Author pov...

Ishani stood quietly at the entrance, holding Ishaan gently in her arms.

Draped in a deep red saree, with vermilion shining in the parting of her hair and a mangalsutra resting against her neck, she looked every bit like a bride who had stepped into a new destiny.

Beside her stood Rahul, silent and overwhelmed, his eyes fixed only on her.

Rani performed the aarti of all three of them, though her heart was far from willing.

The only reason she completed the ritual was because of Devnath's stern words earlier.

After circling the aarti plate, she applied a tika on their foreheads with a forced calmness.

Deeksha then placed a pot filled with rice near the entrance along with a plate of red alta.

"Di, gently push it with your foot," she said softly.

Ishani nodded faintly. With trembling grace, she nudged the rice pot forward with her foot.

Then she stepped into the alta plate, staining her feet crimson before walking inside the house, leaving delicate red footprints behind her.

Rahul kept staring at those footprints in silence.

Her footprints... inside his home.

He could hardly believe it. Everything felt unreal to him, like a fragile dream he was terrified to wake up from.

After everything they had suffered, seeing Ishani enter his house as his wife felt impossible.

Rani quietly placed the aarti plate aside and walked away to her room without another word.

Meanwhile, everyone else watched Rahul and Ishani with soft smiles filled with relief and emotion.

Divya stepped forward and said warmly, "Ishani, I've kept your bag in Rahul's room."

Ishani gave a small nod. Ishaan

looked around in confusion, unable to understand what exactly was happening. But seeing his mother happy was enough for him to smile too.

Devnath looked at Divya and said gently, "Divya, take Ishani to the room."

"Yes, Papa," Divya replied respectfully.

Divya gently led Ishani to Rahul's room. It was the first time Ishani had ever stepped inside this room, and as her eyes wandered around, she noticed how neat and organized everything was.

Divya carefully made Ishani sit on the bed."Are you okay, Ishani?" she asked softly, concern visible in her eyes.

Ishani gave a small nod.

For a moment, Divya remained quiet before speaking again, her voice filled with guilt. "I never apologized to you, did I? For forcing this marriage with Rahul without your permission..."

Ishani looked at her calmly. There was exhaustion in her eyes, but also acceptance."Forget whatever happened, Divya," she said gently. "I'm happy now... I'm fine. Ishaan is safe too. I don't want anything else."

Hearing those words, Divya finally smiled faintly, relieved that Ishani held no bitterness in her heart.

"I'll bring something for you to eat," Divya said warmly before turning to leave the room.

Ishani looked down at Ishaan lovingly and softly asked, "Are you feeling sleepy, Ishaan?"

Ishaan quietly nodded his head, his little eyes already heavy with sleep.

A faint smile appeared on Ishani's lips. "Come on then, sleep for a little while," she whispered gently.

She carefully laid him down on the bed and sat beside him, slowly patting his head and chest with motherly affection.

Within moments, Ishaan drifted off to sleep peacefully. Just then, Divya entered the room carrying a plate of food.

The moment she noticed Ishaan asleep, she lowered her voice.

"Ishaan won't eat?" she asked softly.

Ishani glanced at her sleeping son and replied, "He already ate in the morning... that's why I put him to sleep."

Divya nodded understandingly. "Alright then, you eat something. I'll be outside."

"Okay," Ishani replied quietly.

Divya placed the plate on the table beside her and walked out of the room.

After quietly finishing her meal, Ishani picked up the plate and walked out of the room to place it in the kitchen.

The house had fallen silent by then no one was outside anymore. She gently kept the plate there and slowly returned to Rahul's room.

As she stepped inside again, her eyes wandered across the room in silence.

Everything felt unfamiliar... overwhelming. She sat down quietly, lost in her thoughts.

She couldn't understand how this relationship with Rahul would move forward now. What kind of life awaited the two of them after this marriage? Until now, somewhere in her heart, she had always seen Rahul as her younger brother.

But now everything had changed.

Marriage had tied their lives together forever. And more than anything, she knew how deeply Rahul loved her. A love so pure and intense that it could no longer be ignored.

This new life... this relationship... they wouldn't be able to pass through it pretending nothing existed between them.

The thoughts kept circling endlessly in her mind, filling her heart with confusion and quiet fear.

Slowly, while sitting beside Ishaan, exhaustion took over her restless thoughts.

Resting near her sleeping son, Ishani eventually drifted off to sleep too.

Meanwhile, Rahul sat quietly at Deepak's house, but his mind was nowhere around him.

His thoughts kept drifting back to only one thing - Ishani was in his room right now.

His room.

The thought alone made his heartbeat race uncontrollably.

But how was he supposed to go there now? What would he even say to her after entering that room? Every possible thought made him more nervous than before.

