"We do not believe in ourselves until someone reveals that deep inside us something is valuable, worth listening to, worthy of our trust, sacred to our touch. Once we believe in ourselves we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit."

E. E. Cummings

* * * *

Ramnaath Malhotra has tried to be a good father ever since the day he had held his newborn son, so small and vulnerable, for the first time. He had promised himself that no matter what, his son had to be protected and taken care of. His ultimate and most prized possession; his Shravan. The intensity of the fatherhood he had felt ever since then has consumed him. From that day on, his world had shifted, his gravity centered on one being, and his priorities had changed. so much so that when Nirmala had pointed out how her working would have made sure that their son would have been provided in a much better manner - against all his principles and male pride - he had permitted her to work. That had to lead them to destruction as he had always known it would. Of course, women should never be permitted nor could handle any matter outside that of the household.

But well, that had been a lifetime ago, and he no longer wanted to think about that woman...

But no matter how much Ramnaath wanted to avoid thinking about the past, he couldn't help but continue to. Because in front of him was another woman he felt was a shadow of Nirmala; Suman Tiwari. Yet no matter how much he wanted otherwise, his son wanted her in their lives. And how could he deny his son the affection of someone who seems to bring so much happiness, and so much peace in his life?

Especially after the conversation they had had before in the car while on their way to Tiwari Killa. And now as he observed the ongoing silent conversation between his son and Suman, he couldn't help but accept his defeat and Suman Tiwari's win if it meant the joy shining in his son's eyes would maintain its brilliance forever...

"Ramnaath, what do you think about it?" Tiwari Ji asked, distracting him from his thoughts and the more he got involved in the ongoing discussion with the men surrounding him, the less he observed the couple. But it seemed like someone had other plans...

"Ramnaath Bhai Sahab, I need to talk to you about something," Kamini said as she walked toward them.

"Excuse me, gentlemen," he said with a smile before letting his sister-in-law almost drag him towards the stairs.

"What are you doing, Kamini?" He asked confused.

"Bhai Sahab, you need to see this, believe me," Kamini muttered in a hurry as they start to make their way to the rooftop of Tiwari Killa.

And all his confusion evaporated when they came to stop on the last few stairs and the view in front of their eyes became clear. There were they, his son and Suman Tiwari, under the starlit sky, side by side, smiling at each other.

"And I thought it would be easy, but it wasn't..." Suman seemed to be recounting Shravan something and he kept listening to her with great attention.

"I am telling you, Shravan, I wanted to punch that idiot..." she continued, her hand moving exaggeratedly, making him laugh and shake his head at her.

"You are laughing? I am serious," she insisted but he just smiled at her and looked down at the bowl of kheer he was holding as he shook his head.

"I didn't because I know you wouldn't like it when I endanger myself," she insisted.

"I know, thank you," he said with a soft smile as he moved the spoon full of kheer towards her feeding her.

"You are welcome," she told him with a cheeky smile, making him chuckle.

And as Shravan kept looking at her with a smile, Suman took the spoon from his hand before dipping it in the bowl of Kheer and making him eat from the spoon as if it was something that happened between them regularly. And maybe it did, Ramnaath suspected that by now for them taking care of each other must be like second nature. He has been noting it for the past few months. But not for Kamini it seemed, as she beside him gasped, scandalized at the bold move yet all Ramnaath could pay attention to was the soft bashful smile on his son's face. And even though he wasn't close enough to them to see it with his own eyes, Ramnaath knew the tips of his son's ears must be red.

And Suman Tiwari, well, she was looking at his son so tenderly, smiling at him so softly. Could Ramnaath deny their love for each other anymore after witnessing that? After knowing how Suman Tiwari would do anything, going against him and anyone, just to make sure Shravan was no longer haunted by his past? After knowing that despite years of distance and various difficulties and differences, Shravan never had stopped loving that girl, and despite all, had fallen in love once again as soon as he came back? Could Ramnaath take her away from his son after knowing how special Suman Tiwari was to Shravan?

No, no he couldn't. He no longer has any choice but to give in and accept their love and give his blessing when they would ask for it. And even though he still didn't, couldn't trust the history to not repeat itself, he has to trust them and hope they would be mature enough to end it before they hurt each other beyond repair. He could do nothing but hope that they would be able to fix the problems, that Suman Tiwari's love for his son would make her understand and give in, her love for him make her give priority to family, to Shravan instead of her work and her ego...

"Let's go, Kamini," he muttered, and with a last look towards the couple, he walked away from them with his sister-in-law in tow.

