Author pov....

Ishani drifted into sleep under the heavy effect of the medicines, her breathing finally calming after hours of fear and pain.

Beside her, Rahul too had fallen asleep while sitting on the stool, his head resting near the edge of her bed, exhaustion taking over his injured body.

Suddenly, the silence of the hospital room broke as the door opened. Divya, Vaibhav, Malini, Rani, Bhavya, Devnath, and Deepak rushed inside together.

The sound woke Ishani instantly.

The moment Vaibhav saw her condition, a shock spread across his face. He hurried to her side, his trembling hands reaching for her.

"Ishani... are you okay?" he asked, his voice breaking.

The second she heard his concern, Ishani burst into tears. Vaibhav immediately pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as his own eyes filled.

Seeing her like this shattered broke him completely.

Rahul woke up from the sudden commotion. As soon as he looked up, he saw everyone standing there.

Rani's eyes instantly fell on the bandage wrapped around Rahul's head. Panic covered her face. She rushed toward him at once.

"Rahul... Are you okay?" she asked anxiously.

Rahul gave a faint smile despite the pain. "I'm fine, Mom. Please don't worry about me."

But Ishani continued crying in

Vaibhav's embrace, unable to stop herself.

Malini stepped closer, fear clearly visible in her eyes. "Ishani... how did all this happen? Are you alright?" she asked shakily.

When Ishani only cried harder instead of answering, Malini's heart sank even more.

Her voice trembled with terror as she whispered, "They... they didn't do anything wrong to you, right?"

Before Ishani could speak, Rahul immediately answered firmly.

"No, Aunty. Ishani is safe. She just got some injuries... and she's very scared."

Vaibhav held Ishani protectively in his arms and softly said, "Baccha... are you okay? Tell me what happened. Your brother is here now, there's no need to be scared anymore. Everything will be alright. Look at me..."

But Ishani only clung to him tighter, as if letting go would make everything terrifying return again.

Her fingers gripped his shirt desperately while silent sobs shook her fragile body.

Divya stepped closer, her eyes filled with concern. "Ishani, calm down now... your health will get worse like this. We're all here with you. You don't need to be afraid anymore."

Slowly, with great difficulty, Ishani loosened her hold on Vaibhav.

Vaibhav gently cupped her tear-stained face in his hands. "How did all this happen, Ishani? Why didn't you call me?" he asked painfully. "If you had called from college, I would've come to pick you up immediately."

Ishani's breathing trembled between hiccups as she whispered, "Bhaiya... I didn't want to trouble you."

Vaibhav instantly frowned in anger, hurt flashing in his eyes. "Are you crazy, Ishani?" he snapped emotionally. "What trouble could ever be bigger than your safety? If you had been with me, none of this would've happened."

Malini stepped in softly, trying to calm the situation. "Leave all that for now," she said quietly. "Thankfully Rahul was there... because of him, Ishani is safe today. We should thank him."

Rahul immediately shook his head. "No, Aunty," he said humbly. "The police exist to protect people. You don't need to thank me for doing my duty."

His gaze briefly shifted toward Ishani before he added softly, "And Ishani is family."

A faint smile appeared on Malini's face hearing those words.

Divya then looked at Rahul worriedly. "What did the doctor say? Ishani is alright, right? Can we take her home?"

Rahul nodded gently. "Everything is fine, Di. There's nothing serious... but Ishani won't be able to walk properly for a while. She has a sprain."

Vaibhav's eyes immediately fell on Ishani's swollen foot. Seeing how badly it had puffed up made worry settle deeply across his face.

Devnath spoke calmly, "We should take Ishani home. If she stays here, she'll only cry more. She's badly frightened... she'll feel safer at home."

Vaibhav slowly nodded. "Yes, Papa... you're right."

Vaibhav carefully settled Ishani into the wheelchair before taking her outside.

The entire family walked along beside her, surrounding her protectively as they moved through the silent hospital corridor.

Inside the room, Rahul stayed back for a moment, quietly picking up his police uniform from the chair.

Just then, Bhavya stepped inside.

She stopped near the door, her cold eyes instinctively scanning the room before landing on Rahul's injury.

For a few seconds, she said nothing.

She slowly walked toward him.

"How deep is the injury?" she asked flatly.

Rahul looked up at her while folding his uniform sleeve. "Not enough to kill me."

Bhavya ignored his sarcasm. Her eyes stayed fixed on the bandage. "How many stitches?"

"Three." Rahul said

Silence fell again.

Rahul noticed she was unusually quiet today.

Normally she would've already left after asking one formal question.

Instead, she was still standing there.

"You're reckless," she said quietly.

Rahul smirked faintly. "And you sound worried."

Bhavya immediately looked away. "As your colleague, I'd rather not file paperwork for a dead officer."

Rahul stared at her for a moment, amused by the obvious lie hidden behind her cold tone.

Without saying anything else, Bhavya turned and walked toward the exit.

After two steps, she stopped."...Can you walk properly?" she asked without turning back.

Rahul's smile deepened slightly. "Yeah. I can."

Bhavya gave a small nod and continued walking.

Rahul stepped out of the hospital room after changing back into his uniform.

Near the end of the hallway, Rani stood waiting for him anxiously, her hands tightly clasped together.

The moment her eyes landed on the bandage wrapped around his forehead, her expression tightened again.

