Shipra Ji's voice was firm, her words cutting through the tense atmosphere like a blade. "Why are you even helping him, Priya? Once he regains his memory, he's going to cling to you. He has no one else left."

Her eyes burned with a mixture of frustration and pain as she continued, her voice trembling ever so slightly. "That man never understood you, Priya. Never. All he ever did was hurt you, again and again. Do you really think he's changed?"

Priya clenched her fists at her sides, her composure slipping under the weight of her mother's words. "What do you want me to do, Maa? I can't abandon a patient just because of what happened in the past. As a doctor, I can't let personal differences interfere with my work."

Shipra Ji shook her head, disbelief etched across her face. "You may be a doctor, but you're also a mother. And as your mother, I'm telling you now—I won't let him anywhere near Peehu. That man doesn't deserve her. He lost that right long ago. Keep your daughter out of his reach."

Priya inhaled sharply, her chest tightening at the mention of Peehu. Her mother's words rang true, but they also brought to light the bitter twist of fate that had already allowed their paths to cross. "I'll do my best," she murmured, her voice low and weary. "I'll protect her."

The room fell into a heavy silence, the tension thick enough to choke on. Priya's mind raced, torn between her responsibilities as a doctor and the instincts of a mother. Before she could gather her thoughts, the sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Both women stiffened as Peehu appeared in the doorway, her bright eyes flickering between them. "What's going on?" she asked, her tone light but tinged with curiosity.

Priya and Shipra exchanged a glance, both women instantly masking the storm of emotions threatening to spill over. "Nothing, beta," Shipra said quickly, her voice taking on a forced cheerfulness. "Just discussing some boring grown-up stuff."

Priya forced a smile, her heart aching as she stepped toward her daughter. "You're up early," she said, brushing a strand of hair from Peehu's face. "Did you sleep well?"

Peehu tilted her head, her gaze lingering on her mother. "Yeah, but are you mumma? You both look... serious."

"Everything's fine," Priya reassured her, her voice soft. "Why don't you go get ready for breakfast? I'll join you in a minute."

Peehu hesitated for a moment, her brows knitting in concern before she nodded and disappeared down the hallway.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Priya turned back to Shipra, her expression pained but resolute. "Maa, I won't let him near her. I promise."

Shipra's shoulders sagged, her initial anger melting into quiet worry. "You better keep that promise, Priya. For Peehu's sake."

Priya nodded, though the weight of her mother's words sat heavily on her chest. As Shipra moved to the kitchen, Priya leaned against the wall, her mind whirling. Protecting Peehu was non-negotiable, but how could she navigate a storm she hadn't asked for without losing herself in the process?

With a deep sigh, she pushed off the wall and followed her daughter, trying to summon the strength she knew she would need for the battles yet to come.

The sun streamed through the window,Priya sat across from Ram. Their sessions had settled into a rhythm, and she was relieved that the last few days had passed without incident. But as they spoke, Ram suddenly broke the flow of conversation with an unexpected question.

"Dr. Priya," he began, his tone tentative yet hopeful, "can I meet the little one who was with you that day?"

Priya froze, her pen hovering above her notebook as her heart skipped a beat. She looked up at him, her calm façade faltering. "What?" she asked, her voice sharper than she intended.

Ram shifted slightly in his chair, his expression earnest and innocent. "I don't remember her name, but I remember her face. Such a sweet girl. How old is she? She seemed so clever for her age. I really liked her."

Priya's mind raced, a storm of emotions swirling within her. She forced a tight smile, trying to keep her composure. "Maybe some other day," she replied quickly. "Let's focus on the session. Have you been taking your medicine properly?"

But Ram wasn't ready to let the subject drop. "How old is she?" he pressed gently, his eyes alight with curiosity. "I wish I could see her again."

Priya's grip on her pen tightened, and she glanced toward the door, willing herself to stay composed. "She's busy," she said firmly. "Maybe some other time."

As the words left her lips, a soft knock sounded on the door. Priya exhaled, grateful for the distraction. "Come in," she called, her tone neutral.

The door opened with a burst of energy, and Peehu entered, her small frame a bundle of excitement. Her nanny followed closely behind, her expression apologetic. Priya's eyes widened in surprise, her carefully constructed calm slipping.

"Peehu?" Priya's voice was a mixture of shock and concern.

"Mumma!" Peehu chirped, her bright smile lighting up the room.

Ram's face transformed, a wide grin spreading across his features as he stood up eagerly. "Peehu!" he exclaimed, his excitement unmistakable. "What are you doing here?"

