"Anu, bring the aarti plate, ma," said kavitha atha (Vedansh's mother) softly.
Anu nodded and moved gracefully, her anklets tinkling with every step. Vedansh's gaze followed her automatically, like he couldn't help himself.

As she began offering the aarti to the idols, her eyes lifted for a brief moment — meeting Vedansh's. It was a look so subtle, yet so full of emotion that even the flickering lamp seemed to still for a second.

When the priest asked everyone to apply kumkum as part of the blessing ritual, Vedansh reached forward first. His movements were slow, deliberate, and dominant — the kind of gesture that said, she's mine, I'll always protect her.

He dipped his fingers into the vermillion, and with a quiet firmness, applied it to the center of her forehead. His touch lingered a second longer than necessary, his thumb brushing lightly across her skin.

Anu lowered her gaze, her cheeks flushing. Her heart raced, not from shyness, but from the silent power that always came with his closeness. Then, taking a deep breath, she too took a pinch of kumkum and applied it to his forehead.

Their mothers — standing beside the priest — exchanged soft smiles. For them, it was a blessing to see such love and devotion between their children. A perfect balance of faith and emotion.

But Krishna's expression didn't soften.

He noticed the way Vedansh's hand rested protectively on Anu's waist as they sat again, how she instinctively leaned slightly toward him — like her whole world revolved around his presence. It wasn't just love. It was something stronger, deeper, almost dangerous.

His heart tightened.

He respected Vedansh — admired his intelligence, his fearlessness in politics, his strength. But he feared the power he held over his daughter.

Vedansh wasn't an ordinary man. At just 26, he had already stepped into politics, contesting for MLA — with a following that was as passionate as it was dangerous. His speeches were bold, his enemies plenty, and his name carried weight everywhere he went.

And then there was Anu — his daughter, barely 22, still soft-hearted, tender, and pure. She had completed her degree, and though Krishna wanted her to take up a good job, build her independence, she had chosen otherwise.

She had said, "Nana, I just want to paint. That's what makes me happy."

And when Vedansh had gifted her a small art gallery on her twenty-first birthday — decorated with her favorite flowers, her paintings framed beautifully, and a nameplate that read "Anuhya– A World of Colors" — she had cried out of joy.

Krishna still remembered that day.
The way she hugged Vedansh first, not him.
The way her eyes glowed with gratitude — for him.

It was that day Krishna realized — Vedansh didn't just love Anu. He owned her heart. Completely.

Now, watching them together in the pooja, his fears grew louder.
Because everyone in town knew — if Vedansh had one weakness, it was Anu. His obsession with her wasn't a secret. His rivals, his political opponents — they all knew she was his heartbeat.

And in politics, a man's weakness was often his biggest weapon — for others.

Krishna's jaw tightened slightly as he folded his hands before the deity.
God, protect my daughter... protect her from his world, he prayed silently.

Vedansh, unaware of his inner turmoil, reached for Anu's hand subtly under the pooja cloth, his thumb brushing against her wrist — a quiet reassurance. She looked up, smiling softly at him, her eyes saying everything her lips didn't.

Kavitha and Lakshmi shared a knowing glance, their hearts swelling at the sight of the couple who looked so in sync — bound not just by love, but by something deeper.

But for Krishna, love wasn't enough.

He saw danger in that bond.
Because love as powerful as Vedansh's could either protect — or destroy.

And as the final bells of the pooja rang, Krishna's hands remained joined, but his gaze lingered on Vedansh — a silent father's fear hidden behind calm eyes.

"Atha when will Nidhi come?' anu asked.

"your brother and nidhi are coming tonight ma.." she said.

"wow i am so excited.." anu said..vedansh was secretly admiring her.

.

.

.

The car finally rolled to a stop in front of their lane. The street was quiet, lit only by the dim orange of the streetlamps. Nidhi had fallen asleep on Rahul's shoulder halfway through the ride, her soft breathing brushing against his neck.

When they reached home, Rahul looked down at her — her face peaceful, lips slightly parted, strands of hair falling across her cheek. She looked so innocent that he didn't have the heart to wake her. With a faint smile, he whispered, "Nidhi... we're home."
No response. Just a sleepy sigh.

So, with all the care in the world, he slipped his arms around her and lifted her gently. She stirred for a second, snuggling closer into his chest, but didn't wake. Rahul couldn't help the small smile tugging at his lips as he walked towards her house — right next to his.

Her mother opened the door, surprised for a moment before her face softened into a smile.
"Come in, Rahul! How are you, beta? Did she trouble you?

He smiled politely, shifting Nidhi slightly in his arms. "I'm good, Atha. No she has been good."

She looked at her daughter and laughed softly. "She's always like this! Sleeps anywhere, anytime. I keep wondering what her future husband will do. Poor fellow will have a lifetime of dealing with this sleepyhead."

At that, something in Rahul's chest tightened. Future husband. The thought made his heart stumble for a beat. He quickly shook it off and laughed. "It's okay, Atha. She was just tired."

He carried Nidhi to her room, laying her down carefully on the bed. She turned slightly, curling into her pillow. Rahul pulled the bedsheet over her, watching her for a moment — the faint rise and fall of her chest, the calm innocence that always seemed to surround her.

"Goodnight, Nidhi," he murmured under his breath, almost like a secret meant only for her.

Then he walked back to the hall.
"Okay, Atha, I'll go now. Mom's waiting. See you tomorrow," he said with a polite smile.

