Author pov....

Deepak kept feeding Mannat her breakfast with gentle care.

Just then, Deeksha walked in, fully dressed for office in a black blazer, white shirt, and black pants. The moment Mannat saw her, her face lit up with a bright smile.

"Good morning, Mumma," she said happily.

Deeksha leaned down and kissed her cheeks softly. "Good morning, baby."

Deepak looked at Deeksha lovingly, unable to take his eyes off her.

But Deeksha avoided meeting his gaze.

The memories of what had happened between them the previous night still lingered in her heart, making her shy and restless.

At that moment, Rajni brought breakfast for Deeksha.

"Aunty, please sit and eat with us,"Deeksha said warmly.

Rajni smiled faintly. "You all eat peacefully. I'm staying home anyway, I'll eat later."

"No," Deeksha insisted gently. "Then you won't eat properly when you're alone. Sit with us... we'll have breakfast together."

Hearing the affection in her voice,

Rajni finally sat down beside them.

Deepak immediately grinned. "Wah, Maa... for years I kept asking you to sit and eat with me, but you never listened. And today you listened to your daughter-in-law so easily. Looks like Deeksha has completely controlled you."

Rajni lightly hit his arm. "Chup! It's nothing like that. She just cares for me so much that I can never refuse her."

Deepak placed a hand dramatically on his chest. "Oh really? And I don't care about you?"

Rajni teased him back, "No, you don't."

"When have I not cared for you?" Deepak asked in disbelief.

Rajni sighed dramatically. "For years I've been telling you to let me go on a pilgrimage, but you never allow me."

Deepak shook his head immediately. "Maa, you're still not old enough for all that teerth yatra talk. Stay at home for now. I need you here."

Rajni looked at him softly. "And why exactly do you need me?"

Deepak smiled and glanced at Mannat. "Because Mannat is completely used to you now. If you leave, she won't like it at all."

He turned toward Mannat. "Right, princess?"

Mannat nodded seriously. "Yes, Dadi. Papa is right."

Deeksha laughed softly and shook her head. "Aunty, don't listen to these two. This father and daughter are always secretly on the same team."

Rajni chuckled as she looked at them. "Even I've noticed it... these days this father-daughter duo is always whispering secrets to each other and speaking the exact same way. You know what, Deeksha? Let's make our own team."

Mannat immediately straightened up and pointed at them dramatically. "Dadi, Papa and I will defeat both of you!"

Then she turned toward Deepak with

sparkling eyes. "Right, Papa?"

Deepak was just about to say yes when Deeksha interrupted him, raising an eyebrow playfully.

"Think carefully before answering."

Deepak looked at Deeksha for a moment, completely trapped between his daughter and his wife.

Then he sighed dramatically and held his ears in surrender.

"Sorry, princess... but I can't defeat your Mumma." He glanced at Rajni and added with a smile, "Or my mother either."

Mannat instantly puffed her cheeks in fake annoyance and looked away.

Deeksha laughed softly. "Look at this little drama queen."

She pulled Mannat into her lap and started tickling her gently.

Mannat burst into uncontrollable laughter, squirming in her mother's arms.

Rajni and Deepak sat there smiling warmly, their hearts filled with peace as they watched the two laughing together.

Deeksha started feeding Mannat breakfast while eating her own at the same time.

In between bites, she looked at her seriously and said, "And don't think I'm not noticing your schoolwork, Mannat. No carelessness, okay? You have to study properly."

Mannat kept eating obediently and nodded quickly. "Yes, Mumma."

Deeksha continued asking her about school, and Mannat excitedly kept telling her little stories about her classes, teachers, and friends.

Then suddenly, Mannat's eyes fell on Deeksha's neck."Mumma..." she said innocently, staring closely, "what's this red mark on your neck?"

Deeksha instantly placed her hand over it.

In that very moment, memories of the previous night with Deepak flashed before her eyes, making her heart skip nervously. "It's nothing," she said quickly.

Mannat frowned in confusion. "But Mumma, it's such a big red mark..."

"Which mark?" he asked, though the slight smile threatening his lips clearly showed he already knew.

Deeksha immediately shot him a warning glare.

Before she could say anything else, she hurriedly replied, "A mosquito bit me."

Deepak blinked innocently. "Mosquito?"

"Yes," Deeksha said firmly.

"But there weren't any mosquitoes in our room last night," he replied casually, taking another sip of tea. "Then how did it bite you?"

Deeksha nearly choked.

Her eyes widened as she stared at him in disbelief.

This man has completely lost his mind...

"M-Maybe one came from outside," she said quickly, trying to sound normal.

Mannat looked at Deepak with wide eyes. "Papa, the mosquito bit Mumma so badly!"

Deepak pressed his lips together to stop himself from laughing.

"Hm," he said thoughtfully. "Looks serious. Let me check it once."

Before Deeksha could move away, he stood up and walked toward her.

"Deepak," she warned under her breath, her cheeks already turning pink, "sit down."

But he ignored her completely.

Rajni also became worried and leaned forward. "Arre beta, let him see properly. Mosquitoes don't leave marks this big. Maybe some insect bit you."

Deeksha closed her eyes for a second in pure defeat.

There was no escape now.

Deepak leaned down slightly, pretending to inspect the mark seriously.

The moment he saw it closely, his eyes darkened with amusement and satisfaction.

A slow smile appeared on his face.

"Ah..." he murmured dramatically. "Now I understand."

Deeksha looked ready to murder him.

Deepak turned toward Mannat with the most innocent expression possible. "Princess, your Mumma's blood is too sweet. That's why the mosquito lost control."

Meanwhile, Deeksha's entire face turned into a crimson.

She glared at Deepak so hard that if looks could kill, he would not have survived breakfast.

"Bas!" she snapped, standing up instantly. "Enough nonsense."

