Author pov....

The moment Mannat suggested that Deeksha should marry Deepak, silence filled the hospital room.

Both Deepak and Deeksha froze in shock, unable to process her sudden words.

Deeksha looked at her gently, trying to calm her curiosity. “Mannat, baccha… Mumma can’t marry Papa,” she said softly.

Mannat frowned, confusion clouding her innocent face. “But why?”

Deeksha hesitated before answering. “Because Mumma doesn’t want to… and Papa doesn’t want to either.” As she spoke, her eyes instinctively turned toward Deepak.

Deepak gave a quiet nod, his expression just as uncertain. “Hmm…”

But Mannat refused to accept it. Her small voice turned stubborn. “No. You both have to get married. Otherwise, I won’t talk to either of you.”

The words hit them harder than expected. Deepak and Deeksha exchanged stunned glances, completely caught off guard.

Deepak tried to reason with her. “Mannat, baccha, try to understand… what you’re saying isn’t possible. Mumma and Papa can’t do that.”

Mannat immediately turned her face away, folding herself into silence. She refused to look at either of them, her tiny heart set on what she believed was right.

Deepak and Deeksha stood there helplessly, trapped in an unexpected dilemma, both wondering the same thing who had even told her about marriage in the first place?

“Mannat…” he called gently, his voice carrying both patience and helplessness. “At least look at me once.”

But she didn’t move.

Her small arms were folded tightly, her face turned away as if even a single glance at them would weaken her stubborn resolve.

Deeksha sat near her, her heart aching at the sight. She carefully tucked a loose strand of hair behind Mannat’s ear, her touch soft and trembling. “Baby,” she whispered, “don’t stay angry with us like this.”

Mannat’s lashes fluttered slightly, but she kept her eyes closed, pretending not to hear.

Deepak leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You know Papa can never see you upset,” he said quietly. “And now you’re not even talking to us.”

Still, silence.

The stubborn silence of a child whose heart believed she was right.

Deeksha gently held Mannat’s tiny hand between both of hers, rubbing her thumb over her soft fingers. “We’re trying to explain, sweetheart,” she murmured. “Why won’t you listen to us?”

Mannat slowly pulled her hand back and buried herself deeper into the blanket, making her answer clear without speaking a single word.

Deepak let out a soft breath, glancing

at Deeksha. There was worry in his eyes, but also something deeper a quiet helplessness neither of them knew how to fix.

Deepak looked at Mannat’s stubborn little figure, still turned away from them beneath the blanket. He let out a quiet sigh before speaking gently.

“Mannat, if you keep doing this, how will we go home?” he asked softly. “Don’t you want to leave the hospital? Or do you want to stay here forever?”

Deeksha quickly joined in, trying to lighten the moment. “Yes, Mannat. We have to go home, right? Come on, don’t stay upset like this.”

For a second, there was silence.

Then Mannat’s small voice came from beneath the blanket. “I’ll only go home when both of you agree to marry each other.”

The words made the room fall completely still.

Deepak and Deeksha exchanged a glance, neither of them speaking. The weight of her demand hung heavily between them.

Deeksha looked at Mannat for a long moment before taking a slow breath. “Okay, Mannat,” she said quietly. “We’ll get married.”

Deepak’s head snapped toward her in shock, his eyes widening as if he couldn’t believe what he had just heard.

Mannat immediately lowered the blanket from her face, her eyes shining with hope. “Really, Mumma?”

Deeksha forced a small smile and nodded. “Hmm.”

Mannat’s face instantly brightened, happiness replacing every trace of stubbornness. Then she quickly turned to Deepak.“Papa, will you marry Mumma too?”

Deepak looked at Deeksha, confusion and disbelief still written across his face. Deeksha gave him a subtle look, silently asking him to agree.

After a brief pause, Deepak nodded slowly. “Yes, Mannat.”

That was all she needed to hear.

A wide smile spread across her face, pure joy lighting up her eyes. For the first time in days, her heart felt peaceful.

She wouldn’t have to stay away from her father anymore. Her Mumma and Papa would finally be together with

her.

Deeksha exhaled softly, a quiet sigh escaping her lips. “Now shall we go home?” she asked gently.

Mannat nodded happily. “Hmm.”

Deeksha carefully lifted her into her arms, holding her close before looking at Deepak. “Shall we?”

Deepak looked at both of them for a moment, then gave a quiet nod.

“Hmm.”

By the time Deepak and Deeksha reached home, night had already wrapped the house in silence. The long day had drained every bit of energy from them, and the only sound that remained was the soft hum of the ceiling fan and the distant noise of traffic outside.

Mannat had fallen asleep on the way, the medicine making her unusually quiet. Her tiny head rested against Deeksha’s shoulder, her breathing slow and peaceful.

Deeksha carried her carefully into the room, moving gently so she wouldn’t wake. She laid her down on the bed, pulled the blanket over her small body, and sat beside her for a moment.

Her fingers brushed softly through Mannat’s hair, lingering there longer than necessary.

Even in sleep, Mannat looked calm far away from the stubborn tears and emotions she had carried all day.

Deeksha slowly stood up and stepped out of the room, quietly closing the door behind her.

Ishani was waiting near the hallway, concerned visible in her eyes.

“Is Mannat okay now?” she asked softly.

Deeksha nodded, though exhaustion was written all over her face. “Yes, Didi. She’s better now.”

Ishani let out a small breath of relief. “Come. Dinner is ready. You should eat something.”

Deeksha gave a faint nod.

The two sat together at the dining table. The house felt unusually quiet, the silence between them heavy but familiar. Plates clinked softly as they ate, neither speaking much at first.

After a while, Ishani looked up at her. “Why did Mannat run away from home?”

Deeksha lowered her eyes to her plate, her expression growing distant.

“She wanted to stay with Deepak,” she said quietly. “Today I told her that we’re going to London.”

Ishani paused, absorbing her words.

Then she spoke carefully. “Maybe… you should give Deepak one chance. Sometimes life gives people another opportunity for a reason. Maybe this decision could turn out right for you. And Mannat… she could have both of you.”

