Ayaan and Zara arrived at their villa, with the CSO following right behind them. Ayaan gave a curt nod and the CSO silently made his way to the study while Ayaan and Zara headed straight to their bedroom.
“Get changed into something comfortable. I’ll ask the maid to serve breakfast here. I’ll be busy, so don’t wait for me to have meals together. Rest well,” Ayaan said and turned to leave.
But Zara stepped in front of him, blocking his way.
“I know what you’ll be busy with and I want to be part of the investigation. I have no one to alert… nowhere to run… and I’m the one who found that man in the first place. I have every right to know what happens next. I need to know what happened to my father.” she said quietly but firmly.
Ayaan smiled seeing the confidence in her voice and then he smirked. He stepping closer until she was forced to tilt her head up to hold his gaze.
“Brave, are we now, Mrs. Ayaan? You know the rules here are set by me. You found a lead, one that may or may not reveal the truth… still, I’ll consider your request.” he drawled, amusement flickering in his eyes.
He leaned in, his breath fanning the curve of her neck. “But what do I get in return? You were mad at me before we left for Delhi… so how about you coax me?”
His nose brushed down the side of her throat and Zara swallowed hard, instinctively stepping back.
“What do you want me to do?” she asked, her voice barely steady.
“You haven’t kissed me since we got married, so kiss me. Not just now, every morning and every night. Lets start and end our day with a kiss ” Ayaan murmured.
Zara clenched her jaw and then without a second thought grabbed him by his collar and crashed her lips against his. Ayaan’s hand instantly wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against him. Just seconds into the kiss, she tried to break away but he held her firmly, deepening it, tasting her, claiming her.
When he finally let her go, she was gasping for breath. Ayaan licked his lips slowly.
“Let’s go before I change my mind and bend you over that couch or lock you against the wall.” he warned her in his voice husky.
He tugged her along, their fingers interlaced. Instead of heading to the study, he led her to the dining room. He instructed the maids to serve breakfast and to send a tray to the CSO in the study.
Zara finished her meal quickly, too anxious, too desperate to know the truth and about her father. Ayaan, on the other hand, took his sweet time, glancing at her impatience with a teasing smile.
“You should smile, Mrs. Ayaan, the staffs are watching. Maybe you could feed me, I would love that.” he murmured in a low voice.
Zara inhaled dramatically and forced a polite smile, “I hope you’re not slipping out of your plan… the plan where you married me for revenge,” she said quietly.
Ayaan’s hand froze halfway to his plate and his smile faltered. He wiped his fingers, dabbed his lips with the napkin and stood up slowly.
“Let’s go,” he said without any expression. Zara rose immediately and followed him to the study.
Ayaan entered the study with Zara and guided her to sit beside him on the couch. The CSO stood by the window, speaking quietly into his phone. Zara’s eyes wandered around the room taking in every detail. This was the first time she had properly stepped inside, the last time she had only peeked in to call him for dinner.
The CSO ended the call and walked toward them. He took the seat opposite Ayaan, his expression tight.
“Sir, I got the address, I also ran a clean check to see if we could go there… but it’s not safe for you to be anywhere near that location. That area is considered one of the strongest State Assembly constituencies of the central ruling party especially that particular location. We would be in problem if people or anyone involved in party get to see you. Boss and madam wouldn’t be happy ” he said.
The moment those words left his mouth, Ayaan shot to his feet, shock flaring in his eyes.
“What the fuck do you mean? Why would someone from that place be involved in terrorism… or even plot to kill my mom? Something like that wouldn’t go unnoticed, not by the party, not by the agencies, not by anyone.” he demanded.
He raked his fingers through his hair, agitation radiating off him. Zara’s heart pounded, knowing the truth she carried would shatter him far worse than this.
“I want you to form a team that works only on this, send a few men to search the place. I want any information, reliable or not, that can take us to the next step in this investigation.” Ayaan said, voice hard with resolve.
