Morning in Manali arrived like a whispered blessing.

Golden sunlight slipped gently through the frost-kissed windows of the Sharma house, spilling soft warmth across the polished wooden floor. Outside, the snow resting on deodar branches shimmered beneath the early sun like scattered pearls.

The house was still wrapped in the drowsy quiet of dawn.

Until a tiny voice broke the silence.

"Kittuuu..."

The sound was soft at first.

Then came a small poke on her cheek.

"Kittu... uthooo."

Kritika stirred under the quilt, her brows knitting slightly.

Another poke.

This time firmer.

"Kittuuu."

Her lashes fluttered open.

For a second, her sleepy gaze remained unfocused.

And then she saw her.

Ruhi.

Hovering over her like a tiny determined commander, curls adorably messy, cheeks puffed in concentration, and both hands planted firmly on Kritika's shoulders.

The sight instantly brought a smile to Kritika's lips.

She blinked slowly.

"Arre... aap?"

Ruhi grinned brightly.

"Moining."

Kritika pushed herself up against the headboard, still half-asleep.

"Aap kab uthi?"

Ruhi placed both tiny hands dramatically on her waist.

"Loohi big girl."

Kritika bit back a smile.

"Achha ji?"

Ruhi nodded proudly.

"Khud uthi."

Kritika gasped theatrically.

"Matlab bina kisi ki help ke?"

"Haan."

"Wah. Toh humein toh aapko clap dena chahiye."

Ruhi immediately clapped for herself.

That made Kritika laugh softly.

Before she could say anything more, Ruhi launched herself straight into her lap.

"Kittu play."

Kritika let out a surprised laugh, instinctively wrapping her arms around the little girl.

"Abhi?"

Ruhi nodded stubbornly.

"Abhi."

"Lekin subah-subah?"

Ruhi frowned as if the question itself was absurd.

"Haan."

Kritika pretended to think.

"Hmm... lekin agar Kittu abhi nahi khelegi toh?"

Ruhi leaned forward and planted a wet, noisy kiss on her cheek.

"Ab kheloge?"

Kritika froze for a moment.

Then her expression softened.

Something about the innocent affection touched a place deep inside her heart.

Before she could answer, the door opened.

Sharmistha entered carrying two steaming cups of tea.

She stopped at the sight before her.

Ruhi snugly settled in Kritika's lap.

Kritika smiling down at her.

And the little girl absentmindedly playing with the loose end of her braid.

A slow smile spread across her face.

"Subah-subah hi apni jagah fix kar li aapne?"

Ruhi looked up confidently.

"Kittu meri."

Kritika blinked.

"Arre wah."

Sharmistha chuckled.

"Itni jaldi haq bhi jama liya?"

Just then Shrutika appeared behind her mother.

One look at the scene and she dramatically clutched her chest.

"Bas. Ho gaya."

Kritika frowned.

"Kya?"

Shrutika sniffed theatrically.

"Kal tak mujhe laga tha Ruhi aur mera bond ban raha hai."

Ruhi immediately buried her face in Kritika's shoulder.

"Kittu."

Shrutika gasped.

"Maa dekho! Public rejection!"

That made everyone laugh.

Even Shekhar, who had just walked past the room, paused and smiled.

Watching his usually composed elder daughter laugh this freely filled his heart with quiet warmth.

By the time everyone gathered downstairs, the dining room was alive with warmth.

The aroma of fresh aloo parathas, butter, and ginger tea drifted through the air.

Sharmistha moved around the table.

"Sab log baitho. Garam hai abhi."

Shekhar folded his newspaper and smiled.

"Shomi, tumhare haath ka nashta mil jaaye toh insaan duniya ki tension bhool jaata hai."

She shot him a look.

"Haan haan. Butter lagao aur khaao."

Just then footsteps echoed down the staircase.

And everyone instinctively looked up.

Kritika was descending slowly .

For a moment, the room stilled.

She wore a pastel lavender woolen kurti paired with a white churidar and a cream shawl delicately embroidered with tiny mirrorwork.

Her soft waves fell over one shoulder.

Tiny pearl studs glimmered against her ears.

There was nothing loud about her beauty.

It was the kind that settled quietly into one's heart.

Ruhi's eyes widened.

"Kittu pretty."

The silence broke instantly.

Rupali burst out laughing.

Savitri smiled.

Even Harshvardhan's stern lips twitched faintly.

Kritika blinked. She scooped her in his arm.

"Aapko main pretty lag rahi hoon?"

Ruhi nodded vigorously.

"Very pwetty."

Kritika shifted her slightly.

