Aryan and Ranjith walked into the prison cell and found Chandrasekar and Rajesh fighting over the half meal that had been served.
Aryan raised his voice, cold and sharp. “If you are done with your fight, I will finish my business.”
Both men turned to him and immediately froze. Fear flickered across their faces. Every time Aryan showed up, it only meant more pain, more punishment—he never came without a reason, and it was never pleasant.
“This time a special treatment for you both,” Aryan said, looking at them with dead seriousness.
He turned to Ranjith. “Call one of the guards. Bring the injection.”
Chandrasekar’s eyes widened. “What is this?”
Aryan’s voice dropped low, but the venom in it was unmistakable. “The same one which you gave my parents. So enjoy. Next time you may not see me, but I will definitely see your lifeless body before throwing you to the sharks.”
He turned around and walked away as Chandrasekar screamed from inside the cell, fear lacing every cry.
A week later, Aryan and Sanjana were walking slowly through the lawn. Her face was pale and her movements sluggish. Still, she kept going, trying to enjoy the moment with him.
Aryan stopped her gently. “Sanju, you look very tired, so let’s stop walking. Come on, let’s get back inside.”
They sat down on the nearby bench. A moment later, Devika walked over with a glass of fresh juice.
Aryan looked at Sanju, concern clouding his expression. “Sanju, your face isn’t normal. Are you feeling any pain?”
Devika too noticed something was off. “Sanju, what happened? Are you feeling any pain? Tell us.”
Sanju shook her head slightly. “Maa, it’s just mild… I’m feeling tired. Maybe I’ll sleep for some time.”
“No,” Aryan said firmly, rising to his feet. “Let’s go to the hospital immediately.”
“Aryan, no… it’s very mild,” Sanju tried to reassure him.
“What if you feel more pain?” he asked anxiously.
Devika intervened. “Sanju, no more talks. We will go to the hospital. I’ll get the things packed now. Aryan, get her to the car and keep going. I’ll reach soon behind you.”
“Fine, maa,” Aryan nodded.
He quickly called Ranjith to start the car. Then he gently lifted Sanju and placed her in the back seat, sitting next to her as she laid her head on his shoulder, one hand resting on her abdomen. Ranjith called the doctor to inform them they were on their way.
As soon as they reached, the doctors rushed Sanju into a room. After examining her, they gave her an injection to induce labor—her pains had already begun. Leaving a nurse to monitor her, the doctor stepped out to speak with Aryan.
“How is she?” Aryan asked, worry evident in his eyes.
“It’s her labor pain,” the doctor explained. “I’ve given her an injection. Soon the pain will get more intense with contractions. We need to wait. You can go stay with her and even take her for a little walk—it’ll help the process.”
“Thank you,” Aryan said and walked inside.
Sanju was sitting on the bed. “Aryan, help me get down. Doctor told me to walk for some time.”
He immediately helped her and held her hand as she walked slowly, one hand on her lower back. Every time a contraction hit, she paused, wincing in pain.
Hours passed. The pain intensified. Sanju finally stopped walking and lay down again on the bed, exhausted.
Doctors checked her frequently as the contractions became stronger. Sanju was now sweating and crying out in pain. Aryan’s heart broke with every whimper. He held her hand tightly, staying by her side.
When the contractions peaked, the doctors moved her to the labor ward. Aryan tried to follow, but Sanju stopped him.
“No… Aryan, please wait outside,” she said weakly.
Devika went in instead and held Sanju’s hand, whispering comfort as she screamed through the pain.
Outside, Aryan paced up and down the corridor, fists clenched and tears rolling silently down his cheeks. Each scream from inside felt like a stab to his soul.
Inside the labor room, the doctors and Devika encouraged Sanju.
“Just one last push, Sanju! Come on!”
With one final scream that echoed through the hall, Sanju pushed, and then—there was another cry. A tiny, new voice filled the room.
The doctor smiled. “Congrats, it’s a boy.”
Devika kissed Sanju’s forehead. The nurse gently placed the baby on Sanju’s chest. Sanju kissed his tiny forehead and then closed her eyes, passing out from exhaustion.
Devika carefully picked up the baby, kissed his cheek, and handed him back to the nurse to clean.
Outside, Aryan stood frozen. His jaws clenched tightly, trying to hold back the flood of emotions threatening to burst. Devika walked out of the room and Aryan immediately rushed to her.
” Amma, how is Sanju? Please tell me,” Aryan asked, his voice trembling with anticipation.
Devika smiled gently. “Hey relax Aryan, she is fine. And you are blessed with a prince. Both are fine. Sanju passed out of tiredness and she will wake up soon. The nurse will bring the baby shortly.”
Aryan’s eyes welled up as he hugged his mother. Ranjith stepped forward, pulling Aryan into a tight embrace.
“Congrats, buddy,” Ranjith whispered with a wide grin.
Just then, the nurse walked out with a small bundle wrapped in a soft towel. She handed the baby to Aryan. His hands trembled as he received his newborn son. As he gazed at the tiny pink cheeks, the soft brown eyes, button nose, and the little dimples, goosebumps spread across his skin. The baby was a perfect blend of him and Sanju.
Aryan gently touched his son’s little toes and fingers, and the baby clutched his finger instantly.
“Look at him,” Devika said with pride. “He could identify his father’s touch and held your finger immediately.”
