Around 6:30 PM…Aditya’s Office…
There was a knock on Aditya’s cabin door.
He was deeply engrossed in work and said “Come in” without even glancing up.
The man who entered smiled lightly seeing Aditya so focused, but quickly masked his smile behind a stern expression and said, “You seem to be working quite passionately, Aditya!”
As soon as Aditya looked up, he stood up straight — because standing before him was none other than Shekhar… Aniket’s father!
Without saying a word, Shekhar went and sat on the chair opposite Aditya, who then followed and sat down too.
Looking over the files on the table, Shekhar remarked, “You’re working really hard!”
Aditya replied, a little sheepishly, “No… it’s just… I…”
Closing the file and setting it aside, Shekhar said with dull eyes, “Don’t be so shy, Aditya. It doesn’t suit boys.”
Aditya pouted, “Did you come all this way just to say that?”
A sly smile spread across Shekhar’s face. “Now that’s more like it! That’s something you need to learn — a good businessman should always get straight to the point!”
Aditya thought to himself with a sarcastic grin, “As if he himself is doing that…”
Shekhar, in a firm but affectionate voice, said, “I’m leaving tomorrow.”
“Oh! So soon, uncle?” Aditya asked in surprise.
“To leave quickly means I can wrap up things there faster… and return here for good!”
Aditya was shocked, “Wait—what do you mean?! Are you—?”
Before he could finish, Shekhar continued, “Yes. I’m shifting the head office of my company back here. From now on, I’ll manage everything from here — so that I can live under the same roof with Aniket. After all, he’s going to have to run my company someday… and for that, he needs to know it inside out. I’ll train him myself while living here.”
Aditya’s eyes and lips smiled together. “That’s such wonderful news, uncle! Aniket would be so happy to hear this! But… have you told him yet? Wouldn’t it be better to ask him what he wants?”
Looking away, Shekhar said, “No… I haven’t said anything to him yet. Once I wrap things up, then… I’ll tell him everything. And anyway… I already know what his answer will be. Someday or another, he will take over my company. So there’s no harm in starting to prepare him now.”
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
Aditya could clearly see through Shekhar’s words.
This whole “company training” thing — it was just an excuse.
The truth was… Shekhar just wanted to live with his son.
But his rigid nature stopped him from expressing it.
Aditya smiled mischievously — as if teasing him:No matter how much you try to hide it, I know your heart.
Noticing that smile, Shekhar’s eyes narrowed playfully.
A thought struck him, and a mischievous smirk spread across his lips.
“By the way… before I leave, I want to give a gift to that little girl.”
Aditya frowned, confused who he meant.
Then it hit him — Anamika.
And just like that, his expression turned sour.
He squinted and said, “Uncle! She’s not a little girl… she’s 24!”
Shekhar, in a firm tone, shot back, “She is a little girl to me! Any problem?”
Seeing the dangerous aura radiating off Shekhar, Aditya turned away, “No no, call her whatever you want. Who’s stopping you?! I mean, age-wise too, she’s a kid to you.”
Just then, Shekhar placed a hand on Aditya’s forehead and said warmly, “Yes… exactly. She’s like a child to me — just like you and Aniket are.”
In that moment, Aditya saw a glimpse of his own father in Shekhar. And he smiled.
Removing his hand, Shekhar added, “Although… she’s very different from you two. She’s delicate… like a flower. And you both… you’re like the rough bark of an old tree! She’s a soft little rabbit… and you two…” (taking a deep sigh) “You two are like sly, dangerous foxes — masters of hiding things!”
He continued talking, praising Anamika and mocking the boys, and slowly, Aditya’s face became blank.
No emotion — except one: betrayal
“Now I’m beginning to doubt if he even raised us… or maybe just her! One meeting, and suddenly she’s the precious daughter?!” Aditya thought bitterly.
Then Shekhar paused and said seriously, “But it’s important. Every flower needs thorns to protect it.
And honestly… to protect my daughter, there’s no one better than you two.”
"Your daughter?! Since when?!" Aditya asked, laughing in surprise.
To which Shekhar replied with calm conviction, "The day I got my son back because of her… that very day, she became my daughter.
And the day I saw love for her in your eyes… that’s the day she became my daughter-in-law.
And in our family… a daughter-in-law is no less than a daughter.”
Aditya coughed at that line, trying to cover his embarrassment.
He grabbed his water glass, “Come on… it’s not like that. We’re just—”
“Friends!” Shekhar cut him off with a teasing smile that didn’t suit his usual stern tone at all.
Shekhar continued, “Aditya… these eyes may be old, but they’re still sharp!
They still know the difference between love and friendship.”
He stood up and asked, “So? Shall we go now — buy something for my daughter?”
Without waiting for an answer, Shekhar walked out.
Aditya got up and followed behind, thinking to himself: “Truly… I can’t lie to your eyes, uncle. But the truth is… no matter how much I love her… to her, I’ll always be just a friend. Or maybe… just an investor.”
While Aditya and Shekhar went shopping for a gift for Anamika…
Back home
Today, Ira didn’t let Anamika go to the office.
After having breakfast together, everyone left for their respective jobs — Saaniya and Rudra to the hospital, Aniket to his office.
When Aditya tried to take Anamika with him, Ira jumped in front like a wild cat and blocked her from leaving.
Aditya had to give up when Anamika agreed to stay back and play with Ira.
Reluctantly, Aditya left with Ruhi — but not before throwing one last dramatic glance toward Anamika, like a soldier heading into battle.
And Ira?
She looked like she had just won a grand war against her brother!
Once everyone left, Ira began her series of game challenges.
With each defeat, she’d issue another challenge.
And every time… she lost.
After losing more than 100 times since morning, Ira was now exhausted.
But Anamika — not even slightly tired.
She was used to doing the same thing, in the same place, for hours. It wasn’t boring for her at all.
But Ira — who would run outside every five minutes — had sat in one place the whole day. That alone was a big achievement for her.
Throwing the controller on the sofa, Ira pouted, “I’m hungry! Let’s go eat something!”
Anamika smiled, “I can cook something for you!”
“No… no… nooo! I want to eat outside! Take me out!” Ira whined like a child.
Anamika sighed, “Okay… but I don’t remember the roads very well.”
Excited like a little puppy, Ira said, “That’s okay! I’ll remember the way. We’ll go to any good restaurant. And even if we get lost — we’ve got phones, right? Just open the map!”
“Alright,” Anamika agreed and stood up, switching off the TV.
And so, Ira and Anamika headed out for food.
Meanwhile, Aditya was getting mentally exhausted shopping with Shekhar… Or rather, Shekhar was deliberately exhausting Aditya.
And Anamika? Well… she was about to face her own kind of exhaustion — thanks to Ira.
Now What will happen next?What exactly is Shekhar planning?And as for Ira…Will her childishness finally calm down,or will Anamika continue to suffer because of it?