Deeksha’s hand slowly tightened around the spoon in her fingers.

“Didi, Mannat is too young to understand any of this,” she said after a long silence. “For her, love is simple. If two people care for her, then they should stay together forever. She doesn’t understand how complicated relationships become… how people change, how feelings break, how some distances can’t be erased just because someone wants them to disappear.”

Her voice softened.

“She only sees us as her Mumma and Papa. She doesn’t see the silence between us… the things we never say out loud. Maybe when she grows up, she’ll understand that not every relationship can be fixed just because the heart wants it to.”

Ishani looked at her quietly, unable to find the right words.

She finished her dinner in silence and eventually stood up. “You should rest,” she said softly before walking away toward her room, where Ishaan was already asleep.

Soon, the house became still again.

Deeksha remained sitting alone at the dining table.

The lights were dim, shadows stretching across the empty room. She stared into the darkness, lost in thoughts she couldn’t escape.

Her mind kept returning to the same fear.

How would she convince Mannat to leave everything behind and go to London?

And more than that—How would she convince her own heart that she was doing the right thing?

On the other hand, Deepak finally reached home late at night. The moment he stepped inside, he saw Rajni waiting restlessly in the living room, unable to sit still.

The second her eyes landed on him, she stood up quickly. “How is Mannat? Where is she? Is she okay?”

Deepak gently placed his keys aside and looked at her. “Maa, Mannat is fine. She’s sleeping now.”

Only then did Rajni’s tense expression soften. A visible wave of relief passed through her face.

Deepak walked toward the table and poured himself a glass of water. He drank quietly, but Rajni kept watching him carefully.

“What happened?” she asked after a moment. “Why do you look so worried?”

Deepak lowered the glass slowly. “Nothing, Maa…” he said, though his voice carried exhaustion. After a pause, he added, “Today Mannat insisted that Deeksha and I should get married.”

Rajni blinked in surprise. “You and Deeksha?”

Deepak nodded faintly. “Hmm.”

A small smile instantly appeared on Rajni’s face. “Then my granddaughter said the right thing,” she said with quiet happiness. “Did you both agree?”

Deepak looked at her, his expression unreadable.

“Deeksha only said yes so Mannat would stop being stubborn,” he replied softly. “She just wanted to calm her down.”

The happiness in Rajni’s eyes slowly faded.For a moment, silence settled between them.

Deepak noticed the sadness on her face and forced a small smile. “Don’t think too much, Maa. You’ll ruin your health worrying like this.”

Rajni gave a quiet nod. “Hmm.”

Deepak looked toward the kitchen. “You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”

Rajni looked at him as if the answer was obvious. “How could I eat without you?”

A faint smile touched Deepak’s lips.

“Then come,” he said gently. “Let’s eat together.”

Rajni smiled back, and the two sat down for dinner. The quiet warmth of sharing a meal softened the heaviness of the night, even if only for a little while.

After dinner, they both went to their rooms.

But sleep stayed far away from Rajni.

She lay awake, her mind circling around the same thought again and again.

What could she do to make Deeksha agree to this marriage?Then suddenly, an idea crossed her mind.

Deeksha had never ignored Rajvardhan Ji’s words. She had always respected him deeply. Maybe… if he spoke to her, she might listen.

Rajni quickly sat up and picked up her phone.It had been years since she had spoken to Rajvardhan Ji. Finding his number wasn’t easy. She searched through old contacts, old memories, and forgotten names.

After a long time, she finally found it.

Her fingers hesitated for a second before pressing call.

The phone rang.

It was already late nearly eleven at night.

When he doesn't answer, Rajni sighed softly. “He must be asleep,” she murmured to herself before ending the call. “I’ll talk to him tomorrow.”

But just as she placed the phone down, it rang again.

Her eyes widened when she saw the name on the screen.

Rajvardhan.

A smile instantly appeared on her face. She quickly answered the call.

“Sahab… did you recognize me?” she asked softly.

A warm laugh came from the other side. “How could I not recognize you, Rajni? You worked in my house for so many years.”

Rajni smiled faintly. “Jii…”

Rajvardhan’s tone softened. “So tell me, what made you remember me today?”

Rajni hesitated briefly before speaking.“You must know about Deeksha and Mannat’s connection with Deepak…”

Rajvardhan became serious.

“Yes,” he said quietly. “And I know Deepak donated his bone marrow for Mannat. For that, I will always remain grateful to him.”

Rajni immediately shook her head, even though he couldn’t see her.

“Please don’t say that, Sahab,” she replied emotionally. “Deepak is her father. Mannat is a part of him. Of course he would do anything for her.”

There was silence for a moment.

Then Rajvardhan spoke gently. “And please… don’t call me Sahab anymore. You don’t work in my house now.”

Rajni smiled faintly, unsure.“Then what should I call you?” she asked softly. “You’re still elder to me… I can’t just say your name.”

Rajvardhan’s voice softened on the other end of the call. “You can call me Vardhan, Rajni.”

Rajni smiled faintly, a little hesitant but comforted by his warmth.“Vardhan Ji… I actually wanted to talk to you about something important. It’s about Deeksha.”

“What is it?” Rajvardhan asked calmly.

Rajni took a slow breath before speaking. “I wanted to talk about Deepak and Deeksha’s marriage. What do you think about it?”

For a moment, Rajvardhan remained silent.

That brief silence made Rajni nervous. Her fingers tightened around the phone as worry crept into her heart. She feared he might disagree.

Then Rajvardhan finally spoke.

“You’re right, Rajni,” he said thoughtfully. “Deeksha has spent so many years alone. After her mother passed away, she only had Mannat beside her. In London, Abhay and Ishani were there for her… but now things are different.”

His voice carried quiet concern.

“If she goes back to London with Mannat, I’ll always keep worrying about her. I also want her to settle down, to have someone beside her. And honestly…” he paused softly, “who could be better for her than Deepak?”

Rajni’s face brightened instantly.

Relief washed over her, followed by happiness she had not felt in a long time.

