Shubman had an early morning practice, so he quietly slipped out of bed, leaving a note on Sara's phone before heading out. When Sara woke up, she noticed the note, and a soft smile spread across her face as she read it.

It was the weekend, so there was no rush for the day. She didn't have to go to the hospital, and the kids had no school. Turning to her side, she saw Aadhya and Aahan still sleeping peacefully, their little faces calm and relaxed.

Sara sat up in bed and reached for a stack of files she needed to review. As she quietly worked through them, Aahan began to stir. When he woke up, he immediately reached out for Sara, his usual morning clinginess making him crawl into her lap.

Sara welcomed him with a warm embrace, kissing the top of his head. Aahan snuggled into her, feeling safe and content in his mother's arms as she gently rocked him, savoring the peaceful morning together.

Aadhya slowly woke up, rubbing her eyes. She stretched and noticed that Shubman wasn't around. Sitting up, she looked around for him and then turned to Sara, who was still holding Aahan.

"Mumma, where's Dada?" Aadhya asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Sara, still holding Aahan, tried to comfort her. "Sweetie, Dada had to leave early for practice. He'll be back later."

Aadhya's eyes filled with tears as she began to cry. "But I want Dada now!" she sobbed.

Seeing her distress, Sara reached for her phone and handed it to Aadhya. "Okay, why don't you call him and ask him yourself? Maybe that will make you feel better."

Aadhya, still sniffling, took the phone and dialed Shubman's number. After a few rings, Shubman answered.

"Hello?" Shubman's voice came through, slightly breathless from his early workout.

"Dada, it's Aadu," she said, her voice trembling. "I miss you. Can you come back home?"

Shubman's heart melted at the sound of her voice. "Aadu, sweetheart, I'm really sorry, but I'm at practice right now. I promise I'll be home as soon as I can."

"I want you now, Dada," Aadhya cried.

Shubman's heart ached as he heard her distress. "I'm going to finish up quickly, okay? Just be a little patient. Mumma will take good care of you until then."

After a few more words of comfort, Shubman ended the call, promising to return as soon as he could. He was determined to get back to his family as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Aadhya, still tearful, handed the phone back to Sara, who hugged her tightly and wiped away her tears.

"There, there, sweetie. Dada will be back soon. Why don't we do something fun together to help pass the time?" Sara suggested gently.

Aadhya nodded, her tears subsiding as she clung to Sara, reassured by her mother's comforting presence.

Shubman returned home in the early afternoon, tired but eager to see his family. As he walked through the door, he noticed the house was quieter than usual. He called out, "Hey everyone, I'm back!"

Aadhya, who had been waiting anxiously, heard his voice and immediately ran to the door. As soon as she saw Shubman, she threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly. Shubman embraced her, lifting her off the ground as he held her close.

"Dada!" Aadhya said softly, burying her face in his shoulder.

Shubman looked down at her, noticing her unusual silence. Normally, she would be full of energy and chatter, but today she was quiet and clingy. Concerned, he glanced over at Sara, who had followed him to the door.

Sara, also noticing Aadhya's behavior, gave Shubman a worried look. "She's been quite upset today," Sara said quietly. "I think she really missed you."

Shubman nodded, his expression a mix of concern and relief. "I'm sorry for making you wait, Aadhya," he said softly, rubbing her back. "I'm here now. Let's go and do something fun together, okay?"

Aadhya nodded against his shoulder, still not saying much. Shubman gently set her down but kept his hand resting on her back as they walked towards the living room.

Sara watched them, her heart aching seeing her daughter so unusually quiet. She turned to Shubman and said, "I think she just needed some extra reassurance today. Maybe we should spend some more time together as a family today."

Shubman agreed, giving Sara a reassuring smile. "Of course. Let's make sure she feels loved and secure."

As they settled in the living room, Shubman and Sara tried to engage Aadhya in some family activities, hoping to lift her spirits. Despite the quietness, the family's love and togetherness started to bring a sense of comfort to Aadhya, and she gradually began to open up again.

As they settled on the couch, Shubman continued to notice how Aadhya clung to him, not letting go. He gently stroked her hair and said, "Aadhya, can you tell me what's wrong? Why are you so quiet today?"

Aadhya looked up at Shubman with teary eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. "Some boys in my class said that you'll leave me because you're famous. They said famous people don't stay with their families."

Shubman's heart sank as he listened to Aadhya's words. He gently cupped her face in his hands and said, "Sweetheart, I would never leave you. I love you and your brother very much, and nothing will change that. People might say things that aren't true, but you and Aahan are my whole world."

Aadhya seemed to find some comfort in his words but continued to cling to him, not fully reassured. Just then, Aahan, who had been playing with his toys in the corner, noticed the attention Aadhya was getting and started to throw a tantrum.

