Khushi walked back toward the living room. The soft hum of the celebration shifted as she moved. The children were still laughing, still chasing one another, but as she reached them, the noise softened—as if the house itself knew something important was about to happen.
Yuvaan followed her.
Not as the master of the house.Not as the warlock king he once was. Just as a father.
Kiaan noticed first.
His laughter slowed.His eyes lifted. Confusion flickered across his face when he saw his father approaching—not angry, not distant, but hesitant.
Khushi sat down on the low stool near the children and rested the guitar against her knee. Her fingers brushed the strings gently, testing the sound. The first note floated into the room, soft and warm.
Then she began to sing.
Khushiyaan Bhi Bante
(Sometimes even happiness is created)
Yeh Rishtey Kabhi Hai Laate
(These relationships sometimes bring it)
Aansoon Ke Mausam Khud Hi
(The season of tears itself…)
Uljhe Hue Se
Kabhi Hai Yeh Dhagon Jaise
(Sometimes, like tangled threads,)
Jaate Sulajh Yeh Khud Hi
(They unravel on their own.)
Her voice wasn't loud. It didn't need to be. It wrapped around the room like a reassurance, like something familiar returning after a long absence.
As the song flowed, Yuvaan took a step forward.
Then another.
And then—slowly,deliberately—he bent down in front of Kiaan.
He went down on his knees.
The room went still.
Yuvaan lifted his hands and held his ears, the gesture awkward, humbling, deeply vulnerable. His eyes stayed on his son's face, not once looking away.
Aankhon Ko Yaar Hai Na
(Do my eyes not have a companion?)
Intezaar Hai Na
(Do they not wait?)
Tera Khumaar Hai Na
(Is your intoxication not there?)
Meri Toh Har Baat Mein Tuhi
(For me, in every word, it is only you.)
Kiaan's breath caught. His small hands trembled slightly at his sides. No one had to tell him what this meant.
The family moved closer—Bhoomi,Susheela, Aakash, Vinod—forming a quiet circle, their voices joining Khushi's without overpowering hers.
Sang Din Raat Hai Na
(Isn't it day and night with you?)
Yun Hi Tu Mere Saath Rehna
(Just stay with me like this.)
Seedhi Si Yeh Toh Baat Hai Na
(Is this not a simple thing?)
Yeh Rishtey Hai Pyaar Ke
(These are bonds of love.)
One by one, gifts were placed in front of Kiaan. Small boxes. Bright wrapping. Thoughtful gestures. But Kiaan barely noticed them.
His eyes were fixed on his father.
Khushi's fingers glided across the strings again, her voice softening even more.
Palkon Mein Chupa Ke
(Hiding you within my eyelashes,)
Rakh Loon Tujhe
(I would keep you.)
Sapne Se Saja Ke
(Adorning you with dreams,)
Rakh Loon Tujhe
(I would keep you.)
Yuvaan finally reached out.
He pulled Kiaan into his arms.
And for the first time that day—perhaps for the first time in years—he sang.
Lamhon Ko Yaar Hai Na
(Do the moments not have a companion?)
Intezaar Hai Na
(Do they not wait?)
Dil Se Pukaar Lena
(Call out from the heart,)
Lage Sara Jahan Yeh Ajnabi
(The whole world feels like a stranger.)
Kiaan buried his face into his father's shoulder. His fists clenched into Yuvaan's shirt, holding on as if afraid the moment might disappear.
The family's voices rose together,steady and united.
Sang Din Raat Hai Na
(Isn't it day and night with you?)
Yun Hi Tu Mere Saath Rehna
(Just stay with me like this.)
Sidhi Si Yeh Toh Baat Hai Na
(Is this not a simple thing?)
Yeh Rishtey Hai Pyaar Ke
(These are bonds of love.)
At the far corner of the room, away from the warmth—
Rani stood stiff.
Her fingers dug into her palms as she watched the scene unravel in a way she had not planned.The distance she had carefully crafted… was closing. The bond she had tried to break… was healing.
Beside her, Meera's lips pressed into a thin line. Her eyes flickered with resentment—not at the song, not at the happiness—but at the sight of Kiaan being loved so fiercely despite everything.
Despite Rani's injury.Despite the chaos. Despite her anger.
Two women stood in shadow.
While the rest of the house glowed.
And in the center of it all, Kiaan smiled through tears—his birthday no longer broken, but reborn.
To be continued…