A dark black room...the only light coming was from outside through the windows.cold air was Coming , caressing his hairs.whole mansion was silent because of sleep consumed them .

A man was sleeping in his room beside his one years old daughter,curled on his chest.her breaths was warm, fuming over his chest,fist curled around neck.her eyes closed and there was a child like innocence dripping from her lips.

A cold breeze hit her forehead and she shivered under his warmth.her fist clenched more,eyes stirred to get open.she opened her eyes, looking at her father.

Her body was burning and she was shivering but the man was unaware of it,shifted at a side .. wrapping arms around her.her lips wobbled ,eyes opened wide and she started crying.

The man who was sleeping peacefully immediately sat up like he was not sleeping.his forehead creased in uneasiness.

"Shhh baccha dadda is here"he mumbled softly while rubbing her back .her nose turned red along with cheeks and cried became harder.he tried to make her stop while playing with her, trying to walk back and forth but her cries didn't stop.

He checked her pulse in panic and ...they were beating too low.his heart beat fast and without thinking twice he opened his room door, taking her in arms and ran towards his brother's room .

He was just in his trousers,forehead was creased in nervousness,his steps fast and almost like running.

"Rudraksh ,open the door"he muttered while knocking on his door .

After five knocks , Rudraksh opened the door while yawning.his eyes half closed,hairs messy but when he saw ritik tensed face and little girl in arms,panic rushed through him.

"Anu"he whispered in confusion.

The man who was holding her,his eyes glistened "see na,anu is crying".

Rudraksh shook his head, taking a little girl in his arms"nothing happened to her ritik,she is fine".

Ritik gulped down his tears,his hands shivering Just thought of his daughter being sick.

Rudraksh went inside while ritik went behind him like a lost puppy.priyanshi was sleeping peacefully while hugging her pillow.rudraksh took a deep breath before patting her shoulder "princess".

She hummed, drifting her pillow closer to her chest.

"Princess,anu"Rudraksh whispered.

Priyanshi left her pillow, rubbing her eyes to open them.her eyes opened but when she saw ritik eyes,she saw fear in them....the emotion she hated especially in him.

"Bhabhi,anu is crying From almost half an hour"ritik mumbled with dried throat.priyanshi eyes widen,she immediately sat up in urgency, looking at anu.

Rudraksh slipped the thermometer under her arm while Priyanshi leaned forward, her calm eyes tracking every little tremble of the child. The baby whimpered faintly, her fingers curling into the bedsheet. Ritik stood frozen near the edge of the bed, lips parted, chest rising and falling too fast.

The minute stretched endlessly. Every tick of the clock sounded like a punch to his heartbeat. When Rudraksh lifted the thermometer, Priyanshi already leaned closer, reading the silver line inside before he could even speak.

"Hundred and four point seven," she murmured, her voice quiet but firm.

Ritik’s breath hitched, his throat closing up. "Hundred and… four?" he repeated in disbelief, his voice trembling.

Priyanshi didn’t flinch. "Rudraksh ji, cold water and towel"

Rudraksh nodded immediately and moved, while Priyanshi brushed her hand over Anu’s damp forehead, her expression turning serious. "Her body is heating fast," she whispered, half to herself, half to the child. "Shh, baby… mamma’s here, hmm?"

The little girl’s breaths came in uneven gasps, her face flushed and eyes glassy. She let out a soft cry, her tiny hands reaching aimlessly until they found Ritik’s wrist. Her grip tightened weakly, like she was begging him not to leave.

He sat down beside her, guilt and fear tangled in his chest. "She was fine, bhabhi," he whispered hoarsely. "She was sleeping… I don’t know how—"

Priyanshi cut him gently. "It’s okay, Ritik. You can’t predict fever in babies this young. Their immune system reacts suddenly."Her tone was steady — not dismissive, just reassuring. Years of medical training hid behind that soft motherly calm.

