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The morning sun peeked through the heavy curtains of the bedroom. But the girl inside was completely unaware of the world outside.

Ikshita Khurana lay curled up like a cat, her arms wrapped tightly around a massive blue teddy bear that was almost as big as she was.

Her long black hair spilled across the pillow and her breathing was soft and peaceful.

Suddenly the bedroom door burst open with a bang that could wake the dead.

"Yeh ladki mujhe pagal karke hi chhodegi! Abhi tak so rahi hai! Das baj chuke hain, maharani! Uth jaaiye ab!"

[This girl will drive me crazy! She's still sleeping! It's already ten o'clock, your majesty! Wake up now!]

Priya Khurana stood in the doorway. Her usually perfect hair was slightly messy from running around the house.

She was dressed in an elegant cream colored saree, but right now she looked like she could wrestle a tiger.

Ikshita didn't even stir. She just hugged her blue teddy bear tighter and mumbled something incoherent into its fur.

"Ikshita! Beta, uth ja!?"

[Ikshita! Dear, wake up!]

Still nothing.

If anything, Ikshita seemed to sink deeper into her pillow, as if she could hide from the world forever.

Priya's patience was hanging by a thread. She marched into the room. But before she could reach the bed, another figure appeared in the doorway.

Rajesh Khurana walked in with the cautious steps of a man who knew he was walking into a battlefield.

He was already dressed in his crisp business suit, his hair perfectly styled. Even at fifty two, he was a handsome man who commanded respect in business.

But right now, he looked like he'd rather face a room full of angry investors than deal with this situation.

"Good morning, jaan," he said extra softly to his wife.

[dear]

Priya whirled around to face him, her eyes blazing.

"Good morning? Good morning?! Rajesh, dekho apni beti ko! Das baje tak so rahi hai!"

[Good morning?! Rajesh, look at your daughter! She's sleeping until ten o'clock!]

"Priyu, she's just-"

"Aapne isko itna bigaad diya hai!"

[You've spoiled her so much!]

Priya's voice rose at him. Rajesh opened his mouth to defend himself, but Priya was on a roll.

"Maine kaha tha na aapse? Don't spoil her too much! Lekin nahi, aap sunoge kaise? 'Meri princess ko kya chahiye?' 'Meri beti ko koi takleef nahi honi chahiye!' Bas yahi karte rehte ho!"

[I told you, didn't I? Don't spoil her too much! But no, how would you listen? 'What does my princess need?' 'My daughter shouldn't face any trouble!' That's all you keep doing!]

"Priya, please-"

"Please kya? Ab dekho natija! Important meeting ke liye late hone wali hai!"

[Please what? Now see the result! She's going to be late for the important meeting!]

With that, Priya stormed out of the room, her saree swishing dramatically behind her.

Rajesh stood there for a moment, watching his wife disappear. Then he sighed deeply and looked at his daughter, who was still sleeping peacefully despite the chaos that had just erupted around her.

She came back to Udaipur from New York a week ago after finishing her master's degree in literature.

He walked over to the bed and sat down gently on the edge, careful not to disturb her too much. His expression softened as he looked at his little girl.

Even at twenty two, she still looked like the same child who used to climb into his lap and demand bedtime stories.

"Ishi," he said softly.

"Ishi, beta, wake up please."

No response.

"Ishi, if you don't wake up, your mumma will eat me alive. And then who will buy you your favorite ice cream?"

A slight movement. One eye peeked open, then closed again.

Rajesh chuckled despite himself.

"Come on, princess. I know you're awake now."

"Five more minutes, Papa," came a muffled voice from the pillow.

"Your mumma will have my head if I let you sleep for five more minutes. She's already planning my funeral." He said pretending to be scared.

"Then you better start writing your will," Ikshita mumbled.

"Very funny. Now come on, open those eyes. Let me see my beautiful daughter." He said

Slowly, very slowly, Ikshita's eyes fluttered open. And her eyes, they were the most stunning shade of blue that seemed to hold the depth of the ocean.

