A/N: With the quarantine going around, I managed cross a few things off my bucket list.

1) I taught myself how to play the drums.
2) I finally picked up the guitar (only picked up, I haven't started learning yet)
3) I managed to get a shout-out from one of my favorite stars. (You have no idea how much hard work I had to put in. Like, I've been diligently going to ALL their live sessions)

What about you guys? Anything new?

***

Shreya walked back to the cafe and saw Deepak sitting there.

"I'm so sorry about that," she told him. "I didn't know that was going to happen."

"It's alright," he replied. "I took the liberty of picking up the check while you were gone."

"Deepak," she protested. "You shouldn't have done that. Please, let me pay you back."

"It's my treat," he insisted. "To celebrate a decent outcome from today's case."

Shreya hesitantly put her purse away.

"Thank you," she said and led him to her car.

Upon reaching the carpark, she spotted the two teens sitting on top of her car.

"There," Aarav spoke. "Your mom's here. I guess I'll see you some other time."

"Thanks for sticking around," Kavya thanked him.

"For someone related to the Sehgal family," Aarav said. "You're not too bad yourself."

Kavya rolled her eyes.

"Ready to go?" Deepak asked Aarav.

"Sure," he told his father.

"Thank you once again," Shreya said. "To the both of you."

"Don't sweat it," Aarav replied. "We Arora boys are always ready to help."

"I guess we'll be going now," Deepak announced. "Bye Shreya. Bye Miss Kavita Kapoor."

"Kavita?" Aarav looked at Kavya in confusion but Deepak just yanked his son away.

***

The next day, Rohit arrived early at the Kapoor house. He was surprised when Kavya was there to greet him at the gate. However, it wasn't without her glaring daggers at him.

"Morning," Kavya mumbled, unwillingly.

Rohit had a feeling Shreya put her up to this; especially, after how Kavya to him reacted yesterday.

"Good morning," he replied.

"Mom's still making breakfast," she told him. "You're early."

"Yes," he said. "My meeting ended early so, here am I."

"Kavya!" She heard her mother calling out to her. "Why are you still outside? Come in!"

Kavya let out a sigh and let her father in. As soon as Rohit entered the house, he could smell what he assumed was breakfast.

"Have a seat," Kavya said as she motioned to the sofa.

However, before he could sit down, Shreya stopped him.

"You can join us at the dinning table," Shreya told him. "I wasn't sure if you had breakfast so I made a little extra."

"Sure," Rohit replied and made his way to the table. Kavya plonked herself down opposite Rohit, forcing Shreya to sit between them.

Shreya passed him a plate and Rohit graciously accepted it. Unlike the girls, he made no attempt to fill it with food.

"I'm sorry to intrude on your breakfast but my meeting ended early and I thought I'd just come here instead," he spoke, breaking the silence.

Kavya was curious as to what meeting Rohit would have before... 8 in the morning. However, she made no attempt to ask and continue her cold treatment towards her father.

"It's ok," Shreya answered. "We didn't exactly set a time to meet. I'm glad you could make it on such short notice."

This man is supposed to be her enemy, Kavya thought to herself. Why is mom being so nice to him?

Kavya purposefully stabbed her food, hard, causing both her parents to look at her.

"Kavya," her mother scolded her. "If you're not going to eat, at least don't play with your food."

Rohit knew Kavya's hostility was due to the court case. Despite it not being his fault, he couldn't bring himself to tell Kavya the truth. Rohit also couldn't blame Kavya for reacting as such.

"Also," Shreya continued. "You're going to handle this like an adult. You sought your father out, right? He's currently sitting in front of you and what are you doing? Sulking like a little child."

"Miss Kapoor," Rohit started as he felt a bit bad for Kavya. "It's alright..."

"It's not alright," Shreya snapped at Rohit then reverted her attention back to Kavya. "Do you think you're the only one affected by this? Everyone on this table now needs to make compromises as a result of your actions."

Instead of feeling bad, Kavya started to laugh. It started with a muffled sound but it gradually grew louder. She couldn't believe her mom just scolded her father. Rohit who had finally recovered from the shock from being shouted at, realized what happened and joined her.

Shreya, on the other hand, could only look at both father and daughter, confused. She didn't know what happened but at least, they were on better terms.

Suddenly, the door bell rang.

"That must be Deepak," Shreya said as she got up. "Excuse me."

As soon as Shreya was out of hearing range, Rohit begun.

"I'm sorry about what happened in court yesterday," he said. "It wasn't my intention to use the recording. I didn't know of it's existence till I heard it. Whatever we talked about that day was in private and I'm sorry it got leaked. However, you must understand that being associated with me would mean that this wouldn't be the last time this would happen. What I can promise is that I will do my best to protect you."