Rahul noticed immediately."You didn't leave with everyone?" he asked softly while walking toward her.

Rani let out a disbelieving laugh. "And leave my injured son alone here?" she said, her voice trembling slightly. "Do you really think a mother can just go home peacefully after seeing blood on her child?"

"Mom, it's really not that serious," he said calmly. "I'm perfectly fine."

Rani looked at him sharply. "Fine?" she repeated. "There's a bandage on your head, Rahul."

He tried to lighten her mood with a faint smile. "I've survived worse. Compared to old cases, this is barely anything. I've taken bullets before too."

The moment those words left his mouth, Rani's eyes filled with anger and fear together.

"Stop saying things like that so casually!" she snapped. "You talk about bullets and injuries as if they mean nothing."

Rahul immediately realized he had gone too far.

Without arguing back, he quietly stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her.

Rani froze for a second.

Rahul rested his chin lightly on her head and said softly. I'm really sorry I was just trying to make you smile. don't want you worrying all the time." His voice lowered further. "I only want to see my mother smiling... that's all."

Rani's eyes turned emotional instantly.

She hit his arm lightly in frustration. "Then stop risking your life like a madman every single time."

Rahul laughed quietly. "Can't promise that. I'm a police officer, remember?"

"And I'm your mother first," Rani shot

back immediately.

That made Rahul smile.

After a few seconds, Rani sighed deeply and adjusted his collar like she used to when he was younger.

"Come on," she muttered softly. "You need rest."

Rahul nodded, then suddenly looked around the corridor. "Where's Bhavya? She was here just now."

Rani replied, "She left with the Bullet. Said she had some work."

Rahul stared ahead for a brief second before giving a small nod. "Oh..."

"Let's go home," Rahul finally said

quietly.

A day had passed since the incident, but the fear still hadn't fully left Ishani's heart.

She mostly stayed in bed, her injured foot making even small movements painful.

Yet, what kept her grounded wasn't the pain it was Ishaan.

The little boy never left her side.

Every few minutes, he would lean closer and ask softly, "Mumma... pain? Are you okay mumma?"

His small hands would either hold her fingers or gently touch her arm, as if trying to check on her himself.

And every time, Ishani's heart softened.

All her fear would fade for a moment as she pulled him close.

"I'm fine, baccha," she whispered again and again, kissing his forehead. "Mumma is okay."

Ishaan would then settle beside her again, holding onto her dupatta even in sleep, as if afraid she might disappear.

Then one afternoon, Rani came to visit.

Malini welcomed her quietly at the door. "Ishani is resting right now. Ishaan is sleeping with her."

Rani nodded immediately. "Then don't disturb her. Let her rest."

But Malini hesitated. "Maybe meeting people will help her feel better... she shouldn't stay locked in fear."

Before Rani could respond, Malini gently opened the door and stepped inside.

"Ishani... Rani aunty has come to see you," she said softly.

Ishani slowly opened her eyes. For a moment, she looked disoriented, then carefully adjusted the blanket around Ishaan and tried to sit up.

Rani quickly stopped her. "No, beta. Stay lying down. I just came to check on you."

Ishani gave a small tired smile. "I'm

okay, aunty."

Malini placed a chair beside the bed and quietly left the room.

A silence settled between them.

Rani's gaze drifted to Ishaan, who was still sleeping peacefully, his tiny fingers tightly holding Ishani's dupatta.

Ishani hesitated before asking quietly, "Rahul... he's okay now, right, aunty?"

Rani let out a small sigh. "Yes, he's fine now. He's already gone back to duty."

Ishani looked up in surprise. "So soon?"

"I told him to rest for a few days," Rani said, a hint of frustration in her voice. "But he never listens. Injuries don't stop him."

Ishani lowered her gaze slowly, silently... but clearly worried now.

Rani sat quietly for a moment, her hands folded tightly in her lap. The room felt heavier than before like even the air had changed after Rahul's name came up.

Ishani noticed it immediately.

She tried to sit a little straighter, forcing a small smile. "Aunty... is everything okay? You seem worried."

Rani hesitated. This wasn't easy for her. She looked at Ishani not as a stranger, but like her daughter genuinely cared for and then finally spoke.

"Ishani... I need to tell you something," she said softly. "And I want you to listen without misunderstanding me, alright?"

Ishani's smile faded slightly, but she nodded. "Yes... tell me."

Rani took a slow breath. "It's about Rahul."

The moment the name left her mouth, Ishani's fingers stopped moving.

Rani continued carefully. "You both... your relationship, your closeness... I don't think it's right."

Ishani looked at her, confused but quiet.

Rani's voice lowered. "You're a widow, beta. Ishaan is your responsibility. And Rahul... he's still young. People already talk, they already notice things."

Ishani's gaze dropped slowly to the blanket.

Rani continued, her tone turning more emotional now. "He doesn't look at you the way you probably think he does... or maybe he does, but Ishani, that's exactly what scares me."

She paused, remembering something painful."He's not normal when it comes to emotions. You've seen it yourself... he once hurt himself because of you. That's not something small."

Ishani's eyes flickered, pain flashing across them but she said nothing.

Rani's voice softened further. "I've tried to explain to him so many times. Told him to move on, settle down, live his life... but he never listens to anyone."

A helpless sigh escaped her."And I'm scared, Ishani..." she admitted quietly. "What if one day his emotions take him somewhere dangerous again? What if someone gets hurt... or he hurts himself?"

