A week passed since her birthday and Ayaan, Zara were walking in the garden, their fingers intertwined, when Zara suddenly slowed down. The weight of carrying twins was exhausting her and she gently stopped him. Ayaan understood immediately and without a word, he scooped her into his arms and carried her to the couch inside the gazebo.
He called the home manager to bring juice, then lifted Zara’s feet onto his lap. Removing her flip-flops, he began pressing her toes and ankles, trying to ease the strain and swelling.
Just then, Sameer approached. The moment Zara saw him, she quickly pulled her legs away from Ayaan’s lap despite his attempt to keep her comfortable.
“Sir, madam’s campaign plan is ready. We have received reports from all the state secretaries about the current and future requirements in their constituencies. Five members from each constituency will accompany madam during her campaign and as you instructed, there will be no roadshows……. only public meetings. Once you approve this, I’ll forward it to madam and the party head.” Sameer said and placed a file before Ayaan. “
“What happened to the case? It’s already been a month, Sameer,” Zara asked.
“Yes, madam. He has confirmed the name. But there’s a lot of pressure from Suryadev since his party is already drowning in scandals. This would be another blow and it may give madam and her party grounds to demand his resignation. Ayaan sir has spoken to the CBI director and even Rey sir has spoken on his behalf. So the news should be out in a day or two.” He said and smiled reassuringly.
Zara nodded, processing the update.
Once Sameer left, a maid placed juice and snacks on the table and quietly retreated, giving the couple their privacy.
“I already feel exhausted… what would happen in the next three months? Can we do some magic and skip ahead so we can finally reach the time to give birth to our babies?” Zara giggled as Ayaan helped her sip the juice.
“You are carrying twins and you are a little weak so of course you feel exhausted but don’t worry, I’m here. And yes, it would be wonderful if we could use magic to skip time so you don’t have to endure all this pain to bring our babies into the world.” Ayaan said gently.
But Zara shook her head with a soft smile. ” I was just kidding. I want to feel every pain, Ayaan. I don’t want to miss anything that’s real in motherhood. I want to feel the bond through blood and tears.” she said and Ayaan felt the depth of her longing, the way she yearned for every bit of love and connection life had ever denied her. He leaned closer and kissed her forehead.
“Will you be with me in the room when I give birth to our son and daughter ?” Zara asked quietly.
Ayaan pinched her nose affectionately. “I won’t leave you alone even for a second, sweetheart. I may not be able to take your pain, but I’ll be right there letting you give me some of it. Hold my hand, break my bones if you have to… you can even bite my palm till it bleeds, I’m not going anywhere. I still can’t forget the day we found that we are having a son and a daughter. God has blessed us equally and I can’t wait for the day to carry them in my arms ” he replied and Zara melted into him, leaning on his shoulder and snuggled close.
” But I guessed right that we could have a little Ayaan and a little Zara ” Zara said and Ayaan kissed the top of her head and stroked her arm gently, holding her as if she were the most precious thing in his world.
The next day, Ayaan and Zara arrived at the hospital for their monthly check-up. Zara was asked to lie on the bed for the ultrasound and Ayaan sat beside her on a stool, holding her hand. Both their eyes stayed fixed on the monitor.
As the doctor moved the transducer over her abdomen, the babies appeared on the screen…. their tiny movements, tiny limbs, their little world alive in shades of grey.
“Your boy is doing perfectly fine and his growth matches 29 weeks. Your girl weighs a little less, but not enough to be a risk. It’s common with twins. You still have nine to ten weeks to go, so don’t worry. Stick to your nutrition chart, avoid stress completely and I’ll recommend a yoga trainer for your birthing classes.” the doctor said.
Zara’s fingers tightened around Ayaan’s hand and he immediately squeezed back, reassuring her silently.
Once they reached the car, Zara rested her head on his shoulder as worry clouded her eyes.
“Zara, stop worrying, didn’t you hear the doctor? It’s normal. Our daughter is fine, just a little smaller than her brother. Both our babies will be strong… just like us.” Ayaan said softly and kissed her temple gently.
“I want to meet Mama,” Zara whispered and Ayaan paused, thinking over her words.
“I’ll take care of you but we can even shift to the manor if you want to stay with the family. Whatever makes you feel better, Zara.” he said but Zara shook her head lightly. “Maybe after a month.” she replied and Ayaan nodded his head.
He immediately called his mother, asking her to visit.
Ayaan and Zara reached the villa and noticed Rey’s car parked in the porch. Zara smiled instantly and the moment they stepped inside, Vaishu and Reyansh welcomed them with warm hugs.
Ayaan explained what the doctor had said and Vaishu held Zara’s hand reassuringly.
“It’s nothing to worry about, Zara. Ishi weighed less than Ishu when they were born,” Vaishu said gently and Zara’s shoulders relaxed hearing her words.
“Ishu was tiny… but Ishi was even smaller. I was the first one to hold them when they were born. Feels like yesterday. I used to come home and they would wait awake just to play with me.” Reyansh said reminiscing the day they were born and Zara listened with a soft smile.
Ayaan glanced down at his arms, as if mentally calculating how he would hold both their babies at once. Zara noticed the way he stared, lost in thought.
“Go rest, dear. I’ll cook for you,” Vaishu said and Ayaan led Zara to their bedroom.
Zara stepped into the closet to change while Ayaan remained in the room. When she came out dressed in a comfortable maternity gown, she stopped and smiled.
Ayaan stood frozen, holding two cushions in his arms as though they were newborns. His hands were trembling. When he looked at her, fear flickered through his eyes.
