Author pov.....

Hours passed before Mannat finally regained consciousness.

Her eyelids fluttered open, heavy and uncertain, as her gaze slowly wandered around the unfamiliar hospital room. The silence felt strange... almost frightening. Her mother wasn't there. No one was. A wave of unease settled in her chest.

She tried to lift herself up, but her body refused to cooperate. Weak... fragile... as if all her strength had been drained away.

Just then, the door creaked open and a doctor walked in. Noticing her awake, he stepped closer, a gentle smile forming on his face.

"Mannat, are you okay?" he asked softly.

Mannat's lips parted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Mumma..."

"Alright," the doctor nodded reassuringly, "I'll call your mother."

The moment Deeksha heard the news, her heart leaped with relief. Without wasting a second, she rushed to the hospital room. As soon as her eyes fell on Mannat, they filled with tears of pure happiness.

She hurried to her side, her trembling hands reaching out. "Mannat... are you okay, my baby? Tell me... is there any pain? Anything at all?"

Mannat looked at her and gave a faint, comforting smile. "I'm fine, Mumma... just a little..."

Before she could finish, Deeksha pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her as if she would never let go.

"My baby..." she whispered, her voice breaking, "just a little more... everything will be fine now."

Mannat hesitated for a moment, then asked innocently, "Mumma... my hair won't fall now, right? And I won't feel weak anymore?"

Deeksha quickly wiped her tears, forcing a reassuring smile onto her face. "No, my baby... you're going to be alright now. Your cancer will be gone. Everything will be okay."

A small spark of happiness lit up on Mannat's face. But then another thought crossed her mind."Mumma... where is Papa?"

For a brief second, Deeksha's expression faltered, but she composed herself. "Papa is admitted too, baby. He gave you his bone marrow, remember? That's why he's resting right now. But as soon as he gets better, he'll come to see you."

Mannat's eyes softened. She wanted to see her father... to hug him... but she stayed quiet, holding onto her mother's hand instead.

Deeksha sat beside her, gently talking to her, trying to fill the room with warmth hiding her fears behind soft words and a fragile smile.

Slowly, day by day, both Mannat and Deepak began to recover.

The days were still heavy with pain, but there was hope now quiet, fragile hope that kept them going.

One day, unable to hold himself back any longer, Deepak decided to see his daughter.

Despite the sharp pain in his hip, he insisted on coming. Sitting in a wheelchair, he made his way down the hospital corridor, his heart restless, longing for just one glimpse of Mannat.

He reached her room.

Inside, Deeksha was gently feeding Mannat, coaxing her with patience and love. The moment Deepak entered, Deeksha looked up.and her expression immediately changed to concern.

"Deepak... why did you come here?" she said, rushing toward him. "You'll have trouble... it will hurt you."

Deepak only smiled softly, his eyes calm yet filled with emotion. "I'm fine, Deeksha," he said gently. "I just... wanted to see Mannat."

Mannat turned her head and the moment she saw him, her face lit up with a bright, heartfelt smile.

"Papa..."

Deepak's eyes softened instantly. He moved closer, his voice warm and full of affection. "Mannat, baccha... are you okay?"

"Yes, Papa," she replied, her voice lighter now.

A wave of relief washed over him. It was as if all his pain, all his exhaustion, faded away in that single moment.

But then Mannat made a face, pointing toward the glass in her mother's hand. "Look, Papa... Mumma is still making me drink this bitter karela juice. I don't want it!"

Deeksha sighed, trying to hide her smile. "Mannat, enough of your drama now. Come on, drink it."

Mannat pouted, turning her face away in protest.

Deepak couldn't help but laugh softly at the scene in front of him their little arguments, her childish complaints... it all felt so normal, so alive.

Deepak watched Mannat's sulking face for a moment, then looked at Deeksha with a soft smile.

"Let it be, Deeksha... she's still a child," he said gently. "And she's getting better now. Give her something nice to eat instead."

Deeksha shot him a firm look, her brows slightly furrowed. "Don't spoil her, Deepak. Right now, this is what her body needs."

Her tone left no room for argument.

Deepak sighed quietly and fell silent, though his eyes remained fixed on Mannat. She was still sitting there, her lips pouted, clearly unhappy.

"Come on, Mannat," Deeksha said, holding the glass toward her. "Drink it. Quickly."

Mannat hesitated, her small face scrunching in protest, but eventually she took the glass. With visible effort, she started drinking the bitter karela juice, forcing each sip down as if it were a punishment.

Deepak winced just watching her.

"At least give her one piece of chocolate after this," he said, unable to stop himself. "The juice is so bitter..."

Deeksha slowly turned her head and glared at him.

Deepak immediately made an innocent face, pressing his lips together like a scolded child.

Deeksha shook her head in disbelief. "Both of you father and daughter are exactly the same."

Mannat and Deepak exchanged a glance... and then, in perfect sync, both of them turned to stare at Deeksha with exaggerated, dramatic glares.

Deeksha tried to hold her stern expression, but the sight in front of her was too much both of them glaring at her in the exact same way, with the same stubbornness, the same childish defiance.

Her lips trembled... and before she could stop herself, she let out a small laugh.

"Unbelievable," she muttered, shaking her head.