The room fell into a deep silence.

Rani finally looked at her directly.

"I'm not blaming you," she said gently. "I just... think it's better if you keep some distance from him. For both your sake."

Ishani sat very still.

For a long moment, she didn't speak.

Her eyes lowered, hiding whatever she was feeling inside.

Then, in a very soft voice, almost broken but controlled, she said "...Yes, aunty. I understand."

She forced a small nod."I'll keep my distance from him."

"Thank you, Ishani," Rani said, her voice trembling with a mix of relief and earnestness. "You were always the sensible one. I know I must have seemed selfish to you, but a mother is a mother, after all. Her heart is forever tied to the well-being of her children. You can understand that, can't you?"

Ishani offered a small, tight smile, the weight of the older woman's plea settling heavy in her chest. "Yes, Aunty. You are right. Please don't worry anymore I will maintain my distance from Rahul."

A visible wave of calm washed over Rani's face. Just then, Malini entered the room, the sharp clatter of a tea tray breaking the heavy silence. As she set down the biscuits and cups,

Rani protested weakly, "Oh, why did you go through all this trouble, Malini-ji? I was just about to leave. Dev-ji must be waiting for his tea at home."

"Then call him here!" Malini insisted with a warm gesture. "He can join us for a cup as well."

"No, no, another time," Rani replied, and the two women drifted into the easy, rhythmic chatter of old friends.

But Ishani was no longer there. She had slipped into the depths of her own mind, the world around her blurring into a dull hum.

Rahul's voice from the previous night echoed in her ears, raw and haunting:

"If something had happened to you, Ishani, I would have died."

Those words his specific, desperate inflection looped relentlessly in her thoughts like a prayer she didn't want to answer.

Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic rhythm of guilt and longing.

With a sharp, hidden breath, she forced her face into a mask of composure, desperately trying to tied her runaway emotions before the tears could betray her.

A week had slipped by, and in all that time, Rahul hadn't caught so much as a glimpse of Ishani around the building.

He tried to keep it casual, checking in with Divya every now and then to ask how she was doing.

Divya would give him the usual updates, but hearing about her wasn't the same as seeing her.

Today was supposed to be different. The whole group had come out for wedding shopping for Deeksha and Deepak.

Rahul had walked into the mall with a spark of genuine excitement, secretly hoping praying, even that Ishani would finally show up.

But when he realized she hadn't come for the shopping trip either, the disappointment hit him harder than he expected.

Amidst the bright fabrics and the chaotic wedding prep, his heart just wasn't in it.

He had spent the last seven days waiting for this moment, only to realize he was still searching for a face that wasn't there.

Rahul just stood there, watching them with a heavy heart. Even little Ishaan was occupied, trailing behind Vaibhav as he helped the boy pick out clothes.

Divya noticed Rahul's dulling spirits from a distance. She walked up to him and softly asked, "What happened, Rahul?"

"Nothing," he replied shortly, his eyes wandering.

"Are you sure?" she teased gently.

Unable to hold it back any longer, Rahul finally asked, "Ishani didn't come for shopping?"

Divya gave him a knowing smile. "Out of all these people, she's the only one you're asking about?"

"No... I just asked, just like that," Rahul stammered, looking away.

Divya laughed. "She didn't feel like coming. Since that incident, she mostly just keeps to herself college to home, home to college."

"I see," Rahul muttered, his gaze falling.

"Anyway, you should buy something for the wedding too," Divya nudged him. "What are you going to wear?"

"I don't want to wear anything," he sighed.

"Fine then, shall I pick something for you? I have to buy something for Ishani too."Divya said

Rahul's interest instantly peaked. "What are you getting for her?"

"You tell me," Divya said, watching his reaction closely. "The saree you bought for her engagement? She absolutely loved it."

A small, genuine smile finally broke across Rahul's face.

Seeing his change in mood, Divya grinned. "Shall we go then?"

"Yeah, let's go," he agreed.

They headed to a lehenga boutique. While Divya picked out something for herself first, she then asked the staff to show options for Ishani. Rahul scrutinized every piece.

He knew Ishani she had always preferred subtle, elegant tones over anything too loud or gaudy. He scanned the racks carefully, lost in thought.

"Decided yet?" Divya asked.

After a long moment of deliberation,

Rahul pointed to a beautiful piece. "How about this purple one?"

Divya looked at the choice and nodded in approval. "It's perfect."

"Okay, then this is the one for her," Rahul said firmly.

As Divya went to the counter to pay for both lehengas, Rahul stepped in and cleared the bill for both.

Divya looked at him, a warm, happy smile spreading across her face.

Meanwhile, over the past week, the physical tension between Deeksha and Deepak had only intensified.

They were constantly looking for a quiet moment alone, away from the prying eyes of the family.

Deeksha was currently sorting through heavy bridal lehengas for the wedding.

Alex, watching her struggle with the fabric, commented, "That's a lot of weight for a bride to carry, isn't it?"

Deeksha smiled tiredly. "Hmm. Honestly, now I feel like we should have just gone for a quiet court marriage."

Alex let out a laugh at that, just as Deepak walked up to them. "What's the discussion about?" he asked, sensing the mood.

"Nothing," Deeksha said quickly.

"Bro," Alex chimed in, "Look at this lehenga. How is she going to manage all this heavy embroidery in this heat?"

