A month had passed since the family celebrated Rehan and Zavi’s first birthday. Zara had begun spending more time focusing on the business and even started visiting the office occasionally. Ayaan, meanwhile was immersed in the new food-processing venture he had announced months earlier. He mostly worked from home, stepping into the office only when meetings with experts or executive heads were unavoidable. Between them, one thing never changed and one of them always stayed with the children and cared for them completely.
Yet amid all this, Ayaan hadn’t forgotten the one person whose verdict was still pending.
Right after the government’s swearing-in ceremony, he had received a message from Nafel regarding their deal and a request from him for a meeting. Ayaan had refused firmly, stating they would meet only after a few months. He didn’t want even a hint of suspicion to arise.
He called for Sameer, who was now working under his mother and had been entrusted with an important role within the party. Sameer entered the study and greeted Ayaan with a smile.
“Sameer, I’ll speak to Mom and borrow you for a couple of days. Send a message to Nafel. Tell him we shall meet on the cruise but his arrival must remain a complete secret. If he agrees, schedule the meeting and inform me.” Ayaan said calmly.
Sameer nodded immediately and left the study.
Ayaan then walked into the bedroom and found Zara asleep, having dozed off while putting the kids down for their nap. Smiling softly, he carefully lifted Rehan and Zavi from the bed and walked out without disturbing her.
“Naughty little ones, Isn’t this your nap time after lunch? Your amma is exhausted but you two seem to have endless energy.” he murmured kissing their cheek.
He reached the main living room where Reyansh was reading a magazine. Seeing Ayaan with the kids, Reyansh closed his book and removed his reading glasses.
“Looks like they have decided to skip their nap,” Reyansh said with a fond smile.
Rehan immediately jumped onto Reyansh’s lap, reaching for his glasses. Laughing, Reyansh placed the book and glasses on the tea table and handed Rehan a toy lying on the couch.
Meanwhile, Zavi stood on the couch, holding the headrest for support and started bouncing with excitement.
“appaaaaa ” she squealed, spraying tiny droplets of spit across Ayaan’s face.
Ayaan wiped his face with his handkerchief which only made Zavi shriek louder in delight. He chuckled, scooped her into his lap and began tickling her. Her laughter echoed through the room and filled the manor with warmth.
Zara woke up in the evening and realized she was alone in the room. She realized, she must have dozed off while putting the kids to sleep. She quickly tied her hair into a bun and sat leaning against the headboard.
” I’m sure Ayaan would have arrived on time and taken them. God, what a horrible mother I am. Who falls asleep leaving two naughty kids alone in the room? ” she groaned.
She freshened up in a hurry and walked out in search of her husband and kids. When she reached the main living area, she saw Ishaan and Pari seated with coffee. They smiled the moment they saw her.
“Where are the little devils and their father?” Zara asked and both Ishaan and Pari chuckled at her words.
“They just went to the garden. Come join us for coffee,” Pari offered but Zara shook her head.
“I don’t want to ruin your romance. Go ahead. Let me go find the three musketeers,” she said and walked out quickly.
Reyansh and Vaishu were seated in the gazebo, sipping coffee. Zara greeted them and walked past them further into the garden. That’s when she spotted Rehan and Zavi, each holding a tiny watering can, carefully watering the saplings planted on their birthday.
It had become Ayaan’s routine to take the kids to the garden every day and let them water the plants on their own. The twins tilted the cans with utmost concentration, ensuring not to spill too much water.
Hearing footsteps, they looked up and immediately dropped the watering cans. They stretched their little hands toward their mother immediately.
Zara scooped both of them into her arms and showered their cheeks with kisses. “Little devils… I’m so sorry. Amma fell asleep,” she murmured.
Ayaan stood beside her with a smile. “Stop feeling guilty. I should have stayed, knowing how much these two munchkins would trouble you. But I came on time and took them out. They haven’t slept yet,” he said and Zara gasped.
Rehan tugged at her shirt, demanding to be fed. Ayaan immediately lifted him into his arms but Rehan began crying, wanting to be breastfed. Seeing him cry, Zavi started crying too.
“Now they will fall asleep once you feed them but they have been awake since morning and are already exhausted. So feed them first and later we shall go for a walk,” Ayaan said. He gently coaxed Zavi to come along for a short walk while Zara fed Rehan.