On the other side, Deepak sat casually styling Mannat's hair while she chattered innocently beside him.

Suddenly, she looked up and said with pure curiosity, "So now Rahul uncle will become Ishaan's papa too... just like you are my papa?"

Deepak heard her and smiled softly. "Yes, baby."

Rahul heard those words too.

His eyes slowly shifted toward Mannat, and something stirred deeply inside him.

Along with Ishani, Ishaan had also become a part of his life now. From today onward, that little boy was his responsibility too.

But how?

Rahul had never taken care of a small child before. He didn't even know where to begin.

The weight of this new reality slowly settled over his heart while he

remained lost in his thoughts.

Deeksha noticed his silence and smiled knowingly. "Rahul, it's already night. Aren't you going home?"

Rahul looked at her as if pulled back to reality. Slowly getting up from the sofa, he muttered, "Yeah... I should go."

Deepak grinned mischievously. "Or you can stay here tonight if you want. At least until you prepare your mind to accept that you're now Ishani di's husband... and Ishaan's father."

He burst into laughter after teasing him.

"Shut up!" Deeksha immediately grabbed a pillow and hit Deepak with it while Rahul stood there, embarrassed and speechless.

Mannat frowned adorably the moment Deeksha hit Deepak with the pillow.

"Mumma!" she gasped dramatically before crawling closer to Deepak. "Why did you hit Papa? Bad Mumma!"

She cupped Deepak's face with her tiny hands, her eyes full of worry. "Papa... did it hurt? Are you okay?"

Rahul and Deeksha both stared at her in amusement as she checked Deepak so seriously, as if he had been badly injured.

Deepak's heart instantly melted.

Pulling Mannat into his arms, he kissed her cheek lovingly and said proudly, "When my brave princess is here to protect me, how can anything happen to Papa?"

Mannat smiled proudly at that, wrapping her little arms around his neck possessively.

Deeksha crossed her arms and shook her head. "Wow... look at this. She's completely her papa's little chamchi."

Mannat immediately peeked from Deepak's shoulder and stuck her tongue out teasingly at Deeksha.

"You're bad, Mumma," she declared innocently.

Everyone burst into laughter.

Rahul, who had been carrying the

weight of countless thoughts all evening, finally laughed wholeheartedly at their adorable drama.

Deepak smirked lightly and nudged him. "See? Family life isn't that scary."

Rahul shook his head helplessly, still smiling faintly, while somewhere deep inside, the thought of Ishani and Ishaan waiting at home slowly began feeling less frightening... and more like belonging.

"Okay... bye, I'm leaving now," Rahul said softly before stepping out.

"Bye," Deepak replied with a knowing smile.

Rahul quietly made his way back home. The entire house was silent by then, wrapped in the stillness of night.

No one was outside anymore.

Taking a deep breath, he slowly walked toward his room.

The room was dark.

Very carefully, he switched on the light. And the moment his eyes fell on the bed, his heartbeat softened.

Ishani and Ishaan were sleeping peacefully together on his bed.

For a few seconds, Rahul simply stood there, unable to move.

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

Ishani looked breathtaking even in sleep. Draped in the red saree, with sindoor adorning her forehead and the mangalsutra around her neck, she looked like a beautiful dream he had once believed he would never have.

Rahul let out a quiet breath, almost overwhelmed by the sight in front of him.

Without making any noise, he took out a pair of clothes and went into the washroom.

After changing, he returned to the room quietly.

Then reality struck him again.

Where was he supposed to sleep now?

His eyes moved toward Ishani

sleeping beside Ishaan, and immediately he looked away, nervous and hesitant.

Silently, Rahul took out a bedsheet from the cupboard and spread it neatly on the floor.

Placing a pillow beside it, he laid down there instead.

But even after lying down, his eyes kept drifting back toward Ishani.

There was no desperation in his gaze... only pure, quiet love.

A small smile touched his lips as he whispered softly into the silence of the room,

"I don't need anything else, Ishani... just stay happy."

His eyes grew emotional as he looked at her sleeping peacefully.

"And if that happiness means keeping my distance from you... then I'll do that too. Always."

Slowly, while watching her like she was the most precious part of his world, Rahul's tired eyes began to close. Rahul eventually drifted off to sleep too.

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

Deeksha stepped back into the room after changing, her eyes landing on the sight of Mannat fast asleep while

Deepak gently tucked her in.

"You're spoiling her with all this pampering," Deeksha remarked softly, watching them. "I'm worried she'll get out of hand if you keep this up."

Deepak didn't look up, his voice thick with a quiet sort of longing. "She wasn't with me for all these years, Deeksha. Now that she finally is, shouldn't I shower her with all the love I missed out on giving?"

The words hit Deeksha like a physical weight. Silence stretched between them as a wave of guilt washed over her she couldn't help but feel that it was because of her choices that

Mannat had been kept away from her father for so long.