“Then you’ll have to convince Deeksha,” she said quickly, hoping to fill her voice. “Only you can make her agree to this marriage.”

Rajvardhan gave a small chuckle.

“Don’t worry,” he assured her. “I’ll call her soon. And once she agrees, I’ll make sure we sit together and fix a wedding date.”

Rajni’s smile deepened.“Then I’ll wait for your call,” she said warmly.

“Hm,” Rajvardhan replied gently. “It’s getting late now. We should sleep now.”

“Ji,” Rajni answered softly.

The call ended.

Rajni slowly lowered the phone, her heart lighter than it had been in years.

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

The morning started in a rush as

Ishani got ready for college. Soft sunlight slipped through the curtains while she moved quickly around the house, gathering books, fixing her hair, and preparing everything before waking Ishaan.

She gently shook him awake. “Ishaan, wake up. You’ll be late.”

He slowly opened his eyes, still half asleep. It was his second day, and sleep refused to leave him. He sat quietly while Ishani helped him get ready.

“Hurry and finish your breakfast. I’ll pack your bag,” she said, moving quickly around the kitchen.

“Okay, Mumma,” Ishaan replied in a sleepy voice.

While he ate, Ishani packed his school bag carefully, checking everything twice. She didn’t want him to forget anything on his first day. The clock kept ticking, making her more nervous.

Once he finished eating, she lifted him into her arms and hurried toward the lift. They went downstairs just in time. As the doors opened, Ishani saw the school bus already waiting outside.

She let out a small breath of relief.

“Today you got lucky, Ishaan. Another minute and the bus would’ve left,” she said with a smile.

Ishaan didn’t smile back much. He didn’t want to go to school. That was why he had refused to wake up earlier. But he stayed quiet, not wanting to upset his mother.

Ishani gently helped him onto the bus and handed over his bag. "Study well, okay?” she said softly.

Ishaan nodded.

She kissed his forehead lovingly before stepping down from the bus.

“Bye, Ishaan.”

“Bye, Mumma,” he whispered.

The bus slowly drove away from the society gate. Ishani stood there watching until it disappeared from sight. Only then did she turn back toward the building. She still had to get ready for college herself.

She stepped into the lift and pressed the button for her floor. Just before the doors closed, Bhavya entered.

Bhavya was still wearing her police uniform, her face showing signs of exhaustion after an entire night shift.

Dark circles rested beneath her eyes, and tiredness lingered in every movement.

Ishani looked at her and smiled politely.

Bhavya looked back but didn’t smile.

An awkward silence filled the small lift.

Bhavya’s eyes slowly drifted toward Ishani. She noticed the way her saree was neatly draped, the pallu tucked gracefully at her waist. Ishani looked fresh despite the busy morning, calm and soft in a way Bhavya couldn’t ignore.

Bhavya tried to look away, but her gaze kept returning.Standing beside Ishani made Bhavya painfully aware of everything she felt she lacked. Ishani seemed gentle, graceful, and effortlessly warm the kind of person people were naturally drawn to.

Bhavya wondered if this was why Rahul loved her.Jealousy mixed with insecurity quietly inside her. She didn’t hate Ishani, but she hated how easily Rahul chose her without hesitation.

Every glance toward Ishani felt like another reminder of what Bhavya could never have.

Ishani kept her eyes lowered, though she could feel Bhavya staring at her.

The lift suddenly stopped.

Ishani cleared her throat softly. “Your floor has arrived, Bhavya.”

Bhavya blinked, pulled back from her thoughts. Without saying anything, she stepped out of the lift.

As the doors closed and the lift began moving upward again, Ishani frowned slightly. "Why was she looking at me like that?"

After coming back home, Ishani quickly packed her tiffin before leaving for college. The house was still quiet, wrapped in the calmness of the morning.

Just then, Deeksha walked out of her room, her hair slightly messy from sleep.

Ishani looked at her and said,“Breakfast is kept for you and Mannat. Eat it together. I’m leaving for college now.”

Deeksha smiled gently. “Okay, Didi.”

Without wasting more time, Ishani picked up her bag and left.

The sound of the door closing filled the silent house. Deeksha slowly walked into the kitchen and made herself a cup of tea.

She stood near the counter, sipping it quietly while lost in her own thoughts.

Suddenly, her phone began to ring.

She glanced at the screen and saw it was her grandfather calling.

She answered softly. “Hello, Nanu.”

“Hello, Deeksha,” Rajvardhan said warmly from the other side.

“Yes, Nanu?”

“I’m coming to Delhi today. I’ll reach it by afternoon.”

Deeksha frowned slightly in surprise. “But why are you coming so suddenly?”

Rajvardhan replied calmly, “I thought I should meet Mannat. She’s finally feeling better now. And Ishani is managing everything alone, so I’ll stay for a while and support her too.”

Deeksha went silent for a second. Something about his sudden visit made her uneasy, though she couldn’t understand why.

Still, she replied softly, “Okay, Nanu.”

The call ended.

Deeksha stared at her phone for a moment before placing it aside. She finished her tea slowly, her thoughts still wandering around his unexpected arrival.

After a while, she walked toward Mannat’s room and sat beside her.

“Mannat, wake up. Go take a bath. Then you need to eat breakfast and take your medicine,” she said gently.

Mannat turned to the other side, still wrapped in sleep. “No… I want to sleep more.”

Deeksha smiled lightly. “Okay. I’ll take a bath first. By the time I come back, you should be awake.”

“Okay,” Mannat replied sleepily.

Deeksha stood up and walked toward the washroom, while the soft silence of the morning remained spread throughout the house.

Deepak arrived at the house, intending to see Mannat one last time before heading to the station. He noticed the front door wasn't fully latched.

Pushing it open quietly, he stepped into a heavy, still silence. They must still be asleep, he thought, his footsteps light as he headed straight for the bedroom.

When he saw Mannat tucked under the covers, a soft, involuntary smile touched his lips.

He began to walk toward the bed to say a silent goodbye, but the sudden click of the washroom door halted him.

