𝐕𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐊𝐀𝐀- 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞

33.

As they reached the bottom of the stairs, Abhiansh called out for Meera, who promptly appeared at the sound of his voice.

"Kya hua, chilla kyun rahe ho?" she asked, her brow furrowed in curiosity. Inayat also joined them, drawn by the commotion.

"Maa, ek plate pe alta de do na," he requested, his tone earnest. The women exchanged puzzled glances, their expressions a mix of confusion and concern.

"Tujhe itni raat ko akta se kya kaam hai?" Meera inquired, unable to understand the urgency behind his request.

" Maa, do na, pehle," he urged, his voice carrying a hint of impatience.

With a resigned sigh, she nodded and turned to head inside, determined to fetch what he needed.

After a short while, Meera returned, carrying a plate brimming with alta. Abhiansh's face lit up with a smile as he approached her, and she carefully placed the plate on the ground.

He gently set Vedikaa down, urging her to stand on the ground before him. Kneeling down to her level, he looked up with an encouraging grin. Sayantika's brows knitted together in confusion as she observed the unfolding scene.

"Beta, kya tum is jagah par khadi ho sakti ho?" he asked, pointing to the vibrant red alta spread across the plate. Vedikaa blinked up at him, her innocent eyes filled with curiosity, while Sayantika and the others exchanged worried glances.

Vedikaa stood on the plate, her tiny feet sinking into the vibrant red alta, which stained them a deep crimson. Abhiansh watched her with a smile, the sight

"Wait," he said, reaching into his pocket to pull out a crisp white handkerchief. He carefully laid it on the ground, creating a stark contrast against the red.

"Ab yahaan khadi ho jao," he instructed gently. Vedikaa looked up at him, her eyes wide with trust, and obediently stepped onto the handkerchief as he had asked.

Sayantika gasped, her hand instinctively rising to her mouth. The sight of her little girl standing there, with red-stained feet on the white cloth, stirred a mix of emotions within her-surprise, pride, and a touch of worry.

He lifted Vedikaa into his arms, the white handkerchief now adorned with her tiny footprints, a vivid imprint of the moment they had just shared.

"Inayat, can you please wash her feethe asked, his voice warm and encouraging. Inayat nodded slowly, her expression softening as she gently took Vedikaa from him.Cradling the little girl, she made her way toward the washroom.

"Yea kya Kiya tune" Meera asked looking at her son,he smiled

"My daughter is my lucky charm, Maa. That's why."

He rose to his feet, a gentle smile curving his lips Sayantika watched him, her gaze soft yet intense, emotions flickering like candlelight across her Without a word, he folded the handkerchief with careful precision, his fingers lingering on the fabric as if it held some silent promise, and then slipped it neatly into his pocket.

Meera shook her head with a warm smile at her son, before retreating to her room.

Abhiansh, sensing Sayantika's gaze lingering on him, cleared his throat and straightened slightly. A flicker of confidence lit up his eyes.

"Aaj main kuch jyada hi sundar lag raha hu, shayad," he murmured to himself, looking at his own self. The words seemed to draw Sayantika from her reverie, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

"Nahi lag rahe," she replied, her voice laced with sarcasm, . Abhiansh raised an eyebrow, catching her gaze.

"As per i remember, maine tumse nahi pucha," he shot back with a smirk, watching as her expression shifted into an annoyed frown.