Noticing her sudden silence, Deepak stood up from the bed. He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"What happened?" he murmured.

"Nothing," she whispered, though her voice lacked conviction.

"It wasn't your fault," Deepak said, sensing her thoughts. "Whatever happened, happened. I want to give my love to both of you now to Mannat, and to you."

Deeksha sighed, a soft "Hmm" escaping her lips as she leaned back into him.

Deepak began to press soft kisses against the curve of her neck, and she felt her breathing grow heavy and shallow.

When his hand moved to trail over her boobs kneading gently, Deeksha pressed herself closer against his chest, her heart racing.

"Deepak... Mannat is right there," she breathed out, in a protest.

"She's fast asleep," Deepak whispered back, his voice low and steady.

"She might wake up anyway," Deeksha whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of hesitation and desire.

Deepak suddenly pulled away, letting his hands drop. Deeksha stood there, momentarily confused, and turned around to look at him.

"I'm trying so hard to control myself, Deeksha," Deepak said, his voice strained. "Having you here, in my room, and yet I feel like I can't even touch you properly."

"But Mannat is right there, Deepak. What can we do?" she replied softly, her eyes searching his.

Without a word, Deepak stepped toward her and swept her off her feet, lifting her in a sudden bridal carry.

Deeksha gasped in shock, her hands instinctively flying to his shoulders. "Deepak! What are you doing?"

He didn't answer with words instead, he began carrying her out of the room

"What if Mannat wakes up and finds us gone?" she protested weakly.

"It's okay," Deepak murmured, his gaze locked onto hers. "We're still in the same house. It's just us."

A deep blush crept up Deeksha's cheeks as he carried her into the other room.

He laid her down gently on the bed, his body following hers.

Before she could say another word, he captured her lips in a fierce, hungry kiss.

The hesitation melted away. Deeksha responded with equal fervor, her fingers tangling in his hair and pulling him closer, her arms locking around his neck as she drew him deep into her embrace.

Deepak began to pull Deeksha's kurta over her head, and she stayed still, allowing him to undress her.

As the fabric fell away, Deepak's eyes darkened with appreciation.

"I knew it," he murmured, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. "You don't wear a bra at night."

Deeksha felt the heat rush to her face. "Is that all you keep track of?" she said trying to hide her bashfulness.

"Of course," Deepak replied, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "If I don't look at my own wife, then who else would I look at?"

Deeksha's heart fluttered at his words, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson.

Deepak leaned in, his tongue tracing light, circles around her nipple, making a violent shiver run down her spine.

The sensation sent a jolt through her as he began to suckle rhythmically, while his other hand moved to her other breast, kneading the soft flesh with a firm, possessive touch.

Deeksha arched her back, her breath hitching as she lost herself in the heat of his touch.

"Deepak... Ahh, Deepak..." Deeksha moaned, her voice trailing off into a soft whimper.

Deepak looked up for a fleeting second, his eyes glazed with passion.

"God, they are the most beautiful things I've ever seen," he growled before burying his face against her other breast, suckling deeply.

Deeksha felt herself drowning in waves of pure pleasure, her head lolling back against the pillow.

Sensing her surrender, Deepak slid his hand beneath the waistband of her salwar, moving past the silk of her panties while his mouth remained busy at her chest.

Instinctively, Deeksha parted her legs further, inviting his touch.

A small, knowing smirk played on Deepak's lips as his fingers finally made contact with her core.

She was already slick and aching for him. As he slid a finger inside her, Deeksha's eyes flew shut and she cried out his name, her body trembling under the intensity of the sensation.

Deepak began to move his finger in and out in a steady, rhythmic pace.

Deeksha was completely lost, drifting in a sea of pure, unadulterated pleasure.

He leaned up to trail kisses along her jawline and neck, his teeth grazing her skin in light, playful bites while he continued his work below.

As she gasped for air, he slid a second finger inside her.

Deeksha let out a sharp, breathless moan, "Aahhh!"

Deepak didn't stop there he used his thumb to apply expert pressure to her clitoris, circling and rubbing with a precision that made her world tilt.

Deeksha felt a tight knot forming in the pit of her stomach, the tension building higher and higher until she couldn't take it anymore.

"Deepak... please!" she cried out, her voice breaking.

With a final, frantic surge of sensation, the knot snapped. Her body buckled and shuddered as the orgasm washed over her, releasing everything in a powerful, trembling wave.

Deepak looked down at her, watching her chest heave as she came down from the high of her orgasm. "Are you okay?" he asked softly.

"Yes," Deeksha exhaled, her voice a mere whisper.

Deepak leaned down and pressed a lingering, tender kiss on her forehead.

