"When I saw you I fell in love, and you smiled because you know"

Delhi, India...

After yesterday's incident with Diya, Vidhant was determined to avoid her at all costs. He needed some time to process everything and regain his composure.

Vidhant will likely continue to prioritize his twins, Rishu and Reet. His dedication to them might strengthen their bond, creating a close-knit family unit. He will pour his energy into being the best father he can be, ensuring their happiness and stability. He can't imagine his life without these 2 bundle of joys.

He did everything in his power to provide the love their mother failed to give them. Vidhant was determined to be both mother and father to Rishu and Reet, ensuring they never felt the void left by their mother's absence.

He attended every school event, celebrated every small achievement, and made sure they knew how deeply they were loved.Balancing work and fatherhood was challenging, but Vidhant managed with unwavering commitment. He often stayed up late to finish work after the twins had gone to bed, just to make sure he was always present for them when they needed him. He was attentive to their emotional needs, always ready to listen and offer comfort. Vidhant encouraged Rishu and Reet to express their feelings, ensuring they never felt alone in their struggles.

Today was one of the events at the school, and the twins were determined to make Vidhant attend without giving away any details. Wanting to cherish the smiles on Rishu and Reet's faces, Vidhant agreed to go. He got ready for the event and was in the middle of answering an email when his mother barged into his room. Giving her a small smile, he continued to be engrossed in his work.

"Vidhant, are you ready for the event?" his mother asked, her voice carrying a mix of concern and excitement.

"Almost, Ma. Just finishing up this email," Vidhant replied, his eyes still on the screen.

"You work too hard, beta. Take a moment to breathe. The twins are so excited about today," she said, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

Yeah, Ma..." Vidhant knew very well why his mother had barged into his room again. He seemed least interested in listening.

"Vidhant... beta," Anmol, Vidhant's mom, said, her voice laced with worry.

"Not again... not that topic about me getting married," Vidhant's voice was filled with irritation.

"Vidhant, you need a stable partner," Anmol insisted gently.Vidhant sighed deeply, rubbing his temples.

"Ma, I've told you before, I'm not interested in getting married again. My focus is on Rishu and Reet. They need me, not a stepmother."

"But, Vidhant," she continued, "you also need someone by your side. Someone to support you, to share the burdens and the joys. It's not just about the twins; it's about your happiness too."

Vidhant shook his head, frustration evident in his eyes. "I can't think about that right now, Ma. There's too much on my plate already."Anmol placed a comforting hand on his arm.

"I understand, beta. But just think about it. You deserve happiness too. And the right person could bring even more joy into your and the twins' lives."He sighed again, this time more softly.

"I'll think about it, Ma. But not now. Not today."Anmol nodded, knowing when to step back.

"Alright, but remember, you don't have to do everything alone. We all want to see you happy.

With a final reassuring smile, she left his room, leaving Vidhant to gather his thoughts. He glanced at the clock and realized it was time to head to the school event. He shook off the lingering frustration and focused on the joy of seeing his twins perform.

**************

Sacred Heart Convent School, New Delhi..

When Vidhant reached the event, he was quite astonished to find that all the students' mothers were present. He passed a small, polite smile to the women and took a seat in the front.As the performance began, Vidhant quickly realized that today's event was all about Mother's Day. His heart sank slightly, knowing how much his twins missed having their mother around for such occasions.

The children performed various acts to celebrate their mothers, from dances and songs to heartfelt speeches. Vidhant watched with mixed emotions, feeling proud of Rishu and Reet but also a pang of sadness for what they were missing.Then, Rishu and Reet took the stage together. They had prepared a special act, and Vidhant's curiosity peaked. They performed a skit about a father's love, dedicated to Vidhant. Their lines and actions depicted a father who played the role of both parents, showering them with love and care.

"Today, we want to celebrate our dad," Rishu began, her voice strong and clear.

"He has always been there for us, like a mom and a dad."Reet continued, "He makes us laugh, helps us with our homework, and takes care of us every single day. We love you, Dad!"The audience applauded warmly, and Vidhant felt tears welling up in his eyes. He had no idea they were planning this, and his heart swelled with pride and love for his children.

