Ram decided to head to the office, hoping to divert his mind with work. Before leaving, he asked his sister Natasha to pick up Peehu from school.

Amidst the bustling activity of the office, Ram found himself seated at his desk, but his thoughts were far from the tasks at hand. Priya and the kids occupied his mind, casting a shadow over his work.

As Ram was going through a pile of papers, Vikram, his best friend, entered Ram's cabin and approached with a concerned look on his face.

"Hey, Ram, everything alright?" Vikram asked, noticing the crease of worry on Ram's brow.

Ram managed a weak smile. "I don't know what's happening in my life." he replied.

Vikram raised an eyebrow, his concern deepening. "You know you can talk to me, right? What has been bothering you?" he pressed.

Ram rose from his chair, gravitating towards the window, lost in his thoughts. Vikram joined him, offering his support and a listening ear.

Ram hesitated, unsure whether to unload his emotional burden onto Vikram. But the concern in his friend's eyes was genuine, and Ram found himself opening about the discussions with Priya and the uncertain future ahead.

As Ram poured out his heart, Vikram listened attentively.

Ram felt a heavy weight on his heart. The turmoil in his mind intensified, grappling with the uncertainty of his future with Priya and the kids. His eyes reflected a mix of frustration, remorse, and a desperate longing for resolution.

Vikram observed his friend's inner struggle, recognizing that the complexities of love and forgiveness were not easily untangled. He gently spoke, "Ram, love is a powerful force, but it can also be fragile. It requires patience, understanding, and sometimes, sacrifices. Your journey with Priya is facing a challenging phase, but don't lose hope."

Ram sighed, his shoulders slumping under the weight of emotions. "Vikram, I don't want to lose them again. I've missed so much, and now, it feels like I'm losing them all over again."

Vikram placed a comforting hand on Ram's shoulder, offering support. "You won't lose them, buddy. But you need to give Priya the time she needs. She has been through a lot, and rushing her may push her away. True love withstands the tests of time. It's not about forcing things to happen; it's about letting them unfold naturally."

Ram nodded, absorbing his friend's wisdom. "What do I do, Vikram? How do I make things right?"

"Start by giving Priya the space she needs, respecting her decisions, and showing her through your actions that you've changed. Actions speak louder than words," Vikram advised. "But remember, love isn't a transaction. You can't expect immediate returns. It's an investment, and sometimes, it takes time for the returns to come."

Despite the chaos in his life, their conversation provided a glimmer of hope amidst the storm of emotions.

After their heartfelt discussion, Ram felt a sense of clarity and resolve wash over him. With Vikram's support, he knew he had the strength to face the challenges ahead and work towards rebuilding his family with Priya and the kids.

*******

Meanwhile, Priya found herself engulfed in a whirlwind of emotions. The once lively apartment, resonating with the joyous laughter of her children, now felt hauntingly empty, tugging at the strings of her heart.

Amid her contemplations, Gopal Kaka arrived to collect the luggage from Priya's flat. They exchanged pleasantries, and soon he departed with the belongings. Priya felt a surge of tears threatening to spill, but she resolutely blinked them back, determined to maintain her composure.

At a certain point, she found herself grappling with doubts about the decisions she had made, questioning the path she had chosen and the potential impact on her children. The weight of responsibility bore down heavily on her shoulders as she battled the silent struggles within.

Moments later, Priya glanced at the clock, realizing it was time to retrieve Aryan and Amaira from school. Stepping out of her now desolate apartment, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for the task ahead.

As she entered the lift, Priya was greeted by her flat owner, Prakash Gupta, who resided in the same building. Her mind raced with various thoughts, including the realization that she had forgotten to inform Prakash about the delay in rent payment for the month.

"Hello Prakash ji," Priya greeted him politely.

"Hello Priya. How are you?" inquired Prakash Gupta.

"I'm doing fine, thank you. I apologize for the delay, but I forgot to inform you that I'll be paying the rent this week," Priya explained.

To her surprise, Prakash revealed that Ram had already taken care of the rent and other bills, even paying for the rest of the year in advance.

"Didn't your husband inform you? I came to collect the rent like every month. You were not there that time and your husband had paid the rent and in fact he paid for the rest of the year too in advance." Prakash revealed.

Priya was taken aback, unaware of Ram's actions.

"It was good to meet him. He's a nice guy," Prakash remarked, a soft smile gracing his lips.

Returning the smile, Priya felt a pang of mixed emotions. Exiting the lift, she could not help but wonder why Ram hadn't informed her about this. However, she reasoned that perhaps he had chosen not to disclose it, fearing she might reject his assistance.

