Aahan's POV

"Adu, kya kar rahi thi aap?" I said, picking her up in my arms, my voice firm yet laced with concern. "Aapko pata hai na, aise anjaan logon se baat nahi karte?"

Addu's tiny hands clung to my shirt as she looked up at me with wide, tear-filled eyes. 

"Par woh anjaan nahi thi,chachu," she said, her voice trembling but certain. "Woh toh Mumma thi."

Her words froze me in place. Mumma? My heart skipped a beat as I stared at her, trying to comprehend what she had just said.

"Addu, aapne kya kaha?" I asked, my voice softening, though my mind was racing.

"Mumma," she repeated, pointing in the direction where the woman had disappeared. "Main unhe pehchanti hoon, chachu. Woh meri Mumma hain."

Her conviction shattered something deep inside me. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Addu had never seen her mother, but to hear her say this with such certainty—it was as if she'd found the missing piece of her little world.

"Addu," I said, my throat tightening, "Woh aapki Mumma nahi thi. Aapko galatfehmi hui hai."

"Nahi, chachu," she said, her voice rising in desperation. "Woh meri Mumma thi."

Her words pierced through me. I couldn't deny the ache in her voice, the longing in her eyes. Addu had grown up surrounded by love—Arushi had done everything to make sure she never felt the absence of her mother. 

But no matter how much she tried, she could never fill the void left by Anjali.

I hugged her tightly, my mind a whirlwind of emotions. 

"Addu, main hoon na? Main aapke saath hoon hamesha. Aapko kabhi kuch hone nahi dunga," I said, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

But even as I tried to comfort her, my own heart felt heavy. Could it really be her? Could that woman truly be Anjali bhabhi?

The thought sent a shiver down my spine. If it was true, then why had she stayed away? Why had she let Addu grow up without her?

I shook my head, trying to focus on the present. "Chalo, sabke pass chalte hain-papa mil gaye hai," I said, carrying Addu away from the bustling crowd.

But even as I walked, my mind was plagued by questions. If that woman was Anjali bhabhi, what is she doing in rishikesh? And would this effect bhai's mental state?

Addu rested her head on my shoulder, her tiny fingers clutching my shirt. Her soft sniffles broke my heart. 

She had always been a brave little girl, but today, her vulnerability was a stark reminder of the love she had been deprived of.

Author's POV

Aahan walked toward the family, holding Advika in his arms. As soon as Advika spotted her father sitting nearby, her face lit up. She wriggled out of Aahan's grasp and sprinted toward Aryan.

"Papa!" she exclaimed, throwing her small arms around him in a tight hug.

Aryan flinched at the sudden contact, his body stiffening awkwardly. His eyes, wide and uncertain, darted around the surrounding as if searching for some kind of guidance. 

Slowly, he looked down at Advika, his childlike innocence evident in his gaze.

Advika leaned back to look up at him, her face glowing with excitement. 

"Papa, aapko pata hai? Main Mumma se mili!" she announced proudly, her words spilling out with uncontainable joy.

Aryan tilted his head slightly, staring at her as though trying to process her words. His lips parted, but no sound came out. Instead, he blinked, his eyes round and filled with a mixture of confusion and curiosity.

"Mumma yahan thi, Papa!" Advika continued, her little hands clutching his. "Woh bilkul Mumma jaisi thi! Unhone mujhe pyaar kiya!"

Aryan's gaze shifted between Advika's animated face and her hands, which were now tugging at his. He didn't speak. His lips quivered faintly, but no words formed. 

He simply stared at her with a quiet innocence, his eyes reflecting the fragility of his state, like a child trying to understand something beyond his grasp.

The family exchanged glances, a heavy silence settling over them. Aahan stepped forward cautiously, his protective instincts kicking in as he placed a hand on Aryan's shoulder.

"Bhai..." Aahan began softly, but Aryan didn't respond. His focus remained solely on Advika, as though she was the only person in the world who mattered.

The little girl didn't seem to notice his silence. She pressed closer to him, her tiny fingers clutching his shirt. 

"Papa, hum Mumma ke paas jaenge, na?" she asked hopefully.

Aryan's lips trembled again, his eyes blinking rapidly as if he wanted to say something but couldn't. Instead, he gently raised his hand and placed it on Advika's head, his touch awkward yet tender.

The simple action said more than words could. It was a quiet acknowledgment, a silent connection that only Advika seemed to understand.  

Aahan exhaled deeply, his chest tightening at the sight. Aryan's innocence and Advika's unwavering belief in her "Mumma" stirred a mix of emotions within him—pain, hope, and an undeniable longing for the family's fractured pieces to somehow come together.

"Bhai ,addu chalo hotel chalte hai hmm"

Aahan held Advika securely in his arms, his other hand gently clasping Aryan's. The trio began walking back toward the hotel followed by the family members, Aahan glancing down at Aryan every few steps. 

Aryan remained silent, his wide, innocent eyes occasionally flickering toward Advika as though trying to understand her excitement.

Advika, however, was far from quiet. Her little voice filled the air as she chattered on about her encounter.

"Papa, Mumma bohot acchi thi! Unhone mujhe hug kiya"she said with a beaming smile, her words tumbling out in a rush.

Aahan's heart clenched at her words. He knew Advika had always longed for her mother, a longing that no amount of love from him or Arushi could completely fulfill. Yet, hearing her innocent joy now, he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt.

"Addu," Aahan said softly, trying to shift her focus. "Mumma toh humesha aapke saath hain, na? Aapke dil mein."

"Par chachu," Advika protested, her voice earnest, "yeh wali Mumma alag thi. Woh bilkul asli Mumma jaisi lag rahi thi!"

Aahan glanced at Aryan, who was still walking quietly beside him. His brother's face was unreadable, his childlike innocence masking any deeper emotions. Aahan sighed, tightening his grip on Aryan's hand.