Peehu's eyes sparkled as she ran toward him. "Uncle! I'm so happy to see you!"

Meanwhile, Priya turned to the nanny, her tone firm and questioning. "What happened? Why is she here?"

The nanny shifted nervously. "There was a sudden power cut at her school, and Peehu insisted on seeing you. I didn't know what else to do, so I brought her here."

Priya sighed, her irritation evident. "You could have taken her home. This isn't the place for her." She turned to Peehu, her tone softening slightly but still resolute. "Peehu, you need to go home. I'll be back soon."

Peehu's face fell, her bottom lip jutting out in a pout. "But Mumma, why can't I stay here a little longer? I want to talk to Uncle."

Ram, sensing her disappointment, turned to Priya with an imploring look. "Please, Dr. Priya. Let her stay for a while."

Priya's patience was wearing thin, and she shook her head firmly. "No, Ram. This is serious work. Peehu, go home now."

Peehu's pout deepened, her eyes brimming with disappointment. Ram, too, looked disheartened, his shoulders slumping slightly. As Peehu turned to leave, dragging her feet reluctantly, Ram spoke up again.

"Can I go with her downstairs? Just to bid her goodbye?"

Priya blinked, caught off guard. "But Ram, we were about to start—"

"Please," Ram interrupted, his tone earnest and almost pleading.

Priya hesitated, torn between annoyance and a flicker of sympathy. Finally, she relented with a sigh. "Fine. But just for a few minutes."

Ram's face lit up, and Peehu's disappointment vanished instantly, replaced by a radiant smile. As they left the room together, Priya watched them go, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. Peehu's laughter echoed faintly down the corridor, and for a moment, Priya allowed herself to hope that this small gesture wouldn't complicate the delicate balance she was desperately trying to maintain.

The cool afternoon breeze rustled through the hospital courtyard as Priya led Peehu to the waiting car. Peehu walked beside her, still bouncing with excitement from her brief time with Ram. But as they reached the car, Peehu suddenly pointed toward a small ice cream shop across the street, her eyes lighting up with childlike delight.

"Mamma, can I have some ice cream?" Peehu asked eagerly, tugging on Priya's sleeve.

Priya glanced at the shop, her expression stern. "No, Peehu. Just go home."

Peehu's smile faltered, her shoulders sagging in disappointment. But before she could say another word, Ram, who had followed them downstairs, crouched beside Peehu and asked gently, "Do you really want ice cream?"

Peehu's face brightened, and she nodded enthusiastically.

"I can buy you some," Ram offered with a warm smile, already reaching into his pocket.

Priya frowned, her voice firm as she stepped forward. "That's not needed, Ram. Please, don't."

But Ram ignored her protests, extending his hand toward Peehu. Without hesitation, Peehu slipped her small hand into his, her earlier disappointment completely forgotten as she beamed at him. "Thank you, Uncle!"

Priya watched in stunned silence as the pair made their way toward the ice cream shop, Peehu chattering animatedly while Ram listened with genuine interest. A mix of emotions surged within her—frustration, disbelief, and an inexplicable ache she couldn't quite name.

When they returned, Peehu held a small cone in her hand, happily licking the treat. Priya folded her arms, her expression unimpressed. "Peehu, get in the car now," she said curtly.

Peehu's smile faltered, and she lowered her face, sensing her mother's displeasure. As the nanny helped Peehu into the car, Priya turned to Ram, her voice sharp but controlled. "You shouldn't do such things for her. She's already so stubborn these days."

Ram's gaze softened, his usual cheer tempered by a quiet sadness. "I wanted to," he said simply. "I might not see her again soon, and I just... wanted to make her happy."

His words caught Priya off guard, and she faltered, unable to respond. As the car pulled away, Peehu waved enthusiastically from the window. Ram lifted his hand in a small, hesitant wave, his eyes following the car until it disappeared from view.

Priya turned her attention to Ram, her heart unexpectedly heavy. For a moment, she allowed herself to truly look at him—the melancholy in his eyes, the way his shoulders slumped slightly as if carrying an invisible burden. It was a fleeting glimpse into his soul, one that spoke of loneliness and loss, of a man whose life seemed to be a patchwork of missed opportunities and broken ties.

Her chest ached with an unbidden empathy she wished she could suppress. She looked away, composing herself quickly. But even as they returned to the hospital, that image of Ram's wistful expression lingered in her mind—a silent reminder of how deeply life could wound a person and how, even in the face of that, he had chosen to bring a moment of joy to her daughter.