She grabbed Mannat's water bottle and school bag in frustration.

"Deepak, don't you have to leave for the police station?" she said sharply. "And Mannat, finish your breakfast quickly. You're getting late for school."

Deepak looked away immediately, pretending to cough just to hide his laughter.

But the smile on his face refused to disappear.

After breakfast, the three of them stepped out together, each heading toward their own destination.

The morning air felt calm and fresh as Deepak drove them through the busy streets.

First, they dropped Mannat at school.

Deepak kept driving casually, one hand resting on the steering wheel, while Deeksha sat beside him quietly for a few seconds before finally speaking

"Deepak... I really don't like those kinds of jokes."

"Hm?" he murmured, pretending not to understand.

"In front of Mannat and Aunty," she continued, turning toward him. "You shouldn't joke like that."

Deepak glanced at her innocently. "Like what exactly?"

Deeksha narrowed her eyes at him. "Don't act smart. The jokes you were making at home."

A slow smile tugged at Deepak's lips, but he controlled it carefully.

"I genuinely don't remember," he said with fake innocence. "What did I say?"

Deeksha stared at him in disbelief. "Deepak."

"Haan?" he replied calmly, still looking at the road.

"You knew exactly what you were doing."

"Me?" he placed a hand dramatically on his chest. "I was only worried about your injury."

Deeksha's cheeks instantly turned warm again. "There was no injury!"

"Oh?" Deepak finally looked at her for a second, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Then should I tell you what it actually was?"

"Deepak!" she snapped immediately, completely flustered.

He burst into quiet laughter.

Deeksha looked away toward the window, trying to hide her embarrassment.

Deeksha's law office finally came into sight as Deepak slowly pulled the car over near the entrance.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Deeksha adjusted her blazer and picked up her bag. "Okay... bye, Deepak."

Just as she was about to open the door, Deepak quietly held her wrist.

She looked at him. "What now?"

"At least give me a goodbye kiss," he said softly, his eyes fixed on her face. "Otherwise how will I survive the whole day?"

Deeksha tried hard not to smile. "You're behaving as if I'm leaving for years."

"For me, even a few hours feels long," he replied dramatically.

She shook her head helplessly. "I already gave you enough attention last night. Manage with that memory today too."

Deepak gasped as if personally attacked. "Wow. Such cruelty. I never thought my own wife would make me beg for affection."

Deeksha crossed her arms. "Begging suits you."

Deepak immediately made the saddest face possible. "You don't even feel bad seeing your husband suffer?"

"Not at all."Deeksha said

"Ouch," he whispered, placing a hand over his heart. "This pain will destroy me."

Despite herself, Deeksha let out a small laugh.

"Fine," she finally said, pretending to give up. "Come closer."

Deepak's eyes instantly sparkled like an excited child. He leaned toward her without wasting a second.

Deeksha moved close too... and gently pressed a kiss against his cheek.

Deepak frowned immediately. "That's cheating. I wanted kiss on the lips," he completed shamelessly.

Deeksha stared at him for one second... then suddenly leaned in again and bit his cheek hard enough to make him jerk back.

"Ahh, Deeksha!"

Before he could complain further, she quickly stepped out of the car and shut the door.

Standing outside, she pointed at his cheek proudly. "Perfect. Now when Mannat asks about that mark, tell her which mosquito attacked you."

Deepak looked at her with complete disbelief. "This is unfair."

Deeksha laughed, the sound soft and beautiful in the middle of the busy morning rush.

"No," she said while walking backward toward the office entrance, "this is called revenge."

Deepak watched her go, still rubbing his cheek dramatically.

But even with the sting, he couldn't stop smiling.

And just before entering the building, Deeksha turned once, only for a second.

Their eyes met.

Then she smiled quietly and disappeared inside, leaving Deepak sitting there completely ruined for the rest of the day in the best way possible.

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

At the police station, Rahul was busy with his work, but there was something different about him today.

For the first time in so many days, there was genuine happiness on his face.

The entire station noticed it.

The officers looked at him in shock, whispering among themselves, wondering what had suddenly changed in their strict and silent officer's life.

One of the policemen nudged Pandey and said softly, "Pandey, go ask Sir why he looks so happy today. What happened to him?"

Pandey immediately frowned and replied, "Did you come here to work or to gossip about Sir's personal life? Go do your duty."

The officer awkwardly made a face and walked away.

After a moment, Pandey himself went toward Rahul's cabin. He knocked lightly before stepping inside.

Rahul looked up from his files.

"Sir," Pandey said carefully, "you seem unusually happy today... what's the matter?"

Rahul looked at him for a second... and then smiled.

A real smile.

"My marriage happened, Pandey."

Pandey froze in complete shock.

"What? But Sir... you loved someone else. Then how did you suddenly get married?"

Rahul laughed softly at his reaction.

"Arrey, Pandey, don't look so shocked," he said warmly. "I married the same girl I loved."

Now Pandey was even more stunned.

"But Sir... her marriage had already happened before. Then how did she become your wife?"

Rahul leaned back in his chair, a faint emotional smile still resting on his face.

"It happened," he said quietly. "It's a very long story."

Then, looking at Pandey, he added teasingly, "Now be happy. At least you won't have to keep watching over me everywhere anymore."

Pandey's eyes instantly filled with happiness.

"Congratulations, Sir," he said sincerely. "I'm really so happy for you. Finally... you got your happiness too."

Then suddenly, excited like a child, he added, "Sir, on this occasion, let me distribute sweets to everyone in the station!"

Rahul thought for a moment before taking out some money."Alright, then. Here, take this."

But Pandey immediately stepped back and shook his head."No, Sir. I'll buy the sweets with my own money. I'm genuinely very happy for you."

Rahul looked at him with quiet affection and nodded lightly."Fine."

