Zara woke up to an empty space beside her and sat back against the headboard. She began tying her hair into a bun but froze mid-way when her eyes fell on the blank wall in front of her. The photo was still gone and she still had no idea what was going on in his mind.
Shaking her head, she walked into the closet, wondering what Ayaan had planned for the day. That was when she noticed a shopping bag on the couch. Inside it lay a new magenta silk saree, beautiful, rich and completely unexpected.
” What is he up to now? Why does he want me to wear this? ” she wondered, more confused than before and stepped into the bathroom.
An hour and a half later, she walked out dressed in the magenta silk saree, pairing it with simple jewelry that matched her understated elegance. When she stepped out of the room and reached the top of the stairs, she halted.
The entire living area had been transformed.
The staff were moving around barefoot, carrying trays of flowers and fruits. The room was decorated for a pooja. Zara quietly removed her heels and descended the stairs.
Her steps faltered again when she saw Ayaan.
He stood beside the priest, dressed in a white dhoti and a matching magenta shirt, the same shade as her saree. He looked calm, composed, almost traditional and the sight made her heart thump strangely.
Ayaan saw her and walked toward her with a gentle smile taking her hand in his.
“Ayaan… what’s happening? What is this pooja for?” she asked, confused.
“I called the priest to conduct a pooja for your father, for his soul to rest in peace. I should’ve asked you, but I felt it needed to be done. Please forgive me for not informing you beforehand, I m sorry. Also I think, this is the way I could apologize to him. I know you won’t believe me but his soul would sure know that I really wished for him to be alive. I know you are upset and angry with me but lets do this for him.” he said softly.
Zara’s breath trembled as tears gathered in her eyes. She quickly wiped them before they could fall.
He guided her toward the havan and the moment she saw her father’s photo placed near the flowers, she broke down. They sat together before the havan and the priest began the rituals. Ayaan performed every step in the place of a son, calm, respectful and devoted.
When the pooja ended, the priest blessed them and Ayaan lifted the framed photo in his hands. He looked at Zara, whose eyes had reddened from crying.
“Follow me,” he said quietly and led her to a room now transformed into a peaceful pooja space.
“I never had a pooja room… it was always just me here but if you want one, you can use this room.” he admitted and hung her father’s photo carefully on the wall.
Zara folded her hands instinctively, wanting to thank him. The act pierced him. He gently took her hands down and pulled her into his chest.
“Please… don’t fold your hands. Not to me, not to anyone, not ever,” he whispered.
Still holding her wrist, he guided her to the dining area. The maids served the meal and Zara sat quietly, emotionally drained.
“You’re tired, your eyes are red. Go rest for a while. I have some work so I’ll be in the study. Call me if you need anything. Anything at all.” Ayaan said, brushing her cheek with his thumb.
He leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on her cheek before walking away, leaving Zara touched, overwhelmed and even more confused about the man she had married.
Ayaan was working on his laptop, scrolling through reports, when his phone buzzed. On seeing Ishaan’s name he answered it immediately.
“Ayaan, I’m on my way to the villa. We need to discuss something in person,” Ishaan said and Ayaan agreed, returning to his work. Less than thirty minutes later, Ishaan arrived and walked straight into the study. Ayaan smiled and called the kitchen staff to bring coffee.
“What’s with you dressed all traditionally? And what were all those arrangements in the living room?” Ishaan asked, genuinely confused.
Ayaan explained about the pooja he had arranged for Zara’s father. Ishaan’s expression softened into a smile.
“Good. You did the right thing,” he said warmly.
They sat on the couch and Ayaan scratched his brow awkwardly.
“Bro, I’m sorry about that night. I shouldn’t have mentioned about dad and your past… but honestly, I’m not sorry for going against you and dad to keep Zara with me, because I still think I was right. I know, I fucked up and I would work to fix the mess I had done ” Ayaan said.
Ishaan chuckled. “Of course, you were right in what you told me. Just not in what you did to Zara. But I believe you’ve realized the weight of your actions now and that you’ll act wisely.”
The maid entered with a tray and placed coffee in front of both brothers before leaving.
“I’m here about something else. Pari and I discussed the idea of Zara and Pari taking over the business. But I don’t think that would be good for either of you.” Ishaan said and Ayaan frowned slightly.
“Look, once you step down to support Mom, you’ll spend most of your time with her. That means you’ll barely have time for Zara. And that won’t help you fix the mess you created. So I suggested something better. You stay with Zara in business. Work with her, stand beside her, guide her. We, as a family, will help Mom and handle our enemies together. Right now, you need to focus on your marriage. Fix it before it’s too late. We men… we have this habit of messing things up and then fighting like hell to fix them. You’re not the first, Ayaan. So listen to me.” Ishaan said patiently and sipped his coffee.
Ayaan leaned back, absorbing every word his brother said. After a long moment, he nodded.
“You’re right, bro. I need to be with Zara. I need to fix what I broke and I can’t do that while running around in politics all day. If Zara and I work in the business together, at least I’ll be close to her. I can earn her trust back.” he admitted and Ishaan smiled in relief.
“However, there’s something you need to hear too. I don’t want you involved in politics ” Ayaan said and Ishaan raised a brow.
Ayaan leaned forward, seriousness settling across his features. ” Pari, Ved, Saanvi, they need you. If you get dragged into politics, you’ll be distracted. And I don’t want anything, or anyone, affecting the kids and Pari ” Ayaan said and Ishaan began to say something, but Ayaan cut him off.