Deepak looked at the lehenga and then at Deeksha's face. "Deeksha, if it's going to be a problem, just pick something lighter. We don't have to go overboard."

But Deeksha's eyes were fixed on the dress; she had already fallen in love with it. Besides, she was only going to get married once. "No, it's fine," she insisted. "Let me just go and check the size."

As Alex reached out to help carry the heavy garment to the trial room,

Deepak stopped him. "Alex, why don't you go find something for yourself? I've got this. I'll help her."

"Got it," Alex said with a smirk. He shot Deeksha a playful wink before heading off.

Deeksha couldn't help but laugh.

Deepak looked at her suspiciously, a playful glint in his eyes. "What exactly is going on between you two?"

"Oh, nothing!" she replied, still laughing as she headed toward the changing room.

Deeksha walked into the trial room, and a moment later, Deepak followed her inside, carrying the heavy lehenga.

Deeksha took the dress from him and looked at him expectantly, but he didn't budge.

"Go on, change," Deepak said, his voice calm but playful.

Deeksha stared at him. "Go outside first."

"Why?" Deepak asked, leaning against the door. "I came in here specifically to help you."

"I can help myself just fine, thank you. Now go," Deeksha insisted, but she could feel her heart rate picking up.

Deepak didn't leave. Instead, he began walking toward her, closing the distance slowly. "Does it bother you that much? My being here?"

"Yes, it does," Deeksha said, trying to sound firm.

"And what exactly is the problem?" he whispered, standing right in front of her now.

Deeksha looked away, clutching the lehenga. "The problem is that I need to change my clothes, and I know you won't let me do that in peace."

Deepak gave a small, mischievous smirk. "I'll let you. Go ahead, change."

"In front of you?" Deeksha asked, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"Well, there's no one else here, Deeksha," he said, his gaze locking onto hers. "So of course, it'll have to be in front of me."

"Go out, Deepak!" she said, her face flushing. "I am not changing while you're standing right there."

Deepak stood there, mesmerized by the way she was blushing.

He moved even closer, pinning her gently against the wall of the trial room.

Deeksha felt her back hit the cool surface, trapped between the wall and his presence.

Deepak reached out, cupping her face tenderly in his hands, and leaned in until their breaths mingled.

"You have no idea how beautiful you look when you blush like this in front of me, Deeksha," he whispered, his voice low and thick with emotion.

"I... I am not blushing," Deeksha stammered, looking everywhere but at him.

Deepak let out a soft, teasing laugh. "Then why are your cheeks burning? The AC is on full blast, yet you're glowing."

"It's because you're standing so close," she admitted, her voice barely audible.

Deepak smiled, his gaze softening as he looked at her. He leaned down and placed a gentle, lingering kiss on the tip of her nose. "You look incredibly cute like this," he murmured, refusing to pull away.

Just then, a sharp knock rattled the door. "Is someone in there?" a girl's voice called out from the hallway.

Deeksha's eyes went wide. Deepak just chuckled. "Better say something," he teased quietly, "or she might try to come in."

Deeksha shot him a murderous glare before calling out, "Yes, it's occupied!"

Once the footsteps retreated, she turned back to him, breathless. "Okay, Deepak, enough. Go out. I need to try this on."

"Seriously, what's the problem?" Deepak teased, a wicked glint in his eyes. "It's not like I haven't seen it all before."

Deeksha gave him a hard shove against his chest, her face turning even redder.

Deepak finally gave in, laughing as she grabbed his arm and steered him toward the exit. He was still grinning as she pushed him out and bolted the door shut.

Deeksha leaned against the door, taking a deep, shaky breath. "What is he doing to me?" she muttered to herself.

She touched her cheeks they were still flaming. With a long sigh and a small, secret smile, she finally began the struggle of getting into the heavy lehenga.

Deeksha stepped out of the trial room, the heavy red lehenga flowing around her perfectly.

As she walked toward the group, Deepak was busy on a phone call, his back turned. But the moment he sensed her presence, he turned around.

The words died in his throat. He just stood there, frozen, staring at Deeksha in that vibrant red outfit. She looked breathtaking.

Everyone around them started showering her with compliments, and Deeksha smiled gracefully at their praise.

Then, her eyes sought out the only opinion that truly mattered. She caught Deepak's gaze and playfully arched an eyebrow, silently asking, "How do I look?"

Deepak slowly put his phone away, his eyes never leaving hers. Instead of speaking, he simply gestured with his hands a silent, heartfelt sign that she looked stunning.

Deeksha felt that familiar heat rush to her cheeks, and she looked down, blushing.

Just then, Mannat ran up to her, her eyes wide with wonder. "Mumma, you look so beautiful!" she exclaimed.

Deeksha knelt down and hugged her, a bright smile on her face. "Well, of course! After all, whose Mumma is she? Mannat's Mumma has to be the prettiest."

Mannat let out a sweet, delighted giggle, her tiny heart full of joy seeing her mother look like a queen.

Once the shopping marathon finally ended, Vaibhav walked over with a tired smile. "Can we head back now? Ishaan is fast asleep on my shoulder," he said, gesturing to the little boy who was completely knocked out.

Everyone nodded in agreement, ready to call it a day.

As they walked toward the parking lot, Divya leaned into Deeksha, her voice dropping to a mischievous whisper. "So, Deeksha... did you pick out some nice lingerie for the wedding night?"

