Vinita and Gautam have orchestrated a surprise party for Vikram, who is completely unaware of their plans. When Vikram returns from the temple, he is taken aback to find Gautam, his family, and a handful of his college friends waiting at his home. Grateful for the gesture, he extended his thanks to his mother and best friend for organizing the event. The highlight of the party is undoubtedly Aaryav, Gautam's son, whom Vikram cherishes as if he were his own. Vikram and Aaryav share a strong bond, as the young one enthusiastically declares, and Vikram thoroughly enjoys their playful interactions. Throughout the party, it seems as though Aaryav has been quietly guiding Vikram as if he were giving him cues.

Vikram reconnects with his friends, and they have a great time together. After a brief while, his friends depart, leaving Vikram, his mother, Gautam, and his family behind. Meanwhile, Vikram observes a heated argument between Gautam and his wife. While playing with young Aaryav, he inadvertently overhears the dispute between the husband and wife. Although he senses that there is an underlying issue, he refrains from getting involved. Vikram notices Vandana, Gautam's wife, storming out of the house in anger, but he chooses not to intervene, prioritizing his friendship with Gautam. Ever since Gautam confided in Vikram about Vandana and her aspirations, he has held reservations about her behaviour.

Gautam sits by his side, sighing deeply. He looks at Aaryav, who is comfortably sitting in Vikram’s lap and eating chocolate ice-cream.

“Aaryav, phir se ice-cream kha rahe ho! Abhi kya cake aur ice-cream se hi pet bharna hai? Khana khaya hai tumne?” Gautam looks at her son.

“Dadi ne Rajma-chawal khilaya.” Aaryav rolls his eyes at his father.

“Arey, tu usko kyun dant raha hai, Gautam? Maine usey apne haath se rajma chawal khilaya hai. Usko ice-cream khaane de! Aur tum dono bhaiyon ko alag se invitation dun? Chalo khana laga diya hai.” Vinita tends to scold Gautam, which brings a smile to Aaryav and Vikram’s face.

“Ma, aap jaiye, hum aate hain.” Gautam replies softly.

“Haan, Maa, aap log shuru karo, main aur Gautam aate hai. Wo mujhe isse kuch kaam hai.” Vikram says that and asks his mother to have dinner.

“Tum dono na office ke kaam wahin chhod ke aaya karo. Aaj toh janamdin hai tera, aaj toh kaam chhod de, Vikram.” Vinita replies annoyingly.

“Ma, gussa mat karo, hum aate hai na, aap, Maa aur Papa khana shuru kijiye. Hum aate hai kuch derr mein.” Vikram convinces her, and she leaves the two boys alone.

Vinita sighs and lets them do their desired work but instructs them to join her for dinner in 10 minutes. The boys agree, and she leaves them in the hall room. Vikram looks at his best buddy; he doesn’t know how Gautam will take it, but he feels it’s high time that he intervenes between the couple.

“Gautam, bura na maano toh ek baat kahun?” Vikram asks seriously, and Gautam knows that he has some special agenda. He nods his head and lets him speak.

“Mujhe kehna toh nahi chahiye lekin agar tum khush nahi ho toh tum kyun iss shaadi mein bandhe hue ho? Maine tumhari aur bhabhi ki baatein suni thi. Lekin aise har waqt ladne ya jhagadne se toh koi solution nahi milega na.” Vikram says, and Gautam is stunned at the choice of his words.

“Main toh solution hi nikalna chahta hoon, Vikram. Lekin Vandana aisa nahi chahti. Usey bas apni parwah hain, meri ya ghar mein kisi ki nahi.” Gautam expresses his feelings, his voice coated with anger.

“Isliye toh main keh raha hoon ki iss shaadi ka matlab kya hai? badimaa-papa ko dekho, dono aaj bhi kitni understanding se rehte hain, pyar bhi karte hain, lekin tumhari life mein ye sab missing hain. Ya yun kahun ki Vandana bhabhi koi efforts hi nahi lagana chahti.” Vikram says, giving an example of Gautam’s parents only, he’s upset over Vandana because she’s the reason that his best buddy is upset.

“Kehna aasaan hota hain, Vikram. Aur agar hum alag ho bhi jayenge toh Aaryav ki custody toh Vandana ko hi milegi. Aur jahan tak main usey jaanta hoon, wo apni galti chhupakar, sab kuch aise batayegi jaise meri galti ho.” Gautam says dejectedly.

“Lekin jis rishtey mein pyar hi nahi, us rishtey ka kya matlab?” Vikram poses his question.

While he may come across as hot-tempered or conceited, he truly understands the significance of love, a lesson instilled in him by his mother who emphasized that love endures and remains unwavering. However, in the event that love diminishes and leaves one feeling adrift, he firmly holds the belief that it is preferable to end the relationship and begin anew. This is the core of Vikram's belief system.

He has shared the same thought with Gautam and the guy is thoughtful. Meanwhile, Aaryav comes running, calling them for dinner. He holds their hands in either of his and drags them to the dining hall. Kavya and Vinita glare at the boys.

“Ho gayi personal baatein? Ab thoda time hume bhi dedo.” Kavya says.

