Arth called Geeta late at night. The moment she answered, he could sense the exhaustion hidden behind her calm voice.

Arth: Hi...

His voice was softer than usual, almost hesitant.

Geeta (apologetically): Hello, Arth... I am sorry on Saransh's behalf. I know he must have behaved rudely with you.

Arth (soft smile): Don't worry, Geeta. He is just a child. Honestly, at first, even I thought he was too rude. But later... when he shared everything with me... I could feel his pain.

On the other side, Geeta froze. Her fingers tightened around the phone.

Geeta (shocked, nervous): What? Arth, actually... I never wanted to hide anything from you, but-

Arth (with soft warmth): It's okay. Really. I understand. And please don't misunderstand me. Earlier, I was confused about marriage. I kept wondering whether I should marry again or not. But now... I am sure. It's not sympathy. Not at all. I just... couldn't bear seeing him carry so much pain alone while pretending to be strong in front of everyone.

His eyes unknowingly turned toward Adhyay's room.

Arth: Adhyay does the same thing. She hides everything inside herself too. That's why... I wanted to give her a mother. Maybe, she will be happy again.

Geeta (with sad smile): I understand your words, Arth.

Arth sighed.

Geeta (with weak smile): Not just one, both children need us. That's why I finally decided to marry you too. Saransh acts rude to hide his pain from the world... while Adhyay is so introverted and scared.

Arth sighed heavily.

Arth: Nowadays she locks herself in her room and studies for hours. It feels like she's trying to escape into books.

Geeta: Oh...

Silence settled between them for a few seconds.

Arth: When is your court hearing?

Geeta: After ten days.

Arth (in serious tone): Then we should get married before that. We shouldn't take any risks.

Geeta (bitting lip): Hmm... I know he will probably win custody easily. Even my parents support him. But the entire situation could change if Saransh tells the truth in court... about what he saw.
Her voice cracked at the end.

Arth (gently): No. You shouldn't drag him into this.

He rubbed his forehead tiredly.

Arth: He is only sixteen, Geeta. Even though he acts mature, all of this is affecting him deeply.

At those words, Geeta finally broke down.

Geeta (sobbing): I know...

She covered her mouth to suppress her cries.

Geeta: That's why I decided to marry. Financial stability... the love of both parents... and if needed, I can expose his extramarital affair too. Then the case will become stronger.

Arth: Calm down, Geeta. Please don't cry.

Arth (calmly): I will ask the lawyer to get the earliest possible appointment from the court. We'll handle everything together.

Geeta wiped her tears slowly.

Geeta: Okay...

Arth: We should sleep now.

Geeta: Good night.

Arth: Good night.

The call disconnected.

Geeta walked into Saransh's room. Dim moonlight fell across his face. He looked asleep, but a mother's heart knew better.
She lay beside him and gently tapped his cheek.

Geeta (softly): Stop acting, baby. I know you're awake.

Immediately, Saransh turned and hugged her tightly, burying his face against her.

Saransh (in low voice): I love you, Mom.

Geeta (kissing his hair): I love you too, my life.

She brushed her fingers through his hair.

Geeta: But tell me one thing... why did you tell everything to Arth?

Saransh (shrugging): I don't know. Everything just slipped out. I was trying to calm my mind... and somehow I ended up saying everything.

Geeta looked at him.

Geeta: Okay...

Saransh (hesitantly): Are you angry with me?

For the first time, fear flickered in his eyes like a small child scared of losing his mother's love.

Geeta: Never.

She smiled weakly through tears.

Geeta: Tell me honestly... how did you feel about Arth?

Saransh cuddled closer to her chest like he used to as a child.

Saransh (tired voice): I don't know. You decide, Mom. I just... don't want to go away from you.

At those words, Geeta broke internally.
Tears rolled silently down her cheeks while Saransh hid his face in her chest. Just like always, his expression remained blank and emotionless, hiding every wound inside himself.

But a mother could still feel every pain her child never spoke about.
Holding each other tightly, both of them slowly drifted to sleep.

