Leela's Cafe, Bodakdev

, spoke Samaira with a quivering voice. The word felt like a balm to Vikram's ears. He smiled. A full-blown smile. The teardrops made Vikram's vision hazy and blurred. The time stood still. He stood rooted to his spot as soon as he saw the familiar figure. His pride. His best confindante. A piece of his heart. His daughter. His Samaira was here. This was the longest he had been away from her. Samaira looked at Anupama who blinked her eyes in assurance. The approval made her take slow steps towards Vikram.

Abhi mujh mein Kahin

Baaqi thodi si hai zindagi

Jagi dhadkan nayi

Jaana zinda hoon main toh abhi

Kuch aisi lagan iss lamhe mein hai

Ye lamha kahaan tha mera

Ab hai saamne

Issey chhoo loon zaraa

Mar jaaoon ya jee loon zaraa

Khushiyaan choom loon

Yaa ro loo'n zaraa

Mar jaaun ya jee loon zaraa

She was a step near Vikram when she was engulfed in a bone-crushing hug. Vikram caressed her lovingly and showered her with a forehead kiss. Anuj and Anupama simultaneously warded off the evil by muttering a under their breath. Devika hugged her tightly and exclaimed, Samaira choked on her misty eyes while clinging onto Vikram and spoke in a raspy voice, The shawl being draped over her shoulders alarmed Vikram yet he kept his emotions in check. The stern behaviour yet the faint smile was noticed by Anupama, Anuj, Samar, and Devika. The Shah Couple, Paritosh and Rakhi Dave looked on at the reunion of a father and daughter. Anuj exhaled sharply and spoke up, , while forwarding his credit card, when Anupama stopped him and said, She turned towards Samaira and asked her, Samaira gave a sheepish smile and answered,

The statement made Anuj push his glasses to the bridge of his nose and Devika folded her hands over her chest looking at Samaira pointedly. Vikram clenched his fist as he knew his daughter too well. She had surely eaten less. Anuj intervened and selected a dish from the menu. He spoke, , making her sit down on the bench. Anupama realized that it was something to do with eating habits. The closeness astounded Vanraj, Paritosh, Kavya, and Rakhi Dave. The obedience was astonishing. spoke Samaira looking at Anuj's injured hand as she tied her handkerchief over it. Anuj looked at her gratefully and slowly brushed off her hands as the mere thought of losing her caused a pang in his heart. The incident had triggered his old wounds which were masked well. The telepathy left Anupama and Samar baffled. It was so similar to them. Anuj later handed over the card to Kavya who took it and went away to complete the transaction.

All of them got up as soon as Samaira finished her dinner. They were about to leave when Samar received Nandini's call who had passed on the message that a student wanted to meet him. said Samar as he walked towards the door when Anuj turned towards Anupama and asked, Anupama nodded her head in disapproval and answered, Anuj looked into a dilemma that was cleared by Paritosh. It was quite unexpected for everyone out there. , to which Anuj looked on whereas Anupama was annoyed at the lack of mannerisms and looked at Paritosh who further continued averting his gaze, Anupama looked on with a sense of admiration and a faint smile yet she felt the strings being attached. The statement left Samar, Anuj, Devika and Vikram baffled whereas Vanraj was shocked. A sudden bomb was dropped on his head.

Even before Vanraj could create a scene Anupama spoke in a cold voice, , and with that, she held Samaira's hand and walked out when Anuj gestured her something due to which she waited there at the door. A conversation that was understood by all. The raging fury was coursing through his veins and so Vanraj was about to speak when two voices stopped him. Kavya and Paritosh. Vikram, Devika, and Samar followed the suit whereas Anuj just winked at Paritosh and said, in a tone that gave out the message loud and clear and walked out from there not before showcasing his gentlemanliness to Anupama. The sight brought a faint smile to Kavya and Paritosh's faces.

Samaira was astounded as she was still comprehending that she was with Anupama whose every essence and fiber carried a mother's warmth and love. She exhaled sharply and asked Anupama showing her puppy eyes, Vikram and Anuj were about to refute when Anupama replied,Maira affirmed it when Samar interjected in an attempt to make the atmosphere lighter,Samaira whiningly spoke and ran behind him Samar too ran away in order to save himself.The little moment brought a smile to the faces of all four friends. came the voices of Anuj and Anupama. The fantastic four along with Samar and Samaira went to the other side of the cafe to have a look at it.