Deeksha, who had been mid-shower and realized she’d forgotten her towel, had stepped out wrapped in nothing but a small, thin cloth barely covering her.

Deepak turned around right at that moment.

His heart stopped.

As she looked up.The world stopped spinning. For a heartbeat that felt like an eternity, his gaze collided with the raw, uncovered reality of her.

Every curve, every glistening inch of her skin was laid bare before him.

Deeksha’s eyes turned into pools of sheer terror. A sharp, broken cry tore from her throat, and in that moment of pure panic, her grip failed. The cloth fluttered to the floor, silent as a falling leaf.

She stood there, completely undone and utterly naked under the dim morning light.

Deepak’s breath didn't just hitch it vanished. His pulse turned into a roar in his ears as his eyes took in the sight he was never meant to see. The raw, unfiltered vulnerability of her body burned itself into his memory.

The scream jolted Mannat awake. "Mumma? What happened?" she mumbled, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

Deepak spun around instantly, his back to the washroom as Deeksha bolted back inside, slamming the door.

His heart was hammering against his ribs like a trapped bird. He was drowning in nerves, his blood rushing to his face.

He rushed to Mannat’s side, trying to steady his voice even as his entire body felt like it was on fire from the shock.

"Nothing... nothing, baccha," he managed to choke out, his voice thick and strained. His blood was boiling, his skin felt too tight for his body, and his mind was a chaotic blur of the image he couldn't and didn't want to erase.

"But Papa... why was Mumma screaming?" Mannat asked, her voice laced with sleepy confusion.

Deepak’s throat felt like it was filled with sand. He cleared it roughly, trying to force his voice to sound normal despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins. "It’s... it's nothing. Mumma is just in the shower. I think she saw a lizard."

"Oh," Mannat murmured, her eyes widening. She looked toward the bathroom door. "Then you should go in and save her! Go help her, Papa!"

Deepak’s heart nearly leaped out of his chest. He looked at the closed door, the image of what lay behind it still seared into his retinas. "No, no," he said quickly, his voice a pitch too high. "The lizard... it already ran away. It’s gone now."

"Oh, okay," Mannat sighed, settling back into her pillow.

Inside the small bathroom, Deeksha was leaning against the cold tile wall, her hands pressed tightly over her mouth to stifle her own ragged breathing.

Her eyes were squeezed shut in agonizing embarrassment. How? How had he ended up in the room? The shame washed over her in waves, turning her skin a deep crimson.

The thought of ever looking him in the eye again felt impossible. Her heart was hammering against her ribs not just from the shock, but from the raw electricity of the moment they had just shared. She stayed frozen, refusing to move until she was certain he was gone.

Deepak, sensing the suffocating tension in the air, gave Mannat a hurried kiss on the forehead. "I have to go, baccha."

He practically fled the room. As he walked toward the station, the morning air did nothing to cool the fever in his blood.

His mind was a chaotic loop of that single, forbidden image the water glistening on her skin, the way the cloth had surrendered to the floor.

"Fuck," he hissed under his breath, his knuckles whitening. "She’s... she’s so beautiful. So hot."

He closed his eyes for a second, trying to regain control, his breath coming in heavy, jagged bursts. His body trembling with a hunger he knew he shouldn't feel.

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

In the afternoon, Rajvardhan Thakur reached Deeksha’s house. After asking around and ringing the bell several times, Deeksha finally opened the door.

She smiled the moment she saw him and immediately hugged him tightly.

“Why did you come all the way after so much trouble, Nanu? Look at you… you’re getting old now. Please take care of yourself,” she said with concern.

Rajvardhan smiled softly and patted her back.“Now if you won’t worry about your own life, then I’ll have to worry about you, beta,” he replied gently.

Deeksha pulled back from the hug and looked at him, a little confused.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

Rajvardhan chuckled. “Nothing. Come on, let’s go inside. It’s very hot out here.”

Deeksha nodded. “Hmm, come in.”

She led him inside, made him sit comfortably, and brought him a glass of water.

As he took a sip, Rajvardhan asked, “Where is Mannat?”

Deeksha replied, “She is resting, Nanu. She fell sick again yesterday, so we took her to the doctor.”

“Alright,” he said calmly. “Let her rest. I’ll meet her when she wakes up.”

Deeksha nodded. “Okay.”

Then she asked softly, “What would you like to eat? I can make something.”

Rajvardhan immediately shook his head. “No, don’t bother yourself.”

Deeksha smiled faintly. “It’s not a bother. Ishaan will be back from school soon, so I was already cooking. And Ishani di will come by evening too.”

Rajvardhan’s expression softened. “I worry about Ishani.”

Deeksha looked at him for a moment and said, “Why do you take so much tension, Nanu? Ishani di is strong. She can take care of herself and Ishaan both.”

Rajvardhan sighed. “But how long can she do everything alone, beta? Even she will need someone… like Rahul.”

At the mention of Rahul, Deeksha’s expression changed slightly.

She looked down for a moment before speaking carefully.“Nanu… Ishani di will never forget Abhay bhai so easily. And I don’t even think Rahul still loves her the way he used to.”

Rajvardhan looked at her in shock. “Why are you saying this?”

Deeksha continued, her voice calm but firm. “Rahul has a girlfriend now, Bhavya. She’s a police officer.”

The words hung in the air.

Rajvardhan froze, clearly taken aback.

Seeing his worried face, Deeksha quickly added, “Please don’t stress, Nanu. Ishani di is happy on her own.”

Rajvardhan exhaled slowly, then turned to her.“And what about you? Are you happy alone, beta?”

Deeksha smiled gently, though her eyes carried something unspoken.

“Yes, Nanu,” she said softly. “I am happy.”

Rajvardhan looked at Deeksha for a long moment before speaking again. His voice was softer now, but heavy with worry.

“Deeksha… listen to me carefully,” he said, stepping closer. “I know you don’t trust people easily. I know life has made you build walls around your heart.”

He paused, as if choosing his words carefully.“But you cannot live like this forever, beta. You are going to London now… Abhay and Ishani aren't there. You are going to be alone there.”

