I miss you, Mom... Dad.

🙏🙏Sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry 🙏🙏 I can't say anything other than sorry.

🙏🙏🙏🙏Honestly, I'm really really sorry🙏🙏🙏🙏

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Hearing Hardik’s words, Mr. Khurana’s face completely dropped. At the same time, Shivika closed her eyes and lightly smacked her forehead. Hardik shouldn’t have said it like that. Things could escalate, and the situation might worsen. But she understood Hardik’s inner turmoil. She knew how difficult this time was for him.

To lighten the atmosphere, she stood up and said to Mr. Khurana, “chachu, won’t you show me the house? It’s my first time here.”

“Of course, dear! Why not? Come, I’ll show you your house, your very own house.”

Mr. Khurana said this while looking at Hardik. He stood up and walked ahead.

Seeing him leave, Shivika quickly glanced at Hardik and, helping him up, said, “Come on, Hardik.”

Just then, Hardik softly said to Shivika, “Shivi, let’s go home.”

Shivika looked at Hardik’s face. It was filled with unease. She knew Hardik wanted to let all his emotions out, but he couldn’t bring himself to do so.

She placed her hand on his cheek and lovingly said, “Hardik, we are home. Your home, our home.”

Saying this, she didn’t give Hardik a chance to say anything further and followed behind Mr. Khurana. Mr. Khurana started showing Shivika the entire house. Eventually, they stopped in front of two rooms. One was Hardik’s parents’ room, and the other was Hardik’s.

“Whose room is this?” Shivika asked.

Mr. Khurana glanced at Hardik and plainly replied, “This is Hardik’s parents’ room—my younger brother’s room—and this other one is Hardik’s.”

“Really? Then Hardik, let’s go quickly! I want to see lots of your mom and dad’s pictures,” Shivika said excitedly.

Hardik looked at her and softly said, “You’re talking as if I haven’t shown you my parents’ pictures before.”

“You did, but just a few. Now hurry up.” Saying this, she dragged Hardik into the room.

The moment Hardik stepped into the room, his heart skipped a beat. It was his parents’ room—the parents he had lost in an accident. After their departure, his entire world had changed. Hardik was surprised to see the room still exactly as it was when he had last seen it. His parents’ pictures were still in the same place on the wall. Not a single thing in the room had been altered.

Hardik looked at Mr. Khurana, who gave a faint smile. Hardik walked over to the wall adorned with many family pictures. These weren’t just pictures of his parents but also of himself, his uncle, and Aliya. Hardik stopped at one particular picture. It was his parents’ photo, where both of them were smiling. They looked so good together.

He lightly touched the photo. His eyes grew teary, and his throat tightened. In a soft voice, he said, “I miss you, Mom... Dad.”

Seeing him so emotional, tears welled up in Mr. Khurana’s eyes, as well as Shivika’s. She quickly wiped her tears, put on a big smile, and stood beside Hardik. Looking at the photo, she said, “Hey, why are you talking to them alone? I want to talk too.”

Saying this, she gently nudged Hardik aside and stood directly in front of the picture. Smiling in her usual way, she said, “Uncle, Aunty...” Then she paused briefly, shaking her head slightly. “Oh no, no... Mom and Dad! I’m your daughter-in-law now, so I’ll call you Mom and Dad. So, Mom and Dad, I’m Shivika... Shivika Hardik Khurana, your daughter-in-law. Yes, the same girl who married your donkey. You must have seen how much your son made me run around. Honestly, if you were here, you’d have slapped him ten times for making a sweet girl like me wait so long and cry so much. But no worries, your daughter-in-law has a big heart. I forgave your son.”

Shivika’s silly words brought smiles to both Mr. Khurana’s and Hardik’s faces. The three of them then left Hardik’s parents’ room. Hardik moved to the adjacent room. Mr. Khurana was about to follow him when Shivika held his hand, stopping him outside.

“Thank you, dear, for bringing Hardik here,” Mr. Khurana said lovingly, placing his hand on Shivika’s head.

Shivika held his hand and replied, “I brought him here, chachu, but keeping him here depends on you. I know a lot has happened in the past, but now it’s time to leave the past behind and move forward. And honestly, chachu, Hardik’s heart says the same. He just can’t express it. He only needs some support. You just take the first step.”