Zara settled on the couch in the area restricted to staff, ensuring complete privacy. She began feeding Rehan, who suckled as if he had been starving all day. Within minutes, he drifted off to sleep in her arms.
She called Ayaan and he let Zavi stand beside Zara. He lifted the sleeping Rehan carefully into his arms and sat next to Zara on the couch. He waited patiently until Zavi was fed as well. Soon, she too fell asleep, her tiny head resting peacefully.
Ayaan then called the nannies and instructed them to carry the kids to the nursery and stay by their side.
Ayaan intertwined his fingers with Zara’s and his thumb brushed slow, absent circles over her knuckles. They walked along the garden path, the evening breeze carried the faint scent of wet soil and flowers.
Zara leaned into him instinctively, resting her head against his shoulder. “I still feel terrible, falling asleep like that…” she murmured.
Ayaan stopped for a moment and turned her toward him. Lifting her chin gently, he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
“You are allowed to be tired. You give them your days, your nights… and your heart. Don’t punish yourself for being human.” he said quietly.
Her eyes softened and she smiled, her fingers tightened around his. “And you always arrive like a saviour.” she teased lightly.
He chuckled, pulling her closer as they resumed walking. They walked slowly, exchanging stolen glances and playful whispers. Ayaan brushed a stray curl behind her ear, his hand lingered a little longer than necessary.
For a few moments, it felt like the world had narrowed down to just the two of them and the steady comfort of each other’s presence.
By the time they turned back toward the gazebo, their steps were lighter, their hearts fuller, as if the walk had stitched a little more love into the space between them.
After dinner, Ayaan and Zara returned to the nursery looking for their kids. Ayaan received a message from Sameer informing him that Nafel had agreed to meet exactly thirty days later. Ayaan smiled, instantly understanding why Nafel had chosen that timeline and shook his head in quiet amusement.
Just then, his attention shifted to Rehan and Zavi, who were standing by the headboard of Rehan’s bed, holding onto it and jumping excitedly while making random noises. Ayaan lifted both kids and carried them to their bedroom. The moment they were placed on the bed, the twins began jumping, tumbling and bursting into laughter, thoroughly amused by their own little game of fun.
“Looks like we are staying awake tonight,” Ayaan mumbled and Zara chuckled as she climbed onto the bed.
Both Rehan and Zavi rushed toward her but Ayaan quickly scooped them up and made them sit on his stomach. Zavi toppled gently onto the bed and settled herself on the pillow between her parents.
Zara placed a doll in Zavi’s lap and gently patted its back. Zavi copied her actions earnestly and tried to put the doll to sleep.
“So how does Zavi sleep?” Ayaan asked playfully.
Zavi immediately closed her eyes and leaned her head against Ayaan, pretending to sleep, only to sit up straight the very next second and clap her hands in excitement.
Zara burst into laughter, while Ayaan rolled his eyes and turned his attention to Rehan who was busy exploring the tattoo of his mother’s face on his father’s chest.
“And how does Rehan sleep?” Ayaan tried again but Rehan simply shook his head firmly, refusing to cooperate.
With a resigned smile, Ayaan placed both Rehan and Zavi between them, pulled the comforter over all four of them and began narrating a story, hoping to lull them into calmness.
Every time Ayaan mentioned an animal, Rehan and Zavi enthusiastically attempted to mimic its sound. Ayaan finally dropped his head back in defeat.
“Rehan… Zavi… look at Amma. She’s sleeping. Don’t disturb her… shhh… shhh…” he whispered and Zara immediately closed her eyes, pretending to be fast asleep.
Zavi leaned closer, carefully touching Zara’s eyelids to check if she was truly sleeping, while Ayaan struggled to hold back his laughter. Rehan, however crawled over and poked his tiny finger, trying to pry her eyelid open.
Ayaan pulled them back and rubbed his beard against their cheeks. Their laughter echoed through the room.
Zara finally opened her eyes, knowing no trick was going to work. With a fond sigh both Ayaan and Zara gave in and chose to play with their little prince and princess, letting the night unfold in joy and chaos.
At around 1:30 a.m., the kids finally began to tire out and grew fussy with hunger. Zara fed them patiently and sometime between 2:30 and 3:00 a.m., they drifted into a deep sleep at last.
Exhausted, Zara let her head sink into the pillow. Ayaan gently caressed her hair with a fond smile playing on his lips.
