slowing down as her thoughts turned softer.

“Papa… in my school in London… everyone used to ask me about you.”

Deepak’s expression stilled.

“They used to say I was lying,” she continued quietly. “They said… ‘you don’t even have a papa.’”

Her fingers tightened around his just a little.“I didn’t like it,” she admitted, her voice small. “But I never cried in front of them.”

Deepak felt a sharp ache in his chest.

Mannat looked up at him again, her eyes now filled with a quiet kind of happiness.

“But now… I’ll tell them,” she said, a small smile forming. “I’ll say my Papa is real. He just came a little late.”

Deepak swallowed, his voice low.

“I’m sorry… I wasn’t there before.”

Mannat shook her head quickly.

“No. You came now. That’s enough.”

For a second, everything felt still.

Then she leaned a little closer, her voice turning hopeful again.

“Papa… will you come with me to London?” she asked. “I want to show everyone that you’re my Papa.”

Deepak didn’t hesitate this time.

“Yes,” he said softly. “I’ll come with you.”

Mannat smiled brightly, her happiness returning in full.

“And I’ll show you my school,” she continued excitedly. “And my classroom… and my favorite place near the window where I sit. And there’s one girl she always takes my colors and never gives them back!”

Deepak chuckled softly, listening to her as if every word mattered because it did.

Across the room, Deeksha quietly picked up the medicine and walked over.“Mannat, open your mouth,” she said gently, as if it were nothing serious.

Mannat obeyed without thinking, still talking.“And Papa, one day my teacher said—”

She swallowed.

“And then everyone laughed—”

Another spoon.

Deepak noticed and glanced at Deeksha, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

Mannat kept going, completely unaware.“But now I’ll tell them—”

The last spoon.

She swallowed again, still lost in her story.

Deeksha lowered the medicine slowly, her eyes soft with relief.

Mannat didn’t even realize she had taken it.She just kept holding Deepak’s finger, talking endlessly… as if she was afraid the moment might disappear if she stopped.

And Deepak… just listened.

The afternoon slowly melted into the evening… and before anyone realized, night had wrapped the room in a quiet stillness.

But Mannat hadn’t let go of Deepak even for a second.

Her tiny fingers were still wrapped tightly around his hand as if loosening her grip would make him disappear again.

And Deepak…

He didn’t want to leave either.

For the first time, he felt like he belonged somewhere. Like he was needed.

Just then, his phone rang.

The sound broke at the moment.

Deepak glanced at the screen—Maa.

He hesitated for a second before answering.

“Where are you?” his mother’s worried voice came from the other side.

“I… I’ll be home soon,” he replied softly. “I’ll tell you everything.”

He hung up slowly, his heart already feeling heavy.

Turning back to Mannat, he gently stroked her hair.

“Mannat, baby… you should rest now,” he said softly. “If you don’t sleep, your health will get worse.”

Mannat immediately shook her head, tightening her hold on him.“No… I’m not sleepy,” she said quickly. “I want to talk to you.”

But the truth was different.

She was scared.

Scared that if she fell asleep… he might leave.

And when she woke up, he wouldn’t be there anymore.

Deeksha and Ishani stood quietly at the door, watching them both understanding the fear in Mannat’s eyes.

“Mannat, baby,” Deeksha said gently, stepping closer, “you should sleep. Papa must be tired too, right? He also needs rest.”

Mannat shook her head again, more stubborn this time.“No. I don’t want to sleep.”

Deepak took a slow breath.

This time, he chose honesty.

“Mannat…” he said softly, “I have to go to my Mumma. She’s calling me… she’s worried.”

Mannat’s grip loosened for a second.

Her eyes filled with fear.

“Papa…” her voice trembled, “are you… leaving me and Mumma again?”

Deepak’s heart clenched.

“No, baby,” he said quickly, holding her hand tighter. “I’m just going to my Mumma. I’ll come back tomorrow morning. I promise.”

Mannat shook her head, tears threatening to spill.“No… call your Mumma here,” she insisted. “Don’t go.”

Deepak gave a small, helpless smile.

“I’ll bring my Mumma to meet you tomorrow, okay? How will she come alone? Papa has to bring her, right?”

Mannat went quiet.

She thought for a moment, her little brows furrowing.

Then suddenly she said,“Then give me your phone number. I’ll call you. If you don’t come… I’ll call you.”

Deepak smiled faintly.“My number is with your Mumma. You can call me from her phone anytime, okay? I’ll always talk to you.”

