As the days turned into weeks and weeks into months, Preeta's bond with the Parihaar family grew deeper, stronger, and more genuine. What had started as a professional relationship with Rukmini evolved into something much more meaningful. Preeta had become a regular presence in the mansion, arriving promptly at 9 every morning, helping Rukmini with her exercises, offering advice, and having long conversations about life and memories. Rukmini's health improved, and so did the quiet connection between them. They shared laughter and stories, with Preeta often hearing Rukmini's tales from the past-stories of love, loss, and strength.

Preeta's bond with Krushna also became more solid. He had always been the easygoing one, offering her lighthearted banter and kindness, but over time, he started opening up more to her. Their conversations had shifted from casual pleasantries to more personal matters, with Preeta helping him understand his family dynamics better. She was often the sounding board he needed when it came to his own struggles, especially when it came to balancing his career and his family responsibilities.

Pakhi, Rishabh's mother, was warm and welcoming to Preeta, always ensuring that she was comfortable. Her soft-spoken nature and the way she managed the household had a calming effect on Preeta, and they had several heart-to-heart talks about family and life in general. Pakhi's insight often gave Preeta clarity on some of the deeper, unspoken tensions within the family.

And then, of course, there was Meesha. The little girl had developed an almost ritualistic habit of waking up early every morning to be the first to greet Preeta at her house. Meesha would stand by the large main door of the Parihaar mansion, clutching her stuffed bunny, her big eyes peeking through the small crack as she eagerly awaited Preeta's arrival. The sight warmed Preeta's heart every time, and she would pick Meesha up and twirl her around, laughing as the little girl squealed in delight.

Even with Avantika's constant coldness and sharp remarks, Preeta had found a way to bond with her daughters, Kritika and Swastika. They were a lively duo, full of energy and mischief, and despite Avantika's disdain for her, Preeta found herself enjoying their playful company. Kritika would often sneak little notes or drawings into Preeta's bag, while Swastika would try to impress her with her antics and bold stories. But with Avantika herself, the distance only grew. No matter how polite and respectful Preeta tried to be, Avantika's sharp remarks and constant judgment never softened. It felt as if nothing Preeta did was good enough in her eyes.

Yet, despite the turbulence with Avantika, something else began to grow within Preeta-something she hadn't expected.

As she spent more time in the mansion, working with Rukmini and interacting with everyone, her feelings for Rishabh became more than just a fleeting crush. His quiet strength, his dedication to his family, and the way he treated Meesha had etched something deeper in Preeta's heart. She found herself looking for excuses to speak with him, to be near him. His calm demeanor, the way he carried himself, and the moments when he would simply listen to her-it all drew her in like a magnet.

The way Rishabh cared for Meesha, how he always made time for her, even in the midst of his busy life, touched something deep within Preeta. She could see the way he held himself back, the way he never pushed anyone away but also never let anyone get too close. He was a man of responsibility, of duty, and yet there was something beneath the surface-a vulnerability, a longing for connection that Preeta couldn't quite put into words.

She realized that with every passing day, her feelings for him grew stronger. It wasn't just his looks-though, she couldn't deny he was incredibly handsome-but it was his heart, his kindness, the way he silently protected his family and gave so much of himself to them without asking for anything in return.

One day, as Preeta stood in the garden, watching Meesha chase butterflies, Rishabh walked out onto the terrace and joined her. She didn't notice him at first, so when she heard his voice, it startled her.

"Meesha seems to be in a good mood today," Rishabh remarked, his gaze following the little girl.

Preeta smiled softly, her heart fluttering at the sound of his voice. "She's always in a good mood when she knows I'm coming over," she said, looking over at him. "She's such a happy soul."

Rishabh nodded, turning to face her. His eyes lingered on her for a moment, and there was a flicker of something-something unreadable-in his gaze.

"Thank you," he said quietly. "For everything you've done for her. For Dadi, too."

Preeta's heart skipped a beat at his words. She nodded, trying to maintain her composure. "It's my pleasure, Rishabh. Really."

There was a pause, a moment where neither of them spoke. Preeta could feel the tension in the air, the unspoken words hanging between them. She quickly looked down at the ground, afraid of what she might feel if she stayed looking into his eyes for too long.

And that's when she realized-this wasn't just about helping people anymore. It wasn't just about her career or fulfilling a duty. Her feelings for Rishabh had grown into something more complicated, more intricate than she had ever anticipated.

The connection between them was undeniable, and yet, the timing didn't seem right. Preeta knew it wasn't just a passing crush-it was something much deeper, something that she couldn't easily dismiss. But as she watched Rishabh turn away to check on Meesha, she also realized something else. Even though they had come so far, the gap between them was still vast. He was Rishabh Parihaar-reserved, responsible, always in control-and she was Preeta Garg, a simple woman with her own emotional baggage and dreams.

But as they continued their quiet journey, side by side, the feelings simmered beneath the surface, unspoken but growing stronger each day.