"But Bhai Sahab, aren't you going to do anything about this problem?" Kamini asked him, shocked, as they continued to descend the stairs.

"When the time is right, I will," he told her, moving faster to take his place between the men.

"What was that supposed to mean?" Kamini muttered to herself.

What was going on in that man's brain? What did that cryptid answer mean? What was he going to do? Kamini was left only to wonder...

* * *

"Shravan Bhaiya, we are ready to leave, are you both going to grace us with your presence?" Pushker asked him as soon as he answered the phone call.

He and Suman had been having an interesting conversation about one of the recent court cases and hadn't realized how fast time had passed. Nothing new for them, it always happened to them whenever they were in each other's company, time passed by too quickly.

"Yes, we were just about to come down anyway," he told Pushkar, confused as to why he could hear Vandy and Preeti's soft giggles and Varun and Lala Ji's loud snickers.

"If you say so," Pushkar said playfully.

"Let's go," Suman told him with a smile before making her way downstairs and he followed her.

"Did I already thank you for inviting us?" He asked as they descend the stairs, side by side.

"Did I already tell you to not be so formal?" She asked with an eye roll.

"Yes, but I still want to say that I am grateful, there haven't been many occasions in which we have hung out together as a family, and your cooking is always the best part. So thank you, Miss Suman Tiwari," he said with a smile.

"Okay, you are welcome anytime," she answered in an embarrassed manner yet moved.

"You guys are here, finally!" Pushkar yelled out, making everyone around laugh out loud.

And even though Shravan was sure everyone had already said their goodbyes, because they were a desi family, they all had another goodbye session on their way out. He found that amusing, as he observed their families together. Vandy and Preeti somehow were best friends now while all the men were hugging each other, trying to make plans to meet somewhere outside while the women were smiling at each other awkwardly. He knew Kamini chachi was mostly to be blamed here, she never made herself available despite efforts on the other side. But that was okay, the men, especially Lala Ji made up for that. His father and Nana Ji too were wrapping up their conversation. While standing beside him, Suman too was observing all of them, and the soft smile on her face showed how pleased she was by witnessing the waves of laughter and fondness between their families.

Will there be a day when he won't find Suman Tiwari so endearing?

He didn't think so...

And as everyone got into their cars, he realized he must have forgotten his keys somewhere inside, probably in the kitchen or on the rooftop. With a sigh he let his family know and their giggles confused him further.

'Were they high on something?' he thought to himself, amused.

What was their excitement about? Why did it seem like they were up to something? He wondered as he made his way in to find the damn keys.

"You just know how to increase our expenses, don't you?" As soon as Mami's voice fell in his ears, his feet came to stop still.

"Mami Ji, I bought everything fresh and will replace everything I used tomorrow," Suman replied.

"I don't care, you..." Mami stopped mid-sentence as she spotted him standing there and with a nervous chuckle, she asked him about his presence, "Shravan, I thought you guys left."

"I think I left my car's keys somewhere inside in the kitchen," he respond, eyes not moving from Suman who looked as if she wasn't breathing.

"I will go find them," Suman said hurriedly and almost ran inside as if she had been waiting for an escape. And she probably was, the thought pained Shravan as he sighed.

He couldn't lie, he had known about the treatment Suman got from the members of her family, especially from Mami, it was undeserving and uncalled for. He had noted that ever since he had come back, had witnessed Suman going out of her way to accommodate the Tiwari family's whims and being always available for their beck and call. Stretching herself thin to not refuse any of their demands. And yes, her devotion to her family was admirable, but the more he was seeing it, the more he was realizing how she was trapped in obligations, sacrificing herself yet not getting the appreciation she deserved, yet not gaining the approval she worked so hard for. Instead, she was taken for granted and humiliated whenever she dared to do something of her own will like inviting him and his family for dinner.

After witnessing what he had just a moment before Shravan could understand why money was such a big issue for Suman, why she had refused his help, and their argument over money a few months back during Mr Berry's case. Now that he had seen her with her head bent low and humiliated by Mami, he could understand why having financial independence was important for her and why for her it played a huge part in her self-respect remaining intact.

"Okay then, Shravan, I will then go to sleep, I am so tired," Mami told him and walked away as soon as Suman appeared with his car keys.

"Here," she said, trying to hand the keys from a great distance between them, eyes fixed on the floor.

Taking hold of her hand, Shravan gently pulled her towards him, and with his other hand went under her chin, tilting her head up.

"There is no need to hide from me, Sumo," he told her softly.

"I never wanted you to know," she muttered, still not meeting his eyes.