“But how do I do that?” Mr. Khurana asked, a little worried.

Shivika pointed to the adjacent room, where Hardik stood looking at his belongings. Smiling, she said, “chachu, become what you’ve always been for him. Be the chachu and the friend who was always there for him.”

She smiled gently, and Mr. Khurana, encouraged by her words, walked into the room.

When he reached Hardik, he saw Hardik holding the trophy he had won in a school football match. Seeing the trophy brought back an old memory for Mr. Khurana.

Flashback_

Around 14-15 years old, Hardik was entering the house wearing his school uniform, carrying a bag in his hand. His school uniform was covered in dirt, his hair was disheveled, and his face showed both sweat and anger. He walked in, threw his bag onto the sofa, and sat down angrily.

Seeing him like this, Hardik's father and chachu, who were discussing work while sitting on the sofa, fell silent and looked at him. Just then, Hardik's mother and little Alia came walking in. Alia sat next to Hardik, chewing her chocolate and carefully observing his face and clothes.

After finishing the large piece of chocolate in her mouth, she asked, "Bhai, did you get into a fight with someone? But I didn’t fight anyone today, so who did you go fight for in my place?"

Hearing her, Hardik glared at her while the others smiled. Hardik said, "Alia, I’m not like you, who keeps fighting with everyone. I was playing a football match, which is why my clothes are dirty."

"Oh, so the coach didn’t select you? Is that why you’re angry?" Alia quickly replied. Her nature was the same even as a child—always teasing. Hearing this, Hardik’s uncle, and his mother and father burst out laughing, and Hardik became irritated.

He angrily said to her, "What are you doing here? Where is Chachi?"

"Mummy has gone shopping," Alia replied.

"Then why didn’t you go?" Hardik asked.

Shrugging her shoulders, Alia said, "Because I don’t like going shopping with her."

"Then stop bothering me and eating my head. Go do your homework," Hardik scolded her.

Hearing his scolding, Alia pouted and got up, muttering as she walked away, "Why are you angry at me? You don’t know how to play football, so the coach didn’t select you. How is that my fault, that you’re taking your anger out on me!"

Hearing this, Hardik shouted, "Alia!!!"

The moment she heard this, Alia ran straight to her room and quickly shut the door. Hardik kept glaring in her direction while everyone else laughed.

Just then, Hardik’s father said, "Oh, it’s okay. So what if you didn’t get selected this time? Next time when the selection happens, you’ll definitely make it."

But Hardik said nothing. He sat there with his head down, sulking. Seeing him so upset, Hardik’s father glanced at his brother and made a gesture. Mr. Khurana then sat beside Hardik, placing a hand on his shoulder, and said jokingly, "Oye! Why are you crying like a girl? Okay, fine, I’ll teach you football. Once I’m done teaching you, your selection is guaranteed."

Hearing this, Hardik glared at his uncle and said, "Chachu, you’ll teach me football?"

From his expression, it was clear Hardik was thinking, Chachu, do you even know how to kick a ball?

Understanding what was going through Hardik’s mind, Mr. Khurana glared at him and said, "Oye! What do you think of your Chachu?"

"An old man," Hardik replied instantly.

Hearing this, Hardik’s father, who was sipping tea, spat it out and started laughing loudly. Meanwhile, Mr. Khurana grabbed Hardik’s neck and, pulling his cheek, said, "Old man? Wait, I’ll show you now!"

Saying this, Mr. Khurana began tickling Hardik. Laughing uncontrollably, Hardik tried to defend himself and said, "Okay, okay! Sorry, sorry, Chachu! I was just joking!"

Laughing hard, Hardik lay down beside him and rested his head in his lap. After a while, controlling his laughter, Hardik asked, "By the way, Chachu, on a serious note, do you actually know how to play football? Because I’ve never seen you play."

Just then, Hardik’s father replied, "Not only does he know how to play, but he plays really well. During his college days, he was the captain of his football team."

"Really, Dad?" Hardik asked with wide eyes, then turned to Chachu and said, "Chachu, if you’re so good at football, why didn’t you tell me earlier? I would’ve trained with you already, and I’d have been selected this time."

