Ayaan shut his eyes tightly as if that could silence the storm raging inside him but sleep didn’t come. It hadn’t for years. He lay awake, staring into the dark, hours dragging by. And then, a piercing scream tore through the silence.
Ayaan bolted upright, breath lodging in his throat.
Zara was trembling on the couch, her body curled and drenched in sweat.
“No… no… let me go. Don’t touch me… let me go” she cried, thrashing violently.
Ayaan froze for a second, shocked by the raw terror on her face. When he rushed toward her, another scream ripped out of her, louder, more desperate.
“DON’T TOUCH ME… nooooooo!”
Her hands searched frantically for something beside her, reaching out blindly as if seeking an anchor one Ayaan didn’t understand.
“What the hell…? She doesn’t want to be touched? Is she dreaming of me touching her? Did I cause this? Did I traumatize her this badly?” he whispered, panic rising in him, he dragged his hands through his hair, horror twisting inside him as her breathing worsened.
She was having a full-blown panic attack and that broke him. She was about to slip the couch but he rushed to her again and grabbed her hands gently.
“Zara, I’m sorry… please. Open your eyes. Look at me. Wake up, Zara,” he pleaded, patting her cheek softly.
The moment she felt him, she collapsed into his chest as if her body recognized him before her mind did. Her cheek burrowed against his heart and she clung to his T-shirt with a desperate, trembling fist like her very life depended on holding him.
Ayaan’s throat burned. Tears prickled his eyes as he saw her silent tears slide down to her temples.
” If this nightmare was because of me… then why does she calm down in my arms? Why does she seek me? What the hell is happening to her… and to me ? ” he thought and held her instinctively, protectively like he would fall apart if he let go.
Her breathing slowly steadied. Her body softened. And then he heard her.
“Ayaan… I love you…” she mumbled weakly, repeating it like a prayer until her breaths finally fell into a soft rhythm.
Ayaan’s heart clenched painfully.
“Fuck you, Ayaan,” he whispered bitterly to himself and lifting her carefully he carried her to the bed. Her grip was so tight he didn’t even try to pry her off, instead, he lay beside her, letting her curl into him. He wrapped an arm around her because she wouldn’t let go and because he didn’t want her to.
His mind wouldn’t stop.
” Could she really be innocent?
But she’s his daughter…
How did she end up in front of my car that night? That wasn’t a coincidence.
And how did she fall in love with me without ever meeting me?
She fell unconscious that night… everything points to her involvement in the blast.
Unless… unless there’s something I’m missing. I know she broke the walls I had built over the years but what is this I feel for her ? “
Questions kept flooding him… but for the first time in years, they didn’t suffocate him instead. Zara’s warmth in his arms soothed every jagged edge inside him. He didn’t fight the feeling, he didn’t push her away, he simply held her and let his eyes fall shut.
For one fragile moment, the past was silent. The past, the pain, the loss, the revenge…. everything blurred away. That night, she wasn’t his enemy whom he wanted to ruin, they weren’t tied by lies or vengeance.
They were just two broken souls who, without realizing it, had begun stitching their shattered pieces together, one fragile piece at a time.
It was 12:10 p.m. the next day and for the first time in what felt like forever, both Ayaan and Zara were lost in a deep, peaceful sleep, clinging to each other as if their bodies had forgotten how to be apart.
Zara’s face was nestled against his chest, her fist still gripping his T-shirt from last night. Ayaan’s arm was wrapped firmly around her waist, holding her close, his chin resting gently on the crown of her head. Their legs were tangled beneath the sheets, breaths syncing unconsciously.
No one dared to disturb the newlyweds. All the maids and staff remained on the ground floor, knowing they were forbidden from entering the private floor unless Ayaan himself opened the door. Cleaning was allowed only when he was awake.
Reyansh, Vaishu, Ishaan, and Pari had come over to check on the newlyweds. When they learned that Ayaan and Zara hadn’t shown up for breakfast, Vaishu and Pari decided to wake them.
