Ishita entered the room, intending to call Raman for lunch, but her expression fell as she saw his pale face. He sat there, lost in thought, gazing at old photos of Nandini's childhood. It had been a week since the "black day" when Sanskar's arrival had shattered the peace and happiness of their home. Raman's eyes seemed to hold a deep sadness, and Ishita's heart went out to him. She could see the pain and longing in his eyes as he stared at the photos, memories of happier times flooding his mind. Ishita's presence seemed to go unnoticed by Raman, absorbed as he was in his thoughts.

Ishita called out to Raman, "Raman, lunch is ready. I've prepared your favorite Paneer butter masala." But her words fell on deaf ears.

Raman's gaze remained fixed on the photos, a distant smile on his face as he whispered, "Do you remember when Nandini called me 'Papa' for the first time? I was on cloud nine." His eyes sparkled with nostalgia, and his voice was filled with a mix of joy and melancholy.

Ishita's heart ached as she watched him lost in memories of happier times, his mind consumed by thoughts of his daughter.

The memories came flooding back as Raman's eyes gazed at the photos. Nandini was just 2 and a half years old when they adopted her, bringing a burst of joy into their lives. After adopting her, they had started anew in Delhi, opening a shop and building a life together as a family. The photo captured a precious moment from those early days, just two weeks after they had brought Nandini home. In the photo, Raman was playing with a giggling, toddler Nandini, her tiny hands grasping his fingers as she took her first wobbly steps. Raman's face lit up with a warm smile as he recalled the little girl's infectious laughter and the way she would curl up in his arms, calling him "Papa" in her sweet, childish voice. The memory brought a tender smile to his face, and for a moment, the pain of their current situation seemed to fade away.

"Nandu, come to Papa," Raman called out, his arms open wide.

But before Nandini could take a step towards him, Ishita chimed in from the other side, "No, baby, come to Mumma."

Raman playfully challenged Ishita, "Nandu loves Papa more, so she'll come to me."

Ishita shot back, her eyes sparkling with amusement, "No way, my baby loves her Mumma more."

The playful banter between the parents only added to the joy of the moment.

Just then, little Nandini toddled over to Raman, calling out "Papa, Papa" in her sweet voice, and Raman's face lit up with delight.

As she reached him, he scooped her up in his arms, thrilled and excited, showering her with kisses. "Yes, yes, baby loves Papa more," he teased, winking at Ishita, who couldn't help but laugh at the sight of her husband and daughter sharing such a tender moment.

Ishita's laughter brought Raman back to the present, and she pointed to another photo, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

"And do you remember this?" she asked, her finger tracing the image of Nandini dressed in a Mickey Mouse costume, with Manik by her side in a Minnie Mouse costume.

Raman's face broke into a wide smile as he gazed at the photo, memories flooding back. "Oh, how can I forget?" he said, chuckling.

"Nandu was so stubborn to wear Micky mouse costume" he laughed remembering the moment.

The memory came flooding back as Raman gazed at the photo. Nandini was just 3 and a half years old when she became fixated with Mickey Mouse after watching a cartoon. She became stubborn, demanding to wear a Mickey Mouse costume, and when Raman couldn't find one, she burst into tears. Unable to bear his "life line" crying, Raman went on a mission to find a costume shop that was open at night. Miraculously, he found one, and his relief was palpable when he returned home with the costume.

What made the moment even more special was that their neighbors, Nyonika and Raj, along with their son Manik, were over for dinner that night.

Manik, who was 6 years old at the time, looked at Nandini with curiosity and asked, "What are you thinking now in your small brain, doll?"

Nandini looked up at him with big, round eyes and said, "Mickey Mouse has a partner, but I don't have." Her voice was filled with a sense of longing. Suddenly, an idea struck her, and she exclaimed, "Idea!" Nandini's eyes sparkled as she suggested, "Manik, become Minnie!"

Manik's face showed his surprise and shock, and he protested, "What? No way!" But Nandini's eyes began to well up with tears, and Manik couldn't bear to see his little friend cry.

He hesitated for a moment before agreeing, and luckily, his parents had a pink dress that could be altered to resemble Minnie Mouse's costume. With a bit of adjustment, Manik was transformed into Minnie, and Nandini's face lit up with joy.

Manik, who was dressed as Minnie Mouse to match Nandini's Mickey Mouse costume, added to the joy of the moment. The photo captured the magical night when Raman's determination to make his daughter happy paid off, and the whole family came together to celebrate Nandini's joy.

Ishita smiled as she looked at the photo, "Manik has taken care of Nandini since childhood, treating her like she's his little baby."

Raman's face lit up with pride as he added, "Even now, he treats her like a baby only."

Ishita's expression turned serious, and she said, "Manik doesn't know anything about what's been going on with Sanskar."

Raman's eyes narrowed slightly as Ishita continued, "Sanskar is his business rival, and I hope it won't affect Nandini and Manik's relationship." Ishita's voice was laced with worry, and Raman's expression turned thoughtful as he considered the potential implications.

The tension between Sanskar and Manik could potentially put a strain on Manik and Nandini's relationship, and Raman's mind began to work overtime, thinking of ways to protect his family.

"We can just hope for best" he thought.

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Nandini came running to Gopi Aunty, twirling her around excitedly. "Gopi Aunty!" she squealed, "My designs got selected for the national level design competition!"

Gopi Aunty's face lit up with joy, but she playfully complained, "Beta, mera sar goom raha hai!" (Child, my head is spinning!)

