A/N - Hey! My Gems,
My story is rich in detail and features deep character and plot development. This may make the pacing feel slower, but for those seeking a fast-paced story with a shallow plot, this might not be the best fit. However, if you enjoy slow burns and stories with depth, I love you and truly appreciate your support! ♡

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Roop, a force of nature in a floral-printed Patiala suit, stormed towards Abhimanyu. In a single, fluid motion, she snatched his collar in a grip that surprised even him. Her normally gentle eyes blazed with a fury that mirrored Maa Durga. "You!" she snarled, her voice tight with barely controlled rage. "What did you do to her?!"

Instinct took over as Abhimanyu reached up to pry her hands loose. He expected a fight, a struggle, but the unexpected strength in her grip caught him off guard. "Hold on a second, will ya?" he managed to force out, his voice strained. "Let me explain!"

He knew this was how she'd react. Chand, her little Chand, gone for an entire night, and not just anywhere - with a stranger, a gambler with a reputation that preceded him. A man rumored to associate with the thugs of the city's underbelly. The anger in her eyes was a storm he couldn't blame her for, but he wouldn't back down without a fight.

"You dare touch my kid! You scoundrel! She's just a little girl-"

"Woman! Calm down for a minute and let me explain the situation, alright?!" Abhimanyu raised his voice, but his grip on Roop's arm softened slightly. "I'm not a pedophile! Your "kid" ended up in the red light district last night, and I have no idea why. You should be thankful I was there. Otherwise, things could've gotten much worse." Abhimanyu explained, his voice still firm but less harsh. He spoke bluntly, but it seemed there was a hint of concern beneath his gruff exterior.

Roop's eyes widened, her pupils blown black. Her breath hitched in her throat, a stark contrast to the frantic gasps she might have let out if she truly feared losing Chand. This was a different kind of terror, a chilling realization that sent shivers down her spine. Abhimanyu recognized that look, the cold dread of the past resurfacing. It mirrored the fear that flickered in his own eyes whenever the name "Raichand" was uttered.

Rishabh, his jaw clenched and fists balled, stormed into the scene. His concerned expression for Roop morphed into one of annoyance as his gaze landed on Abhimanyu. "This man again! I knew you were trouble the first time I saw you! First you snatch Chand, and now you harass Roop! Listen here, you pathetic excuse for a human being, I'll-"

A firm but gentle voice cut through Rishabh's tirade. "I don't think the young man has done anything wrong," Sushila Devi declared. They all turned their heads in unison, finding the elderly woman perched in her wheelchair, propelled by Sakhee. Sushila Devi's gaze, sharp despite her age, swept over the tense scene.

"But Maa," Rishabh's voice tightened, a flicker of something more than protectiveness crossing his eyes, "Chand was with this thug the entire night! Who knows what he could have done to her?"

Sushila Devi's gaze softened. "Chand is safe, Rishabh. I spoke with her, and she seemed unharmed. In fact, she spoke highly of this young man." Her eyes flicked to Abhimanyu, who remained a stoic figure, though a hint of relief flickered across his features for a split second. "Perhaps, as an old woman, I have good intuition. I believe this young man meant no harm."

Abhimanyu cleared his throat, the bored facade momentarily cracking. Deep down, a wave of frustration washed over him. He had hoped to avoid this chaotic family altogether. Still, he couldn't deny a sliver of satisfaction at finally being able to leave this bizarre situation behind.

"Finally," he muttered, pushing himself off the wall. "Seems like the misunderstanding is cleared. Well then, I'll be on my way."

He locked eyes with Roop, searching for a reaction. Her expression remained unreadable, a mask that both intrigued and frustrated him. A smirk played on his lips. Perhaps his earlier words had struck a deeper chord than he intended. Had he glimpsed a crack in her carefully constructed facade, the facade of the tough, unwavering woman? A flicker of something, maybe fear, flickered in her eyes before she quickly schooled them back into stoicism. It ignited a dark spark of amusement within him. Maybe, Abhimanyu Raichand did possess a sadistic streak, a twisted pleasure in unsettling others.

"Perhaps a watchful eye wouldn't hurt," he drawled in a low voice, his gaze lingering on Roop a moment longer than necessary. "You never know what lurks in the shadows - a pedophile, a sex offender, or something even worse, like a child trafficker."

