Zara felt someone shaking her gently, followed by a soft kiss on her forehead. She whined and refused to wake up until she felt a peck on her lips. She smiled but stubbornly kept her eyes closed.
Ayaan leaned in and kissed her deeply. This time she had no choice but to wake up and her arms instinctively wrapped around his neck.
Ayaan pulled back with a smile.
“Why did you wake me now?” she mumbled, pulling him into another kiss which he gladly returned. When they parted, he kissed her eyelids tenderly.
“Happy birthday, Zara,” he whispered and Zara froze, her smile vanished instantly. Tears welled up and rolled to the corners of her eyes, which Ayaan quickly wiped away.
“Birthday? You… you mean my birthday? But… how did you know, Ayaan? I don’t know my birthday ” she whispered looking at him confused.
Instead of answering immediately, Ayaan helped her sit up against the headboard. Only then did Zara notice the room decorated with flowers, candles glowing softly and a cake placed beautifully on the table.
“I found out from the home. They keep records of the children whose birth dates were known. And for those without records, they assume the day they arrived as their birthday. For you… your father had given your birth date when he left you at the home.” Ayaan said gently.
Zara’s breath hitched and she hugged him tightly, burying her face in the crook of his neck. Ayaan felt her tears and pulled back, wiping them tenderly.
“Don’t cry, sweetheart. You’ve cried enough for a lifetime. I don’t want to see you cry anymore,” he whispered before lifting her and carried her to the couch.
They sat side by side and Zara cut the cake with a small smile. Ayaan fed her the first bite and she fed him next. Then he handed her a gift box.
Zara opened it and found an album with her photograph on the cover.
“Is this another wedding album?” she asked, puzzled but Ayaan only shrugged playfully.
Zara opened the album… and froze. The first page held a photo of a baby…..her. She flipped through the pages, finding pictures of herself as a little girl in school uniform, as a teenager, a college student and even photos of the Rey family with her seamlessly included among them.
“Ayaan… how did you get all this?” she asked, stunned.
“I got one of your photos from the home. Using that, I created a baby version of you. They also had a few school photos and one from college. And since you’re a part of our family, it’s only fair that you’re in our memories too so I used AI to recreate an album for you. Do you like it?” he asked and Zara answered by kissing his cheek firmly.
Ayaan then handed her an envelope. Zara opened it and gasped. Inside was an old, worn piece of paper with two names and a date. Her father’s name, her name and her birth date written below them.
“This is the paper your father left in your bag along with a few clothes. He left you at the home at night while you were asleep. They kept this safe all these years… and I got it for you.” Ayaan said softly.
Zara pressed the paper to her chest, tears flowing again, this time from a place deep, nostalgic, and aching. She hugged Ayaan tightly, holding on to him as if anchoring herself to the love she finally had.
“Let’s sleep. We have a lot planned for tomorrow,” he said and carried her back to the bed. Ayaan hugged her from behind and Zara drifted off with her mind buzzing with curiosity. This was the first time she truly knew her birthdate and Ayaan had already made it unforgettable.
Zara woke early the next morning, excited like a little girl on her birthday. She turned and shook Ayaan. He groaned sleepily, trying to pull her into his arms but paused when the baby bump pressed between them.
“Ayaan, wake up,” she insisted, shaking him again.
Ayaan finally sat up, rubbing his eyes. “What happened, Zara? Are you hungry?”
She shook her head with an adorable pout. “It’s six… so let’s get ready,” she said, biting her lip and smiling. Her excitement was unmistakable.
Ayaan chuckled softly and helped her to the washroom. They bathed together, wrapped in gentle intimacy and stepped out wearing robes when Ayaan handed her a shopping bag.
Zara nearly jumped with excitement and Ayaan steadied her quickly. Inside the bag was a stunning designer maternity gown, a beautiful saree and an exquisite set of diamond jewelry from the latest collection.
“Happy birthday,” Ayaan whispered, helping her dress in the saree he chose for her.
He then got ready himself, wearing a shirt that matched hers. Together they walked to the living area and Zara stopped, stunned. The entire villa was decorated beautifully. Staff members lined up and greeted her one by one, each handing her a flower. Zara cherished all of them, placing the flowers carefully in a vase.