Nandini was over the moon, and her excitement spilled over as she thought about the possibilities. "I'm so happy, if I win the competition, I can open my own boutique with the prize money!"

She jumped up and down, her happiness infectious. But her joy was short-lived as she caught sight of Sanskar standing in the entrance.

Her face fell, and she murmured, "Saara mood karab ho gaya" (My whole mood has been ruined). Forcing a smile, she said, "Aunty, I'm going out with my friends to celebrate. Bye!" With a quick wave of her hand, she hurried out, trying to shake off the unease Sanskar's presence had brought.

Sanskar's voice was filled with pride as he ordered Rahul over the phone, "Rahul, give double bonus to employees. My sister has achieved the first step in her success." With a satisfied tone, he disconnected the call. He then turned his attention to Gopi, instructing her, "Gopi, today cook all Nandini's favorites." After giving the instructions, he headed to his room.

Gopi watched him go, a warm smile on her face. She couldn't help but sigh, thinking, "Don't know when Nandini beta will see Sanskar's sir's love for her." She knew that Sanskar had been making an effort to show his care and affection in subtle ways, like waking up early every day to cook breakfast for Nandini since the day she came to live with him. Despite his efforts, Nandini seemed oblivious to her brother's love and dedication.

Gopi also knew that Sanskar had specifically asked them not to tell Nandini about his extra efforts, wanting her to realize his love and care on her own.

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The Swara's eyes blazed with anger as she gazed at Sanskar's photo, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Sanskar Maheshwari, how dare you play with me?" she sneered, her face twisted in a scowl. "Nandini is your sister, not Rahul's. You lied to me." Her glare seemed to pierce through the photo, her anger and hurt palpable. As she looked at her own reflection in the mirror, a calculating glint appeared in her eyes. "Now it's my turn to play," she said, her voice low "Two people can play this game," she added, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

Swara made a stunning entrance in the party hall, wearing a deep red sleeveless dress that hugged her curves perfectly. Her open hair cascaded down her back, and her makeup accentuated her features, making her look radiant.

As she walked in, all eyes turned towards her, and the men in the room couldn't help but notice her. The pencil heels she wore added to her height, and she strutted confidently, her presence commanding attention.

The room fell silent for a moment, with all eyes on her, before the murmurs and whispers began, and Swara seemed to revel in the attention, her head held high and a hint of a smile on her lips.

Sanskar stood frozen, wine glass in hand, as he gazed at his fiancée, Swara, in the deep red dress. He had never seen her in a western outfit before, as she usually wore traditional Indian attire. But what really caught his attention was the way other men in the room were looking at her - their admiring glances, their lingering gazes. Sanskar's expression darkened, and he felt a surge of possessiveness and anger.

Who were these men to look at his fiancée like that? He tightened his grip on the wine glass, his eyes never leaving Swara's figure as she moved through the crowd, aware of the attention she was drawing. Sanskar's jaw clenched, and he felt a strong urge to go to her, to claim her as his own and shield her from the admiring eyes of other men.

Swara's eyes sparkled with amusement as she caught Sanskar's reaction from across the room. She smirked to herself, feeling a sense of satisfaction at the way he was looking at her. "For one week, I was burning with thoughts of you and Nandini," she thought, her mind replaying the anger and frustration she had felt. "Now it's your turn to burn," she thought, her eyes never leaving Sanskar's face as she reveled in his possessive gaze. She seemed to be enjoying the game of cat and mouse, and Sanskar's reaction was just the beginning. With a subtle smile, she continued to mingle, her eyes occasionally drifting back to Sanskar, who looked like he was seething with a mix of desire and anger.

The handsome stranger smiled charmingly as he asked Swara for a dance, his hand extended in invitation. Swara's eyes sparkled with amusement as she placed her hand in his, and he swept her onto the dance floor. As they glided across the floor, Swara's laughter and smile seemed to captivate the stranger, while Sanskar's eyes followed them, his expression growing increasingly dark. The music pulsed through the room, and Swara seemed to be enjoying the attention, her movements fluid and carefree. The stranger's eyes never left hers, and Swara's gaze occasionally met Sanskar's, a hint of mischief dancing in her eyes.

Sanskar's eyes were fixed intently on Swara as she danced with the stranger, his gaze burning with a mix of anger and possessiveness. His grip on the wine glass tightened, and before he knew it, the glass shattered in his hand. The sound of breaking glass was loud, but Sanskar didn't flinch, even as his hand began to bleed. The pain was nothing compared to the searing jealousy that coursed through his veins as he watched Swara laugh and smile with another man. His eyes never left hers, his face set in a rigid mask of control, as he struggled to contain the emotions that threatened to overwhelm him.

Sanskar's eyes blazed with a fierce intensity as he strode towards Swara, his bleeding hand forgotten in his anger. Swara's expression changed from amusement to concern as she took in the sight of his injured hand, and she reached out to him, "Sanskar, your hand..." But Sanskar didn't seem to hear her, his focus solely on getting her away from the stranger. Without a word, he swept Swara up onto his shoulder, her body draped over his like a sack, and walked purposefully towards the exit.

Swara's surprised squeal was cut off as she was jostled over his shoulder, her hair spilling down his back like a cascade of silk. The room fell silent, with all eyes on the dramatic scene unfolding before them, as Sanskar carried Swara out of the party, his long strides eating up the distance.

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