Two weeks later, Mithun and Kajal returned from their vacation and arrived at the manor with their arms full of gifts for the entire family. Earlier that day, Ayaan and Zara also arrived at the manor since Ayaan was eager to know whether Mithun had found any trace of Barzani or uncovered information about Saif Razaq and his son, Nafel Razaq . Soon after, Ayaan, Mithun, Reyansh and Vaishu headed to the study.
“Dario is the underground don in Cuba and Razaq’s biggest competitor. I contacted him through one of his agents. He claims Barzani has disappeared from the underground scene ever since Nafel took control. But Dario is willing to help us but nothing comes for free. He wants a favor in return. He wants to reopen the diamond market in our country, which has been shut for nearly three decades. In exchange, he promised to bring Barzani to us,” Mithun said and everyone grit their teeth at the idea.
Ayaan didn’t hesitate. “Tell him we are ready. We need Barzani. Once we get every detail out of him, we will open the market but on our terms. And we need at least six months before this deal happens.” he said and Reyansh shot to his feet immediately, refusing the idea. “This won’t work, Ayaan. It means stepping back into the illegal market and your mother will never accept that nor will I. I won’t do anything that upsets my wife,” he said firmly.
“Dad, let me remind you that you are retired now. And the ‘black money’ you earned back then, we use every rupee to improve people’s lives. We shall do the same again. Every single penny earned will go to the welfare of the people. But we need Barzani and I am not losing this opportunity. We’ll set conditions that would keep us safe, but we are doing this.” Ayaan said and looked at Vaishu, who clearly wasn’t happy.
“Mom, please understand. We have no other choice. Or do you want to risk our family in the enemy’s hands? I’m doing this anyway. I just don’t want to do it behind your back. Please… understand,” he said quietly.
Mithun, who had been smiling silently, drew Ayaan’s attention. “Uncle, not the right time to laugh. I don’t want you dragged into this. I’ll handle Dario myself.” he said but Mithun shook his head.
“You’re still a boy. You don’t understand how the underground works. Stay out of this and let me deal with him. No arguments,” he said sternly. Ayaan sighed and nodded, smiling despite himself.
“I still don’t like this idea,” Vaishu said softly and Ayaan took her hand.
“I’m not getting my hands dirty, Mom. Trust me. I’ll handle everything, there won’t be any illegal business happening forever. It would be a one time to get our work done ” he assured his mother and just then, Sameer entered looking tensed.
“Sir, we have a problem. Suryadev’s men are digging for information about Madam Zara,” he reported and Ayaan’s eyes darkened instantly, rage twisting through him.
“How dare that old bastard? CSO made sure every detail about her was wiped clean. Keep eyes on his men, monitor everything,” Ayaan ordered, jaw clenched hard enough to crack.
“He is certain that we are behind everything and he has already started moving against us. Now I’m sure either he is the man we are looking for, or he is the one helping the people hunting us,” Ayaan said, rubbing his beard as his thoughts spiraled deeper.
“What do we do about him?” Vaishu asked, bewildered.
“Going against him directly would be like digging our own grave, Mom. Assassinating him is basically signing our death warrant, his position is too powerful. We can’t do that. Not now.” Ayaan’s voice was cold and controlled.
“The only way to destroy him is to pull him down from power. Strip him of every privilege, every layer of protection, every connection. Once he loses that seat, we still won’t be able to touch him physically, the whole nation knows our family as his political rival but we can take away everything he holds dear. We’ll let him suffer where it hurts the most.” Ayaan said and everyone nodded silently, the weight of his words settling heavily in the room.
Ayaan and Mithun remained in the room while Reyansh, Vaishu and Sameer stepped out of the study. Mithun opened his laptop and placed an untraceable call that connected directly to Dario. After a brief exchange, he introduced Ayaan.
Dario was so pleased to be in contact with them.
Ayaan didn’t waste time on pleasantries. He laid out his stance clearly that he was willing to work with Dario, but only on conditions he would reveal later. In return, Dario agreed to locate Barzani and deliver him to them at the earliest possible without involving Ayaan or Mithun’s name behind it.
A satisfied silence settled between Ayaan and Mithun as the call ended.
They returned to the living room and Ayaan sat beside Zara. He watched her help Saanvi color a deer in her coloring book and the sight softened him instantly.
Sameer approached with a file and greeted the family.
“Sir, we’ve prepared roadshow and meeting schedule for Madam Vaishu. Her calendar would be packed for six months, but I’ve ensured she will be home every alternate week to spend time with the family. The campaigns will start only after Madam Zara’s delivery. Once you approve, I’ll begin the arrangements.” Sameer said.
Ayaan took the file and flipped through it carefully. “Looks perfect, Sameer. Make sure there’s no public disturbance and every rule is followed. Their basic needs…….water, shade, medical support must be taken care of. Also, instead of roadshows everywhere, it’s better to hold meetings. Call all district secretaries and collect complete reports of existing issues, unfulfilled promises of the ruling government, pending schemes… I want everything documented.”
He closed the file and returned it to Sameer. “Ensure each district sends three representative to brief Mom at least a week before her public address.”
Reyansh, who had been listening quietly, looked at Vaishu, then at Zara and finally at Ayaan.
“Why don’t you step into politics directly and stand beside your mother?” he asked.
Ayaan didn’t hesitate. “I would do but right now my wife needs me and once the babies are born, they will need my time even more. It’s better I work from behind the scenes and make sure everything runs smoothly for Mom.”
A small, proud smile tugged at Reyansh’s lips as he nodded. Ayaan and Zara returned to villa at night after the family dinner.
