Ayaan was in the living room on a call when he saw Zara descending the stairs. He smiled at her, and as usual, Zara returned the polite smile keeping up the act. But she missed the last step and fell hard onto the floor.
“Zaraaaaa ” Ayaan’s shout tore through the room as he rushed to her side in a blink. He scooped her up and placed her carefully on the couch, immediately kneeling before her, his hands trembling as he checked her face, neck and arms.
“Where are you hurt, Zara?” he asked, his voice tight with panic.
Zara winced and looked at her leg. Ayaan gently lifted her foot onto his lap and hiked her saree slightly to inspect her ankle.
“What the hell were you thinking? Where were you lost?” he snapped, checking her as gently as he could despite the anger in his voice.
“Ayaan, it’s not major. Not even a sprain. Just a sharp pain when I fell, I’m fine now,” Zara said and tried to stand, but Ayaan didn’t let her. He simply scooped her into his arms, the deep frown on his forehead revealing how much her pain unsettled him.
Zara hated that look. She gritted her teeth as he carried her through the hall.
The moment they reached the bedroom, Ayaan placed her on the bed and opened the nightstand drawer and pulled out a pain-relief spray. Zara grabbed his wrist, stopping him.
“Stop it, Ayaan. If you’re worried that we would miss the party, then don’t. I’m perfectly fine for you to drag me anywhere. Now let me go. I need to start packing. Didn’t you say we’re leaving by evening?” She pushed his hand away.
Ayaan’s jaw ticked as he stared at her. His anger simmered visibly beneath his skin. He grabbed her chin in a firm grip, making her look at him.
“You’re right. I was worried we might miss the party. Now go and get the fucking packing done.” His voice dripped with sarcasm and suppressed fury
He released her abruptly and walked out, slamming the door behind him.
They hadn’t spoken a single word after the incident, yet they continued their act arriving at the airport hand in hand. When they boarded his private jet, Zara instinctively moved to take a seat on the opposite side, but Ayaan’s sharp glare stopped her so reluctantly, she sat beside him.
The staff greeted them politely and soon the jet was in the air. Once they were settled, Ayaan dismissed the attendants and looked at Zara, who was pretending to read a magazine. He couldn’t hold back any longer.
“Are you okay?” he finally asked in a soft and gentle voice.
Zara only hummed in response, eyes never leaving the page. Ayaan exhaled slowly and intertwined their fingers, holding her hand without saying another word.
They landed in Delhi after a quiet flight and were greeted by his staff and a line of security personnel. The convoy took them straight to Rey’s bungalow and Zara’s eyes widened in awe the moment she stepped inside.
“We have a manor, villa, or farmhouse in most of the places we visit often. Especially in India we have a place we can call home in almost every state.” Ayaan said casually, noticing her expression.
He placed a hand on the small of her back. “Come on. Let’s go to our room,” he said, leading her upstairs.
They had dinner and changed into their nightwear. Zara lay on the bed, hoping for distance, but Ayaan slid in behind her and spooned her gently. She tried to move his hand away, but he only pulled her closer.
“Sleep, wifey, tomorrow we are invited to Grandpa’s home for breakfast.” he murmured against her hair.
Zara closed her eyes, not replying.
By morning, she woke to find Ayaan still holding her, his face looked calm and peaceful. Her heart tightened painfully.
“Wish we had met in a different life… in a different scenario where you genuinely loved me. You’re the only person who ever showed me care… love… and yet the only one who hurt and betrayed me in a way no one else ever could”, she thought and swallowing the ache she slipped out of his arms and walked into the bathroom.
Ayaan woke a few minutes later and saw Zara standing before the vanity, drying her hair. For a long moment, he simply watched her, unable to look away, a smile tugging his lips. She noticed his gaze through the mirror and instantly shifted her eyes. She grabbed her things and headed to the balcony leaving him to get ready. Ayaan got dressed and soon they were on the road again. By late morning, they arrived at Pari’s grandfather’s bungalow.
The ex-minister and ruling party spokesman Hari Narayan and his wife Leelavati welcomed the couple with warmth and grandeur. Ayaan and Zara bowed to take their blessings.
“You both look perfect together ” the old man said, pulling them into an affectionate embrace.