Mannat, still holding the empty glass, leaned back against the pillow with a dramatic sigh. "Mumma is very strict, Papa..."

Deepak nodded immediately, playing along. "Very, very strict."

Deeksha crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "Oh really?"

Mannat's expression instantly changed. "No, Mumma!" she said quickly, her voice softening.

Deepak chuckled under his breath, but there was something deeper in his eyes something emotional, something grateful.

Deeksha noticed it.

For a brief moment, their eyes met... and everything unspoken passed between them.

Then Mannat start "Mumma... chocolate, chocolate, chocolate!" she chanted softly, her voice full of innocent demand.

Deeksha sighed, pretending to be annoyed. "Okay, okay, baba... I'm giving it."

She reached into her bag, took out the chocolate, and carefully broke off a small piece.

Holding it out to Mannat, she said firmly, "That's it. You're only getting this much."

Mannat made a little face, clearly wanting more, but she didn't argue.

Quietly, she took the piece and began to eat it, savoring every bit as if it were something precious.

Deepak watched her, a soft smile spreading across his face.

In that simple moment her small victory, Deeksha's quiet care, and Mannat's content smile his heart felt full.

Sometimes, happiness wasn't big or loud.

Sometimes, it was just a tiny piece of chocolate... and the people you loved sitting right beside you.

And Deepak wished that moments like this would stay in his life forever.

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

A few more days slipped by, gentle and unhurried, as if the world itself wanted to give them time to heal.

Then finally came the day when the doctors allowed Deepak and Mannat to leave the hospital.

Deepak was stable now his health had improved but a dull ache still lingered in his hip, a quiet reminder of everything he had endured.

Mannat, too, had won her hardest battle. The cancer was gone, but weakness still clung to her fragile body, like a shadow that would take time to fade.

Together, they returned home.

But before going to his own house, Deepak first took Mannat and Deeksha to theirs.

Mannat’s heart felt light happier than it had in a long time because her father was finally by her side again.

As soon as they reached the threshold, they were stopped.

Ishani stood there, holding a pooja thali, her eyes filled with warmth and relief.

“Wait, wait… at least let me do the aarti first,” she said softly.

The three of them paused. Mannat stood in the middle, with Deeksha and Deepak on either side, like a small world held together by love.

Ishani performed the aarti, her hands steady but her emotions overflowing. She applied chandan on their foreheads and smiled through moist eyes.

“Now come in,” she said.

They stepped inside.

“I’ve made food for all of you. Eat first,” Ishani insisted.

Deepak looked at her, slightly surprised.“Didi, why did you cook? Maa must have already prepared something.”

Ishani shook her head gently.

“No… I told aunty not to cook. Today, I wanted to do it.”

Deepak smiled faintly. “Alright…”

Just then, Ishaan walked up to Mannat, his face lighting up with concern and excitement.

“Didi, are you okay now?” he asked.

Mannat smiled softly, her voice still delicate but full of life.“Yes, Ishaan, I’m okay.”

The two of them continued talking, their laughter slowly filling the house again.

Deeksha stood quietly, watching her daughter… really watching her, as if trying to make sure this moment was real. The storm that had once hovered over her child was finally gone. Her little girl was safe. She was here.

And Deepak… he noticed it all.

He watched Deeksha as she looked at Mannat with so much love, so much relief, and something deep stirred within him. A quiet happiness spread across his face because in that moment, everything felt right.

Ishani soon returned, carrying plates of freshly prepared food, and carefully set them on the dining table.

“Ishaan, Mannat, come… sit down,”

she called gently. Then turning to the others, she added, “Deepak, Deeksha, you both come too. I’ll call Rajni aunty as well.”

One by one, everyone gathered around the table. The room is slowly filled with a quiet warmth the kind that only comes when a family sits together after surviving something painful.

Ishani dialed Rajni and asked her to join them for dinner.

A few minutes later, Rajni arrived… and Kiara was with her.

Ishani noticed them and smiled politely.

But the moment Deeksha’s eyes fell on Kiara, her expression tightened. A faint displeasure crossed her face one she didn’t even try to hide.

Mannat, unaware of the tension, looked up brightly.“Dadi, come here… sit with me!”

Rajni’s face softened instantly.

“Yes, yes, my child, I’m coming,” she said, moving to sit beside Mannat, gently caressing her hand as they began talking.

Meanwhile, Kiara glanced around and then threw a teasing remark at Deepak, her tone playful but edged with mischief.“Oh wow… boyfriend, you didn’t even save a seat for your girlfriend? I’m upset with you.”

Deepak chuckled lightly.

“Sit anywhere for today. You sit next to me every day anyway.”

Kiara pouted for a moment, exaggerating her annoyance, before finally walking over and sitting beside Ishani.

Deepak couldn’t help but laugh at her reaction.

But Deeksha… she wasn’t amused at all. Watching this unfold, her anger quietly grew, her eyes fixed sharply on Kiara.

Sensing the shifting mood, Ishani gently changed the topic.“Deepak, is there any good college here where I can teach?”

Deepak nodded.

“Yes, Didi, there are many. Even the one Kiara studies in is quite good. Kiara, tell her about your college.”

Kiara leaned back slightly, her curiosity piqued.“You’ve done your PhD, right? In what subject?”

“English Literature,” Ishani replied calmly.

