•| BONUS ONE |•
Krish's eyes narrowed into a glare, fixed intently on Aarav. The reason for his anger was clear: Aarav's son, Reyansh, had just kissed Suhani on the cheek. Krish's gaze was icy, his displeasure evident. He didn't seem to care that the kiss was likely innocent - he was still fuming.
Aarav sat calmly, a sly smile spreading across his handsome face.
He seemed to be enjoying Krish's anger, and he even shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.
"Chill, bro, they're just kids," he said, downplaying the situation.
But Krish knew the truth - he was seething inside.
That "little brat" had kissed his precious, innocent Suhani, and it was taking all of Krish's self-control not to lose his temper.
The living room was still filled with an awkward silence. The tension between Krish and Aarav was palpable. Just as it seemed like the silence was going to continue, the ladies returned from the kitchen, carrying trays of snacks.
Ishika, Aarav's wife, walked into the room with a big smile on her face.
"Guys, snacks are ready!" she announced, trying to lighten the mood.
Today was supposed to be a casual family gathering at Krish's place, but things had taken a turn when Reyansh kissed Suhani.
Suhani didn't seem to mind, but her father, Krish, was clearly annoyed.
Samira, noticing the frown still on Krish's face, sat down beside him and asked, "Krish, what's wrong?" She smiled at Aarav, trying to include him in the conversation, but her eyes were focused on Krish, concerned about what was bothering him.
The kids were having a blast playing together in the garden outside the house. Meanwhile, Kiaan was busy with his tuition classes, focused on his studies.
After Aarav and his family left, Krish felt a huge sense of relief. Samira walked back into the house, sat down on the sofa, and let out a tired sigh. "Krish, baby, I'm exhausted. Can you please make dinner today?" she asked, pouting her lips.
Krish couldn't resist Samira's cute expression. "As you say, my queen," he said with a playful smile. He lifted Samira up in his arms, bridal-style, and carried her into the kitchen. He gently set her down on the kitchen counter and kissed her forehead.
Just as Krish was about to kiss Samira, the doorbell rang. Krish sighed, "Always someone to disturb my romance!" Samira giggled at his comment.
Krish went to open the door, and was greeted by a smiling Kiaan, who ran inside excitedly.
"Where's Mommy, Dad?" Kiaan asked, barely acknowledging his father.
Krish rolled his eyes, "You little one, your father is right in front of you, and you only ask for Mommy!
" He pinched Kiaan's chubby cheeks, making him pout.
"She's in the kitchen," Krish said, and together they walked into the kitchen.
Suhani was fast asleep on the couch, exhausted from playing with Reyansh earlier.
Kiaan excitedly shouted "Mummy!" and tried to jump up onto the kitchen counter. "Dad, please help me sit," he asked Krish. Krish playfully teased Kiaan, saying "What's wrong, can't sit? You're a big boy now!" But he still lifted Kiaan up and sat him down beside Samira.
Kiaan proudly announced, "Mumma, today I solved five math problems!" and showed five fingers. Samira beamed with pride, kissing Kiaan's head and saying "Aww, my baby is so smart, just like me!" Krish just shook his head, amused by the mother-son duo.
Then he asked, "So, what should I make for dinner?
" Kiaan made a face and said "Mummy, why don't you make dinner?
Didn't you know Dad burned the food a few days ago?
" Samira burst out laughing, and Krish pretended to be offended.
"Hey, little man, I can cook just fine! It's just your mother who distracts me," he said with a grin.
Samira raised an eyebrow and asked, "What did I do to distract you, Mr. Mehra?" Krish leaned in close and whispered in her ear, "Why did you wear that sari? You know it distracts me." Samira's face turned bright red.
Samira quickly changed the subject, saying "How about Italian pasta?" Krish just smirked, but started making the pasta. Before chopping the vegetables, he began boiling the noodles.
Meanwhile, Samira cut up some fresh fruit for a snack. She fed a slice to Kiaan, who was sitting beside her. Then, she turned to Krish and fed him a slice too.
- Time skip -
After dinner, the family spent quality time together in Krish and Samira's room. Kiaan snuggled up with his mom, while Suhani sat on her dad's stomach.
Suddenly, Suhani said, "Papa, I want to marry my boyfriend!" Krish was shocked. "What? Who is he?" he asked. Samira and Kiaan stared, surprised.
Suhani replied, "Reyansh, he's my boyfriend!" Krish's eyes widened in disbelief. Samira burst out laughing at his reaction, and Kiaan giggled too. "No way you're marrying that little brat!" Krish almost shouted.
Suhani's face fell, and tears filled her eyes. She got up from Krish's stomach and ran to her mom. "Papa said I can't marry my boyfriend!" Samira consoled her, "Don't worry, princess, you can marry him when you're old enough."
Krish chimed in, "No, my daughter is not marrying him!" Samira looked at him in disbelief. "Seriously, Krish, they're just kids!" she said, hugging their crying three-year-old daughter.
Krish took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
“Fine, princess, you can marry him when you’re thirty.
Now stop crying.” He pulled Suhani into his lap and kissed her soft curls, gently rocking her until her tiny sniffles faded.
Samira smiled at the sight — the same man who acted like a lion a few minutes ago was now completely melted for his daughter.
