Sara woke up to the gentle morning light filtering through the curtains. As her eyes fluttered open, she felt the warmth of Shubman's body pressed close to hers. His head was nestled against her neck, his breath soft and even, while one of his arms was wrapped securely around her waist.

She couldn't help but chuckle softly at the sight of him cuddled up to her like a child. The way he clung to her so tightly, even in his sleep, filled her heart with warmth. With a smile, she ran her fingers through his hair, feeling its familiar softness beneath her touch. Leaning down, she placed a gentle kiss on his head.

As she tried to shift and get out of bed, Shubman instinctively tightened his grip, pulling her even closer. It was clear he wasn't ready to let her go. Sara glanced at her phone on the bedside table and noticed it was Sunday—no work, no commitments. The thought brought a sense of relief, and she decided to stay right where she was, wrapped up with Shubman.

She settled back into the pillows, her hand still gently stroking his hair. Sara could feel his heartbeat against her, steady and reassuring. A peaceful silence filled the room, broken only by the occasional sigh of contentment from Shubman. She felt a deep sense of happiness as she lay there, cherishing the quiet moments they rarely got to enjoy together.

After a while, she softly whispered, "Looks like we're staying in bed today, hmm?"

Shubman, still half-asleep, mumbled something incoherent but buried his face deeper into her neck, making her laugh quietly. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him just as tightly, knowing they had the whole day ahead to relax and simply enjoy each other's company.

As Sara and Shubman lay comfortably in each other's arms, the door to their room creaked open, and in tiptoed Aadhya and Aahan, still in their pajamas, their eyes wide with curiosity.

Aadhya was the first to notice her parents cuddled up together. "Mumma! Dada!" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of surprise and excitement. Aahan, right behind her, immediately lit up at the sight.

Shubman, still holding Sara close, grinned playfully at the kids. "Well, well, look who's here," he said, his voice teasing. "But guess what? Your Mumma is all mine today."

Aahan's eyes narrowed in determination. "No way, Dada! Mumma is mine!" he declared, rushing over to the bed and trying to squeeze between Shubman and Sara.

Aadhya, not one to be left out, climbed onto the bed from the other side. "And Dada is mine!" she insisted, hugging Shubman tightly, her little arms barely wrapping around his broad shoulders.

Shubman laughed, giving Sara a quick wink before turning his attention to the kids. "Oh no, looks like we have a problem! Who gets Mumma, and who gets Dada?"

Aahan puffed out his chest, looking up at Shubman with a defiant grin. "Mumma is mine, Dada! I'm not sharing."

Shubman raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "Is that so? But what if I say that Mumma likes being with me more?"

Aahan gasped dramatically, then launched himself at Shubman, trying to push him off the bed. "Nooo! I want Mumma!" he giggled, his little hands playfully shoving against Shubman's side.

Meanwhile, Aadhya held onto Shubman with all her might. "Dada is mine!" she insisted, giggling as she watched her brother and father have their playful row.

Shubman pretended to struggle, letting out exaggerated grunts as Aahan tried his best to push him away. "Oh no, Aahan is too strong! I'm losing!" he joked, making Sara laugh as she watched the playful exchange.

Aahan, seeing that his efforts were making Shubman pretend to fall back, grinned triumphantly. "See, Mumma, I won!"

Shubman finally relented, letting Aahan push him just enough to roll to the side. He caught Sara's eye, and she smiled warmly at him. "Okay, okay, Aahan wins," Shubman conceded, pulling both Aahan and Aadhya close.

Aadhya, still hugging Shubman, looked up at her father with wide, happy eyes. "But Dada, I still get you, right?"

Shubman chuckled and kissed Aadhya on the forehead. "Of course, sweetheart. You'll always have me."

Sara, watching the sweet scene unfold, leaned over and kissed Shubman on the cheek. "Looks like we're both claimed," she said with a smile.

Shubman, his heart full, pulled his family closer. "I wouldn't have it any other way," he said, and for a moment, everything was perfect.

