As Sanskar slowly woke up next day, he was greeted by a pounding headache and a wave of nausea. He groaned, rubbing his temples in an attempt to alleviate the pain. After a few moments, he managed to sit up, shaking his head to clear the blurriness from his vision. Taking a deep breath, he tried to shake off the remnants of the previous night's drinking. With a wince, he stood up and made his way to the washroom, flipping on the faucet to splash some cold water on his face. The coolness helped revive him slightly, and he began his morning routine, trying to shake off the haze that lingered.

The aroma of freshly cooked poha wafted through the dining room, tantalizing everyone's taste buds. Nandini had carefully laid out the dish, accompanied by her mother's special touch - mirchi pakoda, crispy fried green chilies that added a delightful crunch. Ishita had made sure to include this spicy treat, knowing Nandini's cravings for something savory after recovering from fever. The combination of the soft, fluffy poha and the spicy kick of the mirchi pakoda was sure to tantalize Nandini's taste buds and lift her spirits.

Nandini's eyes lit up as she spotted the mirchi pakoda on the table, and she couldn't help but side-hug her mother. "Wow, Mumma, you are the best," she exclaimed, her voice filled with affection.

Ishita chuckled and playfully tapped Nandini's head, saying "Dramebaaz" with a smile, her eyes twinkling with amusement at her daughter's theatrics. Nandini giggled, feeling happy and content with her mother's loving gesture.

Nandini's face lit up with a warm smile as she greeted Rahul, "Hi Rahul Bhai, come join us for breakfast!" She gestured invitingly towards the spread on the table.

Rahul smiled politely and shook his head, "No, ma'am, I had my breakfast already."

Sanskar descended the stairs, looking sharp in his black tuxedo. "Rahul, everything ready for the meeting?" he asked, his voice crisp and professional.

Rahul nodded, "Yes, boss," and fell into step beside Sanskar as he headed towards the door. Together, they walked out, exuding an air of confidence and preparedness for the day's tasks ahead.

Nandini called out to Rahul, her voice loud enough for Sanskar to hear, "Rahul Bhai, today I've prepared poha, and there's a little extra, so all can join us as I don't like wasting food"

Nandini's concern for Sanskar was evident as she called out to Rahul, but her underlying motive was to make sure Sanskar ate something. Given that he had skipped dinner the previous night, she hoped he would join them for breakfast. Her eyes met Sanskar's for a brief moment, and she avoids not knowing how to invite him directly but wishing he would take a break and eat something before heading out.

Sanskar assumed Nandini's invitation was meant for someone else, given her past behavior towards him. So, he walked out without hesitation, but his steps faltered as a wave of dizziness washed over him. The aftermath of skipping meals and the lingering hangover headache took its toll, leaving him feeling unsteady. His eyes narrowed slightly, trying to focus and shake off the haze that clouded his senses.

"Rahul's concern was palpable as he called out to Sanskar, "Sir, you should eat something."

But Sanskar's response was curt, "I'm alright, let's go." His tone was cold and dismissive, brooking no argument.

Rahul hesitated for a moment, clearly worried about his boss's well-being, but ultimately fell into step beside Sanskar, following him out the door.

Nandini's eyes flashed with annoyance as she watched Sanskar dismiss Rahul's concern and head out without eating. Her anger was palpable as she strode towards him, her grip firm as she grasped his wrist, halting his steps.

Nandini's sarcasm was biting as she asked, "Rahul Bhai, if Mr. Maheshwari didn't go to the office one day, will he go bankrupt?" Her tone dripped with exasperation, implying that Sanskar's health should take priority over work.

Rahul's nod of "no" was subtle, but it seemed to validate Nandini's point, and he looked on, aware of the tension between Sanskar and Nandini.