"Why?" He asked, unable to understand, he never had any problem with sharing weaknesses and vulnerabilities with her. No matter what had been the problem, in the past or present, he had found himself running towards her to lean on, to draw strength.

"It's embarrassing," Suman said with a pained sigh.

"I thought we could show each other our truths without being embarrassed or prideful," He said with a frown.

Wasn't that sentiment mutual? Was he the only one? Has he been selfish and self-centered enough to make her think she couldn't trust him? Were the dynamics in their relationship unbalanced?

"I still didn't want you to know," she told him.

"Do you think there is anything about you that could make me think less of you?" He asked.

"Do you not trust me?" He asked when she didn't respond.

"I do," she insisted, finally raising her head to look at him.

"Then why?" Shravan asked.

"I don't think you understand that there is no need to fear, Sumo. I will never think less of you. You are the strongest person I know," he assured her as he tucked her hair behind her ear.

"And there is no need to hide anything from me. I haven't kept anything hidden from you. You have seen me at my worse, at my most vulnerable, and still stayed by my side. Do you think of me as weak?" He asked her.

"No, no, I don't," she denied firmly.

"Then why do you think I would?" He asked.

"I don't feel, I don't...I don't know how to. I don't want to. I am used to holding in," she whispered, flustered by her inability to tell him.

"Do you still feel alone, Suman?" He asked her, and his use of her name took her off guard.

"What?" She asked him confused.

"You are used to it, used to putting a strong front and smiling through everything and every day because you feel like you have no one you can lean on," he said with a concerned frown.

"But you aren't alone, you have me, and you will always have me. It's okay to lean on me, Sumo. I won't leave, I won't go anywhere. If I ever felt the need to run again, I will take you with me, I am not leaving you behind anymore," he promised her as he pulled her in his arms and wrapped her in a hug.

"You stayed by my side and lived my pain with me, then why are you denying me the same? Why are you hiding when I am here? Why are you bearing everything alone?" He asked her in a light complaint yet it sounded assurance to her. 

With misty eyes, Suman leaned her head on his chest and warped her arms around him tightly.

"I am here now, Sumo, you can trust me. No matter what it may be, I will listen to you, I will be on your side and I will be your person," he whispered, as he gently tucked her head under his chin.

That night when they parted, Shravan had told her that he was going to wait for her whenever she was ready to talk and Suman had promised it to be soon. And he had walked out of Tiwari Killa with his heart burdened and his shirt soaked with her tears. When Pushkar and Vandy Bhabhi had teased him for taking too long, even their cheering and excitement hadn't distracted him despite his previous curiosity to find out what was going on with them.

* * * * *

It had taken Suman two and half weeks to approach the topic again. But there she was now, sitting in front of him on the sofa of his office, twisting her hands yet determined to let him in. And Shravan knew it was difficult for her, so he took her hand in his and gently squeezed it, hoping to give her needed encouragement. And when she started to talk, she remained awkward, leaving her sentences unfinished but he listened to her patiently, asking her the questions only when needed and backing off when she resisted.

Distracted by her own mixed feelings, Suman wondered how Shravan was so comfortable with sharing his pain? When had that happened? When he had let all his walls down? Was seeking comfort in someone, trusting someone with your vulnerabilities as easy as Shravan made it seem? He had cried in her arms, had held on to her, had shared with her his deepest pain and darkest thoughts. Yet she hadn't thought about it much, welcoming all of him, wrapping him in her embrace, holding him close to her heart. But only now when it was her turn to do the same that she was realizing how difficult it must have been for him. And her heart melted and softened even more for the man now sitting in front of her.

"It's said that one should never hide something from their doctors and their lawyers. And I am your lawyer, am I not?" Shravan asked her, tilting his head amusedly.

"You are," she whispered with a soft smile.

"And I am your confidant, you can trust me, Sumo. I may have made many mistakes but I will never make one that will make you regret trusting me. You know that, right?" He asked.

"Yes, I do, Shravan. It's just that I didn't know what to tell you. I was just so embarrassed, and still am," she told him, her stance still awkward.

"You shouldn't be. You don't have to be. I am your Shravan and I have never felt embarrassed telling you about any of my issues. Because I know no matter what, you will never think less of me. And the same goes for you, I will never think less of you. You are the strongest woman I know, the most admirable one, and this changes nothing..." he told her firmly.

"I just want to help you in the same way you always help me. I knew you were suffering, I have known this was happening ever since we got to know each other. Back then we both were young and I couldn't do anything, but now I can..." he said, determined.

