Peehu was getting better, having her mother by her side. Right from feeding food to dressing her up, she was getting all the pampering from her mother which she was craving for.

In the evening, Priya & Peehu reached the backyard garden while Aryan was having his afternoon nap.

Priya could not help but think about Ram's behavior today. She saw his weak and never-seen-before state. His thoughts disturbed her state of mind too. She does not want to go back to his life but she was surprised with herself when he is around.

Pushing her thoughts away, Priya decided to speak to Peehu on priority. They were unable to speak about this topic because of interruptions by some or other since afternoon.

Priya made Peehu sit on the garden sofa while sitting next to her.

"Now tell Mumma, why were you afraid? Did anyone scare you?" asked Priya anxiously. Peehu suddenly became gloomy.

"Come on, Peehu. Tell Mumma otherwise how would I know? Mumma is here to help you, right?" asked Priya reassuringly, taking Peehu's hands in hers.

Peehu looked into her mother's eyes. "Mumma, she told me that she will kill me if I tell anyone." Peehu said with a timid voice.

Priya was shocked hearing her daughter's frightened state.

"Who is that Peehu?" Ask Priya anxiously.

"Es...Esha Aunty" said Peehu finally uttered.

"Esha?" Priya knotted her brows. "But why Peehu?" Priya was furious.

"On the day of engagement, I told Esha aunty that she is not my mother but then Esha aunty came to my room. She held my hand tightly and told me if I opened my mouth then she would kill me." said Peehu with tears in her eyes.

Priya could not fathom how to react to this. How could someone scare a little girl to this extent?

Priya took Peehu in her tight embrace. "Nothing will happen to you, Princess. Not on my watch. Don't worry, okay."

Peehu felt safe in her mother's arms.

Priya assured Peehu and wiped away her tears before kissing on her forehead.

"Ram might not be aware of Esha's deeds. He is not that bad, at least. He will not spare anyone who could harm his loving daughter." Priya thought.

"Did you tell this to Papa?" Priya asked Peehu.

Peehu shook her head sideways.

"Why?" Priya asked Peehu.

"Papa was angry with me because I misbehaved with Esha Aunty." Peehu pouted her lips.

Priya made Peehu sit in her lap while engulfing her in a comforting hug.

"What are you doing, Ram? Why didn't you see that Peehu needs your support and love? Why can't you see that your daughter is suffering all these because of your hasty decisions?" Priya felt bad for Peehu.

"I don't know what's wrong with you. You were the one who was very stubborn to not into any sort of commitment and suddenly you want to marry Esha?" A frown appeared on Priya's face due to Ram's thoughts.

Priya kissed on Peehu's hair, saying to herself. "You can do whatever you want to but I will not let Peehu suffer at any cost."

"Mumma, Esha aunty is coming this way. Mumma, she will kill me for telling you." Peehu said in a frightened tone as she watched Esha approaching them.

"Don't say like that, Peehu. No one will harm you." Priya felt bad for Peehu's state and followed Peehu's gaze to see Esha who was a few meters away from them.

"Peehu, do you trust Mumma?" Priya asked.

"Yes, Mumma." Peehu nodded.

"Then don't get scared of anyone. Mumma will not let anyone harm you, okay. If anybody scares you or make you uncomfortable then you should tell either Mumma or Papa, do you understand?" Priya said.

"Okay Mumma." Peehu agreed and felt relieved.

On the other side, Esha felt restless seeing Priya and Peehu talking. She was making plans in her head to tackle the situation.

Peehu tightened her grip on Priya as Esha approached them.

"Wow darling, you are looking fit and fine now." Esha exclaimed looking at Peehu.

"You know how much you scared all of us. See, you even disturb your miss too." Esha said.

Priya glared at Esha as Peehu dug her face into Priya's neck, not willing to look at Esha.

Priya patted on Peehu's back and "Peehu, go to Grandma, Mumma will join you in 5 minutes."

Peehu nodded and ran from there without looking at Esha. Esha also turned to go when Priya stopped her "One-minute, Esha, I want to talk to you." Priya said in a serious tone.

"Peehu is fine now, don't you think now it's your time to leave. We don't need your service anymore Miss Priya Sharma." Esha said, crossing her arms below her chest.

"You are no one to tell me this." Priya retorted.

"Don't tell me that you are seeking an opportunity to trap Ram. Do not forget that we are engaged now." Esha said with a voice dipped with sarcasm.

Priya chuckled. "Esha let me tell you, I have no interest in Ram. I left him long ago and have moved on in my life." Priya stated.

"Then why the hell are you here? Get lost from here." Esha said venomously.

"Shut up! Let me tell you one thing very clearly, if you ever scare Peehu or even think to harm her in any way then you will see the worst." Priya warned Esha.

"What do you mean?" Esha asked.

"I know everything Esha. And you should better stop before it is too late to regret your doings." Priya said seriously.