"You were the first woman I ever touched like this," he confessed, his voice thick with emotion. "And after all these years, you're still the only one."

Deeksha felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She listened, mesmerized, as

Deepak buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent deeply as if memorizing it all over again.

"You were always there, Deeksha... running through my mind constantly," he murmured against her skin. "I tried, you know. I tried to find someone else, tried to make girlfriends just to forget you. But I never could."

Deeksha ran her fingers gently through his hair, pulling him up slightly so she could look into his eyes.

Her heart ached with a bittersweet pang. "I don't think I deserve this much love from you, Deepak," she said softly, her eyes shimmering.

Deepak look at her with fierce intensity. "Don't ever say that, Deeksha. Don't even think it. You are the only one who deserves my love. No one else."

A small, genuine smile touched Deeksha's lips, though she playfully raised an eyebrow to break the heavy tension. "Are you just going to talk all night? Mannat will wake up soon at this rate."

Deepak chuckled at her remark, the sound low and warm. He leaned in for another kiss, and this time,

Deeksha met him with equal fervor.

She reached for the hem of his T-shirt, and he sat up slightly, allowing her to pull it over his head before she moved on to his trousers.

As he stood before her, Deeksha's eyes traveled over his physique, her breath hitching.

"My god, Deepak... how much time do you spend at the gym?" she breathed, unable to resist running her hand over the hard ridges of his abs.

Deepak shivered under her touch, a small groan escaping him. "It started as a way to stay disciplined," he admitted, his voice slightly strained from her touch. "But if this is how much you like it, then I guess I'll be hitting the gym until I'm an old man."

Deeksha laughed softly, her eyes shining with affection. "You're absolutely crazy."

Deepak leaned down, his gaze intense and unwavering. "Only for you, Deeksha. Only for you."

Don't be so cheesy," Deeksha teased, though her heart skipped a beat.

Deepak looked her straight in the eye, his expression turning serious. "If I don't speak my heart out, how will you ever truly understand how much I love you?"

Deeksha found herself speechless, her words caught in her throat as she looked at him.

Without a word, Deepak shed his final layer of clothing. Deeksha's breath caught in her chest as she saw him fully naked he was imposing dick, length veiny and thick, pulsing with his desire for her.

Deepak stepped closer, closing the distance until he was right at the edge of the bed.

He took her hand in his and guided it, wrapping her fingers around his dick. "Stroke it, Deeksha," he commanded hoarsely.

The moment her palm made contact with the searing warmth of his skin, she felt the sheer power of him.

Deepak let out a low, guttural groan, his eyes fluttering shut at the electric spark of her touch.

"Fuck, Deeksha..." Deepak hissed, his eyes squeezed shut.

"Fuck, Deeksha..." Deepak hissed, his jaw tightening as she gripped him.

Deeksha continued to stroke him, her movements slow and deliberate at first.

Deepak placed his hand over hers, his fingers locking with hers as he forced a faster, more aggressive rhythm.

Deeksha watched his face, mesmerized by the raw pleasure crossing his features, before she leaned up to capture his lips in a deep, hungry kiss.

They tasted each other while her hand kept working him, driving him to the absolute brink until he finally groaned out loud, his seed spilling hotly over their joined fingers.

Deeksha stared at the mess on their hands, her breath coming in short, ragged hitches.

Deepak slowly pulled his hand away, his eyes dark and heavy with a different kind of hunger. "Take off rest clothes," he commanded hoarsely.

Deeksha shed her remaining clothes, standing fully exposed before him. Deepak's gaze devoured her.

He took in the soft, feminine curve of her waist and her small, pert breasts with their dark, hardened tips. He stepped in, cupping her face with his still-warm palms.

"I love you so much, Deeksha," he whispered, his voice thick with an intensity that vibrated in the air.

She didn't say it back. Deepak knew she might never give him those words, but in this moment, he didn't care.

Having her body pressed against his, sharing this raw, physical heat, was enough.

He backed her against the wall, his lips crushing against hers in a slow, possessive grind.

He guided his rigid dick to her entrance, testing the opening.

She was incredibly tight, her core opening clenching at the mere touch of dick. Knowing he would tear her if he forced it, he groaned in frustration and pulled back slightly.

Deepak suddenly knelt down before her, leaving Deeksha momentarily confused and breathless. "Spread your legs," he commanded, his voice a low, vibrating growl.

Deeksha obeyed, her knees trembling as she opened herself to him. Deepak leaned in, his hot breath hitting her inner thighs just seconds before his tongue lashed across her sensitive core.

The sensation was so electric, so sudden, that Deeksha let out a startled gasp. "No... please, stop..." she whimpered, though her body was already betraying her, arching toward him.

Deepak didn't listen. He gripped her waist with bruising force, pulling her hips flush against his face.