“I love you, sweetheart. You are an amazing mother and an incredible wife. We are truly lucky to have you in our lives. Thank you, wifey,” he whispered and shifted closer to her, pulling her into his arms, offering the comfort and warmth she needed. As always, he sent a message instructing that he was not to be disturbed and then cuddled his wife close as they finally surrendered to sleep.
Two days later, Ayaan and Ishaan were in the study with Sameer and the CSO. The CSO placed a pen drive on the table before Ayaan. Sameer connected it to the television and Ayaan and Ishaan watched as photographs of newly recruited employees appeared on the screen, the staffs who had recently joined the cruise in maintenance, security and other departments.
The CSO explained the roles assigned to each of them.
Ayaan leaned back in his chair and chuckled softly. “Did Nafel really think we were fools like him? He actually believed we wouldn’t suspect him sending his men to check whether we are plotting against him,” he said and Ishaan smiled in agreement.
“He is monitoring for any activity involving Dario or his men on the cruise but our team has a clean and constant watch on every one of them.” the CSO explained.
Ayaan nodded slowly. “Let him live a little longer. Every day he breathes is only because we allow it.” he muttered with his teeth clenched.
“Calm down, Ayaan, just a little while more and then we shall have a wonderful time with our prey.” Ishaan said evenly and Ayaan hummed in agreement and nodded his head.
Ayaan dismissed the CSO and Sameer. Once they were gone, he turned his attention to Ishaan.
“We should plan a trip on the cruise with our family right after Nafel is taken care of. I have been waiting to take Zara and the kids on a trip for a long time now. We haven’t been on a proper vacation or even a honeymoon since we got married.” Ayaan said.
Ishaan smiled at his brother, “You haven’t gone on a honeymoon because of your own stupidity, but now you can finally plan one. As for the family vacation, we shall decide whether it happens before or after your trip.” he said.
Ayaan groaned but nodded in agreement.
The brothers then headed out of the study, retreating their wings for the day as they returned to their family.
Two days later, Suryadev was taken to the interrogation room late at night. He glanced around the room, it was completely empty. There was no chairs, no table, no officer waiting.
“Why have you brought me here at this hour? No investigation happens this late. Or is this some plan to kill me?” he demanded with irritation seeping into his voice.
The policemen offered no reply. They simply stepped out and the heavy door shut behind them with a metallic thud, leaving him alone.
Minutes later, the door opened again and Ayaan walked in and Sameer followed close behind.
Suryadev’s expression shifted instantly, he was shocked. A constable entered quietly and placed a chair in the center of the room for Ayaan and left.
Ayaan didn’t sit immediately. He scanned the room, then fixed his gaze on Suryadev.
“How are you, Suryadev?” he asked calmly but a faint mocking smile played on his lips.
Suryadev’s jaw tightened. “Why are you here? Aren’t you satisfied with what you’ve already done? You’ve ruined me ” he screamed.
In a flash, Ayaan stepped forward and struck him across the face. The sound echoed sharply against the bare walls. Before Suryadev could recover, Ayaan grabbed his collar and drove a punch straight into his face.
“How dare you speak to me in that tone? Be grateful you’re still breathing.” Ayaan’s voice was low, controlled far more dangerous than shouting.
He leaned closer gritting his teeth. “I don’t have all night, so listen carefully. Our lawyers are ready. Every crime you have committed over the years will be placed before the court with evidence. You will not drag Nafel into this. It will be you… and those terrorists you worked with. If you go against my word, I will dismantle everything you have built. Your businesses, your legacy, your name. I will erase it piece by piece. If you want history to remember that someone named Suryadev once existed, then do as I say.” Ayaan continued coldly and stepped back slightly.
“Confess. Accept your fate. Spend the rest of your life in prison. And maybe, just maybe I’ll consider sparing your family. “Am I clear?” Ayaan thundered and Suryadev nodded, trembling.
Ayaan turned to leave. He took a few steps toward the door then suddenly turned back and delivered one final, brutal punch.
Suryadev collapsed onto the floor, clutching his bleeding mouth, a broken tooth fell beside him.
“Remember that punch, when you step into the courtroom.” Ayaan said coldly.
Without another glance, he walked out. Sameer followed. The heavy door shut once more, leaving Suryadev alone, this time not with power, but with fear.
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