“You’re lucky, Ayaan, she’s very beautiful. I think you’ll have a tough time keeping all those eyes off her at the party this evening.” Leela said and kissed Zara’s forehead, making the younger woman smile shyly.
Ayaan and Zara followed them to the dining hall and both froze at the sight before them. The long table was filled with more dishes than either of them could count.
“Grandpa, have you arranged a party here too? Should we wait for the guests to arrive?” Ayaan asked, baffled.
Hari Narayan lightly pinched his ear. “Naughty boy. Sit down and eat.” he said.
They all settled for breakfast and Zara’s heart softened as she watched how tenderly the elderly couple cared for them.
“This fellow is the most mischievous one among Rey’s bloodline, always bringing trouble, unlike his siblings. Ayaan, take her to the maze. Zara, this boy loves that place too much ” Hari Narayan said with a chuckle.
Zara’s curiosity spiked hearing about the maze.
Soon, the four of them stepped into the vast backyard and Zara halted in awe at the sight of the towering green maze. She glanced at Ayaan, who only smirked and tugged her hand, pulling her inside.
Once they were in, Ayaan let go of her hand and darted away. They began running through different paths, half searching for each other, half searching for the exit. Ayaan felt his heart racing like he had gone back to being a reckless teenager.
Zara was laughing breathlessly when she suddenly collided with a hard chest. Ayaan stood there, smiling, both of them panting. She smiled too and he twirled her, their laughter echoing through the high green walls.
“I found you, wifey,” Ayaan said, stealing a quick kiss from her cheek.
“Ayaan, I wanted to find the way out on my own. There’s no fun if you help,” Zara said pushing him.
“Alright, I won’t help… but take me out with you,” he said and Zara nodded immediately as they forgot all their indifferences.
Holding his hand, she took the lead and Ayaan let her drag him around, watching her with quiet amusement. She would stop, look around, bite her lip, turn back and frown as if calculating the path that would lead them out.
And when she finally found the exit, she jumped with unfiltered excitement for the first time in days. Ayaan swept her up and twirled her and laughed with her.
They returned to the garden where Hari Narayan and Leelavati were waiting. Hari Narayan went for a stroll and Ayaan accompanied him, while Leelavati guided Zara to the gazebo for tea.
“Granny, how did you come up with the idea of building a maze?” Zara asked with genuine curiosity in her voice.
Leelavati smiled, eyes softening with memories. “Kajal is our only daughter, but after she married Mithun, it felt like we had two daughters and two sons with Reyansh and Vaishu included in the family. Every summer they would visit us and when the children started growing up, we wanted to create something special to keep them engaged. They already had everything at their fingertips, so your grandpa came up with this idea. It was a surprise for them when they arrived for a summer “
“They absolutely loved it and never stopped visiting at least until they all grew up and life pulled them into responsibilities. Ayaan used to be adamant about visiting the maze even at night. But that girl… his ex girl friend Zara, she wasn’t the type to enjoy fun and excitement like Ayaan and the others. She would rather join Grandpa and learn politics, even though he hated talking about those things during family time.”
Leelavati hesitated, then touched Zara’s hand. “I’m sorry for bringing her up. What I wanted to say is… Ayaan is happy. Truly happy with you. I see the way he looks at you.”
Zara bobbed her head placing her hand above the old woman’s hand.
Ayaan soon returned with Hari Narayan and they all moved to the living room. Leelavati gifted Zara a set of beautiful jewels as a token of love and after expressing their gratitude, Ayaan and Zara took their leave since they had a grand party to attend that evening.
Late in the evening, Ayaan walked out of the washroom wearing only a towel, his hair damp and tousled. His gaze automatically drifted to Zara, who sat on the bed scrolling through her phone as if nothing in the world could disturb her calm.
Zara rose and entered the closet, intending to step into the washroom, when her eyes fell on a box placed neatly on the couch with her name written on it. She hesitated, then opened it and inside was an outfit with a note,
“I hope you will love it. — A”
Zara lifted the outfit from the box and her breath hitched. It was stunning, elegant, exquisite, undeniably beautiful. Without lingering on the emotions threatening to rise, she went into the washroom.
