Everyone was stuck, including Gauri, but the little girl moved forward while rubbing her eyes. Shivaay knew who it was; Anika had told him everything. Still, something stopped Shivaay from revealing it to his friend. Anika squeezed his hand tightly as the little girl recognized her and ran towards her with a smile. Anika immediately picked her up and gave her a kiss on her cheeks, making the girl giggle.

"Who are these people?" she asked Anika in her childish tone while glancing at everyone. Shivaay looked at Om, who was frozen, staring at the baby's face and her questions. Gauri looked like she was about to faint when Om held her up and stared at her with questions in his eyes.

"Let's go inside!" Rudy said, breaking the silence as everyone remained stuck and confused. Holding the child, Anika walked inside, while Gauri stayed rooted at the doorstep. As Anika passed her, Gauri gave her a disappointed look. Om slumped onto the couch, beyond shocked. He didn't speak but looked at Gauri with tearful eyes. Gauri couldn't escape his gaze.

"I think we should leave them alone," Shivaay said when nobody seemed ready to talk.

"Anika, take Kiara with you," Gauri commanded in a rough and disappointed tone.

"Kiara?" Om repeated the name in a choked voice as Gauri avoided his gaze.

Anika nudged Shivaay's shoulder as he sat frozen on the couch. Holding Kiara in her arms, she moved out along with Shivaay and Rudru.

"Shivaay... by any chance?" Rudru asked hesitantly.

"She is Om's daughter," Shivaay replied as they left. Rudru was visibly shocked, but they walked along with Anika. Kiara asked many questions, while Anika stayed silent. They all got into the car, with Rudru in the passenger seat, Shivaay beside Anika, and Kiara sitting comfortably on Anika's lap, smiling. Anika avoided answering Kiara's persistent questions for a while.

"Too cold..." Kiara murmured to herself, wrapping herself in Anika's saree and giggling at her. Anika gave her a quick kiss on the forehead while glancing accusingly at Shivaay.

"Who are you?" Kiara asked Shivaay directly this time when Anika remained silent. Both Shivaay and Anika were at a loss for words. How could he introduce himself as her father's friend when she didn't know anything about her father? So, Shivaay went with a simpler answer.

"I am your Maasi's husband," Shivaay responded with a smile. Kiara's hazel eyes widened, and Shivaay realized she was a replica of her mother.

"Sachi? Ani?" Kiara asked Anika, who nodded with a smile.

"When? Why didn't you call me?" Kiara asked in her cute, childish tone, making Shivaay admire her even more. Anika turned her around and looked at her.

"I married him before you were born, dear," Anika said, breaking the ice between them. Kiara exchanged glances and finally smiled at Shivaay. At that moment, he thought it was the cutest smile he'd ever seen. Om was like a brother to him, and she was Om's child. How could he not love her just as much?

"Hi, I am Anika's best friend!" Kiara said, extending her small hand to him with a wide smile.

"Sorry! But I only accept hugs!" he said, widening his arms slightly. Kiara looked at Anika for approval before jumping into his embrace, giggling. Rudru gave Shivaay a disappointed look, making him chuckle.

"Ani, I'm feeling FOMO over here! Please do something!" Rudru complained to Anika as Shivaay refused to let go of Kiara. Anika chuckled and introduced Rudru as her friend since they were still unsure about the couple's decisions.

"It's almost 2 a.m., Kiara. Why are you still awake? What are you up to?" Anika asked in a playful tone as Kiara settled into Shivaay's lap.

"Mumma and I packed our bags to see you," Kiara said, her tone confused.

"To see me? Why?" Anika asked, her tone filled with doubt.

"Because one man came in the evening, he broke the glass and scolded Mumma. Mumma got so scared and told me he's a very bad man, so we're going back to Anika Maasi's home," Kiara narrated. Anika glanced at Shivaay before switching on her phone. She had ignored Gauri's call earlier and turned off her phone when Shivaay was about to tell Om about her whereabouts.

"Ani, I'm hungry," Kiara said, pausing their thoughts. They began looking for nearby restaurants. Anika switched on her phone and checked something while they drove to a late-night eatery. Anika looked serious, typing messages continuously. Shivaay gestured to Rudru not to ask questions, despite his curiosity and concern.

