Author’s POV:

Dadda, see, I am all fine, Lavanya said softly.

He kissed her forehead and hugged her tightly. While clinging to him, her innocent eyes caught Aavni’s tears. She immediately loosened her grip, slid out of his arms, and walked toward Aavni.

“Mumma…” she called.

The word hit Aavni like a sudden shock. Not just her, but every single family member froze. Himanshu stood there, staring at Aavni, his expressions unreadable.

Mumma, why are you crying? Aavni bent down to Lavanya’s height. Lavanya cupped Aavni’s face with her tiny hands and softly hushed her, Shh… don’t cry, Mumma.

She then turned toward Himanshu.

“Dadda… Dadda.”

Yes, bacha? he replied.

See what you have done. Mumma is crying, she said, pointing at Aavni.

Himanshu opened his mouth to respond, but before he could say anything—

“Baby, stop this right now. She isn’t your—”

“Himanshu beta, enough,” Rekha ji interrupted firmly.

Aavni’s POV:

I was unable to control my tears. I felt weak, vulnerable… exposed.

When I saw his red, anger-filled eyes fixed on me, my heart sank. I knew he wouldn’t spare me after this. My thoughts spiraled until Maa made Lavanya cough again—and thankfully, she was fine.

After a while, she called me Mumma in front of everyone… especially in front of him.

I could feel his gaze on me the entire time. Every second felt heavy. I was overwhelmed by Lavanya’s words. She accepted me as her mother—so easily, so purely.

She kept asking me questions, her curiosity endless. Then she called him to come closer to us.

I felt nervous… very nervous. And I was painfully aware of his suppressed anger.

Himanshu’s POV:

I was about to tell Lavanya that Aavni isn’t her Mumma, but Maa stopped me with just one look—right in front of her.

Lavanya then asked me to say sorry to Aavni.

Dadda, she was not at fault. It was Lavu who was laughing, na? That’s why it happened to me, she said innocently.

Inside my mind, I was firm. I wasn’t going to apologize to her. I had already decided.

Lavu baby, eat your food. I’ll be back, I said curtly and walked away.

I don’t know whether I should take all this normally… or if I am already too confused to understand what I’m feeling.

Author’s POV:

Rekha ji and Amit ji came closer to Aavni and gently told her not to cry for someone who didn’t know her worth. Slowly, everyone left, giving Aavni and Lavanya some space.

Mumma, stop crying now, Lavanya said softly. I told you earlier na… you don’t look beautiful while crying.

Aavni smiled weakly through her tears. Achha, my baby, I won’t cry anymore, she said, wiping her face with the back of her hand.

She looked at Lavanya, her voice trembling.

Baby… am I really your Mumma?

Yes, Mumma, Lavanya replied without a second thought.

She leaned forward and kissed Aavni gently on her lips.

Aavni’s emotions overflowed in that moment. Her heart felt heavy yet warm at the same time. She had believed Lavanya would never accept her the way her Dadda hadn’t… but in that innocent kiss, Aavni realized she had already found her place in this little heart.

Lavanya pulled back slightly and tilted her head, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.

Mumma?

Yes, baby?

Dadda goes to office na… you also have office?

Aavni smiled at her innocence and nodded. Haan, baby. Mumma also goes to work.

Lavanya’s eyes widened. What you do, Mumma?

“I am a teacher,” Aavni replied softly. I teach little kids… just like you.

Lavanya frowned a little. “Teacher? What’s that?”

Aavni chuckled gently and tucked a strand of hair behind Lavanya’s ear.

“Teacher means someone who helps children learn new things. I teach them alphabets, numbers, poems, how to draw, how to share toys, and how to say sorry.”

Lavanya’s face lit up. Ohhh… like you will teach me also?

Yes, my baby, Aavni said warmly. And I’ll love teaching you the most.

Lavanya hugged her tightly. Then Mumma is best, she declared proudly.

Aavni closed her eyes, holding her close, silently thanking destiny for this moment she never thought she would receive.

Himanshu’s POV:

Maa and Papa cornered me when the house finally grew quiet.

“Himanshu,” Maa began softly, why won’t you even consider Aavni as your wife? And more importantly… as Lavanya’s mother?

I clenched my jaw.

Papa spoke next, his voice calm but firm. She cares for Lavu. She loves her. Why are you stopping yourself?

I looked away, my chest tightening.

Because it’s not that easy, I snapped finally. It’s not easy for me to forget Aaravi.

The name itself burned my throat.

She was my wife. Lavanya’s real mother, I continued, my voice low but sharp. Do you have any idea what it took to move on after losing her? And now you expect me to replace her place so easily?

Maa tried to reason with me.

"No one is asking you to replace Aaravi. But Aavni

I cut her off, anger flashing in my eyes.

How can you all tell my daughter that another woman is her Mumma? How can you confuse her like this?

My fists tightened at my sides.

Lavanya calling her Mumma today… do you know what that felt like? I said bitterly. It felt like I was betraying Aaravi.

Papa sighed. Himanshu, a child’s heart is big enough to love more than once.

I shook my head, pain seeping through my anger.

You don’t understand. I see Aaravi every time I look at Lavanya. Her smile… her habits… everything reminds me of her.

My voice broke despite my efforts to stay strong.

How do I explain to my daughter that the woman she calls Mumma isn’t the one who gave birth to her? How do I accept it myself?

Maa stepped closer, her eyes filled with concern.

Because motherhood isn’t only about giving birth, beta.

I stayed silent.

I didn’t know what scared me more—

Hurting my daughter…

Or accepting that my heart might be making space for someone I never allowed myself to acknowledge.

Inside Lavanya's room

The room was wrapped in silence, broken only by Lavanya’s slow, steady breathing. She slept curled up beside Avni, one tiny hand clutching her dupatta, as if afraid she might disappear.

