Morning sunlight filled the Mehra house.
Everything looked peaceful.
But inside the living room, the tension was heavy.
Kriday sat on the carpet, playing with his chessboard.
The knight piece moved across the board again and again as he imagined battles.
Kashvi stood near the window.
Ved stood a few steps away.
Neither of them had spoken for the last five minutes.
Finally Kriday looked up.
"You both look like you lost a game."
Ved almost smiled.
Kashvi walked toward him and sat down beside him.
"Kriday… we need to talk."
Kriday tilted his head curiously.
"Am I in trouble?"
Ved quickly said, "No. Not at all."
Kriday relaxed again.
"Good. Because I didn't even do homework yet."
That made Kashvi smile faintly.
Then her expression turned serious again.
"There's something important you should know."
Kriday looked between them.
"Is it about yesterday?"
Ved exchanged a glance with Kashvi.
"Partly," he said.
Kriday placed the chess knight back on the board.
"You both keep acting weird since yesterday."
Kashvi took a slow breath.
"Kriday… you know how every child has a mother and a father."
Kriday nodded.
"Yeah."
His eyes suddenly shifted toward Ved.
Then back to Kashvi.
Silence filled the room.
Kriday frowned slightly.
"Wait."
He looked at Ved again.
Then slowly said—
"No way."
Ved didn't speak.
Kashvi gently held Kriday's hand.
Kriday blinked.
Then another realization hit him.
"That's why you both fight like that."
Ved almost laughed.
Kashvi sighed.
Kriday stared at Ved carefully.
"You're… my dad?"
Ved nodded softly.
"Yes."
Kriday was quiet for a few seconds.
A long few seconds.
Then suddenly he asked—
"So… does that mean I get two people to help with homework now?"
Ved laughed out loud.
Kashvi looked shocked.
Kriday grinned proudly.
"Nice."
Then he looked back at Ved.
"But one question."
Ved raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Kriday lifted the knight piece again.
"Are you good at chess… or do I still win?"
Ved sat down across from him.
"We'll see."
Kriday immediately set up the board.
Kashvi watched them both.
For the first time in years—
Her house felt complete.
Kriday moved the knight forward.
"Your move… Dad."
Ved looked at the board.
Then at Kashvi.
And Kashvi finally smiled.
Because after ten years of chaos—
Their family had finally begun.