Rishi thought Bade Dadu and Dadi were resting and he can sneakily bring out Suchi but to his utter disappointment, the whole family was already in Bade Dadu's room playing with Suchi. While Meera was showing her dresses, trying to make her shopaholic like her Shaan was introducing her with books trying to turn a 4-year old Bibliophilic like him.

She sat comfortably in Badi Dadi's lap, Sumi, Bela and Kuhu kept on feeding her some or the other snacks.

While Men of the family silently sat on the couch waiting for their turn or let's say were kicked out of the room but after too many pleadings were let inside if they don't cause any mischief.

Looking at the pity-worthy condition of his Grandfather, Dad and Uncle Rj, Rishi decided to quietly go back to his room.

He took Saanvi's luggage which was kept in the living room and came back to his room only to find Saanvi sleeping on the extreme Right corner of the bed. She was still in her saree, her jewelry kept on the dressing table.

Did she sleep? Maybe she was too tired.

Her long hair was scattered over the pillow, there was a calmness on her pale face.
Rishi moved closer to her to shift her to the center of the bed but as soon as he touched her arm she woke up being scared, she was breathing heavily.

"Hey, I am so sorry, I didn't want to scare you. Relax" He quickly forwarded a glass of water to her.

She drank the water, thanking him.

"Are you alright? " Rishi asked again.

She nodded her head.

"I will check upon Suchi " Saanvi got up from the bed quickly.

"Better don't. Suchi is playing with my family and they are not even letting anyone near her. " Rishi huffed making an annoyed face.

Saanvi was amused by his words. On one side she was glad that Suchi was getting the love and affection but on another side, she feared what if they came to know that Suchi is not Rishi's child. She is not his blood. They won't love her then.

"There are your things " Rishi pointed towards her luggage bringing her out of her thoughts.

Muttering a small thankyou under her breath, enough loud to be heard by Rishi, she proceeded to open her luggage.

"Shall I help you? " Rishi asked not knowing what else to do.
Saanvi shook her head asking him to take a rest.
She emptied the suitcase and placed her neatly folded clothes in the closet.

By the time, she was done it was already evening. She glanced at Rishi to find him fast asleep. She couldn't acknowledge his presence as she was immersed in her own thoughts. The thoughts that were already eating her from inside.

What will happen when the family will come to know that Suchi is not Rishi's blood?
What if Rishi falls in love with someone? He will obviously leave her. What about Suchi? That little girl will be so disheartened. She will hurt more than anyone can imagine. How will she make her understand that Rishi is not her father?

"Saanvi" Saanvi heard Someone calling her. She opened the door to find Bela who was carrying a crying Suchi.

"Mumma" Suchi quickly jumped on Saanvi, hiding her face in her shoulder.

Saanvi patted her back tensed, "She didn't see you since long and..." Bela started to explain the reason as to why Suchi was crying but Saanvi stopped her in middle.

"Relax Aunty, I know she starts crying when she does not see me for long". Saanvi eases the stress-filled look on Bela's face.

" Oh! We were scared " Sumi and Andy come out of their hiding.

"We thought we troubled her so much that she started crying. " Bade Dadu and Dadi followed along.

Saanvi chuckled looking at their faces. They were just resembling Suchi who ate the whole box of chocolates and now was hiding her hands behind her back so that her Mumma does not know that she ate the chocolate as if the remnants on her face won't tell otherwise.

"What happened? " Rishi came running to the door and bumped into Saanvi.

"Sorry! " He said balancing Saanvi and Suchi.

"Idiot" Saanvi muttered under her breath but again Rishi heard it. He wanted to object but Suchi giggled looking at him "Dadda".

" Doll" Rishi responded equally excited and proceeded to take her in his arms.

Was not she crying a minute ago?
Saanvi thought to herself giving jealous glares to Rishi. Suchi was more excited to see him.