Nandini's frustration boiled over as she peppered Rahul with absurd questions, her sarcasm on full display. "Will the Indian economy fall?" she asked, her voice laced with annoyance. Rahul's deadpan nod of "no" only fueled her tirade. "Will a volcano burst? Or the Great Wall of China crumble? Or the solar system blast?" Her questions grew more outlandish, her anger and worry for Sanskar's health evident. Finally, she snapped, "Then fine, your boss is not going to come to the office. You may leave and handle everything." Her tone was firm, brooking no argument, as she stood her ground, refusing to let Sanskar leave without eating.

Sanskar's eyes widened in surprise as Nandini scolded him, her words a mix of sarcasm and concern. "And you, if you take one day leave, horns won't grow on your head," she said, her finger wagging in his direction.

Just then, Gopi arrived with a glass of lemon juice, which Nandini promptly took from him. "Now drink this lemonade," she ordered, handing the glass to Sanskar. Her tone softened slightly as she added, "The way you've been drinking like there's no tomorrow, I'm sure your head must be pounding like a tabla. This will help relieve the headache."

Sanskar's eyes met Nandini's as he silently drank the lemon juice, a mix of disbelief and surprise at her concern for him. It was a rare moment, and he seemed taken aback by her gentle tone. "Good boy, now come have something," Nandini said, her voice softening further, as she gestured towards the breakfast spread. For a moment, the tension between them seemed to dissipate, replaced by a glimmer of warmth and concern.

Sanskar set the glass down on the table, his expression complex. "Choti, I know you hate me. I don't want your sympathy," he said, his voice low and rough. As he stood up to leave, his words hung in the air, a mixture of pride and pain. "I know it was you who helped me yesterday night, but you don't need to worry. I'm habitual of living alone," he added, his tone a shield, hiding the vulnerability that flickered in his eyes.

Nandini's eyes locked onto Sanskar's, and for the first time, she saw beyond the bitterness in his tone to the pain beneath. Her expression softened, and she seemed to shed her usual reserve. "I don't need your special comments on how I should treat people, Mr. Maheshwari," she said, her voice firm but controlled. With a gentle yet firm grip, she held his arms and guided him back onto the sofa. "Gopi aunty, bring poha here," she called out, her tone brooking no argument, as she made it clear that Sanskar would be eating breakfast, whether he liked it or not.

Sanskar's face darkened with anger as he said, "Look, you can't force me."

Nandini's response was a smirk, "Try me." Her eyes sparkled with a challenge, and Sanskar's instincts urged him to test her limits.

He tried to stand up, but froze as Nandini's words cut through the air, "If you get up, I'll leave the house." The quiet determination in her voice gave him pause, and for a moment, they locked eyes, the air thick with tension.

Sanskar's eyebrows shot up in amusement as he asked, "Are you blackmailing me?"

Nandini's response was a confident smirk, "Yes, I'm. Any problem?" Her eyes sparkled with a hint of defiance, and she flipped her hair over her shoulder with a stylish flourish, adding, "Even if you have, I don't care." Her tone was playful, yet firm, daring Sanskar to challenge her.

As Sanskar ate the poha from Nandini's hand, he closed his eyes, and the flavors transported him back to a different time. The taste buds on his tongue danced with joy, and he was suddenly reminded of his mother, who used to cook poha for him because it was his favorite. Memories of laughter and warmth flooded his mind, but they were bittersweet, reminding him of the loss he had endured.

After his parents' passing, he had stopped eating poha, a habit he hadn't revisited in years. Now, as he savored the dish from Nandini's hand, a mix of emotions swirled within him-nostalgia, longing, and a hint of healing. The familiarity of the taste felt like a bridge to the past, connecting him to the people and moments he thought he'd left behind.

Sanskar pushed the plate away and stood up, his eyes avoiding Nandini's as he muttered, "I'm done." The simple act of eating poha had unleashed a torrent of emotions, and he felt overwhelmed.

He didn't like this feeling-emotions made him weak, vulnerable to the pain of the past. Memories of betrayal and cruelty flooded his mind, reminding him of the harsh realities that had snatched his childhood innocence.

He struggled to keep his composure, his instincts urging him to retreat from these feelings, to shield himself from the past. With a quiet intensity, he turned to leave, seeking to escape the emotional turmoil that threatened to consume him.