"Oh, how predictable! Peehu told you everything, so what?" Esha said sarcastically as she rolled her eyes. "If you really love her so much then why don't you take her along with you, huh? In this way you can keep your precious daughter safer with you."

Priya crossed her arms and stood in front of her looking sharply at her.

"As I said earlier, you are no one to preach to me about anything. Take this as my first and last warning, Esha. If I hear anything about you from Peehu, you will see the worst side of me." Priya said with anger.

"What are you going to do?" Esha asked with a scornful laugh.

"I will tell everything to Ram. I am sure he is not aware of your real side yet." Priya said straightly.

"Ram and I are in a relationship. We are in love. We share everything. And you think he will believe you over me?" Esha said with a mocking laugh.

Priya felt a tinge of pain in the heart as soon as she heard Esha.

Shrugging off her unsettling thoughts, Priya tried to maintain a composure. "In that case, let's see what will happen if I expose your real face in front of everyone." Priya smirked.

"You know what, you are just jealous of me and Ram. He threw you from his life and now you are trying to use Peehu to be a part of his life again. This is all a drama of yours." Esha said, spitting her evil venom out.

Priya stepped closer to Esha, "I don't need Peehu to get back to Ram. I know Ram and I even know that he would believe my words. Okay, leave about me, do you think Ram would not believe his own daughters words?" She said confidently and Esha was losing her confidence slowly.

"You are doing all this to enter KM to have a wealthy life. You are just using Peehu's name to enter Ram's life again." Esha gritted her teeth out of frustration.

"That's your mentality, Esha, not mine. I can come back to his life again, if I want to." Priya's confidence raises temper in Esha.

"Oh really, get yourself a reality check. This will happen only in your dreams." Esha did not stay silent.

"Yes, really. I can be a part of Ram's life again and you have no idea how easily I can do that. Nobody in the house can do anything, not even Ram himself. This is my final call for you Esha. Next time you are going to watch me do it." Priya said. Esha got a little scared hearing Priya's words.

"What do you want to stay away from Ram?" Esha finally cooled down and asked for a deal.

"Nothing much, stay away from Peehu. If I see you misbehave with her ever again, then your life with Ram will just be a dream forever." Priya concluded. Esha irked and left from there as she did not have anything to say.

Kapoor family members were clueless why Esha left abruptly.

**********

Aryan was walking while rubbing his eyes in a grumpy mood after waking up from his sugary sleep.

"Mumma!!!" He kept calling his mother as he descended the steps.

"I am here, Aryan." Priya responded to him. He quickly reached the living area where he saw Peehu sitting in Priya's lap while everyone had their evening tea.

"Hey! Slept well? Come to me." asked Natasha looking at Aryan.

Aryan nodded negatively and went straight to Priya circling his arms around her neck.

He does not like Peehu sitting on his Mom's lap. Peehu looked at him blankly and adjusted besides Priya.

Aryan occupied his place in Priya's lap as soon as Peehu moved to the side.

"What happened, Aru? Why are you behaving like this today?" asked Priya, noticing his irritation.

Aryan said nothing and sat in the same position with closed eyes paying no attention to Priya's words.

"Answer me!" Priya asked again while others watched them silently.

At the same time, Priya's phone rang with Rajat's name displaying on the mobile screen. She quickly received the call.

"Haan Rajat." Priya responded.

Hearing Rajat's name Ram's expression changed into a furious one. Adrenaline rushed through his veins.

"When are you coming back, Priya?" asked Rajat from the other side.

Ram excused himself and left from there. Natasha and KK were glancing at Ram helplessly. Priya too noticed the sudden change in facial expressions.

"I will leave in a while Rajat. How is Amaira?" asked Priya.

"She is good. She wants to talk to you." saying this Rajat gave the phone to Amaira.

"Mumma, when are you coming back?" asked Amaira with a sulky face.

Hearing Amaira, Aryan raised his head and snatched the phone from Priya and said "Amaira, you know what, today I ate Burger, Pizza, Noodles and ice-cream too. Uncle has a very big house and a very big car. Uncle also had a very big garden." said Aryan breathlessly with excitement.

Priya said, "Aryan stop it, give me the phone."

Aryan nodded his head in negation.

"I will bring Pizza and a burger to you too." Aryan continued.

"Oh wow!" Amaira exclaimed.

"Talk something other than food, Aryan." Priya shook her head in disbelief.

Aryan pouted his lips at his mother's comment.

Peehu giggled seeing Aryan's face.

Priya took the phone from Aryan and said "I will come in an hour till then don't trouble Daijaan and play with Meher."

"Okay Mumma. Come soon." Amaira agreed.

Priya cuts the call once she finishes talking with Amaira.

"Let's go and play outside." said Natasha to the both kids.

"Aryan, be nice with Peehu. She is your sister." Priya said to Aryan.

"I have only one sister Amaira." Aryan said stubbornly.