Deeksha stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes wide with shock. "Didi! What are you saying?"

"Why are you so surprised?" Divya teased, nudging her. "I bought something special for my first night too. Even though you two aren't exactly strangers, you should still have something new for after the wedding."

Deeksha looked away, her face flushing crimson. "Didi, please... I already bought it," she muttered under her breath.

Divya raised her eyebrows, looking impressed. "Oh wow! So you're even one step ahead of me, huh?"

"Didi, stop it!" Deeksha pleaded, feeling like her face might actually catch fire.

Just then, Deepak walked up to them, catching the tail end of their intense whispering. "What's going on here? What are you two plotting?"

Divya grinned wickedly. "Oh, nothing. Just talking about your first ni-"

Before the word could fully leave Divya's mouth, Deeksha lunged forward and clamped her hand over it. "Didi! Quiet!" she hissed.

Deepak stood there for a moment, looking between a panicked Deeksha and a muffled, giggling Divya.

He had definitely heard the words "first night." He gave them a knowing, slightly amused look before shaking his head and walking ahead toward the cars.

Once he was out of earshot, Deeksha finally let go, looking at Divya in total disbelief. "Honestly, Didi... I don't know how Vaibhav Bhaiya manages to live with you. You are a walking, talking troublemaker!"

Divya just burst out laughing, completely unbothered and thoroughly enjoying the moment.

Everyone arrived home, exhausted but satisfied. Rahul and Deepak started helping out, carrying the heavy shopping bags inside.

Just then, Ishani walked in, returning from college. She paused for a moment, her eyes scanning the mountain of shopping bags before landing on Deepak and Rahul.

As soon as her gaze met Rahul's, she didn't say a word. She simply turned around and walked straight into her room.

Rahul, who had been standing there with a small, hopeful smile, felt his heart sink.

The blatant ignorance stung more than he cared to admit.

Deepak noticed the sudden change in Rahul's expression. "What happened, Rahul?"

"Nothing," Rahul replied, trying to sound casual as he looked away.

Malini came out with glasses of water for both of them. As Rahul took a sip,

Vaibhav walked in, carefully carrying a sleeping Ishaan. "Ma, can you take Ishaan? I need to go give Divya her medicine," he said. Malini nodded, taking the little boy into her arms, and started heading toward Ishani's room.

Suddenly, her foot slipped on a patch of water on the floor.

"Aunty!" Rahul lunged forward instantly, catching Malini before she could fall and quickly taking Ishaan into his own arms to keep him safe.

"Aunty, are you okay?"Deepak was right there too, steadying Malini by her arm. "Aunty, please, come sit down here first."

As Malini sat on the sofa, still a bit shaken, she looked up at Rahul with gratitude. "Thank you, Rahul. You saved us. This could have been a very bad accident."

"It must have been the spilled water," Deepak muttered, looking at the floor. "I'll clean it up right now."

"No, beta, let it be. I'll do it in a bit," Malini insisted.

"It's okay, Aunty, I've got it," Deepak replied, already heading off to find a mop.

Malini tried to stand up again. "Give Ishaan to me, I'll take him to Ishani's room."

Rahul tightened his hold on the sleeping child gently. "No, Aunty, you stay here and rest. I'll take him."

Malini looked at him and gave a soft, knowing smile. "Okay then."

Rahul carried Ishaan toward Ishani's room, unaware of what was happening inside. Ishani was in the middle of changing her saree the fabric lay pooled on the floor, and she was just in her blouse and petticoat.

As Rahul stepped into the room, his eyes fell on her, and his heart nearly stopped. Startled and terrified of the intrusion, he immediately spun around, facing the wall.

Ishani gasped, her eyes widening in shock. She quickly grabbed the fallen saree, wrapping it around herself as she scrambled to cover up.

"Sorry! Sorry, Ishani... I'm leaving right now!" Rahul stammered, his voice trembling with guilt. He rushed out of the room, shutting the door behind him as fast as he could.

Ishani was fuming. She quickly draped her saree and marched out of the room. Malini and Deepak were nowhere to be seen, but Rahul was sitting on the sofa, holding the sleeping Ishaan in his lap, looking completely lost.

"Don't you have any manners, Rahul?" Ishani's voice sliced through the air, sharp and cold. "Don't you know how to knock? You're an IPS officer educated and sensible but you act like this?"

Rahul looked up, completely stunned by her outburst.

"Every time I look around, you're just hovering near me," she continued, her anger boiling over. "Can't you understand? I don't want to be near you. I don't want to talk to you!"

The volume of her voice startled Ishaan. The little boy woke up with a jolt and began to cry, frightened by the tension.

Ishani's expression softened instantly for the child. She quickly took him from Rahul's arms, pulling him close to her chest.

"Sorry, sorry baby... Mumma was just talking, I wasn't fighting," she whispered soothingly, trying to calm him down.

Ishaan looked at Rahul and then back at Ishani, his little eyes wide with confusion.

Ishani forced a smile for the boy's sake, but over his shoulder, her eyes remained fixed on Rahul, cold and unforgiving.

Rahul stood up, his face pale. The weight of her words had hit him harder than any physical blow.

