Manvi glanced at her divorce papers, the weight of the past bearing down on her. Memories of her marriage with Dhruv flooded back his abusive behavior that led to two miscarriages, leaving her unable to become a mother again. She shuddered at the recollection of being forced into intimacy and the subsequent abuse when she resisted. Tears slipped down her cheeks as a mix of sorrow and relief washed over her. At last, she was free from a relationship devoid of love and respect.

Her phone rang, breaking the heavy silence. A smile appeared on her face when she saw Khushi's name flashing on the screen.

She picked up and smiled, "Haan, Khushi."

"Dost, congratulations! Finally, you got rid of that man," Khushi said cheerfully, her voice a burst of sunshine in Manvi's dark room.

Manvi replied, "Thank you... yeh sab hua—"

Before she could complete her sentence, Khushi interrupted with her characteristic enthusiasm, "Mere Dadda ki wajah se. Unhe thank you kehna hai toh aaj shaam ghar aa jao dinner ke liye."

Manvi thought for a minute, her hesitation palpable. The Malhotra mansion held too many painful memories, and Aarav's presence complicated matters further. "Khushi, main kaise?" she said hesitantly, her voice trailing off.

Khushi understood her worry; Manvi still hadn't forgotten her insult by her father. She said, her tone turning soft and reassuring, "Main jaanti hun aapne kaha tha aap kabhi Malhotra mansion mein kadam nahi rakhogi, par ab haalat kuch aur hai, dost. Mere Dadda ne khud kaha hai."

Manvi took a deep breath, weighing Khushi's words. "Khushi, main nahi aa sakti," she replied, her voice heavy with reluctance and unresolved emotions.

Just then, she heard Aarav's voice on the other end of the call, his tone sincere and filled with regret. "Manvi, main jaanta hun uss din maine tumhe bahut kaha tha, tumhe kuch kehne ka mauka bhi nahi diya maine. Main dil se chahta hun tum aaj dinner pe aao, sirf Khushi ki nahi, meri dost ki haisiyat se bhi"

Manvi's heart clenched, and she felt a surge of emotion hearing Aarav's heartfelt apology. She hesitated, her mind a whirl of conflicting thoughts, and then, without another word, she disconnected the call, unable to voice a response.

Aarav handed the phone back to Khushi, his expression a mix of regret and hope. Khushi made a face, her brow furrowing in mild frustration. "Dost bhi na, ziddi hai," she murmured, shaking her head slightly.

Aarav smiled faintly, a glimmer of optimism in his eyes. "Woh nahi aayegi, toh tum unse milne chali jaana," he suggested gently, his eyes conveying the depth of his understanding and hope.

Khushi nodded, understanding the deeper meaning behind his words. She knew Aarav still harbored hope that Manvi would change her mind and join them for dinner. The night ahead was filled with uncertainty, but also with the possibility of mending old wounds and rekindling friendships. 

As the evening approached, the sky painted in hues of orange and pink, Khushi's determination to bring her friend back into the fold strengthened, embodying the spirit of new beginnings and the promise of healing.

Khushi remembered something and quickly picked up a cloth, tying it around Aarav's eyes.

He touched it, confused. "Kya kar rhi ho, Khushi?"

"Dadda, surprise for you," she said with a mischievous grin.

She grabbed his hand and carefully guided him downstairs to the hall. She brought him to the bar corner, which was now converted into an area of memories. With a flourish, she removed the cloth, and Aarav opened his eyes.

He looked around, astonished. In the middle hung a large picture of his parents, Karan and Nandini, along with a childhood picture of him with them. To the side, there was a picture of him and Khushi. He noticed a few empty spots and asked, "Yeh jagah khali kyun hai?"

Khushi smiled warmly and said, "Yeh jagah aapko bharni hogi, Dadda. Mujhe yakeen hai ek din aapko wo insaan milega jo aapse sacha pyaar karega."

Aarav smiled, though pain flickered in his eyes. "Khushi, 12 saal pehle main apne har jazbaat ko dafna chuka hun. Phir kabhi unhe zinda nahi karna chahta, sirf takleef milti hai aur kuch nahi."

Khushi gently lifted his face, looking into his eyes with determination. "Dadda, mere liye aapko karna hai! Aakhir kabtak main aapke nakhre uthati rahungi?"

Aarav glared at her, a playful edge in his voice. "Acha, main nakhre dikhata hun?" he said.

Khushi responded dramatically, "Bahut zyada, Dadda... yeh nahi, wo nahi, uff..." she mimicked exaggeratedly.

Aarav's annoyance was clear, "Khushi ki bachi..."