Kiara’s expression brightened.

“Oh, that’s perfect then! Our English professor just left recently. There’s a vacancy you could definitely teach there.”

Ishani looked thoughtful.

“Really? Then I should go and check.”

“You can come with me,” Kiara offered smoothly.

Ishani smiled.“Thank you, Kiara.”

Kiara shrugged lightly, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

“It’s nothing… I can at least do this much for my boyfriend’s sister.”

Ishani nodded softly, but her eyes instinctively drifted toward Deeksha

who was still staring at Kiara, her gaze sharp, unblinking, and filled with something far deeper than simple dislike.

"The food is delicious, Didi," Kiara said, breaking the silence.

Ishani offered her a soft, appreciative smile.

Setting her fork down, Ishani looked toward Deepak. "Deepak, I also need to find a school for Ishaan. I’m completely new to Delhi, but since you’re a police officer, I’m sure you know the area well. Hopefully, we can find something good close to home?"

"Of course, Didi," Deepak replied quickly. "But... since Ishaan is an autistic child, wouldn't he need one of those specialized schools?"

The words had barely left his mouth when Deeksha’s hand clamped onto his thigh, squeezing hard.

Deepak flinched, glancing from Ishani’s changing expression to Deeksha’s warning gaze. He realized instantly he had stepped on a landmine.

Before he could stammer an apology, Ishani spoke up. Her voice was calm, but it held the unmistakable pride of a mother. "Ishaan is autistic, yes. But in London, he studied at a mainstream school alongside children like Mannat. Not only did he fit in, he was a topper. My son is more than capable."

Deepak’s face flushed with regret. "I... I didn't mean it like that, Didi. I just meant I wanted him to be comfortable, without any struggles."

Ishani smiled gently, sensing his genuine remorse. "I understand,

Deepak. Don't worry about it."

Relieved but still feeling the sting of his mistake, Deepak exhaled only to jump as Deeksha dug her nails sharply into his leg.

"Ouch!" Deepak yelped, nearly leaping out of his chair.

The entire table went silent. All eyes

turned to him.

"What happened, Deepak?" Rajni asked, concerned. Ishani leaned in too, looking worried.

Deeksha pulled her hand back instantly, her face a mask of innocence. "Oh, it’s nothing! It must have been an ant. A nasty one bit me a second ago, and I think it got him too. Right, Deepak?" She shot him a pointed, sharp look.

Deepak swallowed hard, the literal and metaphorical sting lingering. "Yeah... an ant," he muttered, quickly focusing on his plate. "No idea where it came from."

The confusion at the table was thick enough to cut with a knife. While everyone stared at them in a daze,

Deepak and Deeksha kept their eyes glued to their plates, avoiding any contact.

Deepak cleared his throat, trying to regain a sense of normalcy. "Don’t worry, Didi," he said, looking at Ishani. "I’ll look for a good school for both Ishaan and Mannat."

The words had barely left his lips when Deeksha snapped, "Why for Mannat?"

Deepak blinked, caught off guard by her sharp tone. "Well, Mannat has to go to school too, right? I know she’s just recovering from cancer, but she’ll have to start again in a few days."

The silence that followed was suffocating. Deeksha felt every pair of eyes at the table boring into her.

Without a word, she pushed her chair back and hurried toward the bedroom. Confused and sensing the sudden shift in the air, Deepak followed close behind.

Back at the table, little Mannat looked up, her voice small. "What happened between Mumma and Papa?"

"Nothing, baccha," Rajni said quickly, trying to mask her concern with a forced smile. "They’re just having a grown-up talk." But Mannat wasn't fooled by the look on her parents' faces had left a heavy knot in her stomach.

Inside the room, Deeksha was trembling, struggling to bite back the words she knew would hurt. She took a deep breath, trying to rein in her mind and her tongue.

Deepak stepped in and closed the door. "What was that about, Deeksha? I don't understand what’s going on."

Deeksha turned to face him, her expression hardening. "Deepak, look... I know what you did. I know you saved my daughter’s life by donating your bone marrow. I am grateful for that. But that doesn't mean we are staying here."

She stepped closer, her voice trembling with a mix of resolve and desperation. "I am taking Mannat back to London. Our entire life our whole world is there, not here. There is no point in enrolling her in a school here because we aren't staying."

The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly from confusion to a cold, sharp rage.

As Deepak heard those words, something inside him finally snapped. He had been patient, he had been silent, but this was the breaking point.

"What do you mean, you’re taking her back to London?" Deepak’s voice was low, vibrating with a suppressed fury. "Mannat is my daughter, Deeksha. She’s not some object you can just pack in a suitcase and take away from me again. You’ve already kept us apart for years. Now, when she’s finally here, finally healthy and in my arms... you think you can just snatch her away? I won’t let it happen. Do you hear me? Your stubbornness ends today."

He took a step toward her, his eyes burning. "When you said no to the marriage, I accepted it. I respected your decision because you didn't want a relationship with me. That was your choice. But Mannat? She stays here. She stays with me. My daughter isn’t going anywhere."

Deeksha’s face flushed red with anger, her own temper flaring to match his. She didn't flinch.