As Priya continued her way, the weight of unspoken conversations hung heavy on her heart, leaving her to grapple with the complexities of her emotions and the uncertain path ahead.

******

"Hey Priya," Rajat greeted as soon as he spotted her.

"Hi Rajat," Priya replied with a polite smile.

"Are you also going to pick the kids up from school?" Rajat inquired casually.

"Yes," Priya confirmed.

"Where is Ram?" Rajat's question hung in the air, momentarily causing Priya to hesitate.

However, Rajat didn't press further. "Let's go together then. I am also going there," he offered, sensing Priya's reticence.

Priya nodded in agreement, and they proceeded towards Rajat's car. The drive to the school was quiet, with Priya lost in her thoughts, her mind consumed by the events of the day.

Upon arriving at the school, Priya observed other parents eagerly awaiting their children. She stood there, anxiously scanning the crowd for a glimpse of Aryan and Amaira. Finally, she spotted them, holding hands and chatting animatedly as they made their way towards her. Mehar accompanied them, adding to the joyful union.

Aryan and Amaira's faces lit up with excitement as they spotted Priya. With their school bags bouncing on their backs, they rushed towards her.

"Mumma!" Aryan called out eagerly, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

"Hi, Mumma!" Amaira greeted, her smile infectious.

As they walked towards the car, Aryan couldn't contain his curiosity about his father's absence. "Mumma, where is Papa? Why didn't he come to pick us up today?" he asked, his brow furrowing with confusion.

Amaira chimed in, echoing her brother's sentiments. "Yeah, Mumma! We waited for him."

Priya took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully. "Well, Papa had some important work, so he couldn't make it today," she explained gently, hoping to ease their disappointment.

Rajat, noticing the uneasiness in Priya's demeanor, offered his support. "Come, we will go home," he said, encouraging the children to enter the car.

Priya and Mehar exchanged greetings, their bond offering a sense of comfort amidst the day's challenges.

******

The ride home echoed with the children's chatter, but Priya sensed their underlying concern.

"Mehar, did you know I'm playing football with Papa in the evening?" Aryan exclaimed excitedly.

"And we can play with my Peehu didi!" Amaira added, her voice filled with innocence.

Priya felt a knot tighten in her stomach, knowing Aryan's disappointment would be inevitable when he learned the truth about their father and sister's absence.

Upon reaching the apartment, Aryan and Amaira resumed their usual routine of playing and laughing, but their innocent questions lingered in the air like a heavy cloud.

Aryan furrowed his brows, his curiosity still burning. "When will Papa come home, Mumma? He promised we'd play football in the evening."

Priya paused, grappling with the complexity of the situation. "Papa has some things to sort out, so for now, we'll be spending time together without him. But he loves you both very much," she explained, trying to maintain composure despite the storm of emotions raging within her.

"When will Papa come home, Mumma?" he asked again, his voice filled with longing.

Meanwhile, Amaira, not fully understanding the situation, asked innocently, "And where is Peehu Didi?"

Priya paused, her heart heavy with the weight of the news she needed to share with her children. She searched for the right words, wanting to be honest with them while making sure they understand well.

Priya made them sit in front of her before she reveals the truth.

"Aryan, Amaira, there's something important I need to tell you. Please listen carefully and try to understand." she started, her voice quivering with emotion.

"Okay?" Priya asked.

"Okay." Kids replied in unison. With concern etched on their faces, Aryan and Amaira looked at their mother, waiting for her to continue.

Gathering her courage, Priya held their tiny hands in hers, trying to find the right words to explain. "Papa and Peehu went back to that big house," she revealed, her heart heavy with sorrow.

Aryan and Amaira's eyes widened in disbelief, tears brimming as they struggled to comprehend. "Are they not coming back here?" Amaira asked, her voice quivering with confusion.

Aryan's lip quivered as he struggled to hold back tears. "Is Papa not taking us to the big house?" he asked, his voice choking with emotion.

Unable to bear seeing her children in distress, Priya gathered them into a tight embrace, her own tears mingling with theirs. "Aryan, Amaira, please understand. We three are going to stay here like before, and Papa, Peehu will stay in that house. We will continue to be staying in separate places only," Priya explained gently, her voice breaking with emotion.

"Why are we not going to Papa and Peehu didi?" Aryan shot his question at Priya.

"Mumma, I want Papa." Aryan was not happy with the revealation.

"I want Papa too." Amaira added with a worried face.

As Aryan and Amaira continued to ask about their father and sister, their innocent questions began to grate on Priya's frayed nerves. Each repetition felt like a dagger piercing her heart, intensifying her feelings of helplessness and frustration.