Khushi laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Dadda, main toh aapki bachi hun!" She ran away, giggling, as Aarav chased her. The house filled with their Tom and Jerry chase, echoes of laughter and playful banter bouncing off the walls.

Sharda, standing in the kitchen, witnessed the scene and smiled, her heart warmed by their bond.

They reached the entrance, laughter and playful shouts echoing through the house. In his pursuit, Aarav didn't notice the figure stepping inside, and with a sudden, jarring collision, he and Manvi toppled to the floor together. The unexpected impact knocked the breath out of them, leaving them momentarily stunned.

Aarav found himself face-to-face with Manvi, their eyes locking in a moment of surprise and unspoken tension. The world seemed to pause as they lay tangled on the floor, the proximity stirring a whirl of emotions within them both. Aarav could see the mixture of surprise and discomfort in Manvi's eyes, and he felt a pang of guilt and awkwardness.

Khushi, standing nearby, bit her tongue, her initial shock quickly giving way to a mischievous smile. She could see the humor in the situation, and a small part of her hoped that this accidental encounter might break the ice between Aarav and Manvi.

Manvi, her heart racing from the unexpected fall, tried to steady herself as she met Aarav's gaze. She could feel the warmth of his breath, the solidity of his presence, and it made her acutely aware of the unresolved feelings between them. She pushed against his chest gently, trying to create some distance.

Aarav, realizing their awkward position, quickly scrambled to his feet and offered a hand to help her up. "I'm so sorry, Manvi," he said, his voice a mix of embarrassment and concern. "maine dekha nahi tumhe"

Manvi took his hand, feeling a jolt of electricity at the contact, and allowed him to help her up. "It's okay," she replied softly, brushing off her clothes and trying to regain her composure.

Khushi, watching them with a glint of amusement in her eyes, couldn't resist adding, "Aap dono theek ho? Lagta hai aapko bhi thoda sa surprise mil gaya, Dadda!"

Aarav shot her a mock glare, while Manvi managed a small, tentative smile. The tension in the air seemed to lighten slightly, the ice beginning to thaw. 

Khushi teased, "Dost, maine jab kaha toh aap aaye nahi! Dadda ke kehne pe aa gaye."

Manvi glanced at her with a mock frown. "Aisa kuch bhi nahi hai, Khushi. Mujhe inhe thank you bhi kehna tha," she said, rolling her eyes at Aarav.

Aarav understood she wants to thank him for helping her getting divorce by turning the case in her favour last minute. "mujhe jo sahi laga wo maine kiya Manvi" he said

Manvi smiled, her gratitude evident. "Aaravji, lekin aapne jo kiya usse mujhe azaadi mil gayi. Mere sar pe iss rishta ka jo bojh tha, wo utar gaya aur mere zakhm bhi bhar gaye."

Aarav's expression softened, but he couldn't help adding, "Manvi, sirf divorce ho jaane se ya uss insaan ke jaane se zakhm nahi bharte hai." His mind drifted to his own painful memories, recalling his wife's over-possessive nature and the punishments he endured for even the smallest mistakes.

Manvi felt the weight of his words and the pain behind them. "Lekin unn zakhmon ko bharne ke liye marham lagane ka mauka dena chahiye, Aaravji," she said gently. Aarav glanced at her, understanding the deeper meaning in her words. She wanted him to open his heart, to trust in love once more.

Manvi harbored feelings for Aarav but had never confessed, knowing he would never reciprocate. Their shared pain now bound them together, creating a connection forged in understanding and empathy.

Curious, Manvi asked, "Waise, aapko pata kaise chala iss sabke baare mein?"

"Wo... wo main..." Aarav hesitated, remembering the night he had come to her house through the balcony and overheard her conversation with the lawyer.

"Aap kya?" she pressed, raising an eyebrow.

Khushi giggled and interjected, "Dadda ne na..."

Aarav quickly placed his hand over Khushi's mouth, fuming slightly. "Khushi, bahut zyada baat karne lagi ho tum!" he scolded, pulling her along towards the kitchen.

Manvi smiled at the scene, a new side of Aarav revealing itself to her. She had never known he could be so playful and protective. The house, filled with the aroma of cooking and the sounds of familial banter, felt warmer, more inviting.

In the kitchen, Aarav released Khushi, who was still giggling. "Dadda, aap bhi na," she teased, sticking her tongue out at him.

Aarav couldn't help but smile. "Tum bhi na, Khushi. Kabhi chup nahi reh sakti."

Manvi watched them from the doorway, her heart warming at the sight. She saw in Aarav a man capable of great care and love, someone who had been hurt but still had the potential to heal and be healed. The evening, once filled with uncertainty, now brimmed with hope and the promise of new beginnings.

