( hey guys..sorry for late update as i am having my exams ..so abhi  thode din ka gap hai so publish kar diya maine........."

As Karan and Teju stepped out of the car, they heard the familiar sound of little feet racing toward them. Before they could even register it, Kavya came dashing toward them, her face lit up with joy, her tiny arms stretched wide. Right behind her, Reyansh followed, just as excited but trying to match her energy.

"Mumma! Papa!" Kavya squealed, throwing herself into Teju's arms first. Teju bent down, catching her with a smile, hugging her tightly.

"My baby, how was your first day?" Teju asked, stroking her hair lovingly.

Kavya pulled back just enough to look at her mother, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "Mumma, it was soooo good!Reyansh hi mera bench partner bhi hai....full year ke liye.........! And guess what?"

"What, baby?" Teju asked, her heart melting at her daughter's enthusiasm.

"I got a gold star in art class!" Kavya said proudly, pulling out a slightly crumpled paper from her bag. It had a drawing of a colorful house, two figures holding hands, and a small girl in between them. Teju instantly recognized the three of them in the drawing, her heart swelling.

"Wow, Kavya! its beautiful!" Teju said, kissing her forehead.

Karan crouched down next to them, ruffling Kavya's hair. "A gold star, huh?!"

Kavya giggled, turning to him. "Papa, I missed you so much......bohot hi zyada !" She pouted adorably, her arms wrapping around his neck.

Karan picked her up effortlessly, holding her close. "I missed you too, princess. par aap toh kitne brave girl ho...... First day and already a gold star!"

Reyansh, who had been watching with a smile, finally chimed in. "And guess what, kavya toh teacher ki favorite the aaj.....everyone liked her.......aur usne mere sath chocolates bhi share ki "

Kavya blushed slightly, glancing at Reyansh. " kyuki tum mere best friend ho, Reyansh!"

Reyansh grinned, his chest puffing out proudly. "aur maine bhi sabko bola ki mai hi Kavya ka one and only best friend hu."

Teju and Karan chuckled

karan, " oh mr.junior manik malhotra, zyada nhi bol raha tu?"

reyansh innocently smiled nodding in no making him chuckle 

Kavya, still in Karan's arms, looked between her parents, her small hand reaching out to Teju. "Mumma, Papa, can we go for ice cream? "

Teju smiled, gently taking her daughter's hand. "Of course, baby. aapka first day celebration toh banta hai na........Reyansh...tum bhi chalo...baad mai aapko aapke relative ke ghar hum drop kar denge."

he nodded in yes . 

Karan nodded, placing Kavya back on her feet. "Ice cream it is. par pehele, let me carry your bag, little star."

Kavya handed him her pink bag with a grin, her tiny fingers clasping Reyansh's hand as they all walked toward the car.

As Karan and Teju were walking hand in hand with Kavya and Reyansh toward the car, a small group of boys from Kavya's class approached them hesitantly. One of them, a little boy with spiky hair and oversized glasses, mustered up the courage to speak.

"Kavya, tumhari drawing bohot achi hai," he said shyly, clutching his backpack straps tightly.

Kavya blinked, a little surprised, but then smiled sweetly. "Thank you!"

Another boy chimed in, "aur tum bhi bohot achi ho.....tumne mere sath aaj crayons share kiya na...."

Kavya giggled. " mumma keheti hai........Sharing is caring!" she said, her innocent logic making Teju bite back a chuckle.

However, the moment was anything but amusing for Karan and Reyansh. Standing beside Kavya, both father and little "best friend" crossed their arms simultaneously, glaring at the boys like they were auditioning for the role of protective bodyguards.

Reyansh narrowed his eyes and took a small step forward, his tiny frame puffed up with an air of seriousness. "Hey, ye meri best friend hai.....tum sab dur raho" he asked, his voice attempting to sound intimidating but coming off adorably stern.

The boys looked at each other, confused, and the spiky-haired one stammered, " aarey....aaisa kyu? vo hamari bhi friend ban sakti hai......."