"Okay, Rahul. Come for breakfast tomorrow!" her mother called out cheerfully.

He nodded, waving once before stepping out into the cool night. As he walked home, a strange warmth lingered in his chest — the kind that refused to fade, no matter how much he tried to push it away.

.

.

Soft sunlight slipped through the half-drawn curtains, scattering golden lines across the room. Nidhi was still curled under her blanket, her soft hair messy, her cheeks puffed up like a little sleepy kitten. Her lips moved faintly as she mumbled in her dreams — probably still lost in the comfort of the long journey's fatigue.

The door creaked open slowly.
Anu tiptoed inside, followed by Vedansh, who whispered, "You sure she's still sleeping?"

"Of course," Anu replied with a mischievous smile. "You know our drama queen — she'll sleep till the sun sets if no one wakes her."

Vedansh chuckled softly, crossing his arms. "And we're depending on this sleepyhead to convince your father?"

"Yes," Anu whispered, grinning. "Because nana never says no to her."

They both exchanged a look — one of silent teamwork. Their plan was simple: if they asked Krishna about the trip, he would start his usual long lecture. But if Nidhi asked — with her puppy eyes and sweet voice — he'd melt like butter on a hot dosa.

"Alright," Vedansh said, leaning close to the bed. "Wake her up gently. She looks too cute to handle right now."

Anu giggled and gently brushed Nidhi's hair back. "Nidhi... Niduuu, wake up, naa."

Nidhi groaned softly, hugging her pillow tighter. "Hmm... five minutes, akka..." she murmured in a sleepy baby tone.

Vedansh bit back a laugh. "She even bargains in sleep."

Anu whispered playfully near her ear, "There's ice cream in the kitchen."

Her eyes shot open immediately. "What? Ice cream? Morning time?"

Anu laughed. "Gotcha!"

Nidhi blinked twice, trying to focus. "Akkaaa!" she whined, throwing the pillow at her, but it softly hit Vedansh instead.

"Hey! Why am I the target?" Vedansh said, pretending to be hurt.

"Because you support her pranks!" Nidhi pouted, her cheeks puffed up adorably.

Anu sat on the bed beside her, "Okay, okay, listen. We want to go on a trip to the hill station."

Nidhi rubbed her eyes, "Then go na... what's the problem?"

"The problem is nana," Anu sighed dramatically. "He'll say no."

"So what do I do?" she asked innocently, still half-asleep.

"You," Vedansh said, bending down to her level, "are our secret weapon."

Nidhi squinted at him suspiciously. "I smell manipulation."

"Not manipulation," Anu said sweetly, cupping her cheeks. "It's called trust. nana never says no to you."

Nidhi tried to resist, but when Anu clasped her hands dramatically and Vedansh joined in with his classic puppy-eyed expression, she said. "Okay fine! But only because I love you both," she said cutely.

"Perfect," Anu said, giving her a quick peck on the cheek.

.

.

Krishna was reading the newspaper in the veranda, his glasses perched low on his nose. Nidhi tiptoed in with her cutest nightdress still on — pink with cartoon bunnies and tiny clouds. Her hair was a soft mess, and she had that innocent morning face that could melt even the coldest heart.

Anu peeped from behind the pillar, anu whispering like mischievous kid, "Go, go!"

Nidhi slowly walked to Krishna and tugged his kurta sleeve. "Maaamaaa..." she sang softly, like a little melody.

Krishna looked down and smiled. "Good morning, my little sunshine. You're up early!"

"I woke up for you!" she said dramatically, blinking her big eyes.

"Oh ho, what's the agenda, hmm?" he asked, pretending not to guess.

"Maamaa..." she dragged the word, swaying a little, her expression all innocent and sparkly. "Can we go to the hill station please?"

Krishna blinked once, lowering his newspaper. "Hill station? And who's 'we'?"

"Me, Akka, and Ved annaya!" she chirped.

Immediately, Krishna's smile faded slightly, and he turned serious. "Hill station? That far? You kids need an elder one to go with you. And I don't trust this guy." He pointed at Vedansh, who froze mid-step behind the pillar.

Anu's heart dropped. Vedansh clenched his jaw but stayed silent — out of respect for Anu. His hand tightened into a fist, but he controlled himself.

Nidhi looked up, confused. "Why, mama? He's good na..."

Krishna sighed, "You won't understand, kanna. I just don't feel comfortable sending you all like that."

At that moment, Rahul came from the corridor, adjusting his watch. "What's happening here?"

Nidhi turned around, her face lighting up like a bulb. "Bavvaa! You come with us!"

Rahul froze. "What? No, no... I've got work."

And instantly, her face dropped. Her lower lip trembled slightly, her eyes welled up with tears, and she whispered in the softest voice, "its okay"

Krishna's heart broke instantly. "Ayyo, don't cry, kanna! Rahul, you can postpone your work, right? Take them and come back after two days."

Rahul sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Dad...anyways ved is going with them na so whats"

"Don't argue! do what i say" Krishna said firmly. actually his fear is stopping him to trust vedansh.

Nidhi immediately brightened up, showing her adorable bunny teeth. "Yayyy!"

Rahul chuckled helplessly, "No.1 drama queen."

Krishna laughed, shaking his head.

but vedansh got angry and he left from there.

So what do you guys think is krishna's fear justified..???

Do comment about the chapter....