They sat for dinner, the dining table elegantly set with a variety of delicious dishes. The warm, inviting aroma of the food filled the room, creating a cozy atmosphere. Khushi had outdone herself in preparing the meal, and her excitement was palpable as she urged everyone to take their seats.

Aarav, still slightly flustered from the earlier incident, pulled out a chair for Manvi. She hesitated for a moment, but the sincerity in his eyes reassured her, and she sat down with a soft smile.

Sharda, joining them, brought in the last dish and set it on the table. "Dinner is served," she announced, her voice filled with warmth and affection.

As they began to eat, the initial awkwardness melted away, replaced by the comforting normalcy of shared food and conversation. Khushi, ever the lively spirit, kept the mood light with her anecdotes and cheerful chatter.

"Dadda, aapko na dost ke expressions dekhne chahiye they jab aap unse takraye" Khushi teased, a playful glint in her eyes. "It was priceless!"

Aarav chuckled, glancing at Manvi. "I'm really sorry about that. tumhe lagi toh nahi na?"

Manvi shook her head, a genuine smile gracing her lips. "main thik hun, Aaravji. It was just a surprise, that's all."

As the evening progressed, the conversation turned more personal. Khushi, in her own way, subtly guided the discussion towards lighter memories and moments of happiness. She shared stories from their childhood, moments of joy and laughter that made everyone smile.

Aarav, watching Manvi interact with Khushi and Sharda, felt a warmth he hadn't experienced in years. Her presence, initially a source of tension, now felt comforting, like a balm to his long-festering wounds.

"Manvi," Sharda said gently, "bahut acha laga ki aaj tum dinner ke liye aayi.. kitne waqt baad hum sab ek saath hue hai"

Manvi's eyes softened. "Thank you, kaki. Yahan aake mujhe bahut acha laga doston ke beech jo hun"

Aarav looked at her, his eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and something deeper. "Manvi, main janta hun tumhare liye muskil raha hoga yahan aane mere past behaviour ki wajah se.. lekin ab tum yahan kabhi bhi aa jaa sakti ho. Jitna yeh ghar mera aur Khushi ka utna tumhara bhi hai"

Manvi nodded, feeling the sincerity in his words. "Thank you, Aaravji. That means a lot to me."

As they finished their meal, the atmosphere was filled with a sense of renewal and hope. The shared dinner had not just filled their stomachs but had also begun to mend the emotional rifts that had kept them apart.

After dinner, they moved to the living room for dessert. Aarav brought out a special treat, a traditional sweet that Khushi had prepared. "This is Khushi's specialty," he announced with pride.

Manvi took a bite and her eyes lit up. "This is delicious, Khushi! tumne apne dadda se kitna kuch seekh liya hai"

Khushi beamed, happy to see everyone enjoying the food and the company. "Thank you dost.."

The evening ended on a high note, with promises to meet more often and continue rebuilding their bonds. As Manvi prepared to leave, Aarav walked her to the door.

"Thank you for coming, Manvi," he said softly. "main umeed karta hun ab tum purani baaton ko bhool chuki hogi aur ab naye tarike se hamari dosti ki shuruwat kar sakte hai"

Manvi looked into his eyes, seeing the hope and sincerity there. "mujhe lagta hai humne shuruwat kar di hai Aaravji.. Tonight was a good start."

With that, she left, feeling lighter than she had in years. The night had not only brought closure to old wounds but had also opened the door to new possibilities, hinting at a future filled with hope and healing.

Khushi watched from the living room as Aarav walked Manvi to the door, their conversation lingering in the air. She couldn't help but feel a surge of hope and anticipation. The bond between Aarav and Manvi had deepened over the evening, and Khushi saw a glimmer of something more than friendship in their interactions.

As she observed them, Khushi couldn't shake the vision of Aarav and Manvi together in the Malhotra mansion, not just as friends but as husband and wife. She had witnessed their shared moments of understanding and support throughout the evening, moments that spoke volumes about their unspoken connection and mutual respect.

In her heart, Khushi believed that Aarav had the capacity to open his heart again, to move beyond his past pain and embrace a new beginning with Manvi. She knew Manvi cared deeply for Aarav, perhaps more than she let on, and she hoped that Aarav would see the warmth and love waiting for him in Manvi's heart.

Khushi smiled to herself, her optimism shining through despite the uncertainties of the future. She had seen enough of life's twists and turns to know that sometimes, against all odds, love finds its way. And in the quiet of the evening, surrounded by the echoes of laughter and the lingering taste of sweet dessert, Khushi held onto the hope that Aarav and Manvi's story was just beginning a story of healing, forgiveness, and the promise of a shared future filled with happiness.