"I know money is somehow the issue where you shut off and it's understandable. You want to deal with it on your own, you want to pay off the debt on your own and I am not going to ever let money come between us. I know what you want and what you need isn't financial help. But at least let me help you figure out things. Let me be there for you. Let me be the support that you always have been for me," he pleaded with her as he gently held her hands.

"I will," she whispered with a nod.

"Thank you," he said with a soft smile, his eyes gazing at her so tenderly.

"There is nothing...Why are you...God, Shravan, why are going soft on me?" She almost yelled, frustrated with how flustered his soft smile and gentle words were making her.

"Okay, okay, I will stop now" he laughed, raising his hands up.

"So, what do want to know more?" She asked after a pause.

"That depends on how much you going to let me interfere with your finance management," he told her with a shrug.

"Explain please?" Suman asked, confused.

And the way his stance changed amused her, he was suddenly sitting up straight, his stance confident and shoulder wide, face masked with professionalism, and she recognized it right away; he was in his lawyer mood.

"My advice for you would be that you need to hire an accountant. Someone to handle the financial aspect of your business, you are planning to expand PTC anyway so it's time. I have a few accountants in my mind, I will pass their contact numbers to you. But for now, let me go through PTC's revenue, and let's come up with a plan to pay off the debt. You are earning well now and it's very possible. We can talk with Mami and Mama Ji, I am sure we can settle on something both parties agree on," Shravan told her with a nod, looking at her without hesitating, and suddenly rolling his eyes when he saw how she was resisting laughing out loud.

"What?" He asked her annoyed.

"Nothing..." she said giggling, sobering up only when he kept shaking his head at her, his eyes narrowed.

"So Mr.lawyer, how do you want to be paid for your service and this great advice?" Suman asked him, leaning towards him with a teasing glint in her eyes.

The way his ears started to get pink made her curious. It amused her greatly, the way he was so bold when he invaded her space yet got shy whenever she did the same with him,

"You could go on dinner with me," he responded, clearing his throat and looking everywhere but at her.

"When?" She asked, leaning back with a smile, deciding to let him be for now.

"Eric and Angela are visiting and they had been asking of you, so I thought to introduce you guys. What do you think?" He asked her, nervously.

"Of course, you talk about them so often. And anyway, I need to meet the "girlfriend" aka Angela who convinced you to learn cooking when I couldn't," she said with a fake huff, eyes narrowed.

"Come on, you never really tried," he complained, laughing softly.

"I did," she insisted.

"Admit it you were too happy with being the chef and me being your taster. God, I didn't know better and eat up every experiment you did with food, such horrors," he complained, remembering all the times she had forced him to eat all the dishes with weird combinations she could come up with.

"Shravan, don't complain, you loved our weekend adventures and food experiments," she said, shocked at his denial.

"No, I didn't. I was just too afraid of your Sumo nature, of what would be done to me if I refused," he told her, cackling, enjoying the way she was getting all worked up.

"What do you mean by that?" She asked, almost yelling in disbelief.

And as they continued to bicker, their voice raising enough to alert Pushkar who was about to walk into Shravan's office. Standing just outside the door, he leaned in to try to hear and the fanboy inside of him was shrieking in delight the more he listened.

'Oh, I need to update ShraMan Fanclub,' he thought to himself, giggling as he fished out his mobile and hurriedly started to type, forgetting everything else.

'Ah, the excitement of being part of ShraMan Fandom...' Pushkar sighed softly as he sat in the meeting, unaware of how he was about to be scolded in near future for being distracted, smiling goofily to himself as he stared at the air, lost to the real world.

* * * * *

A/N:- So, yes, I finally updated. I know it has been such a long time, almost two years. And I am so grateful to all of you who waited patiently. The past two years have been difficult for everyone, and I don't like talking about my personal life, never had, but I feel like I owe you all who have waited and were left hanging. I lost my both parents in these past two years. And even though you may think I am good with words, I am not so I won't be able to tell much... Many have lost someone during these past years, I just hope no one you have suffered a loss that is that life-altering and devastating...

I am absolutely grateful to you all for waiting and checking on me from time to time, I apologize for being MIA for so long and not responding in time. I hope you will forgive me for it...

And if anyone is in touch with @SanikasKulkarni please let me know, I don't know how to reach out to her, I hope she is well...

I hope you all liked the update and how the story is progressing. And here it is, the start of THAT Shravan-helping-her in regards to her being too selfless ORIGINAL PLOT that EDKV and SONY had promised us yet we were left hanging... -___-

So let me know was it how you imagined? If you liked it at all or not? Please, let me know your thoughts in the comment section... :)

Thank you for everything! <3

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