Rudraksh came back with a bowl of water and towels. Priyanshi dipped one in, squeezed it, and placed it on Anu’s forehead. "We’ll bring her temperature down slowly," she said, glancing at Ritik. "Too much cooling can shock her system."

Her movements were quick yet careful — switching towels, wiping the baby’s arms, legs, chest, all while murmuring small, comforting words. "Good girl… shhh, don’t cry, sweetheart."

Anu whimpered again, her small body curling towards Ritik’s side as if trying to hide in his warmth. Her tiny fist clung to his shirt, her lips wobbling.

"Ritik," Priyanshi said softly, "get the pink bottle from my drawer — paracetamol syrup for infants."

He rushed to it, almost tripping, and brought the bottle back with trembling hands. Priyanshi took it, measured the dose carefully, then coaxed the baby’s lips open. "Bas thoda sa, baby… good girl."

The syrup went down with a little choke, a soft cough leaving her throat. Priyanshi rubbed her back gently until her breathing steadied again.

Rudraksh stood at her side quietly, eyes flicking between his brother and the baby. "She’ll be fine, Ritik," he said quietly. "Just fever. Happens often in kids this age."

But Ritik couldn’t stop staring — at her flushed cheeks, the way her lashes stuck together from tears, the way her tiny fingers refused to let go of him. "She’s so small," he whispered, brokenly. "How can her body take this much heat?"

Priyanshi’s voice softened, "Because she’s stronger than you think."She dipped the towel again and placed it over Anu’s head.

His eyes glistened as he nodded faintly, cupping his daughter’s cheek with shaking fingers.

"I’m calm,"he whispered, mostly to convince himself. "See, dadda’s calm now, baby… hmm?"

The baby blinked drowsily, her hand moving toward his face, patting his jaw with a weak little sound. Priyanshi smiled faintly, adjusting the towel again.

"Good sign,"she said softly. "Her body’s responding."

The room fell quiet — only her soft breathing, the sound of water dripping back into the bowl, and Ritik’s uneven sighs filling the air.

For a moment, Priyanshi looked at him — shirtless, tired, trembling — and then at the baby resting against his hand. She didn’t say anything, but her heart ached a little.Because even in fear, the love between the two was wordless — and so raw.

Rudraksh squeezed his shoulder "she is fine Ritik".

Ritik nodded but somewhere in the heart that fear still clings to him like a nightmare.he pecked anu forhead, running hand in her silky soft hairs."dadda is here baccha, don't cry hmm".

Her body cooled down little,her eyes were heavy and soon sleep engulfed her.priyanshi changed her towel, leaning closer to fix her hair.

They stayed beside each other for almost half an hour, checking her pulse from time to time, caressing her hair whenever she shifted in her sleep.

Priyanshi looked up from anu to ritik"Ritik, you and Rudraksha ji come and sleep here… I am going to your room.”.

Ritik shook his head "no bhabhi,i can manage".

Rudraksh glared at him hardly "she is also our daughter ok,now sleep ... don't stress yourself too much".

Ritik wanted to deny but Priyanshi's pleading made him stop.he lay down on the bed carefully at Rudraksh's side, smiling weakly towards Priyanshi.

She smiled back and walked outside holding the anu in her arms.rudraksh also lay beside him, switching off the lights "Good night".

Ritik hummed silently, turning his head to the other side.a lone tear escaped down from his eyes but he wiped it off before it could even reach his jaw .Rudraksh sighed deeply "ritik stop crying brother, sleep now".

His voice was utterly soft like he was talking with a fragile child.ritik curled his fist against his duvet and closed his eyes forcefully.

In the other room, priyanshi was patting her stomach while she was giggling like nothing happened earlier.her soft giggles filled the whole room with positivity.

Priyanshi narrowed her eyes, touching her nose"hmmm...miss.chutki, laughing suddenly hmm,may I know the reason mam".

