A/N: Happy Lunar New Year 🎉🎊🧧It's been quite a hectic few week as I celebrate it, so sorry for not updating 😅

***

Rohit returned to the courtroom, unfazed by the conversation. If anything, he felt more confident at winning. Kavya was going to be his, he thought, as he watched Shreya and Deepak enter. Rohit had heard many things about Deepak in court, mostly for corporate cases or property disputes. He was as cunning and shrewed as Rohit himself was. The fact that Deepak would loose this case, boosted his confidence.

The court was back in session as the judge returned. This was it, this was the moment they've been waiting for.

"The custody of the child, Kavita Kapoor, shall be awarded to..."

It was as if time had stopped for Shreya and Rohit as the judge announced the custody of her daughter.

"Mr. Rohit Sehgal."

Rohit pressed his lips together, almost into a smile. Nandini only looked on, as if she already knew the outcome.

"And Miss Shreya Kapoor."

Shreya let out a sigh of relief. Shared custody was better than loosing custody all together. Shreya didn't bother listening to whatever else the judge said, as her eyes lingered on a very annoyed looking Rohit. As soon as the court adjourned, Rohit walked up to Shreya and Deepak.

"So how do we do this?" Rohit asked.

"Don't come over to show your sympathies, Rohit," Deepak answered on Shreya's behalf. "We could have won this case if your mother hadn't meddled in this case."

"I wasn't talking to you," Rohit retorted. He then looked at Shreya, expecting an answer.

"Give Kavya and I a day," she told him. "If she's following this on the TV, she would have known about your last minute evidence. I will speak to her about it. After that, we can try to find a way to work this out."

Rohit nodded.

Swamps of reporters and photographers were waiting for them outside but neither Rohit or Shreya heeded them any attention.

Just as Shreya had told Rohit earlier, Kavya knew what had happened. Shreya was enveloped in a hug the moment she walked passed her front door.

"I hate him," Kavya defiantly told Shreya.

"Kavya," she coaxed. "Don't say that, he's your dad."

Kavya released her mother and took a step back to look her mother in her eyes.

"And you're my mom," Kavya replied. "I'm not going to sit there and let anyone bully you. He made a promise and he broke it. "

Shreya was a bit sceptical if she should tell Kavya that it was Rohit's mother that planted the evidence. After all, she heard it from Deepak, not Rohit. Shreya decided she would tell her daughter what Rohit had confirmed. At least, she could shift the blame off him.

"Kavya," Shreya started. "It wasn't your dad who sent in the recording. He was equally as surprised as me when we heard it."

"That's impossible!" Kavya exclaimed. She started pacing around as she thought out loud. "It can't be. It was just dad, myself and... Do you think it was the driver?"

"It doesn't matter who sent it," Shreya told her. "What matters now is that both your dad and I have custody over you. Your dad and I agreed that we'd take the day off today and talk about it tomorrow."

Kavya nodded and flopped down on the couch.

"So," Shreya spoke with a slight glimmer of playfulness in her eyes. "I was thinking... Maybe we could go shopping..."

Kavya immediately leapt off the couch and hugged her mother, squealing the entire time.

"I'll take that as a yes?" Shreya questioned, despite already knowing the answer.

"Of course," Kavya answered. "Just give me 5 minutes. I'll go get ready."

Shreya laughed at her daughter's antics as she sprinted to her bedroom to get ready.

***

Rohit had noticed his mother going missing immediately after the court case. As much as he hated going home, he had to talk to his mother.

"I already did everything that I could," Rohit heard Aman speak.

Why was Aman doing here? He didn't recall inviting him...

"Your everything isn't good enough," his mother replied.

What was she up to?

Rohit decided to step on before the conversation proceeded any further.

"Ma," he said, making his presence known. "Aman, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Rohit," the lawyer stood up and greeted him. "I just stopped by to..."

"Choose your next words very carefully," Rohit warned.

"I was the one who called him here," Nandini revealed.

"And for what?" Rohit asked. "So that you could meddle in the case further? I don't recall asking for your help."

"If I didn't," she retorted. "You would have lost. That woman is more cunning than I thought. It seemed that you underestimated her."

"That woman is the mother of my child," he growled. "I expect her to be treated with respect."

