•AUTHOR'S POV•

"Saanvi, would you like to join us for dinner, beta?"

Adrika stood by the window, her voice a gentle invitation that barely disturbed the silence in the room. Saanvi sat curled near the glass door, knees drawn close, her eyes tracing the night beyond.

She turned slowly, meeting Adrika's gaze.

Adrika smiled faintly, already anticipating the quiet shake of her head, the one Saanvi always gave when asked to step into the light of company.

"It's alright if you don't feel like it," Adrika added gently, "I'll bring your food up, sweetheart-"

"I'll join you."

Adrika paused, blinking as though she'd misheard. But then, realizing how awkward Saanvi might feel, she quickly smiled again, wide and warm nodding.

"Let's go," she said, grabbing Saanvi's hand before she could change her mind.

They walked down the stairs together.

At the dining table, Abhiraj was pouring dal when he looked up. His hand paused mid air, the ladle hovering over the bowl. His eyes widened just slightly at the sight of Saanvi walking in.

He wasn't expecting her.

Adrika shot him a quiet, triumphant smile and guided Saanvi to sit beside her.

Saanvi's gaze fell on the plate already set before her. It was neatly arranged, warm and ready. She sat down slowly,

Saanvi sat down, quietly.

Without a word, Adrika picked up the spoon and scooped a bite. She brought it to Saanvi's plate, then paused halfway to her mouth.

Their eyes met again.

"Oh... do you want to eat by yourself?" Adrika asked, her hand beginning to retreat.

But Saanvi reached forward, slowly wrapping her fingers around Adrika's wrist not tightly, just enough to stop her. And then she leaned in and took the bite.

She looked down immediately after, chewing in silence.

Adrika blinked, her breath catching for a moment. She looked at Abhiraj, who sat still, he looked just as stunned.

But before either of them could overthink, Adrika scooped up another bite and lifted the spoon again, this time with a natural, unbothered smile.

Saanvi looked up, hesitated, then opened her mouth quietly, letting the food in.

"I'm sorry, beta," Adrika said softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear while feeding her another bite. "I didn't know what you liked. But just tell me someday, hmm? I'll make it myself.

Her voice was casual, like she was talking about the weather, but her eyes kept glancing at Saanvi, measuring, making sure not to overwhelm her.

Living with her, Adrika had learned, Saanvi didn't know how to react when someone was kind without a reason, too much affection made her go still. She didn't know how to respond to it. She was like a garden after a drought. You couldn't pour too much too fast. You had to let the soil soften slowly.

Saanvi, meanwhile, stayed quiet. She didn't speak a word, but her eyes followed Adrika's movements. Her lips moved only to chew. She takes in the gentle way adrika smiled without expecting anything in return how her affection came not in declarations, but in the quiet acceptance of silence. Then her eyes shifted to Abhiraj, who simply nodded at her once between bites.

Neither of them overstepped. They didn't drown her in affection or try to crack open her silence. They just let her be.

And that, somehow, felt louder than any embrace.

Her throat tightened, vision blurring as emotion rose without warning. She blinked, lowering her gaze to her lap, as if grounding herself would keep the tears from falling.

Maybe this was how healing began. Not in loud moments or grand gestures but in the quiet normalcy of people who didn't ask you to be okay, just sat beside you while you weren't.

The family she had longed for ached for in places, maybe, just maybe she had begun to walk toward it.

-------------------

"Saanvi."

Saanvi paused at the edge of her bed, hand brushing the blanket as she turned. Abhiraj stood at the doorway. His hands were in his pockets, his tongue clicked lightly against his cheek.

It was the first time he had spoken to her in four days, four long days since he'd snapped at her. Since then, he had been around but silent, his presence quiet, unspoken.

"It's family movie night," he said, trying to sound casual. "Join us?"

Saanvi looked at him. She inhaled deeply, exhaled slowly, then turned her back again. For a second, he thought she was rejecting him as always. He was about to leave when he saw her reaching for her phone from the nightstand. A smile threatened to escape his lips, but he swallowed it down, masking it behind his usual stoic expression.

They walked together in silence to the home theatre. Abhiraj opened the door and let her in first. Inside, Adrika was arranging cushions on the couch, her back to them.

"She didn't come again?" Adrika muttered to herself, chuckling softly. "It's okay, Abhi. Don't sulk. One day she'll join us."

Abhiraj looked mortified. Saanvi glanced at him. He cleared his throat quickly.

"I wasn't sulking," he said quickly, voice caught somewhere between irritation and embarrassment.

"Oh please, Abhi, stop lyin-"

Adrika turned around and froze.

Saanvi stood there awkwardly, biting her lip.

Adrika's eyes lit up like candles finally sparked. "Come, Saanvi, sit!" she said warmly, hurrying over and guiding her gently to the couch.

Saanvi sat between the two of them, Adrika on one side, Abhiraj on the other.