He buried his tongue inside her, mimicking the rhythm of a hard thrust, moving in and out with a wet, relentless hunger.

Deeksha was swept away by a wave of pure, raw pleasure. Her hands flew to his head, her fingers tangling deep into his hair, gripping him tight as she lost control.

Then, Deepak found her clitoris, taking the small, swollen nub into his mouth and suckling it fiercely.

The intensity of it sent a jagged bolt of lightning through her entire frame, leaving her gasping for air as her world narrowed down to the flick of his tongue.

Deepak continued to suckle and nip at her sensitive flesh, his tongue thrusting inside her with a wet, relentless rhythm until Deeksha orgasm released once more.

Her body went limp, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she slumped against the wall, utterly spent.

Deepak stood up, a predatory glint in his eyes. "Tired already?" he teased, his voice thick with desire. "I don't plan on letting you sleep at all tonight."

Deeksha looked up at him, her pride flickering through her exhaustion. "I'm not tired. Don't underestimate me."

Deepak laughed, a low, dark sound.

He stepped in close, his massive frame looming over her. "In that case... this is going to hurt a bit at first, okay? Just for a moment, then it'll be fine."

"I know it's going to hurt," Deeksha replied simply.

A flash of sharp jealousy crossed Deepak's face. His grip on her arms tightened. "How do you know that? Have you been with someone else after me?"

Deeksha tapped a finger against her temple, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Let me count... was it one? Two? No, maybe five?"

Deepak's face darkened, his temper flared. "Deeksha, this isn't a joke. I'm burning with jealousy here."

Seeing his genuine distress, Deeksha laughed and pulled him closer. "No one, Deepak. No one else has touched me but you."

The tension drained from his shoulders as he let out a long breath of relief.

"You are mine. Only mine. My wife, the mother of my child, my only love," he whispered, claiming her space.

Deeksha nodded softly, but before she could speak, Deepak suddenly drove his rigid dick deep into her tight core in one forceful thrust.

A scream started to tear from her throat, but Deepak instantly captured her mouth with his, swallowing her cry in a deep, bruising kiss that silenced everything but the sound of their colliding bodies.

Deepak began to thrust, his movements slow and cautious as he pushed into her tight heat.

Deeksha's eyes welled up, and a stray tear escaped, trailing down her cheek from the sheer intensity of the pain.

Sensing her discomfort, Deepak immediately froze, his body hovering over hers.

"Hey... are you okay?" he whispered, his voice laced with concern.

Deeksha took a shaky breath, nodding slightly. "Yes... it's just... it just hurt a little bit."

"It'll get better, I promise," Deepak murmured. He began to rain tender, soothing kisses all over her face her forehead, her eyes, her burning cheeks trying to distract her from the sensation.

His dick remained buried deep inside her, a heavy, throbbing presence. As he started to move again, shifting with a slow, rhythmic grind, the sharp sting began to fade.

Gradually, the pain subsided, replaced by a blossoming warmth that started to spread through Deeksha's entire body.

"Is it better now?" Deepak whispered, his voice vibrating against her skin.

"Yes," Deeksha breathed, her body finally relaxing around him, accepting his thickness.

"Can I go faster?" Deepak asked

"Yes... please," she urged, her fingers digging into his shoulders.

Deepak didn't hesitate. He hooked one of her legs firmly around his waist, pulling her even closer until there was no air between them.

He buried his face in the crook of her neck, his hot breath hitching as he began to drive into her with powerful, rapid-fire thrusts. The rhythm was fierce and relentless.

Deeksha felt herself drowning in waves of raw pleasure. She let out a low, primal moan, her face contorting in a blissful grin as she matched his intensity, her hips rising to meet every heavy blow.

Each time he slammed home, she felt him deep in her gut, his length hitting her so profoundly it felt like he was reaching her very soul.

Overwhelmed by the sheer sensation of him filling her so completely, Deeksha squeezed her eyes shut, losing herself in the rhythmic friction and the intoxicating heat of their bodies colliding.

Deepak buried his face in her neck, trailing hot, wet kisses along her skin as he lost himself in the sheer bliss of finally having her this close.

Every time he thrust into her, her tight core clenched around him, a sensation so intoxicating it made his head spin.

He pushed deeper, his movements becoming more urgent and rhythmic.

To ensure she reached her peak, he reached down, his thumb finding her swollen clitoris and rubbing it with expert precision while he continued to hammer into her.

Deeksha's breath hitched, her fingers digging into his back as she clung to him for dear life.

"Deepak... oh god, Deepak!" she whimpered, her body suddenly stiffening as a powerful orgasm ripped through her.

The feeling of her walls pulsing around him broke his last shred of control.

With a guttural groan, Deepak gave one final, deep thrust and released his warmth inside her. They collapsed against each other, hearts hammering in sync, breathing heavily in the quiet room.