“No. This can’t happen. What if the diary is still there and those men find it? ” Zara thought, panic prickling beneath her skin. She couldn’t stay silent any longer and interrupted.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, we shall disguise and go at night. I’ve been in that place, I was in that room. I can look for something, anything that might point to my father or his belongings. I need to do this.” she said, forcing her voice steady.
She took Ayaan’s hand as if pleading and he looked at her with concern shaking his head.
“I don’t like the idea of taking you there, Zara. It’s too risky. Maybe I’ll do a clean sweep first and bring everything back for us to inspect.” he said finally.
Zara shook her head with sudden firmness. “No. I want to be there. I’m not taking ‘no’ for an answer, Ayaan.” she said and Ayaan took a deep breathe, he couldn’t deny her.
Ayaan turned to the CSO. “Can you arrange to get us in and out safely? Secure the perimeter, undercover, whatever it takes.”
The CSO met Ayaan’s eyes, the weight of the task already clear on his face.
“That can be arranged, sir, but not today. That man and his family from Delhi would be arriving in Chennai tomorrow. We can pose as his relatives or friends and go to his house in the evening. With his help, we can access the place safely. It’s the most secure option right now. We’ll need to dress like common people… subtle disguises.” the CSO replied.
Ayaan nodded immediately and glanced at Zara, who silently agreed.
“Fine. Make the arrangements,” Ayaan ordered and the CSO left the study to begin preparations, and Zara returned to the bedroom, leaving Ayaan to focus on his business calls.
“One more day, One more day and I’ll get to the bottom of everything “ Ayaan thought, staring at the laptop screen.
Meanwhile, in their bedroom, Zara changed into her home wear and moved to the balcony, settling on the couch. The evening breeze brushed against her but did nothing to calm her racing heart.
” One more day, One more day to prove my innocence… and I pray that the diary no longer exists ” she thought and exhaled shakily.
Ayaan heard a knock on the study door and allowed the person in. A maid stepped inside and informed him that Ishaan and Pari had arrived with their children. Ayaan immediately got up and walked out and the moment he appeared, Ved ran straight into his arms.
“Wow, what a surprise?” Ayaan laughed, lifting Ved and kissing Saanvi’s cheek when Pari brought her forward.
“I hope we aren’t disturbing you,” Ishaan said and Ayaan shook his head. “Not at all.”
“Where is Zara?” Pari asked, looking around.
“She was tired, so I asked her to rest. I was working in the study. Wait, I’ll call her. She must be awake by now.” Ayaan said, holding Ved’s hand as they walked toward the bedroom.
Zara heard footsteps and stepped back inside from the balcony. Her face lit up the moment she saw Ved, and she immediately engulfed him in a warm hug.
“Ved, How are you?” she asked kissing his cheek.
“I’m good, aunty. Come, let’s play ” he said, pulling her along excitedly.
They walked back to the living room where Zara greeted Ishaan and hugged Pari before taking baby Saanvi in her arms and planting a soft kiss on her cheek.
“We were passing by and thought we’d drop in, so tell me, Zara, how are you? And how is my little brother treating you?” Ishaan asked, slinging an arm around Ayaan’s shoulder.
“He’s too good and doesn’t let me do anything, Pookie husband.” Zara said with a playful pout and glanced at Ayaan as she said it, and Ayaan was already looking at her.
Ayaan and Ved were playing on the carpet while Zara sat on the couch with Saanvi nestled comfortably on her lap, gently playing with her tiny fingers.
“I thought you both would stay at least a week in Delhi,” Pari said, brushing Saanvi’s soft hair.
“No, we only planned to stay for the party, but we had a wonderful time at Grandpa’s bungalow. The maze was amazing and I didn’t let Ayaan find the way out. I escaped on my own.” Zara replied with a bright smile.
Ishaan and Pari exchanged a warm smile at the excitement sparkling in her eyes.
“It’s been a while since we planned an outing, And now that we have you… how about we plan one soon? Only if you’re okay with it. You two are still in your honeymoon phase, we don’t want to interrupt.” Pari said, looking at Zara.