"I'm sorry, Ishani. It was my mistake," he said, his voice low and devoid of its usual warmth. "From today onwards, I won't come near you. I won't even try to talk to you if it makes you this uncomfortable. I'm really sorry."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked out of the house. Ishani stood there, holding Ishaan close, her gaze following him until he disappeared from sight, a heavy silence settling between them.

Rani was standing just outside the door, having heard every word of Ishani's sharp outburst.

When Rahul walked out, his face was pale, and his eyes collided with hers for a brief second. Rani saw the unshed tears shimmering in his eyes a sight that broke her heart instantly.

As he headed toward the lift, his shoulders slumped in defeat, Rani followed him inside. The small space of the lift felt heavy with his silent pain.

"Rahul... are you okay, beta?" she asked softly, her voice filled with a mother's concern.

Rahul swallowed hard, trying to force down the lump in his throat. He stared straight ahead, refusing to let the tears fall. "Yeah, Mummy... I'm fine," he replied, his voice thick and strained. "What would happen to me? I'm okay."

Rani didn't say another word. she just stood there, watching her son, knowing all too well that behind his brave face, he was falling apart.

Rahul reached home and headed straight for his room, the door clicking shut behind him as he finally let the tears fall.

Rani followed him in, her heart aching at the sight of her son broken like this.

She sat beside him, her voice firm yet full of motherly concern."Rahul, why do you love her so much, beta? She isn't worth your tears. When will you understand? You need to move on, for your own sake."

Rahul didn't answer he just kept crying, his face buried in his hands.

"Listen to me, Rahul," Rani continued, a new thought taking hold. "Let's get you married. Maybe once a wife enters your life, you'll finally be able to forget Ishani."

Rahul looked up at his mother, his eyes red and swollen. "I can never forget her, Mummy. Don't you understand? She is connected to my very soul. She can go anywhere, stay with anyone, but she will always live in my heart. And so what if she scolded me? She has that right over me. Even if she killed me with her own hands, I would die happily."

Rani stared at him in disbelief, her worry turning into anger. "Do you even hear yourself, Rahul? Has your mind stopped working? Don't ruin your life like this. She isn't in your destiny! Don't you feel any pity for your mother? Do you have any idea how much it hurts me to see you in this state? Please, beta, leave this madness behind. Ishani will never be yours."

Rahul stood up, his voice trembling with a strange kind of resolve. "I don't need her to be 'mine,' Mummy. I just want to love her. I want to see her happy. I can spend my entire life alone, but I will never be able to stop loving her."

Without another word, he walked into the washroom and locked the door.

Rani sat there on the edge of the bed, staring at the closed door, her frustration and anger simmering in the heavy silence.

Rani walked out of Rahul's room, her heart still heavy, when she noticed Vaibhav talking to a young man in the living room.

As she approached, Vaibhav looked up and introduced him. "Mummy, this is my friend, Karan."

Rani forced a small smile. "Namaste, beta."

"Namaste, Aunty," Karan replied respectfully.

"Do you live here in Delhi?" Rani asked, trying to be polite despite her distracted mind.

"Yes, Aunty. I'm a Chartered Accountant here," Karan explained.

Rani nodded and headed toward the kitchen to prepare something for him.

Just then, Malini walked in, her face lighting up with a genuine smile.

"Arey, Karan beta! How are you?"

Karan immediately stood up to touch her feet in respect. "I'm good, Aunty. How are you?"

"It's been so many years, Karan!" Malini exclaimed.

"Yes, Aunty. After I left Banaras, I never really got a chance to go back," he said with a hint of nostalgia.

Malini chatted with him for a moment before joining Rani in the kitchen. "What are you making?" she asked.

"Just something for Karan," Rani replied. She paused, looking toward the living room. "I've never met this friend of Vaibhav's before."

"They were together until school," Malini explained as she started helping Rani. "Then his family shifted to Delhi, so they lost touch for a

while."

"I see," Rani murmured. "Is he married?"

Malini's expression softened into one of pity. "Yes, he was married. But his wife passed away during childbirth."

Rani looked at her in genuine shock. "Oh, how terrible... poor man. How does he manage to raise the child all by himself?"

"That's actually why Karan's mother called me," Malini confided, leaning in closer so their voices wouldn't carry. "She wanted to propose a marriage alliance between Ishani and Karan. Think about it they both have children. Ishaan would get a father, and Karan's kids would find a mother as loving as Ishani."

Rani stared at her, initially taken aback, but then a sudden wave of relief and genuine happiness swept across her face. "Arey, that is wonderful news!"

"It sounds perfect," Malini nodded, her tone turning slightly cautious. "But I haven't broached the subject with Ishani yet, and even Vaibhav is completely in the dark about this."

"Then let's talk to Vaibhav first, and once he's on board, we can approach Ishani," Rani suggested eagerly, a spark of hope lighting up her eyes as she envisioned a way out of her own son's misery.

"Yes, that makes sense," Malini agreed.

The two women finished setting up the trays and carried the fresh snacks into the living room.

Karan accepted a plate, continuing his conversation with Vaibhav as they drifted down memory lane. Just then, Divya walked into the room, looking tired but curious.

"Karan, meet my wife, Divya," Vaibhav said, a warm smile touching his lips as he introduced her.

Karan immediately stood up out of respect and offered a polite smile. "Namaste, Bhabhi."

"Namaste," Divya replied with a welcoming grin. Rani quickly stepped forward, gently guiding Divya to a comfortable spot to sit, her mind already buzzing with the unspoken plans for the future.

