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An hour later, the palace hall glowed with soft lights and the hum of voices. The heavy air of the earlier chaos was gone-replaced by warmth and anticipation.
The grand staircase creaked gently as Ishana descended, her hand resting lightly on Kshitij's tiny shoulder. The four-year-old boy, freshly bathed and dressed, looked every bit like the little prince he was. His small kurta-pajama set gleamed white with silver embroidery at the edges, his hair neatly brushed, and a shy smile tugging at his lips as the crowd turned to look at him.
"Arre wahhh!" Vishakha clapped her hands together, her eyes lighting up. "Kshitij, you look so handsome!"
Sarika squealed, leaning forward. "Like a little prince charming!"
Even Ishika, who was usually the calm one among the trio, couldn't stop herself from grinning. "I swear, if anyone clicks a picture right now, it's going on my wall. He's too cute."
Kshitij's cheeks flushed pink under all the attention, and he tried to half-hide behind Ishana's dress. But then Jyothika stepped closer, her kind eyes soft. "Beta, who made this lovely outfit for you? It's beautiful!"
That's when Kshitij looked up, his grin breaking wide, dimples flashing. In his tiny, chirpy baby voice he declared proudly, "My VB made it!"
Gasps and coos filled the hall at once. Vishakha's hand flew to her mouth. Ishika actually squealed so loudly that Akshu elbowed her to keep quiet. Sarika melted into a smile.
And Ishana... she just stood there, her lips curving into the faintest, softest smile as Kshitij clung to her hand like she was his whole world.
The little boy beamed up at her, eyes sparkling with innocence, pride, and unconditional love. And for a moment, the storm that had been raging in her heart finally stilled.
The hall filled with soft chuckles as Kshitij proudly clung to Ishana's hand, his tiny chest puffed like he had announced the greatest truth of the evening.
Before anyone else could say a word, Kunal leaned down beside him, ruffling his hair. "And don't forget, kiddo," he said with a mischievous grin, "your birthday cake? That big two-tier blueberry cheesecake? That was made by your VB and me together."
Kshitij gasped as though Kunal had just revealed the world's biggest secret and clapped his little hands. "VB and you made it!!" he chirped, his baby voice ringing across the hall.
The crowd broke into laughter at his excitement. Meera smiled proudly, Rishi Raj chuckled under his breath, and even Suraj and Ragini shook their heads at the boy's overflowing enthusiasm.
But across the room, four pairs of eyes-Krish, Eric, Akshu, and Yug-immediately narrowed in unison. All four scowled so hard it was almost comical, grumbling under their breath like sulky children.