Mannat stayed silent for a few seconds.

Then slowly… very slowly… she let go of his hand.

Her eyes dropped, her voice small and fragile.“You’ll come tomorrow… right? Pakka?”

Deepak felt something break inside him seeing her like that.

He cupped her face gently.

“Yes, bachha,” he said softly. “I’ll come. Pakka.”

Mannat nodded faintly.

“Hmm…”

Deepak stood up slowly.

“Now rest, okay? Papa will come before you even wake up.”

He carefully pulled the blanket over her, tucking her in gently as if she were something too delicate for this world.

Then he leaned down… and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

“Good night.”

Mannat closed her eyes, but her fingers still clutched the edge of the blanket… as if holding onto him in some way.

Deepak turned and walked out of the room.

Deeksha and Ishani followed him quietly.“Okay… I’ll go now,” Deepak said, his voice low. “I’ll come tomorrow.”

Deeksha nodded softly. “Hmm.”

He walked away.

Out of the room.

Into the lift.

Out of the hotel.

The night air felt colder than usual.

He sat inside his car… closed the door…

Deepak’s phone rang again.

He glanced at the screen Rahul.

For a second, he just stared at the name… then cut the call without a word.

The silence that followed felt heavier than before.

His grip on the phone loosened, and it slipped onto the seat beside him.

And then—

He couldn’t hold it in anymore.

And for the first time.

He broke.

Tears streamed down his face, uncontrollable, heavy… years of emptiness crashing into one moment.

“I had a daughter…” he whispered to himself, his voice shaking. “All this time… I had a daughter…”

And now that he had found her Leaving her, even for one night, felt unbearable.

“My daughter…” he whispered, his voice shaking, “she has cancer…”

Saying it out loud made it real.

Too real.

He leaned forward, resting his forehead against the steering wheel, his shoulders trembling.

“Why…?” his voice cracked. “Why her…? What did she ever do?”

Tears kept falling uncontrolled, relentless.

“All these years… I didn’t even know she existed…” he said, his words heavy with guilt. “And today… when I finally found her… this is what I got to know?”

He let out a hollow, pained laugh.

“I went there to see Deeksha… after so many years,” he murmured. “I was happy… I thought maybe… something good would come out of it.”

His eyes shut tightly.

“I found my daughter… she called me ‘Papa’…” his voice softened, breaking again, “and at the same moment… I found out she’s suffering.”

He clenched his fists, his chest tightening.

“How am I supposed to handle this…?” he whispered helplessly. “I don’t even know how to be a father… I don’t know how to take care of her… how will I fight this for her?”

The weight of it all crushed him.

“I wasn’t there when she needed me,” he said, his voice filled with regret. “Not once…”

For a long moment, he just sat there… crying, breathing unevenly, completely lost.

The world outside moved on but inside that car, everything had stopped.

Slowly… he wiped his tears.

Not because he felt better but because he had no choice.

He picked up his phone, placed it aside, and started the car.

The engine roared softly in the silence.

And without looking back Deepak drove into the night.

Deepak reached home late at night.

The door opened and Rahul and his mother, Rajni, immediately looked toward him.

“Deepak…” Rahul called, sensing something was wrong.

Deepak stepped inside.

He looked at Rahul… then at his mother.

And the moment his eyes met hers His composure shattered.

Tears welled up and spilled over, uncontrollable.

Rahul’s expression changed instantly.

“Deepak, what happened?” he asked, moving closer, worry clear in his voice.

Rajni stood up quickly and walked to him, her hands gripping his arms.

“Why are you crying like this?” she asked anxiously. “You went to meet Deeksha, didn’t you? Tell me what happened.”

Deepak tried to speak—

But no words came out.

Instead, he pulled her into a tight embrace, holding onto her like he was falling apart.

“Maa…” his voice broke, “I… I have a daughter…”

Rajni froze.

Rahul’s eyes widened.

Deepak’s grip tightened as he spoke the words that felt impossible to say “And she has cancer.”

The room went silent.

Rajni slowly pulled away from him, her hands trembling as she held his face.

“What did you say?” she whispered, her voice unsteady. “Deepak… say it again.”

Deepak shook his head slightly, tears streaming down his face.

“Maa… Deeksha came to meet me,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion. “She came because… our daughter Mannat… she’s sick. Very sick. She needs my bone marrow.”

Rahul stood there, stunned, unable to react.

