Note: The climax will not happen before Ayaan and Zara celebrate their baby or babies first birthday so relax and enjoy the journey ahead. Get ready for an intense, mind-blowing phase of romance and love between the couple very soon. You will get to enjoy a lot of daddy Ayaan and mommy Zara moments.
***********************
Two days had passed since Ayaan left for Delhi and he hadn’t spoken to anyone in the family. His phone remained switched off most of the time and he only turned it on to read Zara’s messages. The only call he made was to Pari, to check if Zara had eaten. A small sense of relief washed over him when Pari told him that his mother had managed to make Zara eat, though she added that Zara was still crying constantly. He instructed Rohan to gather some files and call Zara to the office, hoping that work might help distract her from her grief.
Ayaan himself was a wreck. Sleepless nights and constant drinking had left him hollow-eyed and disheveled. His hair was unkempt, his eyes bloodshot and he barely ate. The only thing that held his attention was keeping track of Suryadev’s every move against Advik. He was too weak and looked like he would pass out anytime. Sameer tried to convince him to have food and some sleep but Ayaan dismissed him ignoring his words.
Meanwhile, Zara arrived at the office and once again tried calling him, but his number remained unreachable. Her messages were seen yet unanswered. She barely ate despite the family’s insistence and her nights were restless, haunted by the emptiness he had left behind.
“Ayaan, please come back, I can’t take this distance between us. We both made mistakes, but at least let’s talk and fix things. I miss you…everyone misses you. Why are you punishing them for our faults? I don’t want your money, Ayaan. I’m not a gold digger… please come back.” she whispered into her phone, her voice trembled as she recorded the message.
She hit send and leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes as silent tears slipped down the corners of her face.
Ayaan listened to the voice message, feeling a strange mix of relief hearing her voice and guilt at hearing her cry. He wiped the tears and closed his eyes. He exhaled deeply and turned off his phone, setting it back on the table.
Just then, Sameer entered the room carrying a cup of coffee and some pills. “Sir, you don’t look well. I really think you should see a doctor but since I know you won’t, I brought these instead. The coffee will help a bit and the pills should help you sleep. Drinking, starving and losing sleep won’t fix anything. You have a family and a wife who need you. Your brother and father have been calling me constantly, asking how you’re doing. I’ve been lying to them so far but what will happen if you fall sick?” Sameer said, trying to talk some sense into him.
Ayaan pinched the bridge of his nose and dismissed him silently as usual. Once the door shut, he picked up the coffee and took a slow sip, his eyes fixed on Zara’s photo set as his wallpaper.
“He wants me to sleep wifey, but how can I sleep without you beside me? My eyelids refuse to close… and even if they do, my hands search for you on their own. Ever since you came into my life, I started sleeping peacefully because you’re my home.”
He set the cup back on the table and leaned back in his chair, staring blankly into the dark. Just then, Sameer returned to the room, his phone pressed to his ear. He ended the call and turned toward Ayaan.
“Sir, that was a call from the DGP. Advik will be shifted to the central prison until the next hearing. The news will be made public only after the transfer is completed. Looks like Suryadev’s move to keep his son safe under the guise of the law,” he reported.
Ayaan rose to his feet, fury flashing in his eyes as he rolled up his sleeves. “Call our men. I want Advik intercepted on the way… kidnap him before he reaches the prison. Make sure the news leaks that Suryadev helped his son escape after that pathetic drama of disowning him. Get in touch with our CSO, he’ll arrange everything and secure a place to keep Advik locked up. I’ve been waiting for this moment,” Ayaan said, his jaw tightening with rage.
Sameer nodded in understanding and hurried out to execute the plan.
Meanwhile at the manor, Zara sat on her bed, staring at Ayaan’s photograph on her phone. “How long will you keep avoiding me? I don’t want to assume anything anymore, not until we talk. Please come back,” she whispered and her voice trembled before sleep claimed her exhausted body.