Zara scoffed playfully. “I would love to go anywhere with family. I’m already excited. Actually… I also wanted to meet Mama and Papa.” she said earnestly.
Pari’s eyes softened. “Then we’ll plan it soon.”
They had lunch together, and after spending some more time, Ishaan and Pari prepared to leave. But Ved immediately wrapped his arms around Ayaan’s leg.
“Papa, no, I want to stay with Uncle and Aunt. She has new stories to tell. Please papa, we’ll come in the evening or you can pick us up for dinner.” Ved pleaded, his eyes wide.
Saanvi scrunched her tiny face and echoed softly, “Please, papa…”
Zara stepped closer. “Ishaan bro, let them stay. I’ll take care of them, promise.”
Ved instantly ran to her side and held her arm tightly, as if claiming her.
Ishaan sighed dramatically. “Alright. But I’ll be back in the evening to pick them both.”
Zara, Ved and Saanvi squealed together, making Pari laugh.
Once Ishaan and Pari left, Zara carried Saanvi to the bedroom, with Ved happily following her. Both children jumped onto the bed in excitement and Zara lay down with Saanvi between her and Ved. Ayaan sat on the couch, watching them with a tender smile.
Zara began narrating a story, her expressions animated and her voice playful. Every time she pretended to become a monster or a character and “eat” them, Saanvi and Ved burst into giggles that filled the entire room. Ayaan couldn’t remember the last time the villa had echoed with such innocence.
After nearly two hours and three long stories, Ved and Saanvi finally fell asleep followed shortly by Zara. Ayaan got up quietly and walked to the bed.
Saanvi was curled against Zara’s chest, while Ved slept with his head resting on Zara’s arm. Zara, half-turned toward them, had instinctively wrapped her arms around both children as if shielding them.
Ayaan sat down beside Ved, watching the scene with an indescribable warmth swelling in his chest. He couldn’t resist so he lay down beside Ved and slid an arm over Zara’s, gently holding them all together.
She looked peaceful… almost glowing. And the way she cared for Ved and Saanvi felt natural, effortless, despite having spent only a short time with them before the wedding.
In the past, when everything in Ayaan’s life was normal, he and Ved would play endlessly. Ayaan would tell him superhero stories and Ved would listen with wide-eyed excitement. But whenever Ved asked Zara to join their story sessions or tell him a story, she always refused, saying she wasn’t good at it. Ayaan had always wished for Ved to sleep beside him and Zara, but on the nights Ved stayed with Ayaan, Zara would quietly retreat to her own room.
A few hours later, Ayaan woke up alone. His heart lurched. He shot out of the bed and hurried through the hallway, searching for the three people who had given him a kind of warm, simple happiness he had never imagined for himself.
Voices drifted from the kitchen. When he stepped inside, he found the staff smiling and watching something with amused fondness. And then he saw it.
Ved and Saanvi were sitting on the counter, giggling uncontrollably. Zara stood in front of them, wearing a vegetable garland around her neck and a crown made of ladies’ fingers. She was crafting tiny vegetable ornaments for the kids, her face glowing with joy. Saanvi was laughing so hard she almost toppled, and Zara gently held her steady, coaxing both children to finish their milk.
Ayaan’s heart melted at the sight.
He took out his mobile quietly and captured as many pictures as he could. Without a second thought, he saved them in his private gallery where he had been secretly storing countless pictures of his wife.
Ved spotted him and instantly stretched his arms out. Ayaan walked over and wrapped both kids in a tight hug, planting kisses on their cheeks. When Saanvi pointed at Zara expectantly, Ayaan didn’t hesitate, he leaned forward and kissed Zara’s cheek.
The kids clapped in delight, making Zara go red as a tomato.
An hour later, Ishaan arrived, taking in the scene—the laughter, the affection, the warmth and a soft smile touched his face. His children were not just being looked after, they were being loved.
Soon, Ishaan left with Ved and Saanvi, and the house grew quiet again… but Ayaan’s heart was still full, echoing with the laughter he had just witnessed.
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A/N:
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