Ten Years Later:
Ayaan had now become a very popular musician and singer. Shortly after Rehan and Zavi turned two, he launched his own music company. He composed music for his albums and lent his voice to other music directors as well. His company supported independent albums across the country and Ayaan quickly rose to become one of the most sensational music composers and singers in India.
He performed on stages all over the globe for Indian audiences and his romantic gestures toward his wife during performances had earned him a massive fan following. Though he always took his family along for travel, the kids were strictly not allowed at the concerts. Only Zara accompanied him as his first fan, always capturing photos and videos of every performance.
The family was now in London for his next concert. As usual, Zara was seated in the first row of the VVIP section, watching Ayaan sing and strum his guitar. Whenever the lyrics turned romantic, he would wink at her or blow kisses, sending the crowd into a frenzy over the power couple.
Zara blushed and kissed him back and the moment was displayed on the huge screen above the stage.
At the end of the concert, Zara rushed to the green room and Ayaan scooped her into his arms and twirled her in pure excitement.
“How was it, sweetheart? Did you love it?” he asked, pecking her nose.
Zara wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him in her own way of giving feedback. Ayaan stroked her back and rocked her gently as they continued their kiss.
Suddenly Ayaan’s phone blared. From the special ringtone, both of them smiled when they saw Rehan’s name on the screen and Ayaan answered the call.
“Hi, kiddo, How are you all doing? Are you being good?” Ayaan asked, only to be greeted by a chorus of screaming in the background. He pulled the mobile slightly away from his ear and Zara chuckled at his reaction.
“We are on our way, handsome man. You kids better be ready for whatever you have done” Ayaan said and the sound of their gasps and giggles continued faintly in the background making both Ayaan and Zara laugh.
Ayaan kissed her once before they stepped out of the room. The guards escorted them safely to the waiting limo. They reached the bungalow and quickly stepped into the living area, where the staff were busy with their usual nighttime cleaning routine. They took the elevator to the third floor, the one Ayaan and Zara had chosen for themselves and the kids.
As they stepped out, the floor was unusually quiet. Ayaan simply shook his head. Six nannies and four caretakers were lined up outside the kids room and Ayaan raised an eyebrow in a silent warning. As always, Zara held his hand, silently asking him to let it go and together they entered the room.
The lights were dim and the kids appeared to be fast asleep in their beds.
Rehan and Zavi, the eldest of their six children, slept peacefully in their own beds. Zara’s long cherished wish to adopt children had been fulfilled without hesitation. Ayaan agreed instantly and wholeheartedly. Vihaan, born when Rehan and Zavi were three, slept in his car-shaped bed, clutching his dinosaur toy to his chest. Sia, whom they had adopted the same year Vihaan was born, slept sucking her thumb, holding a teddy bear close. Ivaan, born two years later and Inaaya adopted at the same time slept hand in hand on their favorite Mickey-themed bed.
Ayaan and Zara had ensured that no one outside the family knew about the adoptions. Everyone believed that Zara had given birth to twins each time and the children themselves proudly believed they were all biological siblings.
Ayaan cleared his throat and caught Inaaya’s lips twitching into a smile.
“Zara, our kids are being so good and they are all asleep. Let’s finish the ice cream we bought,” Ayaan whispered.
Immediately, Sia pushed aside her duvet and jumped out of bed.
“Daddy, I’m not asleep. I want ice cream,” she said, leaping straight into Ayaan’s arms.
He kissed her forehead, brushed her hair aside and gently wiped a smear of colour still clinging to her skin.
“Baby, your brothers and sisters are sleeping. And we never eat ice cream alone. Let’s wait till morning,” Ayaan said softly.
Sia shook her head, she leaned closer and whispered into his ear, placing her tiny finger on his lips.
“Daddy… everyone is pretending.” she whispered the secret with a giggle and shut her mouth with her palm.
Ayaan chuckled hearing her and he set her down slowly. He walked to Ivaan and Inaaya’s bed and suddenly tickling them. At the same time, Zara gently twisted Rehan’s ear. Within seconds, everyone jumped out of bed screaming and Zavi switched on the lights.
Ayaan and Zara gasped in shock.
The walls were painted in streaks of colour, the tables were scattered with papers and paints, and every single child stood covered head to toe in watercolours.
“So… this is what you were doing? Who started this?”, Ayaan asked, raising an eyebrow.
Without missing a beat, all six kids pointed at each other.
Ayaan sighed, pressing his lips together as he took in the colorful chaos before him. He twisted his moustache pretending to threaten them but then slowly, the corner of his mouth twitched. He carefully picked a bowl the kids had filled with paint and spilled the content on the kids and burst out laughing.
Zara stared at him in disbelief. “Ayaan, what have you done ? You are worse than them. Look at them and look at the walls ” she said and shook her head looking at the kids wiping the color off their face.