They were framed by long, dark lashes that most women would kill for, and when she blinked, it was like watching a fairy tale come to life.

Her face was round and soft, with chubby cheeks that made her look younger than her age.

There was something so innocent and pure about her features, yet there was also a spark of mischief in those blue eyes that warned of trouble ahead.

"There's my princess," Rajesh said, his voice full of warmth.

Ikshita stretched like a cat, still clutching her blue teddy bear.

"Papa, why does Mumma have to be so loud in the morning? Can't she whisper her anger?" Ikshita asked, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

Rajesh chuckled softly and replied,

"Because then it wouldn't be your mother, would it?"

"Fair point," Ikshita said with a small smile as she sat up, her hair falling around her shoulders.

"Is she really angry?" she asked, tilting her head curiously.

Rajesh sighed dramatically and said,

"Angry is an understatement. She's furious."

"Ooh, that's not good. Should I hide?" Ikshita whispered.

"Hiding won't help. Trust me, I've tried," Rajesh said and shook his head.

Ikshita giggled, and the sound was like music to Rajesh's ears.

"Poor Papa. Caught between his wife and his daughter," she teased, grinning mischievously.

"Story of my life, beta. Story of my life," Rajesh said with mock exasperation.

"But you love it, don't you?" Ikshita asked, her eyes twinkling.

Rajesh reached over and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his expression softening.

"I love you both more than life itself. Even when you drive me crazy."

"We're not that bad," Ikshita protested with a pout.

"Ishi, your mumma just threatened to murder me because you won't wake up. And you're sitting there asking for five more minutes of sleep. I'd say you're both pretty terrible," Rajesh said, trying to keep a straight face.

"Hey!" Ikshita protested, but she was laughing.

"I'm an angel!"

"Angels don't sleep until ten in the morning," Rajesh said with raised eyebrows.

"This one does. I'm a special angel," Ikshita declared proudly, puffing out her chest.

"Special is definitely one word for you," Rajesh said with a smirk.

Ikshita stuck her tongue out at him, and Rajesh couldn't help but laugh.

This was their morning routine the gentle teasing, the loving banter, the way they could make each other smile even when the world was falling apart around them.

"But seriously, Papa, why is Mumma so worked up? It's just a meeting," Ikshita asked

"Just a meeting?" Rajesh raised an eyebrow.

"Beta, it's about your upcoming book."

"Never mind. Sleep is important. And Papa, if you're about to give me the speech, please don't. It's too early," Ikshita said quickly, pulling her blanket up to her chin.

"It's ten-fifteen," Rajesh pointed out.

"Exactly. Too early," Ikshita mumbled into her pillow.

Rajesh shook his head, but he was still smiling.

"You're impossible."

"I learned from the best," Ikshita said with a proud grin.

"I taught you to be responsible and hardworking," Rajesh said, crossing his arms with sternness.

"And loving and funny and stubborn," Ikshita added cheekily.

"The stubborn part came from your mother," Rajesh said almost immediately.

"Did not!" Ikshita exclaimed, sitting up straighter.

"Did too," Rajesh insisted with a knowing look.

"Papa, you're being mean," Ikshita said with an exaggerated pout.

"I'm being honest," Rajesh replied with a shrug.

Ikshita hugged her teddy bear tighter and said defensively,

"Well, at least Bluey loves me unconditionally."

Rajesh looked at the massive blue teddy bear and felt a familiar tug in his chest. He knew that bear meant more to her than just a childhood toy.

He knew who had given it to her, and he knew why she treasured it so much.

Because it was a gift from him.

But he also knew that was a conversation for another day.

"Bluey is very lucky to have you," he said carefully, his voice gentle.

"I'm lucky to have him too," Ikshita said softly, her fingers tracing the bear's worn fur.

The way she said it, with such quiet intensity, made Rajesh's heart ache a little. His daughter was growing up, and there were parts of her heart that he couldn't reach anymore.

Parts that belonged to someone else.

"Ishi," he said gently, reaching out to touch her hand,

"you know you can talk to me about anything, right?"