"Awww" Mahir who came with a bar of chocolate in his hands, Bela, Sumi, and  Andy collectively battled their eyes at them.

Saanvi cringed at the sight while Rishi rolled his eyes at them. It was nothing new for him. His personal drama company loves overacting.

"Come let me feed you two " Rishi dragged Saanvi along with him. They could hear "Aww! Caring hubby ", " Caring Dadda" From behind.

"Rishi... I... " Saanvi wanted to interrupt but Rishi pulled out a chair for her with his free hand.

"Why are you so thin? " Rishi questioned her settling Suchi on the chair.

"What do you mean? " Saanvi raised an eyebrow at him.

"I was asking what would you like to have your highness " Rishi acted as if he was terrified, at his change of demeanor Saanvi's corner of lips lifted a bit but she hid it well, fake glaring at him.

Rishi settled down beside Suchi. Saanvi served for three. "Suchi no tantrums today! Eat the broccoli " Saanvi said in a dead serious voice as she saw Suchi making faces looking at broccoli.

"Mumma" Suchi made a sad face trying to melt Saanvi but Saanvi was persistent on her decision.
Rishi looked at the duo amused.
While the two of them were busy he quickly filled Saanvi's plate with more food.

"Rishi... " Saanvi gasped looking at the amount of food.

"No tantrums Saanvi! Be a good girl and eat " Rishi copied her words and shook his head left to right, denying to even hear a word from her.

"But Rishi... "

"Suchi ask your Mumma to be a good girl and eat " Rishi pulled Suchi's cheeks to which she giggled.

"Mumma, be a good girl" Suchi let out a kiss in the air looking at her Mumma.

"Come on Eat! " Rishi nudged Saanvi and then started eating.

Not knowing how to refuse him, Saanvi too started eating the elephant-sized meal Rishi served her.
From the corner of her eyes, she saw Rishi sliding the broccoli from Suchi's plate to his making her happy.
He signed Suchi to be quiet as she was about to squeal in happiness.
Saanvi looked away trying to hide her smile. She didn't say anything making them believe that the secret was between the two of them.

***
Suchi was tired after playing all day. She slept while coloring her favorite Shin-chan. Rishi tried to lift her up in his arms when Andy swatted his hands away.

"Let me have some time with my Grand Daughter. All the ladies of the house didn't let me play with her  properly." Andy said in a hushed voice.

"And I believe you" Rishi nodded his head.
"Really? " Andy's smile widened, "Yes Dadu But you know Suchi wants her Mumma when she wakes up. So she needs to be with Saanvi." Rishi quickly completed his sentence giving a slay smile to Andy.

Andy huffed in annoyance while Rishi grinned, finally, he can have his time with his little princess.

Patting Andy's back sympathetically Rishi took Suchi in arms and handed over her coloring books to Andy.

"Dadda" Suchi mumbled on his chest trying to snuggle into him more.
"My doll" Rishi kissed her hair being all puffed up as she called him "Dadda".

He entered his room to find Saanvi looking out of the window in her nightdress.
It seemed she was in deep thoughts. Without making much noise Rishi shifted Suchi on the bed.

He thought to ask Saanvi what was bothering her but his steps halted as he realized that he was still a stranger to her, she won't share anything, She doesn't trust him right now.
He quietly laid beside Suchi patting her head, leaving the other side for Saanvi. He wished he could ease her stress.

After an hour or so Saanvi moved towards the bed. She laid on the space left for her leaving no room for "who will sleep where? " She kissed Suchi's forehead and looked at Rishi for a brief moment.

Some more minutes of silence passed when suddenly Saanvi uttered, "Rishi".

Rishi was alerted. The whole day she was just nodding her head to him, he was curious what she wanted to convey.

" Hmm? " He hummed waiting for her to convey her words.

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The past week was very busy for me and the coming weeks are going to be just busier. I think I will only be able to able on weekends😅😅.

Please ignore grammatical mistakes.

Thanks for reading❤.