“I am looking and I see six little Picassos who clearly inherited my talent.” Ayaan said between laughs.
“Daddy, we just wanted to try something but as usual ended up in disaster ” Rehan said.
” Disaster with walls and floors ?” Zara asked crossing her arms and tried hard to stay stern but her eyes softened when she looked at their paint-splashed faces.
Sia walked closer and hugged Zara’s leg. “Mamma, we wanted to surprise you ” she said with a cute pout.
Zara knelt down and wiped a streak of blue from Sia’s cheek. “Next time, we shall let colors be happy on paper, okay?”
The kids nodded in unison.
Ayaan clapped his hands once. “Alright. Cleanup team and then bath time. And yes, that includes me and mamma.” he said and cheers erupted instantly.
The family cleaned the floor, leaving the walls with the fresh colors. Later bathrooms echoed with laughter, splashing water and playful protests. Ayaan rolled up his sleeves and bathed the kids while Zara wrapped warm towels around each child and kissed their damp hair.
Once the kids were tucked back into bed, Ayaan read a bed time story while Zara was cuddling Ivaan and Inaaya who were still too young and needed their father or mother to cuddle to sleep.
“Daddy… will you still eat ice cream with us tomorrow?” Rehan whispered and Ayaan smiled nodding his head.
The room slowly settled into peaceful silence.
Outside, Ayaan wrapped an arm around Zara’s shoulders as they stood watching their sleeping children. Zara rested her head against his chest, exhaustion mixing with contentment.
“Our home is loud, messy and never quiet,” she murmured.
“And I wouldn’t trade it for the world.” Ayaan said kissing the top of her head.
They returned to their room and Zara instinctively reached for her phone and scrolled through social media to watch the latest videos, reels and comments their fans had created about them. It had become her quiet ritual, absorbing the love and feedback that poured in from people across the world. Ayaan watched her from the bed, smiling softly as he saw her expressions change while reading the comments and watching the reels.
The early years hadn’t been easy for Zara. There had been countless hurtful remarks about her appearance, cruel comparisons and whispers that Ayaan deserved someone more beautiful. But Ayaan had silenced every voice in his own way by loving her fiercely, openly and unapologetically. On every stage, at every concert, he had shown the world how deeply he adored her, proudly declaring that she was his muse.
With six children and years of unwavering love behind them, the negativity had slowly faded. What remained was admiration for the passion they shared, the way they looked at each other, uplifted one another and always gave credit where it was due. They had become unique, not because they were perfect but because they were real.
Zara placed her phone on the nightstand and stood before the mirror, studying her reflection. The curves and soft folds that came with motherhood were more pronounced after three pregnancies but never once had Ayaan made her doubt herself.
She felt his arms wrap around her from behind, his warmth instantly grounding her. Ayaan pressed a gentle kiss to her nape.
“You look stunning, sweetheart,” he whispered and squeezed her waist affectionately.
He turned her to face him and his thumb softly traced her lips, his eyes held the same love that had always made her feel enough, just as she was.
He lifted her effortlessly onto the bed and Zara chuckled, pinching his cheek.
“I’m not the same young woman you married years ago. I look so much bigger now, yet you carry me like I weigh nothing. What’s the secret behind your strength and energy, Mr. Ayaan?” she teased.
Ayaan pecked her eyes and then her lips. “You are the secret, Zara. Your love fuels me. One look at you and I feel alive, charged, unstoppable. You are gorgeous, irresistibly beautiful and you keep me completely hooked. Now, I’ve waited enough. Let’s stop talking.”
They had just begun kissing when a knock echoed through the room. Zara quickly pushed him away and closed her eyes, pretending to sleep, though she bit her lips hard to control her smile.
“Traitors. I love our kids but sometimes I feel like locking their door at night. They always know the perfect moment to interrupt, especially when this is the only time I get to be alone with you.” Ayaan muttered under his breath.
He opened the door and all the kids rushed in and climbed onto the huge bed. Little Iyaana patted the empty space beside her and Ayaan joined them and cuddled her along with her doll.
“So what happened? Weren’t you all fast asleep when mamma and I left your room?” Ayaan asked casually.
Sia gently pried Zara’s eyelids open and Zara burst out laughing and immediately tickled her.
“Daddy, you slammed the door and woke us and the curtains looked like monsters in the dark.” Vihaan complained, throwing his leg over Rehan.
Ayaan rolled his eyes. “Little liars,” he said fondly, pulling the duvet over everyone. He began another story, his voice soft and steady until one by one the kids drifted back to sleep.
From opposite ends of the bed, Zara and Ayaan looked at each other. Their smiles spoke of contentment, peace and a life they cherished deeply. Ayaan kissed each child’s forehead, then blew a kiss to Zara.
