Zara slept through the night, the medication finally giving her exhausted body the rest it desperately needed. Vaishu and the nurse stayed beside the babies, feeding them formula since Zara still couldn’t nurse. Ayaan hardly slept and spent the long hours watching over all three of them……checking Zara for any discomfort, adjusting her duvet, peeking into the warmer to ensure their daughter was safe and lifting their son into his arms whenever he fussed.
By morning, the first soft cry from the crib made Ayaan rise instantly. He picked up their son and walked around the room.
“Good morning, my little man… your mama will wake up soon.” His voice was warm, filled with the kind of love he never knew he was capable of.
Zara blinked awake to the sight of him, his hair messy from stress and lack of sleep, yet carrying their son like the most precious treasure in the world. He was smiling down at the baby, completely lost in a world made of just the two of them.
Zara’s heart melted and she watched silently until Ayaan turned and his face brightened when he saw her awake.
“You are up love ? ,” he said softly, walking over. He lowered their son to her and she kissed the baby’s forehead. Ayaan leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to Zara’s cheek.
He called the nurse immediately, who entered with a warm smile.
“Good morning, madam. We shall get you freshened up.” she said and began removing the IV lines and moved to help Zara sit up but Ayaan instantly stepped forward and stopped her with a worried expression.
“Don’t…….. don’t please. I’ll carry her,” he said, his voice almost breaking with fear of hurting Zara.
The nurse shook her head kindly. “Sir, she needs to move slowly and carefully. She has to walk a little to help her muscles recover. Trust me, I have taken care of many mothers after C-section. You may help me this time and soon you will know how to do it.”
Ayaan hesitated but finally nodded. Vaishu watched from the side, smiling at her son’s protectiveness.
The nurse wrapped her arm around Zara to support her. Ayaan quickly mirrored her, slipping his arm firmly around Zara’s shoulders from other side. Zara took a slow step down from the bed but winced sharply, pain shooting through her abdomen. Ayaan flinched as if the pain was his.
“Easy… take a breathe and take tiny steps madam. Don’t rush.” the nurse soothed her.
Both Ayaan and the nurse helped her to the washroom. The next 30 minutes were a lesson in patience and tenderness as Ayaan helped hold her steady, passed clothes and watched the nurse change Zara’s clothes and watched every step as if a wrong move would break his heart.
When they finally returned, the nurse helped Zara sit, propping pillows behind her. Ayaan hovered anxiously beside her, his face tight with worry and admiration mixed together.
Once the IV was reconnected, Ayaan placed their son into Zara’s arms and her face softened instantly. The nurse guided her gently to feed their son and Zara’s eyes filled with tears as he latched on.
Ayaan wrapped an arm around her shoulders and brushed away the tears from her cheek.
When their son finished feeding, the nurse taught Ayaan how to burp him by guiding his hands, positioning the baby against his chest. Ayaan followed like a diligent student. The first loud little burp made him freeze.
Zara burst into laughter despite the pain, watching his stunned expression. Before he recovered, the nurse placed their daughter into Zara’s arms and she gasped softly.
“Oh my god… look at her. She’s so small, Ayaan… so perfect.” Zara whispered, tracing a careful finger along the tiny cheek.
Ayaan chuckled, warmth flooding his face. Zara fed their daughter, tears streaming down her cheeks not from pain, but overwhelming love. Ayaan finally exhaled and leaned his forehead to hers.
“Welcome to parenthood, mama. We just dived into the ocean. We have a lot to learn.” he murmured and Zara nodded, smiling through happy tears.
Sameer arrived carrying several bags filled with baby clothes and soft toys, each one personally chosen by Ayaan. With the babies needing far more outfits than what they had packed in the maternity bag, Ayaan had instructed Sameer to bring them from the nursery he and Zara had lovingly prepared back home.