“He is both his father and mother,” Ranjith added with emotion. “Our prince.”
Aryan smiled and handed the baby to Ranjith, who held the child with care and kissed his forehead.
“You will always be my prince, baby,” Ranjith whispered.
Aryan’s eyes were fixed on the door. He couldn’t wait to see his wife. The doctor walked out and congratulated Aryan.
“You can meet her now,” the doctor informed him.
Without a moment’s delay, Aryan rushed inside and saw Sanju lying exhausted on the bed. He gently hugged her and kissed her forehead.
“I’m so sorry, baby. You went through a lot of pain,” he whispered.
Sanju gave a faint smile. “Do you feel sorry even after seeing our prince?”
“Still, I felt like dying hearing you scream.”
“Shhhh… I love you, and don’t be sorry. We have our love in our hands now, and we should be happy. All my pains were nothing when I saw our son. I’m very happy.”
“I love you. He has both you and me in him.”
The nurse entered the room.
“Madam, you need to feed the baby.”
“You feed him. I will inform everyone. All will be waiting for the call,” Aryan said and stepped outside.
The nurse helped Sanju breastfeed the baby, guiding her gently. Later, both mother and child were shifted to a VIP room, where the baby was laid carefully in his crib.
Aryan made calls to all his friends, spreading the joyous news of his son’s birth. When he returned, he saw Devika cradling the baby in her arms. Aryan sat beside Sanju, held her hand, and lovingly caressed her hair.
Soon, friends and family arrived—Vishnu, Kowsalya, and Deepa among them. Everyone took turns holding the little prince, hearts full of joy. The entire family was on cloud nine.
Two days later, Sanju was discharged and they returned home. Aryan carried their son to their room and placed him gently in the crib. Sanju had little to worry about as their three grandmothers joyfully took turns caring for the baby both day and night. The entire household adapted their routines around baby Saran’s needs.
On the 14th day, a simple naming ceremony was held at home with only close friends and family. The priest performed the rituals and called for the baby’s maternal uncle. Ranjith stepped forward, bringing smiles to everyone’s faces. Devika handed the baby to him, while Sanju stepped forward and showed the name written in her palm.
Ranjith took a chain and bracelet, placed them on the baby, and whispered, “Saran” three times into the baby’s ear. Aryan, Sanju, and the rest of the family then called out the name together.
Surendhar gifted the baby with Sanju’s childhood chain and a gold anklet. Naren, Maya, Keerthy, Pavi, and Pradeep gifted a silver crib. Deepa took evil eyes off the baby and the entire family once the rituals were complete.
Three months later, Sanju was feeding Saran while Aryan sat beside her. He leaned in and gently kissed her neck. Saran stopped feeding and looked up at Sanju.
“Aryan, you are disturbing my son. See, he stopped. Now be quiet and don’t disturb,” she said with a scolding smile.
“Hey wifey, I haven’t disturbed you for so many months. So don’t shove me. Give a little care to me too. I’m starving for months.”
“Aww, my husband needs care? Let our prince sleep first.”
“So you are ready, is it?”
“Hmmm… yes.”
Aryan smiled and kissed her cheek. He patiently waited for Saran to sleep and finally made their night a memorable one after months of distance.
Meanwhile, Maya and Vivaan were the first to get married. Vishnu and Devika made all the arrangements and fulfilled every duty like true parents. Two months later, the weddings of Pavi, Naren, and Pradeep with Keerthy were planned on the same day.
The wedding hall bloomed with decor based on each bride’s taste. Naren and Pradeep sat on stage performing the rituals. Maya and Sanju brought Keerthy and Pavi to the stage. Aryan was holding six-month-old Saran in his arms, and the little one was the center of attention. Devika and Vishnu performed the rituals for Naren in place of Chandrasekar, and Surendhar did it for Pradeep.
Finally, the grooms tied the nuptial threads around their brides’ necks and received blessings from all.
Just then, Aryan nudged Ranjith and whispered something. Ranjith hesitated but walked up the stage. All eyes were on him in confusion. Suddenly, he held Nila’s hand, got down on one knee, and opened a ring box.
Everyone gasped in surprise as Ranjith proposed to Nila in front of the entire gathering. Nila was stunned but smiled, nodding yes. The crowd cheered as they exchanged rings and got engaged.
Love was in the air. Aryan wrapped one arm around Sanju and held Saran in the other as they posed for a picture-perfect moment. Little Saran had become the apple of everyone’s eye—loved, pampered, and spoiled in the best way.
Sanju and Saran were Aryan’s entire world, and he was ready to do anything for them.
One evening, Aryan and Ranjith returned from work and found Vishnu and Devika playing with Saran. Aryan moved in, lifted Saran into his arms, and kissed his chubby cheeks. The baby giggled and gave him a wet kiss in return. Aryan handed him over to Ranjith and quickly rushed to the balcony where Sanju was standing.
He hugged her from behind and buried his face in the crook of her neck.
“What did you do to me that I couldn’t stay away from you? You are my beautiful addiction, sweetheart,” he whispered.
Sanju turned toward him, and he pulled her into the room. He kissed her until they were both breathless, resting their foreheads against each other.
“I love you, wifey,” he whispered.
“I love you, hubby,” she replied, smiling with contentment.
