The next morning, Gauri woke up and found Hriday already awake... smiling at her.

"Oh my God! I'm late!"

She quickly looked at the clock and gasped.

Without letting him finish whatever he was about to say, she pushed him lightly and jumped out of bed, rushing into the washroom.

A few seconds later—

"Hrid— Hriday! Are you there?" her voice echoed from inside.

He smiled. She must have forgotten something.

"Yes," he replied, walking toward the bathroom door.

"Can you pass me my bathrobe? I forgot it."

"Of course," he said casually. "Only if you let me take a bath with you."

Gauri laughed from inside. Then, in a playful tone—

"Dear husband, you remember I'm on my period, right?"

"I know, sweetheart. I even set a reminder in my calendar. So next time, I can take better care of you."

Her smile softened at his thoughtfulness.

She slowly opened the door slightly to take the robe—

But he was gone.

She blinked.

He had already left.

For a strange reason, her mood dipped instantly.

Maybe he doesn't like me that way, she thought.

She finished getting ready for work and stepped out of the room.

Maithili was sitting in the living room watching TV.

"Gauri, did you have breakfast?" she asked warmly.

"N-no, Aunty. I'm running late. I'll eat something outside."

"Absolutely not. Come, sit. Have breakfast first. Work can wait," Maithili insisted, gently guiding her toward the dining table.

Gauri hesitated.

"No, Aunty, I'm—"

"Gauri, listen to mom. She won't say anything wrong."

Hriday's voice came from behind.

He walked in and took his seat.

Gauri shot him a glare.

He quietly looked away.

"See? Even Hriday is saying the same," Maithili added.

Gauri lowered her eyes.

"But Aunty... I'm not part of the family. I can't sit at the same table as you all."

The words hit harder than she realized.

Hriday stiffened.

He could see the hurt behind her words. He wanted to give her all the love, all the belonging she deserved — but she kept building invisible walls.

Maithili misunderstood her completely.

"Gauri, we are family. I've told you many times — we are your family now," she said softly, a little hurt.

"I know, Aunty. I'll eat. Please don't feel sad," Gauri replied quickly.

Breakfast continued in silence. Shikar had already left for an early meeting.

Hriday quietly observed his mother and wife talking comfortably with each other.

For a second, he felt left out.

"You know, Gauri, my best friend is coming this weekend," Maithili suddenly said.

Gauri immediately looked at him.

Maithili, however, continued speaking.

"You know, Gauri, Sanjana and I have been best friends since college. We're like two peas in a pod. I don't know why Shikar doesn't like her much. She's bold, confident... unlike me. She has achieved so much in life. She's a lawyer."

There was a faint sadness in her voice.

Hriday noticed it.

"Mom, that's called being a divorce specialist," he teased lightly.

Maithili frowned.

"Why do you say it like that? Why do we even need a divorce specialist? Because today's generation is impatient. They get bored of each other too easily. In the end, they choose separation. My best friend only helps them legally. That's her work."

Hriday fell silent.

Maithili continued calmly.

"You and your father own a big automobile company. Many people die in road accidents. Should you stop manufacturing cars just because accidents happen?"

Hriday looked up.

"No, Mom. Not everything is in our hands. But there are things we can control to reduce accidents."

"Yes," she nodded. "Exactly."

A subtle lesson hung in the air.

Relationships, too, need control... effort... patience.

They finished breakfast quietly.

But something deeper had shifted between all three of them.

Gauri stepped into the employee lift, adjusting the strap of her bag on her shoulder. The doors closed, and she let out a slow breath she didn't realize she had been holding.

"University..." she whispered to herself.

Her heart felt... full.

Hriday had remembered. Not just remembered — he had planned everything quietly.

The lift stopped at her floor. As soon as she stepped out, a few employees greeted her.

"Good morning, ma'am."

She smiled politely. "Good morning."

Inside his cabin upstairs, Hriday stood near the glass window, watching the city skyline of Chandigarh. His expression had changed — no teasing smile now. Just something thoughtful.