Karan, towering over the group, folded his arms and gave them a mock glare....muttering under his breath but teju could here." inn sabki tooh......kya problem hai bhagwan ko mere sath....meri princess ki life mai hi sab ladko ko bhejna tha?? vaha US mai vo Kevin, yaha reyansh aur ye sab bhi"

Teju,:  "Karan, they're just kids," she whispered, nudging him gently.

Karan glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. "Doesn't matter. Boys or not, meri Kavu ke as pass bhi koi nhi aaja chahiye"

The spiky-haired boy, quickly waved. "Okay, bye, Kavya! See you tomorrow!" he said before scurrying off, his friends following behind.

Reyansh watched them go, still frowning. " Kavu ka bench partner toh mai hi rahunga..........aur koi nhi" he mumbled under his breath, crossing his arms again.

Kavya looked at him, tilting her head. " Rey..chill....koi bhi mere sath baithe kya farak padhta hai?"

Reyansh pouted. " muje farak padhta hai...u ar emy best friend Kavu...!"

Karan smirked muttering under his breath, " I guess iska meri princess ke sath rehena itna bhi bura nhi hai"

teju wispered to him, " manik ko batau tumhari ye baat?"

karan, " ladoo...no pls..usse bata diya na toh aaj hi bandh baja barat leke aajaye vo"

Teju finally broke into laughter, shaking her head. 

Kavya, watching all this with wide, amused eyes, tugged on her father's sleeve. "Papa,Ice cream..."

 karan scooped Kavya up in his arms, planting a kiss on her cheek. "Of course, princess. Ice cream it is."

Reyansh followed beside them, still muttering about the "annoying" boys, while Teju walked beside Karan, chuckling at the adorable chaos of her overprotective duo.

Ice cream shop 

Kavya tugged on Karan's sleeve. "Papa, I want strawberry with rainbow sprinkles!" she declared excitedly.

Reyansh chimed in, "And I want chocolate with extra fudge!"

Karan smiled at their enthusiasm and placed the order while Teju helped the kids settle at a table. Soon, the group was enjoying their treats, Kavya giggling as she got some sprinkles on her nose.

As the laughter settled, Karan and Teju exchanged a glance, silently deciding it was time to bring up the news.

"Kavya, baby," Teju began softly, wiping her daughter's mouth with a tissue. " aap jante ho na ki mumma papa aapse kitna pyaar karte hai?"

Kavya nodded, still licking her ice cream. "Of course, Mumma!"

Karan leaned in, his tone gentle. "Princess,  ek important baat karni hai hume aapse"

Kavya blinked up at him, her big, curious eyes making Karan's resolve waver for a second. He took a deep breath and continued, "Mumma aur muje na 2 din ka kaam hai...Goa mai...hume vaha jana hoga."

Kavya's expression immediately shifted to one of concern. "Goa? 2 din ke liye? mai bhi aaungi "

Teju held her little hand. " ye time nhi ....... sweetheart. It's a work trip, aur vaha mai aur apke papa pura din busy rahenge...toh aapka dhayan kon rakhega..and also aaj hi aapka school start hua hai....aap abhi chutti kaise le sakte ho?."

Kavya pouted, her eyes starting to water. "par mumma..u know na mai aapke bina nhi reh sakti.....US mai jab aap office jate the tab thik tha...kyuki vo kuch hoaurs ki baat thi..lekin 2 days aapke bina......!"

Karan quickly moved closer, gently pulling Kavya into his lap. "Hey, hey, don't cry, princess," he said softly, wiping away a tiny tear that threatened to fall. " aapko akele nhi rehena hia..aapke Dadu mai na..aap unke sath rahogi..mere ghar mai..aapke dadu toh aapko kitna pamper karte hai..kitna pyaar karte hai na........"

Kavya sniffled, looking up at him. "Dadu ke sath?kein bakiyo ka kya? They don't like Mumma and me..."