Ayaan led her to the dining table next. The table was filled with dishes and Zara felt full just looking at the spread. Ayaan served her a plate and fed her gently, bit by bit, despite her playful protests.
“Now, are you ready for your next surprise, my lady?” Ayaan asked, extending his hand and Zara happily placed her hand in his, her eyes sparkling with excitement. They walked out together and got into Ayaan’s car. With guards following behind, they headed toward the beach house. But the moment they arrived, Ayaan handed her a mask.
“Wear this, and get into the SUV.” he said and Zara’s excitement only grew. She quickly slipped on the mask and climbed into the normal SUV with him. This time, no guards followed them. Ayaan drove quietly, enjoying her anticipation.
When he finally parked at a mall, Zara’s eyes widened in shock.
“Ayaan… what are we doing here? People might recognize and there would be a chaos ” she whispered in disbelief but he only smiled and held her hand as he guided her to a theatre. The hall was dark and Ayaan led her to the corner seats he had reserved.
“Don’t worry, we have guards disguised among the audience. Nothing will happen. Relax and enjoy the movie.” he whispered and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. During the break, one of the disguised guards came to them with snacks and ice cream before quietly returning to his seat.
Zara felt overwhelmed with happiness of being in public, watching a movie with Ayaan like a normal couple. She turned to him and kissed his cheek, unable to hide her excitement.
When the movie ended, they waited until everyone left. Only then did Ayaan take her out and lead her back to their car.
“Oh my god, Ayaan, please pinch me. Tell me we really watched a movie in a theatre… in public ” Zara exclaimed, breathless with joy.
Ayaan cupped her nape and kissed her deeply. “Does that feel real enough?” he murmured against her lips and Zara slapped his arm playfully.
Ayaan continued to drive and after a while, Zara noticed the familiar road and shook her head. “Ayaan, stop kidding. Let’s go home,” she said tugging on his sleeve.
But he was already pulling in front of the chaat shop she had been craving for weeks.
An elderly man was making chaats. Ayaan wore a mask, helped Zara adjust hers and let her stay safely inside the car. He ordered one serving of every chaat on the menu and carried them to the backseat.
He paid the old man and returned to the car. Zara had already picked one up and was relishing it with an involuntary moan.
“That moan is supposed to be for me, not the chaat,” Ayaan muttered, making her blush. She fed him a bite to pacify him.
Ayaan watched quietly, patiently, while Zara ate to her heart’s content. Once she was done, he noticed half the snacks still untouched. He handed them to the guards who were following on bikes and those stationed discreetly near the shop.
“Let’s go home. My sweetheart and our babies need some rest before the next surprise,” Ayaan said and Zara nodded happily, like an obedient little girl basking in all the love. They reached the villa and Ayaan carried her to their room. He made sure she drank juice before tucking her in. Only after she was asleep did he sit on the couch to go through the reports Sameer had sent.
By evening, Ayaan gently woke her up. “Come on, love. Let’s get ready. Before that, tell me, what do you want to do?” he said softly.
Zara leaned her head on his shoulder, “I want to meet Mama, Papa and our family. My day will be complete if I meet them. I don’t need anything else,” she said and Ayaan smiled warmly, kissing the top of her head.
An hour later, they were on the way to the manor and Zara could barely sit still.
“Ayaan, did you tell them it’s my birthday? Should I ask Mama to make my favorite sweet? I can’t bend to touch their feet… so what should I do? And I’ll tell Ved and Saanvi it’s my birthday”, she was ranting nonstop, glowing with excitement and Ayaan couldn’t take his eyes off her.
When they reached the manor, guards opened the door. Ayaan helped Zara out and held her hand, leading her inside.
The moment she stepped into the living room, Zara gasped seeing the entire space decorated with flowers and the whole family was already waiting for her.
Reyansh and Vaishu hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead. Everyone else followed, including Ved and Saanvi, who clung to her legs and wished her loudly.
Vaishu called the home manager and the chef served Zara’s favorite sweet prepared by Vaishu herself.
“Mama… you made this?” Zara asked, tears filling her eyes.
