Two days before the election, every political party was immersed in its final campaign push, delivering their strongest promises in a last attempt to win the people’s trust. Only a few hours remained before all campaigning had to cease, as mandated by election rules.
Suryadev was left with no chance of winning so through volunteers in each constituency, he ensured that money was distributed discreetly, treating it as his final lifeline to victory. He had exhausted every option and bribery was his last desperate hope.
Just four hours before the official deadline to wind up the campaign, an anonymous video exploded across social media and was simultaneously leaked to the press.
The first clip carried a chilling audio recording of Suryadev demanding that Vaishnavi Rey be killed. From the conversation, it was unmistakably clear that it was linked to the attempt on Vaishu’s life years ago.
The second recording was even more damning. Suryadev was speaking directly to the head of a terrorist group, discussing responsibility for a blast. In the audio, the terrorist leader’s voice was also clearly audible, leaving no room for denial.
The third leak included an audio of Suryadev speaking with his son, recorded by intelligence agencies, followed by CCTV footage showing Advik and his friends entering a farmhouse and later leaving, laughing and chatting, eerily casual in contrast to the crimes tied to that location.
More disclosures followed in quick succession, detailed records of money transferred through anonymous accounts routed via foreign countries. Each revelation landed like a hammer blow, completely dismantling what remained of Suryadev’s political standing.
At exactly 6:00 p.m., campaigning officially came to an end and so did Suryadev.
Public outrage erupted instantly. Media houses ran nonstop coverage, activists flooded the streets and accusations poured in relentlessly, backed by the mounting evidence. The anger was fierce and unforgiving, voices across the country demanded the harshest punishment, declaring that a man responsible for such crimes did not deserve to live.
Suryadev locked himself inside his room, refusing to face the world outside.
That same night, officers from the Enforcement Directorate, the police and the CBI arrived at the farmhouse in search of Advik. They found him there with his friends, asleep and unaware of the storm that had finally caught up with them. Advik was arrested on the spot and taken into custody for interrogation, marking the final, public collapse of Suryadev’s empire.
At the Reys’ manor, Ayaan rose to his feet, stretching his arms and before he could take another step, the family surrounded him one by one, pulling him into bone-crushing hugs. Reyansh was the last to approach. He placed a firm hand on his son’s back, pride evident in his eyes.
“You unraveled him piece by piece, leaving him with nothing. I’m not sure I could have done what you did, even if I had to. I’m so happy… and so proud of you, my dear cupcake.” Reyansh said softly.
Ayaan groaned. “Dad, you know everything I’ve done and you still won’t stop calling me cupcake? Look at my son and daughter, one day they’ll laugh seeing you call me that.”
Reyansh stepped closer and rested his hand on Ayaan’s head with quiet affection. “You’ll be my cupcake as long as I breathe.”
Ayaan hugged his father instantly, tears brimming in his eyes. “Don’t ever say that. Call me cupcake as much as you want, I won’t object,” he said.
Everyone smiled at the sight of the father and son holding each other so tightly. Watching them, Rehan and Zavi began to cry, stretching their tiny hands toward their father. Zara and Vaishu gently placed them into Ayaan’s arms and he kissed both of them, smiling through his emotion.
“Alright, we all deserve a treat and a two day break before the election.” Ayaan finally said, regaining his composure.
Cheers erupted around the room. Rehan and Zavi joined in, clapping their little hands, their laughter sealed the moment with joy and relief.
At night, the family gathered in the garden, where a grand feast had been laid out under soft lights and open sky. Ayaan and Zara sat beside each other, while Rehan and Zavi were settled into their high chairs next to them, with Ved and Saanvi seated close by.
Once everyone was comfortable, dinner was served. As always, Ayaan began feeding Zara and watching him, Zavi lifted her tiny fingers toward him, proudly showing the mashed vegetables clinging to them. Ayaan laughed, tasted the vegetables and then fed her in return. Ved and Saanvi kept the little ones entertained with their chatter and the family enjoyed the meal, their attention often drifting back to the children’s antics.
After dinner, Ayaan instructed the nannies to clean up Rehan and Zavi. Zara followed them, while Ayaan headed to the study with Sameer, who had been invited for dinner in recognition of the crucial role he had played in executing Ayaan’s plans.
Sameer closed the door behind them. Ayaan asked him to call Nafel.
“As-salam alaykum,” Nafel’s voice came through as the line connected instantly.
“Wa alaykum as-salam, Nafel, thank you for what you did today. We have completed the first part of our deal. I did business with you and you helped me in return. The next step is to wait until my mother and her party are sworn in as the next government. We shall meet on my cruise away from everyone’s eyes and reach. I’ll let you know the date.” Ayaan replied calmly.
There was a brief pause before Nafel agreed and the call ended.
Ayaan leaned back in his chair, a faint smirk played on his lips and he was already planning what that meeting would truly mean. He looked at Sameer, who was smiling quietly.
“Are you tired, Sameer?” Ayaan asked.
Sameer shook his head. “No, sir. I’ve worked with many people, but you are different. You wanted revenge, yet you also wanted your mother’s dream to come true, to care for the people of this nation. You never targeted anyone outside your radar or beyond your principles. I admire the way you work. I have learned a lot from you and I’m truly proud to work for you.”
Ayaan nodded thoughtfully. “I’ve spoken to Mom and Grandpa. After the elections, you’ll work directly under Mom. I want your political career to begin officially. You have a bright future, Sameer but remember that my mother’s goal is the people and their well-being. Never go against her ideology.”