Teju's heart ached at her daughter's innocent words, but she managed a reassuring smile. "Dadu hai na vaha  baby.....he will make sure ki aap safe ho aur happy bhi.... Aur vaha bhi dadu ke alawa kisiko nhi pata hai ki aap papa ki beti ho..so.. It'll be our little secret, just like before."

Kavya looked at them both, her small hands gripping Karan's shirt tightly. "muje aab ye secret game nhi pasand mumma.......... I want everyone to know Papa is my Papa!"

Karan's heart broke at her words, but he held her closer, his voice gentle but firm. "I know, princess. aur ek din sabko ye pata chal jayega........par abhi ke liye..pls..lets keep this as a secret...pls."

Teju added softly, "bas 2 din ki baat hai Kavu..aur hum video call karenge na.....aur Dadu ke sath toh aapko bohot maza aata hai na."

Kavya was quiet for a moment, her little mind processing everything. Finally, she nodded slowly. "Okay... but only because Dadu is nice."

Karan and Teju exchanged a relieved glance. "That's my brave girl," Karan said, planting a kiss on her forehead.

Reyansh, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. "Kavu, don't worry. school ke baad i will come to play with u"

Kavya's face lit up at that, and she gave Reyansh a big smile. "Promise?"

"Promise!" Reyansh said, raising his little pinky finger.

The mood lightened, and soon the kids were back to giggling over their melting ice cream, while Karan and Teju silently vowed to ensure their daughter's happiness and safety, no matter what.

As the car pulled into the society's gates, Kavya excitedly pointed out the flowers lining the pathway. "Look, Papa! So many flowers!  hume na hamare ghae ke balcony mai bhi ye lagana chahiye......haina?" she chirped, leaning over from the passenger seat where Teju was sitting.

Karan smiled warmly, glancing at her through the rearview mirror. "Of course, princess.jo bhi aap chaho."

The playful moment was interrupted as the group parked and stepped out, only to find Reva and Shilpa walking toward them. Their faces instantly turned sour as they noticed Karan with Teju and Kavya.

Reva folded her arms, glaring at them. "Karan, abhi bhi inke sath kya kar rahe ho? subah inhe drop karne gaye the toh aab kya pick karne bhi gaye?" she demanded, her tone laced with disdain.

Shilpa chimed in, her eyes narrowing at Teju. " Saalon pehele bohot badi badi baate kehke gayi thi na tum..ki i will not meet u again...aab kya hua? hamare bhai ke sath vapis kya kar rahi ho tum? "

Kavya instinctively clung to Teju's leg, her innocent eyes wide with fear and confusion. Teju bent down and placed a reassuring hand on her daughter's shoulder, trying to calm her.

Karan's expression hardened, his jaw tightening as he stepped forward. "Enough, Reva.Shilpa....meri life hai ye..mai kisse bhi baat karu ya milu..tum dono ko kya?"

Reva raised an eyebrow, her tone mocking. "secirously karan? hum dono ko kya? we are ur sisters ..aur ye ladki ( teju) vo hai jiske wajah se tum uss din hospital mai.........

Teju's face reddened, but she kept her composure, silently urging Karan to do the same with a quick glance.

Karan, however, was not one to back down. He stepped in front of Teju and Kavya protectively. "bas Reva....— teri problem Teju se hai na.........baat illogical hai thne too..jo bhi hua vo mere aur teju ke beech ki baat thi jisse aab saalon ho gaye hai...and we both have moved on.... But you will not talk about this little girl like that. She's just a child.... so usse aaise baat karne ke baare mai sochna bhi mat."

Shilpa scoffed, but Reva's eyes darted to Kavya, softening ever so slightly. There was something about the child's innocent gaze that made her hesitate.

Before Reva could retort, Kavya spoke up in her small, trembling voice. "Mumma... ghar chale ..pls?"

teju nodded at her with a smile, " ha chalo kavu..." 

karan, " mai bhi ghar jaa raha hu"

Reva and Shilpa could only watch as Karan walked beside Teju and Kavya, his protective stance leaving no room for argument. As they disappeared into the building, Shilpa muttered under her breath, "I still don't understand what he sees in them..."