After a few moments of recovery, Deepak gently pulled away. He scooped Deeksha up in a bridal carry, heading back toward the bed.

"Are you exhausted?" he asked softly.

"No," she whispered, though her eyes were heavy with sleep.

Deepak smiled tenderly. "Go to sleep. I'll take care of you."

He fetched a warm, damp cloth and gently wiped away the remnants of their passion from her thighs and her aching core.

Deeksha winced slightly she was swollen and tender but she let him tend to her. Once she was clean, he carefully helped her back into her clothes.

After dressing himself, he carried her back to his own room. Mannat was still fast asleep, oblivious to the world.

He laid Deeksha down on the bed, and she instinctively pulled the little girl close, hugging her as she drifted off.

Deepak watched them for a moment, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.

He climbed into the bed on the other side, finally closing his eyes and falling into a deep, peaceful sleep.

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

The sun filtered through the curtains as Ishani blinked her eyes open. For a moment, she was disoriented, glancing around the unfamiliar walls until the realization hit her. she was in Rahul's room. Beside her, Ishaan was fast asleep, looking like a little angel.

A soft smile played on her lips as she reached out, ruffling his messy hair.

She leaned in and planted a gentle kiss on his forehead. "Ishaan, baccha... come on, wake up. Don't you have school today?"

At the mere mention of 'school', Ishaan groaned and immediately turned his face the other way, burying it in the pillow.

Ishani couldn't help but chuckle at his dramatic reaction."Ishaan, get up! You have to go. You've already taken so many leaves this week," she coaxed.

"I don't want to go..." Ishaan mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.

"But why, baby? All the good kids go to school, and you have to go too. Now, up you get!"She scooped the sleepy boy into her arms, lifting him off the bed.

As she turned to walk toward the door, her foot accidentally brushed against something or rather, someone on the floor.

She looked down to see Rahul sprawled out on a mattress.

The sudden contact woke him instantly. He sat up, rubbing his eyes, and looked up at Ishani holding their son.

"Good morning," Rahul said, his voice husky from sleep.

"Good morning," Ishani replied, a wave of awkwardness washing over her as she adjusted Ishaan in her arms.

She quickly cleared her throat. "Um, Ishaan has school. I need to get him ready."

Rahul nodded, still a bit dazed. "The washroom is right there," he pointed.

Ishani gave a small nod and hurried inside with Ishaan.

Left alone in the room, Rahul couldn't stop the massive grin spreading across his face.

His heart was practically doing a happy dance. He couldn't believe it Ishani was in his room. She had woken up on his bed.

The thought that she was finally here, his wife, felt like a beautiful dream he never wanted to wake up from.

But Rahul's joy vanished in an instant when the sound of Ishaan's wailing echoed from the washroom. Panic surged through him why was the little one crying so suddenly?

A few minutes later, Ishani emerged, carrying a sobbing Ishaan. She was busy drying him off with a fluffy towel, but the boy's cries only grew louder and more frantic.

"What happened to him?" Rahul asked, his voice laced with worry.

"Nothing, he just doesn't want to go to school," Ishani replied, her tone firm but weary.

"Then let it be," Rahul suggested gently. "He's just a child. Maybe he's not in the mood today."

"He does this every single time," Ishani countered, turning back to the boy. "Ishaan, stop it now! This is enough. It's a bad habit, okay? If everyone sees you crying like this, they'll say Ishaan is a bad boy."

"I don't want to go to school!" Ishaan wailed, his little chest heaving.

Ignoring his protests, Ishani started dressing him in his school uniform and reached for a comb to fix his hair.

The commotion reached the hallway, and soon there was a knock at the door.

It was Devnath.

Rahul opened the door.

"Why is Ishaan crying so much, beta?"

Devnath asked, peering in.

"Papa, he doesn't want to go to school, but Ishani is insisting," Rahul explained.

Devnath walked into the room, his heart melting at the sight of his grandson. "Ishani, let it be, beta. He's just a kid. One missed day isn't going to ruin his studies."

Ishani looked exhausted."You don't understand, Uncle. He becomes stubborn like this often. Because of his autism, handling him gets difficult sometimes."

But Devnath wouldn't hear of it.

"Even so, look at him. His whole face has turned red from crying. Let him stay home today."

Hearing those words, Ishani's strict expression finally broke. Her eyes filled with tears.

She slowly sat beside Ishaan and wiped his tears with trembling fingers.

"Okay..." she whispered softly. "Fine. You don't have to go today."

Ishaan's crying slowly reduced into small hiccups.

"Happy now?" Ishani said, trying to smile through her exhaustion. "Come on, we'll change your clothes."

Devnath smiled warmly seeing him calm down.