Ayaan instructed Sameer to release an official announcement across all their social media platforms of his own, Zara’s, and the Rey business accounts….. welcoming their little prince and princess. Soon, wishes and blessings poured in for the couple and their newborns.
Ayaan took care of Zara himself, completely, while the nurses and family watched with quiet admiration. The doctor checked Zara and informed them they would need to stay in the hospital for a week until their little girl was strong enough to be discharged. Zara and the babies were monitored closely at all times.
After lunch, when Zara and the babies had fallen asleep, Ayaan sat on the couch, simply watching them. He was lost in the sight of his wife who looked fragile yet strong and the two tiny lives they had created. Reyansh came in, sat beside him and gently touched his shoulder, breaking his trance.
“What are you thinking?” he asked softly.
Ayaan didn’t answer. Instead, he leaned into his father and hugged him tightly, silently breaking down in his embrace.
“I hate myself, Dad. I regret everything I ever did to hurt Zara. She didn’t deserve any of it, yet she has been the strongest… the most incredible woman I’ve ever known. She gave us two babies, she’s suffering so much but all she cares about is their happiness. I feel so guilty and I don’t know how to get past it. She’s precious, Dad. I’m so lucky to have her but would she say the same? Do I even deserve her?” he finally choked out.
Reyansh exhaled softly and patted his son’s back.
“People call women goddesses for a reason, Ayaan. They love with a depth we can’t even measure. But this is not the time to drown in guilt or wonder whether you deserve her. Dedicate yourself to her. Devote your life to her. Make every second worth cherishing for her and for your babies.” Reyansh said and held Ayaan’s shoulder firmly, speaking with a calm wisdom that carried weight.
“Being a man is easy. But being a loyal husband… being a loving father… that is where strength truly lies. Give your time, your heart, your everything to them…just like a woman gives her entire self to the family she loves. Women like Zara are worth giving up the world for. So love her like she is the only woman on earth.” Reyansh said and looked at the three sleeping figures with a soft smile.
“Children grow up, Ayaan. One day they will find their own paths, their own loves. But you and Zara… you will stay. When you look back years from now, don’t let your memories be filled with regret. Let them be filled with love because those memories will keep your hearts tied together long after your children have flown.” Reyansh said with a smile and Ayaan closed his eyes, absorbing every word…each one settling deep into him with the weight of truth.
“Thank you, Dad. I understand. I promise to love her with all of me. She’ll be my world… my sun and my moon.” Ayaan whispered and Reyansh smiled gently brushing away the tears on his son’s cheeks.
Just then, a soft but urgent cry broke the silence. Ayaan’s head snapped up and he immediately rushed to the warmer where his daughter lay. Her tiny face had turned red, trembling on the edge of a full cry.
“Shhhh, princess… don’t cry. Mama and your brother are sleeping. What happened, hmm?” he murmured softly, placing a gentle hand on her chest.
Reyansh joined him, amusement and pride warm in his eyes. “She needs a nappy change,” he said with a chuckle and Ayaan blinked at him, caught off guard.
“You think I don’t know? Your mother and I raised all of you,” Reyansh teased, patting Ayaan’s back.
Gathering himself, Ayaan nodded determinedly and picked up a nappy. Just then, Vaishu returned and paused at the doorway, her heart swelling at the sight her son, tall and serious, ready to change a diaper for the first time in his life. She walked over but didn’t take over the task. Instead, she guided him gently, step by step, letting him do everything with his own hands.
Ayaan followed every instruction like an obedient student, his face set with pure dedication. He finally secured the clean nappy in place and before he could even smile in triumph, the baby began crying again, this time with a hungry wail.
Vaishu laughed softly. “You can’t help with that, Ayaan. Wake Zara… she needs to feed your princess.”
Hearing her baby’s cry, Zara stirred awake and the nurse immediately helped her sit upright, supporting her back against the pillows. Ayaan carefully placed the tiny girl in Zara’s arms.
Everyone stepped out quietly, giving the couple privacy.