With a wide smile on his face, Pandey walked out of the cabin, unable to hide his happiness anymore.

Since morning, only one thing had been running through Rahul's mind the way Ishani had told the professor that he was her husband.

That single moment had filled his heart with a strange, overwhelming happiness. He felt so happy that he couldn't even understand what to do with himself anymore.

A smile kept appearing on his face again and again without reason. But along with that happiness came fear too... a quiet fear that maybe something could go wrong, that such sudden happiness never stayed for long.

Just then, his phone started ringing.

Rahul glanced at the screen and saw Vaibhav's name flashing. He quickly picked up the call.

"Yes, jiju?" Rahul said.

On the other side, Vaibhav spoke tiredly, "Rahul, I won't be able to go pick Ishani up from college today. Can you go instead?"

The moment Rahul heard Ishani's name, happiness instantly lit up his face. It felt like fate itself had given him another chance to see her.

Without wasting a second, he replied, "Of course, jiju. I'll go. Don't worry."

"Alright then," Vaibhav said before disconnecting the call.

Rahul stared at the blank phone screen for a moment, unable to stop smiling.

Then he picked up his phone and gun, walked out of the police station, and left for Ishani's college in his car his heart restless with excitement he could no longer hide.

Rahul reached the college while classes were probably still going on.

Parking his car outside, he stayed there quietly, his eyes fixed on the college gate, waiting only for Ishani.

After some time, students slowly began walking out of the campus in groups, laughing and talking among themselves.

And then... he saw her.

Ishani stepped out while talking to a few professors, a faint smile resting on her face.

The moment Rahul saw her, his heart instantly felt lighter. Just watching her smile was enough to make him happy.

As Ishani walked outside, her eyes suddenly landed on Rahul standing beside the car.

She looked slightly surprised."Rahul... what are you doing here?" she asked softly.

Rahul looked at her and replied, "Vaibhav jiju couldn't come, so he sent me to pick you up."

Ishani sighed lightly and said, "I could've come home by myself. You didn't have to trouble yourself for me like this."

Rahul's expression turned serious for a moment.

"No, Ishani," he said quietly. "After what happened to you that day, how could I let you come alone?"

Ishani listened to him silently. For a few seconds, she simply looked at him but said nothing.

Then Rahul softly asked, "Shall we go?"

Ishani gave a small nod. "Hmm."

Rahul immediately opened the car door for her. Ishani sat inside quietly while Rahul walked around to the driver's seat.

A few moments later, he started the car and drove toward home, the silence between them carrying emotions neither of them could put into words.

Soon as they reached home, Ishaan spotted Ishani from a distance.

The little boy immediately ran toward her without wasting a second."Mumma!"

Ishani instantly bent down and lifted him into her arms, holding him close to her chest as if she never wanted to let go again.

"How is my baby?" she whispered lovingly, kissing his hair softly.

Ishaan clung tightly to her, refusing to leave her embrace for even a moment.

He had missed his mother terribly, and it showed in the way he held onto her so desperately.

Ishani hugged him back just as tightly, her eyes softening with warmth and emotion.

"Did you eat anything or not?" she asked gently while caressing his face.

Before Ishaan could answer, Divya spoke from the side with a smile, "Yes, somehow we managed to feed him."

Hearing that, Ishani smiled gratefully. "Thank you."

Divya shook her head lightly. "It's okay. Go freshen up first, and you should eat something too."

Ishani nodded softly in agreement.

Meanwhile, Rahul stood a little behind them, silently watching everything unfold before his eyes.

Divya looked at Rahul and asked, "Are you leaving for the station right now?"

Rahul nodded lightly, but there was still a smile visible on his face. "Yeah."

Divya smiled seeing how happy he looked today. "At least eat something before you go."

But Rahul shook his head playfully. "No, I'm not hungry right now. I should leave."

Divya looked at him carefully and chuckled softly. It had been a long time since she had seen Rahul this happy, and the reason behind it was obvious to everyone.

"Alright then," she said with a small smile.

Rahul gave a quick nod before walking out of the house. Even while leaving, that faint smile never disappeared from his face.

His heart still carried the warmth of seeing Ishani, hearing her voice, and simply being around her again.

Ishani came and quietly started eating her food. The atmosphere around the dining table felt calm.

After a few moments, Divya spoke softly, "Tomorrow, we'll be leaving for Banaras."

Ishani immediately looked up at her. "Stay a little longer, na, Divya. Bhaiya is going anyway... at least you stay."

Divya smiled gently at her helplessness. "You know Vaibhav. He won't leave me alone during pregnancy, so I'll have to go too. And if there's any problem, we'll talk on the phone, okay?"

Hearing that, Ishani forced herself to nod. Even though her heart felt heavy at the thought of Divya leaving, she quietly said, "Okay."

Night had fallen, and a quiet stillness enveloped the house. Everyone was fast asleep in their respective rooms when Rahul finally returned home.

Stepping into his bedroom, he noticed Ishani was still awake, while little Ishaan was fast asleep on the bed.

"Ishani, you haven't slept yet?" Rahul asked, his voice low so as not to wake the child.

Ishani looked up, stood up from her chair, and offered a tired smile. "No, just finishing up some college work. I was checking the students' assignment copies, so I got a bit delayed."

"Oh, I see," Rahul replied, exhausted as he began unbuttoning his police uniform.

Noticing his fatigue, Ishani immediately said, "You freshen up, I'll go bring dinner for you."

"No, no, you carry on with your work," Rahul countered softly. "I'll fetch it myself."

But Ishani wasn't having it. Ignoring his protest with a quiet determination, she walked out of the room to the kitchen.

Rahul couldn't help but smile at her stubborn care. He changed into comfortable clothes, freshened up, and walked back into the room, only to find that Ishani had already brought his dinner upstairs and set it down for him.