She looked up at him, those blue eyes suddenly serious.

"I know, Papa."

"Anything at all," Rajesh emphasized, his voice filled with love.

"I know," Ikshita replied quietly, squeezing his hand in return.

They stared at each other for a moment, and Rajesh could see that she was thinking about something.

Something important.

But before he could ask, she was scrambling out of bed.

"Okay, okay, I'm up! I'm awake! Tell Mumma I'm getting ready!" Ikshita exclaimed

"Are you sure? Because if you go back to sleep, I'm going to have to find a new place to live." Rajesh teased her.

"I'm sure, I'm sure." Ikshita said hurriedly as she was already heading toward her walk-in closet.

"Give me thirty minutes."

"You have twenty." Rajesh called after her.

"Twenty five." Ikshita negotiated from inside the closet.

"Ishi." Rajesh said in a warning tone.

"Fine, twenty. But I'm not promising miracles." Ikshita conceded with a dramatic sigh.

"You never do, yet somehow you always pull them off." He mumbled but she heard it.

She turned back to him with a grin.

"That's because I'm your daughter."

Ikshita blew him a kiss and disappeared into her closet. Rajesh sat there for a moment longer, listening to the sounds of her moving around, pulling out clothes and probably making a mess.

Rajesh said and got up from the bed and said loudly.

"I'm going downstairs to negotiate a peace treaty with your mumma."

"Good luck, Papa! You'll need it!" Ikshita called out.

"Thanks for the confidence boost!" Rajesh replied sarcastically.

"Anytime!" Ikshita shouted back cheerfully.

Rajesh shook his head with a smile and headed for the door. His little girl was really growing up. But she was still his princess.

Still the little girl who needed her father to protect her from her mother's morning moods. And he wouldn't have it any other way.

Twenty minutes later, Ikshita stood in front of the full-length mirror in her bathroom, wrapped in a fluffy white towel.

Her hair was still damp from the shower, and droplets of water clung to her skin. She looked at her reflection and tried to see what others saw when they looked at her.

The girl in the mirror was pretty, she supposed. The blue eyes were definitely unique. Her skin was clear and smooth, with a natural glow that no amount of makeup could replicate.

Her lips were full and naturally pink, and her cheeks were chubby.

Sadly nobody notices her inner beauty.

Her gaze traveled down to her collarbone, where a thin silver chain disappeared beneath the towel.

Without conscious thought, her hand moved to her throat, and she pulled out the pendant that hung there.

It was a simple thing, really. A small silver chain with a tiny key shaped locket. But to Ikshita, it was the most precious thing in the world.

She lifted her hand slowly and touched the pendant with her fingertips. The metal was warm against her skin, warmed by her body heat and her racing heart.

As always, touching it brought back a flood of memories that made her chest tight and her eyes burn with unshed tears.

"Promise me you'll wear this always," a voice whispered in her memory.

A voice that was deep and warm and full of love.

"Promise me you'll think of me every time you touch it."

"I promise," her younger self had whispered back, tears streaming down her face.

"I promise I'll never take it off."

And she hadn't.

Not once in all these years. Not when she showered, not when she slept, not when her mother asked questions about where it came from. It had become a part of her, as essential as breathing.

Some promises, after all, were meant to be kept forever.

"Ishi!" her mother's voice echoed from downstairs.

Ikshita blinked and realized she'd been standing there for several minutes, lost in memories.

She quickly dried her hair and got dressed, choosing an outfit and headed downstairs.

She was late. Again.

As she stepped into the dining area, the entire family looked up. The huge table was already set with her mother's famous parathas, fresh fruits, and steaming cups of tea and coffee. Everyone was seated and halfway through their breakfast.

"Oh, look who decided to grace us with her presence," Daksh announced dramatically, putting down his cup.

"The sleeping beauty has awakened!"

Before Ikshita could even respond, her mother Priya stood up.

"Ishi!" Priya marched over and grabbed Ikshita's left ear making her wince.