As the playful morning continued, Aadhya suddenly looked up at Shubman with her big, innocent eyes. "Dada, can I go to Rohan's house today? He's my boyfriend!" she declared, her voice filled with the simple, matter-of-fact tone that only a child could muster.

Shubman's playful expression instantly shifted. His protective instincts kicked in, and he raised an eyebrow. "Boyfriend?" he repeated, trying to keep his voice calm but failing to hide the concern. "Aadu, you're too young to have a boyfriend."

Aadhya's face fell, her excitement deflating. "But, Dada, we play together all the time! He's really nice. Please, can I go?" she pleaded, her lower lip trembling.

Shubman shook his head, his tone firmer now. "No, Aadhya. You're not going to any boy's house, especially if you're calling him your boyfriend."

Aadhya's eyes filled with tears, and she pulled away from Shubman's embrace. "But Dada, that's not fair!" she cried out, her voice breaking as she turned and bolted from the room, unable to hold back her disappointment.

"Aadhya, wait!" Sara called after her, quickly getting up and following their daughter. Aahan, sensing the sudden tension, looked up at Shubman with wide eyes before running after his mother and sister.

Shubman remained on the bed, sighing deeply as he ran a hand through his hair. The playful morning had taken an unexpected turn, and he felt a pang of guilt seeing Aadhya so upset. "What just happened?" he muttered to himself, frustration evident in his voice.

He sat there for a moment, staring at the spot where Aadhya had just been. He loved his little girl more than anything, and the idea of her growing up so fast was something he wasn't prepared for. "A boyfriend at her age?" he thought, shaking his head. "She's too young for this."

But as he sat there alone, he couldn't shake the guilt gnawing at him. He knew he had to find a way to fix this, to make Aadhya understand that he wasn't trying to be mean, just protective.

Shubman made his way downstairs, the heaviness of the situation still weighing on him. As he reached the bottom of the stairs, he heard Aadhya's small voice coming from the living room. He paused, not intending to eavesdrop, but the words caught his attention.

"Dada is so mean," Aadhya said, her voice thick with frustration and sadness. "He always says no to everything I want. He never lets me have fun. Virat chachu doesn't do this with Vamika. He lets her do what she wants."

Shubman's heart sank at her words. He leaned against the wall, unseen, as a wave of guilt washed over him. He had always tried to protect Aadhya, to be the best father he could be, but hearing her say those things made him question if he was doing it right. The comparison to Virat stung—he didn't want to be the kind of father who was too strict or too overprotective. He wanted Aadhya to be happy, but he also wanted to keep her safe.

Sara, who had been with Aadhya, noticed Shubman standing by the stairs, his expression filled with pain and self-doubt. She gently patted Aadhya's head and said, "I'll be right back, sweetheart," before making her way to Shubman.

Shubman, sensing Sara approaching, turned and walked out to the garden, needing a moment to collect himself. He stood by a tree, looking out at the greenery but not really seeing it, lost in his thoughts.

Sara found him there, his shoulders slumped, his usual confidence replaced by uncertainty. She walked up to him and placed a hand on his arm. "Shub, what's going on in that head of yours?"

Shubman sighed, his voice heavy with emotion. "I'm trying so hard, Sara. I'm trying to protect her, to be a good father, but... hearing her say those things, that I'm mean, that I don't let her have fun... it hurts. I don't want to be the bad guy in her eyes."

Sara's heart ached seeing him like this. She knew how much Shubman loved their children, how deeply he cared for Aadhya and Aahan. "You're not the bad guy, Shub," she said softly. "You're a wonderful father. You care so much about her, and that's why you're protective. But she's just a kid, and she doesn't understand that yet."

Shubman shook his head, still troubled. "She compared me to Virat, Sara. Said he lets Vamika do what she wants. Maybe I'm being too strict. Maybe I'm not letting her live a little."

Sara wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close. "You're doing your best, and that's what matters. Aadhya's upset now, but she'll understand as she grows up. And I'll talk to her, help her see that you're not being mean, just protective."