But Reva, who had caught Kavya's hesitant, sweet smile, stayed silent for once, a flicker of doubt crossing her mind. 

At Teju's house .

 Kavya was happily seated on the floor, her toys spread around her as she chatted to her dolls, occasionally looking up to make sure her parents were nearby.

Karan leaned back on the couch, his arm resting lazily along the backrest while Teju sat beside him, sorting through some paperwork. Across from them, Karan's dad,sat with an excited gleam in his eyes, clearly thrilled at the prospect of having his beloved granddaughter Kavya all to himself for two whole days.

"I still can't believe it,"  K.D  said, rubbing his hands together with mock deviousness. " do din with my Poti.........with my poti.  kitne sari cheeze hum karnege sath mai! Ice cream for breakfast, movies all day, and maybe even a shopping day!"

Karan's eyes widened in mock horror. "Dad, don't you dare turn my daughter into your  chaotic plans....!"

K.d  feigned innocence, raising his hands. "What chaos? mai toh bas ek pyaara sa Dadu hu jo apani pyaari se doll ke sath time spned karega..for 2 days....." He grinned mischievously. "vaise bhi , she needs to be pampered! Who else will spoil her if not me?"

Karan shook his head, pointing an accusing finger at his father. "Dad..i mean it . No late-night desserts, no staying up past bedtime, and definitely no over-the-top indulgences.  5 saal ki hai vo yaar!"

k.d  leaned forward, smirking. "Relax, Karan......3 - 3 bache paale hai maine..huh...tu mainu mat sikha.......... What's the worst that could happen?"

Karan narrowed his eyes. "You, Dad. You are the worst that could happen........mai toh abhi tak aapke vo subha wale tire punchre ke idea se bahar nhi aa paya hu"

Teju burst into laughter at their banter, shaking her head. " sunny....dad kavu se zyada excited lag rahe hai aaj."

Karan turned to Teju, exasperated. "Teju, don't encourage him! Last time jab humne inhe reyansh, harsh aur preet ke sath 6 ghante ke liye akela chodhata ..inhone unn teeno ko pura tube ice cream ka khane diya just because vo teeno ne inncoently inse pucha"

" ha toh?? kitne khush hue the vo teen...." K.d  added with a smirk

Karan groaned dramatically, rubbing his temples. "This is going to be a disaster."

k.d  leaned back with a satisfied grin. "Disaster for you, maybe. par mere aur kavu ke liye toh ye fun day hoga......for 2 days!" He glanced at Kavya, who was now holding up a toy elephant and making it dance. "Right, my princess?"

Kavya looked up, her face lighting up. "Yes, Dadu!  hum bohot maze karenge"

Teju couldn't stop giggling at the dynamic between father and son. "sunny relax na..... I think Kavya deserves some pampering.......from her dadu"

Karan sighed in defeat, though the faint smile tugging at his lips betrayed his amusement. "Fine.  but dad.... agar hamare vapis aane ke baad princess ne dinner ke time ice cream demand ki na...then i am holding you responsible for it"

k.d clapped his hands together. "Deal!"

The lively exchange continued, filling the house with warmth and laughter as Kavya played happily, blissfully unaware of the playful battle between her father and dadu over who would get to spoil her more.

Teju leaned back on the couch, crossing her arms with a sly smile as she watched the lively duo. " acha acha..suno....... the great Kundra father-son duo," she said, her voice dripping with amusement. "Who's going to tell Maa about this 2 day wala plan??"

Both Karan and K.D  froze mid-banter, their playful expressions morphing into mild panic. They turned to look at each other, the silent exchange loud enough to make Teju chuckle.

"You tell her!" Karan said, pointing at his father. "She's your wife."

"Oh no, no, no!" k.d i shot back immediately, shaking his head vehemently. "She's your mother. That automatically makes this your responsibility."