"You have no right to tell me what to do!" she spat back, her voice trembling with indignation. "Who are you to her, really? I am the one who raised her all these years. I was the one there for every tear, every fever, every struggle, while you were nowhere to be found. And now, after just two months, you think you’ve developed some inseparable bond? You think you can claim her?"

She poked a finger toward his chest, her gaze icy. "I am taking my daughter back. This isn't about your permission or your 'will.' She is mine, and we are leaving."

Deepak’s hand shot out, gripping her shoulder with a force that made her wince.

He squeezed tightly, his fingers digging in as he leaned into her space.

"I am her father, Deeksha! Do you understand?" his voice was a ragged whisper, thick with years of denied pain. "Whatever rights you think you have over her, I have the exact same. Don't you ever forget that."

Deeksha gasped, clawing at his hand to pry it off, but Deepak didn't budge. His gaze was like flint. "Why did you hide her from me? For all these years... why didn't you tell me I had a daughter? Answer me, Deeksha! Speak!"

Deeksha stopped struggling and looked him dead in the eye, her expression hardening into a mask of bitter reality. "You want to know why? Fine. Yes, I hid her. I didn't tell you. And why would I, Deepak? Could you have raised her? Back then, you didn't have a single penny to your name. You had no career, no future. If I had told you then, you would have just told me to get an abortion. I know how it goes no one has the courage to raise a child at that age, and you wouldn't have been any different."

Deepak recoiled as if she’d slapped him. "Is that really what you think of me, Deeksha? That I’m so pathetic I wouldn't have taken responsibility for my own flesh and blood?"

"Yes!" she shot back, her voice rising. "You couldn't have done it. You can’t handle the weight of it even now. I’m the one who carried her for nine months while finishing my degree. I’m the one who built a career from nothing and made a life for us in London. You couldn't have survived a day in my shoes."

The words cut deep, slicing through Deepak’s anger and leaving a raw, bleeding ache in its place. He took a shaky breath, forcing his rage back into the depths of his soul. He looked at her, his eyes softening with a desperate, sudden hope.

"Fine," he whispered, his grip loosening until his hand just rested gently against her. "Maybe I couldn't then. But I have a career now, Deeksha. I can provide for you. I can take care of both of you."

He stepped closer, his heart visible in his eyes. "Please... just marry me. I love you, Deeksha. I've always loved you."

The air seemed to vanish from the room. Deeksha froze, the fire in her eyes extinguished by a wave of pure, paralyzing shock. She could only stare at him, her breath hitched in her throat, as the weight of his confession hung heavily between them.

Deepak reached out, his hands trembling as he cupped her cheeks, cradling her face as if she were something fragile that might shatter at any moment.

His eyes were swimming with an intensity that laid his soul bare.

"I love you," he whispered, the words ragged and heavy with years of longing. "I love you so much, Deeksha. When you walked away from me all those years ago, I loved you then... and God help me, I love you just as much now."

His thumbs brushed lightly against her skin, a silent plea for her to stay. "Please, just accept me. I’ll do anything you ask. I’ll be whoever you want me to be. I’ll mold myself into whatever shape fits your life, just... please don’t leave me again. I can’t survive it a second time. I can’t live without you, and I can’t live without Mannat."

The air in the room grew still, thick with the weight of his desperation.

Deeksha remained frozen, her breath shallow. She didn't pull away, but she didn't speak either. She simply stood there, searching his eyes, her silence a vast, unreadable ocean between them.

"Please, say something," Deepak begged, his voice cracking. "I’m sorry for shouting at you just now. I promise it will never happen again.

Deeksha, please... talk to me."

Slowly, deliberately, Deeksha reached up and removed his hands from her face.

She stepped back, creating a cold distance between them. "I don’t love you, Deepak. And I never will. Please, stop this talk of love. I can’t stay here. My life, my career as a lawyer it’s all in London. If you want, you can visit Mannat once a year, but I am not staying."

Deepak felt like the ground was slipping from beneath his feet. "But why? Why are you being so stubborn? Is there someone else? Do you love someone else in London?"

"No," she snapped, her voice sharp. "I don’t love anyone."

"Then do it for Mannat!" Deepak pleaded, his eyes filling with tears. "She can’t live without both of us. She needs her father and her mother together."

Deeksha turned away, her heart hardening. "She’s a child. I’ll convince her. Children understand whatever you explain to them; they move on."

A bitter, hollow laugh escaped Deepak’s lips. "Oh, you explained it so well to her, didn't you, Deeksha?"

He stepped closer, his voice trembling with the memory. "She was crying in front of me while she was fighting cancer. Do you know what my little girl told me? She said, 'Papa, if I go away to God, please don't leave Mumma again. She will cry. She will be all alone.'"

The blood drained from Deeksha’s face. She froze, staring at Deepak in absolute shock, the words hitting her like a physical blow. Her daughter, facing death, hadn't been thinking of her own pain she had been trying to fix the broken pieces of her lives.

"Mannat... she actually said that to you?" Deeksha’s voice was barely a whisper, her composure finally splintering.

Deepak nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on her. "Yes. Every word."

As the realization sank in, Deeksha’s eyes searched his, looking for any sign of a lie, but she found only the painful truth. The wall she had built around herself finally crumbled, and the first tear escaped, trailing silently down her cheek.

Deepak watched her for a moment, the sight of her pain tugging at his heart despite his anger. He stepped closer and gently wiped the tear away with his thumb.