Rahul sat down to eat, while Ishani hovered nearby, waiting just in case he needed anything else.

After taking his first bite, Rahul looked up at her."Did you have your dinner, Ishani?" he asked.

"Yes, I've eaten," she replied softly.

Rahul nodded, continuing with his meal. "You should get back to your work then. I don't need anything else."

Ishani nodded in agreement and quietly returned to her desk. Once

Rahul finished eating, he took his plate downstairs, washed it himself, and came back to the room. Seeing Ishani still engrossed in her work, he spoke up, "Ishani, aren't you going to sleep now?"

"Yes, almost done. You go ahead and sleep, Rahul," she murmured, without looking up.

Rahul pulled out his bedding and began spreading it out on the floor.

Ishani looked over and frowned. "Why are you sleeping on the floor?"

"Then where else do I sleep?" Rahul asked, gesturing subtly.

Ishani looked at the bed. It was barely big enough for her and Ishaan there was no way Rahul could fit there too.

She looked back at the cold floor and asked with a hint of concern, "Won't it be uncomfortable for you to sleep on the floor like this?"

"No, it's fine," Rahul shrugged. "Anyway, everyone is leaving tomorrow, so I can sleep in the other room from tomorrow night. It's just for tonight."

Feeling guilty, Ishani instantly offered, "Let me sleep on the floor instead. You can sleep on the bed next to Ishaan."

"No," Rahul refused gently. "What if Ishaan wakes up in the middle of the night and looks for you? What will we do then?"

Ishani thought about it for a moment, realizing he was right, and quietly fell silent.

Rahul lay down and, exhausted from the long day, fell asleep almost instantly.

A little while later, Ishani finished her work. She stretched and got up, heading toward the bed to sleep.

Just as she was about to lie down, Rahul mumbled something in his sleep. "I love you, Ishani..."

Ishani froze. She turned around and looked at him.

He was tossing and turning restlessly on the hard floor, his brow furrowed in pain, caught in the grip of a raw, agonizing dream.

"Please..." he pleaded, his voice cracking with a vulnerability he would never show her while awake. "Please never leave me and go. I'll do whatever you want... I'll change myself completely. I'll become exactly the man you want me to be... just please, I beg you, don't leave me."

Listening to his desperate confession, Ishani felt a sharp ache pierce her chest.

Tears welled up, blurring her vision before silently spilling down her cheeks.

The absolute desperation in his voice broke something inside her.

Unable to stop herself, she quietly stepped off the bed and knelt beside him on the floor.

Her heart wept seeing him like this.

Trembling slightly, she reached out and gently placed her hand on his warm forehead, brushing away a stray lock of hair.

"I am not going anywhere, Rahul," she whispered, her voice thick with unshed tears, aching to soothe his troubled mind. "I am right here. With you."

As if her gentle touch possessed some magic, the tension left Rahul's face.

He let out a soft sigh, calmed by her presence, and sank back into a peaceful slumber.

Ishani didn't pull her hand away immediately. She knelt there in the dark, gazing down at his sleeping face with a sudden surge of profound affection and a devastating wave of regret.

"I wish things were different," she choked out, a lone tear dropping onto her lap. "I wish I were closer to your age... and I wish I had never met Abhay. I wish I had never given my heart to him."

She lingered for a moment longer. Finally, she wiped her tears, stood up, and walked back to the bed.

Crawling under the covers, she pulled Ishaan tightly into her arms, seeking comfort in her child's warmth as she closed her eyes against the heartache of the night.

The morning sun filtered softly through the window curtains, bringing a gentle warmth into the room.

Ishani woke up before the alarm, her mind instantly racing with the day's responsibilities.

Everyone was leaving for banaras today, and she wanted to ensure a warm, comforting breakfast was ready before they departed.

Slipping out of bed quietly so as not to disturb Ishaan, she hurried into the washroom.

When she emerged, she was freshly dressed, radiating a quiet grace she began to gently shake out her long, wet hair to dry it.

With a subtle flick of her head, a few stray, cool droplets of water flew through the air, landing softly onto Rahul's face.

The gentle spray woke him from his slumber. Rahul slowly fluttered his eyes open, and the very first thing his gaze landed on was Ishani.

He froze, captivated. For a fleeting moment, he was certain he was still trapped in a beautiful, fragile dream.

He closed his eyes and opened them again, blinking rapidly, half-expecting the vision to vanish. But she remained. It wasn't a dream.

Ishani was right there, moving gracefully within the quiet sanctuary of his room, getting ready not just as anyone, but as his wife. A soft, deeply tender smile touched his lips, a quiet joy blooming in his chest at the sheer beauty of the sight.

Anxious to get down to the kitchen, Ishani gathered her things and turned to leave. But as she rushed past his the delicate silk of her saree pallu caught firmly onto the button of Rahul's shirt.

Startled by the sudden tug, Ishani stopped. Panicking that he might wake up, Rahul instantly shut his eyes tight, pretending to be lost in deep sleep.

Ishani tried to gently pull the fabric away, but it was hopelessly tangled. With no other choice, she knelt down closer to him, leaning over his chest to carefully untangle the knot.

The moment she bent down, Rahul's breath hitched in his throat. He stopped breathing entirely. She was so incredibly close that he could feel the faint warmth of her skin.

The intoxicating, fresh scent of her damp hair washed over him, and a few stray, silky tresses brushed feather-light across his cheek and forehead.

Rahul completely paralyzed, caught in a spell of pure, breathless adoration. Beneath his ribs, his heart began to hammer with a wild, roaring intensity, so loud that he feared the entire room could hear it.

After a few agonizingly beautiful seconds, Ishani's nimble fingers finally freed the pallu. Unaware of the storm she had just stirred in his quiet world, she straightened up quickly, gathered her saree, and softly hurried out of the room.