“No, bro. Listen. If you step into politics, it won’t just be you suffering, Pari and the kids will feel it too. They shouldn’t have to stay away from you, not even for a day. They’ll miss you and you know we can’t take the kids everywhere we go. So I want you focused on them… on your happiness. Leave the political mess to Mom and me.”
Ishaan stared at him for a moment, then exhaled deeply, a small smile forming.
“You’ve grown up. Fine. I’ll stay out of politics. But if you ever need me, I’m just a call away.” Ishaan said with a small smile and pulled Ayaan into a hug.
Ayaan finally felt a wave of relief wash over him, the guilt from the night easing at last. He called Zara on her mobile to inform her that Ishaan had arrived. Within minutes, Zara stepped into the study, smiling warmly at Ishaan before taking a seat beside him.
Ayaan explained everything they had discussed and Zara listened quietly, her smile growing softer.
“I think Ayaan is right and even though you may not be involved in politics, I hope you won’t mind if I disturb you sometimes to learn business. Ayaan will always help me, but there might be times when he would be caught up with work or I can’t reach him… or I might not want to disturb him.” she said and Ishaan chuckled at her honesty.
“Then I’ll set your name as the second-highest priority. You can call me anytime, Zara.” Ishaan replied and Zara thanked him sincerely, feeling a little more confident about the path ahead.
Ishaan took his leave and Ayaan walked back to the room with Zara beside him.
“Are you okay, Zara? Don’t let anything cloud your mind. I will never leave your side. And now… the family has you too. They love you the same way they love me, though I’m not sure I still hold that place in their hearts.” he said gently.
Zara immediately shook her head. “They would never hate you, Ayaan. You’re their youngest son, their brother. They adore you.” she said and turned to leave, but Ayaan’s quiet, haunting words stopped her.
“You don’t know them, wifey. Ishaan bro once messed up with Pari and Mom stopped talking to him for years until Pari forgave him. They’re only talking to me because you agreed to stay and wanted them to forgive me. They would abandon me if you chose to walk away.” he said with a chuckle.
Zara froze, shocked. “What? Ayaan… did you want me to stay by your side because you were afraid your family would abandon you? Is that why you wanted to tie me to you forever? Is that why you wanted me to handle the business?” she spat at him.
Ayaan shot to his feet, staring at her in disbelief.
“Zara, what the hell are you saying? Yes, I would be devastated if I lost not my family………… our family. But that’s not why I want you. I want you by my side because… I really do ” he breathed, hurt breaking through his voice.
He stepped closer, voice trembling. “I swear on everything, Zara, I meant every word. I wanted you to take over the business because you’re my wife. You have every right to stand in my place if I’m not here… even if I die someday. I know I’ve never given you a proper reason to trust me, but please trust me this one time. You won’t regret it.” he swallowed the pain that tightened his chest and said folding his hands before her.
” Maybe she felt worse than this when I hurt her. May be she is giving me the taste of my own medicine. I deserve every bit of it “, he thought.
Without another word, he walked into the closet, leaving Zara rooted to the spot, shaken by the raw honesty in his voice.
Zara sat on the balcony couch, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts after her conversation with Ayaan. Her mind felt tangled beyond reason.
“I don’t understand him at all. Didn’t he marry me for revenge? Wasn’t he supposed to divorce me once he learned the truth? Then why does he want me by his side now? What did he even mean by ‘always being my side’? And why the hell did that moron talk about dying? Idiot…” she thought and frowned in frustration. Her head throbbed as she pinched her temples. Eventually she lay back on the couch, covering her face with her arm.
Ayaan walked into the balcony after changing into his home clothes and stopped when he saw her, one arm shielding her eyes, the other pressing the side of her head. His brows knitted in concern.
Quietly, he moved to sit beside her head. Before she could react, he gently lifted her, released her bun and placed her head on his lap. She stared up at him, startled.
“You don’t have to do this,” Zara muttered, trying to sit up.
But Ayaan softly pressed her shoulder down. “Sleep, wifey. I’ll take care of you,” he whispered, his fingers moving in soothing circles on her scalp. One hand massaged her forehead and temples with gentle pressure, easing the tightness.
Her eyes fluttered shut, “Why didn’t you love me, Ayaan? You could have just killed me instead of playing with my heart… and now I don’t know what you’re doing anymore. I could not forget what you have done to me ” she thought.
Ayaan continued massaging her head silently, letting her drift into sleep.
Once Zara finally dozed off, he carefully slid out from beneath her and lifted her into his arms. He carried her to the bed, laid her down gently, covered her with the duvet, and placed a tender kiss on her forehead.
“Someday, you’ll understand that I really love you and I hope that day comes soon. I will wait until then and prove my love through actions before I confess with my words ” His whisper barely reached the quiet room.
Zara’s hand slipped out in her sleep, searching for Ayaan and the sight made him chuckle softly.
“Our hearts always know what they want, I just wish you’d reach out to me like this when you’re awake.” he murmured.
He lay down beside her and almost instantly Zara moved closer, instinctively seeking his warmth. Ayaan couldn’t help but smile as he brushed a gentle kiss over her soft lips.
“Sorry… I stole a kiss, but you’re too cute, Mrs. Ayaan.” he whispered with a playful warmth.
He pulled her into his arms, their legs tangling naturally as he cuddled her close, wrapping her in his warmth and quiet affection.
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