A soft laugh escaped from anaya lips,her legs swinging in air along with her little hands.her silky hairs was tied up in a small flower ponytail.

"Meri chutki Rani"priyanshi mumbled, kissing her cheeks several times.

"D...d..da...dda"little anaya mumbled softly,her half teeths showing everytime she laughs.

"Dadda is sleeping beta,you made him cry na".

She smiled warmly,her fist touching her toes . priyanshi chuckled softly, giving a soft peck over her nose"mamma's wants to sleep chutki"she mumbled showing her puppy eyes and pouted lips.

Anu's smile widened more in mischief,her one hand reached to priyanshi clothed breast"m..mam..mma".her small hands clutching at Priyanshi’s shirt. Priyanshi’s heart softened. "Oh, so now you’re hungry?" she teased, brushing her thumb over the baby’s cheek.

Settling Anaya comfortably against her, she covered them both with the shawl lying nearby. The little one nestled closer, her tiny fingers curling around Priyanshi’s nupital chain as she fed quietly. Priyanshi stroked her hair gently, her eyes softening with a mix of affection and ache.

"Sleep now, meri jaan," she whispered, placing a light kiss on Anaya’s forehead. "Mamma’s right here.".

Her eyes were heavy and soon sleep engulfed her, priyanshi stroked her hair, kissing her on cheek softly.her eyes glistened with unshed tears .she took a deep breath then pressed anu to her chest, sleeping peacefully.

The night outside was calm, peaceful unlike the night inside the mansion.nobody knows where anu's mother is, nobody knows what happened that day leads to this .

Ritik engulfed himself in his works and his children, priyanshi took a master's in embryological field after struggling in the motherhood journey.

🦋

First ray of sunlight fall over the mansion, scattering together to lighten the wall.birds were chirrupping outside the mansion,flowers scattered on the ground.

The head female of the family...mrs.maya was sitting on the couch near her sister like devrani,both engrossed in talking about random stuff.tea was getting cold on the table but who cares when your friend is here.

"No way, Rudraksh never choose that girl "seema spoke while smiling.

Maya rolled her eyes proudly "thank God he didn't choose that bitch, only my priyanshi is best for him".

Seema chuckled,her bangles clicking softly each time she moved her hand"yeah,we choose the best daughter in law's for our family".

"Yeah of course,but....

Room felt silent for a while, nobody knows what to say further.seema hid her hurt, squeezed maya shoulder"it's okay didi".

Maya took a deep breath, forcing a smile to divert the topic"we should check on our master chef what she is cooking ".

Seema nodded her head,half faking but half excitedly because cooking and Priyanshi....never match them together.she always create chaos when she cooked.she can cook better from normal chef almost like Rudraksh and ritik but .....

The problem is the kitchen

They both peeked inside to find Rudraksh and ritik.

"You both ,here?"maya asked while raising her brows together.seema also joined her"yeah where is your princess and your sweety".

Ritik didn't react much and Rudraksh just rolled his eyes with a smile.

"I will tell you"someone spoke.both seema and maya glanced around in confusion.their brows raised together "this is  vardan voice but where is he?".

"Here bdi maa"vardan spoke again, standing up from the ground.he was sitting beside ritik on the ground while ritik was in stand position.maya scoffed annoyingly "on ground?may I know the reason".

"No mam you don't have to"vardan replied back with a bow.

Seema stepped forward and slapped his arms"she is asking what are you doing on the ground".

Vardan rubbed his arm"oww mummy, at least show some mercy on your baby boy".

Both Rudraksh and ritik looked at him with 'are you serious 'look while maya twisted his ear"baby boy huuhh?".

"Ouch mummaa, leave oww".

Maya released his ear , giving him a smack on his head"you are growing older, be a little serious."

Vardan smirked while tilting his head to a side, looking at Rudraksh and ritik with a grin"I am serious bhai"

Ritik and Rudraksh gave him a death glare,ready to kill him.maya shook her head, dragging seema outside"let's go, otherwise I will faint here".