Only when the door clicked shut did Rahul finally release the breath he had been holding. He slowly opened his eyes, staring at the empty space where she had just been.

Pressing a trembling hand firmly over his chest, trying to soothe the frantic rhythm of his heart, he whispered to the silence, "Be still... please, don't beat so loudly. What will she think of me if she ever finds out?"

Rahul stepped out into the living room, fully dressed in his crisp police uniform. The house was alive with the clatter of plates and warm morning chatter.

Everyone was gathered around the dining table, and right in the center of it all was Ishani, moving effortlessly from one person to the next, serving them hot breakfast with gentle care.

Rahul paused by the doorway, his gaze automatically tracking her. As if feeling his eyes on her, Ishani looked up. Their eyes met for a brief second.

She subtly gestured with a tilt of her head toward an empty chair at the table, silently telling him to sit down and eat. Rahul quickly held up a hand, offering a small, polite smile that communicated he was fine standing.

Ishani let out a soft, helpless sigh at his stubbornness, but turned back to look after the family.

Once breakfast was over, Devnath adjusted his glasses and looked up at Rahul. "Shall we leave for the railway station? The train must be arriving soon."

"Yes, Papa," Rahul replied respectfully. "I'll go call Deepak and tell him to get the vehicle ready."

Devnath nodded approvingly, and Rahul stepped outside.

In the dining room, the flurry of packing was reaching its end. Malini looked at Ishani, who was already busy clearing the bowls and wiping down the table. "You should sit down and eat something too, Ishani. You've been on your feet since dawn."

"I'll eat in a bit, Maa. Let me just settle everything here first," Ishani replied, her tone naturally deferential and warm.

Malini reached out, gently catching Ishani's hand to make her stop. Her eyes swelled with a deep, motherly affection, mixed with a tinge of sorrow. "You always put everyone else ahead of yourself,. That is why you always end up standing at the very back of the line. Don't do that to yourself. From now on, learn to choose your own happiness too, child."

The words struck a sensitive chord deep inside Ishani, but she quickly forced a reassuring smile to keep her emotions from spilling over. "I am perfectly fine, Maa, and I am happy. Please don't worry about me. Come on now, did you double-check your bags? You didn't leave anything behind, right?"

"Yes, yes, everything is packed," Malini sighed softly, yielding to

Ishani's gentle deflective tactic.

"Okay then, let me go check on Divya's luggage and see if she needs help," Ishani said, neatly wrapping up the conversation before her emotions could betray her.

Malini could only nod quietly, watching her walk away with a heavy heart.

Everyone gathered downstairs, luggage in hand, as the departure finally arrived. The family divided themselves between the two vehicles, some climbing into Deepak's car while the rest shifted into Rahul's.

As the moment of goodbye grew closer, Ishani couldn't hold back her tears anymore. She wrapped her arms around her brother, vaibhav, crying silently.

Vaibhav hugged her back tightly, stroking her gently. "Don't cry, Ishani," he whispered, his own voice thick with emotion. "Remember, the moment you call me, I'll drop everything and come running straight to you, okay?"

Ishani managed a weak nod. Vaibhav pulled back slightly and used his thumb to tenderly wipe the tears from her cheeks.

Turning to her mother, Ishani embraced Malini in a warm, lingering hug. Devnath and Rani stood close by, watching the emotional farewell.

Ishani stepped forward and bent down to touch their feet to seek their blessings. Rani, mindful of Devnath's presence, placed a reserved but reassuring hand on Ishani's head.

Devnath immediately reached forward, gently catching her by the shoulders to stop her. "Ishani, daughters don't touch feet, Come, stand up."

Ishani looked up, offering a respectful, watery smile.

Devnath placed his hand firmly on her head, his eyes full of fatherly warmth. "Always stay happy, child. If you face any trouble at all, just let us know, okay? And if Rahul ever makes a mistake or troubles you in any way, you complain straight to me."

Ishani let out a small, genuine laugh through her tears and nodded. "Ji, absolutely."

With one final round of blessings, everyone finally settled into the cars.

The engines started, and the vehicles slowly rolled out of the driveway.

Ishani, Deeksha, Rajni, and Bhavya stood side by side near the gate, waving silently as they watched the family drive away into the morning light.

Bhavya and Ishani walked back into their flat, the sudden silence of the house settling in after the bustling departures.

Trying to shake off the emotional heaviness of the morning, Ishani turned to Bhavya. "Go have some breakfast, Bhavya." Bhavya nodded quietly and headed toward the kitchen.

Ishani then walked into the bedroom to wake up little Ishaan. Standing by the bed, she gently shook him. "Wake up, ishaan. You have to go to school today. And remember, no tantrums will be tolerated today."

The moment the word 'school' hit his ears, Ishaan twisted into the covers and began to wail. "I won't go! I don't want to go to school!" he cried out stubbornly.

Ishani's patience, already wearing thin from the exhausting morning, finally snapped. She looked at him, frustrated. "Why are you doing this, Ishaan? You used to go to school so happily before, didn't you? Then why this sudden stubbornness every single day?"

Ishaan didn't answer he just kept sobbing miserably, his little face turning bright red from crying so hard.Softenning her tone slightly but remaining firm, Ishani knelt beside him. "Look, Mannat di is going to school too, right? Then why don't you want to go? Tell me what the matter is."

But Ishaan refused to say a word, his chest heaving with silent, stubborn tears.

Seeing that reasoning wasn't working, Ishani hardened her heart and stood up. "Fine, cry as much as you want today, but you are definitely going to school. No excuses."

Ishani practically dragged a weeping Ishaan to the washroom, gave him a bath, and dressed him in his neat school uniform before bringing him out to the dining table for breakfast.

Through it all, Ishaan's tears didn't stop flowing.

