The piercing cries of a newborn baby shattered the stillness of the grand mansion, jolting both Krishav and Prerna from their slumber.

Prerna swiftly scooped up the tiny bundle, feeling the weight of the baby in her arms. She cradled him gently, her fingers tracing soothing circles on his back to soothe him before he made himself sick. The sound of his cries filled the room, echoing off the elegant walls.

Looking at the clock, Prerna's heart sank as she realized the baby must be hungry. She glanced at Krishav, who sat awkwardly on the edge of the bed, his face etched with helplessness.

A soft chuckle escaped Prerna's lips as she watched her older son fumbling with the bedsheet, a slight pout on his face. Krishav had never experienced having a younger sibling, and his lack of familiarity with infants was clearly visible.

"Kanha, could you please hurry downstairs and ask Ramu kaka to warm up some milk for us? The baby seems quite hungry," Prerna requested, her voice laced with urgency. Krishav nodded eagerly, his determination to ease the baby's hunger evident in his hasty movements.

Krishav's footsteps echoed as he rushed down the stairs and raced towards the kitchen.

Spotting Ramu kaka in the bustling kitchen, Krishav approached him with a sense of urgency.

Ramu kaka, taken aback by Krishav's unusual haste, stepped out of the kitchen to inquire. "What happened, Chote baba?" he questioned, his eyes filled with curiosity.

"Kaka, I need some milk," Krishav replied, surprising Ramu kaka.

Ramu kaka looked at Krishav weirdly. In all these years, only one thing hasn't changed that is Krishav's dislike of milk and suddenly he's asking for milk confused him.

Shrugging his shoulder, not giving much thought. Ramu kaka warmed up the milk and carefully pour it into a glass. Handing the glass to Krishav, he watched as Krishav hurriedly made his way back upstairs, clutching the glass with a firm grip.

Ramu kaka observed Krishav's retreating figure and couldn't help but wonder, "Did something happen?"

The other workers around him merely shrugged, unaware of the events from the previous day. With the festival and being too late at night, most of the workers were out or sleeping.

Only a handful of guards and workers were aware of the last night's happenings. Being the morning rush hour, no one got time to gossip and yesterday they all slept too late and obviously were late.

Failing to receive a satisfactory answer, Ramu kaka dismissed the incident from his thoughts and refocused on the work at hand.

Here, Krishav cautiously approached the room, the faint sound of his mother's voice reaching his ears from a distance. Intrigued, he peered through the crack behind the door, his curiosity piqued.

What he witnessed amazed him. Prerna sat cradling the baby in her lap, their joyful laughter filling the room. The sweet scent of baby powder lingered in the air. Prerna playfully tickled the baby, eliciting a chorus of small giggles that echoed in Krishav's heart.

Suddenly, the baby's lip quivered, and a pout formed on his tiny face. Prerna quickly reassured him, whispering soothing words. "Now, now don't cry, little baby hush, your Bhai has gone to bring you milk, shh shhh don't cry" Prerna's word shocked Krishav as he now stood in-front of the door.

Krishav stood frozen, his heart fluttering at the realization that he was now a "Bhai"-a brother. A grin spread across his face as he imagined the baby calling him that endearing term.

His daydream was interrupted by the baby's cries, and he rushed to his mother's side.

Prerna looked at her son with an unimpressed look who passed her the milk glass. "baccha, how do you think I will feed the baby?"

Krishav looked at his mom with a confused face. "With the glass," He spoke in the tone as if he was stating the most obvious thing.

Prerna chuckled at her son's innocence. "Kanha, look at the glass and look at the baby's face. Aren't they almost similar in size??"

Kanha looked at the baby who was already staring at him with narrowed eyes and a pout, as if saying dare you deny it?

Kanha gave a sheepish smile when he noticed the baby's head was almost equal to the size of glass.

Prerna chuckled, seeing her son's face, explaining that the baby was too small for that. She instead instructed him to bring a small bowl and spoon .

With her expert hands, Prerna skillfully fed the baby, while Krishav sat nearby, captivated by the tender interaction between his mother and the little angel.

