Meanwhile,

Meher sat in her room, gently playing with Aarvi, her mind elsewhere. As Aarvi giggled in her arms, Meher’s thoughts drifted back to Vikram and the events of the previous night.

She couldn’t shake the image of him holding Aarvi so protectively, despite everything.

He was drunk, she reminded herself, trying to push away the glimmer of hope that had flickered in her heart. It doesn’t change anything. He still blames her.

But no matter how hard she tried to ignore it, a part of her couldn’t forget the way he looked at Aarvi in that moment, as if some part of him wanted to connect. Could he really change?

Aarvi's soft cooing brought her back to the present, and she smiled at her daughter, brushing a lock of hair from her face.

“I won’t let anyone hurt you, Aarvi. Not even your own father,” Meher whispered, her voice firm yet tender.

As she held Aarvi close, her thoughts continued to swirl. She had made a promise, and she would keep it no matter what.

She moved downstairs and saw Dadi-sa, Dadu-sa, and Maa-sa sitting together, discussing something. Curiosity piqued, she walked toward them.

“Kya baatein ho rahi hain?” she asked, glancing at Dadi-sa.

“Aarvi ka birthday aane wala hai, wahi baatein ho rahi hain,” Dadi-sa replied just as Maa-sa received a call on her phone.

“KYA SAACH?” she exclaimed, her voice loud. After hanging up, she turned toward them, excitement shining in her eyes.

“Yug India aa raha hai!”

As she said this, Dadi-sa and Dadu-sa's faces lit up with joy, while Meher’s expression turned to confusion. Before Dadi-sa could explain anything, Aarvi's caretaker hurried down the stairs, breathless.

“Ma’am, Aarvi bitiya rona band hi nahi kar rahi hai!”

Meher immediately moved toward her room. As she reached the doorway, the sight before her was both adorable and surprising.

Vikram was holding Aarvi, gently swaying her in his arms. To her astonishment, Aarvi had stopped crying completely, her little face relaxed against Vikram’s chest.

For a moment, Meher stood frozen, watching the scene unfold. Vikram, usually so distant, looked tender and protective, and Aarvi seemed utterly content in his embrace. The warmth of the moment contrasted sharply with the turmoil that had been brewing between them.

Vikram felt someone prescence he turned and saw meher standing on the door step,him with his cold stoned face said

"She was crying to much,".Meher just looked at him and slighlty noded she took step forward and said

"Its okay now you can give her to me"she said her voice was blank.

"Why? You wanna take credit again?" he said, as Dadi-sa's morning words started to echo in his mind.

Meher clenched her teeth, frustration bubbling to the surface.

"What the heck, huh?" she shot back.

"Suddenly, you woke up and decided to fulfill your father's duties? Just like that?"

Vikram's eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening.

"This isn't some game, Meher. I’m trying to change things, to be better for her."

“Better?” she scoffed, crossing her arms defiantly.

“You think playing the doting father for a few minutes erases the fact that you’ve ignored her for months? You’ve been a ghost in your own daughter’s life!”

Vikram stepped closer, his voice rising.

“And you think it’s so easy for me? You have no idea what I’ve been through. The guilt, the grief—it’s suffocating!”

Meher held her ground, unflinching.

“You think I haven’t noticed? You hide behind that pain like it’s a shield, but all it does is keep you from being the father she deserves. You can’t just pretend everything’s fine because you decided to sway her in your arms today!”

“Maybe you should look in the mirror!” he shot back.

“You act like you’re the only one who sacrificed for her. You married me out of obligation, and now you want to play the martyr?”

“Obligation?” Meher's voice was sharp as a knife.

“I made a promise to Shanaya. I didn’t sign up for your emotional baggage! I’m here for Aarvi, and if you think I’m going to let you drag her down with your self-pity, you’re sorely mistaken!”

Vikram clenched his fists, anger simmering just beneath the surface. “And what do you think you’re doing? You think you can manipulate Dadi by playing the good mother? Like I’m just going to roll over and let you pull the strings?”

Meher's eyes blazed with fury.

“Manipulate? Is that what you think? I’m not here to play games or win anyone’s approval! I’m trying to protect Aarvi from a father who’s too busy drowning in his own misery to see what she needs!”

Vikram took a step closer, his voice dropping to a low growl.

“You don’t know anything about me! You only see the surface, and you think you can judge me? You’re not as innocent as you pretend to be, Meher.”

“Oh, please! Spare me the drama! I’m not judging; I’m calling it like it is!” she shot back, her voice rising.

“You’ve made your choices, and now you want to act like you’re the hero? You think a few minutes of holding her changes the months of neglect?”

“I realize my mistake, but let me tell you one thing clearly: I FCKING HATE YOU!” he spat, his words laced with venom.