The keen sharp eyes noticed every detail of the property and then he came across a huge photo of Anupama which was kept leaning on the wall through the support of a wooden panel that was yet to be packed and shifted. It brought a smile to his face and he looked at Anupama from the corner of his eye who was busy talking to Samaira, whereas Samar had kept Vikram and Devika engaged. He discreetly took a picture of it.

Dil to ye chahe, har pal tumhe hum

bus yuhi dekha kare

Mar ke bhi hum na tumse judaa ho

aao kuch aisa kare

Mujhme sama ja, aa paas aa ja,

hum dum mere hum nashin

"Aasman se ek tukda

humne chura taqdeer li

sabki nazaron se cheepa

tasveer ki tasveer li"

A few moments later Vanraj was pacing here and there when Kavya walked up to him. Kavya sighed and said, Instant gratification was Vanraj's forte and so said, Kavya sucked in a breath and answered, The response irritated Vanraj who furiously whispered, Rakhi Dave was clearly no match for the business tycoon Anuj Kapadia yet she admired the person who had singlehandedly created an empire. She was busy drinking coffee and muttered to herself,

All four friends along with Samar and Samaira exited the cafe from the other side and were seen by Rakhi Dave, Kavya, Paritosh, and Vanraj. The laughing faces gave rise to an unsettling feeling in Vanraj's heart and he walked away from there. Samar had left for the main dance academy at Thaltej whereas Vikram, Anuj, Devika, and Samaira left for home along with Anupama. Maira was clinging onto Anupama and pestering her whereas Devika looked on at the two moody men who were clearly cross with their lifeline. Suddenly Anuj toppled on due to his shoelaces and was about to fall only to be held by Anupama who had at that very moment twisted her ankle only to be held by Anuj. It was a sight that made Samaira look at Devika. The act of them falling together brought smiles to their faces and they said at the same time making them laugh louder. said Devika who was looking at them with narrowed eyes along with Vikram who said, making Anuj scratch his nape in embarrassment. The ride home was a peaceful and content smile with a sense of satisfaction.

Dil hai ke manta nahi

Dil hai ke manta nahi

Mushkil badi hai,

rasme mohabaatein

ye jaanta hi nahi

Thaltej, Ahmedabad

Samar had just finished talking to the student when there was a ping on his phone. He checked the notification. It was a picture of their today's outing. He saw the images sent by Vikram, his partner. However, one particular photo caught his eye and in an instant, he muttered a under his breath. Unknowingly and subconsciously he forwarded that photograph to Saveer. That picture spoke volumes and it sent him into a deep thinking zone. He wondered when had he ever seen his Rockstar smiling and laughing freely. It was a sight to behold. He realized that everyone needs someone special in their life just like he had Nandini. That one special person was missing in his mother's life. He could read those eyes that craved love. A love so pure and unconditional. Those eyes would cause a twinge of pain in his heart. His Rockstar never had that soulmate who cherished and valued her. The soulmate who would give her the respect, love, and care that she deserved. She was always alone. She has loved everyone selflessly and Mr. Shah was just a namesake husband back then. Samar sucked in a deep breath and looked at the glistening idol of Kanhaji and muttered, He wiped up the tear that rolled down his eye. He closed the academy and drove down to his Ashiyana located in upscale Sindhu Bhavan Road.

Anuj Kapadia's Araansh

Anuj woke up with a start. It was a beautiful and sweet dream that was far from reality yet it was something that his heart had deep down wished for. The frenzy state had woken up GK as well however he continued to observe Anuj's actions. He calmed himself down and gulped down the glass of water. He berated himself, and said, Anuj closed his eyes in exasperation when he felt a warm hand on his shoulder., to which GK raised his eyebrows and Anuj answered, "Hope." Anuj further continued,

"Jab waqt tha

toh woh ja chuki thi

aur jab woh hai toh

waqt ja chuka hai"

GK heaved a sigh and made him sit on the bed. Anuj looked away and said, GK was about to speak when Anuj interjected in a vulnerable voice stopping him, GK took Anuj's hands into his and said, Anuj exhaled sharply and looked away. GK cajoled him and covered him with a comforter and said whilst walking out of the room,The statement was still ringing in his ears and that took him to the advice that GK had shared with him that morning. He dozed off whilst thinking about the heartwarming dream.