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Rajesh burst into the room, his face radiating joy, his eyes sparkling with excitement. He hurried over to Swara, a box of sweets in his hands, and announced, "Ma'am, my mother's operation was successful! The doctor said we can take her home in a few days!" His voice trembled with emotion as he shared the good news, his smile infectious and warm. The tension in the room momentarily dissipated, replaced by the warmth of Rajesh's happiness and the sweet scent of celebration.

Swara's face lit up with a genuine smile as she congratulated Rajesh, "Congratulations, Ritesh!" Her eyes sparkled with warmth, happy for the young man's good fortune.

Ritesh's gaze shifted, his expression filled with gratitude, as he asked, "Ma'am, did Sanskar sir arrive? I want to thank him specifically for the help." His voice was filled with sincerity, his eyes shining with appreciation, as he sought to express his heartfelt thanks to Sanskar.

Swara's expression turned venomous as she spat out, "Why him? He didn't even let you serve your mother." Her words dripped with malice.

Ritesh's face contorted in worry as he protested, "No, ma'am, it's because of sir that my mother is with me. If he hadn't helped me, I don't know what would have happened." His voice trembled with anxiety, his eyes wide with concern, as he defended Sanskar's actions.

Swara's expression turned stern, her frown deepening as she corrected Rajesh, "It wasn't him, Ritesh. It's the company's policy to provide medical insurance to employees and their families. We work day and night here, after all." Her tone was firm, dismissive of Rajesh's gratitude towards Sanskar, as she sought to remind him of the company's policies and procedures.

Rahul's stern voice boomed into the room, silencing the conversation as he countered Swara's argument, "But, Miss Swara, the company is not bound to bring a specialist doctor from another country." His words hung in the air, a subtle reminder of Sanskar's extraordinary efforts, and the weight of his influence in making such arrangements. The room fell silent, Swara's expression turned defensive.

Swara's nose crunched up in distaste as she spat out the words, "Stop defending Sanskar Maheshwari, Rahul. You know he didn't give leave to Ritesh to be with his mother when she needed her son most and warned him he'd be fired from his job." Her tone was bitter, her expression twisted in a scowl, as she refused to acknowledge Sanskar's good deed, instead choosing to focus on his past harshness.

Rahul's calm, measured tone cut through Swara's indignation, his words painting a stark picture of the reality of Rajesh's situation. "It was not a normal surgery, Miss Swara, but a heart transplant surgery. As I know, after the operation, nobody is allowed to be near the patient except doctors, not even family, because after surgery, there's a high chance the patient may get an infection from outsiders. What would Ritesh have done when he himself is a high blood pressure patient?" Rahul's question hung in the air, leaving Swara speechless, her expression frozen in a mixture of shock and realization.

Rahul's voice took on a hint of empathy as he continued, "Even in the office, his work pressure was handled by other subordinates, whose days were specifically assigned to handle tasks, as per sir's strict orders, not to burden him more than needed." Rahul's words conveyed a sense of understanding and compassion for Sanskar, a man whose tough exterior hid a complex and caring individual. Rahul's tone implied that he felt bad for Sanskar, who was often misunderstood and judged solely on his cold demeanor, with no one bothering to look beyond the surface.

Ritesh's voice was filled with gratitude as he said, "Sir is right, ma'am, my mother's operation exceeded the medical insurance coverage." He paused, his eyes welling up with emotion, "If Sanskar sir hadn't helped me, I don't know what would have become of me." He gulped, struggling to hold back tears, "Sir came as a savior, like God, in my darkest hour." The sincerity in his voice underscored the depth of his appreciation for Sanskar's kindness.

"And Rahul sir, thank you for handling all the formalities. I don't know how to thank you, words seem insufficient," Rajesh expressed with genuine gratitude. "The doctor says my blood pressure is normal now, here's the report. I'm cleared to resume work. Thank you again, sir," he said before exiting Swara's cabin, his demeanor reflecting his appreciation and relief.

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