But his voice remained weary, drained of the passion from moments ago.

"What’s the use of crying now, Deeksha?" he said softly, his hand dropping back to his side. "You’ve always done exactly what you wanted. You never cared about anyone else's heart, so why start now? You’ll do what you’ve already decided anyway."

Deeksha remained frozen, her throat tight, unable to find the words to defend herself.

Deepak turned slightly, his shoulders slumped with the weight of defeat. "Fine. Go. Take Mannat and leave. Have it your way, just like you always have. You’ve never let me have a say in our lives, so why should this be any different?"

"I won't say another word to you," Deepak muttered, his voice hollow and devoid of hope. "Do whatever it is you feel you must do."

Without another glance, he walked out of the room, the heavy click of the door behind him sounding like a final goodbye.

The moment he was gone, the strength left Deeksha’s legs. She collapsed by the side of the bed, her body racking with silent, violent sobs.

She didn't want this any of it. She didn't want to be pulled back into the messy, painful web of love. Life had taught her a bitter lesson: in the end, no one truly belongs to anyone.

To her, love wasn't a comfort; it was a vulnerability. She refused to let anyone, even Deepak, become the weakness that could break her again.

She wiped her eyes with a trembling hand, her resolve hardening through the tears. As soon as Mannat was strong enough to travel as soon as the last trace of illness left her small body Deeksha would take her and fly away.

She would go back to the life she had built, where she was in control, and where her heart was safe behind the walls she had spent years building.

Deepak walked away, retreating to the sanctuary of his own home. Behind him, the family stood in a heavy, suffocating silence. Ishani was the first to move, her heart aching for the little girl caught in the middle.

She knelt beside Mannat and spoke softly. "Come, Mannat. It’s time for bed. You’ve had such a long day, haven't you?"

Mannat didn't answer. She stood frozen, her eyes fixed on the empty doorway where her father had just disappeared.

"Go on, baccha," Rajni urged, her voice trembling slightly. "Go sleep with Ishani Aunty." Eventually,

Mannat gave a slow, reluctant nod and followed Ishani and Ishaan, though she looked back one last time.

As soon as the children were out of sight, Kiara and Rajni hurried after Deepak. They found him in his room, hunched over, his shoulders shaking with silent, jagged sobs.

"Deepak?" Rajni rushed to his side, her face a map of maternal worry. "What happened? Why are you crying like this?"

Deepak flinched, quickly wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. "It’s nothing, Ma," he muttered, though his voice was thick and broken.

Kiara stepped closer, her expression softening with genuine sympathy. "Are you really not going to tell me, 'Boyfriend'?" she asked, using their playful nickname to try and pierce through his wall. "What’s wrong?"

Deepak tried to force a smile, but it was a twisted, painful shadow of one.

"If you don't talk to me, you're just going to stay here and drown in these tears," Kiara warned gently.

Deepak let out a hollow, bitter laugh. "I’ve been crying over the memory of her for years, Kiara. It seems I’m destined to spend the rest of my life doing exactly the same."

"Tell your mother what happened," Rajni pleaded, taking his hand.

Deepak took a ragged breath, the words finally tumbling out. "Deeksha is taking Mannat back to London. For good."

The air left Rajni’s lungs. "What? But... why?"

"She says her life is there. Her career is there. She’s taking my daughter away, and there’s nothing I can do."

"And you didn't stop her?" Rajni asked, her voice rising in disbelief. "Did you not tell her that you want them here? Did you not tell her you love them?"

Deepak looked at his empty palms, feeling the weight of his own perceived inadequacy. "What right do I have, Ma? She is the one who fought for Mannat. She raised her through every hardship, every illness, while I wasn't even there. The right belongs to her. Not me."

Kiara reached out, placing a firm hand on his shoulder, forcing him to look up. "Stop talking about 'rights' and 'obligations' for one minute, Deepak. Look at me and tell me the truth what do you want?"

Deepak looked up at Kiara, his eyes red-rimmed and raw. "I want her to be my wife," he whispered, the honesty of it finally breaking through. "I want Mannat to grow up with both of us. I want us to be a family... a real family, forever. That is all I’ve ever wanted."

Kiara didn't blink. "Then you have to fight for it, Deepak. You can't just surrender." She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a confidential tone. "Deeksha loves you. She’s just terrified to admit it."

Deepak froze, his heart skipping a beat. He stared at Kiara in utter shock. "What... what did you just say?"

"I said she loves you," Kiara repeated firmly. "Whenever I flirt with you, whenever I get a little too close, you should see her eyes. She doesn’t just get annoyed, Deepak she burns. She is consumed by jealousy. And in a woman like Deeksha, that kind of fire only comes from one place love."

Deepak shook his head, a bitter, disbelieving laugh escaping his lips. "You’re mistaken, Kiara. You’re seeing things that aren't there. There’s no way... she told me herself she feels nothing."

Kiara crossed her arms, a playful yet determined glint in her eyes. "Fine, don’t believe me. But tomorrow, just watch. I’m going to put on a little performance in front of Deeksha, and I want you to look at her really look at her. The way she stares at you will tell you everything you need to know."