Sameer’s eyes grew moist. “I’ll really miss working for you, sir. But I understand, you want me to stand by your mother and support her work and at the same time, you are securing my future. I’ve seen how you operate and I know you won’t take long to replace me. I’ll honor your words and do my best.”
Ayaan chuckled softly and nodded in approval, the weight of the night settling into a quiet, determined calm.
Ayaan returned to the room and saw Zara pacing softly carrying Rehan in her arms, patting his back to lull him to sleep. Zavi sat on the bed, busy with her toy. Ayaan lay down and Zavi immediately crawled onto his stomach, beaming at him. He pulled her close to his chest, gently patting her back and hummed aimlessly. Zara smiled as Zavi soon drifted off to sleep, while Rehan remained awake.
Zara sat on the bed and fed Rehan, stroking his hair patiently until he stopped suckling. She smiled to herself and buttoned her shirt.
“Why did you button up now? You still have another baby.” Ayaan said with a mischievous wink.
Zara knocked him lightly on the head before laying Rehan down on the bed. Ayaan carefully placed Zavi next to him and tucked both children under the duvet.
“I’m hungry too, Mommy,” Ayaan murmured playfully as he moved closer to Zara, earning a soft laugh from her in the quiet of the room.
He carried her in bridal style and walked into the closet, their little paradise. The door closed softly behind them, muting the rest of the world. Surrounded by familiar scents and quiet warmth, he set her down gently, as if she were something precious he never wanted to rush.
She curled her fingers into his shirt, smiling up at him and he leaned in to rest his forehead against hers. There was no urgency, just their breaths shared and the moment belonged only to them. His arms wrapped around her and she melted into the embrace.
Ayaan and Zara stepped out of the closet and they laid on the bed with Zara resting her head on his chest and Ayaan gently caressed her hair.
“I have informed our stylist to prepare special outfits for all of us for election day,” Ayaan said and Zara lifted her head and rested her chin on his chest, looking at him.
“The public and all our supporters, fans should know we stand firmly with Mom and her party. So we shall dress in the party’s colors,” he added.
Zara smiled and nodded, twirling his moustache playfully. “An old technique, but it will definitely work.”
Ayaan flicked her nose lightly. “Soon we’ll also be celebrating our prince and princess turning one. Do you have anything in mind?”
“Let’s plan it together after the elections.” she said softly and settled her head back on his chest, his arm tightening around her and soon they drifted into a peaceful sleep.
Multiple cases were filed against Suryadev, prompting even the highest court of the country to take up the allegations. As investigations progressed, Suryadev was arrested. Public outrage grew, with people demanding that he should be banned from contesting the elections. However, the Election Commission stated that such a decision could not be taken until a final verdict was delivered against him.
Suryadev was lodged in a high-security prison, isolated from the outside world by layers of steel, surveillance, and armed guards. The man who once commanded crowds and headlines now found himself confined to a stark cell, his movements monitored, his privileges stripped away one by one.
Election day dawned crisp and charged with anticipation. At Rey’s manor, the family gathered early, dressed elegantly in outfits that subtly yet proudly reflected the colors of the party flag. There was no loud display, just quiet confidence and unity stitched into every detail.
They arrived at the polling booth before the crowds could gather. Vaishu walked in with calm dignity, Reyansh by her side while Ayaan and Zara followed. One by one, they cast their votes.
Outside, a small cluster of media waited. At their request, the family paused briefly and stood together as flashes went off. Smiling softly, they raised their hands, displaying the ink mark on their nails, a silent statement of duty fulfilled.
Within minutes, they were back in their cars, leaving the premises without disrupting the voters who had begun to arrive. As the convoy moved away, Ayaan glanced back once, his expression steady.
The family returned home and Ayaan, Zara went straight to the nursery. The nannies were seated on the floor, keeping a watchful eye as the children played happily with their toys. Rehan and Zavi looked up the moment they saw their parents and their faces lit up.
After a few minutes with them, the family moved to the dining area for breakfast. Once the meal was over, Zara took the children back to the room, leaving Ayaan to focus on work.
He remained in the study, eyes fixed on the massive screen before him as multiple news channels telecasted live updates from election booths across the country. Constituency after constituency flashed on the screen, reporters spoke in hurried voices. By evening, exhaustion crept in. Ayaan rolled up his sleeves, leaned back in his chair and let out a long, tired sigh.
The door opened quietly and Zara walked in carrying Rehan and Zavi. “We miss you, daddy,” Zara said in a playful baby voice.
Ayaan smiled, feeling instantly refreshed and pressed a kiss to Rehan’s cheek and then to Zavi’s forehead. The tension he had been holding all day eased.
“Sameer, keep me updated with the exit poll results from all sources.” Ayaan said and then walked out of the study with Zavi in his arms and Zara followed with Rehan. Just as they reached the elevator, Vaishu stopped them.
“Ayaan, leave Rehan and Zavi with me. Go and rest for a while. Both of you can take them back after dinner.” she said gently.
Before Ayaan could respond, she scooped the children into her arms and walked away, their soft babbles echoed down the corridor. Ayaan turned to Zara with a grin, cocking his brows.
“I need a bath. Do you mind joining me, Mrs. Ayaan?” he asked and Zara answered by pinching his cheek, her smile saying everything.
Later that night, as the family gathered for dinner, Sameer arrived with an update. His face held barely restrained excitement.
“All exit polls are consistent, every major survey predicts a clear victory for Vaishu mam’s party.” he announced and joy spread through the room.
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