“I’ve already given my test,” Deepak continued. “And then… I went to see her.”

His voice softened, breaking again.

“Maa… she’s so small… so weak…” he whispered. “She’s just a little girl… and she’s fighting something so big…”

Tears fell faster now.

“She kept holding my hand… she didn’t want me to go,” he said, his pain raw. “And I… I didn’t want to leave her either.”

He looked down, guilt written all over his face.“But I had to come back… I had to leave her there…”

Rajni’s eyes filled with tears as she listened, her heart aching with every word.

“My child…” she murmured, pulling him close again, holding him tightly.

Rahul still hadn’t moved.

A daughter.

Deepak and Deeksha had a daughter.

And she was suffering from cancer.The truth hung heavy in the air unreal, painful, impossible to ignore.

.......................................................................................................

All night, Deepak, Rajni, and Rahul lay awake, sleep refusing to come anywhere near them.

The darkness stretched endlessly, heavy with unspoken fears and restless thoughts.

As the first light of dawn finally broke through, Deepak and Rajni quietly got ready. There was a sense of urgency in their movements, mixed with nervous anticipation they were going to meet Deeksha and Mannat.

Deepak turned to Rahul, his voice gentle but hopeful, asking if he would come along with them.

Rahul hesitated.He didn’t have the courage to face anyone… especially not Ishani. The weight of emotions he had been avoiding all this time suddenly felt too heavy to carry.

Deepak gave him a reassuring nod and said nothing more. He and Rajni left the house, driving toward the hotel.

As they reached the hotel, Deepak pressed the bell. The sound echoed in the quiet hallway.

After a moment, the door opened and Ishani stood there, blinking in surprise at the sight of them so early in the morning.

“Rajni aunty…” she said, her voice faltering, seeing them both.

Rajni stepped forward instinctively, cupping Ishani’s face gently in her hands. Her eyes glistened as she spoke softly, “Ishani… baccha… how are you? I… I heard about Abhay… I couldn’t… I couldn’t attend the last rites… I’m so sorry.”

Ishani’s lips curved into a gentle smile. “It’s okay, aunty. Really… don’t worry. Come in.”

Deepak and Rajni exchanged a glance and stepped inside.

Deepak’s eyes scanned the room cautiously. “Didi… Deeksha and Mannat… are they still sleeping?” he asked quietly.

Ishani nodded. “Yes, they’re still asleep.”

Deepak exhaled softly. “Oh… okay.”

Ishani motioned them to sit. “Please… sit.”

Deepak and Rajni both nodded and lowered themselves onto the chairs, careful not to make any noise.

Ishani picked up the phone and called the hotel staff, asking them to send breakfast to the room.Before she could say anything further,

Rajni gently stopped her.

“Let it be, Ishani,” she said softly, placing a tiffin on the table. “I’ve brought breakfast from home.”

Ishani looked at her, a little surprised, her eyes softening. “Aunty… you really didn’t have to go through so much trouble.”

Rajni smiled faintly, but there was a quiet concern hidden in her expression. “I had to,” she replied. “You and Deeksha are here alone in Delhi, staying in a hotel… how could I not?” “And now, I want both of you to come home with me.”

Ishani’s gaze shifted, uncertainty flickering across her face. She hesitated before speaking, her voice polite but firm. “Aunty… I won’t be able to come. You can ask Deeksha… maybe she’ll go.” She paused for a moment, then added softly, “Maybe Mannat will go with you all.”

Hearing Mannat’s name, Rajni instinctively looked toward her and smiled an emotional, hopeful smile that carried unspoken warmth.

Deepak sat quietly, his eyes occasionally drifting toward the closed door. He was waiting… waiting for the moment Deeksha and Mannat would wake up.

Ishani sat beside Rajni, talking to her softly. Deepak remained seated nearby, quietly listening, his silence carrying more weight than words ever could.

Time passed… but there was still no movement from inside the room.

After a while, Ishani said gently, “Wait, I’ll go wake Deeksha up.”

But Rajni immediately stopped her, her voice calm yet filled with understanding. “No, Ishani… let her sleep. She must be so troubled because of Mannat’s illness. She needs this rest.” She paused, her eyes growing distant with emotion. “A mother’s pain… only a mother can truly understand.”

Ishani slowly nodded, falling silent.

Moments later, Deeksha stirred awake. Faint voices from outside reached her ears. Confused, she got up and walked out of the room… and then she froze.

Deepak… and Rajni were sitting there.