Meanwhile, Ayaan chose to get ready in the guest room beside theirs. The manager had already welcomed Ayaan’s stylist and a woman, the new stylist Ayaan had appointed for Zara.
Ayaan stood before the mirror as the male stylist helped him. He fastened the buttons of his charcoal-grey tux over the crisp black shirt, the fabric fitting him like it was made for his body alone. The stylist fixed his hair with practiced precision and clasped the cuff links, the watch, and the diamond-studded brooch onto his lapel.
Ayaan nodded a brief thanks and stepped out.
He took a seat in the living room, one leg crossed over the other, scrolling through his emails.
But his attention wasn’t on the screen.
Every few minutes, his eyes lifted to the staircase.
Footsteps echoed and Ayaan’s breath simply stopped. The phone slipped from his hand onto the couch unnoticed.
Zara descended the stairs holding the pleats of the cream designer saree, Ayaan had chosen for her. The soft fabric clung to her curves with effortless grace, the subtle shimmer catching the warm lights of the room. She wore the emerald diamond set he had chosen to match the saree. She wasn’t trying to impress him, she looked like she had simply existed into perfection.
Ayaan got to his feet slowly. His eyes swept over her, from the sindoor on her forehead to the emeralds sparkling at her throat, down to the way the saree hugged her waist. He walked toward her, each step deliberate.
Zara held her ground, her expression neutral, refusing to read into the intensity in his eyes.
Ayaan gently hooked a finger under her chin to lift her face toward him.
“Mrs. Ayaan, you look breathtaking.” he whispered in his low, roughened voice with something he couldn’t hide
Zara didn’t respond. She simply lowered her gaze, her heart confused by the man who claimed to doubt her but looked at her like she was the only woman in the world.
Then he offered his arm, “Shall we leave, wifey?” he asked.
Zara placed her hand on his arm, because she felt she had no choice but Ayaan, held her as if she was a treasure he wasn’t willing to let go.
The BMW rolled to a stop before the grand porch of the venue, where the celebration was already in full swing. A staff member rushed forward to open the door for the couple, and Ayaan placed a steadying hand on Zara’s back as they stepped inside.
The hall was breathtaking, crystal chandeliers glimmered from the high ceiling, the décor was elegant and opulent but none of it compared to the crowd. Everywhere Zara looked, she saw faces she had only ever seen in magazines and on television. Powerful families, influential businessmen, ministers all mingling as if this were just another ordinary evening. The bride and groom stood at the centre, accepting greetings with radiant smiles, while waiters moved about serving drinks and lavish dishes. Money and power filled the air like a scent.
The instant Ayaan and Zara entered, dozens of eyes turned towards them. She swallowed hard, nerves spiking, but Ayaan gently patted her back and intertwined their fingers, grounding her.
Guests lined up to greet the couple and Ayaan introduced her as his wife with unmistakable aura. Zara smiled politely, posing for photos with several influential men and women, all of whom admired how perfect they looked together.
The Minister himself guided them to their table, ensuring they were comfortable and well taken care of. A few minutes later, Hari Narayan and Leelavati arrived and joined them and Zara felt a wave of relief wash over her at having familiar, warm company.
“Nowhere on earth screams lies and jealousy louder than this place. Every smile hides envy, every polite word is just a mask,” Leela said, sipping her juice.
Zara looked at her, stunned hearing her words.
“Don’t be shocked, dear. This is politics and nothing gets dirtier than this,” Leela added casually, smiling sweetly at a woman who walked by to greet her.
The moment the woman left, Leela rolled her eyes dramatically. Zara let out a soft chuckle and quickly disguised it with a cough.
“I need to use the washroom,” Leela said, rising and Zara immediately stood to accompany her. Ayaan signaled a female security officer to guide them, and the three walked toward the corridor.
Inside the washroom, Leela kept Zara laughing with her sharp observations and witty remarks. They were still smiling as they stepped out…. until Zara froze.
Her smile vanished, her breath hitched and her entire body began to tremble.
Standing a few feet away was a face she never expected to see again.
Fear surged through her, cold and paralyzing. But with trembling fingers, she somehow managed to pull out her phone… and click a photo of the person.
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A/N:
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