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As Abhimaan helped her with the after-birth diaper, she whispered, โMaanโฆ can I ask you one favor?โ He looked confused. โWhat is it?โ She looked down, her voice shaking with pain and tears. โThis thought has been in my mind since the day I ran from that house. Every time I saw you with the baby, with meโฆ I kept asking myself this questionโฆโ Abhimaan held her hands. โSay it, Gaurii.โ She broke down, hugging him. โIn our society, children are known by their fatherโs surname. Single mothers like me are judged so badly that people even call them โฆโ Before she could finish, Abhimaan cut her off softly, โShhโฆ donโt think like that.โ She cried harder, clutching his shirt. โWill you give her your name? Will you give me your nameโฆ without marriage? I canโt give you anything in return, Maan, but pleaseโฆ Iโm begging you. I donโt want anyone to ever call my baby fatherless.โ Abhimaan hugged her tightly. His voice trembled.โNo. Never. She is my daughter. And you are my partner. In the worldโs eyes, you are my wife. In my eyes, you and I are best friends. And husband and wife are also best friendsโa team. We may not be married, but we are a team who will live for each other and for our baby.โ



