Morning arrived softly, wrapped in the calm stillness that only early hours carry.

As always, Abhiraaj and Rudrakshi returned home after offering prayers at the temple. The faint fragrance of incense still clung to them, and the quiet peace of the morning lingered in their expressions.

“You prayed properly or just stood there thinking about that Gadha?” Abhiraaj asked, glancing sideways at her.

Rudrakshi gasped lightly. “Papa.”

“I am serious,” he continued. “Mahadev must be confused. One minute you are asking for blessings, next minute you are smiling at your phone.”

“I was not smiling,” she defended herself, trying to hide her grin.

“You were,” he said immediately. “Even Mahadev must have understood something was wrong.”

She nudged him playfully. “You are impossible.”

“And you are not denying it,” he replied calmly.

She rolled her eyes, but her smile did not fade. “That wasn't Gazi. I was talking to Rudy. Apparently he likes a girl.”

Abhiraaj took a deep breath but didn't say a word. He knows kids are growing up but still when it comes to Gazi, his heart just never agrees, call it a typical father’s concern, or the jealousy and insecurity of a husband, the kind Gazi had stirred in him since childhood with the way he used to chase after Ruhanika.

The two of them walked inside, still talking, still carrying that quiet warmth only a father and daughter could share.

Colors had begun to return to Abhiraaj’s once-empty life, the same life that had turned dull after Ruhanika left. And Rudrakshi… well, she had always just wanted to know her father, to live with him. Now, doing everything with Abhiraaj brings her immense joy.

That girl, who was never even particularly religious, now wakes up early every morning to go to the temple with her father because that’s the only time she truly gets to spend with him. The rest of the day, they barely find time together, adjusting to Abhiraaj’s hectic schedule.

They sat down for breakfast and just as the plates were being set…

“Guiyaaaaa!”

Both of them froze and Gazi walked in like a storm.

Abhiraaj’s face changed instantly as always. Rudrakshi saw it and bit her lip to stop herself from laughing.

Because somewhere along the way, this had become her favorite kind of entertainment too, her ever-so-serious father, the man who makes all of Delhi tremble, only shows these cute, almost childish antics when Gazi is around.

Abhiraaj muttered something under his breath, clearly annoyed. “Aa gya subha subha. (Here he comes again in the morning.)”

“Papa, behave,” Rudrakshi whispered quickly.

Before Abhiraaj could respond, Gazi had already entered properly.

He bent down quickly and touched Abhiraaj’s feet, almost in a hurry as if just fulfilling a duty in a rush without even expecting any blessings in return or something.

Then without wasting a second, he moved straight to Rudrakshi, leaned forward, and kissed the top of her head while saying lovingly. “Good morning, Guiya.”

Behind him, Abhiraaj’s eyes widened. He cleared his throat loudly. “Ahem.”

Gazi turned around immediately and Rudrakshi bit down her lower lip trying to not smile.

“Why are you doing ahem ahem, sasur ji?” Gazi asked innocently. “If you want one too, just ask. Why are you pretending your throat is hurting?”

Abhiraaj froze and before he could even react, Gazi stepped toward him while saying as this is the most natural thing in this world. “I will give you a special one.”

And before anyone could stop him, he grabbed Abhiraaj’s face and planted a long smooch kiss on his cheek and said while giving his best charming smile. “Good morning, sasur ji.”

Silence followed with pure shock. Abhiraaj’s brain stopped working and Rudrakshi lost it.

She burst out laughing, and already recording that priceless moment on her phone.

Abhiraaj immediately pushed Gazi away, smacking his arm. Then he grabbed a napkin and started wiping his cheek furiously.

“Ye Veer ki nikammi aulad ne mera khoon choos rkha hai. (This useless son of Veer has drained my blood,)” he muttered angrily.

Right then, Shiv walked in through the maindoor, laughing. “Gqzi is the result of your own bad doings,” he said casually. “Your karma has come back to you.”

Abhiraaj shot him a glare which Shiv ignored as always and walked to Rudrakshi, placing a hand on her head affectionately. “How is my girl?”

“I am good, chachu. How are you?” She asked while hugging him through his waist in her sitting position.

“Now that I have seen you after so long, I am good,” he said, sitting beside her.

“Then why did you not come earlier?” she asked.

“Work,” he replied simply.

Meanwhile, Gazi bent down and touched Shiv’s feet and Shiv smiled and patted his back. “How are you, Mere Sher (my lion)?”

“I am good, darling,” Gazi said, hugging him from the side.