Rajni placed a comforting hand on Deepak’s arm, her voice steady and encouraging. "Listen to her, Deepak. Just this once, trust Kiara’s instincts. If she’s right, and there is a spark of love in Deeksha’s heart, then you owe it to yourself to fight. You can't let your happiness walk out that door without a struggle. Do you understand?"

For the first time in hours, a flicker of light pierced through Deepak’s despair.

A small, fragile hope began to take root in his chest. What if Kiara is right? he wondered.

If there was even a shred of truth to it if Deeksha  carried a flame for him beneath all that ice then he wouldn't let her go.

He couldn't. He had lost her once to silence and distance he wouldn't let history repeat itself. This time, he would fight until his last breath to keep his family together.

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

Meanwhile Ishani tucked Ishaan and Mannat in, making sure they were fast asleep before quietly checking on Deeksha.

Seeing her asleep too didn't ease Ishani’s mind a restless anxiety gnawed at her. She couldn't stop wondering what had actually gone down between them.

Sighing, she shut the door and looked around her quiet flat. To distract her racing thoughts, she started clearing the plates, cleaning the kitchen until every surface sparked. Finally, she slumped down at the dining table with her phone.

Her gaze drifted toward the photo, landing on Abhay’s photo. Her heart grew heavy, a lump forming in her throat. "You ruined everything, Abhay," she whispered to the empty room. "Everything."

Suddenly, the silence of the flat felt suffocating. The loneliness was too loud, too heavy to bear. Needing to escape, she grabbed her keys and bolted out. She stepped into the lift and hit the button for the top floor.

As the doors opened to the terrace, the cool night breeze hit her face, and she finally felt like she could breathe.

She walked over to the railing, looking down at the world from the massive building. Above her, the sky was filled with stars, and for a moment, the vastness of the dark sky made her own world feel a little less broken.

The cool breeze brushed against her face, and Ishani closed her eyes, letting out a long breath of pure relief.

But the silence was suddenly broken by a man’s voice.

"Feels good up here, doesn't it?"

Ishani whirled around, her heart jumping. She didn't recognize him at all.

The man gave a small, easy laugh. "Don't be scared. I'm not going to do anything. I live in this building too."

"Oh," Ishani replied shortly, already turning to leave.

"By the way, what’s your name?" he asked, stepping closer.

Ishani hesitated for a second before answering. "Ishani."

He nodded, a friendly smile on his face. "My name is Sanjay." When she didn't respond, he tilted his head. "Do you not talk much?"

"I do," Ishani said, her voice guarded. "Just not to strangers."

Sanjay chuckled. "Oh, I see. But I just told you my name, didn't I? So, we aren't exactly strangers anymore."

"I guess," she murmured.

"I haven't seen you around society before. Are you new here?"Sanjay said

"Yes, I am." Ishani replied

"Well, that’s great—" Sanjay started to say, but he was cut off by the sound of heavy footsteps.

Someone else had stepped onto the terrace. Sanjay looked over and his expression shifted into a taunting smirk. "Well, well. Look what we have here. What’s going on, the Police Officer?"

Rahul glared at him, his jaw tight with fury. Sanjay just laughed. "Relax, I was just having a little chat."

Ishani looked at Rahul, confused by the sudden intensity radiating off him. "Rahul? What happened? Why are you so angry?"

Without a word, Rahul stormed over to Sanjay, grabbed him by the collar, and landed a heavy punch right across his face.

"Rahul!" Ishani gasped, her eyes widening in shock. She rushed forward, grabbing his arm to pull him back. "What are you doing? Why are you hitting him?"

Sanjay wiped a bit of blood from his lip and let out a dark, mocking laugh. "Let it be, Ishani. This is just what he does he goes around hitting everyone."

"Shut up! Not another word!" Rahul roared, his voice trembling with rage. "You clearly didn't learn your lesson last time. Are you craving a trip back to jail?"

Sanjay yanked his collar free from

Rahul's grip, his eyes turning cold. "I haven't forgotten anything, Rahul. And believe me, I’ll be taking my revenge very soon."

He turned and walked away, leaving a lingering tension in the air. Rahul stood there, his chest heaving, his eyes burning as he watched Sanjay disappear into the shadows.

"Rahul," Ishani called out softly.

He turned toward her, his eyes searching hers with a desperate, sharp intensity. "Did he touch you?" he demanded, his voice strained. "Did that man lay a single finger on you in the wrong way?"

Ishani’s breath hitched in shock. She shook her head quickly. "No! No, I was standing quite far from him."

A visible wave of relief washed over Rahul, his shoulders finally losing some of their rigid tension. "Ishani, that guy is bad news," he warned, his tone darkening. "You need to stay as far away from him as possible from now on."

"I... I didn't know, Rahul," she murmured, feeling a sudden chill.

"I know you didn't," he said, his voice softening just a fraction. "It’s not your fault. He’s just a vile human being. If you see him anywhere at all just turn around and walk the other way."

Ishani looked at him, realizing the depth of the danger she’d unknowingly stepped into.

"Okay," she whispered. "And thank you... thank you for protecting me today."

Rahul shifted uncomfortably, his gaze darting away as a sudden awkwardness settled between them.

"It's not safe to be up here this late, Ishani," he muttered, looking everywhere but at her. "You shouldn't have come here alone. Next time, make sure someone is with you."