"Do you have any preferences?" Adrika asked. "Comedy, drama, thriller?"

Saanvi shook her head quietly.

"Alright then! Let's go with a classic, our all-time favourite." Adrika clapped her hands in excitement. "Phir Hera Pheri."

Saanvi looked at her, confused.

"You haven't seen it?" Adrika asked, surprised. Saanvi gave a small, hesitant shake.

Adrika smiled gently. "You've missed out on a lot of laughter. But don't worry, we'll fix that."

Abhiraj started the movie and returned to his seat. As the movie played, both Adrika and Abhiraj stole glances at Saanvi from time to time, watching her silently. Adrika offered her a piece of sweet during one of the scenes. Saanvi ate it wordlessly, chewing slowly.

She could hear Adrika giggling, wiping her eyes, and Abhiraj chuckling beside her.

She glanced at them briefly. A pang hit her chest like an old wound reopened.

She remembered the way, she'd curl into her father's lap, her father used to pat her head during scary scenes, her mother's soft laughter in the background, her brother teasing her with ghost stories. It was a time when love lived in small things tight hugs, shared jokes, quiet evenings. And then, just like leaves swept away in a storm.

And now, in this dimly lit room, among people she barely knew a year ago, she felt something. Comfort. And that was enough to crack the dam.

Her vision blurred. She tried to hold the tears back, lips pressed tightly together. But when she felt a gentle hand slip into hers warm, reassuring, her restraint began to crumble. Another hand rested on her head and gently pulled her to a solid shoulder.

She broke.

Her sobs came quiet at first, muffled, then louder, raw, aching.

Abhiraj just stroked her hair slowly. Adrika held her hand tightly.

"I... I'm sorry," Saanvi choked out, tears slipping down freely.

"You don't need to apologise for being strong." Abhiraj said.

Her cries intensified. Her eyes clenched shut, her shoulders shook.

"No matter what, Saanvi," he continued, "me and your maa are always here. I know you've held too much for too long. But you can stop, at least in front of us, you can stop."

Adrika reached up, wiping her own tears away. "Run to us when it hurts, beta. Run, even if you don't have the strength to stand. We'll catch you." she whispered with a soft smile.

"I was so scared," Saanvi whispered. "So alone... all those years. I kept waiting for someone. Anyone. But everyone abandoned me." She wept like a child.

Abhiraj tightened his hold around her. "I promise you this, whoever hurt my daughter, I'll make sure they remember it."

Saanvi cried softly at his words. Adrika looked at him, stunned but smiling.

He kissed the top of her head. "You're not alone anymore, Saanvi. You have me. You have Adrika. You're our child. Our daughter. You're not abandoned. We just took a little longer to find you, that's all."

Saanvi, exhausted from crying, leaned into his chest. Her hiccups softened into calm breaths. Adrika covered her gently with a blanket.

They stayed like that, three people who weren't connected by blood, but by something stronger. Choice.

Soon, soft snores rose from Saanvi. Abhiraj looked down at her peaceful face, and looked at Adrika. They exchanged a quiet chuckle.

Adrika tried to pull her hand back, but Saanvi's grip didn't let her. She smiled and kissed the back of her hand.

"I found my daughter, Adrika," Abhiraj whispered.

Adrika raised an eyebrow. "Wasn't someone saying a few days ago 'she can never be my daughter, she's too rude, too disrespectful, too impossible'?" She mocked him.

Abhiraj laughed softly, still patting Saanvi's head. "Exactly. That's how I know she's my daughter."

Adrika smiled. "So... your dream of having a daughter is finally complete?"

"It is," he said quietly. "And I'll protect her. From everyone. Even from my own blood, if I have to."

He looked at Saanvi's sleeping face.

"She's suffered enough. Now, it's their turn."

✿✿✿✿✿

-NEXT DAY-

"Can I help you?"

Adrika turned around at the sound of soft footsteps. There stood Saanvi at the kitchen entrance, hands nervously locked behind her back, teeth gently sinking into her lower lip.

"You should rest, Saanvi. I'll-"

"I want to help," Saanvi interrupted softly.

Adrika blinked at her in surprise before smiling warmly. "You want to?"

Saanvi gave a small nod, eyes cast down like she wasn't sure if her answer made sense.

Adrika's heart melted at the sight. "You are so cute, Saanvi," she said, walking over and pulling her into a quick, affectionate hug. Saanvi stiffened slightly at first, then awkwardly patted her back.

Pulling away, Adrika looked at her with a soft grin. "Okay, chef, tell me what you want for lunch."

Saanvi gave a little shrug. "Whatever you want to make."

"Nope," Adrika said, shaking her head. "Tell me the one dish you can't resist. The kind that makes you want a second helping even when you're full."

Saanvi bit the inside of her cheek, frowning slightly as she thought. "Veg fried rice... and kadhi pakora. The one you made a few days ago."