Deeksha lowered her eyes but said nothing.

Rajvardhan continued, his tone tightening with emotion.

“And Mannat… she is growing up. Every child needs a father’s presence, even if not always physically, then at least in some form. You cannot keep her away from her own father forever.”

His voice cracked slightly.“When she finally met him after so many years… do you really want to pull her away again?”

He exhaled, softer now.“Think about yourself too, Deeksha. You were deprived of your own father’s presence… do you remember how that emptiness felt?”

A silence fell between them.

Then he said, almost pleading now.“I just want you to settle, beta. I want you to be safe… stable… maybe marry Deepak and build a normal life for yourself. That’s all I want.”

Deeksha finally looked up at him.

There was no shock on her face. No anger either.

Just a quiet acceptance… like she had already expected this conversation.

“I knew, Nanu,” she said softly.

Her voice carried a faint, broken smile.“That’s exactly why you came all the way from Banaras to Delhi… not just to meet me… but to convince me to marry Deepak.”

She shook her head slowly.“But I can’t do that.”

Her tone remained calm, but there was firmness underneath it.“I am happy with Mannat.”

Rajvardhan’s eyes flickered with pain.

Deeksha continued, her voice becoming slightly emotional but still controlled.“And I won’t stop Mannat anymore. If she wants to talk to her father… meet him… I will not stand in between that.”

She took a breath.“She deserves that connection.”

Rajvardhan’s voice came out slower now, heavy with emotions he could no longer hold back.“Deeksha… I don’t know how much time I have left,” he said quietly. “One day… I will leave this world.”

He looked at her with tired, worried eyes.“And when that day comes… I keep thinking about you. Who will stand beside you then? Who will take care of you, beta?”

His voice softened, almost breaking.

“I don’t worry for myself… I worry for you. If not for yourself… then for me… please agree to marry Deepak. Let your life settle. Let me leave this world without this fear in my heart.”

His hand trembled slightly.“Otherwise… even after I’m gone, my soul will keep worrying about you.”

Deeksha immediately shook her head, her voice firm but emotional.“Nanu… please don’t talk like this,” she said softly. “Nothing will happen to you. Why are you saying all this?”

She stepped closer and held his hand.

“I am fine. I really am. You don’t need to worry about me like this.”

Her eyes lowered slightly.“People are alone in life, Nanu… but they still live. I will too.”

Rajvardhan fell silent. His face stayed heavy, as if his heart was full of words he could no longer express.

Just then, Deeksha’s phone rang.

She checked Ishani calling.

She picked it up immediately.“Yes didi?”

Ishani’s voice came from the other side, calm but slightly urgent.“Deeksha, come downstairs. Ishaan is back from school.”

Deeksha nodded.“Okay, I’m going .”

She ended the call and turned to Rajvardhan.“Ishaan is here. I’ll bring him in.”

Rajvardhan gave a small nod, still lost in thought.

Deeksha went downstairs and soon returned with Ishaan.

Deeksha spoke to him softly so he wouldn’t feel overwhelmed.

“How was school?” she asked gently.

Ishaan paused for a moment, then he replied simply, “Okay.”

He didn’t say more. Not because he didn’t want to but because putting feelings into words was not easy for him.

Deeksha didn’t push him. She just smiled softly.

“Bade dadu are here,” she said gently. “Come, he’s waiting for you.”

At that, Ishaan looked up slightly. The name brought familiarity and comfort.

He followed her inside.

Rajvardhan was still sitting quietly, lost in his thoughts.

Deeksha called softly, “Nanu… look who is here.”

Rajvardhan lifted his head.

The moment his eyes landed on

Ishaan, something inside him shifted. His expression softened instantly full of emotion, memory, and longing.

“Ishaan…” he whispered.

Ishaan stopped a short distance away. He observed Rajvardhan quietly, taking his time to process the situation in his own way.

He looked at his face, his posture, the warmth in his eyes.

Then, slowly, he stepped forward.

Rajvardhan opened his arms gently.

After a brief pause, Ishaan walked into his embrace.

Rajvardhan held him carefully, as if afraid to overwhelm him. But his grip trembled.

His emotions broke free.

In Ishaan, he saw Abhay again his memories, his past, everything he had lost.

His breath wavered. Tears slipped down his face before he could stop them.

Deeksha looked away, uneasy seeing him like this.

Ishaan felt the change. He pulled back slightly and looked up at him.

“Why are you crying?” he asked softly.

Rajvardhan quickly wiped his face and forced a small smile.

“I’m not crying, beta… I just remembered something.”

Ishaan stayed quiet for a moment, then slowly raised his small hand.

With careful focus, he wiped the tear from Rajvardhan’s cheek.

His voice was calm and steady.

“Sad is okay,” he said slowly. “But too many tears… not good.”

Then, after a pause, he added simply, “Breathe.”

Rajvardhan froze for a moment.

That one small, innocent instruction from a child who saw the world differently… settled something inside him.

He nodded gently, holding Ishaan’s hand.“Okay, beta,” he whispered. “I will breathe.”

Deeksha noticed the tears still lingering in Rajvardhan’s eyes. She looked at him gently, trying to lighten the heaviness in the room.

“Nanu… why are you crying?” she asked softly. “Look, Ishaan is watching you. He’s getting worried.”

Rajvardhan quickly wiped his face and forced a faint smile.“I’m not crying,” he said quietly. “No… I’m fine.”

But his voice carried emotions he couldn’t fully hide.

Deeksha looked at him for a moment, then turned toward Ishaan.

“Come, Ishaan,” she said gently. “Let me change your clothes. You must be hungry too, right?”

Ishaan gave a small nod.

Without saying much, he followed her quietly into the room.

Deeksha helped him change out of his school uniform, carefully moving at a pace that made him comfortable. She  his sleeves, smoothed his hair, and smiled softly when he looked at her.

After a few minutes, they came back out.Ishaan walked straight toward Rajvardhan and sat beside him quietly.