"That woman might just be a gold digger for all you know," Nandini said, raising her voice a little. "What woman would keep a 17 year old cheque and a child from a man she barely knew?"

That shut him up. It was now his mission to find out why Shreya had decided to keep Kavita.

"I need to go now," Aman spoke up. "I need to get ready for the meeting later today. I'll see you soon, Rohit, Miss Sehgal."

"If you really consider me your friend," Rohit warned. "You'll stop seeing my mother regarding this case."

"As you wish," Aman meekly said and left.

"Now Rohit," she started again when Aman had exited the room. "About your daughter. What are your future plans for her?"

"She can do anything she wants," Rohit replied. "I won't let her be a pawn in whatever game you're playing."

"If she's going to take over the Sehgal empire," she pointed out. "There has to be some level of grooming and upbringing. I mean, she doesn't even go to school. How will she cope in the future?"

To a certain extent, his mother was right. He was basically trained his whole life to take over the family business and he wouldn't be where he is without it. Rohit hates it whenever his mother is right.

"I'm having a discussion with Shreya tomorrow regarding Kavya's future," he explained. "I'll remember to bring that up."

"Good," Nandini said as she poured herself some tea.

***

As promised, Shreya had brought Kavya out on a shopping trip. They had managed to get a few pairs of shoes, dresses and some traditional clothing. While on their way to lunch, Kavya accidentally bumped into someone, causing the stuff she was holding to fall.

"I'm so sorry," she heard the other person said. "I didn't mean to... Tum?!"

Kavya raised her head and she couldn't believe her fate.

"Tum?!" Kavya echoed. It was that stupid lawyer's son. Ankush... Or Arun... Or whatever his name is...

"Aarav?" Kavya heard her mother asked. Right, that's his name. "What are you doing here? Does you father know you're here?"

"He knows," he replied. "I was supposed to watch a movie with a friend but he bailed."

"With a face like yours, who wouldn't?" Kavya insulted.

"Kavya," Shreya scolded. "Be nice."

"Fine," Kavya sulked. "What movie?"

"It's that new SRK movie," he answered.

"Seriously?!" Kavya exclaimed excitedly. "But how? I've been trying to get tickets for that and they're all sold out for the entire week."

"Wouldn't you like to know," Aarav smirked.

"Since you won't be needing the tickets," Kavya spoke up. "May I have them?"

"It," Aarav pointed out. "Singular, I intend to watch the movie. And no, you may not."

"It's not like you have any use for the other ticket," Kavya muttered. She then turned her attention to her mother. "Mom, aren't you going to say anything?"

"What do you want me to say?" Shreya asked. "It's his ticket so it's his choice. And besides, you're here on a shopping trip with me, not SRK."

Kavya let out a loud huff of breath.

"Ask me nicely," Aarav said.

"Excuse me?" Kavya questioned.

"Ask me nicely," he repeated. "And I might consider giving the ticket to you."

"But..." Kavya started but stopped when she saw how serious Aarav was. "Fine. Aarav, may I please have the ticket?"

"Sure," Aarav replied. "That's if your mom's alright with it."

Kavya turned around to face her mother with her infamous pleading eyes.

"Fine," Shreya relented. "But be nice to Aarav."

"I will," she answered with a smile. She then linked her hands with Aarav's. "Let's go. Bye mom!"

Shreya smiled as she saw Aarav trying to yank his arm away from Kavya but failed. She looked on until the two of them had disappeared from her sight. Suddenly, she felt a tap on the shoulder. She turned around and found Deepak standing there.

"Hi," she greeted. "What are you doing here?"

"It looked like I just got stood up by my kid too," he said as pointed in the direction where their kids were. Shreya wanted to say something but was cut off by Deepak. "It's ok. They should get to know each other."

"Then I guess I owe you another thanks," she smiled.

"It's ok," he replied. "But since we're already here, want to join me for a cup of coffee while we wait."

"Sure," she answered. "Lead the way."

***

A/N: SRK is my first favorite Bollywood hero that's why I thought he'll be a nice addition to the story  (plus SRK hasn't had a release in a while so I'll give him one)... I really hope SRK will sign a movie soon!!!

Also, how cute are Aarav and Kavya as frenemies???