“Zara… I’m scared after hearing Dad talk about the twins. Do you think I’ll be a good father? What if I mess up like I messed up our lives? What if I don’t understand them… or their needs? What if I fail? What if they hate me?” he confessed, his voice cracked and his eyes brimmed with tears.
Zara gently removed the cushions from his hands and opened her arms. Ayaan immediately understood and scooped her up carefully, holding her close as she wrapped her arms around him.
She cupped his face softly and pressed a loving kiss to his forehead.
“Now you are carrying me, Ayaan and you do it casually like you lift your dumbbells at the gym,” Zara teased and pinched his cheek. “Tell me, have you ever been scared you might drop me? What would you do if you accidentally did?” she asked and Ayaan’s eyes widened, his arms tightened around her instantly.
“Zara, what nonsense? Why would I drop you? I could walk with my eyes closed and you would still be safe in my arms.” he said and Zara laughed softly and pecked his lips.
“You are not carrying just me, Ayaan. You are carrying me and our babies. Your instincts kick in naturally. You are protective without even realizing it. And when they are born, your fatherly instincts will come just as naturally. You’ll understand their cries, their needs… everything.” Zara said gently and Ayaan nodded slowly, taking in her words but then suddenly frowned.
“Our babies won’t cry for anything. We shall give them everything in the world.” he said looking at her and Zara knocked his head gently.
“Dumbo, they will cry when they are hungry or need a nappy change. And when they grow up they will cry for reasons we can’t control. Be sensible.” she said strictly.
Ayaan hummed and leaning closer he kissed her cheek. “I have you, so I know you’ll correct me whenever I’m wrong. Of course I’ll be the best father and you’ll be the best mother.” he said and rested his forehead against hers, simply holding the moment between them.
He laid her gently on the bed and began massaging her legs with warm oil, easing the tension from her muscles with slow, careful strokes.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Reyansh and Vaishu were cooking together. Reyansh had dismissed the chef and the staff for the moment, insisting on helping Vaishu prepare the meal himself. Once everything was ready, he asked the staff to arrange the dishes on the table and called Ayaan and Zara for lunch.
Zara’s eyes lit up the moment she saw the spread. She licked her lips in excitement and blew a playful kiss toward Vaishu and Reyansh, who chuckled at her reaction. Vaishu personally served the food to Ayaan and Zara.
The very first bite made Zara close her eyes and moan in delight. “Mama, you are an amazing cook. I wish, I could cook like you,” she said, eating like a woman who hadn’t tasted good food in days.
Ayaan looked at her, amused and slightly shocked, then chuckled as he served her more.
“You won’t believe it, Zara. Before I met your mama, I literally survived on toast, juice, oats for breakfast and Italian food for lunch and dinner. Then I met your mama and she used to cook healthy food that tasted amazing. I still remember the first time she made me green dosa and chutney. And her wheat halwa….oh my god, that was my favorite.” Reyansh said with a nostalgic smile.
Vaishu blushed at the memory and Reyansh winked at her. Zara admired the quiet, effortless love they shared.
Ayaan left Zara with his parents and headed into the study with Sameer following silently behind. The moment the door closed, he looked at the note in the anonymous account Dario had sent earlier, the emergency mark at the bottom confirming that whatever it contained was serious.
Without wasting a second, Ayaan dialed Dario and the call connected almost instantly.
Dario didn’t even greet him, “There’s a problem. Suryadev spoke to Sheik Nafel today. He revealed everything about his problem and that your family is behind the crisis. He demanded Nafel do something to your family to distract everyone of you from the situation. He needed time to fix the problem and release or kill the man under the CBI custody ” he said.
Ayaan’s eyes darkened. ” That bastard, seems like he hadn’t learnt the lesson. He needs a reminder that his son is still missing “
” Nafel gave all the leads that you have opened trading in all the countries you do business. He also informed Suryadev that you’ve refused to reopen the diamond trading route in your country. Nafel wants the route opened immediately, claimed that he lost business with our collaboration. He demanded Suryadev to arrange a secret meeting with other diamond merchants in your country but Suryadev refused since his position is at risk. Nafel exploded and there was a full-blown argument. ” Dario said.
Ayaan leaned back in the chair, exhaling through his nose, the tension radiating off him.
“So now they’re fighting each other,” he muttered.
“Yes. Nafel accused Suryadev of being selfish and greedy for using Razaqs over the years. Nafel even threatened that he would anonymously leak every evidence of Suryadev involved in various illegal activities, scandal and as well as the attempt to assasinate your mother years ago. That worked and Suryadev tried to cool off things. So he warned Nafel that rushing the trade will cause a bigger disaster and he should wait until the next election but Nafel wasn’t having it.” Dario said further.
Ayaan’s fingers drummed against the table, controlled but dangerous. ” They wouldn’t break off their partnership so easily and sure they would find a solution to come off the situation “
” Yes ” Dario answered and Ayaan looked at Sameer who was standing next to him holding the iPad.
” Suryadev asked for time to temporarily distract the problem in hand. He is furious that you’re controlling the route ” Dario said and Ayaan hummed in response.
” This isn’t a disagreement between them anymore. It’s turning into a power struggle. Nafel is preparing to strike but no information on what he has planned so tighten the security of your family and keep an eye on Suryadev ” Dario’s said and his voice dropped to a serious warning.
Ayaan ended the call and for a moment he sat in silence, the weight of the situation settling like steel around him.
“No one threatens my decisions… or my family.” he muttered under his breath, voice filled with a deadly resolve.
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