Hearing this, Mr. Khurana ruffled Hardik’s hair and said, "Alright, if not then, now is fine. You can train with me now. I couldn’t train you properly before because of our project. Now the project is complete, and I’m completely free. So, I’ll teach you football properly now. Just wait and see; you’ll also become a captain like me!"

"Okay, done. Now it’s your responsibility to make me the captain," Hardik said with a smile, giving Mr. Khurana a high-five.

Remembering those beautiful moments, Mr. Khurana's eyes welled up. He looked at Hardik, who was lost in memories as he stared at the trophy. His eyes, too, were a bit moist. It was the same trophy he had won after becoming the captain.

"Hardik," Mr. Khurana said softly. Hardik snapped out of his memories, placed the trophy back in its spot, and turned to leave.

But Mr. Khurana came in front of him, hugged him, and with a choked voice said, "I’m sorry, beta. Please forgive me. While throwing you out of the house, I forgot that you were not just my nephew, but also my best friend. I forgot, beta."

Hearing his uncle’s heartfelt words and seeing him after so many years, Hardik couldn’t hold back anymore. He hugged Mr. Khurana tightly and, sobbing, said, "Why did you do it then? Why did you separate me from yourself, from Alia? We were a family, weren’t we? And families are meant to support each other. When mom and dad passed away, you held me together, Chachu. So when Chachi left, why did you push me away? I could’ve handled you. I could’ve handled our Aaliya. Maybe she wouldn’t have turned out like this. You knew, didn’t you, how much she listened to me? She would’ve done anything I said."

As Hardik broke down, Mr. Khurana stepped back and, with tear-filled eyes, said, "I know, Hardik. And I admit it’s all my fault. Because of one relationship, I ruined the bond between the three of us. I forgot… I forgot that we were family. When she left, I began to believe that no one truly belongs to anyone, and no relationship is genuine. That’s why I distanced you from me. Forgive me."

Saying this, Mr. Khurana folded his hands in front of Hardik. Hardik immediately held his hands and lowered them, saying, "No, Chachu, don’t apologize. Maybe it was my fault too. I’ve been stubborn with you since childhood, for everything. Even then, I should’ve been stubborn. You threw me out of the house, but I should’ve come back. I should’ve insisted that I wouldn’t leave you."

Hardik said this and broke down again. Mr. Khurana hugged him tightly. After years, uncle and nephew embraced like this. Years of resentment and grievances had melted away.

Meanwhile, standing outside the room, Shivika watched them with a smile. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she was happy that her Hardik had found his family again. Now her Hardik would no longer feel sad about anything. His life would no longer have any voids.

A while later, Hardik and Mr. Khurana separated. Wiping his tears, Mr. Khurana smiled and extended his hand toward Shivika, saying, "Why are you standing there? Come here."

Shivika smiled and walked toward him. Both Hardik and Shivika bent to touch Mr. Khurana’s feet. He blessed them with a smile. The three of them then sat in the room and started talking.

Mr. Khurana shared stories about every corner of the room with Shivika. He even narrated tales from Hardik’s childhood. Shivika listened to everything with a smile. Suddenly, Hardik said to Mr. Khurana, "Chachu, Shivika and I are going to meet Aaliya."

The moment he heard Aaliya’s name, Mr. Khurana’s face fell. Hardik knelt before him, held his hand, and said, "Chachu, may I ask about Aaliya…" He could only say that much before Mr. Khurana interrupted, "Hardik, I won’t say anything about Aaliya to you. You’re her brother. Do what you think is right. Because of me, Aaliya’s life was destroyed. And that’s the truth. I got so caught up in my anger and sorrow that I abandoned Aaliya. I kept giving her whatever she asked for, thinking she was happy. Beyond that, I couldn’t give her love, family, or values. When complaints started coming from her college, I ignored them too. I thought she could do whatever she wanted and no one could stop her. And she began to believe the same. Thank God nothing bad happened with Anokhi that day, and you found her in time. And Rishabh… Rishabh spared her life."

"But Chachu, Aaliya has already paid for her mistakes. She regrets everything. I’ve seen it myself," Hardik said.

Mr. Khurana looked at him in surprise. Hardik nodded and said, "Yes, Chachu, I used to visit Aaliya in jail. Though I never met her directly, I kept track of everything about her."