Seeing his miserable state, Bhavya looked up from her plate with concern. "Why is he crying so much?"

"He just doesn't want to go to school, that's why," Ishani sighed, pulling out a chair for him.

Bhavya watched the little boy sob, his small shoulders shaking. "Then let it be, don't send him today. He's just a child maybe he's simply not in the mood."

"No, Bhavya, he does this every single day now," Ishani replied, her voice tinged with frustration.

But Bhavya couldn't shake off an uneasy feeling. A child crying this bitterly just to avoid school didn't seem normal; it felt like something deeper was bothering him.

She looked at Ishaan again and turned to Ishani, her tone turning serious. "Listen to me, Ishani. Leave it. Don't force him to go to school today. He is clearly not up for it. Crying so desperately isn't good for a child, especially since he is quite sensitive. This kind of stress won't be good for his health."

Hearing Bhavya's words, a sudden wave of maternal guilt and realization washed over Ishani. She looked at her son's tear-stained face and her heart melted.

"Okay, Ishaan," Ishani said softly, kneeling down to his level. "You don't have to go to school today, okay? Wipe your tears and stop crying now."

The moment the words left her mouth, Ishaan's loud wails instantly quieted down to small, shaky sniffles.

Ishani gently wiped his cheeks with the end of her saree and looked deeply into his eyes. "Now, tell me smoothly... why don't you want to go to school? Is someone troubling you there? Tell me the truth, beta."

Ishaan immediately averted his gaze, keeping his lips sealed in an anxious silence.

Gently cupping his tiny face in her hands, Ishani coaxed him with a tender, aching heart. "Are you going to hide things from your Mumma now? Won't you even tell me? Did someone say something bad to you? Please tell Mumma, baby."

Bhavya watched the little boy's tense posture closely. "Ishani," she said quietly, her voice laced with growing concern, "I think you really need to visit his school and investigate this. What if someone is bullying him there?"

Ishani's heart sank at the thought. She looked intently into Ishaan's wide, fearful eyes. "Ishaan, baby... is someone bullying you? Is one of your classmates bothering you, just like Kevin used to do back in London? Tell Mumma."

At the mention of London, Ishaan broke down again, the tears spilling over his red cheeks. "Everyone calls me mad, Mumma!" he sobbed, his voice cracking with a pain too heavy for his small shoulders. "I am not mad, right, Mumma? Even the teachers say I am mad..."

Ishani felt the ground slip from beneath her feet. The words hit her like a physical blow. "Ishaan... who said this to you?" she breathed, her voice trembling in absolute shock. "How long have you been hearing this? Why didn't you tell me earlier, beta? Speak to me."

Ishaan suddenly pulled back into his shell, falling completely silent, terrified by the gravity of the situation.

"Ishaan, look at me," Ishani pleaded, her heart fracturing at his silence. "You have to tell me. Who told you this?"

Ishaan swallowed hard, his voice barely a whisper. "Navya... (Karan's daughter)"

Ishani froze, a cold shock paralyzing her system. "Navya?" she whispered, stunned. "Then why didn't you come and tell me right away, Ishaan?"

"She... she said that I am mad," Ishaan whimpered, clutching his small hands together. "And she said she would throw me out and not keep me in her house. That's why I stayed quiet."

A fierce wave of maternal protection and blinding anger swept through Ishani.

Standing up abruptly, she wiped her own tears and grabbed Ishaan's hand with fierce determination.

"Come," Ishani said, her voice shaking with an intense, iron resolve. "We are going to your school right now. I am going to speak to your principal directly and make them understand that my son is not mad he is an autistic child!"

Bhavya watched her with a look of deep concern ."Should I come along with you, Ishani?" she asked, stepping forward. "How will you handle all of this alone at the school?"

Ishani stopped and turned to look at her, her eyes still blazing with a mix of pain and anger. "No, thank you, Bhavya. I'll manage this myself."

Seeing her iron resolve, Bhavya simply nodded. "Okay then. Take care."

Ishani gave a tight nod, held Ishaan's small, trembling hand firmly in hers, and walked out of the flat.

Ishani stepped out of the lift, her mind still racing with anger and pain, only to see Rahul and Deepak walking toward her.

Rahul's eyes immediately fell upon Ishaan, who was dressed in his school uniform but looking completely miserable.

"Ishaan? You are going to school now?" he asked, surprised.

Ishaan remained quiet, shrinking back slightly. Ishani looked at Rahul, her voice tight with suppressed emotion. "I am going with him to his school, Rahul."

Rahul frowned, sensing the heavy tension in her posture. "Why? What happened?"

"Ishaan's classmates and his teachers... they have been bullying him," Ishani said, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke the words aloud.

Both Rahul and Deepak froze,

completely shocked by the revelation.

Rahul's face darkened instantly. He looked down at Ishaan, his protective instincts kicking in, and then looked back at Ishani. "Okay. I am coming with you right now."

Ishani hesitated, not wanting to trouble him further. "No, Rahul. It's okay, I will handle it myself."

"No, Ishani, I am coming," Rahul insisted, his tone leaving absolutely no room for argument. "How can the school staff and students treat Ishaan like this? I won't tolerate it."

Ishani stared at Rahul, deeply moved by the raw pain and concern in his voice for her son. A wave of bittersweet emotion washed over her.

She couldn't help but remember how Abhay hadn't cared this much, or gotten this troubled, when Ishaan was brutally bullied back in his London school.

Yet here was Rahul, standing like a protective shield, genuinely hurting for the little boy.

Wiping a stray tear, she gave a soft nod. "Okay."

Deepak stepped forward, breaking the heavy silence. "You guys go ahead. I will pick up Mannat and bring her to school as well."

Rahul nodded in agreement. Without wasting another moment, the three of them headed down to the parking lot and drove straight toward Ishaan's school.