The door was ajar and they paused at the sight before them.
Ayaan and Zara, curled into each other like they were made to fit that way. Pari pressed a hand to her mouth, smiling softly. Vaishu ‘s eyes warmed instantly. They had never seen Ayaan sleep so peacefully.
Vaishu knocked lightly on the doorframe.
Ayaan stirred first, a frown forming immediately, ready to snap at whoever dared to interrupt his rare sleep. But the moment he saw his mother and Pari standing there, he blinked fully awake.
And then he realized he was cuddling Zara. Holding her as if he couldn’t survive the night without her warmth.
Vaishu tapped her watch with a teasing smile before quietly closing the door, leaving them alone.
Ayaan looked down at the woman in his arms. Then at the clock stunned. Four hours had been his maximum sleep in years and now he had slept a full twelve hours without even realizing it.
“What are you doing to me, Mrs. Ayaan? “ he wondered, his gaze softening with a smile.
A part of him wanted to pull her closer and fall back asleep, just a few more minutes of peace he hadn’t known in years. But with family downstairs, he forced himself to move.
He gently shook Zara and the first word that slipped from her sleepy lips was “Ayaan…”
His heart stuttered, for the second time in twelve hours… she weakened him without even trying.
Zara blinked awake and found Ayaan watching her. For a heartbeat she smiled, as if her mind had erased everything that had happened between them. But the moment shattered like a fragile bubble, and the smile faded instantly. Realizing the way they were lying, she scrambled away from him, turning her face aside.
“I’m sorry… please forgive me. How did I end up in the bed? Never mind, I’m really sorry. It won’t happen again,” she whispered, not daring to meet his eyes. She started to get off the bed, but Ayaan caught her wrist, tugging her back and leaning over her, his finger slowly tracing the curve of her cheek.
“I apologized… even though I have no idea how I ended up in your bed. So please… let me go,” Zara said and tried to push him.
Ayaan didn’t answer. Lost in the softness of her face, he leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, then to her eyelids. Zara’s heart twisted painfully, she thought he was punishing her by pretending, imagining she was his first love.
“So he couldn’t wait even a minute… he’s already started ruining me again” , she thought, eyes shutting tightly as her chest tightened with hurt.
Ayaan wiped her tears with his thumb, his touch unexpectedly tender, before lying beside her, still watching her closely.
“Mom and Pari saw us exactly how they want us to be for the rest of our lives. They’re waiting for us in the living room. I don’t know who else has come, but I’m sure you know what you’re supposed to do. No slip of the tongue about what’s going on between us. Because if they find out you’re behind what we lost all these years… they’ll hate you more than they love you now.” he said quietly.
Zara nodded quickly, swallowing her pain and stepped off the bed. Without another word, she walked toward the washroom.
Zara stepped out of the washroom in a robe just as Ayaan walked in to shower. When he came out a few minutes later with a towel slung low around his waist, he froze.
Zara stood before the mirror, wrapped in a blue saree that made her look almost ethereal. She had drawn all her hair over one shoulder, the deep-cut blouse exposing the elegant line of her back. The spell broke when she casually flipped her hair to the back and applied lip gloss, completely unaware of the man watching her with a hunger that twisted through him.
Ayaan let out a low grunt without realizing it.
Zara startled and their eyes meeting for a brief, electric moment before she quickly looked away and slipped out of the walk-in closet, giving him space to dress.
Ayaan emerged moments later, wearing a blue shirt that matched her saree perfectly. Zara was waiting for him. Without a word, he interlaced their fingers and together they walked downstairs.
They were greeted by the sight of his parents, Ishaan, and Pari chatting animatedly.
“Hello everyone,” Ayaan said with a bright smile and Zara mirrored it flawlessly as they stepped into the room. Ishaan shot his brother a teasing grin while Pari let out a playful whistle, arching her brows.
“I just wanted to check how you’re treating my daughter,” Reyansh said, crossing his arms in mock seriousness.
