"Why?" She repeated, her voice laced with regret. "You treat me as a woman who is invading your daughter's life, spoiling your kid." She paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. And Rajat said ,"Savi, for that, I said many times, I am sorry. I was delusional. I realize now that you are the best for my Sai."

Rajat's eyes locked onto Savi's, his gaze intense and sincere. He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I was blind to the love and care you showered on Sai. I was so caught up in my own fears and doubts that I couldn't see the truth. But now, I see it. I see the way Sai looks up to you, the way she loves and trusts you. And I know that I want that for my daughter. I want her to have a mother figure in her life, someone who will love and care for her unconditionally. And I believe that someone is you, Savi."

Savi's expression remained neutral, her voice calm and measured as she responded to Rajat's heartfelt words. "Mr. Thakkar, you know what?" she said, her tone gentle but firm. "I can be Savi teacher for Sai, and for that, I don't need marriage. I will love her equally, care for her just the same, without the need for a marital bond."

Savi's words were like a balm to Rajat's soul, soothing his fears and doubts. He looked at her, his eyes searching for any sign of hesitation or uncertainty. But Savi's expression remained calm and resolute, her eyes shining with a deep affection for Sai.

Rajat's face softened, his expression relaxing into a warm smile. He nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving Savi's face. "I know that, Savi," he said, his voice filled with gratitude. "But I want more for Sai. I want her to have a complete family, a mother and a father who will love and care for her together. And I want that mother to be you, Savi."

Rajat's words were like a gentle whisper, but they carried a deep weight of emotion. He looked at Savi, his eyes filled with a sincere longing. "Sai needs a mother, not a teacher," he said, his voice soft but urgent. "And you love her like a mother. You are the best for my daughter."

Savi's heart skipped a beat as she met Rajat's gaze. She felt a surge of emotion, a mix of love, gratitude, and trepidation. She knew that Rajat was right - Sai did need a mother, and she had grown to love the little girl with all her heart. But could she really be a mother to Sai? Could she take on that role, and all the responsibilities that came with it?

Rajat's eyes seemed to bore into her soul, as if he could see the doubts and fears that were swirling inside her. But he just smiled, a gentle, reassuring smile. "You are already her mother in every way that counts, Savi," he said. "I just want to make it official."

Savi's voice was calm and measured, but it carried a hint of exhaustion and emotional overload. "I need time to think," she said, her eyes looking up at Rajat with a mix of pleading and determination. "It's all getting too much. Can you please... just leave me alone for now?"

Rajat's face softened, his eyes filled with understanding and empathy. He nodded slowly, his movements quiet and respectful. "Of course, Savi," he said, his voice low and gentle. "I'll leave you alone. Take all the time you need. I'll be waiting for your answer."

With that, Rajat turned and walked away, leaving Savi to her thoughts and emotions. The room seemed to grow quieter, the silence a palpable presence that wrapped itself around Savi like a soft blanket. She let out a deep breath, feeling the weight of her emotions slowly begin to lift. She needed time to think, to process everything that had happened. And she needed to be alone.

Savi's eyes welled up with tears as she gazed at the picture of Ishaan, adorned with garlands and flowers. Her voice trembled with emotion as she whispered, "I don't know if I can ever be the wife of someone else, after you died, Ishaan."

The pain and grief of losing Ishaan still lingered in her heart, and the thought of moving on and marrying someone else felt like a betrayal. Savi's eyes lingered on Ishaan's smiling face, and she felt a deep sense of longing and loss. She had loved Ishaan with all her heart, and the thought of replacing him with someone else was almost too much to bear.

As she stood there, lost in her thoughts and emotions, Savi felt a sense of uncertainty wash over her. Could she really consider marrying Rajat?

Isha Maa's gentle voice broke the silence, and Savi felt a sense of relief wash over her. Isha Maa had come up behind her, and her words were like a soothing balm to Savi's frazzled emotions.

"Savi, I promised you I wouldn't start with the marriage topic," Isha Maa said, her voice filled with understanding and compassion. "You can say no, okay? I just want you to know that you have the freedom to make your own choice."

Savi turned to face Isha Maa, feeling a deep sense of gratitude towards her. Isha Maa's words had given her the permission she needed to say no, to acknowledge her own feelings and desires. Savi's eyes welled up with tears as she looked at Isha Maa, feeling a sense of love and appreciation for this kind and understanding woman.

Savi's voice was barely above a whisper, her words laced with a deep sense of responsibility and concern for Sai's well-being. She looked at Isha Maa, her eyes searching for guidance and reassurance.

"But Maa, Sai needs a mother," Savi repeated, her voice filled with a sense of conviction. "And I... I don't know if I'm ready to fill that role. But at the same time, I don't want Sai to grow up without a mother's love and care."

Isha Maa's expression softened, her eyes filled with understanding and compassion. She reached out and gently stroked Savi's hair, her touch warm and reassuring.

"Savi, beta, you are already like a mother to Sai," Isha Maa said, her voice gentle and soothing. "You have shown her so much love and care, and she adores you. But I understand your concerns. We will think about this together, okay?"

Savi's words poured out in a rush, her voice filled with a mix of emotions - resignation, determination, and a hint of sadness. She looked at Isha Maa, her eyes searching for understanding and validation.

"Maa, if I say yes to this marriage, all problems can be solved," Savi said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Your dream of getting me married will be fulfilled. Ishaan's promise to make me remarry will be kept. Shantanu Papa's stress about me will be alleviated. And Sai will get the motherly love she deserves. And... and I will get a child."

Isha Maa's expression softened, her eyes filling with tears. She reached out and took Savi's hands in hers, her touch warm and comforting.

"Savi, beta, you are thinking of everyone's happiness but your own," Isha Maa said, her voice filled with concern. "What about your happiness, your feelings? Have you thought about what you want?"

She looked at Isha Maa, her eyes welling up with tears as she saw the sincerity and selflessness in her eyes.

"Savi, don't think about me," Isha Maa said, her voice filled with emotion. "I realize now that when you were in the hospital, the only thing that mattered to me was you and your happiness. Now, I don't care about anything else. I want you to choose yourself, beta. Choose what makes you happy, what brings you peace. That's all that matters to me. Ishaan is gone and only you are left, I can't force your life for the sake of my Ishaan."

..........

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