Vaishu, who had been quietly watching Zara from the doorway, sighed heavily and returned to her room. She sat beside Reyansh, who was reading a magazine, and spoke softly, “Ansh, I’m really worried about Ayaan and Zara. Maybe we should go meet Ayaan and talk to him. They’re both hurting so much and he can’t keep running away forever.”
Reyansh took a deep breath, set the magazine aside and looked at her with weary eyes.
“I know, Avi. Ishaan and Pari had their share of problems too, but not like this. I wish this was just one of those usual misunderstandings between a couple but Ayaan and Zara’s pain runs much deeper. You’ve realized it too, haven’t you? It reminds me too much of what we went through. They need to face each other and talk it out. I believe they’ll come out stronger than ever but it won’t be easy. The wounds they’ve inflicted on each other are deep. All we can do now is pray for some miracle to bring them back together.” he said and Vaishu leaned on his shoulder, tears slipping down her cheeks as she silently cried for her son and Zara.
By night, Ayaan was pacing restlessly across his room, waiting for a call from his CSO confirming that Advik had been taken into custody. His body was on the verge of collapse from exhaustion, his mind clouded by sleepless nights and rage barely contained. He dragged himself to the washroom and splashed cold water on his face, trying to steady his breathing.
As he stepped back into the room, his phone chimed with a notification. Expecting it to be from his CSO, he unlocked it but his heartbeat quickened when he saw Zara’s name on the screen. A glance at the clock showed it was past midnight.
“Why is she still awake?” he muttered and opened the message.
“Please don’t hate me, Ayaan. Stop avoiding me and come back,” the message read.
Ayaan’s throat tightened and he stared at the screen for a long moment before whispering to himself, “I didn’t hate you even when I had every reason to do, so why would I now Zara ? I’m not avoiding you. I’m just trying to save you from more heartbreak… even if mine keeps breaking a thousand times being away from you.” He exhaled shakily and rubbed his temple as silence filled the room once again.
Just then, his phone rang and it was the CSO. Ayaan answered immediately.
“Sir, Advik has been taken into custody at our secured location,” the man reported. Moments later, Ayaan received a video showing masked men forcing Advik into an unmarked car.
“Send the footage to all major media outlets. Let the world believe Suryadev staged his son’s escape after his so-called act of disowning him.” Ayaan said to Sameer over call and hung up. He laid on the bed feeling the weight of it all press down on him and his body started burning. Sleep refused to come, haunted by Zara’s voice, her message replaying in his mind like a whisper he couldn’t silence.
Ishaan knocked urgently on Reyansh and Vaishu’s bedroom door. Reyansh opened it to find his son standing there, visibly restless and pale.
“Appa, Advik’s been kidnapped. I believe Ayaan did it.” Ishaan said and his voice was low but tense.
Reyansh’s expression darkened. “Shit,” he muttered under his breath before turning to wake Vaishu. She blinked awake, startled by the alarm in his tone. When Ishaan repeated the news, her eyes widened in shock. Without wasting a moment, Reyansh tried calling Ayaan, but the call went unanswered. He then dialed Sameer, who confirmed their worst fear that Ayaan had indeed taken Advik into custody after learning about Suryadev’s plan to protect his son.
Ishaan immediately instructed, Sameer to get Ayaan on the line so Sameer hurried to Ayaan’s room and knocked several times but there was no response. A sinking feeling settled in his gut. He carefully pushed open the door and froze. Ayaan lay motionless on the bed. Sameer rushed to him, shook his shoulder gently but when he touched Ayaan’s skin, panic surged through him. The man was burning with fever and unresponsive.
“Sir, Ayaan sir isn’t well, he’s not waking up” Sameer’s frantic voice carried through the phone.
Vaishu’s heart sank, her body trembled as she broke down in fear. Reyansh wrapped an arm around her to steady her before turning to Ishaan. “Arrange the jet… we’re flying to Delhi immediately.” he said.
