Reyansh, Vaishu and the family, who had received Sameer’s message immediately, rushed to the villa. They found the home manager and the maids sprinkling water on Zara’s face, trying desperately to wake her up.
Vaishu gathered Zara into her arms while Reyansh gently patted her cheek. “Zara, child… wake up. Ayaan is fine,” he said and sprinkled more water on her face.
Zara jolted awake with a gasp and the next second she was screaming, crying, her voice cracked with panic.
“Papa… please forgive me for everything I have done, but I want Ayaan. Please tell me he’s fine. I want to see him, Papa” she cried, collapsing in Vaishu’s embrace while Reyansh held her hand, stroking her head to calm her.
“Ayaan is fine. Nothing happened to him. Calm down, Zara,” Reyansh said gently. But Zara shook her head, stumbled to her feet and folded her hands before him like a desperate child.
“Please take me to him… I will die without him. Please, Papa,” she begged and sobbed uncontrollably.
Reyansh nodded immediately. “We will leave now. But please… stop crying,” he said softly and Zara wiped her cheeks quickly and looked up at him with the helpless, pleading eyes of a little girl.
The family got into the cars lined up outside and rushed toward the airport. Police and security had already strengthened their presence and the convoy was led straight to the FBO.
Zara kept sobbing and Pari forced her to drink water for the babies sake. Just then, Ishaan received a message from Sameer that the bullet had been removed and Ayaan was unconscious but safe and out of danger.
Ishaan placed a hand gently on Zara’s head and gave her a reassuring smile, “I spoke to Sameer. He confirmed Ayaan is fine,” he said and Zara nodded, tears spilling again, whispering a shaky, “Thank you…”
The hospital was now under heavy police protection and prayers from the public poured in continuously for Ayaan’s recovery and for the family to stay strong.
Every passing minute felt like torture, especially for Zara, who was dying inside with every heartbeat. She closed her eyes and prayed silently, desperately, pleading for him to be safe.
The family arrived at the hospital, where police and the guards arranged by the CSO had completely taken over security. Their presence formed a tight shield, ensuring the media couldn’t get anywhere near the Rey family.
Zara’s body trembled violently as Reyansh supported her and guided her carefully from the car to the elevator. Her muffled sobs grew louder with every passing second, her fear tightening around her chest like a vice.
The moment they entered Ayaan’s room, the entire family froze in shock.
Ayaan lay unconscious on the bed, his arm bandaged, monitors beeping steadily beside him. The sight of him, still, pale, wounded sent a shiver through everyone.
Zara clutched her baby bump protectively and rushed to him as fast as her shaking legs allowed. She touched his head with trembling fingers and broke down completely, sobbing hysterically.
“Madam, he is fine, he will wake up soon.” the doctor assured gently and Reyansh nodded gratefully thanking the doctor.
Vaishu and Reyansh stood on either side of the bed, their eyes brimming with tears as they looked at their son. Of all their children, Ayaan had suffered the most….pain after pain, betrayal after betrayal, one storm after another. And now this.
The doctor quietly stepped out to give the family privacy.
Ishaan immediately called the CSO. “Where is the man behind this? Did you get any information?” he asked, his voice was cold and sharp.
“Sir, the police at the airport apprehended him. He has been taken into custody at the station. We are waiting for further details.” the CSO replied.
“Talk to the commissioner and inform him we need every detail about that man before anything is released to the public,” Ishaan instructed firmly ending the call.
When he turned back toward his brother, his heart twisted painfully. Seeing Ayaan lying there wounded and unconscious was a sight he never wished to witness again.
The doctor requested that the family to wait in the VIP lounge but Zara refused to leave Ayaan’s side. Vaishu understood her pain and allowed her to stay, while the others stepped out of the room to give them space.
An hour later, Ayaan’s fingers twitched. His eyes fluttered open, hazy and unfocused from the anesthesia. He blinked slowly, trying to recognize his surroundings.
“…Ayaan,” Zara whispered, her voice trembled and a faint smile tugged at his lips at the sound of her calling him.
He swallowed, wincing slightly. “That idiot should’ve aimed for my heart, then you wouldn’t have to cry all your life because of me. I’m sorry… I’m just… rambling…. I…. I m not in my mind……” he murmured weakly and his words stabbed her like knives. Zara broke down even harder, her heart shattered hearing him speak like he didn’t deserve to live.
Finally as his vision steadied, the first thing he saw was her tear-streaked face hovering over him and he regretted saying those words seeing her cry for him while Zara shook her head violently. Her tears spilled faster as she cupped his face with trembling hands and kissed his forehead and eyes. Tears rolled down his eyes feeling her lips on his forehead.
“Ayaan… don’t say that. Don’t ever say that. I can’t live without you. I can’t breathe without you. When I saw the news… I felt like the world slipped away from under my feet. I’m sorry….. I’m sorry for hurting you… again and again. I’m sorry for doubting you, for bringing up your past, for tearing open wounds you were trying so hard to heal. I m sorry for everything ” she said and cried, lowering her forehead to his.
Her hand slid down to his bandaged arm and her touch was feather-light, terrified of hurting him.
“I don’t want to fight anymore. I don’t want this distance. I don’t want to lose you. I m tired of all this and we don’t deserve. Lets forget everything and I just want us, Ayaan… the way we were meant to be.” Zara said and Ayaan stared at her, stunned.
“I love you, Ayaan, I have always loved you… even when I was hurt, even when I was angry. I never stopped. And I don’t want to spend another second without fixing everything between us.” she confessed and kissed his forehead gently, her tears falling onto his skin.
“I want a fresh start… with you. No more past. No more pain. Just us and our babies. I can’t survive without you.” Zara said and Ayaan’s eyes softened, filled with emotion as he lifted his good hand to touch her cheek.
