After two days of nonstop party meetings, interviews and public gatherings, Vaishu, Reyansh, and Ayaan finally returned to Chennai with Sameer. Vaishu was stunned to see the mountains of gifts and flowers left by volunteers and well-wishers.
“Sameer, inform the staff to unwrap everything and record a video. Upload it on Mom’s social media, thanking everyone for their love. Make sure the gifts are kept safely. Handmade ones should go to Mom’s office,” Ayaan instructed as they stepped out of the car.
Pari and Zara welcomed Vaishu with aarthi and the entire living room was decorated to celebrate her return.
Ayaan slid an arm around Zara’s waist and kissed her cheek. She gasped softly with a glare and gestured that the family was watching but he only winked and pulled her to sit beside him.
“Ayaan surprised all of us with his political brilliance. He practically shook the political world,” Ishaan said proudly.
Ayaan bowed dramatically, earning laughter from the family. They were happy to see him behave like the old Ayaan they once knew.
“Mama, we’ve arranged a dinner to celebrate. You must be exhausted, please rest for a while. We’ll gather again in the evening,” Zara said. Reyansh and Vaishu nodded and headed to their room.
Zara turned to follow Pari into the kitchen to finalize the menu but Ayaan caught her wrist and tugged her back.
“Zara baby, it’s okay. I’ll speak to the chef,” Pari assured and teased Zara, knowing Ayaan’s intentions. Ayaan shot her a grateful look and whisked Zara toward their room. The moment the door shut, he pulled her against him and kissed her hungrily.
“God, I missed you, wifey. I thought we’d leave for our home today, but it’s fine, Mom deserves this celebration. We’ll leave right after dinner,” he murmured and hugged her tightly inhaling her fragrance.
“You did an incredible job, Ayaan. We’re all so proud of you. Now go freshen up, I’ll get your coffee,” Zara said, slipping out of his arms and left the room. She had just set milk to boil in when a maid approached.
“Ma’am, Madam Vaishu is calling you.” the maid said and Zara’s heart lurched.
” Mama? Now? Did she… get the diary? ” she thought and without a second’s delay, she rushed to Reyansh and Vaishu’s room. Vaishu sat on the couch and patted the seat beside her. Reyansh closed the door for privacy and sat on the bed, watching quietly.
“Mama… what happened? Did you find the diary?” Zara asked and her voice was tight with nerves.
“Yes, we found it,” Vaishu said and handed it over. Zara froze seeing the same diary. Her breath hitched as she took it from Vaishu’s hands.
“Thank you, Mama. Life has changed now so I’ll burn this,” she said and tried to stand, but Vaishu’s firm voice halted her.
“I didn’t know you had a diary identical to the one I got custom-made for the girl who worked as my PA and now I realize she used my son and ruined his life.” Vaishu said and Zara turned slowly. Vaishu’s gaze was fixed on the floor, heavy with suppressed pain.
“We’ve always been cautious about who we let into our lives. We thought our children were safe… but we were fooled. She should have made an excellent actress. She made us believe she was perfect for our son, guiding him, supporting him. But in truth, she controlled him. Ayaan doesn’t deserve that. He should know the truth.” Vaishu said her voice laced with fury at the end.
Zara panicked and rushed to her, grabbing her hands.
“No, Mama. If he learns he was used and betrayed, he’ll shatter. He doesn’t deserve that kind of heartbreak. He believed she loved him, let him hold on to that. I don’t want him to think he wasn’t enough or that he failed to see through her facade.” Zara said pleading.
“It was meaningless, he cried for years for someone who never loved him,” Reyansh said quietly.
“But he did love her, Papa. Truly,” Zara whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks.
“You don’t understand, Zara, this diary was found in Advik’s house along with Baskar’s mobile. Do you know what that means? I read it. She didn’t want power to help people, she wanted it for herself. She met Advik. She worked with him. And that’s all I want to say.” Vaishu shook her head softly in disbelief and Zara gasped, horror settling into her bones.
“Ayaan will know the truth soon and he’ll be devastated if he realizes his own family kept it from him. We don’t keep secrets, not from each other. He needs to let go of the past completely. And you deserve his whole heart, Zara. Not a heart that’s still shadowed by past that was only a betrayal” Vaishu said firmly.
Reyansh stepped forward and touched Zara’s hair reassuringly. “You’ve seen him these days and he’s truly happy. You made that possible. Whatever comes, we trust you with him.”
Vaishu squeezed Zara’s hand. “He’ll go mad searching for you. And if he sees you in tears, he’ll storm in here demanding answers and we don’t need that right now. Leave the diary with us ” she said and Zara placed the dairy on the table.
Vaishu picked up a gift box and placed it in Zara’s hands. “Tell him I called you to give this. Nothing else.”
Zara wiped her tears and nodded her head. She stepped out only to see Ayaan already pacing the hallway, searching for her with worry etched across his face.
Hearing footsteps, Ayaan turned around and saw Zara standing there, watching him.
“Zara, where did you go? I was waiting for you,” he said, rushing to her and gently taking her hand.
“Mama asked me to collect this from her. Now take this to room and I’ll bring your coffee,” she said, but Ayaan shook his head immediately.
“I don’t need coffee right now. I just need my wife. Come on,” he murmured, leading her back to their room.
As soon as they entered, he pulled her close. “You know…I barely slept these past days without you. Let me sleep now. I can only rest peacefully when you’re next to me.” he said and lay on the bed. He drew her into his arms and placed her hand on his hair. Zara began caressing his hair slowly and with her gentle and soothing touch, Ayaan drifted into sleep.