Himanshu stood near the door, watching them from a distance. He hadn’t meant to come in, but his feet carried him there on their own.

Lavanya stirred slightly in her sleep.

“No… Dadda, no,” she mumbled softly.

His heart skipped.

“She is my Mumma,” Lavanya said again, her voice sleepy but firm. “Don’t scold her… she is good.”

Aavni shifted unconsciously, her arm tightening protectively around Lavanya.

Lavanya turned, pressing her face into Aavni’s chest, like she had done a thousand times before.

“Mumma stays with me,” she whispered. “I like Mumma.”

Himanshu felt something crack inside him.

“She tells me stories… she feeds me… she wipes my tears,” Lavanya continued, her words slurred with sleep. Mumma doesn’t make me cry.

Himanshu’s eyes burned.

“Please, Dadda,” she murmured one last time, almost like a plea. Don’t take my Mumma.

Silence followed.

Aavni, still asleep, kissed Lavanya’s forehead instinctively and pulled her closer.

Himanshu turned away before they could see the tears he refused to shed.

For the first time, he wondered if protecting his daughter meant holding on to the past…

or letting her choose the love she had already found.

Himanshu’s Pov:

He didn’t know when his feet carried him out of the room.

The moment Lavanya’s last words echoed in his ears — Don’t take my Mumma — something inside him finally gave up.

Himanshu closed the door silently and walked down the corridor until he reached the study. The same room where he had signed business deals worth crores… where he had never once allowed emotions to interfere.

Tonight, his hands trembled.

He locked the door.

The silence was unbearable.

He leaned both palms against the table, lowered his head, and let out a shaky breath. His chest felt tight, as if someone was crushing it slowly.

“I never wanted this,” he whispered to the empty room.

Memories flooded him mercilessly — Aaravi laughing, Aaravi holding Lavanya for the first time, Aaravi’s last smile before fate snatched her away.

“I promised you,” he said hoarsely. I promised I would never let anyone take your place.

His jaw clenched, eyes burning.

“But how do I explain this to our daughter?” His voice cracked for the first time. She’s choosing someone else… and I’m losing control.

He slammed his fist lightly against the table — not in rage, but in helplessness.

“For the first time, I don’t know what the right thing is,” he admitted.

His shoulders sagged. The strong, untouchable man finally sank into the chair. He dragged a hand over his face, and before he could stop himself, a tear slipped past his control… then another.

He hated it.

Hated how Lavanya’s innocent voice shook him.

Hated how Aavni’s presence unsettled the walls he had built so carefully.

Hated how part of him knew Aavni hadn’t forced her way into his daughter’s heart — she had earned it.

“I’m scared,” he whispered, the word tasting foreign on his tongue.

Scared that letting Aavni stay would feel like betraying Aaravi.

Scared that pushing her away would break Lavanya.

Scared that his heart was standing at a crossroads he had never prepared for.

He buried his face in his hands.

Outside that locked door, his daughter slept peacefully in another woman’s arms.

And for the first time since Aaravi’s death, Himanshu Chauhan cried — not loudly, not dramatically — but silently, like a man losing a battle he never thought he’d have to fight.

Aavni’s Pov:

Morning crept in quietly.

Aavni woke up before the house stirred, Lavanya still fast asleep beside her. She brushed a gentle kiss on the child’s forehead and carefully slipped out of bed.

Something felt… off.

As she stepped into the corridor, she saw Himanshu sitting alone on the sofa, still dressed in yesterday’s clothes. His posture was rigid, elbows resting on his knees, hands clasped together tightly.

He hadn’t slept.

Aavni stopped in her tracks.

She could see it now — the redness in his eyes, the exhaustion etched into his face, the heaviness he usually hid behind authority and anger.

Her heart clenched.

He sensed her presence and looked up instantly, his expression hardening out of habit. The walls snapped back into place, but Aavni had already seen what lay beneath them.

“Good morning,” she said softly.

He nodded once. “Morning.”

Silence followed.

Avni hesitated, then moved toward the kitchen. She poured a glass of water and brought it to him, placing it on the table without forcing eye contact.

You didn’t rest, she said gently, not as a question. I am scared asking him such question. What if he..

I’m fine, he replied curtly.

She didn’t argue.

Aavni sat on the opposite sofa, maintaining distance, respecting the space he needed — yet staying close enough to let him know he wasn’t alone.

After a moment, she spoke again, her voice calm and steady.

“I’m not trying to take anyone’s place."

His jaw tightened.

“I know you loved her,” Aavni continued quietly. “And I know loving Lavanya is the only thing keeping you standing.”

He looked at her then, surprised by the honesty in her words.

“I don’t want Lavanya to forget her mother,” she said. “I only want to be someone who holds her when she cries… and lets her sleep without fear.”

Her fingers curled into her dupatta. “If that hurts you, I’ll step back.”

That did it.

Something flickered in his eyes — guilt, conflict, pain — emotions he hadn’t allowed himself to acknowledge.

“You don’t understand,” he muttered. “Every time she calls you Mumma… it feels like I’m losing Aaravi all over again.”

Aavni swallowed hard.

“I think,” she said softly, “you’re not losing her.”

He looked up.

“I think Lavanya is just learning how to survive without her… the way children do.”

Silence stretched between them — heavy, but no longer hostile.

From the room behind them came a small voice, sleepy and innocent.

“Mumma…”

Aavni stood up immediately and rushed back.

Himanshu watched her go, his chest tightening again — but this time, the pain wasn’t sharp.

It was quieter.

And for the first time… shared.

It's very first time he listened to me without any argument or without being angry. I know why he isn't angry because it's her daughter who comes first for him.