“I changed her nappy. Mom taught me. I didn’t know it would be so easy.” Ayaan said proudly once they were alone and Zara smiled at him with tired, glowing admiration as if she was seeing him in a whole new light.
In the evening, Ishaan and Pari arrived with Ved and Saanvi, both practically vibrating with excitement to see their aunt and the new babies. The moment they stepped in, Saanvi opened her mouth to squeal but Ishaan gently covered it just in time.
“Shhh… your brother and sister are sleeping. We will look at them quietly, okay?” he whispered and Saanvi nodded vigorously, eyes wide with anticipation.
Ishaan set her down, and she ran straight to Zara. Ayaan helped her climb onto the bed and Saanvi planted a quick kiss on Zara’s cheek before hopping down to join Ved, who was already peering into the crib.
“Wow… he’s so tiny, like a real doll” Ved whispered in awe and Saanvi nodded rapidly.
Their eyes drifted to the warmer and both Ayaan and Ishaan lifted them gently so they could see the baby girl.
“Why is she lying here?” Saanvi asked, confused by the setup.
“Because she’s very special. Princesses always always and she is just like you.” Ayaan told her with a soft smile, giving her nose a playful pinch.
Saanvi blushed, then looked at him with a sudden pout. “Ayaan uncle… will you take Zara aunty, and our brother and sister back to the villa?”
Ayaan shook his head gently. “No, sweetheart. We’ll be with you all the time. Your brother and sister need both of you to teach them how to play. But you will have to wait a few months and help us take care of them until then.” He said and tapped their noses lightly.
Ved and Saanvi grinned and held out their hands and Ayaan shared a tiny, silent high-five with both of them, making their eyes sparkle with pride.
Everyone except Vaishu and Reyansh left the hospital that night. Ayaan asked them both to rest in the guest room and assured them he would call if he needed anything.
Later, he lay down beside Zara, gently wrapping an arm around her. She instantly smiled, her eyes softening at his warmth.
“Is daddy tired?” Zara teased in a playful voice.
Ayaan shook his head. “No, mama… I’m still not over the feeling that our babies are finally here and that I’m a dad. I can’t get over how strong you are, how much you endured and how much you deserve. I feel like I should sign my life over to be your slave forever.”
Zara chuckled. “Then be my slave.” she said.
“Yes, master, tell me… what should I do? ” he asked kissing her cheek.
” Give me your love till my last breath. Don’t compromise my love for anything.” she whispered and pecked his lips.
Ayaan cupped her face and kissed her softly, sealing the promise. “I love you, Zara,” he murmured, gazing into her eyes.
She smiled, already knowing he was waiting to hear her say it back. “I love you, Ayaan.” she replied and feeling satisfied, Ayaan moved closer to her and gently caressed her hair until she drifted into sleep.
Ayaan walked out of the room and closed the door gently behind him. Sameer immediately stood up, holding his iPad, well aware that Ayaan would want updates.
“Sir, this morning the girl’s parents went to the police station demanding an update on their daughter’s missing case. But as usual, the inspector gave them the same excuse that they are still searching. We sent the media and the parents clearly stated that their daughter went missing right after her interview with Advik. They also mentioned the police’s negligence. The PR team has kept the news trending. So far, there’s no move from Suryadev.”
Ayaan took the iPad and scrolled through the reports, his jaw tightened with satisfaction.
“Good. Keep him cornered, one pressure after another. My family needs me now, so make sure Suryadev spirals in fear. If needed, send that clip of his son at the farmhouse. That should be enough,” Ayaan said calmly and Sameer nodded firmly.
“Go home and call me if there’s anything. Also inform the CSO to tighten security and ensure the family’s safety while moving between the manor and the hospital.” Ayaan said and Sameer nodded his head.
Ayaan walked back into the room and his expression softened the moment he entered. With a faint smile, he settled onto the couch, leaving the night lamp on as he kept quiet watch over Zara and their babies.
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