Next day went like usual.

In the evening, Arth went to Geeta’s home and Geeta went to Arth’s home.

With Adhyay…

She knew Geeta was coming. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her top. Though she had met Geeta many times before, today felt different.

The sound of the doorbell made come back out of her thoughts. She quickly stood up, took a small breath, and opened the door.

Geeta stood there with a soft smile.

Geeta: Hello, baby.

Adhyay (forcing a small smile): Hello…

She stepped aside, giving way.

Adhyay (softly): Please come in.

Geeta walked in, observing her quietly.

Adhyay  hurried to the kitchen, and informed maid to bring water.

After a moment, she returned and sat on sofa in front of Geeta.

Geeta noticed the way her eyes avoided direct contact.

Geeta (warmly): Adhyay… how are your studies going?

Adhyay: Good.

Geeta (nodding, trying to keep it light): Which class are you in?

Adhyay: Eighth.

Geeta (with soft smile): Which school?

Adhyay (nervously): Umm… Saint Paul.

Geeta (wide smile): My son is in the same school. He must be your senior. Maybe you both know each other.

Adhyay (quickly replying): No… I don’t have friends in school.

Geeta (softly): Oh! Okay!

Adhyay sighed. That seemed to ease the tension just a little.

The conversation shifted to random, lighter topics. Geeta tried her best to make her comfortable—but Adhyay’s guard didn’t drop easily.

***

With Saransh and Arth…

Arth’s car stopped outside.

Arth’s POV:
She said he doesn’t trust anyone…
Okay, no “adult lecture.” Just… talk.

He exhaled and honked.

After a few seconds, the door opened and Saransh walked out.

He stopped near the car, looking at Arth with a blank expression.

Arth stepped out and extended his hand.

Arth: I’m Arth Malhotra.

Saransh (formally accepting his hand): Saransh Sharma.

Arth (lightly): Come, let’s go.

They sat in the car. As Arth started driving, a silence filled the space.

Arth glanced at him once, then decided to start simple.

Arth: Which class?

Saransh (looking out of window): Tenth.

Arth (raising his brow): Wow… college soon.

Saransh (dryly): After school, it’s college only, I guess.

Arth (smiling little): Which school?

Saransh turned his head, finally looking at him—his gaze sharp.

Saransh (firmly): Am I asking you where you work? Which office? Stop beating around the bush. My father doesn’t even know all this. So stop the act.

Arth (shaking his head): That’s rude. I’m hurt.

Saransh rolled his eyes and looked away again.

Arth (softer now): Hey… relax. I get it.
Saransh’s jaw tightened slightly.

Saransh (after a pause, voice low): I don’t want fake sympathy.

Arth sighed.

Saransh (turning to Arth): Maybe my mother doesn’t earn much… but we’re happy.

Arth nodded, without interrupting.

Arth: Then let’s be direct. You want to ask me something?

Saransh (looking at his hands): We can talk at the café.

Arth followed his gaze and pointed outside.

Arth: That one?

Saransh: Yeah.

They entered the café and sat across from each other.

Saransh (declaring): We’ll split the bill.

Arth blinked, slightly surprised.

Saransh (firmly): I’ll pay mine. You pay yours.

Arth studied him for a second—then gave a small nod.

Arth: Alright.

They ordered.

Saransh kept staring at his hands.

Arth leaned back slightly.

Arth (gently): Ask, beta.

Saransh (exhaling sharply): This marriage… It’s a deal, right?

Arth’s expression shifted slightly, but he stayed calm.

Saransh: Mom will love your daughter… and in return you help her win my custody?

Arth: Marriage isn’t a deal. It’s like people coming together and become family. Like I will be-

Saransh (cutting him off, sharper now): I don’t want a father.

Arth (quietly): I know.

Saransh: Then don't complete it.

Arth (soft smile): I don’t know if I can be your superhero… But I can try being your friend.

Arth: Friendship doesn’t need age, right?

Saransh: …Why do you want to marry my mother?

Arth smiled faintly, shaking his head.

Arth: You’re her son… but right now you sound like her father.

Arth responded with sincerity.

Arth: It’s not about a typical marriage. It’s about not being alone.

Arth (slowly explaining): Me and Geeta—we can be friends. Support each other.

Saransh didn't react.

