Author pov

The atmosphere inside the Kapoor Mansion was peaceful.

After welcoming the Khurana family, everyone settled into the living room.

A servant served tea and snacks while the elders exchanged polite smiles.

Rajveer Kapoor broke the silence.

"It's a pleasure to have you here."

Mahesh smiled.

"The pleasure is ours."

For a few minutes...

The conversation remained formal.

Business.

Family values.

Work.

Everything except the real reason behind today's meeting.

Meanwhile...

Laksh sat quietly on one side of the sofa.

His attention wasn't on the conversation.

It was on the tiny girl comfortably sitting in Aarika's lap.

Eira had completely forgotten that Aarika was a stranger.

She happily played with the bangles on Aarika's wrist.

"Ting... ting..."

She giggled after making the bangles jingle.

Aarika laughed softly.

"You like these?"

Eira nodded enthusiastically.

"Pretty."

"You want them?"

Before anyone could react...

Aarika removed one simple bracelet from her wrist and gently slipped it onto Eira's tiny hand.

"There..."

"This is yours."

Eira's eyes sparkled.

"Meee?"

Aarika smiled.

"Yes."

"It's yours."

The little girl immediately kissed Aarika's cheek.

"Thankuu..."

The room fell silent once again.

Laksh unknowingly smiled.

No one had asked Eira to behave this way.

She was doing everything on her own.

Almost as if...

She had already accepted Aarika.

---

Meera looked towards Rajveer.

"I think Eira has already made her decision."

Rajveer chuckled softly.

"It seems so."

Vivaan leaned closer to Laksh and whispered,

"I think someone has competition."

Laksh looked at him.

"What?"

"Eira usually doesn't leave your lap."

"And now..."

He pointed toward Aarika.

"Look at her."

Laksh glanced in that direction.

Eira was proudly showing Aarika her tiny stuffed bunny.

"Bunnyyy..."

Aarika gasped dramatically.

"Oh my God!"

"What a beautiful bunny."

Eira nodded proudly.

"My bunny."

"Can I hold Bunny?"

The little girl thought for a moment before handing it over.

Laksh noticed every little detail.

Children trusted very carefully.

Especially Eira.

Yet today...

She wasn't hesitant even for a second.

---

After some time...

Meera smiled warmly.

"I think Laksh and Aarika should talk alone."

Mahesh nodded immediately.

"Of course."

Kavita looked at Aarika.

"Go."

Aarika quietly stood up.

Just as Laksh was about to follow...

A tiny hand grabbed Aarika's dupatta.

Both of them looked down.

Eira.

She pouted.

"No..."

Laksh bent down.

"Princess..."

"Papa will be back."

She shook her head stubbornly.

"Mumma..."

The single word echoed through the room.

Everyone froze.

Even Eira herself didn't realize what she had said.

Aarika's eyes widened.

Laksh looked completely speechless.

Meera covered her mouth emotionally.

Vivaan stared at Eira.

"Did... did she just..."

Rajveer slowly smiled.

Children never lied.

They spoke what their hearts felt.

Aarika slowly knelt in front of Eira.

She gently cupped her tiny cheeks.

"My name is Aarika."

Eira blinked.

"Aa...ika."

Aarika laughed softly.

"That's much better."

Laksh quietly picked Eira up.

"Come on."

"We'll be back soon."

The little girl reluctantly nodded before resting her head on Laksh's shoulder.

---

A servant guided Laksh and Aarika toward the garden.

For the first few moments...

Neither of them spoke.

Only the sound of birds and the cool breeze filled the silence.

Finally...

Laksh broke it.

"I'm sorry."

Aarika looked at him.

"For what?"

"For today's situation."

"This isn't how I imagined someone's first meeting would be."

Aarika smiled faintly.

"I don't mind."

There was another silence.

Laksh folded his hands behind his back.

"I don't know how much your family has told you."

"But I don't believe in hiding things."

"So I'll be honest."

He looked directly into her eyes.

"I agreed to this marriage for only one reason."

"My daughter."

Aarika listened quietly.

"I don't need another chance at love."

"I don't expect romance."

"I don't even expect you to love me."

"But..."

His voice softened.

"If you ever become my wife..."

"I only have one condition."

Aarika waited patiently.

Laksh looked toward the house where little Eira was visible through the glass window.

"You have to love my daughter."

"Not because she's mine."

"But because she's just a child."

"If one day she makes a mistake..."

"Correct her."

"If she cries..."

"Comfort her."

"If she gets scared..."

"Protect her."

"And if you ever feel you cannot accept her..."

"Please refuse this marriage today."

"I'll respect your decision."

"But I can't let Eira go through another heartbreak."

Aarika remained silent for a few moments.

She wasn't offended.