Shubman leaned into her embrace, finding some comfort in her words but still feeling the weight of his daughter's disappointment. "I just don't want her to feel like she can't come to me, like I'm always going to say no."

"She won't feel that way, Shub. We'll figure this out together," Sara reassured him, her voice filled with love and understanding. "But right now, she needs to know that you love her, even if you said no."

Shubman nodded, taking a deep breath. "You're right. I need to talk to her."

Sara smiled gently, squeezing his hand. "Let's go back inside. We'll talk to her together, okay?"

Shubman looked at her, grateful for her support. "Thank you, Sara. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Lucky for you, you don't have to find out," Sara teased lightly, giving him a quick kiss before they both turned to head back inside.

As Shubman and Sara walked back inside, they found Aadhya sitting on the couch, her little face still clouded with anger and hurt. Aahan was nearby, playing with his toys but occasionally glancing at his sister, sensing the tension in the room.

Shubman hesitated for a moment before kneeling down in front of Aadhya. "Aadu," he said softly, his voice gentle as he tried to reach out to her, "I'm sorry if I upset you earlier. I didn't mean to make you feel bad."

But Aadhya turned her head away, crossing her arms over her chest. "I don't want to talk to you, Dada," she muttered, her voice laced with stubbornness. "You're always saying no to me."

Shubman felt a pang of sadness in his chest, but he kept his voice calm. "I understand you're upset, and I'm really sorry. I just want to keep you safe."

Aadhya shook her head, her eyes welling up with tears. "You don't let me do anything fun. You never listen to what I want."

Sara, seeing how deeply hurt Shubman was, stepped in, sitting down beside Aadhya. "Sweetheart, your Dada loves you so much. He just wants to protect you because you're so special to him. But he also wants you to be happy. Can you give him a chance to explain?"

Aadhya looked at Sara, her bottom lip trembling. "But he didn't even listen to me," she whispered, her small voice full of the confusion only a child could feel.

Shubman reached out, placing a hand on Aadhya's knee. "Aadhya, I'm sorry if I wasn't listening. I promise to listen better next time. I just got scared when you said you wanted to go to Rohan's house because I wasn't sure it was safe. But we can talk about it, okay?"

Aadhya looked at him for a long moment, her eyes searching his face. But the hurt and frustration were still too fresh. "I don't want to talk to you," she repeated, pulling her knee away from his hand. "I want Mumma."

Shubman's heart sank, but he nodded, not wanting to push her further. "Okay, Aadu. I'm here whenever you're ready to talk."

Aadhya slid off the couch and moved closer to Sara, wrapping her arms around her mother's waist. Sara gave Shubman a sympathetic look, silently reassuring him that things would be okay, but it was clear that Aadhya needed some time.

Shubman stood up, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over him. He exchanged a glance with Aahan, who had been watching the scene unfold with wide eyes. The little boy tugged at Shubman's pant leg, sensing his father's sadness.

"Dada," Aahan said softly, looking up at him, "Can we play now?"

Shubman forced a small smile and nodded. "Sure, Aahan. Let's play."

As he sat down with Aahan, trying to distract himself with their game, he couldn't help but glance over at Sara and Aadhya. The distance between him and his daughter felt wider than ever, and it hurt more than he could have imagined.

Sara, noticing his quiet struggle, gave him a reassuring nod, as if to say that they would get through this together. But for now, Shubman had to accept that Aadhya needed space, and he would have to wait until she was ready to forgive him.

As Shubman sat on the floor, half-heartedly trying to engage in the game with Aahan, he found it hard to focus. His thoughts kept drifting back to Aadhya's words, and the guilt gnawed at him.

Aahan, sensing his father's distraction, put down the toy he was holding and looked up at Shubman with his big, curious eyes. "Dada, what happened?" he asked softly, his small voice filled with concern.

Shubman glanced at his son and tried to muster a reassuring smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Nothing, Aahan. Everything's okay."

But Aahan wasn't convinced. He scooted closer to Shubman and wrapped his small arms around his father's neck, pulling him into a tight hug. "It's okay, Dada. I love you," Aahan whispered, his little face pressed against Shubman's shoulder.

