Holding the baby securely in his arms, Krishav descended the stairs.

The maids cleaning nearby froze in their tracks, their eyes fixated on Krishav and the unknown child nestled in his embrace.

Krishav made his way to the couch without batting an eye at the staring maids who stood like a statue, unable to comprehend what's happening in front of them.

The silence was broken as one of the maids pinched her coworker's arm, eliciting a sharp yelp and snapping them out of their daze.

With anxiety, they watched Krishav's every move, unable to muster the courage to question their young master.

Krishav carefully settled himself on the living room sofa, cradling the baby in his lap. He bounced his legs gently, mirroring Prerna's morning routine to soothe the child.

The baby gazed up at his older brother, his tiny fist finding solace in his mouth, drenching it completely.

Krishav winced and delicately pulled away his hand, swiftly wiping it clean. The baby grumbled in protest, quickly resuming his suckling as soon as his hand escaped Krishav's grasp.

Krishav tugged his hand back and cleaned it once more. The baby again pushed his hand back into his mouth, making Krishav sigh and to tug back his hand and cleaning them.

The baby's giggles filled the room, harmonizing with the sound of his hand against his mouth.

Their playful tug of war continued, captivating the maids, who watched in awe. It was a sight they never thought they would witness - Krishav, their young master, engaging with a child.

The silent exchange between the two left an indelible impression, etching a memory of a lifetime. The baby attempted to free his hand, but this time Krishav firmly held on, evoking incoherent grumbles and a pouting expression.

Krishav shook his head at the baby's antics, gently squeezing his cheeks. "No, silly monkey, I won't fall for your tricks this time," he chuckled.

The baby grumbled for a while, but upon seeing Krishav's determined expression, he turned his attention to playing with Krishav's shirt buttons or reaching for his feet with his chubby hands.

Krishav savored every moment, his gaze filled with love as he watched the baby's endearing antics.

The nearby workers and Ramu kaka keenly observed every action of the duo, their eyes filled with curiosity

about the relation between the baby and their young master.

The sight of their young master interacting so effortlessly with the unknown baby left the few workers who knew the baby's origin in complete shock.

They knew Krishav's usual habits - his reluctance to trust new people, his preference for keeping a distance, and his habit of silently observing others' movements and perceiving one's thoughts while lurking in the shadows.

But now, watching him joke and play with the baby made them question their eyesight.

They pinched themselves repeatedly, hoping to wake up from this dream, but the reality remained constant.

Ramu kaka, unable to contain his curiosity any longer, cautiously approached the duo, who seemed lost in their own world, oblivious to their surroundings.

"Krishav baba," Ramu kaka called out, his voice tinged with nervousness.

Krishav looked up at the old man, sensing his anxiety. He softened his tone and reassured him.

"Chote Malik, are you okay?" Ramu kaka finally voiced his thoughts, amazed by Krishav's newfound affection for the baby, knowing well his usual aloof nature and his difficulty in dealing with small children.

"I'm okay, kaka. Don't worry. I already know what you want to ask. So, go ahead and voice your thoughts, and I will answer all your questions," Krishav said, while smiling at Ramu kaka, who appeared dazed by the sight of Krishav's smile, it seemed same as five years ago as if that smile never vanished.

"Chote baba, who's this baby and where did he come from?" Ramu kaka voiced, after coming out of his dazed state and reminiscing about the time when Krishav's giggles used to light up the entire house

"Well, Kaka, this little angel in my arms is my younger brother and about his origin I can say only one thing god gave him to us as his blessing and the person who thought of this blessing as a curse left him to us."

Krishav said, his voice filled with affection as he gazed at the baby in his arms. He held the little one close to his chest, feeling the weight of his brother against him. The room was filled with a sense of warmth and love.

As Krishav rocked the baby gently, the soft, swaying motion created a comforting rhythm. The baby's head rested against Krishav's shoulder, their skin touching, creating a bond between them. Krishav's head leaned against the baby's, feeling the softness of his brother's hair against his cheek.

Ramu Kaka's expression turned to one of shock upon hearing Krishav refer to the baby, whose origin was unknown, as his younger brother.

Confusion clouded his face as Krishav explained that the baby was a blessing from God, given to them, while someone else saw it as a curse and left him with them.

In Krishav's embrace, the baby found solace and security. He grabbed onto Krishav's collar, finding comfort in suckling on the fabric.

Krishav sighed, gently pulling the cloth from the baby's grasp. He lowered the baby and placed him on his lap, ensuring his comfort. Before Ramu Kaka could question Krishav about his mysterious words, Krishav interrupted, asking him to warm up some milk.

Ramu Kaka nodded, his footsteps echoing as he made his way back to the kitchen. In the nearby vicinity, workers tried to discreetly listen to the conversation or catch a glimpse of the adorable baby in Krishav's lap.