As they finished their performance, Rishu and Reet ran off the stage and hugged Vidhant tightly. "Happy Mother's Day, Dad," they said in unison, their eyes shining with affection.Vidhant hugged them back, unable to speak for a moment. "Thank you, my loves," he finally managed to say. "You two are my world."

***************

Delhi Heights Cafe, New Delhi..

After a few days..

After his office hours ended, Vidhant headed to the cafe where he was scheduled to meet Ishita, Rishu and Reet's class teacher. He was a bit anxious, wondering what the discussion would entail. As he arrived, he spotted Ishita at a corner table and walked over.

"Hello, Mr. Vadhera," Ishita greeted warmly as he took a seat.

"Thank you for meeting me.""Of course, Ms. Ishita. Please, call me Vidhant," he replied with a polite smile. They both decided to order  coffee.

"What's on your mind about Rishu and Reet?"Ishita took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully. "Vidhant, I want to talk about the twins. They are wonderful children—bright, polite, and very mature for their age. However, there's something that has been concerning me." Vidhant nodded, leaning forward slightly.

"I'm listening."Although Rishu and Reet appear strong and independent, I sense a deep curiosity and possibly some confusion about their mother. They've mentioned her in passing, and it's clear they have questions. It's natural for them to want to know more about her."

Vidhant felt a tight knot form in his stomach.

What happened?" Vidhant asked, growing more anxious. He knew his kids were mature enough to handle many things, so something serious must have occurred.Ishita sighed, looking a bit embarrassed. "Actually... a few days after the event, some of the students especially Vivan annd his friends started trolling Rishu and Reet about their mother, saying things like she might be having an affair or left your father, or even that she is dead. It continue for maybe like 2-3 days but yesterday all this happened . So I need you inform about this"

Vidhant's eyes widened in shock. "But I didn't know anything about this! Why didn't anyone tell me?"Ishita nodded sympathetically. "I'm so sorry, Vidhant. We tried to handle it discreetly at school, but it seems things got out of hand. Rishu fought with the boys in his class over this talk, and that's why his cheek was bruised as he pushed some of boys from stairs but in no time I was there so they did not suffer any major injuries.

Vidhant took a deep breath, trying to calm his rising anger. "I appreciate your efforts to protect them, but I need to know when something like this happens. They're my children, and I need to be there for them."

"I understand," Ishita said softly. "We should have reached out. The situation has been addressed with the other students, and we've spoken to their parents as well."

Vidhant nodded, his mind racing with thoughts of how to support his children through this. "Thank you for letting me know. I'll talk to Rishu and Reet about it. They need to understand that they can come to me with anything, no matter how difficult."

"That's a good idea," Ishita agreed. "They need to feel safe and supported at home and at school."

*****************

London, United Kingdom...

"Ruhi, it's time for you to settle down," Shruti said, causing Ruhi to choke while drinking her water.

"Why are you after me, Shruti?" Ruhi snapped, her anger flaring up.

"Because you're soon to be 30, and by now, you should at least have one baby," Shruti chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

"I don't want to settle down. Never in my life. All this is rubbish to me—marriage and a child, yuck," Ruhi retorted, turning back to her project. How could she tell them about what she left behind? She might be called selfish, egoistic, or worse, but she chose herself, leaving her little bundles of joy behind because she was not ready for them and never would be.

As Ruhi continued to work, her mind drifted back to the past. She remembered the difficult decision she had made, one that still haunted her.

Shruti, sensing the tension, softened her tone. "Ruhi, I'm not trying to pressure you. I just want you to be happy. I worry about you.

"Ruhi sighed, her anger giving way to fatigue. "I know you mean well, Shruti. But my happiness doesn't come from marriage or having children. I have my own path."

From the day 1, Ruhi threw herself into her work, trying to drown out the echoes of the past. She had built a successful career and had a life that many envied. But there was always that lingering question—had she made the right choice? Only time would tell, but for now, she focused on what she knew best: living life on her own terms.

Tillthengoodbye
moonwithflames_🍁