Arth (continuing): You get someone in your sport.

Arth: My daughter gets a mother…

He looked at Saransh.

Arth: And maybe… a brother.

Saransh (with Authority): And how do I know…

He looked straight into Arth’s eyes.

Saransh: …that you’re not lying?

Arth (gently, choosing his words): Bacha… I honestly don’t have anything to prove myself to you.

Arth (with small smile): But… if there’s something specific in your mind—something that can help you trust me… I’ll do it.

Saransh let out a faint scoff, rolling his eyes, but his fingers tapped nervously on the table.

Saransh: I don’t have anything in mind… for now.

Arth nodded slowly.

Arth (softly): Saransh… I understand. You and your mother have gone through a lot. I’ll be with you. We’ll fight this together… against your father—

Saransh’s expression hardened instantly. His jaw clenched.

Saransh (cutting him, stern and cold): Let me clear this.... I don’t mind calling myself illegitimate… But I don’t like calling myself his son. So be careful with your words.

For a second, Arth had no response. He simply nodded.

He hadn’t expected this level of clarity… or pain.

Saransh leaned back, closing his eyes briefly, as if regretting the sharpness. His shoulders dropped just a little.

Saransh (exhaling): I’m sorry… I know, I’m… way too rude. Me and my mom… we can live alone. But we can’t bear more pain.

His fingers tightened into a fist on the table.

Saransh (staring at nothing in particular): We used to wait for him… late at night. He would come drunk… and then… He used to beat my mom.

Arth’s expression stiffened.

Saransh: This went on for more than five months. Then one day… he brought another woman home.

Saransh swallowed.

Saransh (voice dropping): And did everything… in front of us… I saw him kissing her… in front of me and my mom.

Arth was looking at him, trying to read his pain and anger.

Saransh (chuckle, bitterly) When we told dadu and dadi… they blamed mom. Nana and nani did the same. When mom asked for divorce… everyone abandoned us.

He was clenching and unclenching his fist as if trying to grip something.

Saransh (flatly): Now we’re living our life… somehow. But he’s still not satisfied. Before... They called us a burden and now, Now, he wants my custody.

His eyes locked onto Arth again.

Saransh: And everyone is supporting him… even nana, nani.

Saransh (with bitter smile): Because I’m the “son of their family.” He has 99% chances of winning.

Arth sat still, visibly shaken. He took a moment before speaking.

Arth (low, sincere): I… didn’t know everything.

He shook his head slightly.

Arth: Geeta told me some things… but not all this. I promise… I’ll stand with you. And I’ll do my best to bring some peace into your lives.

Saransh looked straight into his eyes—searching, testing.

Saransh (in cold tone): I don’t trust you. But… yeah. We need someone right now. So I’m agreeing to this.

He held his gaze.

Saransh (trying to intimidate): And I swear on my mom… If you ever hurt her… I’ll make sure you suffer more.
For a second, the air between them

Arth (soft smile): You won’t get a chance to complain.

Saransh didn’t react much—just a small nod. His face was blank again.

All the emotions… carefully hidden back where they belonged.

They finished their meal in silence.
As decided, they split the bill.
Arth dropped him home afterward.

Arth’s POV: Geeta was right…
He grew up too early.
Not by choice—but by force.
What he had seen… no child should ever see. I can’t blame him. Not even a little.
He’s… delicate. And trying to be dangerous at the same time.

A faint, thoughtful smile appeared.

Maybe I was unsure about this marriage…
But now— He needs someone. And so does my daughter. They’re completely opposite… I just hope they don’t break each other more. At least… this might fill the emptiness in all our lives.

End of Arth's POV...

***

With Adhyay…

Meanwhile, Geeta and Adhyay spent some time together.

Geeta noticed everything—the way Adhyay spoke softly, hesitated before answering, avoided eye contact.
How easily she got overwhelmed.
How alone she seemed… even in her own house.

Geeta’s POV
Maybe… at first, I was being selfish. I was marrying Arth… just to win Saransh’s custody.
But now… That girl is alone too.
Both the kids, They don’t need responsibility.
They need love.
They need a normal life.
Not just for Saransh…
But for Adhyay too.

End of Geeta's POV.

She smiled with determination.

Geeta left for home bidding Adhyay bye..

To be continued...