Meanwhile, Arth walked toward Adhyay's room.

He was surprised to see the lights still on. Adhyay sat with books spread around her, forcing herself to study despite her tired eyes.

Arth (softly): Baby... sleep now.

Without scolding her, he gently closed all her books and kept them aside.

Adhyay: Papa...

The single word carried so much hidden sadness that Arth instantly pulled her into his lap.

He hugged her tightly and slowly rocked her back and forth like a little child. Adhyay quietly hugged him back, silently craving comfort.

Arth: Gudiya, listen to me carefully. You don't have to study like this. Rest is more important than marks.

His hand rubbed her back gently.

Arth: I know my daughter studies well. I don't care about grades. I only want you to stay happy, safe, and healthy.

Adhyay nodded.

Arth could feel how emotionally drained she was.

Arth: You met Geeta today, right? Do you want to say something?

She shook her head.

Adhyay: No, Papa.

But the moment she hid her face in his shoulder, tears slipped down her cheeks.

Adhyay's POV: I miss you, Mumma...

Arth immediately realized she was crying. He gently kissed her hair and kept whispering soft comforting words into her ears while rocking her slowly.

Arth (whispering): Papa is here... don't cry, baby... you're not alone anymore...

Within minutes, exhaustion finally took over and Adhyay fell asleep in his arms.
Arth carefully laid her down properly on the bed and covered her with a blanket.

Then he lay beside her protectively.
Even after closing his eyes, his hand remained on her head the entire night, as if silently promising that he would never let her feel alone again.

***

The next morning at school, the atmosphere around both Saransh and Adhyay felt unusually heavy.

It was lunchtime.

Students laughed, chatted, and ran through the corridors, but Saransh walked alone, completely lost in his thoughts. His mind was a mess.

Custody case... Mom's marriage... Arth... a new family...

Everything felt too overwhelming for a sixteen-year-old boy who had already seen more pain than he should have.

On the other side, Adhyay was equally distracted. Her thoughts revolved around her late mother, Geeta, and her father's sudden marriage. Even though Arth tried his best to comfort her, somewhere deep inside, she still feared being replaced.

With tears clouding her eyes and her mind elsewhere, she accidentally bumped into Saransh in the corridor.

Both of them stopped.

Saransh looked at her sharply while Adhyay instantly stepped back in fear.

The frustration and anger buried inside Saransh suddenly exploded.

Without thinking, he grabbed her wrist tightly. Adhyay flinched painfully.

Saransh (furiously): What's your problem, nerd?

Adhyay's lips trembled.

Adhyay (stammering): I-I... I am... sorry...

But Saransh wasn't listening. He tightened his grip on her arm and pulled her closer aggressively.

Saransh: Stop irritating me and messing with me all the time

Fear instantly filled Adhyay's eyes.
Before she could even explain herself, Saransh pushed her harshly.
She lost balance and fell onto the classroom floor. Adhyay sat frozen in shock.

The loud sound of the classroom door closing made Adhyay finally break down.

She slowly moved into the corner of the empty classroom, hugging her knees tightly against herself as uncontrollable sobs escaped her lips.

Her entire body trembled.

Not because of physical pain... But because she already carried too much loneliness inside her heart.

The rest of the classes passed, yet she never left that classroom.

She simply sat there silently crying, wiping her tears again and again before anyone could see her.

After school, Adhyay quietly sat in the bus alone.

The moment she reached home, she silently walked toward her room, locked the door, and curled up on her bed.

Late at night, Arth finally returned home after work.

After getting fresh, he sat in the living area with his laptop, trying to finish some work.

Just then, a servant came

Servant (Hesitating): Sir... since evening... I mean, from the moment Adhyay returned from school, she locked herself in her room. She didn't even eat anything.

Arth immediately looked up. Without wasting another second, he quickly walked toward her room and knocked several times.

Arth: Princess? Open the door, baby.

No response.

His heartbeat started rising.

He immediately went to his room, took the spare key to her room, and unlocked the door.