"Achha? Aur aap?"

Ruhi frowned as if the answer were obvious.

"Loohi bhi."

Kritika smiled.

"Haan. Aap toh sabse pretty."

Ruhi giggled and hid her face in Kritika's neck.

That tiny gesture made Savitri's smile soften.

Her gaze shifted toward Harshvardhan.

He was watching too.

Silently.

Carefully.

The way Ruhi clung to Kritika.

The way Kritika instinctively adjusted her hold.

Neither looked uncomfortable.

It felt natural.

Too natural.

Harshvardhan leaned slightly toward Savitri.

"Ruhi kisi ke saath itni jaldi ghulti nahi."

Savitri nodded.

"Kuch logon mein apnapan hota hai."

Her gaze remained fixed on Kritika gently brushing curls away from Ruhi's forehead.

For the first time in years, a fragile hope stirred inside her.

Breakfast began.

Ruhi insisted on sitting beside Kritika.

And then something amusing happened.

Whatever Kritika did-

Ruhi copied.

Kritika picked up her tea.

Ruhi lifted her milk glass.

Kritika tore a piece of paratha.

Ruhi quickly tore hers.

Kritika dabbed her lips with a napkin.

Ruhi awkwardly attempted the same.

Shrutika leaned toward Shekhar.

"Dekho Papa. Kritu di ka version."

Shekhar chuckled.

"Bilkul."

Then came the inevitable question.

"Kittu, aaj kya karegi?"

"Mujhe music school jana hai."

Ruhi's eyes widened.

"Loohi bhi jayegi."

Kritika nearly choked.

"School?"

"Haan."

She folded her tiny arms.

"Loohi Kittu ke saath jayegi."

Kritika smiled helplessly.

"Baby, school mein bade bachche aate hain. Aap bore ho jayengi."

Ruhi protested instantly.

"Nahi. Loohi big girl."

Harshvardhan coughed to hide his laughter.

"Argument strong hai."

Rupali nodded.

"Bilkul."

Ruhi climbed into Kritika's lap and rested her cheek against her shoulder.

"Pleease."

That was it.

Kritika tucked a curl behind her ear.

"Achha. Lekin promise kariye shararat nahi karengi."

Ruhi nodded vigorously.

"Pwomise."

"Theek hai. Aaj aap mere saath chalengi."

Ruhi squealed.

"Kittu best!"

Before leaving, Savitri stepped closer.

"Dhyan se le jaana beta."

Kritika immediately nodded.

"Ji Aunty. Main aapki pari ka poora dhyan rakhungi."

Something in her sincerity touched Savitri deeply.

She lightly cupped her cheek.

"Pata nahi kyun... tum par bharosa karne ka mann karta hai."

Kritika smiled softly.

"Shayad isliye kyunki Ruhi ne pehle hi approval de diya."

That made everyone laugh.

Even Harshvardhan smiled faintly.

When they stepped outside, Kritika finally noticed what she had missed yesterday.

Three sleek black SUVs.

Armed security personnel.

Another guard opening the rear door respectfully.

She stopped.

"Itni security?"

Rupali's expression softened.

"Bhai insisted."

"For Uncle-Aunty?"

Rupali shook her head.

"For Ruhi."

The answer made Kritika still.

Savitri gently explained.

"Vedant bahut protective hai."

No one elaborated.

No one needed to.

The heaviness in their voices said enough.

Kritika instinctively looked at Ruhi.

The little girl was trying to climb into the car by herself, humming nonsense words.

So innocent.

So carefree.

And yet surrounded by invisible walls of caution.

Something tightened painfully inside Kritika's chest.

Without thinking, she bent and lifted her into her arms.

Ruhi immediately nestled closer.

"Kittu, chalo."

Kritika smiled softly.

"Haan. Chaliye."

The drive to Gurukul Music Academy was breathtaking.

Snow-lined roads curved gracefully through the mountains.

Ruhi sat between Kritika and Rupali in the backseat, chattering nonstop.

"Kittu, school mein phool hain?"

"Haan."

"Chocolate?"

"Shayad."

"Song?"

"Bohot saare."

Ruhi gasped.

"Wooow."

Rupali laughed.

"Ruhi beta, aapke liye toh school Disneyland ban gaya."

Ruhi nodded solemnly.

"Haan."

When they arrived, Ruhi's mouth fell open.

The academy stood beautifully against the mountain backdrop.

Traditional Himachali architecture.

Prayer flags fluttering.

Soft strains of sitar drifting through the air.

"Wooow."

Kritika smiled.

"Aapko pasand aaya?"