The words sent a shiver down Roop's spine, a shiver that went beyond mere discomfort. It was a primal instinct, a warning that resonated deep within her. But she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her vulnerability. She met his gaze with a steely glint in her own eyes.

Just as Abhimanyu turned to walk away, a small hand tugged on his arm. He looked down to see Chand gazing up at him with her wide, innocent eyes. A genuine smile bloomed on her face.

"Stay here, tall handsome man!" Chand requested with a bright smile. "I want to show you Naani-maa's room and my toys!"

Abhimanyu gently pushed her hands away, but with a determined glint in her eyes, Chand grabbed him again. Taking a deep breath to compose himself, Abhimanyu spoke in a calm but firm voice, "Look, kid, I was only here to bring you home. My job's done now. Please stay back a moment."

Chand's frustration bubbled over. Her lower lip jutted out in a dramatic pout, and her fists clenched at her sides. Before she could unleash a full-fledged tantrum, Krish scooped her up. "Chand! Stop it," he chided, his voice laced with a hint of exasperation, though a touch of concern flickered in his eyes. "You've caused enough trouble already. Let this Bhaiya go home, alright? I'm sure you managed to keep him on his toes the whole night."

Abhimanyu's eyebrows shot up in surprise. He wasn't expecting such a sudden shift in events. A hint of amusement danced in his eyes for a fleeting moment, quickly masked by a neutral expression.

Just then, Sushila Devi's voice cut through the tension. "Well, well," she interjected, her gaze fixed on Abhimanyu. "Why don't we extend our hospitality and invite the young man for lunch? It seems the least we can do after all this commotion."

Abhimanyu's voice dripped with disbelief as he pointed a finger at himself. "You want me to stay for lunch?" He glanced around the group, taking in their well-dressed figures. His own attire, practical at best, felt even more out of place amidst this seemingly affluent family.

Sushila Devi's smile softened as she met his gaze. "Yes, of course, young man. It's a small token of our appreciation for bringing Chand back safely. We understand she can be a bit...energetic at times. I'm sure she must have kept you on your toes."

A wave of unexpected warmth washed over Abhimanyu, leaving him speechless. No one, not a single soul, had ever invited him to share a meal in their home. He was used to wary glances and averted eyes, a constant reminder of the life he led. A life that stood in stark contrast to the one unfolding before him. This family - an honest policeman, the three women who ran an orphanage, the innocent gleam in Chand's eyes - they embodied everything he wasn't. A flicker of something akin to longing flickered in his chest, a yearning for a normalcy he'd never known.

Sushila Devi's firm but gentle voice cut through his thoughts. "Please, young man, consider it our way of expressing our gratitude." Abhimanyu studied their faces - a glint of hope in Chand's eyes, a hint of curiosity in Krish's, and an unwavering warmth in Sushila Devi's. A weary sigh escaped his lips. This unexpected kindness was unsettling, yet...tempting.

"Alright," he conceded, "but I won't overstay my welcome. Lunch, and then I'm gone."

Chand's face broke into a wide grin. She squealed in delight and launched herself at Abhimanyu in a hug. He found himself instinctively catching her, his hands moving with a surprising gentleness despite the years spent honing a different kind of strength. A ghost of a smile played on his lips, a flicker of warmth battling the wariness in his eyes.

A furrow creased Roop's brow. Chand, usually wary of strangers, had taken to Abhimanyu with an alarming ease. In all her years of raising Chand, Roop could count on one hand the number of people who had earned her trust so readily. What was it about this rough-edged stranger that resonated with Chand?

A pang of jealousy, sharp and unexpected, pierced Roop's heart. Was it a mother's fierce possessiveness, or was there something more? Abhimanyu, with his lazy drawl and enigmatic demeanor, presented a puzzle. Could there be a hidden well of kindness beneath that gruff exterior, a quality that resonated with Chand's intuitive nature?

Roop bit her lip, caught in a silent debate. Should she shield Chand from this unpredictable man? Were his intentions truly benign, or was there a reason for his presence in their lives? The unanswered questions gnawed at her, leaving her with a knot of unease in her stomach.

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My migraine is currently killing me, but I decided to update this new chapter just for you all. I cannot thank you enough for all the love and support you are showing this work. It means the world to me. I love you all, my Gems♡

Your love and support is what keeps me going so please do leave a bunch of comments, and don't forget to vote♡