Shubman felt his chest tighten with emotion as he returned the hug, holding Aahan close. The warmth of his son's embrace was comforting, but it also made him feel even more acutely the distance between him and Aadhya. He closed his eyes for a moment, just holding Aahan and letting the quiet moment wash over him.

"Thank you, buddy," Shubman whispered back, his voice thick with emotion. "I love you too."

Aahan pulled back slightly and looked at Shubman with a serious expression, one that seemed almost too mature for his young age. "Dada, is Aadu mad at you?"

Shubman nodded slowly, not wanting to lie to his son. "Yes, Aahan. She's a little upset with me right now."

Aahan frowned, his little brow furrowing in confusion. "But why, Dada? You're the best."

Shubman couldn't help but chuckle softly at that. "Thank you, Aahan. But sometimes, even the best dads make mistakes. I didn't listen to Aadhya the way I should have, and it hurt her feelings."

Aahan seemed to think about that for a moment before he hugged Shubman again, as if his little arms could somehow fix everything. "It's okay, Dada. Aadu will talk to you again. She loves you a lot."

Shubman smiled, feeling a bit of the weight lift from his shoulders. "I hope so, buddy. I really hope so."

Sara, who had been watching from the other side of the room while comforting Aadhya, caught Shubman's eye and gave him an encouraging smile. She knew how hard this was for him, but she also knew that, with time, Aadhya would come around.

For now, Shubman found solace in the simple, unconditional love that Aahan offered so freely. As they sat together, Aahan's small arms still wrapped around him, Shubman felt a glimmer of hope that things would eventually be okay.

Sara approached Shubman and Aahan, her heart aching as she saw her family navigating these difficult emotions. She gently touched Shubman's shoulder, and he looked up at her, his eyes reflecting his concern and frustration.

"Aadhya will come around," Sara said softly, trying to reassure both Shubman and herself. "She's just feeling hurt right now. She needs some time."

Shubman nodded, but the guilt was still evident on his face. "I just want to make things right," he said. "I never meant to hurt her feelings. I'm just trying to be a good father, but I'm not sure I'm doing it right."

Sara sat beside him, placing a comforting hand on his back. "You're doing your best, Shubman. Sometimes, being a parent means making tough decisions and facing difficult moments. What matters is that you care so much and are willing to make it right."

Aahan, still nestled against Shubman, looked up at him with big, trusting eyes. "Dada, can we go find Aadu? She needs you."

Shubman gave a small, grateful smile at Aahan's words. "Yes, let's go talk to her. Maybe she just needs to hear how much we love her."

Sara nodded, standing up and offering her hand to Shubman. "Let's go together. We'll work through this as a family."

They made their way to Aadhya's room, where she was sitting on her bed, her back turned to the door. She was still upset, her shoulders shaking slightly with the occasional sob. Shubman knocked gently before entering, his voice soft but filled with warmth.

"Aadhya, sweetheart, can we talk?" he asked.

Aadhya turned slowly, her eyes red from crying. When she saw Shubman and Sara standing there, her lower lip quivered. "Why are you here?" she asked, her voice still wavering.

Shubman approached her carefully, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "I'm here because I love you, Aadhya. I'm sorry if I made you feel like I don't care. That's not true. You mean the world to me."

Aadhya's eyes filled with tears again, but she didn't say anything. Shubman reached out and took her hand gently.

"I know you're upset, and I understand why. It's hard when we feel like we're not getting the attention we need," Shubman continued. "But please remember that I will always be here for you. I just want what's best for you, and sometimes that means making tough decisions. It doesn't mean I love you any less."

Aadhya's face softened slightly, and she looked up at Shubman with a mix of sadness and hope. "Do you really care about me, Dada?"

"More than anything," Shubman replied, his voice breaking a little. "I'm sorry if it didn't seem that way. I want to make things better. Can you forgive me?"

Aadhya nodded slowly, her eyes still filled with tears. "I guess so. I just... I don't want you to leave."