He took out his phone and dialled a number.

"Dad."

On the other end, Shikar Singh Shekhawat answered.

"Yes, Hriday?"

"I admitted her today."

There was silence for a second.

"Does she know...?" his father asked carefully.

"No," Hriday replied quietly. "And I want to keep it that way."

Meanwhile, downstairs, Gauri entered her small office cabin. Compared to Hriday's luxurious VIP floor, her workspace was simple.

And she preferred it that way.

She sat down, but her mind replayed the elevator moment.

"We are..." he had whispered in her ear.

Her cheeks warmed instantly.

"Idiot," she muttered softly — though the smile on her lips betrayed her.

Just then, her colleague Neha leaned against the door.

"Gauri, the boss came early today. Did you see him?"

Gauri froze for half a second.

"Mm. I saw him."

Neha sighed dramatically. "He is so handsome. If he ever looks at me once, I'll faint."

Gauri's eyebrows lifted.

"Oh? Really?"

"Of course! Every girl in this office likes him. But he doesn't even look at anyone properly."

Gauri felt something strange bloom inside her chest.

Pride.

Possessiveness.

Warmth.

"He's married," she said calmly.

Neha gasped. "What?! No way!"

"Yes way," Gauri replied, trying to keep her expression neutral.

Neha narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "How do you know?"

Gauri paused.

Because I'm his wife.

But she simply said, "I just know."

Upstairs, Hriday suddenly smirked while signing a file.

He didn't know why... but he felt like somewhere downstairs, his wife was defending his honor.

And he liked the idea.

Very much.

At lunch Shikar glare at his wife.

Hriday understands the meaning of this glare of his father.

" Dad stop glaring at Mom from time to time."

Hriday said. Maithili is freely eating avoiding her husband's glare.

" Hriday, you didn't know what your mom did!?"

Shikar said.

" I know today, Sanjana aunty and the Ranawat family is coming for dinner."

" Look you to know about this but why I am getting the news today!?"

" Cause you will make a fuss like you are doing now..."

Maithili said stopped eating and putting the spoon down.

" Oh, really you think about me like this...!"

" Yes, Shikar and I wanted you to behave well with them. Otherwise, I am going to Sister's home..."

" Why you are going Sister's home!"

Shikar asked in irritation.

" I am missing her."

" You aren't missing Maasi Mom, you wanted to punish Dad!"

Hriday spoke.

" Whatever your dad thinks Hriday!"

Maithili said.

" Maithili you aren't going anywhere and that's final."

Shikar stood up and left from there.

" Mom what do you think Dad will be present at dinner or not!?"

Hriday asked in curiously.

" He will."

Maithili said with a small smirked on her face.

Hriday completes his lunch and Maithili too.

At evening Gauri worn a beautiful blue kurta and she opened her hair.

She brought coffee for Hriday in his room.

She waited until Hriday came out from his bathroom only wearing his pants.

He seems like he just did his skin care.

Gauri looked at her and her periods gave her trigger.

She is feeling you know horny.

" Sweetheart what a surprise coffee for husband huh!?"

Hriday said and came near her.

Gauri gulped and took a few steps back.

Hriday pulled her close. Gauri shook her head.

" Why!?"

Hriday asked.

" Wear your clothes first otherwise I will leave from here."

" Am I standing here naked!?"

Hriday asked rising his eyebrows.

" Hriday!! Stop being shameless!!"

Gauri said in red cheeks.

" Ok ok I am wearing. But you have to help."

Hriday said. He brought his shirt and told Gauri to make him wear that.

" I can't."

Gauri refused feeling shy.

" Then I will also not wear anything and stay like this Infront of you and don't dare to leave, if you leave the room then I will come behind you and all the staff will see us together then you know ....and your promise me to help me with something remember!?"

" Ok ok I am helping you."

Gauri said making him wear the shirt.

Hriday smiled feeling her hands trembling.

He enjoys how she gets nervous with their closeness.

