Shipra & Sudheer were so elated to spend some quality time with their daughter and grandchildren. They were happy to see Ram and Priya together yet they could sense the distance between Priya & Ram.

Aryan & Amaira were running around the house and having fun with their grandparents. Peehu too joined them.

"Come on, kids. Get ready otherwise you will be late to school." Priya told the children.

Kids made faces and started saying, "We don't want to go to the school today, Mumma."

Ram smiled at their antics.

"You must go today, no more excuses." Priya warned them.

"Mumma, please we want to play with Nana & Nanu." Aryan requested cutely.

Priya shook her head in negation. "You have taken enough holidays already."

"Papa, please." Aryan reached out to his father when his mother clearly denied his request.

"Papa, please." Amaira and Peehu also joined. Ram smiled at them.

Shipra & Sudheer smiled at them for their cute antics.

"Let them skip school for today, Priya. We also want to spend time with our grandchildren. Don't be so strict with them as if they are preparing for IIT or NEET?" Shipra said in a humorous way.

"Priya, Mummy Ji is right. Let them skip school today." Ram added.

Priya looked at him in surprise for calling her mother as 'Mummy Ji'.

"Do not spoil them like this." Priya said before going into the kitchen.

"We are not spoiling them!" Ram defended.

"Do whatever you want to!" Priya blabbered.

"I will get the kids ready. Come on, guys." Ram told the kids.

Shipra also joined Ram to help kids ready.

Ram helped them brush their teeth and got them ready with Shipra's help.

Priya was wondering with the bond Ram & Shipra share. It was like Ram has been closely in connect with her parents after she left. She never imagined that her parents would be so comfortable with Ram.

Shaking her thoughts away, Priya walked inside the kitchen.

"I will go and freshen up." Said Sudhir and left.

Shipra & Ram gave bath to the kids.

After bath, Ram was taking out the clothes from cupboard for Amaira & Peehu. Shipra was having hard time with Aryan as he was not the easy one to handle.

"Aryan, come here. I will help you get dressed." Shipra was trying to get hold of Aryan. He was running around with just his underwear.

Aryan being mischievious is running here and there making Shipra tired.

When Shipra tried to grab him, Aryan hopped on the bed and started jumping.

"Aryan, don't jump." Shipra tried to stop him but he did not listen.

"Oh god! This kid!" Shipra sat in the chair, tired of getting hold of the kid.

"Aryan, stop!" Ram told but no use.

"Ram, please handle him. I will take care of the girls." Shipra said to Ram.

"It's okay, Mummy Ji. You please go and take rest. I will take care of them." Ram smiled.

"Are you sure?" Shipra asked.

"Yes." Ram responded.

"Okay then. It's time for me to take medicines. I will go and take them." Saying this Shipra went out of the room.

Seeing Priya, Shipra commented, "How did you manage the kids alone? It was so tough for me to handle them."

Shipra, Sudhir and Priya shared a smile.

"Aryan, get down otherwise your mummy will scold if you don't stop jumping on the bed." Ram said.

"Papa, I don't want to get dressed." Aryan said, still jumping.

"You have time only till your sisters get ready." Ram stated.

It took Ram some time to pick the clothes of their choice.

"Papa, I want a matching headband." Amaira asked cutely.

"Papa, tie my hair." Peehu asked at the same time.

Ram looked at them and scratched his temple. "Give me a minute. I will find your headband." Said Ram to Amaira.

Turning towards Peehu, Ram said, "I will tie your hair after that."

Peehu and Amaira nodded their heads.

Ram looked at Aryan who was in his underwear, and said, "Let me help you wear your clothes."

"No, Papa, I don't want to wear anything else." Aryan said.

"Aryan, no you have to wear it. I told your mom that I will get all of you ready. So, hurry up before she comes up." Ram said.

Aryan pouted his lips.

"Papa, my headband...I am not able to find it." Amaira sulked.

Ram was busy searching for a headband until he found one after a couple of minutes.

Ram looked proud and turned to Amaira. "Here it is, my baby doll." Ram gave it to Amaira.

"Papa, I want the pink one, not this." Amaira sulked.

Ram tightened his lips thinking it is not as easy to handle kids as it looks.

Ram was taking out all the stuff and did not realize that he was making a mess out of it.

Finally, he found the headband of Amaira's choice and then he turned towards Peehu and started tying her hair in pink tails.

"Papa, it's hurting." Peehu hissed in pain when Ram was combing her hair.

"Sorry, Princess." Ram was carefully tying her hair but it is not happening as expected.

"Peehu didi, look at yourself." Aryan started giggling seeing her messy hair.

"Shh Aryan! Do not tease her." Ram glared when Peehu sulked.

Aryan did not stop giggling.

"Come here, let me get you dressed." Ram tried to get hold of Aryan but he slipped from his grip ever so easily.

Aryan was jumping on the bed and making a mess while trying to run away from his father.

Peehu and Amaira also joined the fun by running and giggling as they tried to catch their brother.