She wasn't surprised.

Instead...

She understood him.

A father wasn't asking for a wife.

He was asking for someone to protect his little girl.

And somehow...

That touched her heart.

A gentle breeze passed between them.

Neither Laksh nor Aarika spoke for a few moments.

Sometimes...

Silence carried more emotions than words ever could.

Laksh waited patiently.

He wasn't expecting the answer he wanted.

He only wanted the truth.

Because false promises had already destroyed enough of his life.

Finally...

Aarika looked at him.

"May I say something?"

Laksh nodded.

"Of course."

She took a slow breath.

"I don't know how to make big promises."

His eyes remained fixed on her.

"I don't know if I'll become the perfect wife."

"I don't know if I'll always do everything right."

A small smile appeared on her lips.

"But I do know one thing."

She looked toward the mansion where Eira was visible through the glass, happily running behind Vivaan with her stuffed bunny.

"I can never ignore a child."

Laksh silently listened.

"I lost my parents when I was very young."

"I know what it feels like to wait for someone who never comes back."

Her voice didn't shake.

She had cried enough over the years.

Now...

Pain had become a part of her.

"I know Eira's situation is different."

"Her mother is alive."

"But sometimes..."

She paused.

"Having someone alive who chooses not to stay hurts just as much."

Laksh's expression softened.

It was the first time...

Someone had understood his daughter without asking unnecessary questions.

Aarika continued quietly,

"I can't promise she'll never be upset with me."

"But I can promise this..."

"If she becomes a part of my life..."

"I'll never make her feel unwanted."

"I'll never let her think she's a burden."

"And I'll never walk away from her."

Laksh didn't say anything.

He simply looked at Aarika.

There wasn't a trace of sympathy in her eyes.

Only sincerity.

And somehow...

That mattered more.

---

Inside the mansion...

Eira had climbed onto Vivaan's shoulders.

"Highhh!"

Vivaan laughed.

"My princess wants to touch the ceiling?"

"Yesss!"

Rajveer smiled while watching them.

Meera, however, wasn't looking at Vivaan.

She was looking through the glass doors toward the garden.

At Laksh.

She had seen that expression only a handful of times.

Her son wasn't smiling.

But the heaviness in his eyes seemed... lighter.

Maybe...

Just maybe...

He had found someone who understood him.

---

Back in the garden...

Laksh spoke again.

"I have one more thing to tell you."

Aarika nodded.

"My daughter comes first."

"Always."

"If someday there's a situation where I have to choose between anyone and Eira..."

"I'll choose my daughter."

"There won't even be a second thought."

He expected Aarika to hesitate.

Most people would.

Instead...

She smiled.

"You don't have to apologize for that."

Laksh frowned slightly.

She continued,

"If I become her mother..."

"I'll choose her too."

The words were simple.

But they hit Laksh harder than he expected.

For the first time since this marriage proposal had come into his life...

He felt something he hadn't felt in years.

Relief.

Not because he had found a wife.

But because...

Maybe Eira had found someone who would hold her tiny hand without ever letting go.

---

A soft giggle suddenly interrupted them.

Both turned around.

There stood Eira.

She had escaped from everyone once again.

Holding her bunny in one hand...

And dragging its ear with the other.

"Papaaa..."

Laksh sighed dramatically.

"How did you get here?"

Vivaan's voice echoed from inside.

"Sorry!"

"She ran away before I could stop her!"

Eira completely ignored everyone.

She walked straight to Aarika.

Then...

Without asking...

She placed her little bunny in Aarika's hands.

Aarika blinked.

"You want me to keep Bunny?"

Eira nodded confidently.

Laksh watched in surprise.

"She never gives Bunny to anyone."

Vivaan finally reached them, slightly out of breath.

"I've been trying to borrow that bunny for months."

"She says no."

Everyone laughed.

Aarika knelt down in front of Eira.

"This is your favourite."

Eira smiled.

"You..."

Then she pointed at the bunny.

"You."

Aarika understood.

"You want Bunny to stay with me for now?"

Eira clapped happily.

Laksh couldn't explain why...

But seeing his daughter trust Aarika so naturally made something inside him settle.

Some bonds...

Didn't need time.

They simply happened.

And perhaps...

This was one of them.

Vivaan looked at Laksh before smirking.

"I think my job here is done."

Laksh raised an eyebrow.

"What job?"

"Finding a partner for Eira."

Everyone laughed.

Even Laksh couldn't stop the small smile that appeared on his face.

Aarika looked at Eira, who was still holding her finger with her tiny hand.

She gently brushed a few strands of hair away from the little girl's face.

"So beautiful..."

she whispered.

Eira giggled.

"Pretty!"

"Yes."

"You are the prettiest little princess."

The little girl happily hugged Aarika again.