Hearing this, Mr. Khurana smiled faintly but repeated, "Hardik, I’ll still say what I’ve said before."

Saying this, Mr. Khurana fell silent, and the room was enveloped in stillness. After a while, Hardik stood up and gestured to Shivika to leave, saying, "Let’s go, Shivika."

But Shivika stood up and glared at him, saying, "Let’s go? Are you out of your mind?"

Mr. Khurana looked at her in astonishment. Shivika quickly composed herself and calmly said, "I mean, are we leaving like this? Empty-handed? Let’s take lunch for her."

Turning to Mr. Khurana, she smiled and said, "Chachu, we’ll do my housewarming ceremony later. First, let’s do the first cooking ceremony. I’m going to quickly prepare food for everyone. Till then, you and Hardik can sit and talk. Okay?"

Saying this, Shivika stormed out of the room without waiting for a reply.

Laughing, Mr. Khurana said to Hardik, "She’s amazing. Truly, Hardik, you’ve chosen a wonderful girl."

"Chachu, she chose me first. And yes, she is truly amazing," Hardik said, gazing at Shivika as she left.

---

"Aaliya, someone is here to meet you."

Hearing this, Aaliya was surprised. She thought to herself, "To meet me? Is it dad again? He just came two days ago to tell me he had made the property papers and gifted our family heirloom to Bhabhi. So why has he come again?"

Thinking this, Aaliya went to the room where Hardik and Shivika were waiting for her.

"Dad, I’ve told you not to visit me again and again…" she started, but her voice trailed off when she saw it wasn’t her dad but Hardik and Shivika.

Seeing them, she froze in her spot.

Shivika smiled and said, "Aaliya, are you going to just stand there?"

Hearing her, Aaliya came to her senses and slowly walked to the chair in front of them. Hardik looked at her. Her face was pale. The arrogance that always radiated from her as the only daughter of the Khurana family had completely faded. Seeing this, Hardik felt a pang in his heart.

Memories of the moment when Aaliya had clutched his feet, begging for forgiveness and asking him to save her, flooded his mind. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he lowered his head.

Aaliya sat quietly, her eyes downcast, playing with her fingers. "How are you, Aaliya?" Shivika asked with a smile.

Looking at her, Aaliya replied in a soft voice, "I’m fine. How are you, Mr. Hardik?"

She looked at Hardik as she said it. Hardik, whom she called "Mr. Hardik," was already staring at her. When their eyes met, Aaliya quickly looked away and focused on Shivika. She was about to say something when Shivika interrupted, "Watch it! Don’t you dare call me Mrs. Shivika or Mrs. Khurana. Call me Bhabhi."

Smiling, she added, "Honestly, no one has called me Bhabhi since our wedding. I told that brat Anokhi to call me Bhabhi, and she said, ‘I’ll call you Di for now and make you Bhabhi later after I steal the groom’s shoes.’ Since then, she’s disappeared. My ears are longing to hear ‘Bhabhi.’ So from you, I want nothing but Bhabhi. And after all, you have the first right to call me that."

Shivika’s playful tone left Aaliya stunned. She hadn’t expected to hear something like this. While she stared at Shivika in disbelief, Hardik stood up. Both women turned their attention to him.

Hardik slowly walked over to Aaliya and stood by her chair. She looked up at him. Placing a hand on her head, he softly asked, "How are you?"

The moment he spoke, Aaliya’s eyes filled with tears. She hugged him tightly and cried, "Bhai... Bhai... I missed you so much. Why didn’t you come back? You should’ve come back, right? Didn’t you miss me? You were angry with dad, but why did you leave me? I was scared of dad’s anger, so I couldn’t stop you, but you... You weren’t afraid of him. Then why did you leave quietly? You should’ve come back… for me."

She kept crying and continued, "I’m sorry, Bhai, I’m sorry. I’ve disappointed everyone. When you met me again, I wasn’t the same Aaliya anymore. Your Aaliya used to fight for others so no one would be bullied at school. But after you left, she became a bully herself."

Listening to her, Hardik’s eyes filled with tears too. He hugged her and gently patted her back, saying, "Everything will be okay. I’m here now, and I’ll always be with you."