Krishav noticed their curiosity and frowned, shifting his body slightly to shield his baby brother from their prying eyes. Although he didn't believe in superstitions, he didn't want to take any chances with his brother's safety.

To divert the attention of the nosy workers, Krishav called out to them, questioning their progress in cleaning the living room. His raised eyebrows and commanding tone caused the workers to scatter in different directions.

Krishav sighed, glancing at the workers before turning his gaze back to the baby. The baby looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes, captivating Krishav's heart. Unable to resist, Krishav planted kisses on the baby's cheek and nose, eliciting giggles and a radiant smile.

Krishav couldn't help but express his adoration for the baby, "Why are you so cute, kiddo?? I have to ask mumma to apply Kala tikka on you. Tiny boo, you surely attract everyone with your cuteness. It seems I have to keep you hidden now. What if someone steals you away, huh?" He playfully teased. Krishav tickled the baby lightly, causing more laughter to fill the room.

Just then, Ramu Kaka returned with a bowl of warm milk and a spoon. As a single father, he was well-versed in caring for the baby's needs.

Krishav delicately took the warm bowl from his hand, feeling the gentle heat radiating through his fingers. Mimicking his mother's morning routine, he cautiously tested the temperature of the milk before proceeding to feed the baby.

The baby, quietly nestled in his arms, eagerly accepted the nourishment without a fuss.

As Ramu kaka observed the scene, he noticed how Krishav transformed from an aloof young master back to the same compassionate and humble boy who embraced everyone with open arms.

A smile graced Krishav's face, evoking gratitude in Ramu kaka towards the heavens for sending this precious baby into their lives. Ramu kaka reverently joined his hands, bowing before the idol of Lord Krishna in the temple, expressing his gratitude for this divine blessing.

At that moment, two luxurious cars pulled up to the Ranawat mansion simultaneously.

The car doors opened in unison, revealing the presence of the esteemed business tycoon, Ranvijay Singhania, and his elegant wife, Neha Singhania.

Another car held Abinash Malhotra and Anjali Malhotra, close friends of the Singhanias.

However, the children of both families were absent, having been taken by their bodyguard to buy a gift for Krishav, as a gesture of apology for making him angry the previous week.

Together, the Singhania and Malhotra families entered the mansion, only to pause abruptly at the sight that greeted them.

Ranvijay rubbed his eyes, trying to confirm that what he saw was real, and he wasn't hallucinating.

The once cold and distant Krishav Ranawat was now playfully interacting with the tiny baby, feeding him with a bright smile.

Suddenly, Ranvijay felt a sharp pinch on his arm, causing him to let out an involuntary shriek.

Before anyone could hear his outburst, a hand quickly covered his mouth, belonging to none other than his mischievous wife, who wore a cheeky smile.

Giving a mock glare to his wife, He Glanced at his best friend, Abinash Malhotra, the perpetrator responsible for pinching him. Ranvijay noticed the nonchalant look on his face, as if pinching someone so harshly was an entirely ordinary occurrence.

He tapped his wife's hand, still clamping his mouth shut. Who finally decided that Ranvijay won't be shrieking anymore and let go and distanced herself from the Tom and Jerry duo, knowing what was about to happen.

Immediately after being freed from his wife, Ranvijay forcefully grabbed Abinash and roughly tousled his hair, completely ruining his carefully styled look. Causing Abinash to let out a loud shriek as he tried to rearrange his curly hair back to their sleek look.

"What the hell Ran, my poor hair? " Abinash sulked out while trying to comb back his hair. Letting out a frustrated sigh, he tried to tousle Ranvijay's hair too, but alas, being shorter than the said man, he couldn't reach his hair, making him sulk more.

"Well, that's what you receive for pinching me, shortie" Ranvijay smirked and dragged a grumbling Abinash along with him, who complained about him being a giant.

"Come on Abhi, let's see what's going with our champ," Ranvijay spoke while pulling Abinash with him towards Krishav, who was already looking at them with a small grin, already acquainted with their daily banters.

The ladies giggled, looking at each other and shook their heads, watching their husband acting like toddlers. And made their way inside behind their husband, not wanting to be dragged in their silly banter.

With a gentle nudge, Ranvijay guided Abinash on the nearby couch, who grumbled briefly but soon got comfortable in his seat. The others swiftly settled themselves comfortably on nearby chairs and couches.

All of them sat in silence as they observed the baby and Krishav, who was fully engrossed in feeding the baby, paying no attention to anyone else.

Just as Ranvijay was about to speak, Neha quickly tapped his knee and signaled for him to stay quiet, cutting him off. Grumbling under his breath, Ranvijay calmed his curiosity and observed the baby nestled securely in Krishav's arm.