Adrika raised an eyebrow, pleasantly surprised. "That? You liked it?"

Saanvi nodded, almost shyly.

"Then done," Adrika grinned. "Let's make it together."

The kitchen filled with the warm clinks of utensils and soft chatter as they moved around each other, Adrika guiding and Saanvi quietly following her instructions. There was a peaceful rhythm between them silent, yet comforting.

Once they finished, Adrika dusted her hands and looked over. "Shall I serve you? Are you hungry?"

Saanvi shook her head, lips parting slightly but saying nothing.

"Alright then, let's go to the garden for a while. You haven't stepped out in more than a month, Saanvi. A little sun won't hurt."

Saanvi nodded.

------------

They walked toward the garden where Abhiraj sat, his phone pressed to his ear, visibly annoyed.

"I swear to God, Nishkarsh, don't test me or I'll tell your wife about that smile you gave that woman seven years ago,"

Adrika sighed heavily, glancing at Saanvi who stood beside her with a visible frown aimed at Abhiraj.

"Don't mind him, beta," Adrika muttered under her breath, tone laced with embarrassment. "He and his gang are a bunch of clowns, always up to the same nonsense." Adrika said awkwardly.

"I swear to God, Nishkarsh fucking Mehra-"

"ABHIRAJ SINGHANIA!"

Abhiraj flinched so hard he nearly dropped his phone. Saanvi jerked slightly too, blinking in surprise.

His eyes widened as he turned and spotted them, panic flickering across his face. He immediately hung up and stood straighter.

"Have you forgotten we have a child in the house?" Adrika snapped, walking toward him. "How dare you talk like that!"

"Sorry. I won't do it again," Abhiraj mumbled, eyes lowering.

Saanvi blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected him of all people to apologize so quickly.

Suddenly, a bark broke the stillness of the moment. Saanvi turned just slightly, but before she could react, she was nearly knocked over as a warm, furry body launched itself toward her, practically jumping on her.

It was Brownie.

She let out a startled yelp as her body hit the ground, but the dog wasn't concerned with that, he was too busy showering her with desperate licks, his tail wagging furiously as if trying to make up for lost time. His paws were all over her, a frantic attempt to remind her he was here, right here, and he'd waited so long for this moment.

"Saanvi!" Adrika and Abhiraj both scrambled to her side, but as soon as they tried to move the dog away, Saanvi's hand shot out, stopping them.

"It's okay... I'm fine," she said softly. Her gaze never left Brownie, who with his tail thumping against the ground, barked once more in a way that sounded like both a greeting and a plea for reassurance.

Saanvi took a deep breath, her chest tightening. she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close. She could feel his fur against her skin, his warmth grounding her as she buried her face into his soft coat. Brownie let out another bark, almost as if to confirm that he was here.

As she pulled back slightly, she noticed something, the glint of tears in his eyes, a silent echo of all the time they'd spent apart. Her heart clenched, and she cupped his face, gently wiping away the tears as if to erase the hurt he'd carried for so long.

"I'm fine now, Brownie. I'm here," she whispered, her voice catching in her throat. She leaned down and kissed him, her lips brushing the top of his head as tears welled up in her own eyes. Her heart felt lighter than it had in so long, the weight of the loneliness she'd felt finally lifting with each passing second.

"I'm so sorry I left you," she choked out, her words a soft confession.

Abhiraj knelt beside them. "He's a brave one," he said softly. "The nurse told us that when you had a panic attack at the penthouse and were rushed to the hospital in the ambulance... Brownie followed the ambulance. He even waited outside the hospital, not leaving for a second."

Saanvi turned her head slowly, tears clinging to her lashes as she looked down at Brownie. He was staring up at her, tail thumping lightly against the grass, tongue out in his familiar happy expression.

Her chest tightened. She wasn't alone. Not completely. Not when her most loyal friend had always been there.

She hugged him again, burying her face in his fur. "I love you so much, baby. I'm not leaving you again. I promise."

Adrika gently rubbed her back. Brownie let out another bark, licking away the tears sliding down her cheek.

Saanvi looked up at Adrika and Abhiraj. "Thank you... for keeping him safe."

Adrika waved it off. "Don't thank us. He's family now, and honestly, we're both kind of attached to him too, right Abhi?"

"Yeah," Abhiraj said, scratching Brownie behind the ears. "This guy's got more loyalty than half the humans I know."

Brownie barked again, clearly pleased with himself.

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Okay let's just admit we all got emotional when Saanvi finally ate from Adrika's hands. (Even if you didn't, just agree don't make my confidence a joke😭🙏🏻)

And brownie ka bhi comeback hogya guys🐶

So how was the chapter? Thoda toh khush hue? Saanvi is finally on her path to healing. Ab koi mujhe gaali nhi dega 🙂👍🏻

You can vote if you liked the chapter and also drop a comment.❤️🦋