" Sweetheart stop being nervous you will the one who will touch me in present and in future too... You will be the one who will claim me soul and body."

" Hriday."

Gauri said in soft voice. She came forward and Hriday pulled her close near his bare chest. His shirt is hanging on his arms.

" Sweetheart you get too shy when I talked like this you know I like your shyness so much but now, please button up all the buttons."

Hriday said.

" Y-yes."

Gauri immediately tried button up the shirt.

Hriday chuckled at her behaviour and kissed her hair.

" You make me feel so many things which I never experience."

Hriday said holding her in her arms.

Gauri closed her eyes feeling the weight of his talks. He really loves her too much.

" Now leave me and go Mom and Dad must be waiting."

Gauri said. Hriday held her shoulder firmly.

" Sweetheart I wanted to tell you something you know who is coming for dinner today!"

Hriday asked. Gauri nodded.

" Yes, Mom's best friend Sanjana aunty."

Gauri said.

" And her brother Dhiraj Ranawat and her niece Disha Ranawat too."

Hriday spoke with bitterness.

" Oh."

Gauri nodded.

" Gauri now I am going to tell you something and I want you to believe in me."

Gauri frowned at his comment but eventually nodded.

" Sweetheart Mom wanted me to marry that, Disha."

Hriday said. Gauri looked at him dumbfounded.

" Sweetheart that was past, you remember that day when we came here for first time that day their whole family came for this relationship but I refused. I know what are you feeling right now but I wanted to clear this to you that later no misunderstanding happened between us."

Hriday said. Gauri nodded.

" I only love you sweetheart, I only dream about you sweetheart, I only breath for you sweetheart... only for you."

Hriday said.

Gauri gulped feeling his love.

Gauri cupped his face and kissed his forehead.

" I think you know my answer, Hriday."

Gauri said pulling away from the kiss.

Hriday nodded and attached their forehead together.

"But I wanted to hear it from your sweet voice."

Hriday said.

"Hriday-"

Knock

Hriday looked at the door in annoyed.

"What??!!!"

"Sir Maithili mam is calling you...!"

A servant said.

"Hmm."

Hriday said. Gauri slightly pulled away from his embrace.

"Go Mom must be waiting."

Gauri said.

"Yeah, probably they came"

Hriday said.

"But I will wait for your reply sweetheart."

Hriday said before going out. Gauri smiled at him.

The dinner table is set beautifully, with soft lighting and a variety of dishes filling the room. The delicious aroma of veg biryani and kebabs fill the air, making everyone's stomach growl. Maithili is in the kitchen, instructing the staff to arrange the table. She looks around the house, anxiously but excitedly preparing for the family dinner.

Shikar, her husband, walks into the dining room. His face is tense, and there's a trace of irritation in his expression.

"Maithili, I'm not happy about this. You know that, right?"

Maithili turns to face him, her expression calm but concerned.

"We talked about this, Shikar, right? I know. But sometimes, we need to let go of the past. It's time for us to heal as a family."

Shikar sighs clearly not convinced. Still, for Maithili's sake, he agrees to sit down for dinner, even though he's far from meeting the family. He doesn't like Sanjana, and that is true.

The doorbell rings, breaking the silence. Maithili quickly rushes to open it. Standing at the door are Sanjana, Dhiraj, and Disha. Dhiraj holds a bouquet of flowers and steps inside. Maithili smiles warmly, accepting the flowers.

"Thank you, Bhai Sahab. You didn't have to do that."

"I wanted to. It's the least I could do."

As they enter, Disha's eyes immediately search for Hriday. Disha has always been drawn to Hriday's wealth and fame, and she's not shy about showing her interest. Maithili notices this but says nothing.

They all make their way to the dining table, where Shikar is sitting with a neutral expression. Dhiraj stands awkwardly for a moment before taking a seat.

"Where is Hriday, Aunty?"