“Should we call Zara?” Ishaan asked hesitantly.
Vaishu shook her head firmly, wiping her tears. “No. If we tell her now, she’ll blame herself that she pushed him into this state. Let’s see him first then we shall decide.”
Within two hours, they were airborne and the family sat in tense silence throughout the flight. By dawn, they landed in Delhi and drove straight to the bungalow. As soon as they entered Ayaan’s room, Vaishu froze at the doorway. The doctor and a nurse were checking Ayaan, who lay pale and still on the bed, his skin slick with sweat, the IV line already attached.
Her legs nearly gave out as she sat next to him touching his forehead and whispered, “Ayaan…”
Reyansh noticed Ayaan’s face was pale, dark circles framing his sunken eyes, his lips dry and cracked.
“How is my son, doctor?” Reyansh asked still looking at his son.
” Sir, he’s not critical but very weak. He hasn’t eaten, barely slept and has been drinking heavily. His body is dehydrated, exhausted and running a high fever. If this had continued longer, it could’ve turned dangerous.” the doctor said and Vaishu gasped, her eyes filling with tears and looked at Sameer.
Sameer nodded guiltily. “Yes, madam. He wouldn’t eat or rest, just kept drinking and watching the news. “
“He needs rest and care. No stress, no alcohol. His body can’t take any more.” The doctor and adjusted the IV.
Reyansh thanked the doctor and his jaw clenched as he looked at his son.
The doctor left after giving instructions and Vaishu stayed beside Ayaan while Reyansh and Ishaan spoke to the CSO for updates on Advik.
Meanwhile, at the Chennai manor, Zara entered the dining room to find Pari and the kids having breakfast alone. Pari informed her about Advik’s abduction and Vaishu, Reyansh and Ishaan had flown to Delhi at midnight.
Zara opened the live news and saw the headline flash that Advik had been Kidnapped. Messages flooded social media as opposition parties across states accused Suryadev of secretly helping his son escape.
“Should I go to Delhi? It’s been three days already and Ayaan still hasn’t spoken to me. I miss him,” Zara said and her voice trembled. Pari gently held her hand to comfort her.
“Not today, Zara. The situation’s unstable. Actually, Ayaan got Advik under his custody after Suryadev tried to keep him safe. He must be busy and not in the right state of mind, so it’s better you don’t go now,” Pari said softly and Zara nodded.
A few moments later, she called Vaishu, who was sitting beside Ayaan.
“Mama, how’s Ayaan? Please make sure he’s taking care of himself. And if possible, convince him to come back home. Tell him I really miss him… and I’m sorry,” Zara said.
“He’s not here, Zara. He’s gone out. I’ll talk to him once he’s back. Take care, dear,” Vaishu said gently and ended the call.
Once Ayaan’s fever subsided, Vaishu composed herself and headed to the party headquarters and faced the media.
“Mr. Suryadev speaks of justice, yet secretly shields his criminal son. The people deserve honesty, not deception. I call upon every citizen and our party volunteers to protest silently, fly a black flag at your homes to show that truth still matters.” she said, her tone was firm and resolute.
Ishaan immediately instructed the home manager to hoist black flags at the manor and all their properties. Vaishu then spoke with the party head and senior members, ensuring the campaign went viral across all media platforms.
Meanwhile, at his office, Suryadev slammed his hand on the table, fury flashing in his eyes. He glared at the DGP standing before him.
“Where is Advik? I want him found and brought back to prison safe and silent. I won’t let my name be dragged through the mud while someone else plays their game. Use intelligence surveillance…track every call made by Vaishnavi and her family. They have him, I’m sure of it.” he said and the DGP bowed and left quickly. Moments later, Suryadev was on his phone again, ordering his men to monitor every move of Reyansh and his family.
***************************
A/N:
Please like and comment
Take care and Thank you