One week later, Ayaan received a call from Mithun asking him to meet at the beach house and he also instructed Ayaan to let Zara stay at the manor for two days since they had to leave for the cruise.
Ayaan entered the bedroom and saw Zara working on her laptop.
“Zara, I just got a call from Mithun uncle. I’ll have to leave for two days. Will you be okay staying at the manor until I’m back? I’ll make sure to return as early as possible,” Ayaan said and she only hummed in response.
“Promise me you’ll rest well and eat properly. Don’t forget your vitamins either,” he added and Zara shot him a glare before walking away.
Ayaan stepped into the closet. Zara zipped the bag she had packed and went to the bathroom to freshen up. While she was inside, Ayaan took her vitamins to place them in her bag and smiled when he noticed his shirt neatly folded inside. He didn’t want her to know he’d seen it, so he quietly zipped the bag exactly as it was and returned to the room.
Once Zara was ready, Ayaan picked up her bag and they drove to the manor. Reyansh and Vaishu welcomed Zara warmly. She seemed genuinely excited to spend time with the family.
Ayaan frowned, even rolled his eyes at her enthusiasm.
“She is happy to stay without me. And here I am, unable to leave her for five minutes. What am I supposed to do for two whole days? No hugs, no kisses. Poor me”, he thought, shaking his head.
Reyansh chuckled, as if he had read every word of that silent complaint and patted his back. Ayaan cleared his throat and Zara looked at him.
“Take care,” he mumbled and walked out not before informing his parents to take care of his wife.
Ayaan, Sameer and Mithun reached their cruise by nightfall and the guards greeted them with respect. The head guard and the security in-charge led them down to a secluded dock and unlocked a small room. Inside, a few men were quietly having their meal and Mithun’s lips curved into a satisfied smile when he saw Barzani tied to a chair.
The strangers introduced themselves as Dario’s men. Mithun paid them for their work and instructed the guards to escort the group. When the room was cleared, he sank onto the couch while Ayaan moved forward and untied Barzani, offering him some water.
The man looked far older than Mithun remembered, his hair was completely grey, his posture weary.
“You’ve aged, Barzani. I thought you’d be enjoying a royal life in Razaq’s palace.” Mithun said, his voice laced with taunt.
“I’m not a billionaire, Mithun sir. Not now… not back then either. People like me were always tools for billionaires like you. Use us, then throw us away as if we’re nothing. You wouldn’t have dragged me here just for a friendly chat, so tell me, what do you want? I have nothing left to offer and I’m too old to work like the Barzani I once was.” Barzani said, sipping the water with trembling hands.
“Mr. Barzani, I understand you’ve been treated like dirt but we’re not the ones who did that. We value our people as our own. So let’s get back to business. I’m Ayaan Rey Badrinath.” Ayaan spoke calmly and Barzani let out a dry chuckle. “You don’t need to introduce yourself. I know exactly who you are. Just tell me what you want.” he said.
“Just some information and in return, I can offer you everything Razaq denied you. What happened three decades ago, when my father and uncle refused to trade with Razaq. Don’t tell me he let it go easily. I want the truth, the exact truth. What was Razaq’s reaction? What did he do? And what is he doing now?” Ayaan asked leaning back against the wall, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on Barzani.
“Reyansh and I have stepped down from everything and let our heirs take over. And they aren’t like us, Barzani. They think differently, they act on their own terms. Ayaan wanted you and we found you within a week, without a single soul realizing you were still alive. He isn’t like his father, he gets things done his way. He is far more dangerous and when something crosses his mind, he expects it to happen immediately. So you better answer him honestly. Do that and we’ll protect your family ” Mithun said and Ayaan took a seat on the couch beside him.
“We’ll leave you to think for the night, Mr. Barzani. In the morning, if you are ready to talk, you will be under our protection. If not, we shall send you back to where you were taken from… but I can’t assure you that Razaq hasn’t already noticed your disappearance.” Ayaan said, his tone calm but edged with warning. He smirked lightly and walked out of the room with Mithun.
They settled in the lounge with drinks, the low hum of the cruise surrounding them. Mithun leaned back, reminiscing about the days he and Reyansh used to visit the in their younger years.
“Have you ever regretted giving up all the underground business?” Ayaan finally asked.
Mithun shook his head without hesitation. “No. Never. In fact, I was always against it. But your father… he was too stubborn to listen to me until Vaishu came into our lives. She’s an angel. Everyone was terrified of Rey back then, some still do but most people respect him now and that’s because of her.” Mithun said and a small smile tugged at his lips as he remembered.
“You won’t believe it, but your mother never spoke to him at first. Not a single word. She wouldn’t even look at him. She talked only to me. Rey bribed me to play cupid, got me an RR Black Phantom. Her silence was too powerful for him to handle. He didn’t just fall for her, he surrendered to her. He gave up everything for her. They were willing to die for each other… and they almost did. She forgave him for everything and he proved himself worthy of her love. Then Kajal met us and she fit right in. People still envy us because we’ve been inseparable all these years. And now, our children are married too.” Mithun said with a chuckle.
Ayaan felt a warm pride swell in his chest. His thoughts drifted to Zara, his gentle and fiery Zara.
“Will she forgive me the way Mom forgave Dad? I will do anything to prove my love to her”, Ayaan thought.
Mithun seemed to read his silence and patted his shoulder. “No one else would say this, but… you and Zara remind me of Rey and Vaishu. She loves you, Ayaan. She has already forgiven you but the hurt is deep, so forgetting will take time. Give her that. And don’t worry… I know you won’t mess up again. You’re just like Rey, learning the hard way. Once you learn, you never repeat.” Mithun said and Ayaan hugged him, emotions flooding his chest, grateful for the truth and the hope in Mithun’s words.
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