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Jhankar looked at him with calm eyes and replied firmly yet compassionately.

“Yes, something could happen to him. Something could happen to me too. But nothing has happened yet. And we can’t waste the time we have now by worrying about what might go wrong in the future. I understand all his concerns. I truly do. And I’m not here to argue. I have no interest in any kind of confrontation with you. I only know one thing—I love Vikrant. That’s the only truth I live by. Nothing else matters beyond that.”

Without waiting for another word, she quietly turned and walked away.

Vyom turned to his parents, who were still watching Jhankar walk away in silence. Looking at them, he said,

“Look… If you think there’s nothing we can do about Vikrant, we’ll still try. But I’m telling you, all of this isn’t right for Jhankar.”

At that moment, Raghunath softly responded,

“You know Vikrant very well…”

Those simple words from Raghunath brought an unexpected stillness over Vyom. He fell completely silent. Sonakshi, who had been quietly observing everything, looked at Raghunath, clearly concerned. Raghunath gently placed his hand on her head and then turned back to Vyom.

“After you left, Vikrant entered our lives like a storm—like an earthquake shaking our very foundations. We went through a great deal of chaos because of it. But there’s one thing I saw very clearly in him: when he began to understand everything, he was truly ashamed of every mistake he had made. My own son wasn’t here, but Vikrant never made me feel that absence. He always stood by me, until the day you came back. If I experienced even a minor health issue, Vikrant would leave all his important work to accompany me to the hospital, despite his dislike for hospitals. His disorder has improved a lot now, but earlier he used to suffer so much. Yet even then, he would push his discomfort aside and stay with me. To you, he’s just a mafia man because that’s the only side you’ve seen. But I’ve seen him as a son. I’ve seen him as a son-in-law. And more than anything else, I’ve seen how deeply he loves my daughter. He loves her so much that he’s willing to do anything for her. So no, I’m not going to judge him based on just one part of who he is. My daughter loves him too, and she’s incredibly thrilled with him. Vikrant came to me personally to ask for her hand in marriage. I had alreadydecided long ago that once you and Sonakshi returned and everything calmed down, I would personally approach Vikrant and express my desire for my children's marriage to be official. I want to see it happen with all the sacred rituals, and most importantly, I want to give my daughter away with my own hands. Now that you’re here, it’s time for you to fulfill your duty as a brother. Sonakshi’s delivery is just around the corner, and once that’s over, we will begin preparations for the wedding. I hope by now you understand very clearly what my decision is.”

Raghunath immediately walks up to the window and begins looking outside, where he can clearly see Vikrant sitting beside Sonia, talking to her endlessly with great warmth. Sitting close by is Jhankar, who is continuously laughing, her joy radiating in every direction. On Sharda’s too, he notices a distinct glow, a happiness that hasn't been there for a long time. Observing all of this, a faint smile begins to spread across Raghunath’s face as well. He watches this beautiful, united family with immense contentment, a family he has no desire to break under any circumstances.

For a moment, his eyes linger on the peaceful harmony in front of him. The sight fills him with a mixture of emotions: relief, longing, and a newfound determination. Just then, Jhankar turns around and looks directly at him. Her face glows with an extraordinary calm and pure joy, a smile so heartfelt that it makes Raghunath smile even more deeply. He knows there are still a few things—unspoken fears and unresolved worries—that continue to haunt him. But despite them, he refuses to allow these precious smiles to fade. He knows now what truly matters. Turning away from the window, Raghunath glances toward Chitrali, who has been silently watching him all along. With firm resolve and a softness in his voice, he says to her.

"I'm going to talk to Vikrant. Once Sonakshi safely delivers the baby and those delicate early days of the newborn have passed, we’ll start planning their wedding in full celebration and joy, grand and beautiful, just the way it should be."

There’s a subtle finality in his tone, a sense of clarity that had been missing earlier. Chitrali looks at him, perhaps surprised at this sudden resolve, but says nothing. She knows when Raghunath makes a decision with his heart, he never looks back. And in that moment, both silently accept that a new chapter in their family's journey is about to begin, one filled with healing, acceptance, and new beginnings.

~~~

As soon as Jhankar steps out of the office, a bright smile spreads across her face. Standing just a few steps away, with his hands casually tucked into his pockets, is Vikrant, waiting just for her. Without a second thought, she rushes toward him and throws her arms around his neck. Vikrant instantly wraps his arms around her waist and lifts her into his embrace with ease, holding her tightly, as if nothing else matters in that moment. Planting soft kisses on his cheeks, Jhankar says lovingly:

“I’ve told you so many times, you really don’t need to come pick me up like this again and again. You have so much work to do; you should be focusing on that.”

Vikrant smiles, still holding her close, and replies, “I’ve done enough work in my life, and I’m still doing it. But now, I’ve slightly rearranged my priorities. Family comes first; everything else comes after that. So, I want to spend as much time as I possibly can with my family.”

“Great… I’m sure you already found out that we cracked that international deal!”

“Of course, it’s all your hard work,”

He responds with pride. Jhankar grins teasingly and asks,

“When are you finally going to show yourself to the world? … As the founder of V Internationals.”

He looks at her with a soft smile, takes a step forward, kisses her forehead gently, and says with deep affection.

“Whenever you want…”

“Oh God… Wow… Okay, now today I want to drive the car.”

She says, trying to appear serious, though her voice is playful. She says this deliberately, smiling mischievously, knowing full well that she doesn’t know how to drive. And Vikrant knows this too, but now he would rather not deny her anything. Every word that leaves her lips feels like a wish that deserves to be fulfilled. For Vikrant, her happiness has become a priority that outweighs logic or routine.

He nods lightly without saying a word and immediately takes the car keys from the driver, gesturing for him to step aside. Sitting in the driver’s seat, he quickly adjusts it, and Jhankar quietly watches him with wide, curious eyes. But before she can say anything, Vikrant pulls her gently into his lap, wrapping his arms around her protectively. As she tries to turn around and look at him, he fastens the seatbelt between her and him and softly says,

“When you’re driving, the driver should keep their eyes straight on the road.”

Jhankar breaks into laughter at his comment, and then Vikrant starts the car. Holding both her hands, he places them gently on the steering wheel, carefully adjusting her legs so that her feetrest properly on the brake and accelerator pedals. Slowly, with his guidance, the car begins to move.

Jhankar watches all of this with wonder, her mouth slightly open in amazement. The moment is surreal for her, magical even. As the car moves along the road, Vikrant occasionally leans in to kiss her cheeks and shoulders, each one sending soft waves of emotion through her body. It’s an experience unlike any other, a moment suspended in time, full of love and intimacy.

As soon as they reach home, Jhankar releases the steering wheel and quickly turns in Vikrant’s lap, straddling him comfortably with her legs wrapped around his waist. Without wasting another moment, she presses her lips onto his and murmurs softly against them: