Ayaan woke to his phone blaring and to the empty space beside him. Sameer, his new PA, was on the line. He answered the call quickly and got out of bed, pulling on his boxer. Their clothes were still scattered across the floor from the night before.
As he neared the closet, he heard the shower running. He moved toward the door to knock, ready to help her because he knew she must be exhausted after last night but before he could, the door opened and Zara stepped out in a robe. She looked exhausted and withdrawn.
“You should’ve woken me, wifey. I wanted to take care of you,” Ayaan said, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
But Zara simply walked past him without a word. Ayaan followed her and watched her pick a gown from her wardrobe. He helped her hook her bra, zipped her dress and gently dried her hair. Through it all, she stayed quiet.
“You don’t look okay, Zara. What’s wrong? Did I hurt you last night? Please… forgive me if I did,” he said softly and his gaze filled with guilt.
But Zara shook her head, “No, you didn’t hurt me. I’m just… tired. Maybe my cycle is close, it’s messing with my mood. I’ll work from home today.” she replied and walked out of the closet, and Ayaan immediately followed her.
“No, Zara, you don’t have to work. We’ll stay home and I’ll take care of everything. Tell me what will make you feel better. A movie? Beach? Massage? Games? I’ll do anything wifey ” he said, holding her hand, clearly panicked by how dull her eyes looked.
“I’ll be fine. I just want to be alone for a while… maybe I need some sleep. You go ahead with your plans. I’ll be okay,” she said with a forced smile.
Ayaan swallowed his worry and nodded his head, deciding to give her the space she asked for.
“I’ll go to the office and come back early. But please… call me if you need anything. I’ll come running,” Ayaan said before stepping into the closet to get ready.
Even as he dressed, his mind never left her. When he returned, Zara was scrolling through her phone, looking even more withdrawn.
“Shall we have breakfast? I’m not leaving until I know you’ve eaten at least something,” he urged.
Zara shook her head, ” I don’t feel like eating right now so I have later. Please… you have breakfast before you leave.” she said turning her attention back to her mobile.
Ayaan’s heart twisted. He hated the idea of leaving her like this, but she clearly needed space so he nodded slowly.
“I’m only leaving because you asked for time alone. Otherwise, I’d stay in some corner just to make sure you’re okay.” He said and pressed a soft kiss to her eyelids before he walked out.
The moment the door closed, Zara lay back on the bed, eyes shut tight as silent tears slipped down her temples.
At the office, Ayaan was useless. His mind stayed glued to her, her pale face, her forced smile, her trembling voice and her lifeless eyes haunted him.
Sameer entered with files for an important discussion, but Ayaan waved him off, “Not now.”
He ran a frustrated hand through his hair and flung his blazer onto the floor.
“Why do women have to suffer like this? God… if only she had let me stay with her,” he muttered, pacing restlessly, his chest tight with helplessness.
Ayaan texted her to check if she’d had breakfast, but there was no reply. He felt uneasy so he called the home manager and learned she hadn’t left the room.
He looked at the coffee on his table that remained untouched. By noon, he called again and got with the same answer.
Ayaan dragged a hand through his hair, frustration and worry twisting inside him. He kept glancing at the clock, unable to focus on a single thing. Finally, he called Sameer and instructed him to arrange the best white-and-yellow roses and a chocolate bouquet which he thought might help with her mood swings.
The moment they arrived, Ayaan grabbed them and left the office without a second thought. He needed to see his wife, he couldn’t stay away from her another second.
At the villa, Vaishu and Reyansh arrived to meet both Ayaan and Zara, but the home manager informed them that Ayaan had already left for the office, something that surprised them. He also mentioned that Zara hadn’t stepped out of the room all morning.
Vaishu didn’t wait another second. She headed straight to the bedroom, knocked softly before she entered. Zara was curled on the bed, eyes red and swollen, tears still slipping down her cheeks.
Vaishu’s heart clenched. She immediately sat beside her and pulled her into a warm hug, already understanding the reason.
“Calm down, Zara… we’re here. We’re all with you,” Vaishu whispered, smoothing her hair and Zara nodded weakly.
“You haven’t eaten anything since morning. Come with me, no excuses.” Vaishu said wiping her tears and gently guided her out.
They entered the living room where Reyansh hugged Zara gently, patting her head like a parent comforting a child.
At that very moment, Ayaan walked in with roses and chocolates in hand and froze at the sight. His heart dropped at the sight of her crying. Without a second thought, he placed everything on the table and rushed to her, cupping her cheeks with trembling hands.
“Zara… what happened? Are you in pain? Why are you crying? You’re scaring me. Look, I got your favorite flowers and chocolates. We’ll go out for dinner, okay? But first let me call the doctor—” he murmured, wiping her tears desperately.
Vaishu gently caught his wrist, stopping him. Ayaan turned to his parents, confusion tightening his brows.
“Mom? Dad? Why are you both here? Did something happen? Is that why Zara is crying? Please tell me what happened ? ” he asked them.
“We just came to check on you two and Zara is crying because she misses her father. Today… is the day she lost him.” Vaishu said softly.
Ayaan stilled and the realization hit him like a punch. His arm around Zara’s waist tightened protectively, guilt twisting in his chest. It was the same day he lost his first love too and he had forgotten. Every year, he would lock himself in this very villa, drowning in silence and alcohol, blocking everyone out.
But this year…he didn’t even think of the date. He had been consumed entirely by his wife. He swallowed the ache burning in his chest and Zara quietly stepped away from him and stood beside Vaishu without meeting his eyes.