Adhyay was asleep on the bed. Her face was red from crying. Tear stains covered her cheeks. Her nose was slightly pink, and even in sleep, she looked emotionally exhausted.

Arth's POV: What happened to my baby...? Is my marriage affecting her this much? Maybe I made a mistake... I should talk to Mom. I'll refuse this marriage. I am sorry, Geeta... I wanted this marriage for Adhyay's happiness, but maybe she isn't happy at all...

He sat beside her and shook her gently.

Arth (softly): Princess...

Adhyay woke up with a jerk, panic instantly visible on her face.

Arth immediately held her hands gently
.
Arth: Shhh... calm down, baby. Papa is here.
The moment she heard his voice, Adhyay quickly hugged him tightly.

Arth wrapped his arms around her protectively.

Arth: What happened, baby? Is something troubling you?

His voice was full of concern.

Arth: Tell Papa. I promise I'll solve everything. Please say something.

Adhyay's eyes widened slightly.

Adhyay's POV: If I tell Papa everything, he'll complain in school... and Saransh is the trustee's son... No... I can't...

Arth kissed her forehead softly.

Arth: Say something, Princess.

Adhyay lowered her gaze immediately.

Adhyay: Nothing, Papa...

Arth sighed heavily.

Arth (slightly stern): This is not an answer, baby. Every time you say "nothing." Tell me what happened.

Adhyay flinched in fear. The moment Arth noticed it, guilt crashed over him.
He immediately cupped her face gently.

Arth (softly): I'm sorry... I'm sorry, baby.

Arth: But nothing matters more to me than you. I just want my daughter to stay happy.

His thumb wiped her tears lovingly.

Arth: Tell Papa... what happened?

Adhyay (whispered softly): I miss Mumma...

Arth's heart broke hearing those words.
He pulled her into his lap and hugged her tightly.

Arth (broken voice): I'm sorry...

His eyes turned teary.

Arth: I tried to become both your Papa and Mumma... but I couldn't.

Adhyay hugged him tighter.
Arth hugged her back while silently wiping his own tears before she could notice them. He kissed her hair gently.

Arth: Don't worry... maybe not a Mumma... but a friend will come into your life soon.

He smiled softly.

Arth: Geeta can become your friend, right?

Adhyay slowly nodded.

Arth: Good girl. Now let's go eat dinner.

Before she could protest, Arth lifted her in his arms.

For the first time that day, a tiny smile appeared on Adhyay's face.

That night, he spent extra time with her, trying his best to make her smile again.

***

Two days passed.

And during those two days, Saransh continued bullying Adhyay in school.

Every time she saw him coming toward her, fear would instantly appear in her eyes.

And somehow, seeing that fear gave temporary relief to Saransh's own broken emotions.

Finally, the day of Arth and Geeta's marriage arrived.

***

Both children stayed home from school that day.

Arth's mother had already arrived at his house early in the morning.

After getting ready, everyone left for the court.

Neither Saransh nor Adhyay knew the truth about their new relationship yet.
Geeta and Saransh reached the court first.

They waited outside. Saransh looked unusually restless.

Saransh: Everything will be fine, Mom... right?

Geeta: Yes, baby. Don't worry.

Saransh nodded.

After a moment, Geeta spoke again.

Geeta: Listen... Arth's daughter is coming too. Don't behave rudely with her, okay?

Saransh looked away casually.
Saransh: Yeah...

A minute later, the Malhotra family arrived.

The moment Saransh and Adhyay saw each other-

Both froze in complete shock.

Adhyay's face instantly turned pale.

While Saransh stared at her in disbelief.

A smirk appeared on his lips.

Adhyay instantly grew scared seeing it.
But before anyone else could notice, Saransh quickly hid his expression.
Meanwhile, Arth and Geeta smiled softly at each other.

Geeta respectfully took blessings from Arth's mother.

Then she turned toward Saransh.

Geeta: Baby, take blessings too.

Saransh obediently bent down and touched her feet.

Adhyay silently stood behind Arth, clutching his hand tightly in fear while Saransh's eyes remained fixed on her.

To Be Continued...