"Come, Ishaan," he said sweetly. "Let's go outside for a little walk with Grandfather."

Instead of moving, Ishaan grabbed a handful of Ishani's saree, clinging to her tightly.

"Go on, Ishaan," Ishani encouraged him. "Go with your grandfather. I told you about him, remember?"

But the boy refused to let go. Seeing this, Devnath smiled. "It's alright. Ishani, why don't you freshen up and then come down for breakfast? Rahul, you should get ready too."

"Okay, Papa," Rahul replied.

Once Devnath left and the door was closed, Ishani turned to her son. "Okay, Ishaan, sit here for a bit. Mumma is going to take a bath, and then we'll have breakfast together."

Ishaan's grip on her saree didn't loosen an inch.

Rahul stepped in, trying a different tactic. "Ishaan... do you want some chocolate?"

At the mention of 'chocolate', Ishaan's ears perked up, and he looked at

Rahul with wide, curious eyes."Let Mumma go," Rahul coaxed. "Stay with me, and I'll give you a treat."

Ishaan looked up at his mother, seeking permission. Ishani smiled. "Go ahead. Uncle is giving you chocolate."

Finally, the small fingers uncurled

from the fabric.

Ishaan moved toward Rahul, who beamed with joy as he lifted the boy into his arms.

"I'll look after him," Rahul promised, his eyes meeting Ishani's.

Ishani nodded gratefully and headed toward the washroom.

Rahul took Ishaan to the nearby shop to pick out a chocolate.

"Which one do you want?" he asked gently. Ishaan pointed at his favorite, and Rahul quickly bought it, tearing open the wrapper before handing it to him.

As the little boy happily munched on his treat, Rahul watched him with a soft smile.

"Ishaan... you don't like school?" Rahul asked, trying to strike up a conversation.

Ishaan shook his head vigorously. "I don't like it," he muttered.

Rahul frowned, sensing the depth of

the boy's dislike. "But why?"

Ishaan suddenly went quiet, his eyes dropping to the floor.

Rahul could tell there was something more to it some reason behind the silence but he didn't want to push too hard.

"But your Mannat di," Rahul said encouragingly. "She goes to school every day and she loves it. Why is it different for you?"

Ishaan kept eating his chocolate, offering no further explanation.

Seeing that the boy wasn't ready to open up, Rahul let the matter drop for now.

"Alright then, shall we head back? Mumma must be waiting for you," Rahul said, reaching out for his hand.

Ishaan nodded, and together, they started walking back home.

Rahul walked inside to find Vaibhav and Divya already seated at the dining table with Ishani and Devnath.

When Ishani spotted them, she beckoned Ishaan over. "Come here, baccha," she called out softly.

As Ishaan trotted over to her, Divya noticed his face and burst into a little laugh. "Ishaan! Who gave you chocolate so early in the morning? It's smeared all over your face!"

Ishaan didn't say a word; he simply pointed a tiny finger toward Rahul.

Divya turned around, her eyebrows arching in surprise. "Oh, so Rahul gave it to you?"

Ishaan nodded earnestly.

"So, do you like Rahul now?" Divya teased gently.

When Ishaan nodded again, a warm smile spread across everyone's faces. The small gesture felt like a huge victory.

Rahul looked around the table and noticed a missing seat. "Mummy didn't come for breakfast?"

"She has a bit of a headache, so she's resting," Devnath replied.

"I'll go check on her," Rahul offered, but Devnath shook his head.

"She's asleep right now. You go and get ready you need to head to the police station. And take Ishani to the college as well her students shouldn't suffer because of her missed classes."

Ishani looked up, hesitation clouding her face. "Uncle, I was thinking of staying home today. Ishaan will be all alone I should be here with him."

"I'll look after him, Ishani," Divya insisted with a reassuring smile. "Vaibhav is here, Papa is here... we'll manage. He'll be fine."

Vaibhav nodding in agreement. "Exactly, Ishani. He'll be alright with us. You should go."

Seeing their support, Ishani finally relented. "Okay then," she whispered.

With the plan settled, Rahul headed upstairs to get ready for the day.

Vaibhav looked at devnath and said, "Papa, I was thinking... maybe it's time I take Ma and Divya back to Banaras. It's been quite a few days since we arrived here."

Devnath nodded thoughtfully. "You're right, beta. I should also take Rani and head back to Banaras now. I've taken enough leave from my responsibilities as it is."

Divya's face fell. She wasn't ready to leave yet, but seeing Vaibhav's resolve, she kept her thoughts to herself and remained silent.

Ishani looked at their faces, one by one, a sudden sense of emptiness washing over her. "If everyone leaves... we'll be all alone here," she said softly, her voice tinged with a hint of anxiety.

Devnath smiled at her kindly. "How will you be alone, Ishani? Rahul is your husband now. It's time for the two of you to live your lives together, to understand one another."