"Seriously, Dad?  aap fmaily ke head ho.....aapko baat karo mumma se"

" aee...ye head ved pe mat ja....mai koi head leg arms nhi hu..........huhhh!  aur chal..agar mai head hu toh..tu teri maa ka heart hai..ja tu baat kar !"

Teju burst out laughing, holding her stomach. " wah...dono baap bete ek hi insan se itna darte hai"

Karan glared at Teju playfully before turning back to his father. " vo insan mer maa hai ladoo....You know how she is! She'll ask a hundred questions—Kavya yaha kyu rahegi 2 din ke liye?,hum sath mai kyu kaam akrr ahe hai after all these eyars......, why the tire was mysteriously punctured...( glaring his dad)"

k.d  chuckled nervously. "Well, son, terepass pehele se hi sare questions ready hai so tu answer bana de aur bol dena..... Good luck with that!"

"Oh, come on, Dad! You're better at dodging her questions than I am.  aap 40 years se ye sab kar rahe ho!"

"And you've been dodging her for 33 years! That makes you the expert,"  k.d  quipped, grinning mischievously.

Teju leaned back, enjoying the chaotic to-and-fro. " guys relax..."

Karan shot her a mock-offended look. "ladoo, this is serious! Maa ke interogattion skills toh CID walo se bhi high hai......... One slip-up, and she'll figure out everything!"

k.d nodded solemnly. "She's like a lie detector, but worse."

Teju couldn't stop laughing at their theatrical antics. 

Karan and his dad exchanged a defeated glance before pointing at each other simultaneously. "You're doing it!"

"Fine," Karan huffed, crossing his arms. "We'll both do it. Teamwork, right?"

K.D  smirked. "Absolutely. But you're doing the talking."

Karan groaned while Teju chuckled.

As the father-son duo continued their playful bickering, Kavya peeked up from her toys, giggling at the sight of her dad and dadu behaving just like her and Reyansh during their most chaotic moments.

As Karan leaned against the wall, still recovering from the relentless teasing from his dad, Kavya suddenly ran up to him, her big eyes wide with worry. Tugging at his hand, she said, "Papa! agar dadi ko pata chal gaya ki mai mumma ki adopted beti nhi hu balki aap dono ki beti hu toh?"

Karan froze, his face instantly reflecting panic. He crouched down to her level, swallowing nervously. "Uh... well, princess," he began, scratching the back of his neck, " agar aapki dadi ko pata chal jaye toh... um... your Papa will be gone!"

Kavya gasped dramatically, her tiny hands flying to her cheeks. "Gone? Where will you go, Papa?  phie mere sath khelega kon? muje ice cream kon lake dega......"

Teju, standing nearby, burst into laughter, shaking her head at Karan's over-the-top response. "Karan! Don't scare her! bichari ko aapne ice cream lane wale papa chahiye..." she scolded, though she couldn't hide her amusement.

Karan placed a hand over his heart. " aare lekin ye toh sach mai na.....mom ko ye pata chalega na toh meri toh khair nhi"

k.d laughed saying, " doll..dont worry jab bhi ye din aayega na..mai aur tu mast couch pe baithke ice cream khate khate pura movie dekhenge"

kavya, " konsi movie dadu?"

k.d smirked seeing karan, " Karan ki dulhai..by his Maayi"

karan glared him saying, " mai aapko disown kar dunga"

k.d," mai terko mere zaidad se nikal dunga"

both glared each other 

Kavya  saw them , . " aap dono dadi se kitna darte ho...matlab vo sach mai scary hai kya? mumma papa..agar unhone mujse kuch pucha toh?????!" ( mock fear in her eyes)

Karan stifled a chuckle. "baby ..dont worry vo aapko kuch nhi bolengi.......and  If Dadi asks you anything, you give her your cutest smile and say... 'I don't know!'"

Kavya tilted her head, her mischievous smile returning. "Okay, Papalekin agar dadi ko sach pata chal jaye toh mai keh dungi ki its Ur fault."

Karan gasped in mock betrayal, and Teju laughed as she pulled them both in for a group hug, the little family finding comfort in their shared chaos.

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