A little more time passed, and then Karan stood up. "I should head out now," he said, checking his watch. "The kids must be waiting for me."

Vaibhav stood up and gave his old friend a warm hug. "Of course. Let's meet again soon."

"Definitely. Bye," Karan replied before leaving.

Divya sighed softly, feeling a bit tired. "Okay, I'm heading to the room now."

Vaibhav immediately moved to help her. "I'll take you."

"It's okay, beta," Rani interrupted, stepping in. "I'll take her. You stay here and sit with Malini ji."

Vaibhav looked at his mother and sensing that she wanted to say something. He sat back down. Once

Rani had led Divya away, Vaibhav turned to Malini, his brow furrowed. "What is it, Maa? Is there something you want to talk about?"

"I was the one who gave Karan your number," Malini began, her voice steady. "I wanted him to come here and talk to you."

Vaibhav looked at her, stunned. "But why, Maa?"

"Before Ishani was married to Abhay, you were the one who wanted her to marry Karan, weren't you?" Malini reminded him.

"Yes..." Vaibhav muttered, his mind racing.

"Then let's make it happen now," Malini said, her eyes full of hope. "Karan is a good man. He will give Ishaan the love of a father, and his children will find a mother in Ishani."

Vaibhav stared at her, completely shell-shocked. "Maa, what are you saying? Ishani has only just become a widow... and you're already talking about her getting married again so soon?"

"Vaibhav, don't you see how lonely Ishani has become?" Malini said, her voice trembling with emotion. "She stays lost in her own world. The only little joy she has left is because of Ishaan. But what happens when Ishaan grows up? Who will be there for her then? You can't stay by her side forever, and as for me... who knows when I might leave this world? She will be left all alone."

Vaibhav looked at her, trying to reason. "Nothing like that will happen, Maa. You spent your life alone after Papa passed away, didn't you? She can find her strength too."

"Yes, I did," Malini countered, her eyes filling with tears. "But I did it because your father truly loved me. And I had you two you and Ishani were grown up, you were sensible. But look at Ishani. She has Ishaan, and he is autistic he doesn't understand the world like others do. And besides... Abhay cheated on her before he died."

Vaibhav froze, the air leaving his lungs. "What... what did you just say, Maa?"

Malini suddenly realized what she had let slip. She had never intended to tell Vaibhav the truth about Abhay's betrayal.

She quickly tried to look away. "Nothing... it's nothing."

"What did you say, Maa? Say it again!" Vaibhav demanded, his voice low and dangerous, his shock turning into a cold, protective rage.

"It was nothing, beta... I just said it by mistake, I didn't mean that," Malini stammered, her voice shaking as she tried to backtrack.

"You're lying, aren't you, Ma?" Vaibhav's voice was dangerously low. "Fine. If you won't tell me, I'm going to ask Ishani myself."

As he turned to leave, Malini grabbed his hand, tears streaming down her face. "Yes! Yes, Abhay cheated on her," she confessed, her voice breaking. "Ishani told me everything when she was living separately from him in London. I tried to convince her I told her that men do such things and she should forgive him but Ishani was adamant about getting a divorce."

Vaibhav stared at his mother in utter disbelief, wrenching his hand away from her grip. "Why didn't you tell me this, Ma? And you... you were actually telling Ishani to stay with that cheater? Are you really my mother?"

Malini sobbed, her face buried in her hands. "What else could I have done, Vaibhav? Tell me! If Ishani had taken a divorce and came back to India, what would people have said? A divorced woman has no respect in this society!"

Vaibhav looked at her with cold, burning anger. "You don't deserve to be called a mother. You lied to me and let my sister suffer through that hell alone."

Without another word, he stormed out of the house to find Ishani, leaving Malini broken and weeping on the sofa.

Vaibhav reached Ishani's house and noticed that the front door was already open.

A strange uneasiness settled in his chest as he walked straight toward her room.

The moment he stepped inside, he saw Ishani sitting on the bed, tears streaming down her face.

His heart sank instantly. He rushed toward her and said worriedly, "Ishani... what happened? Why are you crying like this?"

Ishani quickly looked up at him, wiping her tears in panic. "Nothing, Bhaiya..." she whispered softly.

Vaibhav stared at her with hurt in his eyes. "How long will you keep lying to me, Ishani? You never truly considered me your own, did you?"

Ishani looked at him in shock. "Why

are you saying that, Bhaiya?"

Vaibhav took a deep breath, his voice trembling with emotion. "Whenever Papa used to leave for his army duty, he would always tell me one thing... 'Ishani is not just your sister, she is like your daughter. After I'm gone, take care of her. Never let her suffer. And if one day she hides her pain from you... then learn to understand it without her saying a word.'"

Ishani listened silently. Tears welled up in her eyes again. She slowly stood up from the bed and said, "Bhaiya, you have cared for me even more than Papa did. Why are you saying all this?"

Vaibhav shook his head sadly. "It doesn't feel that way to me, Ishani. You never share your pain with your brother. Don't I even have that much right... to know what is happening in my sister's life?"

Ishani grew nervous hearing his words. "What... what haven't I told you, Bhaiya? Why are you talking like this?"

Vaibhav's expression hardened, though his eyes still carried pain. "You never told me that Abhay cheated on you... that you were planning to divorce him. Why didn't you tell me, Ishani?"