Hearing the noises coming from the room, Priya rushed to see what was going on.

Upon reaching the entrance of the door, Ram bumped on to her while trying to catch Aryan.

Aryan slipped away from him but he stumbled and bumped on Priya.

Ram steadied himself and held Priya securely. They were sharing the proximity enough to hear their heartbeats.

Ram & Priya looked at each other and stood there with their eyes locked with each other.

None of them moved away from each other while caught in the moment.

"Papa, you can't catch me." Aryan giggled, pulling them out of their trance.

Priya stepped backwards and tucked her hair strands behind ear while turning her gaze away from him.

Priya's gaze fell on the condition of the room, everything was scattered and misplaced. Bed is a complete mess.

"What the hell is this?" Priya glared at Ram and the kids.

"Um, Sorry." Ram pursed his lips.

"I will help you with rearranging things." Ram added.

"Thank you but I don't want any more help from you. I mean, look at what you have done." Priya said, looking around the room and the messy pink tails on Peehu.

Priya shook her head with a hopeless expression.

On the breakfast table,

Everyone was seated on the breakfast table and having their breakfast.

Shipra looked at Priya & Ram and cleared her throat to initiate the conversation.

"Priya, when are you coming home?" Shipra asked.

Priya didn't respond and fixed her gaze to the plate.

Ram looked at Priya curiously.

"Priya...come home, beta." Sudhir said.

Priya looked at her father and asked, "Which home, Papa?"

"Our home, Sharma House." Shipra said.

Priya paused for a moment and looked at her mother before saying, "As long as I remember, I don't have any other house except where I am currently." Her voice was feeble and her eyes got teary.

"Priya, I know we left you alone when you are in need and asked you to move out of the house but we are extremely sorry, beta." Sudhir's voice choked and eyes welled up while saying this.

There was complete silence for a moment while kids were looking at the adults with a clueless expression.

"Priya, we are truly sorry for our behavior but let us not dwell into the past. You cannot just continue to stay here like this forever. Ram had realized his mistakes, we have realized what we have done so..." Shipra paused for a moment, looking at the change of expressions in Priya's face.

"So...what, Maa?" Priya asked with a stern expression.

Shipra looked at her husband and said, "Sudhir & I want to see you & Ram get married and move into Kapoor Mansion with your kids."

Though Ram was not aware of what Shipra was speaking, he was eagerly waiting to see Priya's response.

His heart was beating so fast and hoping for a positive answer from Priya.

"Papa, are you and Mumma getting married?" Peehu asked curiously not knowing the situation.

Ram looked at Peehu with a blank face.

"Yes, Peehu." Shipra answered.

"Yayyy!" Peehu was so elated.

Peehu turned to Amaira and Aryan and announced that they are all going to their house, Kapoor Mansion.

"Yay, we are going to the big house." Aryan clapped in excitement and Amaira too joined them.

Priya chided. Ram closed his eyes in disappointment.

"What happened, Mumma?" Peehu asked.

"Nothing, finish your breakfast quickly." Priya told the kids.

"Mumma..." Aryan was about to say something when Priya interrupted. "No more talking while eating."

"I am done... with my breakfast." Saying this Priya stood up.

"Priya..." Ram called but Priya did not respond.

Priya did not want to continue the conversation anymore. She badly needed some space right now.

After a few minutes, Priya informed, "I am going to Dai ja's flat." Priya left from there.

In Rajat & Daija's flat,

Upon ringing the bell, Daija opened the door and her smile broadened seeing Priya at the door. Daija likes Priya a lot.

"Come inside, Priya." Daija welcomed her.

Priya walked inside the house and settled down on the sofa quietly with her hand massaging her temple.

Daija noticed that there was something wrong with Priya.

"Let me make coffee for you. It has been a while since we had coffee together." Daija said.

"Yes, I badly need a coffee. My head is throbbing like hell." Said Priya holding her temple.

"Rajat left for the office?" Priya asked.

"Yes, he left a little early today." Daija replied while preparing coffee.

"How's Meher doing? I am not able to spend time with her these days." Priya said.

"She is doing good. She is also missing you a lot." Daija replied.

After a couple of minutes, Priya & Daija sat in the balcony area with their coffee mugs.

Priya was lost in her chain of thoughts when Daija grabbed her attention.

"How's everyone at home? I see your father & mother have also come." Daija asked.

"Yes, they are fine." Priya replied casually.

"How are you?" Daija asked, placing her palm over her hand.

Priya looked at Daija for a moment and said, "I don't know."

"What happened, Priya? Do you want to share anything about it? It's fine if you don't want to discuss and are not comfortable." Daija asked.

Priya was silent for a while. "It is a long story but people expect me to forget everything and forgive everyone like nothing happened. I am just fed up with a few things in my life right now. Just because they realized their mistakes does not mean I will forgive them so easily."

"I don't know exactly what happened in your past but never let your past ruin your present or future." Daija suggested.

"That's not so easy." Priya chuckled lightly.