For a second, everything felt still.

Deepak looked up instantly, as if he had been waiting for this very moment. Their eyes met

Rajni’s face softened as she spoke first, breaking the silence. “Deeksha, beta… how are you?”

Deeksha forced a small smile and walked closer. “Aunty… when did you come?”

“I’ve been here since morning,” Rajni replied gently. “I was waiting for you and Mannat to wake up.”

“You should have woken me up,”Deeksha said softly.

Rajni shook her head with a faint smile. “You were resting… I didn’t feel like disturbing you.”

Deeksha nodded, but an awkwardness settled between them.

After so many years, standing in front of Rajni Aunty felt unfamiliar… almost overwhelming. Rajni sensed it immediately.

“Come, Deeksha,” she said warmly, trying to ease the tension. “Have breakfast. I brought food from home.”

“I’ll just wash up and come,” Deeksha replied, escaping the moment as she turned and walked toward the washroom.

Inside, she splashed water on her face, trying to steady her racing thoughts.

Then she turned to Mannat, gently waking her up.“Mannat, baby… wake up. Look, your papa is here.”

Still half-asleep, Mannat barely reacted at first but the moment she heard the word papa, her eyes flew open.

“Where?” she asked, sitting up instantly.

“Outside, baby. Can you walk? You’re not feeling too weak, right?” Deeksha asked, concerned lacing her voice.

“I’m fine,” Mannat said quickly.

Deeksha smiled softly, helping her up and holding her carefully as they walked out together.

The moment Mannat’s eyes fell on Deepak, her face lit up.

“Papa… you came!” she said, her voice filled with pure joy.

Deepak looked at her, his eyes softening instantly as a smile spread across his face. “Yes,” he said, his voice was warm.

He stood up and walked toward her, every step filled with emotion.

Stopping in front of her, he bent slightly and said softly, “I promised you, didn’t I? That I’d come before you woke up… see, I’m here.”

Mannat’s face lit up with pure happiness as she rushed into Deepak’s arms, hugging him tightly as if she was afraid he might disappear if she let go.

“Papa… you won’t go now, right?” she asked, her voice small but full of hope.

Deepak held her closer, his hand gently resting on her head. “No,” he said softly, “I won’t go.”

A bright smile spread across Mannat’s face.

After a moment, her eyes shifted and fell on Rajni.

Slowly, she pulled away from Deepak’s embrace and looked toward her mother, silently asking a question her little heart didn’t yet know how to frame.

Deeksha understood immediately. She stepped closer and said gently, “Mannat, baby… she is your papa’s mother… just like my mother was to me.”

Mannat looked at Rajni again this time more carefully. Then, a small smile appeared on her face.

Rajni’s eyes softened with warmth. “Won’t you come meet me, Mannat?” she asked lovingly.

Mannat tilted her head slightly and said in her innocent tone, “I will… but first you tell me did you bring chocolates for me?”

Rajni paused, a little surprised, then smiled awkwardly. “Oh… I didn’t bring any.”

Mannat nodded thoughtfully. “Okay… but next time, remember. My mumma’s mumma used to give me lots of chocolates… you’ll give me too, right? Then I’ll come to you.”

A soft laughter filled the room, easing the heaviness that had been lingering till now.

Rajni’s smile widened, her eyes glistening slightly. “Yes, I will,” she said.

Satisfied, Mannat walked toward her and wrapped her tiny arms around Rajni.

For a moment, Rajni froze… then slowly, she hugged her back.

This little girl… she was a part of Deepak. His child.

The realization hit her deeply she hadn’t even known that Deepak had a daughter. And now, she was right here, in her arms.

Across the room, Deepak and Deeksha stood quietly, watching the moment unfold both of them lost in a silent, shared emotion… something soft, something healing… something that felt like the beginning of mending what was once broken.

Everyone sat together, quietly having breakfast. The atmosphere had softened a little plates clinking gently, small conversations filling the silence that once felt heavy.

For a moment, it almost felt… normal.

Then suddenly, the sound of a door opening broke the calm.

Ishaan stepped out of the room.

He paused the moment he saw so many unfamiliar faces sitting together.

His eyes moved quickly from one person to another. The room felt too loud, too crowded… too overwhelming.

His breathing started to change.

“Mumma…” he called out, his voice shaky.

Ishani looked up and instantly understood.

Her face filled with panic.

She rushed toward him without a second thought. “It’s okay, baby… it’s okay,” she said softly, wrapping her arms around him protectively.