"It's not fair!" Aahan shouted, his face scrunched up in frustration. "Why is Aadhya always getting all the attention? I want Dada's attention too!"

Shubman looked over at Aahan and then back at Aadhya. He understood the situation was affecting both of them. He scooped Aahan up into his lap, placing Aadhya on the other side of him.

"Aahan," Shubman said gently, "I'm here for both of you. It's okay to be upset, but remember, I love you both so much. Aadhya needed a little extra support today, but that doesn't mean I care about you any less."

Aahan's frown softened a bit as Shubman spoke to him. "I know you're feeling left out, buddy. Let's spend some time together and do something fun. How about we play your favorite game?"

Aahan nodded, a bit pacified by the offer. Shubman wrapped an arm around both children, holding them close. Sara, watching from the side, joined them on the couch, hugging both Aadhya and Aahan.

"Everyone needs reassurance sometimes," Sara said softly, "and I'm here for both of you too. Let's all spend some time together and have fun as a family."

The tension in the room eased as Shubman and Sara engaged the kids in a family game, helping Aadhya feel more secure and giving Aahan the attention he needed. The family's bond grew stronger as they navigated through the emotional moments, united in their love for each other.

As the family settled into their game, both Aadhya and Aahan began to vie for Shubman's attention. Aadhya wanted to show Shubman her drawing, while Aahan was eager to play his favorite game with him. They both talked over each other, each trying to capture Shubman's focus.

Shubman, though clearly tired from his early morning practice, managed to juggle both requests with a patient smile. He listened intently to Aadhya's enthusiastic explanation of her artwork, praising her creativity. Then, he turned his attention to Aahan, guiding him through the game with encouragement and laughter.

Sara watched with a warm smile, touched by Shubman's dedication. Despite his exhaustion, he made sure neither child felt neglected. He played with Aahan, rolling dice and cheering as Aahan made progress in their game. When it was Aadhya's turn, he asked questions about her drawing and gave her his full attention, nodding appreciatively at her explanations.

Sara saw how Shubman balanced the demands from both kids, giving them each the time and affection they needed. It was clear how much he loved and cared for them, and she admired his ability to manage everything despite his tiredness.

Finally, after spending some quality time with both kids, Shubman looked at Sara and said, "It's nice to have these moments with them. Even when I'm tired, seeing them happy makes it all worth it."

Sara reached over and placed a hand on Shubman's shoulder. "I see how hard you're working to make them feel special. Thank you for being such a wonderful dad."

Shubman gave her a grateful smile and responded, "I'm just trying to be the best I can for them. They mean everything to me."

The room filled with a sense of contentment as the family continued their activities together, the kids eventually winding down with smiles on their faces. Shubman's efforts did not go unnoticed, and Sara felt a renewed appreciation for the love and dedication he showed their family.

Later that evening, after a day filled with family activities, Shubman was feeling utterly exhausted. He collapsed onto the couch, and without much thought, he rested his head on Sara's lap, closing his eyes in contentment. Sara gently stroked his hair, her heart full as she looked down at him.

Aadhya and Aahan, who had been playing nearby, noticed Shubman's position. They exchanged glances, a hint of jealousy creeping into their expressions.

Aadhya, a bit pouting, whispered to Sara, "Mumma, why does Dada get to rest on your lap? What about us?"

Sara looked down at her daughter, her fingers still lightly running through Shubman's hair. She smiled and replied, "Well, sometimes Dada needs a rest just like you do after playing all day."

Aahan, feeling a bit left out, added, "But we always sit with you, Mumma. It's not fair that Dada gets to stay there."

Sara gently chuckled and reassured them, "You both have had so much of my attention today. It's important for Dada to rest too. And you know what? He'll be back up and playing with you soon."

Aadhya seemed to understand but still had a furrowed brow. "But we miss sitting with you too. Can we all sit together?"

Sara looked at the peaceful scene—Shubman resting comfortably, and her children visibly seeking her attention. She nodded and suggested, "How about we make a cozy spot here on the couch for everyone? We can all snuggle up together and watch a movie or read a book."

The idea brightened both kids' faces. They eagerly agreed, and with a bit of shuffling, they arranged pillows and blankets around Shubman. Aahan climbed up beside Shubman, leaning against him, while Aadhya settled on the other side, all three creating a cozy cocoon on the couch.

Sara continued to stroke Shubman's hair as he rested, glancing occasionally at the kids. "See, now we're all together," she said softly. "We can make it a family cuddle time."

Shubman stirred slightly, his eyes opening to see Aadhya and Aahan snuggled close, sharing the space with him. He smiled, feeling grateful for these moments of togetherness.

As the family settled in, with Sara reading aloud and Shubman keeping his arm around the kids, the room was filled with a sense of warmth and love. Shubman, despite his tiredness, felt content surrounded by his family, and Sara was happy to see the kids feeling included and loved.