"Mumma, I want to meet Papa and Peehu Didi," Aryan pleaded, his eyes pleading for answers.

Amaira echoed his sentiment, her voice trembling with uncertainty. "I want to see them too."

"Aryan, Amaira, please try to understand. I am sorry but it is not possible. Mumma will take care of you very well and whatever you want I will do it for but we cannot stay with Papa and Peehu." Priya stated.

"But why, Mumma?" Amaira asked.

Aryan was so stressed and withdrew his hands from Priya's grasp. "No!" Aryan shouted.

He continued, "I want to meet Papa and Peehu Didi, he told me he will play football with me in the evening." Aryan sobbed, his tiny frame trembling with sorrow.

Priya's patience wore thin with each repeated question, her own emotions bubbling to the surface. "Enough!" she snapped; her voice laced with frustration. "Papa and Peehu are not coming back right now. You need to accept that." Priya said strongly.

Aryan's eyes widened in surprise at his mother's outburst, while Amaira shrank back, startled by the sudden change in tone.

"No, I want to go to Papa. You are not good." Aryan bluntly said.

Tears welled up in Amaira's eyes, her small voice trembling as she echoed his sentiment. "Why can't we stay together?"

Priya's anger flared as she struggled to contain her emotions. "I said enough!" she yelled. "There is no use of keep on asking for Papa. Papa and Peehu will not come back here and we are not going there. You must accept that, okay?" Priya stated.

"No, I want Papa. I hate you, Mumma." Aryan ran inside the room. He was totally upset with his mother in the current situation.

Amaira too followed her brother quietly.

Priya took a deep sigh not knowing how to make them understand.

As Aryan and Amaira's cries filled the house, Priya's heart ached with a mixture of sorrow and guilt. She longed to ease their pain, to turn back time and undo the decisions that had led to this moment. But deep down, she knew that some wounds could never fully heal, no matter how desperately she wished otherwise.

******

On the other side,

After the school hours, Peehu ran out of the school and wondered when Bua came to pick her up from the school.

"Hi Peehu." Natasha greeted Peehu with a warm smile.

"Hi Bua." Peehu replied, her demeanor tinged with sadness.

"How are you, baby?" Natasha asked.

"Bua, where is Mumma?" Peehu asked, her expression filled with confusion.

"Mumma is busy so I came to pick you up today." Natasha tried to explain.

Peehu, unaware of the recent family dynamics, sat quietly in the backseat of the car, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of her mother and siblings.

Natasha glanced at Peehu, noticing the pensive expression on her niece's face. Sensing Peehu's unease, Natasha decided to strike up a conversation.

"Hey Peehu, how was your day at school?" Natasha asked, hoping to divert Peehu's attention.

Peehu sighed softly, her gaze drifting out of the window. "It was okay, Bua. Where is Mumma, Aryan and Amaira? Are they at home?"

Natasha was silent. Natasha could sense the longing in Peehu's voice.

"Tell me, Bua?" Peehu asked again.

Natasha paused, trying to find the right words to explain the situation to the young girl. "Peehu, let's go home and then talk."

After a while, they reached Kapoor Mansion. Peehu looked out and asked, "Why did we come here, Bua? Mumma, Aryan and Amaira are here too?" Peehu asked excitedly.

Natasha was silent.

Peehu stepped out of the car and ran inside the house to look out for her mother and siblings.

As they approached the Kapoor Mansion, Krishna, greeted her warmly. Her smile faltered when she noticed the somber expression on Peehu's face.

"Hi Peehu. How are you?" Krishna asked, concern evident in her tone.

"Hi Dadi. Where is Mumma?" Peehu asked her grandmother and ran inside.

"Mumma, Mumma..." Peehu was calling her mother.

"Aryan, Amaira..." Peehu was searching for them.

Peehu came back to her grandmother when she did not find them anywhere.

"Dadi, where is Mumma?" Peehu asked again.

Krishna and Natasha exchanged glances, their hearts going out to the young girl who was clearly struggling.

Natasha said, "Peehu, let us go inside your room and freshen up. Meanwhile, Dadi will prepare some food for you."

"No, tell me where is Mumma, Aryan and Amaira?" Peehu insisted.

"Peehu, are you not hungry?" Krishna asked.

"No, I want to go to Mumma. Why did you take me here?" Peehu asked looking at them curiously.

Natasha tried to calm her down. "Let's do one thing, you change and have something to eat. Meanwhile, Mumma will come." Natasha said.

"No, I will not eat anything until I see Mumma." Peehu said stubbornly and went inside the room.

Natasha and Krishna looked at each other helplessly as they wait for Ram to come home and handle the situation.