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As he straightens, Kailash uncle pulls him into a firm embrace. Raghav remains still for a moment before returning it, though his voice remains gruff as he says, “You’re doing your best… but maybe it’s a little too late for someone like me to have a father figure like you.”

Kailash uncle places a hand on Raghav’s back and shakes his head. “It’s never too late, son,” he says, his words carrying a promise he intends to keep.

Clearing his throat, he continues, “We’ve been waiting for you to show up, by the way. And this time, I hope you’re staying for more than a few hours. Or are you planning another one of your infamous disappearing acts again?”

Before giving Raghav a chance to respond, Kailash uncle presses on, a mischievous glint lighting in his eyes, “And what’s this I hear about a mysterious woman leaving you a sandal as a token of love?”

Raghav’s head snaps toward Meher, his eyes narrowing in silent accusation. She feigns innocence, but we all know she’s been waiting for this moment.

Ayaan steps forward, casually throwing an arm over Raghav’s shoulder. “Hey, easy there—don’t scare my wife,” he says smoothly, though his smirk says that he’s enjoying this way too much.

Raghav scoffs. “And you have nothing to say about her turning that one damn moment of my life into breaking news?” His exasperation only makes everyone laugh harder.

Before Ayaan can reply, Meher interrupts, crossing her arms.

“Oh really, Raghav? And what about you?” she challenges, tilting her head. “Six months ago, when I ran into you at Josh Club, didn’t you go and tattle to my husband that I followed you out the backdoor without my guards?”

Raghav raises a brow, unbothered. “That wasn’t tattling. That was concern.” He shrugs casually. “And my duty towards my brother. You can’t expect me to notice a flaw in my brother’s wife’s security and not inform him.”

Ayaan laughs, shaking his head. “I already knew about her little stunt before you said anything. Meher told me the whole story that very night.” Then he smirks. “But, to be fair, Raghav, you walking around with a woman’s sandal in your hand? That’s not something we can just forget.”

Papa, who had been watching us all this while, speaks up, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “In our time, we got plenty of sandals too, didn’t we, Kailash?”

“Oh yes,” Kailash chuckles, “except those were tokens of rejection, not love!”

Laughter erupts around us, and for once, even Raghav can’t resist the smirk tugging at his lips. But before anyone can ask further questions about the mysterious sandal lady, Devika and Aksh return, this time with Avika and Veer in tow. My heart melts as our son makes a beeline for Vishnu, his little arms reaching up to him, demanding to be picked up. The tenderness in Vishnu’s eyes as he scoops up Veer makes Raghav’s earlier words resonate even more deeply. Some men are born to be fathers, and watching Vishnu with our son, I know he’s one of them.

“My little lion,” Vishnu coos, adjusting Veer in his arms. “Are you enjoying the party?”

Veer’s response is to tug at Vishnu’s stubbly beard, which he loves so much, his eyes bright with mischief.

I chuckle, reaching up to wipe a little drool from the corner of Veer’s lips. “Did you wish your papa a happy birthday?”

Veer claps excitedly, his little voice ringing out, “Happy… happy take!” Before any of us can react, he leans forward and plants a wet, sloppy kiss on Vishnu’s cheek.

Vishnu grins, his expression softening as he kisses Veer’s cheek in return. “Thank you, my boy.”

But just as Vishnu pulls back, Veer starts patting Vishnu’s chest insistently.

“Take, take!” he demands in his cute, kiddie voice.

Krish ruffles Veer’s hair, confused. “Take? Your papa has already taken you in his arms, buddy. How much more will he take you?”

Vishnu chuckles, shaking his head. “He’s saying ‘cake.’”

Krish blinks, then bursts into laughter. “Ahh, cake! Next time, I am joining Aksh and Vishnu’s fatherhood classes like Ayaan. Call me.” He smirks. “Clearly, I’m missing out on the language of toddlers.”

Everyone laughs as Veer continues patting Vishnu’s cheek, his little voice repeating, “Take, take!” as if reminding his father of the most important agenda of the night.

Papa chuckles, stepping forward. “Come on now. I don’t want to make my grandson wait any longer. Let’s cut the cake.”

But before that, Vishnu raises a brow and turns to Meher. “Not so fast. First, I want to know what my dear sister is gifting me today. Her cryptic statement earlier has made me curious.”

Meher’s cheeks flush a soft pink as she glances at Ayaan, who gives her an encouraging nod, his hand resting protectively on her waist. She then turns to the family and takes a deep breath.

“Vishnu… seven months from now, you’ll have one more addition to the family to safeguard and go all protective on.”

Silence falls over the room as we all look at each other in confusion.