Abhiraaj’s head snapped toward them. “Darling?” he repeated, offended. “What kind of nonsense is this now?”

“You stay quiet,” Shiv said casually. “He is not calling you darling.” Then he smirked. “And I have no problem with it. Why are you getting jealous, you grumpy old man?”

“I am not jealous,” Abhiraaj snapped.

“That is jealousy,” Shiv replied instantly. “Kids call me darling and call you Mucchad Singh. Of course you will burn.”

“Swaha!” Gazi added teasingly which only raised Abhiraaj’s temper even more.

He was just about to sit beside Rudrakshi when Shiv added casually, “By the way, this is very unfair. If you have to impress your future Sasur, you are giving him kisses. And I am the one called darling, yet I get nothing?”

Gazi immediately stood up again, walked to Shiv, and hugged him from the side.

“Why are you feeling bad, darling?” he said sweetly, planting a kiss on his cheek. “You are my favorite. No one is cooler than you. Sometimes I even think it would have been better if you were my future Sasur ji.”

Rudrakshi choked on her own laughter and Abhiraaj stared at him like he had just heard the biggest betrayal of his life. But point to be noted he's the same man who just can't stand Gazi.

Shiv burst out laughing. “Mere laal, Prithvi is already married. Ask your friend Vayu. If he agrees, I have no problem.”

Gazi gasped dramatically as if Shiv had given him the biggest betrayal of his life and Rudrakshi laughed so hard she almost slipped from her chair.

Abhiraaj dropped his napkin on the table and held his forehead mumbling, “Mahadev, what kind of crazy people have you stuck me with?”

Meanwhile, Gazi turned back to Shiv, still dramatic. “Darling, I admire your coolness but what is this? How can you say such things in front of my Guiya? What will she think? That I…” He could not even complete the sentence.

Rudrakshi was laughing uncontrollably now.

But Gazi kept going on in his overly dramatic tone, “I like your coolness darling, but I think you need to be a bit more narrow-minded and conservative now, otherwise, who knows what ideas you’ll put into my Guiya’s head.”

Abhiraaj muttered under his breath, “I wish he develops interest in boys. At least he will leave my daughter alone.”

Gazi heard that and very slowly, he turned toward him, narrowing his eyes. “I am not leaving your daughter, sasur ji,” he said confidently. “I am loyal as a dog.”

Then he sat beside Rudrakshi and started serving himself food while putting more into Rudrakshi’s plate, “Guiya, eat properly, you’ll have to listen to so many boring teachers at school. You need energy for that.”

Abhiraaj’s patience was hanging by a thread now. “Do you not have a house?” he snapped. “Why are you always here?”

Gazi took a bite of toast and replied casually, mouth full, “Technically, I do not have a house right now, nor will I ever have one in the future.”

Abhiraaj frowned.

“The Randhawa mansion doesn’t even belong to my Abbu, so how can I call it mine? That belongs to my grandfather.” Gazi continued while eating as if discussing the weather. “And when I buy a house with my own money, it will not be mine either.”

He glanced at Rudrakshi while saying with pure love and the softness in his voice that only comes out for Rudrakshi, “It will be my Guiya’s house. Completely according to her choice.”

Rudrakshi’s expression softened instantly. Her eyes stayed on him, filled with quiet affection.

Gazi, meanwhile, continued eating like nothing happened.

Abhiraaj and Shiv exchanged a look. A silent conversation passes between them that says He is insane, completely, hopelessly and entirely in love with Rudrakshi.

Gazi continued piling food onto Rudrakshi’s plate as if it was his personal mission.

“Eat this.”

“And this.”

“And finish this too.”

Without waiting for her response, he kept feeding her, breaking toast, adding more, sliding the plate closer to her again and again.

Shiv watched the entire scene with an amused smile, clearly entertained.

Abhiraaj, on the other hand, looked like he was silently plotting a murder.

Shiv leaned back in his chair and nudged him lightly. “Eat your food, my brother. Why are you trying to devour the poor boy with your eyes?”

“Darling, he is jealous of me,” Gazi added with a grin.

That did it. Abhiraaj straightened like an offended child. “As if you are the only one left for me to be jealous of. What do you even have that I would be jealous of?”

Gazi’s grin widened mischievously. “Should I tell you? Should I tell you?”

“Gazi,” Rudrakshi said, giving him a warning look.

And that lost puppy immediately lowered his head. “Sorry, Guiya,” he mumbled and quietly resumed eating.

Shiv laughed. “Abhi, just leave it. Why are you even trying? This dog knows that no one except your daughter can put a leash on him. You will not be able to, not even in seven lifetimes.”