“Always, badimaa! Vo kuch zaroori baat thi.” Vikram covers up.

“Kal se ye baatein ghar nahi aani chahiye. Remind you two! Tumhara bas chale toh tum ghar ko bhi office hi bana doge.” Vinita chides them.

Vikram and Gautam exchange smiles and give their mothers assurances that they will set aside some time for them too. They gather around the table for dinner, and Aaryav snuggles into his father's lap. It's undoubtedly a heartwarming family gathering.

*****
In another part of Mumbai, there's a house which belongs to a retired serviceman, Jayant Saxena. He used to work for a big international company and had a very important job there. Jayant is blessed with two pretty daughters, Hemadri and Tarini Saxena.

The two girls really love their dad a lot because he raised them all by himself from when they were very small. He was like both their mom and dad. They tell him everything, even their most private thoughts. He's taught them to be brave, strong-willed, honest, and true to themselves.

Hemadri and Tarini are sisters, and they were born just 11 months apart from each other. They have a very special and strong bond of love. They stick together through tough times, but they also like to tease each other. Hemadri likes to make fun of Tarini by saying that she's older, so she has the right to tease her, but Tarini shouldn't do the same. Tarini teases her back, taking the advantage of being the younger one, this is how life is for the two sisters.

Their mom got very sick, and unfortunately, she passed away when the girls were still very young. Since then, it's just been the three of them, and they're a very close-knit family. No one else has the right to come between them.

*****
It’s night, and the house is quite silent. Jayant Saxena is pacing up and down in the hall room. He’s waiting for his daughters who have gone to a party. The girls have recently finished their exams and they’ve planned a party with their friends. It’s almost 11pm, and there’s no sign of Tarini and Hemadri.

“Uff! Ye dono ladkiyan bhi na! Abhi tak nahi aayi. Vaise toh dono din bhar phone pe kuch na kuch karti rehti hain lekin abhi phone nai kiya jayega dono se. Pata nahi, dono mujhe itna kyun satati hain.” Jayant murmurs to himself.

“Sahab, dono bachiyan aa jayengi, aap aaram kijiye.” their in-house maid, Asha tries to calm Jayant.

“Asha, tumne hi dono ko sar pe chadhaya hain. Hamesha tum unhe bacha leti ho. Aaj toh in dono ki khair nahi hai. Aur tum beech mein nahi aaogi.” Jayant says, he’s angry with his daughters.

“Main nahi aaungi, tab bhi dono bacha lengi ek dusre ko, sahab. Aap jaante hain na, aap ek ko dantenge toh duji uski dhaal ban jayegi. Hema hi nahi Tara bhi aisa hi karti hai. Aur wo dono ek baar phir aapko apni baaton mein uljha lengi.” Asha says with a smile.

“Lekin aisa kaise chalega, Asha? Ye dono jab bhi ghar se bahar jaati hain, mujhe toh bhool hi jaati hain. Main bhi dekhta hoon aaj dono ek dusre ko kaise bachati hai.” Jayant says in a determined tone.

Asha smiles, she knows the drill. Jayant would scold them, but both Hemadri and Tarini would shield each other, and pull their father into their banters, and the case would rest. They’ll promise him another time, and the drill will repeat again. Asha glances at Jayant, who’s peering out of the window to look for his daughters.

Meanwhile, a car comes to a halt, a few steps afar from the Saxena Mansion. Two girls hop out of the car and wave to their friends. As the car leaves, the two girls glance at each other. They’re no one but Tarini and Hemadri.

“Aaj phir se late ho gaya. Aaj pakka Dad se dant padegi.” Hemadri says fearfully.

“Maine toh ek ghante pehle kaha tha chalte hain, lekin in sabko dance karne mein maza aaraha tha.” Tarini makes a face.

“Kuch soch, behnaa! I am sure, papa must be waiting.” Hemadri says, thinking of an excuse.

“Car kharab ho gayi thi, isliye late ho gaya, aisa bol denge hum dad se.” Hemadri looks at Tarini, who glares at her.

“Dumbo! Pichli baar Sanju ne dad se yahi kaha tha, aur phir hum pakde gaye they.” Tarini reminds her of the excuse their friends played on their dad.

“Toh ab kya karein? Tara, please kuch soch! Nai toh dad bahut dantenge.” Hemadri looks at her sister, seeking help.

“Relax, Hema! Ghar chalte hain pehle. Kya pata dad so gaye ho? Be positive!” Tarini tries to calm her sister.

They enter the main gate and then inside the house. The house is pitch dark and no one's there.

“Thank God! Dad is not here! Main toh darr hi gayi thi.” Hemadri says cheerfully.

“Maine kaha tha na Dad so gaye honge! Dawai ka asar hai. Ab chal, am tired. So jaate hain.” Tarini looks at her sister and the two of them begin walking towards their room.

As they were moving ahead, a severe voice suddenly interrupted them, startling the two girls. They anxiously looked back and saw their father standing there, giving them a stern gaze. His next words left the girls in utter disbelief.

To Be Continued.

What's next in their lives?

Stay tuned.