The mall was bright, crowded, alive.
Kriday sat happily between Kashvi and Krish, holding their hands, dragging them from one store to another. They bought him toys, ate junk food, clicked pictures. For anyone watching, they looked like a perfect little family.
Kashvi almost convinced herself that this picture was real.
Almost.
She was walking out of a clothing store when suddenly—
Thud.
She bumped into someone.
"I'm so sorry—" she started, then stopped mid-sentence.
Her heart skipped.
Ved.
He stood right in front of her.
Time froze.
Five years disappeared in a blink.
Ved's eyes first met Kashvi's—shock flickering across his face—then slowly drifted down… to Kriday.
Krish instinctively stepped forward, placing a protective hand on Kriday's shoulder.
"Kashvi?" Ved finally spoke, his voice low.
Ved forced a small smile.
"You look… happy," he said quietly. "All of you."
Kriday tugged Kashvi's hand. "Mumma, who is he?"
Kashvi's throat tightened.
"He's… an uncle, beta."
Ved's jaw clenched slightly at the word uncle, though he didn't know why.
Krish spoke calmly, firmly. "We were just leaving."
Ved nodded.
For a moment, there was silence—heavy, loaded with things left unsaid.
Then Ved spoke, surprising them both.
"I hope," he said, looking directly at Kashvi,
"that your future is peaceful. You deserve happiness."
Kashvi's eyes softened, just for a second.
"Thank you," she replied. "I hope you find what you're looking for too."
Ved looked at Kriday once more.
"Take care," he said, almost to himself.
And then he walked away.
Without looking back.
That night, back at the hotel, Kashvi put Kriday to sleep.
She sat beside him, watching his peaceful face, and suddenly the strength she had been holding onto all day… cracked.
Tears slipped silently.
Ved's face kept flashing before her eyes.
The way he had looked at Kriday.
The way he had wished her happiness.
And then the memories came—
Five years ago.
The pain.
The fear.
The loss.
She pressed her hand against her mouth, sobbing quietly so Kriday wouldn't wake.
"I survived," she whispered to herself.
"I survived you."
But her heart still hurt.
Elsewhere, Ved stood alone in his apartment.
The mall encounter replayed again and again in his mind.
Kashvi's calm.
Her strength.
The child holding her hand.
She really moved on, he thought bitterly.
Yet something about that boy unsettled him.
The eyes.
The expressions.
"No," he muttered, shaking his head. "Stop."
He poured himself a drink, but it didn't help.
For the first time in five years, Kashvi's name kept him awake.
Meanwhile, Ved's grandfather sat in his study.
His phone vibrated.
A notification appeared on the screen.
DNA TEST RESULT AVAILABLE
MATCH CONFIRMED
CHILD: KRIDAY
BIOLOGICAL FATHER: VED OBEROI
The old man's hands trembled.
He closed his eyes slowly.
"I knew it," he whispered.
"I knew that child was Ved's blood."
He looked toward the window, determination hardening in his gaze.
"This truth won't stay hidden for long."