Hriday leaned back in his chair after she left.

Red saree.

The soft sound of her anklets still echoed in his ears.

"Idiot," he muttered to himself.

Why did he notice all that?

Why did it matter?

He had meant to say sorry.

Instead he... flirted.

And when she lowered her eyes shyly?

Something twisted inside his chest.

"She was going to meet someone special..." he murmured.

The thought irritated him more than it should have.

Meanwhile...

At the temple.

"Gauri beta, why are we here today?" Kishori asked gently.

"First eat this prasad, Maa."

Gauri smiled and placed it in her mother's hand.

"Okay, okay."

After Kishori ate it, Gauri stepped closer and hugged her tightly.

"Didn't you remember? It's your birthday, my dear Maa."

Kishori froze.

Birthday.

She had stopped celebrating it years ago.

Tears filled her eyes.

"Why did you take leave from work for this?"

Gauri pulled back and made an offended face.

"Maa! Stop talking about my work. You are more important than anything. You are my life. Without you... I can't imagine mine."

Her voice didn't shake.

It was simple truth.

Kishori placed her hand on Gauri's head.

"Durga Maa... please give my child every happiness she deserves."

Gauri smiled, but somewhere deep inside—

She had no idea that happiness was slowly walking toward her... confused, arrogant, and completely unaware of his own feelings.

Back at the mansion.

Evening.

Hriday checked his phone unconsciously.

Why?

He didn't know.

He stepped into the balcony.

Why hadn't she said where she was going?

Why didn't she defend herself when he teased her?

Why did she blush like that?

And most importantly—

Why did the idea of her dressing up for someone else feel so wrong?

He ran a hand through his hair.

"This is ridiculous."

But for the first time...

He missed her presence in the house.

The silence felt heavier today.