When they reached the hotel, Aahan guided both Advika and Aryan to their suite. After ensuring they were settled, he went to meet Arushi and Veer. As he entered, Arushi immediately came toward him, sitting down beside him with a concerned expression.

"Adu, kya tabse Mumma keh rahi thi? Kya sach mein maine Anjali ko dekha?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity and concern.

Aahan sighed, looking at her as he responded, "Maine thodi der ke liye dekha tha. Woh bacchi hai, use apni maa ki kami mehsoos hoti hai. Shayad usse waisa laga ho."

They both sat in silence, their thoughts drifting to a hope they hadn't dared to entertain for a long time. Aahan's mind kept returning to the little girl's words, her innocent declaration about her "Mumma." Arushi, too, found herself lost in the possibilities, wondering if there was a chance—just a small one—that this was more than a coincidence.

Author's POV

Jhanvi sat on the edge of her bed, her mind still reeling from the unexpected encounter with the little girl earlier that day. The image of the child, so sure of herself, calling her "Mumma" with a certainty that shook her to her core, kept replaying in her mind.

 The child's innocent joy, her unshakable belief that Jhanvi was her mother, was like a puzzle piece she couldn't quite fit into place.

She had tried to brush it off, telling herself that the girl must have mistaken her for someone else, but deep down, a part of her couldn't let go of the nagging feeling that there was something more to it. 

Why had the child been so sure? And why did Jhanvi feel like she knew her, like she was a part of her past she had forgotten?

Sighing, Jhanvi ran a hand through her hair, trying to clear her mind. She glanced at the clock—it was late, and she was exhausted. But sleep didn't come easily that night. 

Her thoughts kept drifting back to the little girl's words, to the mysterious connection she felt, and to the strange longing that had stirred inside her.

As the night deepened and the world outside grew quiet, Jhanvi finally slipped beneath the covers, closing her eyes. Her body was tired, but her mind was wide awake, restless and full of questions.

It wasn't long before sleep claimed her, but it wasn't a peaceful rest.

In her dream, Jhanvi found herself in a beautiful, dimly lit room, the atmosphere warm and inviting. The walls were adorned with soft, golden hues, and the air felt heavy with an unspoken connection. 

She turned, and there he was—standing just beyond the glow of the light, his figure shadowed but undeniably present. Jhanvi couldn't see his face, but she could feel the intensity of his gaze, like he was looking straight into her soul.

A strange pull tugged at her heart, and she felt herself moving toward him, drawn by an invisible force. Her steps were slow, almost hesitant, but she couldn't stop herself. 

She reached out, her fingers trembling as they brushed against his arm, feeling the warmth of his presence even though she couldn't see him clearly.

As she got closer, a wave of emotions washed over her—comfort, longing, and a sense of home. She didn't know who he was, but it didn't matter. 

There was a deep connection between them, something she couldn't explain, yet it felt so right.

Without speaking, the man took her hand gently, his touch sending a shiver down her spine. Jhanvi's heart raced as they moved together, as if they were in perfect harmony. 

There was a sense of intimacy, a closeness that felt like it had been waiting for years to unfold. They danced, their bodies swaying in a silent rhythm, lost in the music that only they could hear.

Jhanvi's breath caught in her throat as the man leaned in, his presence overwhelming yet comforting. She closed her eyes, her heart beating faster, and for a moment, she felt like she belonged in his arms, like they were two halves of the same whole.

But just as she was about to lift her head to meet his lips, he pulled away, his figure fading into the shadows once more. The warmth of his touch lingered on her skin, but his face remained a mystery, hidden in the darkness.

Jhanvi stood there, alone in the room, her chest rising and falling with the weight of the dream. The silence enveloped her, and she could still feel the lingering sensation of the man's presence, as though he had never truly left.

She awoke with a start, her heart pounding in her chest. The dream had felt so real, so vivid, that she could still feel the warmth of his touch, the rhythm of their dance, the pull of their connection. 