Laksh quietly watched the scene.

There wasn't any awkwardness.

No hesitation.

It all looked... natural.

As if they had known each other for years instead of just a few minutes.

---

The elders joined them in the garden.

Meera smiled warmly.

"I hope you both had enough time to talk."

Laksh nodded politely.

"Yes."

Mahesh looked at Aarika.

"Beta?"

Aarika lowered her eyes before nodding softly.

"I'm okay with this marriage."

Kavita smiled with satisfaction.

For her, it meant one thing—

Her responsibility was finally coming to an end.

But for the Kapoor family...

It meant the possibility of welcoming a new member.

Rajveer turned towards Laksh.

"And you?"

Laksh looked at Aarika for a brief moment.

Then his gaze shifted to Eira, who refused to leave Aarika's side.

Finally, he answered,

"I have no objection."

Meera's eyes instantly filled with happiness.

"Then..."

She looked at Mahesh.

"If you're comfortable, we'd like to move forward with this alliance."

Mahesh smiled.

"We'd be happy to."

The atmosphere suddenly became lighter.

Congratulations were exchanged.

Sweets were served.

Vivaan quietly leaned towards Laksh.

"So..."

Laksh looked at him.

"What?"

"You've officially lost your position."

Laksh frowned.

"What position?"

"Eira's favourite person."

Laksh glanced at his daughter.

She was making Aarika wear one of her tiny pink hair clips.

Aarika laughed while letting her do it.

Laksh shook his head helplessly.

"I don't mind."

Vivaan smiled.

"I know."

A few minutes later...

Meera gently approached Aarika.

"Beta."

Aarika immediately stood up.

"Ji?"

Meera held her hand lovingly.

"I don't know what the future holds."

"But there's one thing I want you to know."

Aarika listened carefully.

"In this house..."

"You'll never have to earn your place."

"You'll already have one."

Aarika's eyes widened slightly.

She wasn't used to hearing words filled with affection.

Before she could respond...

Meera lovingly tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"And one more thing."

"If you ever make a mistake..."

"We'll solve it together."

"You won't have to face anything alone."

For a moment...

Aarika forgot how to speak.

A simple gesture.

A few kind words.

Yet they healed wounds that had existed for years.

She smiled softly.

"Thank you... Aunty."

Meera chuckled.

"I hope one day..."

"You'll call me 'Mom.'"

Aarika's eyes became moist.

She simply nodded.

---

It was finally time for the Khurana family to leave.

As everyone walked toward the main door...

Eira suddenly realized something.

"Aa...ika?"

Aarika turned around.

"Hmm?"

The little girl stretched both her arms forward.

"Hug."

Aarika immediately bent down and hugged her tightly.

"I'll see you again very soon."

Eira nodded seriously.

"Pakka?"

Aarika smiled.

"Pakka."

Then she kissed Eira's forehead.

The little girl smiled so brightly that everyone's heart melted.

Laksh quietly watched them.

For the first time in two years...

His daughter had smiled like this for someone other than her own family.

As the Khurana family's car disappeared through the gates...

Laksh remained standing there.

Vivaan walked over and stood beside him.

"So..."

"What are you thinking?"

Laksh looked at the tiny bracelet still wrapped around Eira's wrist.

His daughter hadn't taken it off.

He smiled faintly.

"I don't know what the future holds."

"But today..."

"For the first time..."

"I wasn't scared."

Vivaan looked at his brother and smiled.

"That's a good start."

Laksh looked toward the road where Aarika had just left.

Maybe this marriage had begun as a responsibility.

Maybe neither of them had chosen it.

But sometimes...

The most beautiful relationships aren't created by choice.

They're created by fate...

One tiny hand at a time.

♡ Author's Note ♡

And that's a wrap for Chapter 3! 🤍

Awww... wasn't little Eira the cutest? 🥹 She literally stole the entire chapter, didn't she? 🐰💛

Laksh and Aarika's first meeting wasn't full of romance—it was full of honesty, trust, and one little girl who unknowingly brought two strangers closer. Sometimes, that's where the most beautiful love stories begin. ❤️

Now tell me honestly...

💭 I want to know your thoughts!

- How did you like Laksh and Aarika's first conversation?

- Do you think Eira has already accepted Aarika?

- Which scene was your favorite in this chapter?

- And... what do you think will happen after this meeting? 👀

If this chapter made you smile even once, then please don't forget to:

- 🤍 Vote

- 💬 Comment

- 📚 Add this story to your Reading List

- 🔔 Follow me for upcoming updates!

Every vote and comment motivates me to write faster, and trust me—I read every single comment with the biggest smile on my face. 🫶🏻

See you cutiepie in Chapter 4! 🤍

With lots of love,

Miliwrts