“Of course I made it. Today is my daughter’s birthday. I wouldn’t miss cooking her favorite dish.” Vaishu replied with a smile.
Zara looked at Ayaan, overwhelmed and he was already looking at her with the same softness in his eyes.
Ishaan and Pari gifted her a shopping bag and Vaishu gave her a few jewel boxes.
“These belonged to your grandmother, I mean my mother-in-law. I’ve given some to Pari and now these are for you. Get ready for the party, my child.” Vaishu said gently and Zara hugged her tightly.
Pari led Zara to a room where her stylist was already waiting. Two hours later, Pari and Zara walked into the ballroom.
Ayaan, dressed in a black tux, froze looking at her. Zara looked breathtaking in a burgundy gown, adorned with exclusive diamond jewelry. Her cheeks glowed softly and her hair, curled beautifully, was pinned with a diamond brooch.
Ayaan walked up to her, unable to look away and wrapped his arm around her waist.
“You look beautiful, Zara,” he whispered kissing her cheek.
They walked forward to the enormous cake. Zara cut it and fed the first pieces to Vaishu, Reyansh, and then Ayaan. After that, she fed the rest of the family one by one.
Ishaan and Pari gifted her the latest Rolls-Royce model. Mithun and Kajal presented her with diamond bangles. Reyansh gifted her the papers of a few properties. Ved and Saanvi proudly gave her a handmade family drawing.
Ayaan then signaled the CSO and within minutes, guards carried in a raised platform and placed it in the ballroom.
“Mom, Dad, Mithun Uncle, Kajal Aunty, Grandma and Grandpa, please step onto the platform. My wife wanted to touch all your feet for blessings but she can’t bend now. So instead, you can stand here and make it easier for her.” Ayaan announced and everyone including Zara gasped in surprise before the room erupted in laughter.
Still, they lovingly followed his request. They all stood on the platform and Zara touched every pair of feet one by one, receiving blessings from all of them.
The lights dimmed just enough to create a golden glow. The ballroom came alive with soft music, clinking glasses and dinner. Zara continued chatting with Saanvi and Pari when she suddenly felt a familiar warmth at her back. Ayaan slid his hand around her waist.
“Dance with me, birthday girl,” he whispered and Zara’s eyes widened. “Ayaan, everyone is watching…”
“And? You’re my wife,” he said, gently pulling her toward the dance floor.
The lights dimmed further and a soft romantic instrumental filled the room. Ayaan placed one hand on her waist and laced their fingers with the other. Zara rested her other hand on his chest and they swayed slowly.
” Are you happy?” he whispered and Zara nodded her head. “I’m overflowing,” she murmured.
“Good. I want every birthday of yours to be ten times happier than this.” he replied and kissed her forehead.
When the music shifted, Reyansh pulled Vaishu to the floor, Ishaan twirled Pari, even Hari Narayan danced with Leela. The ballroom turned into a swirl of family joy.
As the clock neared midnight, Ayaan gently insisted they return to their room in the manor, leaving the rest of the family to continue the party. When they entered their room, the soft lights made everything feel warm and private.
Zara feeling overwhelmed kissed him softly, full of emotion. Ayaan held her carefully, returning the kiss before lifting her into his arms. Zara curled against him as he carried her to the walk-in closet.
He set her down gently and helped her change out of the heavy gown. Once they were dressed in something comfortable, he lifted her again and carried her back to the bed, settling down with her on his lap and Zara watched him with more warmth than words could hold.
“You treat me like I m something precious,” she whispered.
“You are,” he replied, pressing a gentle kiss to her shoulder and Zara shivered, leaning closer into him.
He lay back with her in his arms, one hand under her head and the other over her bump. Zara rested her hand on his chest, drifting closer. Ayaan kissed her softly and then rested his forehead against hers.
“You must be tired, love. Rest now,” he whispered gently.
Zara curled into him, her breathing turning soft. Ayaan watched her a moment longer, kissed her forehead.
“Happy birthday, my love.” he whispered and they fell asleep wrapped in each other’s warmth.
***********************
A/N:
Please like and comment
Take care and Thank you