But Ishaan clung to her tightly, his body tense, clearly triggered by the sudden environment.

Without looking at anyone else, she quickly took him back into the room, holding him close.

The room fell silent.

Everyone watched, unsure of what to say.

Rajni looked toward Deeksha, confusion mixed with concern. “Deeksha… was that Ishani’s child?”

Deeksha nodded softly. “Yes, aunty.”

Rajni hesitated before asking, “What happened to him? Why was he reacting like that?”

Deeksha took a small breath. “He’s autistic, aunty… sometimes too much noise, too many people it overwhelms him.”

Rajni frowned slightly, not fully understanding. She turned to Deepak. “Autistic? What does that mean?”

Deepak spoke gently, choosing his words carefully. “It means his mind works differently, Maa. He feels things more intensely than others. Crowds, noise, sudden changes… they can make him anxious or scared.”

Rajni’s expression slowly changed as she tried to absorb it. Her eyes softened, filling with a quiet sadness.

“Oh…” she whispered.

For a moment, she looked toward the closed door where Ishani had taken Ishaan.

“So much pain for such a small

child…” she murmured. Then her voice dropped even further, heavy with empathy, “And on top of that… his father is no more…”

A deep silence settled over everyone again.

Inside Ishani gently rocking him until his breathing slowly began to settle.

“It’s okay now… you’re safe,” she whispered, brushing his hair back. “Mumma is here.”

Ishaan clung to her for a few more moments, then gradually relaxed.

Ishani cupped his face softly. “Okay… now we’ll go outside, alright? Everyone is family. You’re safe, and Mumma is with you.”

Ishaan looked at her, searching her eyes for reassurance… then slowly nodded.

A small smile appeared on Ishani’s lips. She kissed his forehead tenderly and lifted him into her arms.

“Good boy,” she murmured.

When she stepped out with him, the room grew quiet again but this time, there was a softness in everyone’s eyes.

Ishaan looked around, still cautious.

Deeksha smiled warmly, trying to make him comfortable. “Ishaan, come… have breakfast. Look, Mannat didi is eating.”

At the mention of Mannat, his gaze shifted toward her.

Mannat was sitting beside Deepak, happily talking, completely at ease.

Something about her felt… safe.

Ishaan’s expression eased just a little as he kept looking at her.

But Ishani gently carried him to a chair and sat down, keeping him close in her lap. “You sit with me,” she said softly, starting to feed him.

Rajni watched them quietly, her eyes filled with a mix of concern and tenderness as she observed how carefully Ishani handled every little reaction, every little emotion.

On the other side, Mannat continued chatting excitedly with Deepak telling him little things, laughing, asking questions.

Deepak listened to her with a smile, replying softly, completely lost in her innocence.

Ishaan kept watching them.

His eyes stayed fixed on the way Mannat leaned into Deepak… the way Deepak smiled at her… the way she called him papa so naturally.

And in that quiet moment… he missed his own father.

Slowly, without saying a word, Ishaan turned and buried his face into Ishani’s chest, holding onto her tightly

as if trying to hold on to the only place that still felt like home.

The afternoon stretched on as they all sat together, the air filled with the steady hum of conversation.

Nearby, Deepak, Mannat, and Ishaan were engrossed in a game of Ludo.

Suddenly, Deeksha’s phone vibrated. It was the doctor.

She answered quickly, her heart racing. "Miss Thakur," the doctor’s voice came through clearly, "your daughter’s bone marrow has found a match. It’s a perfect match with Mr. Deepak Sharma."

A wave of pure joy washed over Deeksha. She looked over at Mannat and Deepak, her eyes shimmering. "Thank you... thank you so much, Doctor, for sharing this news. I’ve been waiting so long to hear this."

Deepak noticed the radiant smile on her face. "What happened?" he asked, sensing the shift in the room.

Deeksha hung up and looked directly at him. "Your bone marrow matched," she breathed.

Deepak’s face lit up with instant relief.

Rajni, who had just walked in, gasped in disbelief. "Is it true? Really?"

Deeksha nodded, beaming. "Yes, Aunty!"

Overwhelmed, Deepak pulled Mannat into a tight, protective hug. For so many years, he had been absent from her life; when he finally found her, he found her fighting cancer.

Now, for the first time, a sense of peace settled over him. His daughter was going to be okay. Holding her close, he leaned down and pressed a tender kiss against her hair.

...............................................................................................

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