Ayaan rolled his eyes. “You could’ve at least pretended you came for lunch, Dad. Come on, my wife and I are starving.”
Zara hugged Reyansh and Vaishu, receiving their blessings. Ishaan placed his hand firmly on her head like an elder brother, while Pari nudged her shoulder with a teasing grin.
Zara maintained her perfect, happy-wife act as they all walked to the dining room. The maids began serving as Ayaan and Zara took their seats beside each other.
“Dad, Zara has quit her job. And before you go all alpha on me, this was her choice. You’re welcome to talk to her… after lunch.” Ayaan said casually.
Reyansh gave his son a suspicious, narrowed look but said nothing.
Ayaan fed Zara in between bites and the simple act melted everyone’s heart. After lunch, they returned to the living room. Reyansh wasted no time.
“Zara, why did you quit your job? I thought you would stop being his PA and start working as his business partner, Why this sudden decision ? ” he asked warmly.
Zara didn’t even glance at Ayaan. She smiled at Reyansh with quiet confidence.
“Thank you, Papa, for believing in me… but I think Ayaan and I need some time for ourselves. To focus on our personal life. He’s been working nonstop, giving too much of himself to business. So, he’s decided to work from home now. I quit to give us both some breathing space. I don’t regret it… I’ve always wanted a normal life and I want to cherish it.” She lied so effortlessly that even Ayaan was momentarily stunned but he quickly masked it.
“I hope that satisfies you, Dad. You can trust me with your daughter. She’s happiest with me. Right, Zara?” Ayaan said, wrapping his arm around Zara. He winked at her and Zara gave a shy smile, humming softly.
Vaishu, hugged them both with excitement.
“So what about your honeymoon plans?” Pari asked suddenly, catching them off-guard.
Ayaan recovered first. “I’m planning something special. It’ll be a surprise. Let’s not discuss it now.”
Zara managed a small smile, though her thoughts were far from calm, “Why would he take me on a honeymoon… when he’s busy planning to destroy me? “
Soon after the family left the villa, Ayaan retreated to his study. The memory of Zara’s panic attack clung to his mind like a shadow he couldn’t shake off. His chest felt tight, restless, unsettled.
Without hesitation, he dialed his CSO and the call was answered on the very first ring.
“Sir, I didn’t want to disturb you so I’ve been waiting for your call.” the CSO said.
Ayaan didn’t waste a second. “What did you find on her laptop and mobile?” he asked instantly.
“Sir, there’s nothing suspicious. I scanned everything—files, apps, even recovered deleted data. It’s all work-related. The only personal file is the photo we already retrieved.” the CSO replied.
Ayaan’s jaw tightened, irritation flaring, “What the hell? How is that possible? There has to be something.”
“Sir…” the CSO hesitated, then continued, “I did find something else. A few medical records.”
Ayaan stilled hearing his words. Shock rippled through him, freezing him mid-breath.
” Medical records?” he mumbled.
“Yes, sir… medical records. I contacted the hospital and spoke to the doctor to get a clear understanding. He confirmed that she has been battling depression and experiencing panic attacks. This was years ago. He had prescribed medication, but she never returned for follow-ups after that.” the CSO said.
Ayaan went still, shock tearing through him.
“What… what is the date she visited him?” he asked, though a cold dread had already begun to claw at his chest.
The moment the CSO mentioned the date, Ayaan’s fingers trembled. His throat tightened. Without another word, he cut the call. He rushed out of his study, his steps uneven, breaths sharp. He didn’t even bother informing anyone. He got into his car and sped off, his mind spiraling with every passing second.
He reached the apartment where Zara had lived before moving into the manor. He unlocked the door with the key and hurried straight to her bedroom. He pulled open the drawer beside her bed, frantic, desperate and then he froze.
Inside were boxes of tablets, the same tablets he had been consuming for his own attacks. Ayaan’s breath left him in a harsh exhale on seeing them.
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A/N:
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