Ishani froze for a moment, shock clearly visible on her tear-stained face.

Her fingers tightened around the edge of her pallu as she whispered, "Who told you that, Bhaiya...?"

Vaibhav looked at her silently for a second, disappointment heavy in his eyes. Then he let out a slow, painful breath.

"So it's true," he said quietly.

"Everyone knew except me?"

His voice cracked slightly as he continued, "Tell me one thing, Ishani... why am I always the last person to know when it comes to your pain?"

Ishani immediately shook her head. "No, Bhaiya, it's not like that-"

"Then what is it like?" Vaibhav interrupted, unable to hide the hurt in his voice anymore. "You were suffering alone... your marriage was breaking apart... and you still didn't think your brother deserved to know?"

Ishani's eyes filled with tears again. She stepped closer to him and held his hand tightly.

"I know you, Bhaiya," she said softly. "The moment you found out, you would've gone straight to Abhay. You would've fought with him... maybe even killed him in anger."

Vaibhav looked away, jaw clenched, because deep down he knew she wasn't wrong.

"That's why I stayed quiet," Ishani continued. "I thought I'd tell you once I came back to India. If I had told you earlier, you would've left everything and come to London immediately... and the situation would've become worse."

A painful silence filled the room.

Vaibhav looked back at her, his eyes now softer than before. "So you carried all this alone?"

Her voice slowly broke at the mention of the past."But none of it matters anymore, Bhaiya," she whispered. "Abhay is dead."

The words sounded cold, but the pain behind them was impossible to hide.

"I'm trying to forget everything now," she said, lowering her eyes. "All the betrayal... all the hurt... I just want to leave it behind."

Vaibhav stared at his little sister standing in front of him smiling weakly while hiding years of pain inside her heart and in that moment, he realized just how much she had suffered alone.

Vaibhav's eyes suddenly filled with tears.

The sight alone made Ishani panic. In all these years, she had seen her brother angry, strict, protective... but never this helpless. Never this broken.

"Bhaiya..." she whispered softly, moving closer to him. "Please don't cry like this. I'm fine."

Vaibhav looked at her, and that one look carried years of love, pain, and guilt together.

"How do I stay calm?" he asked, his voice shaking. "Tell me, Ishani... how am I supposed to breathe peacefully after knowing my little sister was suffering alone?"

His chest rose heavily as he tried to control his emotions, but the tears wouldn't stop.

"You have no idea what it does to me seeing you like this," he continued painfully. "You're not just my sister... you're my child too. After Papa left, I raised you in my arms. Every small thing about you matters to me."

Ishani's lips trembled hearing that. Tears rolled down her cheeks again.

Without wasting another second, she held his shoulders gently and made him sit down on the edge of the bed.

Then she quickly picked up the glass of water from the table beside her and handed it to him.

"Please... drink some water first," she said softly, kneeling in front of him.

But Vaibhav pushed the glass away weakly.

"Maa hid this from me too," he said in a cracked voice. "All of you let me stay unaware while you suffered so much."

"Don't say that," Ishani immediately replied. "Please don't blame Maa."

Her voice softened as she continued, "She was already worried about me day and night. She stayed quiet because she was scared... scared that everything would fall apart completely."

Vaibhav lowered his gaze, tears silently falling onto his hands.

Ishani's heart ached seeing him like that. Slowly, she sat beside him and wiped his tears with trembling fingers, just the way he used to wipe hers when she was younger.

"Bhaiya..." she whispered with a faint smile through her tears, "some wounds are meant to stay in the past."

Vaibhav looked at her silently.

"We can't keep punishing ourselves for things that are already over," she continued softly. "What happened... happened. We have to move forward now."

She held his hand tightly, as if trying to give him strength even while breaking inside herself.

"I'm okay now," she said quietly. "Maybe not completely... but I'm trying to be."

A small, tired smile came on Ishani's face even through her tears, as if she was trying to ease the heaviness in the room.

"Bhaiya... if you keep crying like this," she said softly, "Divya will get back to know it's because of me. She'll get angry at me."

She wiped her cheeks quickly and continued, trying to sound normal.

"You know how much she loves you... and now she's pregnant too. Her mood changes in a second. Sometimes even she doesn't understand herself."

Despite everything, Vaibhav let out a faint, helpless laugh. He gently wiped his face and looked at her with seriousness again.

"Ishani," he said firmly, but with deep care, "listen to me carefully."

"No matter what happens in your life... I should be the first person you tell. Not the last. I don't want you hiding things from me again. Do you understand?"

Ishani nodded immediately, her voice small. "Yes, Bhaiya... I understand. I'll tell you everything first."

Vaibhav's expression softened at her answer. All his anger and pain slowly turned into concern again.

He stepped closer and gently placed a soft kiss on her forehead like he always did when she was younger and scared.

"Good," he said quietly. "Now rest. You don't look okay."

His tone became protective again. "I'm leaving."

Ishani watched him nodding silently.

Vaibhav turned and walked out of the room. As he stepped outside, he saw Ishaan and Mannat playing together in the hallway, laughing and running around without any worries.

Vaibhav stopped. A faint, tired smile appeared on his face as he watched them like he was holding back too many emotions at once.

Then he slowly looked away and walked out, carrying his silence with him.

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

Votes and comment please 🙏❤️