The three of them arrived at the principal's office, but the principal hadn't come in yet.

The peon, looking rather nervous and intimidated upon seeing Rahul in his crisp police uniform, politely informed them to wait.

Rahul and Ishani sat down, holding a terrified Ishaan between them. The little boy kept clutching Ishani's hand, his eyes darting around anxiously.

After a few tense minutes, the principal finally walked in. She looked at the couple, her eyes lingering on Rahul's uniform for a split second before she spoke. "Yes? How can I help you?"

Ishani stood up immediately, her voice thick with maternal anger and pain. "Ma'am, my son Ishaan studies in this school. But the environment here is toxic. Leave aside the children, even the teachers here are bullying my son! They call him mad."

The principal turned her gaze toward Ishaan, observing his anxious demeanor for a moment.

She looked back at Ishani and asked gently, "Is your son autistic?"

"Yes," Ishani replied firmly, her eyes flashing with defiance. "But he is not mad. He is very sharp when it comes to studies, he understands everything, and he is fully capable in his own way."

The principal listened patiently and gave a sympathetic nod. "Please, come inside my cabin."

With that, the principal led the way inside. Ishani followed closely, holding Ishaan's hand, while Rahul walked right behind them, his protective presence anchoring them both.

The principal motioned toward the chairs, inviting Rahul and Ishani to take a seat.

They sat down, and Ishani gently lifted Ishaan, pulling him securely onto her lap to comfort him.

Once the principal settled into her chair, she looked at them and asked, "Which class is your son in?"

"First standard," Ishani replied, her voice steady but firm.

The principal nodded understandingly. She picked up the intercom phone and dialed a number, instructing the peon to call Ishaan's class teacher to the cabin immediately.

A few minutes passed in tense silence before the door opened and the class teacher walked inside. The moment her shadow fell into the room, Ishaan flinched.

He whimpered softly and tried to bury his face deeper into Ishani's chest, hiding himself completely from her sight.

Ishani felt her son's sudden tremble.

Looking down at his terrified reaction and then up at the woman standing by the door, everything became crystal clear.

She didn't need any more proof she knew right then that this was the exact teacher who had been breaking her child's spirit.

"What is this I am hearing?" the principal demanded, her voice sharp as she looked directly at the class teacher. "Are you bullying the children in your class? And worse, encouraging other students to do the same?"

The class teacher visibly paled, thoroughly intimidated by the principal's stern tone. "No, Ma'am... nothing like that has happened. Who told you this?" she stammered, trying to defend herself.

"The student's parents are sitting right here. See for yourself who is from your class," the principal said, gesturing toward them.

The teacher finally turned her gaze toward the couch, recognizing Ishaan, and then her eyes darted to Rahul and Ishani.

Seeing Rahul's uniform, she grew even more terrified. "No, Ma'am... I only scold him occasionally when he doesn't complete his homework. That's all."

Anger flared inside Ishani. She couldn't take the blatant lies anymore. Standing up, she confronted the teacher. "She is lying! My child is completely traumatized. He literally started shaking the moment you walked into this room, and you still have the audacity to lie?"

The principal looked at the teacher, her disappointment clear. "This kind of behavior will absolutely not be tolerated in this institution. I am expelling you from this school with

immediate effect."

The teacher broke down into tears, but her fear quickly turned into bitter resentment. "But Ma'am, he is mad!" she cried out defensively. "Admitting a child like him to a normal school like ours is a mistake in itself!"

Hearing her son labeled like that again, Ishani's patience broke completely. "My son is not mad! Do you understand?" she yelled, her voice trembling with intense maternal rage. "Don't you dare use that word for him again!"

Rahul, who had been quietly absorbing the scene, finally intervened. He stood up, his towering presence commanding the room as he looked at the principal. "What kind of school are you running here, Ma'am? Your teachers don't even possess the basic sensitivity to know how to handle and protect young children."

Rahul looked directly at the principal, his voice cutting through the tension in the room like a knife. "Ishaan will not study in this school anymore," he declared flatly. Turning his gaze to the crying teacher and then back to the principal, he continued, "When the teachers themselves lack the basic understanding of how to handle and care for sensitive children, how can we expect a good education from this place? It's better for Ishaan not to study here at all."

The principal quickly stood up from her chair, her hands raised in a placating gesture. "Mr. please... you are taking this in the wrong direction. Please don't let the actions of one or two irresponsible individuals tarnish the reputation of our entire school. I am truly, deeply sorry that Ishaan had to go through such trauma under our roof."

She stepped closer, her tone filling with sincere reassurance as she looked at both Rahul and Ishani. "But I give you my word now nothing like this will ever happen to Ishaan again. As for the students who bullied him, I will identify them and rusticate them from this school today itself. Please give us a chance to rectify this."

Rahul fixed a stern, unyielding gaze on the principal. "Until you have taken strict action against every single person involved, Ishaan will not step foot into this school."

The principal folded her hands slightly, her expression laced with genuine regret. "I completely understand your anger, Mr. Rahul. I am deeply embarrassed that something this horrific was happening under our roof without my knowledge. I assure you, from this moment on, Ishaan will never face a single problem here. This is my personal guarantee."

Rahul gave a tight nod, accepting the assurance for now. Turning his focus entirely to his family, his hard expression softened instantly.

He looked at Ishani, whose hands were still trembling slightly. "Ishani, are you okay?" he asked softly, his voice full of concern.

Ishani quietly nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat.

Rahul then looked down at Ishaan, who was still clinging tightly to Ishani's saree like a frightened little bird.

Bending down to the child's level, Rahul spoke to him in a warm, reassuring voice that acted like an anchor. "Ishaan, look at me. Come here, beta. You don't need to be scared of anyone, okay? Only people who do bad things should be afraid, and you haven't done anything wrong. Come here."