"Aryan, Peehu is your elder sister. Don't be rude with her." Priya glared at Aryan.

"No, she is not." Aryan denied. Peehu's face fell off and her gaze fixed to the floor.

Natasha, KK and Priya felt bad for Peehu.

"Aryan, you are becoming a brat these days." Priya scolded Aryan and he got a little scared hearing his mother's loud voice.

"Priya, relax. Kids need some time to get along with new people. Don't get stressed about it." KK told Priya.

"Natasha, take them to the play area." KK asked Natasha and the kids went with Natasha.

"Priya, why are you upset?" KK asked, seeing Priya stressed out.

"I don't know what to do, Aunty." Priya responded in a low tone.

"Don't worry, they are kids and they just need time to be friends with each other. Forget about this and talk about something else. What are you doing nowadays?" asked Krishna.

"I used to work as a teacher in Peehu's school." said Priya.

"Why did you resign from there? Because of Ram?" asked KK.

Priya remained silent.

"I am sorry Priya" said Krishna with a gloomy face.

"For what, Aunty?" Priya scrunched her brows.

"What Ram did to you was wrong. I don't know what caused him to take such a horrible decision. I was shattered when he told me about his decision for the surrogacy child. It was not right and yet I couldn't do anything. Now all I can do is to apologize for his past mistakes." Krishna had tears while saying this.

"I know what Ram did is not worth forgiving. There must have been a lack in my upbringing that caused him to take such steps. I always wanted you and Ram together. I don't know what happened between you two and why you thought of leaving Peehu and Ram. I don't blame you for moving on in your life and having a happy family with someone else." KK said.

Priya closed her eyes for a moment but chose not to interrupt KK.

"I am happy for you Priya. I want you to live a happy life. I need to thank you. You are the reason for the light in our house, Peehu. She is everyone's darling and all of us love her dearly. She lightened up Ram's world with her presence. But sadly, there will always be a missing part in her life, a mother." Krishna said disappointedly. Priya swallowed a lump in her throat controlling her emotions.

"Aunty, Peehu is fine now. I should take a leave and you don't need to feel bad or sorry about anything. Maybe this is how it is to be destined." Priya told Krishna.

KK nodded in agreement.

**********

"Mumma!" Aryan screamed, grabbing Priya's attention. She made her way in the direction of his voice.

While playing Aryan fell down and Peehu quickly reached to help him to stand up. Aryan checked his wound on his leg. His dress got spoiled as he fell on his front.

"Aryan, this is a very small scratch. You will get well soon" said Peehu with a smile seeing his small wound. Peehu wiped off the dust particles from his face and dress.

Natasha who was drawing her designs of the outfits also stopped her work hearing Aryan's shriek. She too approached them after Priya.

As Priya reached near to them, she watched silently how Peehu was helping her younger brother.

"Thank you." Aryan said to Peehu.

"You are welcome." Peehu smiled dearly at him.

Priya smiled at both of them.

"Mumma! See I got hurt." Aryan rushed to Priya and she took him in her arms pacifying Aryan.

"Aryan, you are a strong boy. Stop crying now." Priya told him.

"His dress became dirty. Let me get some dress for him." said Natasha to Priya.

"No need Natasha, anyhow we are leaving now." replied Priya.

Hearing this, Peehu encircled her arms around Priya's leg. A fear gushed over her.

"No Mumma, please don't go." Peehu started crying.

Hearing the noises, Krishna and Ram too reached to their side.

"Mumma, you promised me that you will not leave. Please Mumma don't go." pleaded Peehu. Priya stood helpless unable to react anything.

"Peehuuu..." Priya looked helplessly at Peehu. She did not understand how to explain Peehu.

Making Aryan stand on his feet, Priya bent to Peehu's level holding Peehu's face in her palms.

"Peehu, listen baby. Mumma has to go. Amaira is alone." Priya tried to explain Peehu.

"Bring her here Mumma, but please don't go." Peehu said stubbornly. Priya caressed her head softly.

"Peehu, you have nothing to fear. Nobody will do any harm to you. Everybody is with you darling." said Priya.

"Let her go, Peehu" Krishna tried to make her understand. Peehu didn't seem to accept it and started sobbing badly.

Aryan looked sadly at Peehu who was playing with him and helped him a while ago.

"Peehu, please listen. I have to go." Priya said.

"Nooo." Peehu said and ran inside the house crying bitterly.

Priya looked at Ram who was glaring at her seeing Peehu's cry.

Priya followed her to her room where Peehu was seen weeping badly holding her toy.

"Priya, I don't know what you will do but I cannot see my daughter crying anymore because of you." Ram said strongly upon reaching her side.

Priya glanced at him for a brief moment before she entered Peehu's room.

"Ok...Ok...don't get upset Peehu. Mumma is not going anywhere today, okay." finally Priya agreed. Priya broke the hug wiping Peehu's tears.