As he observed them, a constant smile graced his face, grateful to have this angel in their lives. It had been far too long since he had seen his mother genuinely smile, free from the burdens she carried.

Prerna's voice interrupted his thoughts, calling him by his nickname, "Kanha." Krishav looked up, his mind drifting. Prerna sighed, urging him to freshen up before they shared a meal together. Krishav nodded, acknowledging his mother's instructions, and retreated to his room to prepare for the day ahead.

Prerna gazed affectionately at her son's tiny back, a radiant smile illuminating her face. She tenderly kissed the baby, their eyes locked in a loving exchange.

"Oh, my sweet little angel, it's been ages since I witnessed Kanha's joyous smile like this. Did you notice he was completely unaware of his own happiness while gazing at you? You truly are a captivating charmer, my precious baby."

With a gentle touch, Prerna playfully booped the baby's nose, eliciting a delightful giggle that filled the air. Smiling, she lovingly nuzzled the baby's neck, causing even more adorable giggles to escape as the baby playfully flailed his arms.

Cradling the baby in her arms, Prerna showered him with boundless affection, serenading him with a soothing lullaby that eventually lulled him into a peaceful slumber.

She gently placed the baby on the soft, floral-patterned bed and arranged the plush pillows around him, creating a cozy nest. Planting a tender kiss on the baby's forehead, she made her way towards the bathroom, her mind already filled with thoughts of the shopping trip that awaited her after breakfast.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, mingling with the sweet scent of baby powder.

Krishav sat at the dining table, his head resting against the cool surface as he pondered the events of the previous day.

Doubts clouded his mind, questioning the safety of keeping the baby. "Is it really okay to keep the baby? What if he's some threat?"

He mentally scolded himself for such thoughts, reminding himself of the innocent, precious bundle that had brought joy to their lives."Omg, what am I thinking? That's a little tiny baby. As soon as he came, he made mom smile with his presence" biting his lips he looked ahead "he's cute too, his chubby fingers are so small, and that pout is the cutest ".

His lips curled into a smile as he imagined the baby's chubby fingers and adorable pout. Suppressing a laugh, he couldn't help but find the little angel's expressions utterly cute.

As Prerna entered the room, her eyes crinkled with a warm smile upon seeing her son lost in his own world. Approaching him slowly, she tenderly stroked his hair, bringing Krishav back to reality. He looked up at his mother, wrapping his arms around her, seeking comfort in her embrace. Prerna's gentle touch on his head filled him with a sense of security and love.

Moving away from each other, they sat down for breakfast, the clinking of cutlery and the occasional soft laughter filling the air. Both lost in their own thoughts, their minds connected by the unexpected guest who lay peacefully asleep.

Once the meal was over, they made their way to the living room, settling into their respective spots. Prerna informed Krishav that "Kanha, I'm going to the nearby supermarket for sometime, the baby needs some supplies, in my absence take care of both of yourself. Don't leave each other alone. Stay together, okay, baby? I will try to come back soon, and Krishav, your Ranvijay uncle and Abhi uncle, would come today along with his family." The anticipation of their loved ones' visit added a spark of excitement to their day.

Krishav gently clasped his mother's hand, his touch providing a comforting warmth as he reassured her, "Don't worry, maa. I'm here, and I'll take care of both of us. Please don't stress, I'll handle everything. Just come back soon and stay safe."

Prerna planted a tender kiss on Krishav's forehead, her gesture filled with unwavering assurance, before she departed. Krishav watched his mother's retreating figure until she disappeared from sight.

Returning to the room, Krishav paused for a moment to contemplate. He settled himself next to the peacefully sleeping little angel. As he observed the baby's delicate features, he savored the imagery in his mind - the gentle opening and closing of tiny fists, the occasional kick of a leg into the air, followed by a swift return to slumber.

Feeling a wave of pain wash over him, Krishav closed his eyes, his thoughts drifting back to the previous night's events. He vividly remembered the woman who had abandoned the baby on their doorstep, leaving him drenched, wailing, and trembling from the cold.