"I just needed some fresh air," Ishani explained softly, looking down at her feet. "But you're right. I’ll bring Deeksha with me from now on."

"Hmm," Rahul grunted in agreement.

As she looked up, her eyes caught a dark smear on his knuckles. "Rahul, wait... is that blood?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. "Are you bleeding?"

Rahul looked down at his hand, his expression hardening for a split second. "No," he replied coldly. "It’s from that lowlife. When I punched him, his blood got on my hand, that’s all."

"Oh," Ishani whispered, a shiver running down her spine as the weight of the confrontation truly sank in.

"Okay then," Ishani said softly, "I think I’ll head back downstairs now."

Rahul looked at her, his posture softening as the tension from the fight finally began to fade. "Ishani," he said, his voice quiet. "I’m right here. You don't have to leave. You can stay up here as long as you want."

A small, genuine smile touched Ishani’s lips. The terrace didn't feel lonely anymore with him standing there.

"Okay," she replied, deciding to stay.

Ishani began to wander across the terrace, her movements light and free.

With Rahul standing right there beside her, the fear that had gripped her earlier vanished completely. She felt safe, shielded by his presence.

Rahul didn't say a word he just watched her. Seeing her smile so freely, watching the tension leave her shoulders as she took in the night air, brought him a sudden, unexpected sense of calm he hadn't known in a long time.

After a while, Ishani walked back toward Rahul. "Were you already here, Rahul? I mean, while I was talking to that man?"

"Hmm," Rahul replied shortly.

"Oh," Ishani murmured. "So you came up for some fresh air too?"

Rahul had actually come up for a smoke, but he didn't want to tell her that. He just nodded and said, "Yeah."

Ishani looked out at the city, her eyes filled with a sudden longing. "Our Banaras were so much better," she sighed. "Whenever you felt like it, you could just go up to your own terrace. No fear, no trouble. I wish... I wish I could have just stayed in Banaras."

Rahul looked at her, his gaze lingering on her face. "Why didn't you just stay in Banaras, Ishani?"

Ishani turned to face him, her expression softening. "I had to come for Deeksha," she explained quietly. "She was all alone here, I couldn't just leave her."

"Hmm," Rahul murmured, his thoughts unreadable.

"And what about you?" Ishani asked, her curiosity piqued. "Divya told me that you hardly ever go back to Banaras anymore. When was the last time you even visited?"

At her words, Rahul’s heart skipped a beat, hammering against his ribs. He looked away quickly, trying to hide the flicker of unease in his eyes. "I've just been busy," he said, his voice a little too tight. "I never really get the time."

"How can you say that?" Ishani asked, her voice gentle yet probing. "In any job, you have to make time for your family, Rahul. One day you’ll get married you’ll have a wife and kids. What will you do then? Will you not give them any time either?"

Rahul’s expression shifted, a visible wave of discomfort washing over him.

The mention of a future of a family seemed to strike a nerve he wasn't ready to expose.

Ishani noticed his sudden change in mood. "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing," Rahul replied curtly, his voice tight.

"You have to make the time, Rahul," Ishani insisted softly. "Especially for the family. You never know when something might happen to someone, and then all you're left with is guilt."

At that, Rahul turned to her. This time, he didn't look away. He locked his eyes with hers, his gaze intense and heavy with unspoken emotions.

Ishani felt the weight of his stare and whispered, "What is it?"

"Let's go downstairs," Rahul said abruptly, breaking the moment.

Ishani blinked, confused by his sudden urge to leave. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No," he said, his tone softening just enough to reassure her, though his eyes remained guarded. "You didn't say anything wrong. Let’s just go back down, Ishani."

Ishani watched him for a beat, unable to shake the feeling that she had touched a deep, hidden wound. "Okay," she murmured. "Let’s go."

Rahul walked ahead toward the lift and pressed the button.

As the doors slid open, he stepped inside, and Ishani followed closely behind. She stole a glance at him, a knot of uneasiness tightening in her stomach.

She had never seen Rahul look this serious his face was like a mask of cold, hard stone.

When the lift reached her floor and the doors chimed open, she hesitated. "Rahul... I’m sorry if I said something I shouldn't have."

Rahul looked at her, his expression softening just a fraction. "Don't say that, Ishani. You didn't say anything wrong. In fact, you were right."

"Then why did you get so serious all of a sudden?" she pressed, her voice laced with concern.

"It’s nothing," he lied, forcing his voice to remain steady. "I just remembered some work I have to finish, that's all."

A wave of relief washed over Ishani.

She gave him a bright, genuine smile. "Okay then. Goodnight, Rahul!"

Seeing that smile, Rahul felt his resolve begin to melt. It was his greatest weakness. "Goodnight, Ishani," he replied quietly.

Ishani stepped out of the lift, and the doors hissed shut between them. Alone in the small space, Rahul let out a long, shaky breath. "Guilt," he whispered to the empty. "It’s this guilt, Ishani... it’s eating me alive from the inside."

His eyes filled with a pained longing as the lift began to move again. "You’re standing right there, so close to me... yet I feel like I’m forced to push you further away every single day."

Back in Banaras, Divya walked into her room to find Vaibhav buried in his college notebooks.

After a moment of heavy silence, she suddenly spoke up."Vaibhav, if Ishani ever decides to get married again in the future... would you have a problem with that?"