They watched as the pair, completely engrossed in their own little universe, sat together. Witnessing the enchanting bond between the duo. With every feed, Krishav's lips would part, mirroring the tender way a mother lovingly nourishes her hungry child. Just like a mother, Krishav fed the baby while the baby would respond in a similar way whenever Krishav would playfully tap the baby, he would gleefully flap his legs.

Once done with feeding the baby Krishav, he carefully wiped the baby's mouth and removed the bib, feeling the soft fabric against his fingertips. He moved the baby to his shoulder, feeling the weight of the little body against him, and lightly rubbed his back in gentle circles, hearing the soft patting sound as the baby burped up.

Again, he laid the baby in his lap and tenderly rubbed his tummy in a soothing circular motion, feeling the warmth of the baby's body. After making sure the baby was comfortable, he looked up towards his extended family, who were gawking at him as if they had seen a ghost.

The shock on their faces was palpable, and Krishav couldn't blame them. The Krishav they had known for the past five years was completely different from the one in front of them now - smiling, giggling, and joking with the baby.

They knew him as someone who was always afraid of babies, always maintaining a safe distance due to his fear of accidentally hurting them. So seeing him expertly caring for a tiny baby was nothing short of astonishing.

Abinash suddenly got up from his seat and touched Krishav's forehead, feeling for any signs of illness. "Huh, you don't seem to have a fever. Are you okay, Krishu?" Abinash asked, his concern evident in his voice.

Krishav frowned, knowing very well about his uncle's playful nature. "I'm okay, Abhi uncle," Krishav replied with a sigh.

"Then why are you... smiling? And behaving so normally?" Ranvijay spoke hesitantly, unsure of how to react to this sudden change. He wasn't sure if he should be happy or worried that something had happened to Krishav again and he's just pretending to be strong as not to worry them.

Neha playfully hit her husband's shoulder, though not refuting and silently agreeing with his inquiry about the sudden change in Krishav's behavior.

Ranvijay rubbed his shoulder, feeling the sting, and grumbled under his breath. "why's everyone hitting me today? " Though his words were low, they were still loud enough for everyone to hear.

Abinash's booming laughter filled the room, his infectious laughter echoing off the walls. Seeing his best friend being playfully beaten by Neha, it was hard to believe that he was the elegant and sophisticated doctor they all knew.

"Cause you're looking like a punching bag!" Abinash laughed again, and Ranvijay blushed, tugging lightly on his red suit, regretting his fashion choice.

He should have listened to his wife's advice about his terrible fashion sense. But wanting to prove her wrong, he had dressed up on his own. And now, here he was. "You..." shouted Ranvijay, ready to pounce on Abinash.

Before another banter could start again, the lively chatter filled the air, interrupted only by Anjali's voice. "Okay guys, shut up now, stop bantering like children. You are in your 50s now and Abhi, if you don't stop laughing, I will make sure you would only eat diet food for a week. "

The room was filled with the sound of laughter and teasing, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Anjali's interruption was met with protest from Abinash and Ranvijay, their voices filled with playful defiance. "Hey who's 50 years old? We are just in our 30s."

Neha shook her head, her expression reflecting amusement at their childlike behavior.

As Anjali playfully called them oldies, a mixture of frustration and mock indignation could be sensed in the room. Ranvijay and Abhinash settled down, their voices fading into murmurs of complaint. They couldn't help but feel a tinge of pride as they mentioned how young girls still swooned over them.

"Did I hear something about girls? ", the atmosphere shifted when Anjali's calm tone carried a hidden intensity. Abhinash immediately quieted down, sensing the underlying seriousness in her words. Ranvijay, knowing better than to provoke Anjali, stifled a snicker.

Krishav, observing the scene, couldn't help but shake his head at their antics. He had grown accustomed to their playful nature, their tendency to argue over trivial matters.

Neha offered a comforting pat on Abhinash's shoulder, silently expressing their shared dislike for diet food.

Krishav also smirked looking at Abinash, who pouted and grumbled under his breath for being scolded in front of the kids.

Meanwhile, in the background, the crazy energy had subsided as Anjali's voice took center stage. "who's this baby Krishav?"

The room fell into a hushed silence, eagerly awaiting Krishav's response.

Krishav's smile illuminated the room as he lovingly stroked the baby's cheek, the soft touch sending a gentle ripple of warmth through the air.

The baby, with his innocent doe eyes, stared back at Krishav, their connection palpable.

"He's my baby brother," Krishav announced, his words hanging in the air, leaving the group astonished and speechless.

The unexpected revelation filled the room with a mix of surprise and curiosity as they tried to process this new information.

                   *****************

What are your thoughts about the chapter?

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