Ishaan hesitated for a brief second, looking up at his mother's tearful face and then at Rahul.

Sensing the absolute safety and strength in Rahul's arms, he slowly let go of Ishani's saree and reached out. Rahul immediately lifted the little boy, pulling him securely against his chest.

Cradling him close, Rahul looked into his innocent, tear-stained face. "You are a very smart boy, Ishaan. You are not mad, okay? Never let anyone make you believe that. If anyone ever uses that word for you again, you don't cry you just come and tell me. I will teach them a proper lesson. Understood?"

Ishaan sniffled, the heavy weight of fear finally leaving his tiny shoulders, and nodded obediently, burying his face in Rahul's shoulder.

Rahul turned back to his wife, his arm securely supporting the child. "Shall we leave, Ishani?"

Ishani nodded, a profound wave of gratitude washing over her. She began walking ahead, while Rahul followed close behind, carrying a calm and protected Ishaan safely in his embrace.

Rahul walked over to the passenger side of the car, pulled the door open for Ishani, and gently settled a now-calmed Ishaan onto her lap.

Just as he was about to close the door, Deepak rushed up to them, his face tight with anxiety.

"Is everything okay? Who was bullying our Ishaan?" Deepak asked breathlessly.

"Everything is handled now," Rahul reassured him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Weren't you supposed to be at the police station by now, Deepak? Why are you still here?"

"How could I just leave for work? I was so worried about Ishaan," Deepak sighed, looking at the little boy.

"Don't worry, everything is under control. You head to the station now; I'm going home to drop Ishani and Ishaan off," Rahul said.

Deepak nodded in relief, said his goodbyes, and quickly left for his shift.

Rahul walked around to the driver's side, climbed in, and started the engine. As he pulled into the traffic, he stole a glance at Ishani. She was sitting quietly, staring out the window, her face clouded with a deep, lingering sadness.

The emotional exhaustion of the morning was clearly weighing heavily on her.

After driving for a few minutes, Rahul smoothly pulled the car over to the curb and killed the engine right in front of a popular ice cream parlour.

Ishani blinked, pulled out of her thoughts. She looked at him, confused. "What happened, Rahul? Why did you stop?"

"Nothing, just give me a minute. I'll be right back," Rahul replied with a soft smile.

Ishani nodded quietly, watching him walk into the shop. A few moments later, Rahul returned carrying two treats.

Rahul came back to the car and handed the chocolate cone over to Ishaan, whose eyes instantly lit up.

Ishani sighed as she saw it, immediately shifting into strict mother mode. "Rahul, don't give him so much chocolate. He is still too young, his teeth will get ruined."

The moment the words left her mouth, Ishaan's little face completely fell, and he pouted miserably.

Rahul, caught off guard, looked between the boy and Ishani, instantly feeling incredibly guilty. "Oh... sorry, I didn't think about that," he muttered sheepishly.

Ishani looked at their identical puppy-dog expressions and couldn't help but soften. A tiny smile tugged at her lips. "Okay, fine. You can have it today, Ishaan. But not after this, understood?"

Ishaan's sadness vanished in a flash.

He cheered up happily and immediately began tearing open the wrapper to eat his treat.

Rahul then smiled and handed the kulfi over to Ishani. She looked at it hesitantly. "I am really not in the mood to eat anything right now, Rahul."

"But this is your absolute favorite," Rahul coaxed softly, holding it out to her.

Ishani stared at the kulfi. It was her favorite, but more than that, she looked up at Rahul. He had gone in and bought it with so much love and thoughtfulness just to make her feel better after the exhausting morning.

She just couldn't bring herself to reject his sweet gesture. Taking it from his hand, she glanced around his empty hands and asked, "Didn't you buy anything for yourself?"

Rahul shook his head. "No. I don't eat these things much."

Ishani raised an eyebrow, a playful glint finally returning to her eyes. "Oh, I see. So your plan is to make the two of us fall sick while you save yourself?"

Rahul blinked, momentarily struck by her wit. "No, it's nothing like that, I swear-"

Ishani laughed softly, the heavy clouds over her face finally clearing away. "Okay, relax, I'm just joking. Here, take a bite from mine first, then I'll finish the rest."

Rahul looked at her, his eyes warm. "You eat first, Ishani. I'll have whatever is left after you."

"Okay," Ishani murmured, peeling back the wrapper. "But it will be jhutha (half-eaten) then."

Rahul looked away for a split second to hide his expression, a quiet, intense thought echoing in his heart. Your jhutha will only make it taste sweeter, Ishani.

Ishaan was completely lost in his own little world, happily licking his chocolate cone, when his innocent eyes fell on Rahul.

Noticing that Rahul's hands were empty, the little boy paused. Without a second thought, he held his dripping ice cream cone out toward Rahul, offering his favorite treat with pure, childlike generosity.

Both Ishani and Rahul froze, their hearts swelling at the sweet gesture.

Rahul's eyes softened completely, a wave of profound affection washing over him.

He gently patted Ishaan's cheek, his voice thick with emotion."No, beta, you eat. I don't want it."

Ishaan looked up at his mother, his big eyes seeking approval. Ishani smiled tenderly, her heart melting at her son's sweetness. "You finish yours, Ishaan. I will share my ice cream with him, okay?"

Satisfied, Ishaan happily went back to devouring his cone.

Watching the unspoken understanding between them, a quiet realization settled deep in Ishani's heart.

She could see it clearly now Ishaan was naturally drawing closer to Rahul. The little boy who usually took months to trust anyone was instinctively building a bond of love and affection with this man. Rahul had become his safe haven.

She turned and handed her kulfi over to Rahul. He took it from her, taking a bite as a quiet, content smile spread across his face, his heart dancing at the unspoken closeness growing between them.

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

Vote and comment please 🙏❤️