"He is-"

Hriday walks down the stairs wearing a black shirt and black pants. His hair is slightly wet, maybe from a shower. His chest is visible because two buttons on his shirt are open. He gives them a gentle yet forced smile and sits beside his father.

"Hello, Aunty!"

"Hello to you too, Hriday. It's like you forgot your aunty. Didn't you remember I was the one who brought you chocolate before your examination and the small family misunderstanding happened, and you just disappeared? No calls..."

"No, Aunty, you know workloads nowadays. Ask Mr. Ranawat; he'll know, as a businessman."

Dhiraj, who is unhappy but still came for his sister's wish, hears this and responds.

"Yeah, you're right, Hriday."

He agrees, thinking to speak less.

"Well, it smells wonderful, Maithili. I'm starving!"

Everyone laughs a little, and the tension in the room starts to ease, though it's still there beneath the surface.

"I hope you enjoy everything. I've told the chef to make it according to your taste."

The meal begins, and for a while, there's a comfortable silence as everyone digs in. But Hriday looks uncomfortable, fidgeting with his phone under the table, clearly not interested in the dinner conversation.

Finally, after a few minutes, Hriday takes a deep breath, clears his throat, and speaks up.

"I just want to start by saying... I'm really sorry for everything that's happened. I know I've made some mistakes, and I've hurt a lot of people. I never meant for any of this to happen. I hope you can forgive me."

There's a brief pause, and Maithili gives Hriday a warm smile, nodding as she places a hand on his.

"Hriday, you don't need to apologize. We've all made mistakes. What's important is that we move forward. I forgive you."

Sanjana said.

Dhiraj, however, is quieter. He looks at Hriday with a cold, calculating gaze, clearly still angry about everything. He finally speaks; his tone sharp.

"Hriday, forgiveness doesn't mean we forget. You've hurt this family, and it'll take time for things to heal. I don't want to rush this."

Hriday lowers his gaze, clearly feeling the weight of Dhiraj's words. He nods but says nothing.

"Bhaiya, let's not dwell on the past. We're here to move forward, not stay stuck in anger. Let's enjoy the meal, for tonight at least."

Dhiraj grumbles but nods in agreement, though he remains distant. The meal continues, with Disha chiming in occasionally, trying to lighten the mood. She laughs and teases Hriday a little, trying to make him feel more at ease, but her attention to him feels a little too forced, almost as if she's trying too hard to gain his favour. Maithili notices but doesn't say anything.

"So, Hriday, I've been hearing so much about your recent business deals. You're really making a name for yourself!"

Hriday gives her a polite smile, though he looks slightly uncomfortable under her gaze.

"Yeah, things are going well. But it's not easy, you know?"

Disha leans forward slightly, her eyes glittering with interest.

"Well, I'm sure it's worth it. It must be nice, all that fame and success."

Hriday hesitates for a moment before answering. He knows Disha's interest in him is not genuine, but he plays along, knowing she's trying to make an impression. He just wants to end the conversation as soon as possible.

"It has its perks, but it also comes with a lot of pressure."

As the conversation continues, the underlying tension lingers. Hriday's attention shifts to his phone again, and he quickly sends a message, his face softening for a brief moment. Unknown to his family, Hriday is secretly messaging Gauri, who is in the room studying.

He asks her if she's eaten or not. He is missing her so much and he will surely go to her room after dinner, and he'll stay there. He wants her.

Disha notices his change in expression and leans closer, her curiosity piqued.

"You're smiling. Is there someone special in your life, Hriday?"

Everyone turns to look at Hriday with curious eyes, especially his mother, Maithili.

Hriday quickly puts his phone down, forcing a casual smile.

"No, nothing like that. Just some work stuff."

But Disha doesn't buy it, and her suspicion grows.

As dinner ends, Maithili stands and smiles at everyone.

"Thank you all for coming tonight. It means a lot to me that we could be together."

Sanjana raises her glass.

"To family. To forgiveness. And to a fresh start."

Everyone raises their glasses, and for a moment, they all seem to forget the tension, the secrets, and the unresolved issues.