” What will you do when you learn the truth? I need to know where I stand before that happens” she thought and carefully slipped away so she wouldn’t disturb him. She stepped into the balcony with the gift Vaishu had given her. She unwrapped it to find a photo album. Ayaan’s stylish photo adorned the cover, making her smile as she opened it.
The first picture showed newborn Ayaan, tiny and wrapped in a fluffy towel. Zara traced his cheek in the photograph and whispered, “Cute…”
She turned the pages, watching him grow through each stage of his life, until she reached the final picture…….their wedding photo. Ayaan was looking at her as if his entire world revolved around her.
“I wanted to believe this… but I needed to hear it from you. And I…I need to be strong enough to forgive you for what you did,” she whispered and hugged the album tightly against her chest.
That night, the family gathered in the garden for dinner. Mithun and Kajal joined them and little Saanvi insisted that Zara feed her. Ayaan watched as Zara gently coaxed the child to eat, narrating a soft, sweet story between each bite. The sight warmed something deep inside him. He couldn’t stop imagining a small family of their own…perhaps a little Ayaan and a little Zara with her smile completing their world.
The family, as always, avoided talk of business or politics during meals. Instead, they laughed, teased and fed one another, enjoying their nightly routine. In the midst of it all, Ayaan scooped up a spoonful of food and fed Zara while she was feeding Saanvi. She wasn’t surprised since she got used to him feeding her and accepted it.
After dinner, the maids arrived with trays of coffee and hot chocolate, serving everyone as they settled into their usual late-night coffee time. Zara listened to their playful banter, their stories, their warmth and felt a quiet happiness bloom within her. Being a part of such a family felt like a blessing she hadn’t expected.
“I wish this would last forever… no matter what changes between me and Ayaan”, she thought, glancing at him only to find him already looking at her.
Ayaan cleared his throat, instantly drawing everyone’s attention. “It’s getting late. Zara and I will take leave now. I have a lot of work waiting and she needs to be at the office early tomorrow. “
Everyone rolled their eyes at his excuse and Ayaan exaggeratedly groaned.
“Why does everyone tease me alone? Dad hasn’t changed in all these years so he should go first. Then Mithun uncle and then my great brother, Ishaan” he said with smirk and rose to his feet ready to leave. He reached for Zara’s hand, intertwining their fingers naturally. They bid goodnight to the family and drove back to their home together.
Ayaan was animatedly explaining everything that had happened in Delhi as they changed into their nightwear in the closet. Zara listened quietly smiling at his excitement one moment, then watching his expression harden with fury when he spoke about Suryadev and Advik.
But the moment he mentioned Advik, Zara’s breath hitched. Vaishu’s words echoed in her mind the revelation that his ex girl friend had worked with him. A sudden tension gripped her chest. Her thoughts spiraled until they were abruptly grounded again when Ayaan stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her close into the safety of his embrace.
“Let’s go to sleep, it’s already late. We have to be at the office tomorrow,” Zara said, trying to slip out of his hold. But Ayaan turned her gently, placing his hands on her shoulders so she faced him.
“No, we’re not going to the office. I have special plans for us tomorrow. A very very special surprise I’ve been preparing for weeks. Dad and Mom wanted to meet me to discuss something important but I told them I’d come a week later. I want time with my wife. Everything else can wait.” he murmured and brushed a kiss against her forehead.
His hands slid from her shoulders, gliding down her arms in a slow, sensual trace before settling firmly around her waist, pulling her close. “You’re beautiful, wifey,” he whispered, kissing her cheek and the corner of her lips.
He lifted her effortlessly into his arms and carried her to the bed. He laid her down gently and leaned over her with a tender smile.
“I missed you,” he breathed and captured her lips in a slow, longing kiss. Ayaan pulled back just enough to tug off his shirt, then slipped her camisole away with the same hunger burning in his gaze. He lowered his face to the crook of her neck, kissing and nibbling softly, tracing her skin with unrestrained need.
Ayaan groped on her bosoms, started devouring them and Zara shut her eyes instantly. Ayaan let out a low grunt as his hands skimmed along her curves. He lowered himself to press soft, lingering kisses along her waist, each touch warm, reverent, claiming her in his own quiet way.
Zara’s eyes fluttered open when she felt him pull back. She watched him shed his clothes with unhurried confidence before returning to her and helping her out of hers with the same tenderness.
Ayaan pressed a tender kiss on inner thighs while his fingers played with her clit. Zara clutched the sheet, her head rolled back and she bit her lips from moaning.
” Stop him Zara, demand answers. You don’t deserve the cruelty of being a place holder ” she thought but her body betrayed her mind and her chest heaved to his ministration.
” You are driving me crazy wifey ” Ayaan said and settled between her legs. He pushed his length inside her and groaned feeling her clench around him. He leaned closer and kissed her before he started moving inside her.
“Open your eyes and look at me, wifey ” he whispered and her eyes snapped open. Ayaan kissed her face slowly and his breath was warm against her skin.
But Zara’s heart clenched. “Are you imagining her in me ? You always imagined her in me… didn’t you?” she asked suddenly and her voice trembled as she asked him.
Ayaan went utterly still, as if someone had poured ice-cold water over him. His breath hitched, his hands froze where they were.
“What… what did you just say?” he asked, barely able to believe what he’d heard.
Zara swallowed hard and her voice broke. “You imagine her when you look at me. But I’m not her. I’m not your Zara.”
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A/N:
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