Seema nodded and together they walked outside.ritik was first to punch Vardan on his back, followed by Rudraksh to pinning him against the wall "you !".

Vardan pouted while raising his hands"are yaar, everyone thinks me as a childish at least show them who I am".

"No need"ritik replied, giving him a tight lipped smile.

"But Bhai yaar!".

"We are not your yaars"both ritik and Rudraksh growled, glaring at him.vardan rolled his eyes only to earn a smack from ritik.vardan fake cried, calling priyanshi for help.

"Bhabhi ...bhabhi...bha...

Rudraksh closed his mouth, glaring at him while ritik gave him a smile"now call her".

"Mr SINGHANIA's "priyanshi shouted from behind walking towards them .both immediately backed off, glancing here and there like they didn't know what happened here.

"She hurriedly went to vardan, glanced at him from head to toe.vardan stepped forward, hiding behind her"bhabhi see".

"What is this?"priyanshi asked both of them.

Pallavi and vivaan also stepped inside.

"What?"ritik and Rudraksh asked together like they were not present here.she took a deep breath, pointing at vardan "why was he shouting for help?".

Both Rudraksh and ritik shrugged their shoulders.

"Rudraksh jii".

"I don't know"Rudraksh replied nonchalantly.

"Are you telling me or not"

"He was shouting because he saw a lizard near his legs .we thought you would laugh at him so we didn't tell you"ritik replied calmly "if you have doubts you can ask Rudraksh".

Rudraksh's head snapped to ritik, processing what just happened because he didn't even hear anything.

Priyanshi raised her brows to Rudraksh,he also raised his brows in a questionable manner.priyanshi scoffed, stepping forward "is it Right?".

Rudraksh gulped his saliva then nodded his head hesitantly.priyanshi poked her inner cheek"then told me what he said".

Vivaan and vardan grinned widely.ritik was standing near him proudly because he knows his friend knew everything he lied.

"Huhh..vo...vardan was ... cutting onions and a lizard came , vardan cut ....

"Cheeeeee"priyanshi cut him off in the middle,both vardan and vivaan ran out because they were unable to control their laugh, Pallavi followed them behind while ritik was struggling to look calm.

Rudraksh rubbed his neck,"it is true,ritik knew that you will react this way.... that's why he lied".

Ritik brows furrowed in confusion but when she looked at him,he instantly nodded his head"yeah,yeah yeah...he is right,he is right".

"Eww throw all the knives from here along with onions"priyanshi said before running outside.once she went,ritik clutched his stomach... laughing hard .Rudraksh also smiled because everyone just wanted him to laugh even if it is for the short term.

•••••••

Meanwhile in gwalior...away from all the mafia chaos,a city known for its musical journey.a girl was sitting near the dining table,her mid length hair was tied up in a ponytail.

Her eyes was fixed on the particular place while another girl cooking something in the kitchen for her family.

"Siya ,this is for you"a girl now a lady,in her twenty one age stepped forward.

Siya looked at her annoyingly then back to her plate where she was eating parathas."bhabhi add some more salt yaar".

Siya spoke angrily.that lady smiled weakly and went inside, wiping away her tears again with a hanky .a girl who was barely twenty get married with a man who just saw her as trash.

She craved for children but her husband never listened,never even touched her that way because he feels low to touch a middle class girl.their marriage was arranged and after marriage his parents died ,not died they were killed by ritik singhania because of some valid reasons.

He gave his parents death blame to her,used her body when needed,beat her several times for small reasons but she never fought back because if she did.....her whole family will be crushed down under his shoes.

"Baby why are you taking so much time?"kabir asked smugly while walking inside.his smile was replaced by hated grin.tears gathered in her eyes just by his presence.

•••••••••••••••••

How was the first chapter marshmallows

Hope you love it

Love you all

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