Ishaan began speaking in his own gentle way sharing small details about his day, little things he noticed, moments that mattered to him.

Rajvardhan listened closely, his eyes softening with every word.

Meanwhile, Deeksha moved into the kitchen.

She prepared the food quietly. The aroma slowly spread through the rooms, bringing a warmth that made the place feel alive again.

After some time, she carried the food to the table and looked at both of them.

“Come,” she said softly. “lunch is ready.”

Rajvardhan and Ishaan walked over together.

They sat down and began eating.

After taking a few bites, Rajvardhan looked at Deeksha.“The food is very good,” he said warmly. “You’ve cooked deliciously.”

Deeksha looked up at him and smiled softly.

After finishing his meal, Rajvardhan placed his hand against the table for support and let out a quiet breath.

“I think I should rest for a while,” he said softly. “I’m feeling tired.”

His voice carried the exhaustion of both age and emotions.

Deeksha looked at him immediately and nodded.“Of course, Nanu. Come… I’ll take you to your room.”

Rajvardhan slowly got up from his chair, moving carefully. Deeksha stayed beside him, walking at his pace.

She led him quietly to the room prepared for him.

Deeksha brought in his bag and placed it neatly near the bed. She adjusted the pillow and straightened the bedsheet without saying much.

Then she looked at him gently.

“Rest for a while, Nanu,” she said softly. “You must be very tired after the journey.”

Rajvardhan looked at her for a moment, his eyes softening. He gave a small nod and slowly lay down on the bed. The tiredness in his body finally began to show as he closed his eyes for a second.

Deeksha stood there quietly, watching him settle in.“Call me if you need anything,” she said softly.

Rajvardhan nodded again, already sinking into silence.

Deeksha turned and walked out slowly, gently closing the door behind her, leaving the room wrapped in quiet peace.

The evening had begun to settle when Ishani finally returned home from college.

She stepped into the lift, looking tired after the long day. The quiet hum of the elevator surrounded her as she leaned back slightly, waiting to reach her floor.

The lift stopped again. The doors slid open. Standing outside were Rajni and Deepak. For a second, Ishani looked surprised, then a warm smile appeared on her face.

“Aunty? Where are you going?” she asked softly.

Rajni smiled as she stepped inside.

“We’re coming to your house,” she replied gently. “Rajvardhan ji has come, hasn’t he? I thought we should meet him.”

Deepak followed silently behind her.

Ishani looked confused.“Dadu is here?” she asked, slightly shocked. “I didn’t know.”

Rajni nodded.“Yes, he came today.”

Ishani frowned lightly in surprise.

“No one told me,” she said quietly.

The lift continued moving upward, wrapped in a brief silence.

Deepak stood quietly in one corner, his hands still, his expression unreadable.

He didn’t want to go upstairs.

Not really. Because meeting Rajvardhan meant meeting Deeksha too.

And after everything that had happened this morning, the thought alone made his chest feel tight.

An awkward discomfort sat heavily inside him. He kept his eyes lowered, trying to distract himself.

But it was impossible. Deeksha’s face kept appearing in his mind.

The lift doors slid open with a soft sound, and the three of them stepped into the quiet corridor.

The evening lights glowed dimly around them as they walked toward the apartment.

Rajni pressed the doorbell.

A few seconds later, the door opened.

Deeksha stood there.

For a moment, her eyes moved naturally toward Rajni and Ishani but then they stopped at Deepak.

Time seemed to pause.

The instant she saw him, her heartbeat stumbled unexpectedly.

Her breath caught. The memory of the morning returned without warning, flooding her mind all at once.

She quickly lowered her eyes, forcing herself to look away before her emotions became visible.

“Aunty… you’re here?” she asked softly, trying to sound normal.

Rajni smiled warmly.“Yes, beta. Rajvardhan ji has come, hasn’t he? I thought I should come and meet him.”

“Dadu is here?” Ishani asked, turning toward Deeksha. “You didn’t tell me.”

Deeksha gave a small nod.“He came this afternoon, didi.”

They stepped inside. Deeksha moved aside, quietly closing the door behind them.

“But… how did you know Nanu was here?” she asked Rajni.

Rajni laughed softly.“I met him downstairs today. We spoke for a while.”

Deeksha nodded.“Oh…”

Ishani looked around the house.

“Where is Dadu?”

“He’s resting,” Deeksha replied gently. “He was tired after traveling.”

“And Ishaan?” Ishani asked.

“He’s in the room with Mannat. They’re playing together.”

A soft smile touched Ishani’s lips.“I’ll go see them.”She walked toward the room.

Rajni then turned toward Deeksha.

“I’ll meet Rajvardhan ji too. Which room is he in?”

Deeksha pointed toward the hallway.

“That room, aunty.”

Rajni began walking immediately.

“Aunty…” Deeksha called softly. “Maybe let him rest first—”

But Rajni had already disappeared inside.

And suddenly—The living room fell silent.

Only Deeksha and Deepak remained.

The quiet between them felt strangely loud. Neither spoke. Neither looked directly at the other.

Yet both were painfully aware of each other’s presence. Deepak stood near the doorway, his hands still, his expression unreadable.

But inside, his thoughts were restless.

He could not stop remembering the morning. That one accidental moment. The image of Deeksha lingered in his mind like something forbidden he wished to forget but couldn’t.

He clenched his jaw slightly.

What is wrong with you? he thought bitterly. Stop thinking like this.

But his mind betrayed him again.

His eyes lifted for a brief second.

Deeksha stood a few feet away nervously, avoiding his gaze.

She looked calm on the outside.

But her fingers betrayed her uneasiness.

Her heart was beating too fast. She could feel his silence. Feel his presence. And somehow, that made it harder to breathe normally.

The room felt smaller. Too aware. Too quiet.

Then suddenly—A terrified scream shattered the silence.

“Deepak! Deepak… come quickly!”

Rajni’s voice echoed through the house, trembling with panic.

“Deepak, hurry… something has happened to Vardhan ji!”The fear in her voice sent a wave of shock through everyone.