Kavya nodded.

"I'm also sorry for being such a brat," she admitted. "I may have overreacted. And I'm sorry I got you into trouble with mom."

"That's nothing," he shrugged off.

"So did you think the driver did it?" Kavya inquired.

However, before Rohit could answer, he noticed a new presence in the room. The pair returned to silence as Deepak joined the table.

"I'll go get another plate for you," Shreya offered and left to the kitchen.

"Where's Aarav?" Kavya asked.

"He's in school," Deepak answered.

"Tell him I said hi," Kavya said.

"I will," Deepak replied with a smile. At the same time, Shreya returned with a plate. "Thanks, Shreya."

"Can we please begin?" Rohit asked, slightly annoyed by Deepak's presence. "I have something to attend to."

"Of course," Shreya obliged. "I understand you would like Kavya to attend school?"

Rohit nodded.

"That's one thing that was brought to my attention," Rohit said, nonchalantly. "Miss Kapoor..."

"Shreya," Shreya corrected. "You can call me Shreya."

"Shreya," Rohit continued. "I hope you are aware that Kavya is an heir to two huge global brands. In the future, when she inherits them, she would be thrusted into many different situations and social events. School would be a good place to start. Also, she would make friends and wouldn't be lonely."

Rohit subtly winked at Kavya and she responded with a quick smile. The exchange didn't go unnoticed by Shreya.

"I agree but Kavya has been homeschooled for years," Shreya replied. "It might be hard for her to adjust..."

"I've already thought of that," Rohit smirked. "She can attend whichever school Mr. Arora's son is in. That way, she'll already have a friend and I'm sure he can also help keep an eye on her."

"Would you and Aarav be alright with that?" Shreya asked Deepak.

"I was going to suggest the same thing," Deepak answered. "But will Miss Kavita mind?"

"I'm alright," Kavya smiled. To be honest, Kavya was already over the moon with her father's suggestion even if she and Aarav wouldn't be in the same school.

"Now that that's coming into effect," Rohit said. "We'll have to talk about living arrangements."

This was the part Shreya dreaded.

"We're both working adults with very demanding jobs," Rohit pointed out. "As capable as Kavya is, she's still a child and needs to be under adult supervision to avoid anymore mishaps. My mother has agreed to watch her while we are at work. Since the school and my mother's house is nearer from my place, I suggest that she spends the weekdays with me and the weekends with you. This is a flexible arrangement though, as long as the both of us know where Kavya is, she's allowed to spent time with anyone of us."

Shreya was honestly not comfortable with the arrangement at all but what Rohit said does make sense.

"I'm..." Shreya started but was cut off by Kavya.

"Or one of you could move in with the other," Kavya suggested. "And that way I can spend the equal amount of time with the both of you."

"Kavya," Shreya scolded her daughter under her breath.

"That could be an option if your mother doesn't mind," Rohit told Kavya.

Kavya then looked at Shreya with the most hopeful eyes.

"I don't know," Shreya answered, uncomfortably. "Your father and I lead different lives... And I would be intruding."

"I said it could be an option," Rohit reminded Shreya. "Didn't I? And if you're worried about my girlfriend, she doesn't stay with me."

Why does the mere mention of Tania Jain make her tick?

"Understandably," Rohit continued. "It may be uncomfortable living with a stranger..."

"I'm fine..." Shreya mumbled. She was going to regret this.

"Sorry?" Both Rohit and Deepak said in unison.

"I'm fine with moving in with him," Shreya said, slightly louder. "If that's what it takes to be with Kavya."

Shreya had sworn she'd never seen Kavya so happy in her life. Kavya lept out of her chair and hugged her mother.

"You're the best!" Kavya exclaimed.

"If that's the case," Rohit announced. "I will send the movers over tomorrow to pick up your things."

"Tomorrow?!" Shreya looked at Rohit as if he had two heads. "You must be joking. I'm going to need a week at least to deal with the house."

"You know you don't have to bring everything," Rohit told her. "Right?"

"Yes," Shreya replied. "But still..."

"Since I'm quite free for the day," Rohit said. "I can offer a hand to help you pack."

"I can help too," Deepak interjected while casting Rohit a look. "I practically cleared out most of my schedule for today. And if you need an extra hand, I can always get Aarav to help out."

Shreya looked sheepishly at the two men.

What the heck had she gotten herself into?

***

A/N: 'What the heck' is absolutely right, Shreya. Do you think this will be a good move or do you sense disaster about to happen?

Also, Kavya and Aarav attending the same school. What adventures will that bring as well?

Stay safe and stay tuned.