“Ayaan…” Vaishu called softly, snapping him out of his trance. One look at the flowers and chocolate bouquet lying on the table and the truth was obvious that he had forgotten the day. For a moment, a part of them felt relieved that their son was finally moving forward.
Ayaan’s gaze drifted to Zara, who was wiping her tears, eyes lowered, completely shattered. Without saying a word, he turned and walked out. Reyansh followed him, only to see him speeding away in his SUV. He returned to the living room and gently patted Zara’s head.
“He’ll come back, Zara. Calm down. And you need to eat something. We’ll stay until he returns,” he said softly but Zara shook her head.
“No, Papa. I’m not hungry… and please don’t worry about us. We’ll be fine. I think… he just forgot what today is and now he must be drowning in guilt. We would handle this” Zara said.
Vaishu and Reyansh exchanged a silent look and felt she was right. And they believed the love between Ayaan and Zara would eventually mend this pain. They hugged her before leaving the villa.
Zara went back to the bedroom and lay on the bed, but her mind wouldn’t stop replaying the image of Ayaan walking out… broken.
“I wish this day didn’t exist. It would’ve been better if she was alive and you would’ve been happy. Maybe with time she would’ve loved you truly, not used you for power. I would’ve lived as an orphan forever… just holding on to your memories. It wouldn’t have hurt this much.” she whispered into the pillow and sobbed, her heart splitting open in the quiet room.
Ayaan stopped his SUV at the porch of the three-storey house and stepped out feeling his chest tighten. He rang the bell and Jothi opened the door. She stood froze, utterly stunned to see him standing on her doorstep. She swallowed her tears and quietly stepped aside, letting him in.
Inside, the faint traces of the pooja still lingered and on the wall hung the photo of the dead Zara with a large garland. Ayaan’s eyes immediately filled. Jothi gently patted his head and handed him a glass of water which he sipped slowly. Lakshman walked out from their bedroom, calm as ever and took a seat opposite him with a soft, understanding smile.
“I’m… sorry, I forgot this day. I shouldn’t have… I didn’t mean to.” Ayaan whispered, his voice cracking.
He looked up at them who had loved their daughter and him with their whole hearts. “I don’t know if this is the right moment, but I think… I have to do it today. I can’t keep it inside anymore. I love my wife, my Zara. A lot has happened but I don’t want to speak in circles and hurt you more. I’ve been planning to confess my love to my wife for a long time and before I do that, I wanted to come here. To meet you both. To open my heart. She had been a part of my life for years but I want to let go of my past. My wife, my Zara deserves all of me. She deserves a whole husband… not a man divided. If I have hurt you by moving on… please forgive me.” he said and swallowed hard.
“You might be upset that I’ve moved on but the heart wants what it wants… and my heart wants my wife.” he whispered.
Lakshman walked over and sat beside him placing a comforting hand on Ayaan’s back.
“You don’t have to feel bad for us. In fact, we’re happy you’re moving on. We’ve always seen you as our son, Ayaan. We only ever wanted your happiness.” Lakshman said softly and Jothi nodded, tears shining but her smile steady.
“We can see how much you love your wife. You don’t even want to speak our daughter’s name now, because your heart now belongs to your wife. And you’re right, she deserves all of you. And so do you. Go live your life, son. Don’t hold yourself back.” Lakshman said and placed a gentle hand on Ayaan’s shoulder.
Ayaan’s throat closed up as he leaned forward and hugged him, whispering a shaky Thank you. He took their blessings and walked out with a lighter yet full heart.
Once in the car, he exhaled deeply, pulled out his phone and called the home staff.
“Tell the kitchen staff to prepare all of Zara’s favorite dishes, I’ll be home soon” he instructed and ended the call, already eager to return to the woman he wanted to spend his life with.
Ayaan entered the bedroom and found Zara asleep, her lashes were still wet, a proof that she had only just cried herself into rest. His chest tightened, but he didn’t wake her. He simply sat beside her, watching her breathe.
Two hours passed before he finally reached out and touched her shoulder gently. Zara woke up startled and confused to see him sitting so close.
“Go freshen up, let’s have dinner.” Ayaan said softly. He lifted the duvet off her and stepped back to give her space. Zara blinked at him, puzzled by how calm and composed he seemed, then quietly walked into the washroom.
When she came out, Ayaan reached for her hand. Zara hesitated for a heartbeat, then let him take it. She stared at their joined hands as he led her to the dining room. He pulled out a chair for her, waited for her to sit and took the seat beside her. He dismissed the staff and served dinner onto both their plates.
Zara sat quietly, staring at the food without lifting her spoon. Ayaan picked up the glass of juice and held it near her lips, gently urging her to drink. She took a slow sip and without a word, he began feeding her small bites with patient movements and taking a few bites himself in between.
After dinner, they returned to the room. Zara walked straight to the balcony and sat on the couch, her little corner of peace. Ayaan followed and settled beside her, taking her hand in his.
“I understand why you couldn’t share your pain with me today. I’m just… sorry that I haven’t given you the confidence to tell me everything.” he said softly.
Zara turned to him, confusion written across her face. “Aren’t you upset? That maybe I’m the reason you forgot this day? And… where did you go?”
Ayaan didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he lay down on the couch, resting his head on her lap, his hand curled around her arm and held it against his chest as if he needed to feel her there.
“I went somewhere I should’ve gone long ago. But I finally did today. Let’s sleep, Zara. I just… want to rest.” he murmured and closed his eyes, exhaustion lacing his voice.
Zara hummed in response and they returned to the bed. Ayaan pulled her into an embrace. This time, he didn’t hold her like he usually did. He lowered himself and pressed his face against her chest, seeking comfort….seeking her.
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A/N:
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