"Do you know what time it is? Everyone has finished half their breakfast, and you're just waking up like some princess!"

"Mumma, ouch!" Ikshita tried to duck away, but Priya's grip was firm.

"I was tired yesterday!"

"Tired? You went to bed at 10 PM! What were you doing, counting stars?" Priya twisted her ears gently but enough to make her point.

"Leave my daughter alone, Priya," Rajesh said from his seat.

"She's young. Let her sleep."

"Don't you dare support her, Rajesh!" Priya turned to glare at her husband while still holding Ikshita's ears.

"You spoil her too much. That's why she became like this."

"Papa is right, Mumma," Ikshita grinned despite her ears being held captive.

" I need my beauty sleep."

"Beauty sleep?" Himansh laughed from his chair while bouncing little Vihaan on his lap.

"What beauty? You look like you fought with your pillow and lost."

"At least I don't look like someone who iron their face every morning, bhai,"

Ikshita shot back, making Prerna burst into laughter earning a mock glare from her husband.

Priya finally let go of Ikshita's ears and shook her head.

"Sit down and eat. Your food is getting cold."

Ikshita rubbed her ears dramatically and walked to her usual seat between Roshni and her father.

"Good morning, everyone," she said sweetly, as if nothing had happened.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," Roshni whispered, sliding a plate of fresh parathas toward her.

"Bua! Bua!" Little Vihaan suddenly started clapping his hands and reaching for Ikshita.

His face lit up with the biggest smile when he saw her.

"My little prince!" Ikshita's heart melted as she reached over to take him from Himansh.

"Did you miss your bua?"

Vihaan babbled something that sounded like "Bua pretty" and everyone burst into laughter.

"See? At least someone thinks I'm pretty in this house," Ikshita said, kissing Vihaan's chubby cheeks.

"That's because he doesn't know any better yet," Daksh teased.

"Wait until he grows up and realizes his bua is actually a witch who sleeps until noon."

"I don't sleep until noon!" Ikshita protested while making funny faces at Vihaan, who giggled loudly.

"It was only... what time is it anyway?"

"11:30 AM," Rajesh checked his watch.

And Ikshita stuck her tongue out at Daksh.

"Don't encourage her, Papa," Himansh said

"She already thinks she's the queen of the house."

"I am the queen of this house," Ikshita declared dramatically, standing up with Vihaan in her arms.

"Isn't that right, my little prince?"

Vihaan clapped his hands and babbled excitedly, making everyone laugh again.

"The only queen I see here is someone who can't even wake up on time," Priya muttered, but there was fondness in her voice.

"Mumma, you're so mean to me," Ikshita pouted while sitting back down with Vihaan on her lap.

"I'm your only daughter. You should be nicer to me."

"My only daughter who gives me gray hair," Priya replied, running her fingers through Ikshita's messy hair.

"When will you learn to take care of yourself?"

"When I find a husband who can braid my hair," Ikshita said casually while feeding Vihaan small pieces of paratha.

The whole table went quiet for a second before erupting in laughter and groans.

"Hey bhagwaan, pata nahi iss ladki ke liye kaha se ladka dhundh ke laungi,"

[Oh God, I don't know where I'll find a boy for this girl]

Priya threw her hands up in despair.

Without missing a beat, Ikshita looked up with a wicked grin.

"Don't worry, Mumma. Main apne liye khud ek chand sa ladka laungi, fir use din mein tare dikhaungi."

[Don't worry, Mumma. I'll find a moon-like boy for myself, then I'll show him stars during the day.]

The table fell silent for a moment before Daksh started choking on his tea.

"Oh my God, Ikshita!" Roshni was laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes.

"You're impossible," Priya shook her head and Ikshita flashed her a toothy grin.

"What boy will be brave enough to handle you?"

"The right one," Rajesh said quietly, reaching over to pat Ikshita's head.

"Someone who sees how special our daughter is."

"Papa," Ikshita's voice went soft for a moment.

"I love you."

"Love you too princess," Rajesh winked at her.