Abhiraaj scoffed irritably. “Why did he not go abroad for college? Why did his father not send him? He was always glued to Vayu. Why did he not go with his friend?”

Gazi swallowed his food and looked up, completely unbothered. “Sasur ji, first of all, I had plenty of options. Better ones than Vayu. I could have gone to my Arry bhaa as well.”

He leaned back casually. “But I did not go. Do you know why?”

Abhiraaj did not respond.

“Because I have responsibilities,” Gazi said, pointing toward Rudrakshi. “Guiya needs me here right now when she is settling down. How could I leave when you are always busy in the assembly? Someone has to take care of things for her.”

Then he gasped dramatically. “Or what are you trying to say? That under your rule there is no good education here? I thought you were an honest politician. Looks like even you have become corrupt now.”

“Stop your nonsense,” Abhiraaj snapped, getting up from his chair.

Shiv quickly held his arm, laughing. “Let it go. He is just a kid.”

“He is not a kid,” Abhiraaj shot back. “He is Veer’s son. Learning all this shamelessness from him.”

“Relax,” Shiv said, still amused.

The breakfast continued with laughter, teasing, and constant banter filling the room.

After a while, Abhiraaj turned to Rudrakshi. “I might be late today. There is a debate in the assembly. Do not wait for me. Have your dinner on time.”

Before she could respond, Gazi spoke immediately, “If you are not going to be home, then what will Guiya do here alone? I will take her to my place after school.”

Abhiraaj’s gaze snapped toward him.

Gazi raised his hands quickly. “Wait, let me explain. Begum and Dadi are going shopping today for Hamza bhaijaan’s baby. Guiya will go with them. She will get an outing as well.”

He continued smoothly, “In the evening, they are going to mamu jaan’s house, so she will go there too. She can meet Manvi bhabhijaan.”

Abhiraaj was about to respond when Shiv spoke first. “Yes, that is fine. Prithvi will also be there at night to pick up his wife. He can drop Rudrakshi back home as well. And if we get free early, we will bring her ourselves. Otherwise, she can stay at my place for the night.”

Abhiraaj paused. Thought for a moment. Then finally nodded. He agreed. Only because Prithvi will be there to drop her off at night as he doesn't trust Gazi for driving at night.

Truth be told, he can’t trust Gazi’s driving even in broad daylight. That’s why he always sends guards behind them whenever Gazi drops Rudrakshi off at school and picks her up in the afternoon.

Breakfast eventually came to an end, though the laughter still lingered in the air like a stubborn echo.

Rudrakshi got up, picking up her school bag. Then she paused, went back to her room for a second, and returned with an extra set of clothes for later.

Abhiraaj noticed it immediately. “Taking extra clothes?”

“Hmm,” she replied casually. “I can't go shopping in my school uniform.”

He nodded.

She walked up to him, leaned forward, and kissed his cheek. “Bye, Papa.”

Abhiraaj’s expression softened instantly. He placed his hand on her head and kissed her hair. “Take care. Call me if you need anything.”

“I will.”

Gazi was already waiting near the door, keys in his hand, looking far too excited for someone who had just eaten a full breakfast.

“Come fast, Guiya,” he called out.

“Drive properly,” Abhiraaj snapped immediately.

“I always do,” Gazi replied with confidence.

Abhiraaj gave him a look that clearly said he did not believe a single word.

Rudrakshi smiled, shook her head, and walked out with Gazi.

Abhiraaj stood there, watching them leave. He did not move. His eyes followed until the car disappeared from sight.

Shiv walked up beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Stop worrying so much.”

Abhiraaj let out a slow breath. “How do I not? I try to give her as much time as I can. But whenever she goes away from me, there is this fear… what if Padma bua tries something again?”

Shiv assured him. “With her personal bodyguard around, what are you even worried about? That boy will not let anything happen to his Guiya. He is a good kid. It is just you who is too strict with him.”

Abhiraaj frowned. “If I am not strict, then what should I do? All of you have already lost your minds in your affection. Someone has to keep a little control. I am her father. Of course I am scared. There are so many things that can go wrong. I do not want them to take any wrong step in their immaturity and regret later.”

Shiv suddenly laughed.

Abhiraaj turned to him, confused. “What?”

“That is actually unfair, Abhi,” Shiv said, still smiling. “That boy understands his limits better than anyone. His love might be obvious to the whole world, but he has never even held Rudrakshi’s hand. He has never entered her room. When he is here for long nights, he stays in this living room like a royal guard until you return.”