“Later… in the bathroom” he murmured and winked at her.
Zara closed her eyes with a smile and mumbled, “Good night.”
Early the next morning, Ayaan woke to find Zara missing. He stepped out, searching for her, only to see her walk out of the bathroom. She chuckled at the sight of him checking the closet.
“I just went to the bathroom, Mr. Husband. And you have already started searching for me?” she teased him.
He pulled her into a hug and rocked her gently. “I want you in my sight all the time. Didn’t I tell you, you’re my energy source.”
She kissed his bare chest with a smile.
“Don’t start something you can’t finish, let me just hold you for a while.” he said softly and crushed her in his embrace, burying his face in the crook of her neck and then kissed her forehead before they returned to bed.
The kids woke up one by one and found the bed empty. They formed a neat line behind Rehan and Zavi and together, they marched out calling for their mamma and daddy.
In the kitchen, they found Ayaan and Zara preparing their favorite breakfast. The kids were showered with hugs and kisses before the nannies and caretakers led them away to get ready.
An hour later, the kids returned, all dressed up. Ayaan seated them properly and began serving breakfast.
“Daddy, you made the pancakes?” Zavi asked excitedly.
Ayaan hummed, pecking her cheek. Ivaan pushed his plate toward Zara and she fed him while Ayaan fed Sia.
“Daddy, let’s go out today, please,” Vihaan pleaded with a pout.
Zara chuckled, watching the familiar routine.
“Alright, fishing and swimming today. We shall head home tomorrow. Ved and Saanvi are missing you all.” Ayaan announced and cheers erupted instantly.
The day passed in laughter, playing cricket, watching movies and by evening, splashing in the pool. Zara sat on the sun lounger with towels, watching her world with quiet joy. Little Iyaana clung to Ayaan’s neck while the others floated around happily.
Later, they moved to the pond set aside for fishing. Everyone sat with rods and baskets. Ivaan and Iyaana perched on Ayaan’s lap, secretly dropping a tiny fish into his basket and giggling.
Rehan checked his empty basket with a frown and walked away angrily.
Ayaan noticed immediately. Handing Ivaan and Iyaana to Zara, he followed Rehan, who sat by the pond with tears spilling silently.
Ayaan sat beside him and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. Then he gently ruffled his hair.
“Rehan, do you know why you are the eldest?” he said softly.
Rehan sniffed and shook his head, wiping his tears with the back of his hand.
“Because you are strong. Not just in your arms, but here.” Ayaan said pointing to Rehan’s chest. “An elder brother isn’t only someone who plays and laughs. He’s the one who protects, guides, and sometimes… has to be strict.”
Rehan looked up at him, listening closely.
“You have every right to take care of your siblings. You can guide them, correct them and even be firm when needed. A soldier doesn’t shout without reason, he stands strong so everyone else can stand safely behind him. That’s who you are for your brother and sisters.” Ayaan said.
Rehan’s shoulders slowly straightened.
“When they make mistakes, you don’t walk away. You teach them. When they cross a line, you stop them. And when they need comfort, you are the first one they run to. That’s the power of being the eldest.” Ayaan added and a small smile crept onto Rehan’s face.
“So… I’m like their commander?” he asked hesitantly.
Ayaan chuckled. “Exactly. A kind commander but a firm one when required just like your Ishu papa is to us all “
Rehan nodded with new confidence. He wiped his eyes, picked up his fishing rod and straightened his back just like Ayaan had described. Within minutes, he was fully focused again, catching fish one after another.
Soon, he walked over to his siblings with a proud smile on his face. “Come on, we shall share. Everyone gets one.” he said, handing over fish from his basket.
The younger kids cheered, surrounding him instantly. Zara watched from a distance, her eyes misting as she saw Rehan standing tall, guiding his siblings.
Ayaan moved beside her and Zara rested her head on his shoulder with a smile, as Rehan laughed along with his siblings, he was no longer upset but glowing with the pride of being their big brother.
That night Ayaan and Zara put the kids to sleep before they returned to their room.
” Do you think, they would come anytime ? ” Ayaan asked playing with the sleeve of her shirt and Zara shrugged circling the button of his shirt.
” I love you sweet heart, lets start with the short time we have ” he mumbled and they started kissing. Just as he was about to discard their clothes the kids knocked on the door. Ayaan groaned and pressed his forehead against her.
Zara chuckled and showed her mobile and Ayaan rolled his eyes seeing that she played the sound of the door bell from her mobile. He rolled over pulling her along and squeezed her body as they got lost in to their world of love forever.
***************************
A/N:
This marks the end of Ayaan and Zara’s story. Please take a minute to share your thoughts about the story.
Please like and comment
Take care and Thank you