"Dard sulaaye rula rulaye

Umeed karaye raat jagaye

Umeed badi harjai hai

Sirf dard hai dil ka sakha"

Vikram's Nirvana

The sun ray's hit Vikram's face that were peaking through the white blinds. He stirred in sleep and woke up with a full-blown smile feeling the warmth on his body. He tried to free the hand when the figure snuggled into him and held him tight. It was Samaira and then his eyes fell on the injury that she had sustained. His mind went back to the conversation that he had with Anuj and Anupama last night.

Vikram, Samaira, Anuj, Anupama, and Devika had reached his posh penthouse. Vikram had walked away to his room whereas the rest of them had settled down on the couch. Samaira looked at her father's retreating figure and then she turned to look at her partner. She exhaled sharply and took slow steps towards Anuj and sat down beside him. She hesitantly leaned over him and held his injured hand only to find the reciprocal missing. "I am sorry, partner", she said in a vulnerable voice when the tear dropped fell on her hand. Anuj took a deep breath and said in a gentle voice, "Samaira, you have disappointed me. Vikram is upset and hurt for you have triggered old wounds." He took a momentary pause and said, "That one scream made me think of incredulous situations. Have you thought about what would have come of Saveer or even Vikram or even me if some major mishap had taken place? The effect of trauma can be lingering and I know how is it to live with that." The question left Samaira speechless and with that Anuj went on to check on Vikram. The last statement hit Anupama harder and so she walked up to her and cleaned the wounds again after gently removing the shawl. She had experienced this pain and so she said, "You are important. Your life is precious Samaira after all we have this one life. This world can be a cruel place at times. You are mature enough to know the consequences of your actions yet you need to be mindful of other people's sentiments. One wrong move can cost you a regret that would stay for a lifetime. Moreover, your lives are interconnected to the lives of the people who love you the most. They cherish your being." She engulfed her in a hug when Devika came with tea.

A few moments later Anupama went to check on Vikram who was sitting all lost in his room. She was taken aback to see the frail form of Anuj looking at their best friend whilst leaning on the threshold of the door. The room was pitch dark except for the night lamp which had illuminated the room. Anupama heaved a sigh and kept her hand on his shoulder. She blinked her eyes in assurance and both of them walked inside. Anuj switched on the lights whereas Anupama gently nudged Vikram who came out of his reverie and looked at her with unshed tears. "The pain of losing people is known to me. There are myriad emotions and you are clueless to even comprehend them. I know she is a kid and her intentions were pure but sometimes we end up erring which is unintentional. They are kids with weird feelings that are oscillating like a pendulum. She is safe and that's what matters."

"You as a parent have full right to be disappointed and upset. The incident has triggered all three of us for we have received those scars to more or less degree. Vikram, she is fine but rather than giving her a cold shoulder you need to address your insecurity and fear in a better manner and converse the same with her.", finished Anuj. Vikram rubbed his temples as he absorbed the new perspective. He got up and hugged both of them. "Please make yourself presentable.", remarked Anuj as they walked out of the room. The statement made Anupama chuckle and Vikram threw a cushion at Anuj who dodged it well.

Vikram slowly entangled himself and pecked her head before he got started with the day. A little later the father and daughter duo shared some sweet little moments over breakfast.

AK Group of Industries, Prahladnagar

Anuj was dressed in a crisp black shirt covered by a checked black waistcoat paired with black chinos. He was busy sitting in his cabin on the thirtieth floor awaiting the arrival of his friends whilst reading the contract papers. The ringtone caught his ears and answered it. Saveer it was. Anuj smiled and Saveer's face shined like a bulb and answered, The grim expression did worry Saveer and so he asked, Anuj adjusted his frames and went on to narrate the events of last night making Saveer go silent with his suppressed anger. Saveer counter questioned, The implying question was well understood by Anuj and he removed his frameless rectangular glasses. The call was hung.