“Ansh,” she whispers, her voice trembling with emotion.

She turns to Kaveri, her eyes searching for confirmation. “Ajji, is he really my Ansh?”

Kaveri smiles, nodding gently. Maya takes slow, hesitant steps toward him before throwing herself into his arms, holding him as if afraid he might disappear again.

“Ansh… you broke my promise,” she whispers against his chest.

Adranksh closes his eyes, inhaling deeply as though he is breathing freely for the first time in years.

“I didn’t,” he murmurs, his voice barely above a breath.

She pulls back slightly, suddenly aware of the many eyes on them. Leaning closer, she whispers, “Later.”

Adranksh exhales, nodding, his gaze lingering on her as she steps away.

Ajendra hands her a large red velvet box, and she opens it to find a traditional gold necklace, intricately designed in Karnataka style. She smiles at the thoughtful gift and thanks him.

One by one, the family showers her with gifts. Utkarsh and Shrestha gift her a flat in Rajasthan, Rajendra and Kausalya present her with exquisite gold bangles, Aadrik surprises her with a sleek red Ferrari, and Avyaansh hands her shares in a company. The girls give her jhumkas, perfumes, and delicate accessories.

Maya thanks them all warmly before calling for the servants to bring out the rest of the luggage.

“What’s all this, Maya?” Shrestha asks.

“Gifts, Aunty. My parents didn’t want to send me empty-handed,” she replies, unveiling the largest package first.

Shrestha’s eyes glisten with emotion. “Beta, you should call me Maa now.”

Maya nods with a soft smile before picking up a gift-wrapped frame and walking toward Ajendra and Kaveri. “Even I haven’t seen this one, Ajji. My parents asked me to give this to you.”

Ajendra and Kaveri unwrap the frame together. The moment their eyes land on the photograph inside, Kaveri gasps, her hand flying to her heart. It’s an old family photo from their time in Karnataka—faces they haven’t seen in years, memories frozen in time.

Ajendra’s face lights up with nostalgia. “This is beautiful. Thank you, Maya. You’ve truly made my day.” He hugs her—a rare sight that leaves everyone momentarily stunned.

Maya’s eyes shimmer as she recalls Vikram, and Ajendra, sensing her thoughts, gently squeezes her shoulder. “I know you miss Vikram, beta. I can’t replace him, but you will always have me as your grandfather.”

Maya wipes her nose, nodding.

“Show us, Dadi!” Lavanya urges eagerly.

Kaveri places the frame on the sofa for everyone to see. As the siblings gather around, they gasp in surprise. Adranksh and Maya were holding each other’s hands and smiling at the camera.

“Wow! Bhabhi knew Bhaiya before us?” Vaishali exclaims.

“I’ve never seen Bhaiya smile like that before,” Karishma adds in awe.

“Omg, it’s the Bhabhi effect!” Lavanya teases, making everyone laugh.

“Bhaiya, look at us like that too!” Aadrik pouts, but Adranksh only glares at him.

Maya chuckles before returning to the suitcase. “Maa, this is for you and Papa.”

Shrestha unwraps the gift to reveal a key and a pair of bangles. Utkarsh gasps as he recognizes the key. “This… where’s the bike?”

“Outside. But Appa said you can’t see it until he arrives this evening,” Maya teases.

“That buffoon. He’s doing it on purpose,” Utkarsh grumbles, making everyone laugh.

Shrestha stares at the bangles, her hands trembling. “Maya… these were my mother’s. I gave one to Kamakshi, and she promised to return it once I fulfilled my promise.”

Tears fill her eyes as she embraces Maya. “Thank you, beta.”

Avyaansh chimes in, “Bhabhi is making everyone emotional today.”

Maya laughs. “Then just send your prayers to my grandparents. I’m sure they would love to hear from you again.”

She continues handing out gifts, each one filled with sentimental value, each one reviving an old promise or cherished memory. When she gifts the three sisters identical necklaces that connect like puzzle pieces, she says, “If you ever fight or get separated, look at these and find each other again.”

The sisters immediately tackle her in a hug. “Thank you, Bhabhi!”

Finally, she hands two small boxes to Aadrik and Avyaansh. Inside, they find car keys.

“Where is it?” they ask excitedly.

“Outside.”

They sprint out, followed by the rest of the family.

“Bhabhi, this model hasn’t even been released yet!” Aadrik exclaims. “How did you—?”

“I have my connections,” Maya smirks. “Do you like it?”

“Who wouldn’t? Thank you so much!”

As they return inside, Lavanya suddenly asks, “Bhabhi, do you have superpowers?”

Maya chuckles. “No, why?”

“Because you made everyone feel a rollercoaster of emotions today. You must have superpowers!”

Maya laughs and shakes her head. They settle in for breakfast, and as Maya absentmindedly separates the tomatoes from her plate, Adranksh switches his plate with hers without a word. She looks down to see that he has already removed the tomatoes from her food.

She smiles at the small yet intimate gesture, her eyes meeting his. He simply nods and continues eating.

Later, when they return to their room, Adranksh reaches first. The moment Maya steps inside, he pins her to the wall, his eyes dark with unspoken emotions.

“What is this behaviour, Adranksh?” she whispers, her gaze softening at the pain in his eyes.

She sighs. “Do you not want your gift?”

He immediately steps back, allowing her space. She places a box in his hands. Inside, he finds a ring.

“This is what Thatha would have given you if he were here for our engagement. He had it made for you.”

Adranksh’s breath catches as she hands him another box. Inside are chocolates and a small photo frame.

He unwraps it to find a picture of them as children, asleep in each other’s arms. A slow smile spreads across his face. Without a word, he places the frame on the bedside table.

Maya steps away and retrieves a book from her bag, handing it to him shyly. Inside, he finds preserved chocolate wrappers, old doodles, childhood pictures, and a single dried red rose.

“I always kept this, even when I was in London. I didn’t know why. I waited for you, Ansh. But you never came.”

Adranksh pulls out a box of his own. Inside is the big chocolate bar she once gave him.

“You weren’t alone, Maya.”

Tears slip down her cheeks. He wipes them away gently. “I didn’t break my promise, Malyshka.”

She sobs quietly, clutching onto him. He lifts her onto his lap, holding her close.

“Thank you for not forgetting me, Ansh,” she whispers.

Their foreheads touch, their eyes locking in a silent promise. The years of longing crumble, and unable to resist any longer, Adranksh tilts her chin up and was about to capture her lips when….