Deeksha froze.

Deepak looked up instantly. Without wasting a second, he ran toward the room.

Deeksha followed right behind him, her heartbeat pounding wildly.

Ishani rushed from the hallway, confusion and fear already filling her face. The moment they entered the room, the atmosphere changed completely.

The air felt heavy. Unnatural. Rajni stood beside the bed, trembling helplessly.

Her hands shook as tears streamed down her face.“Deepak…” she cried. “Look at him… he’s not waking up… he’s not responding…”

Rajvardhan lay motionless on the bed.

Too still. Too silent.

For a moment, Deeksha felt her entire body go numb.“Nanu…” she whispered, her voice breaking.

Deepak immediately moved forward.

Years of IPS training took over before

panic could.

His expression hardened with focus.

“Move aside,” he said quickly but firmly. He knelt beside Rajvardhan and checked for a pulse.

Then he looked at his breathing. His jaw tightened. The signs were clear.

“This looks like a Cardiac arrest,” he said, his voice controlled but urgent.

The words struck everyone like lightning.

Deeksha’s face is drained of color.

“No…” she whispered.

Rajni covered her mouth, shaking uncontrollably. Deepak didn’t hesitate. His training had prepared him for moments exactly like this.

He quickly positioned his hands over Rajvardhan’s chest and began CPR.

His movements were precise, practiced, and immediate.

“Call an ambulance—right now!” he ordered. Ishani grabbed her phone instantly, her fingers trembling so badly she struggled to dial.

Deepak continued compressions without stopping.One after another.

Steady. Focused.

His breathing grew heavier, but his concentration never broke.

“Come on, sir…” he muttered under his breath. “Stay with us…”

Deeksha stood frozen near the bed.

Her eyes never left Rajvardhan.

Just a short while ago, he had been sitting with them. Talking. Eating. Smiling.

And now—He lay there, silent.

The fear inside her rose like a storm.

“Nanu…” she whispered again, tears slipping down her cheeks.

Rajni cried softly in the corner unable to stop trembling.

The room felt suffocating.

Every second felt endless. Deepak pressed harder, refusing to give up.

His IPS training kept his hands steady, even while the fear around him grew louder.

“Stay with us,” he said quietly, almost like a command. The ticking clock on the wall echoed through the silence between compressions.

For almost half an hour, Deepak didn’t stop.

Rajvardhan lay motionless on the bed while Deepak continued CPR with steady, controlled urgency. His hands pressed rhythmically on Rajvardhan’s chest, his breathing heavy but focused.

Then finally—A sound broke through the silence.

Sirens.

“Ambulance is here!” Ishani cried out in relief and panic mixed together.

Within moments, paramedics rushed into the room. Deepak immediately stepped aside but stayed close, speaking clearly and firmly.

“He collapsed due to cardiac arrest. I was performing CPR continuously.”

The medical team quickly took over, checking Rajvardhan’s pulse and oxygen levels, working fast to stabilize him.

For a few seconds, no one spoke.

The entire room held its breath.

Then—“There’s a faint pulse,” one of the paramedics announced.

Deeksha’s knees nearly gave out.

“Nanu…” she choked out, tears falling freely.

Rajvardhan’s eyelids fluttered weakly. He was still unconscious, but there was life again.

“Move him to the ambulance immediately,” the paramedic said.

They carefully placed him on a stretcher.

Deeksha stepped forward instantly.

“I’m going with him,” she said firmly, wiping her tears but not stopping them.

Deepak followed without hesitation.

“I’m coming too,” he said, his voice still calm but alert.

“Aunty, please go with them,” Ishani said softly. “I will stay here with Mannat and Ishaan.”

Rajni nodded.“Take care of them,” she said shakily, before turning to leave.

Deeksha climbed into the ambulance, sitting close to Rajvardhan and holding his hand tightly, refusing to let go.

Deepak sat across from her, still in full control, watching Rajvardhan’s condition carefully, ready for anything.The ambulance doors closed.

And in the ambulance, Deeksha kept holding Rajvardhan’s hand, silently praying that he would open his eyes again… and come back to them.

The ambulance reached the hospital at full speed.

As soon as it stopped, the doors opened and the stretcher was rushed out. Doctors and nurses immediately took Rajvardhan inside the emergency ward.

“Please wait outside,” a nurse said quickly.

But Deeksha didn’t move. Her eyes were filled with tears as she stood near the door, her hands trembling.

“Nanu…” she whispered again and again. “Please be okay… please don’t leave me.”

She kept praying under her breath, her voice breaking every few seconds.

Rajni stood beside her, holding her tightly, trying to keep her steady while silently crying herself.

Deepak stepped forward and gently placed a hand on Deeksha’s shoulder.

“Nothing will happen to him,” he said firmly, his voice calm but reassuring. “He is strong. You just need to calm down.”

But Deeksha shook her head, unable to stop her tears.“I was just talking to him… he was fine… how can this happen suddenly?” she cried softly.

Deepak didn’t say anything more. He simply stayed close, making sure she didn’t collapse under the pressure.

Time passed painfully slowly.

After what felt like forever, the doctor finally came out of the emergency room. Everyone rushed forward immediately.

“How is he?” Deeksha asked quickly, her voice shaking.

The doctor gave a calm nod.

“He is stable now,” he said. “He has been moved out of danger for the moment. He needs rest and observation, but he is fine.”

The tension in Deeksha’s body broke instantly. Her knees weakened slightly. “But… how did a cardiac arrest happen so suddenly?” she asked, confused and still crying. “He was okay before this…”

The doctor sighed gently.“It was not sudden,” he explained. “He has likely been under a lot of stress for a long time. Sometimes emotional pressure builds up silently. At his age, the heart becomes more sensitive. That stress may have triggered it.”

He paused before adding softly, “He is also elderly. His body cannot handle emotional strain the way it used to.”

The words settled heavily in the air.

Deeksha looked down, guilt and fear mixing together in her expression.

Rajni closed her eyes, silently praying.

Deepak stayed quiet, understanding the weight of what had just been said.