Ishani lowered her gaze, the weight of his words settling in her heart. "As you all think best," she replied quietly, not pushing the matter further.

Vaibhav pulled Ishaan into his lap and started narrating a story to keep him busy.

Meanwhile, Ishani picked up her bag, ready to head out. Rahul emerged from the room, fully dressed. "Shall we go?" he asked.

Ishani nodded. She turned to Ishaan one last time, giving him a stern yet loving look. "Ishaan, be a good boy, okay? Don't trouble anyone while I'm gone."

"Okay," Ishaan chirped back.

With a small smile, Ishani stepped out of the house, with Rahul following closely behind.

She pressed the button for the lift, and as the doors slid open, Bhavya stepped out.

She was still in her police uniform, looking exhausted after a long night shift.

Bhavya's eyes immediately fell on Ishani, taking in the sight of her in a traditional saree, looking every bit the newly married woman, with Rahul right behind her.

A sharp pang of jealousy shot through her, but she masked it quickly, burying the feeling deep down.

"Good morning," Rahul greeted her warmly.

"Good morning," Bhavya replied shortly.

"Breakfast is served, make sure you eat something, okay?" Rahul added.

"I will," she said, before walking past them toward the flat.

Ishani and Rahul stepped into the lift. As the doors hummed shut, they were suddenly enclosed in a heavy, intimate silence.

Alone in the small space, the atmosphere turned thick with awkwardness.

Neither of them spoke the only sound was the faint of their breathing as they stared straight ahead.

The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, and Ishani stepped out, her nerves still slightly on edge.

She felt a strange, fluttering tension whenever she was alone with Rahul she simply didn't know how to navigate this new equation.

Rahul, on the other hand, was wrapped in a quiet contentment.

Just the fact that she was within arm's reach was enough to make his day.

He walked ahead to the parking lot

and pulled his car out. Before Ishani could even reach for the handle, he was there, holding the front passenger door open for her with a quiet, steady gaze.

Ishani hesitated for a second before sliding in. Rahul settled into the driver's seat, and they set off for the college.

The cabin was filled with a heavy silence, but it wasn't cold it was thick with things left unsaid.

As they pulled up to the college gates, Ishani moved to unbuckle her seatbelt, but Rahul was already out and circling the car.

He opened her door, his gallantry almost rhythmic now.

Ishani looked up at him, her expression a mix of gratitude and slight discomfort.

"I could have managed that myself, Rahul," she said softly, stepping onto the pavement. "You really don't have to go through all this trouble."

Rahul didn't respond with words; he just looked at her, his eyes speaking volumes more than his voice ever could.

"Ishani ma'am?"A fellow teacher approached them, looking curiously at Rahul's uniform and the way he stood protectively by Ishani.

"Coming to work with the police today?" she teased.

Ishani didn't miss a beat. She looked at the woman and then back at Rahul. "No, ma'am. This is my husband."

The woman's face lit up. "Oh, how wonderful! Of course, you mentioned the wedding. Congratulations to both of you!"

"Thank you," Rahul said, his voice sounding deeper, grounded by a sudden surge of pride.

Inside, his heart was racing. Hearing Ishani acknowledge him as her husband in front of the world felt like a victory he hadn't expected so soon.

That one simple sentence-He is my husband-replayed in his mind like a favorite song on loop. He was beaming, a quiet, radiant happiness settling over him.

"Bye, Rahul," she said, adjusting her bag.

"Bye," he replied, his voice barely a whisper.

He stood by the car, leaning against the door, his eyes locked on her as she walked away with her colleague.

He didn't turn the ignition or look away. He just stayed there, watching her silhouette until she vanished through the college doors and out of his sight.

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

Back at the house, Devnath entered the bedroom to find Rani sitting by herself, lost in thought.

"Start packing your bags,

Rani,"Devnath said firmly. "It's time we head back to Banaras. We've stayed here long enough, and I have work waiting for me there."

Rani looked up, a deep frown creasing her forehead. "I'm not going anywhere," she snapped. "I'm not leaving my son alone."

Devnath sighed, shaking his head. "Why? Rahul lived alone for years before this. And now, he actually has a wife by his side. What are you so worried about?"

"Ishani is not his wife!" Rani burst out, her voice trembling with resentment. "I don't recognize this marriage, and I never will. She will never love my son the way he loves her. She'll only bring him pain."

Devnath looked at her, his expression hardening. "Whether she loves him yet or not is between them. They have to spend their lives together now. It's time we leave them to figure it out on their own. Now, stop this and get ready. We are leaving for Banaras with Vaibhav."

Rani didn't move. She remained seated, fuming with silent rage, her eyes fixed on Devnath as her anger toward him and this entire situation continued to simmer.

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

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