She sat up in bed, gasping for breath, trying to make sense of what she had just experienced.

Who was that man? Why had he felt so familiar, even though she couldn't see his face? And why had she felt such a deep connection to him, as if they had shared something far beyond what her mind could comprehend?

The questions swirled in her mind, but for now, there were no answers. Only a lingering sense of longing, and the feeling that something was about to change—something she couldn't control.As the night stretched on, Jhanvi lay back down, her mind racing, her heart still unsettled. 

The dream had left her with more questions than answers, and she couldn't shake the feeling that it was a sign—a glimpse of something deeper, something she was meant to discover.

Next Morning:

Jhanvi woke up, her mind still tangled in the remnants of the dream from the night before. The man's presence, his touch, the strange connection she felt—it all lingered in her thoughts. 

She tried to shake off the feeling, focusing on the fact that today was Holika Dahan, a day of celebration. But despite the festivities, her mind kept drifting back to the dream, to the chaos of her conversation with Jay the night before.

Jay had been seeking advice from her on how to win Reva's heart. He had been nervous, unsure of how to approach her, and Jhanvi, despite the confusion clouding her own thoughts, had given him her best advice. 

She told him to be honest, to be himself, and to trust that Reva would see the real him. It was advice she believed in, even if she wasn't sure about her own heart anymore.

As she finished getting ready, Jhanvi couldn't help but think about the little girl's words from yesterday. The certainty with which she had called her "Mumma" was unsettling. 

She had tried to brush it off, but a part of her couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that there was something deeper at play. Why did she feel like she knew that little girl? And why did it feel like her past was trying to reach out to her?

Shaking her head, Jhanvi pushed those thoughts aside. She couldn't let herself get lost in them, not today. She had a celebration to attend.

When she walked into the living room, the preparations for Holika Dahan were already underway. The air was filled with excitement, but Jhanvi felt a strange heaviness in her chest. As Jhanvi made her way out of the house, she noticed the hustle and bustle in the gully.

 People were preparing for Holika Dahan, decorating the streets with colorful lights and flowers. The air was filled with the aroma of freshly prepared sweets, and the cheerful chatter of neighbors brought a small smile to her face. She walked past them, admiring the vibrant atmosphere.

Lost in the moment, she didn't notice someone walking toward her until she bumped into them. She stumbled backward, about to fall, when a strong hand grabbed hers just in time.

Startled, she looked up to see a man staring at her as if he'd seen a ghost. His eyes widened, and for a moment, he seemed frozen, unable to look away. Seconds stretched into what felt like minutes as his intense gaze unsettled her.

"Chhodo mujhe!" she snapped, breaking the silence.

The man seemed to come back to his senses and, in his flustered state, let go of her hand.

"Ah—ouch!" Jhanvi yelped as she landed unceremoniously on the ground.

Realizing what he'd done, the man's face turned pale. He quickly crouched down and offered his hand to help her up.

 "I'm so sorry, ma'am. I didn't mean to—"

Jhanvi glared at him, brushing his hand away as she got up on her own. She dusted off her clothes, her frustration evident. 

"Great. Just great. First, you stare at me like I'm some kind of alien, and then you drop me on the ground. Thanks for nothing."

Without waiting for a response, she stormed off, muttering under her breath.

As she walked through the gully, she couldn't shake the feeling that someone was following her. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.

 She stopped abruptly and turned around, her eyes narrowing as she spotted the same man from earlier.

He froze in his tracks, clearly caught off guard.

Jhanvi folded her arms across her chest, tapping her foot impatiently. "Mera peecha kyun kar rahe ho?" she demanded, her tone sharp.

The man hesitated, his eyes darting around as if searching for the right words. But instead of answering, he just stood there, staring at her again.

"Hello?" Jhanvi snapped her fingers in front of his face. "I'm talking to you!"

The man blinked, finally finding his voice. But the word that came out of his mouth only confused her further.

"Bhabhi?"