Vaibhav looked up at her, completely stunned. "Where is this coming from, Divya?" he asked, his voice sharp with shock. "Ishani only just became a widow. She hasn’t even had the chance to process losing Abhay yet, let alone forget him."

"I know that," Divya replied softly, stepping closer. "But with time, the wounds will heal and she will move on from Abhay. She’s so young. Don't you think she deserves a partner to spend the rest of her life with?"

"I would never force Ishani into anything," Vaibhav said, his voice firm yet filled with affection. "If she wants to remarry, she has my blessing. She’s my sister, and my only priority is her happiness whether she finds that being alone or with someone else."

Divya hesitated, her heart racing. "But... what if she chose someone younger than her? Would you be able to accept that?"

Vaibhav’s eyes narrowed as he studied her face, his suspicion growing. "Has Ishani been talking to you about someone, Divya?"

"No! Not at all," Divya replied,

perhaps a little too quickly.

"Then where is all this coming from?" Vaibhav pressed, his gaze piercing. "Why are these specific thoughts running through your head?"

A flash of panic surged through Divya. She realized she was dangerously close to revealing her suspicions about Rahul and Ishani. Forced to think on her feet, she let out a nervous laugh.

"Oh, you know how it is," she said, trying to sound casual. "Since I’m pregnant, my mind just wanders to all sorts of strange things. I guess I’m just overthinking everything lately."

Vaibhav sighed, choosing to believe her without a second thought.

Between her constant cravings and sudden bursts of emotion, her pregnancy mood swings had been so intense lately that he had stopped trying to find logic in anything she said.

He was honestly a bit exhausted just keeping up with her."Divya, please," he said, his voice softening with concern as he looked at her. "Stop overthinking everything. You need to give your mind some rest, especially right now."

"My mind doesn't know how to rest," Divya countered, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "But actually, it does settle down during one thing. Let’s have sex."

Vaibhav looked up at her, caught completely off guard. He let out a weary sigh. "Divya, please... just go to sleep, okay? I have so much work to finish."

Divya rolled her eyes, her expression shifting to one of dramatic disappointment. "You’ve become so boring, Vaibhav. Honestly, you’re turning into a typical middle-aged uncle. It’s like all the fire of youth has just drained out of you."

She turned away with a huff and climbed into bed, pulling the covers up.

Vaibhav froze, his ego taking a sharp hit. "What did you just say? No fire left in me?"

Divya didn't even look back. "You heard me. I said what I said."

Vaibhav shoved his chair back, the legs scraping loudly against the floor.

He stormed over to the bed and yanked the covers away from her face, his eyes flashing with a mix of irritation and concern.

"The only reason I’m holding back is because you’re pregnant, Divya!" he countered, his voice dropping to a low, intense hush. "I don't want to take any risks. Anything could go wrong, and I won't let that happen."

Divya just looked up at him, unimpressed, a challenging smirk playing on her lips. "Oh, please," she scoffed. "Nothing happens if you're actually careful. You're just being a complete coward, Vaibhav."

"I see exactly what you're doing," Vaibhav muttered, his voice dropping an octave as he looked down at her. "You’re trying to wound my ego, hoping I’ll get reckless just so you can get your way."

Divya simply pouted, turning her face away in a classic show of silent protest. Seeing her like that, Vaibhav’s frustration softened into something more tender.

He reached out, gently cupping her face in his hands, forcing her to look at him."Baby, please... it’s risky. Try to understand why I'm worried," he pleaded, his thumb tracing her cheekbone.

Divya groaned, her frustration bubbling over. "I get that you're worried! But I’m horny, Vaibhav. What am I supposed to do about that?"

"Fine," Vaibhav sighed, a defeated smile tugging at his lips. "If you really want to, we can."

Divya’s face lit up instantly, and she sat up with a sudden burst of energy. But before she could celebrate,

Vaibhav held up a hand. "But," he added firmly, "we have to ask the doctor properly first. We need to know if it’s truly safe."

Divya’s excitement vanished as quickly as it had appeared, her mouth twisting back into a pout. "Oh come on! I’ve read all about it on Google. It’s perfectly fine!"

Vaibhav leaned in, giving her a soft, lingering peck on the lips. "Baby, I just want us to hear the right precautions from the doctor first. It’s twins, remember? We have to be extra careful with them. You’ve waited so many years for this pregnancy, and I’m not willing to risk a single thing."

The sincerity in his eyes finally reached her, and Divya’s stubbornness melted away. She nodded slowly. "Okay... you're right."

"That's my girl," Vaibhav murmured, kissing her forehead. "Now, try to get some sleep while I finish up this college work, okay?"

"Yeah," she whispered, settling back into the pillows. "Okay."

Vaibhav reached for the switch, plunging the room into darkness, save for the soft glow of a small desk lamp.

He leaned over and pressed a tender kiss to Divya’s forehead. "Goodnight, baby," he whispered.

"Goodnight," she murmured back, already settling into the pillows.

Vaibhav quietly made his way back to his desk. He kept only the dimmest light on, carefully angled away from the bed.

He knew Divya found it hard to fall asleep if the room was too bright, so he always made sure to work in the shadows just to keep her comfortable. For him, the slight strain on his eyes was a small price to pay for her peace.

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