Shubman pulled her into a gentle hug, holding her close. "I'm not going anywhere. I promise."

Sara watched the heartfelt moment between father and daughter, her heart swelling with a mix of relief and love. She knew that healing these wounds would take time, but seeing Shubman's sincere effort to mend things with Aadhya was a step in the right direction.

Aahan, feeling the change in the atmosphere, moved closer and reached out to hold Aadhya's hand as well. "We're all in this together," he said, his small voice full of sincerity.

Aadhya looked at her little brother and then back at her parents, feeling the warmth and support surrounding her. She managed a small smile, feeling a bit better knowing that her family was there for her.

Shubman and Sara exchanged a grateful glance, knowing that while their family wasn't perfect, their love for each other would help them through these tough times. With Shubman's arms around Aadhya and Sara gently holding Aahan's hand, they found solace in their united front, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead together.

After the emotional reconciliation, the atmosphere in the room seemed to settle. Shubman and Sara were relieved to see Aadhya's tears had stopped and Aadhya was slowly starting to smile. However, the calm didn't last long as the playful squabbles between Aahan and Aadhya began to surface once again.

Aahan, feeling a bit left out despite the recent family bonding, nudged Aadhya playfully. "Why do you always get to have everything, Aadu?" he said with a hint of annoyance.

Aadhya, still a bit sensitive from the earlier confrontation, shot back, "It's not like I wanted all the attention. I just wanted to go to Rohan's house, and you made a big fuss."

Aahan crossed his arms, pouting. "I just wanted you to stop being so spoiled. Why do you always get what you want?"

Shubman and Sara exchanged glances, sensing a new wave of tension building up. They watched as Aadhya and Aahan's playful argument escalated into a full-blown squabble.

Aadhya's voice rose in frustration. "I'm not spoiled! I just wanted to see my friend. And you're always so jealous and annoying!"

Aahan scowled. "You're the annoying one! Always getting everything from Dada and Mumma. What about me?"

Sara stepped in, trying to mediate. "Aadhya, Aahan, this is not the time for fighting. We just worked through some issues, and now you're turning it into a battle."

Aadhya crossed her arms defiantly. "He started it!"

Aahan added, "Well, she's always acting like she's the best!"

Shubman, feeling a mix of frustration and amusement, stepped between them. "Alright, that's enough. You both need to calm down. Aadhya, Aahan, you're both special to us, and fighting like this doesn't help anyone."

Aadhya's eyes filled with tears again. "But he always gets on my nerves!"

"And you're always so dramatic!" Aahan retorted.

Sara sighed, putting a calming hand on Aadhya's shoulder. "Listen, I know you both have your moments, but right now, we need to support each other. We're a family, and fighting like this isn't going to solve anything."

Shubman knelt down to Aahan's level and said gently, "Aahan, you're equally important to us. Just because Aadhya needed a bit of extra attention doesn't mean we don't care about you."

Aahan looked at his father, his eyes softening a little. "I know, Dada. I just wanted to be part of everything too."

Sara addressed Aadhya. "Aadhya, it's important to understand that Aahan also needs to feel valued. Sometimes we need to share our attention and make sure everyone feels loved."

Aadhya nodded slowly, her earlier frustration beginning to fade. "I guess... I didn't think about that."

Shubman wrapped his arms around both children, pulling them into a hug. "We all have our moments, but what matters is that we work through them together."

Aahan and Aadhya both hugged Shubman back, their earlier squabbles forgotten in the warmth of their father's embrace. Sara joined the hug, feeling a renewed sense of unity within the family.

With a gentle nudge, Shubman said, "How about we all spend some quality time together? Maybe a fun game or a movie night?"

Aadhya and Aahan nodded enthusiastically, their earlier tension replaced by the prospect of family fun. The argument had been a learning experience for them all, reminding them of the importance of communication, understanding, and the strength of their family bond.

As the family settled down for a cozy evening together, the earlier disputes became a distant memory, replaced by laughter and togetherness.