We always have expectations at every point in our lives. *I expect this will happen. I expect that will happen.* We always expect things. But does life consider our expectations? That's still a question. Sometimes life aligns with our expectations, but take note—*not always*.

Likewise, Ansh's expectation that everything was just a coincidence shattered when he heard Shivaay's open confession in the bar. Ansh stood like a statue, unable to shed a single tear. Each of Shivaay's words felt like they were being tattooed on his heart, creating more pain for having misunderstood him for so long.

When Shivaay lost his balance on the chair, Ansh hurried to catch him, his mind blank, filled with only one thought: saving his father from falling. Yes, at that moment, Ansh accepted Shivaay as his father. Those words, spoken in such a vulnerable state, were enough to heal the 14-year-old wound in Ansh's heart.

He helped Shivaay sit properly, holding him steady by his clothes. As Ansh adjusted Shivaay's clothes, he was suddenly pulled into a tight, bone-crushing hug. Ansh felt a bit anxious and confused.

"What a beautiful dream... after such a long time. But even in my dream, I don't want to miss this opportunity... please, let me hug you," Shivaay muttered in his drunken state. Hearing those words, Ansh's arms automatically lifted, and he hugged Shivaay back.

Without breaking the hug, Shivaay showered him with kisses, tears falling from both of their eyes. Shivaay still believed it was a dream, while they both cried. The difference was in their sobs: Ansh's were silent, while Shivaay's were loud and heart-wrenching.

After a few minutes, Shivaay broke the hug and looked at Ansh with teary eyes, his heart in pieces. Ansh, too, couldn't take his eyes off his father. When Shivaay's gaze shifted to the vodka bottle, and he reached for it, Ansh stopped him, gently shaking his head. Shivaay was confused—how could his hallucination stop him from drinking? He looked at the bartender, who stood frozen in shock.

"Suresh..." Shivaay called out to the bartender, confused, noticing the shock on his face as he looked at Ansh.

"You..." Shivaay stammered, but Ansh remained silent, unable to say anything while seeing Shivaay in such a state. Just then, the door opened, and both Ansh and Shivaay turned to see Om and Rudra standing in the doorway, equally shocked to find Ansh there. Shivaay rushed toward them.

"Omru... can you see him? Is Ansh really standing over there?" Shivaay asked frantically, shaking Om for answers.

"I'm asking you something, Om..." Shivaay shook him harder.

"Yeah... he's standing over there," Om replied, still in shock. Shivaay immediately passed out, but Omru and Ansh caught him before he hit the ground.

"Mr. Oberoi... Dad... open your eyes... please, open your eyes," Ansh pleaded, the last thing Shivaay heard before he fully passed out.

***

"Ansh... open your eyes... come on, wake up," Ansh faintly heard Nisha's voice, pulling him from the depths of sleep. He slowly opened his eyes and immediately searched for Anika, but she was nowhere to be found.

"Where's Maa?" Ansh asked in a tense voice.

"She's in her parents' room. No need to panic. My mom is with her," Nisha said, helping Ansh out of the dark room. He felt weak, unable to walk or talk properly. As they walked, Ansh didn't respond to anything Nisha said, though she kept talking, hoping to irritate him into acting normal. But nothing worked.

"Ansh..." she called out, grabbing his hand. This time, he responded, turning to look at her.

"Did Mumma have dinner?" he asked almost immediately. Nisha's gaze shifted behind him, and he followed her eyes to see Anika stepping down the stairs, dressed in formal attire, looking bold and confident. She walked toward the entrance without even glancing at Ansh. He felt neglected.

"Maa..." he called out, and she stopped. He approached her, but she kept her back to him.

"Hmm," she replied coldly.

"Where are you going?" Ansh asked, trying to hold back his tears from her rejection.

"To the office. There's a lot of work pending. I won't be coming home tonight. Don't wait for me. Call Sharma Ji in case of an emergency. Bye," she said flatly and left without even looking at him once.

"At least have din..." Ansh began, but stopped when he saw her walk away. He felt heartbroken, but didn't show it on his face. Quickly wiping his tears, he returned to Anika's room, collapsed onto the bed, and replayed everything that had happened. His mother's coldness, her ignorance, replayed in his mind like a loop, making him cry loudly.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Assuming it was Nisha, Ansh composed himself and stood up, but didn't turn around.

"Nish, leave me alone... I don't want anything... just go away," Ansh shouted.

"Even I'm not allowed in?" Shivaay asked. Ansh quickly turned to see Shivaay standing at the door, surprising him.

"You..." Ansh said in astonishment.

"May I come in?" Shivaay asked. Ansh nodded, and Shivaay entered, sitting next to him. Gently brushing the bed, he got lost in thought.

"What's wrong?" Ansh asked, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Just some beautiful memories," Shivaay replied, wiping his tears.

"I saw your mom leaving, so I thought I'd come inside," Shivaay added, while Ansh remained silent.

"Did she scold you again?" Shivaay asked, noticing the pain in Ansh's eyes. Ansh forced a smile.

"I would've been happier if she had scolded me... she just ignored me... and left... without even looking at me. She seemed different... confident... bold... I don't know what's happened to her," Ansh broke down, and Shivaay side-hugged him, trying to console him, even though he was dealing with the same pain.

Ansh and Shivaay broke the hug when they saw Nisha approaching with dinner.

"I don't want anything," Ansh said coldly to Nisha. She looked helplessly at Shivaay, who nodded and took the plate from her hands.

"I didn't know you liked hurting your mom," Shivaay remarked.

"We have that in common," Shivaay added, confusing Ansh.

"What do you mean?" Ansh asked.

"If your mom finds out you've been skipping meals, she'll be hurt. And more than that, she'll blame herself for everything. Do you want that?" Shivaay asked. Ansh took the plate from him and ate a bite, tears flowing down his cheeks. Shivaay wiped them away and smiled at Nisha, who smiled back.

"Did you eat?" Ansh asked.

"Yeah..." Shivaay started to lie, but Ansh fed him a spoonful of rice.

"Lying in front of your son? Be a good role model, Father," Ansh chuckled. Shivaay glared at him playfully, then hugged him.

"Let me join you," Nisha said, and Shivaay extended his arm. She joined in, and they all hugged.

"I wish we'll be a happy family one day, Mom," Ansh thought.