"What is the problem now?" Daija asked.

"My parents are asking me to reunite with Ram and my kids would be happy too. The thing is I am not able to come out of the past incidents." Priya was fiddling with her fingers.

"Is Peehu your daughter?" Daija asked.

Priya nodded.

"What do you want to do?" Daija asked, understanding her situation.

"I really don't know, Daija. I am feeling suffocated sometimes." Priya said, anxiously.

Daija was giving her time to calm down.

Daija placed her hand on Priya's shoulder and they stayed there for some time.

After a while, Priya stood up to leave. "I will come back later, Daija. Thanks for your time."

"Don't thank me for this. I did nothing." Daija smiled.

Priya turned to leave when Daija interrupted.

"Priya." Daija called.

Priya turned to face her. "Ji Daija."

"I understand you are not on good terms with Ram now. Do you still love Ram?" Daija asked.

Priya stood frozen at her place, she did not know what to answer.

"Put aside what others want but think about you. Do you really love Ram? Do you want to reunite with him with all your heart?" Daija shot another question which put Priya in fix.

Priya did not answer and stood there quietly.

Daija waited for sometime and smiled softly before saying, "You did not say 'No' till now so take your time and think about your decision. I will always be there with you whatever your decision is."

Priya left from there, lost in her thoughts.

*******************

In the evening,

Sudhir and Shipra sat by Priya in the guest room while Ram was away with kids.

Shipra looked at Sudhir and signalled something to him but when Sudhir did not speak up Shipra thought of initiating the conversation. It did not go unnoticed by Priya.

"Priya, what have you decided?" Shipra asked.

Priya looked at her mother blankly anticipating the topic of their discussion. Priya remained silent.

"Get married to Ram, it would be good for you and the kids as well. Ram is a very good person; he will take care of you and the kids very well. We have been watching him all these days and we are very positive about him." Shipra explained.

Priya looked displeased and stood up from there.

"Priya...think about it. I would be happy too if you settle down with Ram." Sudhir's words made Priya stop.

"Papa, why don't you people understand that I don't want any companion in my life? My kids are enough for me. I don't want to get married to Ram." Priya finally spoke.

"That's not enough, Priya. You might not need a companion but your kids need both mother & father's presence in their life like every other kid. You have to think about them as well." Shipra raised her voice.

"Maa, please understand, I will not restrict Ram's presence in Aryan-Amaira's life and I will be there for Peehu. There is no change in that but I am not ready to unite with Ram." Priya replied.

Sudhir looked upset too.

"You must marry Ram and settle down in your life with your family. What will society think of you?" Shipra was disappointed.

"Really, Maa? Why do you think of society now?" Priya scoffed.

"Yes, I don't want anybody to point at my daughter's character." Shipra responded.

"Wow! Sorry to say this but you are being very convenient." Priya faintly smiled.

Priya added, "You have thrown me out of the house because you are afraid of what society talks about me and now you want me to get married to the person who started all of this because of the same society. Wow!" Priya was completely pissed off.

Priya turned towards her father, "Papa, you didn't even think where will I go if you disown me like that. You never realized that I took that drastic decision for you guys only. All you could think was I was wrong and it would harm our family's pride in the society." Priya vented out.

"Priya! We are extremely sorry." Sudhir fixed his gaze to the floor.

"We realized our mistakes and want to see you happy." Shipra replied with a sad face.

"I am really happy with my kids. I don't have to marry Ram to stay happy." Priya defended.

"Do you still hate Ram for what he did to you? Can't you forgive him for his past mistakes." Sudhir asked, trying to understand Priya's perspective.

"I am not hating anyone right now." Priya responded.

"Then what is the reason, beta?" Sudhir asked, holding Priya's palms in his.

Shipra was anxiously waiting for Priya's response.

"Papa, I do not want to rely on anyone. I can manage things on my own like I did all these years. There was no one to support me when I left our home. I was obliged to stay with Ram until I delivered the kid. Peehu was born and I could not think of staying away for even a minute. I was just carried away in the moments and got attached to Ram during that process, I fell for him eventually. I truly loved him even after what happened. Gradually, I started getting emotionally connected with Peehu and Ram. I should have realized then that he was protecting me and pampering me for his kid. I thought he would stand by me for a lifetime but little did I know at that time that he had his priorities set and that is NOT me. Ram decided to stand by his sister's side and did not even realize that he was hurting me badly in that process. I felt so bad and I could not stay there any longer when I found that I was pregnant again with his child." Tears were rolling down her cheeks.

Wiping her tears away, Priya continued, "I decided to move away from Ram. I feared that what if he finds out about my pregnancy and asks for custody, leaving me with nothing. He might have changed now but it doesn't matter anymore. He did not stand by me when I was in need. In fact, no one stood by me." She said looking at her parents.

"I am done, I don't want any support from anyone. I can take care of my kids and myself. That's enough for me." Saying this Priya walked inside the room without waiting for her parent's response.

Sudhir and Shipra stood in silence.