The slap echoed.
Loud. Sharp.
It wasn't just a sound—it cut through everything.
Vijay stood frozen.
His face turned to the side… the sting burning on his cheek.
For a moment… he couldn't even process what had just happened.
Om's eyes widened in shock.
He had never seen Manoj like this before.
Never.
Manoj's chest was rising and falling heavily.
Not just from anger…
But from everything he had been holding in.
"I've been telling you again and again—listen to me!" Manoj snapped, his voice firm but not out of control.
"But you… you weren't ready to hear anything!"
He took a breath, trying to steady himself.
"I'm sorry, Vijay… my brother… and Om… I had to take this step."
His tone softened slightly.
"But now… will you at least do me this favor and listen to me first?"
That hit differently.
Vijay blinked… slowly coming back to his senses.
The anger inside him… began to settle.
And in its place… came realization.
He had crossed the line.
He raised his hand and touched his cheek… then gave a small nod.
A silent yes.
Om gently placed a hand on Vijay's shoulder.
A quiet support.
Then both of them looked at Manoj—
This time… ready to listen.
Seeing them calm down, Manoj finally spoke.
"First… forgive me, Vijay…"
His voice wasn't angry anymore.
Just tired.
"You weren't ready to listen… so I had to make you understand the old way… just like in childhood."
A faint, painful smile crossed his face.
"But listen carefully…"
"I don't want a single rupee from you."
Vijay's eyes flickered slightly.
"And the truth is… I was so happy thinking about meeting you and Om… that I forgot everything else."
He exhaled deeply.
"Even forgot… that my wife isn't as innocent as I thought she was that day."
"But believe me…"
He looked at both of them, his voice firm now.
"I have no intention of asking for help… not for my business… not for anything."
"I came here… just to meet you."
A pause.
"And to bring my children… so they could meet their uncle… their brothers."
"They know your names… but they've never seen you."
Manoj's expression hardened slightly.
"And listen carefully, Vijay…"
"If this time Savita asks you for even a single coin…"
His jaw tightened.
"I won't let it happen."
"Vipul brother already gave us more than our share of property…"
His voice dropped.
"And if we've lost everything now… it's because of Savita's spending. No one else."
"I told her a thousand times… to save money… to invest…"
A bitter laugh escaped him.
"But she was too busy fulfilling her expensive desires."
"And the result…"
He looked down at his hands.
"…is my poverty."
A long silence followed.
"But now… I accept it."
His voice turned calm.
"She'll have to live like a poor person now… no matter what."
Then he looked up again.
Straight at Vijay.
"So please… do me this favor…"
"Let us stay here… for as long as we're with you… like a family."
"I don't want anything else."
"And I promise…"
His eyes hardened with determination.
"I will find out from Savita… why she really came here… what her intention is."
With that—
Manoj folded his hands in front of them.
Silent.
That sight alone…
Was enough.
Vijay and Om immediately stepped forward and held his hands.
Stopping him.
Vijay sighed… then spoke softly,
"It's okay, Manoj brother… you can stay here as long as you want."
"I know you… you can never do anything wrong."
A pause.
"But hearing all that… suddenly… I lost control."
He shook his head lightly.
"Let's go home."
Om watched both of them quietly.
For the first time…
There was peace between them.
And he didn't interrupt it.
Manoj gently touched Vijay's cheek, where he had slapped him.
"Did it hurt too much?" he asked softly.
"I'm sorry…"
Vijay smiled slightly.
"No, brother…"
Then chuckled.
"You still know how to shut me up."
That was enough.
All three of them laughed.
And slowly… started walking away.
Just then—
RING… RING…
Om's phone buzzed.
He took it out and looked at the screen.
Anshika calling.
"Manoj uncle, Vijay uncle… you go ahead. I need to take this call," Om said with a smile.
They nodded and walked ahead.
Om answered the call.
"Hello…"
He waited.
A familiar voice came through.
"Hello Om… what are you doing?"
Om smiled.
"I was with my uncles… tell me, what's up?"
On the other side, Anshika made a small face.
"Hey… so… can I get some of your time today?"
Om chuckled lightly.
"Of course… tell me when and for what?"
There was a pause.
Anshika hesitated.
Her voice softened.
"Uh… Om… actually… I needed some time for… a personal thing…"
Om frowned slightly, confused.
"Okay… but what kind of personal thing?"
Anshika felt her heart racing.
She was nervous.
But today… she had decided something.
"Can we… go out tonight?" she said slowly.
"I mean… you and me… for dinner?"
Om blinked.
"Dinner? Yeah, sure… what's the big deal? We can go anytime. You're my friend—you have full rights on me."
That didn't help.
At all.
Anshika got even more nervous.
"Om… listen… not just dinner…"
She hesitated again.
"I mean… the way a boy and a girl go out… together…"
Now Om was properly confused.
He scratched his head slightly.
"Anshika… even if a boy and a girl go out at night to eat, it's still called dinner…"
A pause.
"What's wrong with you today? Why are you talking in circles? Are you okay?"
That was it.
She couldn't take it anymore.
"Idiot!" she blurted out.
"Om, I'm asking… will you go on a date with me today?!"
Silence.
Complete.
Absolute.
Om's eyes widened.
His mouth slowly opened.
As if…
The world had just stopped.
He stood there… speechless.
Like he had just witnessed something impossible.
And on the other side…
Anshika waited.
Heart racing.
Breath held.
Waiting…
For his answer.