After a moment, the doctor continued,

“You can meet him now, one by one. But please don’t disturb him too much. He needs peace.”

Deeksha immediately stepped forward.“I want to see him,” she said softly, wiping her tears.

And without wasting another second, she walked toward the room her heart still trembling, but finally holding onto hope that he was alive.

Deeksha slowly walked into the room.

The soft beeping of the machines filled the silence. Rajvardhan lay on the hospital bed, weak but conscious.

His eyes were open. The moment Deeksha saw him, she broke down completely.

“Nanu…” she cried and rushed closer. “I’m really sorry… I trouble you so much, don’t I? Please forgive me… I’ll do whatever you say. Please don’t take stress… please.”

Her voice shattered with every word.

“If anything happens to you… what will I do?”

Rajvardhan looked at her weakly, his voice soft and tired.“Deeksha beta… stop crying like this. You’ll fall sick too,” he said gently. “I’m fine now. Don’t worry.”

He paused, his eyes filled with concern even now.“I only worry about you and Ishani. That’s what caused all this… my stress. But I’m okay now.”

Deeksha shook her head, wiping her tears but unable to stop them.“But Nanu… why do you worry so much about us? We are fine…”

Rajvardhan slowly turned his head toward her.“No, beta… you are not fine,” he said quietly. “You just don’t say it.”

Deeksha froze slightly.“I’ve seen you since you were a child,” he continued softly. “I know your heart. I know you need someone who stands with you… always. Someone who doesn’t leave your side.”

His voice became firmer, yet emotional.“And that someone is Deepak.”

Deeksha’s breath caught.

Rajvardhan continued, his tone almost pleading now.“Marry him, beta. For me… just say yes. If you do this, all my worries will end. I will

finally be at peace.”

Silence filled the room.

Deeksha stood still, her eyes lowered, overwhelmed by emotion and guilt.

After a long pause, Rajvardhan asked again softly,“Will you do it, beta? Will you marry Deepak?”

Her throat tightened. She looked at him his tired face, his hopeful eyes, the man who had raised her like his own daughter.

And in that moment, unable to hold the weight of his emotions, she whispered softly,“Yes… Nanu. I will marry him.”

Rajvardhan’s face was immediately softened with relief and happiness.

“Now everything will be okay,” he said with a faint smile. “Everything…”

But Deeksha didn’t smile fully.

She just stood there, quietly, as a new uncertainty settled inside her heart wondering if this decision had truly fixed everything… or just changed everything.

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

In Banaras, the afternoon sunlight spilled softly through the windows as Divya stepped into the room.

Inside, Rani was quietly packing a suitcase.

One by one, she folded clothes and arranged them neatly, her movements calm but purposeful.

Divya paused at the door, watching for a moment.“Mummy… are you going somewhere?” she asked gently.

Rani looked up and smiled faintly.

“Yes, Divya,” she said. “I was thinking of going to Delhi for a few days… to Rahul. I’ve been missing him a lot lately.”

Divya’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.“Suddenly?” she asked. “Just like that?”

Rani shook her head softly.“It’s not sudden, beta. I’ve been feeling it for a while. Today I just decided. Your father has already booked my tickets for tomorrow.”

A brief silence fell between them.

Divya stepped forward slowly.“Then I’ll come with you.”

Rani immediately stopped packing and looked at her.“No,” she said firmly but lovingly. “You can’t travel like this. You’re pregnant, Divya. You need rest. You stay here.”

But Divya shook her head.“I don’t want to stay back, mummy,” she said quietly. “I miss Ishani too… and everyone is so worried about her. I can stay with her for a while.”

She hesitated for a second, then added softly,“And I also want to meet Rahul… check on him myself.”

Her voice became more certain.

“You’re not going alone. I’m coming with you.”

Rani’s face hardened the moment Divya spoke.

“No,” she said sharply, her voice cutting through the room like a final verdict. “You are not going anywhere, Divya. You will stay here.”

The room fell into a tense silence.

Before Divya could respond, Devnath walked in, sensing the tension instantly.

“What is happening here?” he asked, glancing between them. “Why does it feel like a war zone between mother and daughter?”

Divya turned to him immediately, her voice controlled but firm.

“Papa… Mummy is going to Delhi alone tomorrow,” she said. “I just said I’ll go with her. That’s all.”

Devnath thought for a moment, then nodded.“That makes sense,” he said calmly. “She shouldn’t travel alone. Divya should go with her.”

Rani’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Dev!” she snapped. “Are you even hearing me? She is pregnant! Do you understand what I am saying?”

Her voice cracked slightly under emotion.“She cannot travel like this!”

But Devnath remained steady.

“She will be fine,” he said softly. “And she will not be alone either. Let her go.”

Rani looked completely unheard of… completely frustrated.Her gaze shifted back to Divya.

“This is not happening,” she said, slower this time, more dangerous. “You are staying here. End of discussion.”

The air tightened.

For a second, it looked like Divya might argue.

But she didn’t. Instead, she looked at her mother calmly… and smiled.

That small smile was not soft. It was quiet. Certain.

“I understand, Mummy,” she said gently. “Don’t worry. I’ll pack.”

And she walked away before anyone could stop her. Inside her room, the door closed softly.

Silence followed.

Divya stood still for a moment, then slowly opened her suitcase. But her expression had changed completely.

The softness was gone. Her eyes were steady now… focused.

As she folded her clothes, her thoughts became sharper. Mom is going to Delhi… alone.

Her fingers paused mid-fold.

That means she will try again. She will interfere in Rahul's life. She will push his decisions. She will try to control everything… just like before.

Her jaw tightened slightly. She placed a hand on her stomach instinctively, grounding herself. Her voice came out as a whisper but full of fire.

“No, Mummy…”Her eyes lifted, filled with quiet determination.“This time… you are not deciding everything.”

She zipped the suitcase slowly.

Then firmly. Rahul and Ishani deserve their chance, she thought. And I will make sure they get it… no matter what it takes.

A long breath left her lips. Her decision was final now.

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

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