At the open restaurant, the cold air made Kiara snuggle closer to Anika, who hugged her warmly. Shivaay noticed Anika's motherly care as she kept an eye on everything Kiara did.

"So, what are we going to eat?" Shivaay asked jovially. Kiara immediately looked at Anika with a low expression.

"Noodles," Anika replied excitedly. "Kiara's favorite," she added, giving Kiara a high-five.

"Seems like you two are really close," Rudy commented.

"Ani is my favorite," Kiara replied without hesitation.

"I'll always be her favorite, no matter how hard you try, Rudru!" Anika joked. Kiara enjoyed her noodles and asked for ice cream. Anika denied it but promised to get some during the day, and Kiara reluctantly obeyed.

Throughout the evening, Shivaay admired Anika and her gestures toward Kiara. Even when Kiara started to throw tantrums over ice cream, Anika managed to calm her. When Kiara finally dozed off on Anika's shoulder, Shivaay fell for this caring version of his wife all over again.

"Oh my God, Ani! You're a pro at this," Rudy complimented. Anika denied it, citing her exhaustion.

"She won't wake up. You can ask me whatever has been on your mind for the past hour," Anika said to Shivaay, smiling slightly while comforting the baby on her shoulder.

"What happened?" Shivaay finally asked. Anika revealed that Gauri had been dealing with a stalker—the father of another child at Kiara's playschool. He had been harassing her after learning she was a single mom. That evening, he had tried to force his way into her place. When Gauri threatened him, he blackmailed her, saying he would accuse her of prostitution to exploit her vulnerable position. Gauri, alone in an unfamiliar city, was terrified.

Shivaay was stunned but impressed as Anika continued explaining. She had quickly rallied other mothers from Kiara's playschool, including Tia, whose child also attended. They collected video evidence from CCTV footage and gathered witness statements. Anika sent this information to a female commissioner and also shared it with a regional news channel, ensuring the stalker's identity was exposed while keeping Gauri's anonymous.

"You did all this during dinner?" Rudru asked, incredulous.

"That jerk needed a lesson... I'll save the slap for Gauri," Anika replied firmly.

"I don't think Om will leave Gauri and Kiara alone after learning all this, no matter what they decide," Shivaay said. He knew Om wouldn't abandon them, even if Gauri wanted to.

"I hope everything turns out well," Anika said, sighing.

****

Everyone eventually dozed off in the car. Shivaay gently picked up the sleeping Kiara from Anika, who had fallen asleep awkwardly on her shoulder. As Anika leaned on him, he intertwined their arms. When morning came, the sun's rays lit the car, and Shivaay found himself holding his wife and Kiara. It felt like a glimpse of a beautiful future.

"Touch wood," he whispered with a smile.

"What happened?" Rudru asked sleepily.

"Manifesting," Shivaay replied with a grin. Rudru quickly took a picture. When Anika woke up, she asked about Om's response. Rudru called, but there was no answer.

They decided to head inside the house. Anika carried the still-sleeping Kiara and rang the doorbell. Nobody answered, but the door was unlocked. Inside, they found the drawing room in disarray. Broken vases and scattered pillows hinted at a rough night.

"Looks like things went bad," Rudy muttered as they approached the bedroom. He froze at the sight inside.

"What happened?" Shivaay asked, joining him. He saw Gauri and Om fast asleep, tightly hugging each other. A sigh of relief escaped him. Anika exchanged smiles with Shivaay.

"I should have expected this when their 1008th breakup failed," Rudy joked. "This guy has a knack for drama."

Rudy loudly opened the door, waking the couple with a start.

"You haven't changed, Rudru," Gauri said, wiping her eyes.

"Says the one who disappeared for four years and returned with her boyfriend's mini version," Rudy teased, earning a mock glare from Om.

"Where is my Kiara?" Om asked anxiously. Anika handed her to him, and he held his daughter for the first time. A mix of emotions overwhelmed him.

"You remembered! I thought you'd forget you're a dad now, smitten by her mom's face," Rudy teased, sparking their usual banter.

"I didn't forget I'm a father, but my priority was clearing the misunderstandings Gauri built against me over these four years," Om explained.

"Enough, Rudru!" Shivaay said, dragging him out of the room by his collar.

"We'll see you at breakfast," Anika said, leaving the room with a smile.

****