Abhiraaj went silent. Of course he knows that. Whenever he's not around. It's only Gazi who never lets his daughter feel lonely.

“Noor and Veer have taught him his boundaries very well,” Shiv continued. “That is why Ruhi trusts him blindly with her daughter. He has earned that trust.” He gave Abhiraaj a look. “At least be a little softer with him. You treat him like you want to eat him alive.”

Abhiraaj was about to respond. But just then, Rudrakshi’s phone, left on the table, started ringing.

Both of them looked at it.

Shiv picked it up, glanced at the screen, and then slowly slid it toward Abhiraaj. “You talk. I will wait outside.”

Abhiraaj stared at the screen and his hands… trembled. For a moment, he just stood there debating whether he should pick up or not.

Years of silence stood between that one decision.

Finally… he answered.

He lifted the phone to his ear and then… He heard her laugh. That laughter. The same one. The one he had not heard in years. The one that was his favorite melody.

His eyes closed instantly and a tear slipped out before he could stop it.

On the other hand, Ruhanika was still laughing. “Ruru, what was that? Oh God… CM sahib’s expressions… I used to think I was the only one who troubled your father, but Gazi…” She broke into laughter again. “He has taken it to another level. They both look so cute. Especially when he kissed his cheek…”

She kept talking, laughing, unaware that it's not his daughter but her Abhiru on the other side.

Abhiraaj just listened silently. A small, helpless smile touched his lips as her laughter filled the emptiness inside him, even if only for a moment.

Then suddenly, her voice slowed. “Ruru? Are you there, baby? Why are you not saying anything?”

Abhiraaj opened his eyes slowly and cleared his throat.

“Rudrakshi has gone to school,” he said quietly. “She forgot her phone at home.”

Silence crept on both sides and for a few seconds, neither of them spoke. They could only hear each other’s breathing.

Years of distance… compressed into one fragile moment.

Finally, Abhiraaj broke it. “How are you, Ruh?”

Ruhanika’s heart trembled hearing the name that she yearns to hear and she answered her voice softly. “The same as you.”

That was all. But it said everything.

A pause then she forced a lightness into her tone while wiping the tears forming in her eyes. “Anyway… I am very happy today. After seeing that video, I do not want to be sad. Tell me, did you have breakfast?”

She asked something simple, just to keep the atmosphere light and normal… because after all these years, for the first time, she wanted to talk to Abhiraaj like this.

In all these years, she had never spoken to him as his Ruh, never allowed herself that softness, afraid that she might lose control, come back to him, and undo everything. The mother in her had always overpowered the wife in her, because she had to keep her children safe.

But she is human, after all… and she misses Abhiraaj too.

“Hm. I did.” He answered but there was a moment of peace to his restless heart after hearing her laugh and voice.

She smiled faintly. “Your future son in law was showering you with so much love today…...”

“He’s Gadha.” he interrupted softly.

“CM sahib,” she corrected gently. “That poor child has a proper name. Why do you keep spoiling it?”

“He is not a child,” Abhiraaj said. “He has become the noose around my neck.”

She laughed again and that's enough for him. If she's laughing and that makes her smile then he can let Gazi kiss his cheeks for the rest of his life.

“And you?” he asked quietly. “How are you? How is Rudransh? And bua?”

“We are all fine,” she replied. “Rudransh is busy with his classes. He has grown so much… Sometimes I feel like I am talking to an adult now.”

A faint smile passed between them through silence.

“You should see him,” she added softly.

“I want to,” he said without thinking and that caused a silence between them again.

Then she spoke quickly, almost escaping the moment. “I should call Gazi. Otherwise I will not get to talk to Ruru the whole day.”

“Please,” Abhiraaj said suddenly, stopping her. There's a desperation in his voice that didn't want her to cut the call. He just wants to talk to her.

His voice… broke. “Talk to me… biwi sahiba. It has been so long.”

On the other side, Ruhanika’s eyes filled instantly. She closed them tightly, trying to hold herself together.

“If I talk any longer…” she said, her voice trembling, “Mai khud ko aur rok nhi skungi. (I will not be able to stop myself), CM sahib.”

And before he could say anything else… The call disconnected.

Abhiraaj stood there. The phone still pressed against his forehead. Eyes closed. Tears slipping down silently.

Miles away…

Ruhanika broke down. Her shoulders trembled as she cried quietly.

Just then, Rudransh walked in. He did not ask anything.

He did not need to. He simply walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her.

And she held onto him… like he was the only thing keeping her from falling apart.