“Zara…” he whispered feeling overwhelmed.
“What am I supposed to do with you, sweetheart? You love me so much… you are so possessive and also stupidly blind that you don’t even realize you already own me completely. Please forgive me for everything ” he said and Zara smiled through her tears nodding her head.
“Why did you get down from the car? I clearly told you not to step out anywhere except your destination. You never listen to me, Ayaan… never.” Zara sobbed and her fingers curled into his shirt as fresh tears streamed down her cheeks.
“Didn’t you think of me? Of our family? Of our babies ? Before getting down… did you even think what I would do without you if something happened to you? ” she cried, hitting his chest gently, careful not to hurt him. Her words cracked in the middle, every syllable soaked in fear and love.
“Stop crying, Zara… or our babies will learn only that from you. Let them see the real you, the strong woman who survived everything life threw at her. Teach our babies all the beautiful things you carry inside you… because I know I lack most of them.” he said with a chuckle and moved a strand of hair behind her ear.
“I love you, Zara… love you so much. You are my home,” Ayaan whispered and Zara’s lips curved into a trembling smile. Finally….finally they had spoken, broken the wall, and fixed everything between them.
Ayaan slowly moved his hand to her bump and smiled when he felt a tiny kick.
“Did you both take care of Mama when she was scared? You have to be brave like her, hmm? Inherit all her qualities… then I’m sure you’ll grow into a wonderful human.” he murmured softly.
Zara placed her hand gently over his, her heart full and shook her head.
“Our babies will carry qualities from both of us, stubborn enough to be patient and win what they want… humble and polite enough to apologize when they are wrong… and strong enough to fight the world for love and family just like their father.” she said softly.
Ayaan lifted her hand and pressed a gentle kiss to her knuckles, his eyes warm with emotion.
“I’ll go call our family. The doctor asked everyone to wait in the VIP room, so they left me here with you. They must be waiting to see you,” she said and hurried to the door.
The moment she opened it, she saw Sameer standing guard outside. She passed on the news with a relieved smile and returned to Ayaan, immediately taking his hand again as if she couldn’t bear to let go.
The whole family entered the room and Zara quietly stepped aside to give them space. Vaishu hugged Ayaan tightly, while Reyansh touched his head with all the love and worry of a father as tears brimmed his eyes.
“I’m fine, there was no need for anesthesia to remove the bullet, but doctor said it was dad’s order. It’s just a minor injury we can go home already.” Ayaan said, trying to reassure them.
Ishaan gently touched the bandage on his arm, examining it carefully and shook his head.
“We’ll stay for at least a day,” he said firmly and Ayaan didn’t argue, knowing everyone had been terrified.
Ishika sat on the bed holding Ayaan’s hand and her lips trembled seeing him. Her tears spoke volumes of her pain she felt for her younger brother. She pressed her lips to Ayaan’s forehead and he wiped her tears knowing how scared she must have been.
” Don’t be scared and stop crying sissy, I m perfectly fine ” he said and Ishika bobbed her head. She returned to Reyansh and hugged him sobbing silently. Reyansh took a deep breathe and caressed her hair to console her as they watched Adhvika and Pari talk to Ayaan.
“Zara fainted when she heard the news,” Pari said softly and Ayaan’s head snapped toward Zara instantly.
“Zara, you didn’t tell me this. Call the doctor. I want you checked right now.” His voice hardened with worry and Zara gave him a small smile, touched by his protectiveness.
“I’m completely fine, Ayaan. So calm down, if you want to get discharged tomorrow.” she said and he nodded reluctantly, but his eyes never left her for even a second.
“I think we should leave, he has eyes only for his wife.” Pari teased, grinning and Ayaan rolled his eyes.
Pari quickly leaned closer to Ishaan, who was already holding her hand and Ishaan caught the teasing look in Ayaan’s eyes.
At night, Zara sat beside Ayaan and fed him dinner. He couldn’t take his eyes off her for even a second. He had missed her, the way she cared for him so openly, the way she met his gaze without hesitation… the way she fed him with such tenderness.
“Tell me this is real, Zara, Will you let me hug you? Just once?” he whispered and his voice was laced with yearning.
Zara set the plate on the table and opened her arms for him. Ayaan immediately leaned into her, burying himself in her warmth, seeking the comfort he had craved for so long. Zara wrapped her arms around him, holding him close and her fingers gently ruffled his hair.
“I love you,” they whispered at the same time.
Zara smiled softly and resumed feeding him, their hearts were finally at peace.
In the morning, Ayaan woke up to find Zara curled up on the spare bed he had arranged for her. A soft smile tugged at his lips as he remembered how stubborn she had been the previous night and insisted she wouldn’t leave him alone and stayed back with him.
The door opened quietly, and Ishaan stepped in. He took one look at the two of them and let out a chuckle as he sat beside Ayaan.
“You both are impossible…and you absolutely deserve each other. Just look at her,” Ishaan teased.
Zara stirred at the muffled voices and slowly blinked awake. She found Ayaan and Ishaan deep in conversation.
“Good morning, sweetheart,” Ayaan said and immediately got off the bed. Ignoring her warning not to strain his injured arm, he wrapped it gently around her shoulders and helped her sit up, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
“Ayaan… Ishu bro is right here,” she muttered.
Ayaan clicked his tongue. “As if he doesn’t kiss his wife.”
Zara rolled her eyes and got off the bed and Ishaan only shook his head with a laugh.
A little later, the family arrived and Vaishu lovingly fed breakfast to both Ayaan and Zara, fussing over them as if they were children. When the doctor came in for the final check, he examined Ayaan’s arm carefully.
“Everything looks good. You’re free to go home today,” the doctor said with a smile and relief washed over everyone.
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A/N:
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