That night, after both kids were tucked into bed and the house had finally quieted down, Krish lay beside Samira staring at the ceiling.
“She said boyfriend,” he muttered in disbelief.
Samira turned toward him, amused. “She’s three.”
“She said she wants to marry him.”
“She also wanted to marry the ice-cream vendor last month.”
Krish ignored that. “That Reyansh… he has too much confidence.”
Samira laughed softly and turned off the bedside lamp. “Sleep, Mr. Overprotective.”
Eventually, sleep claimed him.
And that’s when the nightmare began.
—
Krish found himself standing in a huge wedding hall decorated with flowers. Dramatic music was playing. Guests were smiling. Aarav stood near the stage, smirking — actually smirking — in a royal sherwani.
“What is this?” Krish demanded.
Aarav adjusted his imaginary cufflinks. “Welcome, bro. Baraat just arrived.”
“Baraat? For what?”
Before Aarav could answer, the crowd parted.
And there she was.
Suhani.
Not three anymore — she looked grown up, dressed in a bridal lehenga, walking slowly toward the mandap.
Krish’s jaw dropped.
“No. No. No. This is illegal. She’s still supposed to be watching cartoons!”
Then he saw the groom lift his sehra.
Reyansh.
Smiling.
Winking at him.
“Papaaaaa,” dream-Suhani called sweetly, “Bless us.”
Krish ran forward. “Absolutely not! This wedding is cancelled!”
The pandit ignored him.
Aarav put an arm around his shoulder. “Relax, samdhi ji.”
“DON’T CALL ME THAT!”
The varmala ceremony began.
Krish tried to jump between them but his legs wouldn’t move. Dramatic slow motion. Suhani placing the garland around Reyansh’s neck.
Reyansh grinning like he’d won a trophy.
Aarav whispering, “I told you they’re just kids.”
“NOOOOOO—!”
—
Krish bolted upright in bed, breathing heavily.
It was dark.
Silent.
He looked around wildly.
Samira stirred beside him. “Krish… what happened?”
He immediately got out of bed.
“I have to check.”
“Check what?”
“Our daughter!”
He rushed out of the room dramatically. Samira groaned but followed him.
They entered Suhani’s room quietly. She was peacefully asleep, hugging her stuffed bunny, drooling slightly.
Krish exhaled in relief and gently checked her tiny hand as if verifying she hadn’t secretly eloped at midnight.
Samira crossed her arms. “What exactly are you doing?”
“I saw it.”
“Saw what?”
“The wedding.”
Samira blinked. “Whose wedding?”
“Ours? No. Hers! With that Reyansh!”
Samira bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. “You had a nightmare.”
“It was very realistic.”
She walked closer and pulled him back toward the door. “Krish, she still thinks broccoli is scary. She’s not getting married.”
He glanced back once more suspiciously. “I don’t trust that Aarav.”
—
The next morning chaos began.
Krish called Aarav at 7 AM.
Aarav answered sleepily. “Bro… is someone dying?”
“Yes. My peace of mind.”
“What?”
“Tell your son to stay away from my daughter.”
Silence.
Then Aarav burst out laughing. “You’re still stuck on that?”
“You don’t understand. I saw their wedding.”
“…You need therapy.”
—
Later that day, Aarav and Ishika came over again because apparently Krish “overreacted.”
The kids were playing in the garden.
Krish sat on the patio chair like a security guard.
Sunglasses on.
Arms folded.
Watching.
Reyansh offered Suhani a biscuit.
Krish narrowed his eyes.
Reyansh tied Suhani’s shoelace.
Krish stood up halfway.
Aarav sipped juice calmly. “Bro, they’re sharing snacks, not property papers.”
Samira came outside holding lemonade. “Krish, please stop supervising like CID.”
“I am her father. This is my duty.”
Meanwhile, Kiaan walked over and whispered loudly, “Papa, you’re being dramatic.”
Krish gasped. “Even you?”
Suhani suddenly ran toward him. “Papa! Reyansh said he’ll build me a pink house!”
Krish froze.
“Oh really?” he said slowly.
Reyansh nodded confidently. “Yes, uncle.”
Uncle.
Krish’s eye twitched.
Aarav leaned back in his chair. “Samdhi ji, relax.”
Krish lunged for him. “Stop calling me that!”
Everyone burst out laughing.
Even Suhani.
Samira wrapped her arms around Krish’s waist from behind, resting her chin on his shoulder. “You know she’ll always be your little girl, right?”
He softened instantly.
Suhani ran back to play.
Krish sighed dramatically. “Fine. But I’m approving all future boyfriends.”
“She’s three,” Samira reminded him.
“Still.”
Aarav grinned. “I’m framing this moment.”
Krish pointed at Reyansh. “And you — no kissing until you’re thirty.”
Reyansh blinked. “Okay.”
Suhani shouted happily, “Papa said I can marry at thirty!”
Krish closed his eyes.
Samira laughed so hard she almost spilled the lemonade.
Chaos.
Noise.
Teasing.
But as Krish looked at his family — his wife laughing, his son shaking his head at him, his daughter chasing butterflies — he felt something stronger than fear.
Love.
Even if one day she really did get married…
He’d still be right there.
Complaining.
Protecting.
And definitely threatening the groom.