"Great, now she's going to be even more spoiled," Himansh complained

"You two are mean," Ikshita pouted, but Vihaan started patting her face with his tiny hands, trying to cheer her up.

"Bua no sad," Vihaan said in his baby voice, making everyone's heart melt.

"See? My nephew loves me more than my brothers do," Ikshita kissed his forehead.

"Don't you, baby?"

"Bua best!" Vihaan declared, clapping his hands.

"He's clearly the smartest one in this family," Ikshita said smugly.

"He's two years old," Himansh pointed out.

"And already smarter than his papa," Prerna teased, earning a playful glare from her husband.

"My wife and sister are ganging up on me," Himansh complained dramatically.

"This is not fair."

"Fool," Ikshita muttered sarcastically.

"My beautiful family," Priya said and looked around the table with satisfaction.

"Even if you all drive me crazy sometimes."

"Especially Ikshita," Himansh pointed out.

"Hey!" Ikshita protested.

"I'm an angel."

"A fallen angel, maybe," Daksh muttered.

"I heard that!" Ikshita threw a piece of paratha at him.

"Food fight!" Vihaan clapped excitedly.

"No food fights at the breakfast table," Priya said firmly, but she was trying not to laugh.

"Sorry, Mumma," Ikshita said sheepishly.

"You're forgiven," Priya patted her head.

"But finish your breakfast. You barely ate anything."

"I was too busy defending myself from these bullies," Ikshita gestured toward her brothers.

"We're not bullies," Himansh protested.

"I'm going to the temple," Ikshita announced after finishing her breakfast and handing Vihaan back to Himansh.

"Good idea," Rajesh nodded.

"Pray for all of us while you're there."

"Oh, I will," Ikshita assured him with a sweet smile that didn't fool anyone.

"I'll pray for patience, wisdom, and maybe a nice, quiet family in my next life."

"You're stuck with us in every life," Priya called after her as she headed toward the kitchen.

"Lucky me," Ikshita mumbled with a chuckle.

"Mumma," she called out, her voice softer now.

"I'm going. Bye everyone. Love you guys"

◆◇◆

Ikshita walked slowly. Here, away from everything she could finally remember.

Him.

She stepped into the temple and stood infront of the idol of the Radhakrishna and joined her hands.

"I'm back," she whispered, her voice cracking slightly.

"Again"

The tears came without warning, as they always did. Hot and silent, streaming down her cheeks as she knelt before the idol.

"Everyone thinks I'm crazy, you know," she continued, her voice barely audible.

She closed her eyes and continued.

"According to everyone he's no more. But I feel him," she breathed, her voice breaking.

"Somewhere in this world, I feel him breathing. I feel him living. And I know that makes me sound insane, but I don't care anymore."

The morning sun streamed through the temple windows, casting golden light across her tear stained face.

"I visit the temple everyday just to pray for him," she whispered.

"I wish that wherever he is, he's safe. I pray that he remembers me the way I remember him. I pray that someday, somehow, he'll find his way back to me."

She opened her eyes and stared at the deity, her gaze intense and desperate.

"I know everyone thinks I should forget. But I can't let go. I won't let go. Not until I know for sure."

The temple bells chimed again, and she wiped her tears with the back of her hand.

"I have to go back now," she whispered.

She stood up slowly, her legs shaky from kneeling. As she turned to leave, she pressed her hand to her heart.

"I love you," she said simply.

"Dead or alive, wherever you are, I love you. And I'll keep loving you until my last breath."

The words hung in the air like a promise, like a curse, like a prayer all rolled into one.

She walked out of the temple with her head held high, her tears dried. But unknown to her, someone was watching her from behind the pillar near the temple entrance.

Hidden in the shadows, a figure stood perfectly still, having heard every word she'd whispered.

Someone who'd been watching her for days.

Someone who knew exactly who she was praying for.

Someone who held the answers to all her desperate prayers.

But not yet.

Not until the time was right.

_________________________

So, here is the next chapter of the book. Please let me know what you honestly think.

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