Ruhi nodded excitedly.

"Bohot."

Inside, students greeted Kritika respectfully.

"Good morning, ma'am."

The moment they noticed Ruhi holding her hand, curious smiles spread.

One little girl whispered,

"Ma'am ki baby hai kya?"

Kritika nearly stumbled.

Rupali burst out laughing.

Before anyone could clarify, Ruhi proudly announced-

"Main Kittu ki hoon."

The hall erupted into laughter.

Kritika's cheeks turned crimson.

"Arre baba..."

Ruhi looked up innocently.

"Kya?"

That only made everyone laugh harder. Soon, classes began.

Ruhi sat beside Kritika on a small cushion, watching with a wide fascination.

Whenever Kritika sang a note-

Ruhi copied.

Whenever Kritika clapped rhythm-

Ruhi clapped too.

At one point, Kritika handed her a tiny manjira.

Ruhi struck it enthusiastically.

The loud clang startled everyone.

Then the whole room burst into laughter.

Ruhi blinked in confusion.

"Kya hua?"

Kritika bent down and kissed her forehead.

"Kuch nahi. Aap bilkul perfect hain."

The little girl grinned proudly.

But when class ended, a new challenge began.

"Kittu, ghar nahi jaana."

Ruhi wrapped both arms tightly around the harmonium.

Kritika crouched before her.

"Aapne promise kiya tha shararat nahi karengi."

Ruhi defended herself instantly.

"Ye shalalat nahi."

"Toh?"

"Loohi yahin lahegi."

Rupali burst out laughing.

"Waah. Technical loophole."

Even the students giggled.

Kritika sighed dramatically.

"Achha. Negotiation karte hain."

Ruhi narrowed her eyes.

"Kya?"

"Abhi ghar chalenge. Aur shaam ko terrace pe extra playtime."

Ruhi thought deeply.

Then slowly extended her tiny hand.

"Deal."

Kritika shook it solemnly.

"Deal."

Finally after Ruhi agreed,they left for Sharma house.

At sharama house:

Rupali , Kritika and Ruhi reached.Ruhi is in Kritika's arm .It's Evening time, so everyone are living room having Tea. The moment Ruhi spotted her grandfather, she began wriggling excitedly in Kritika's arms, tiny hands stretching toward him.

" Kittu niche utaro na, Dadu ke paas Jana hai "

Kritika put her down not before kissing her. She ran to Harshvardhan and sit on his lap.

" Aa gayi meri nanhi pari" Harshvardhan asked her hugging her

" Yes Dadu" she grinned and started narrating how she spent the day with Kritika

" Pata hai Kittu ka school sundal hai"

"Maine gana seekha"

" Aul Kittu ne mujhe vely Good bhi kaha" she said last line enthusiastically.

All laughed at her talks.

" Yes Dad! Ruhi sach keh rahi hai. Gurukul wakei mein bahut sundar hai" Rupali said

Ruhi nodded vigorously.

" Sundal"

" Aur sirf sundar nahi , bahut peaceful bhi hai " "i loved that place Dad."

She looked at Sekhar and said dramatically" uncle mujhe aap apne Ghar mein rakhlo aur Gurukul mein ek job bhi de do"

" Mera man nahi ho raha ab yanha se jaaneka"

Sekhar laughed and said" kyu nahi ,tum jab tak chahon tab tak rah sakti ho"

" Tum mere dost Harsh ki beti ho ,mere liye tum Kittu aur shruti jaisi hi ho" he said with affection. Hearing him Rupali and Harshvardhan smiled.

Savitri said" Nahi Bhai sahab aap isse sar pe mat chadhayiye, pehle se hi aapke dost aur iska bhai ne isse bigad Rakha hai"

Hearing her Harshvardhan looked offended and Rupali whined.

" Yaar! Mumma aaap na"

" Kya ? Main na" Savitri asked raising her brow.

Rupali just stompped her leg. All laughed her at her.

Later Sharmistha told both and Kritika to freshen up. Kritika take Ruhi with her to fresh her .

After reaching Shrutika' s room in which Roopali is staying she send a message to her brother. Then left the bathroom to freshen up.

Miles away in Delhi, Vedant opened the image.

Ruhi was sitting beside Kritika, holding a tiny manjira, looking impossibly pleased with herself.

And besid

e her sat the same half-familiar girl-

this time still not fully visible, her face turned slightly away as she smiled at Ruhi.

Vedant stared at the image for a long moment.

Then something unexpected happened.

For the first time since they had left-

he smiled.

Just a little.

And though he didn't admit it to himself .