The baby's vulnerability reminded Krishav of his own experience after his father's untimely demise. While grateful for his mother and their extended family's presence, he couldn't help but long for his father's comforting embrace, where he would seek solace and protection from the world's hardships.

Despite his young age, Krishav portrayed maturity beyond his years, standing resolutely by his mother's side, shielding her from any danger. Yet, every night, as darkness enveloped him, his facade crumbled, and he would find himself sobbing inconsolably, yearning for his father's presence.

In that moment, a soft yet firm grip on his finger snapped Krishav out of his downward spiral of thoughts.

He looked at the owner of the hand and saw the baby with furrowed brows and pouting lips staring at him

Krishav gazed into his baby's troubled eyes, the worry etched on his tiny face. With gentle strokes, he caressed the baby's cheek, soothing the furrowed brows. "Don't worry, little one," he whispered softly, his voice filled with reassurance.

"Your Bhai is perfectly fine. No need to strain your tiny brain. Besides, wrinkles wouldn't suit you at such a tender age."

Krishav playfully booped the baby's nose, causing the little guy to scrunch up his face.

Krishav laughter filled the air as he poked the baby again. But suddenly, a seriousness settled over Krishav as he looked at the baby, realizing he had referred to himself as the baby's brother.

"Bhai, huh?" he mused, his gaze fixed on the little one. "It feels right, even though I never imagined getting a sibling in this way. I've always longed for a sibling, and now, calling myself his brother feels like destiny."

Lost in his thoughts, Krishav stared blankly at the baby, who had grown irritated and tired of his brother's lost in thought look.

The baby grabbed Krishav's finger, eagerly putting it in his mouth and coating it with his saliva as he attempted to chew.

Unfortunately, his toothless gums could do little damage. Krishav cringed, observing his wet finger inside the baby's mouth, triggering his internal neatness freak. Hastily, yet softly retracting his finger, he wiped it clean and looked sternly at the innocent gaze of the little one, causing him to release a sigh of exasperation.

Taking a breath Krishav made his mind, he won't fall for his innocent eyes. He must teach him how much important is hygiene maintenance.

Krishav gazed at the baby, his innocent black eyes fixed upon him, two magnetic dark orbs making puppy eyes unknowingly, made Krishav sigh.

"Kiddo, it's not nice to suck on your fingers," he gently reprimanded. "Although my hands are always clean, bacteria can still be present. They can make you sick and give you tummy aches. It's important to focus on hygiene, you know, kiddo?"

The baby, uninterested and bored with his brother's hygiene lecture, mockingly suckled on his fingers while kicking his legs in delight, looking at his brother's crestfallen face after seeing him sucking onto his fingers.

Krishav carefully removed the baby's finger from his mouth, cringing as the baby wiped his wet hand against his own. Sighing, he securely lifted the baby into his arms and placed him on his lap. "I know it's my fault, lecturing a small baby about hygiene. But don't worry, kiddo, I'll teach you everything when you grow up," Krishav said, lightly wiping the baby's hand.

The baby giggled, listening to his brother's words, and babbled incoherently while waving his hands, as if teasing his brother and challenging him.

Krishav playfully booped the baby's nose. "I have a feeling, little guy, that you're going to do the opposite and be a brat. You would surely be responsible for my premature greying hair."

Krishav nuzzled his face against the baby's cheek, planting a soft kiss on his cute nose. The baby's tummy rumbled, making his presence known. "Well, kiddo, let the future be a mystery for now. Let's feed your tiny tummy."

Krishav slowly lifted the baby in his arms and, holding him securely, he made their way downstairs.

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To all my lovely readers, I'm really sorry for taking so long to update a new chapter. I just want to inform all my lovely readers that I won't publish the next chapter until I reach 100 reads or something close to it. This target will definitely increase as the reads per chapter increase.

Again I'm really sorry for not updating even after 100+ reads. Actually, I had one of my major exams in which I messed up horribly, so I wasn't in my greatest mood. So that's why it took me so long. I'm really sorry once again.

What are your thoughts about the chapter?

Any suggestions???

What are your expectations from the next chapter??

How's everyone doing??? Hope you all are doing well.

Have a good day/night.

Take care ❤️