11.
Aarav stepped into the apartment after his meeting with Mr. Shekhawat. The weight of the day still clung to him, heavy and silent. Yug had offered to stay the night — not for company, but to make sure Aarav didn't unravel in front of Aarya.
With Eve out for the evening, it was just the three of them — Aarav, Yug, and Aarya.
"Yug Uncle!" Aarya came running down the hallway, arms outstretched, launching herself into Yug's arms. He caught her with ease, lifting her high into the air as she giggled with delight. Aarav stood at the doorway, a small smile breaking through his tired expression.
"You and Papa are late!" Aarya pouted, casting a mock glare at Aarav, who leaned in trying to kiss her cheeks. She playfully shoved him away. "I was so bored!"
"Sorry, Princess," Yug said, flashing her a sly grin. "Your Papa and I were out having ice cream."
"WHAT?! Without me?!" she gasped dramatically, scandalized.
Aarav rolled his eyes. "Yug, don't tease her." He looked at his daughter. "Baby, we just had to meet someone. But hey — your Papa signed a big deal today!"
"Ohhh..." Aarya's eyes widened, curiosity already washing away her mock offense.
"I still don't like you, Uncle," she muttered, arms crossed.
"Aww, don't be mad, little princess," Yug said, leaning in to kiss her nose. She squealed at the tickle and burst into giggles.
"Now go check the bag on the table," he said. "We got you something."
Aarya darted across the room, pulling the contents from the paper bag. Her face lit up.
"A diary! With Shin Chan on it!" She hugged it tightly to her chest. "Thank you, Papa!"
"Thank Yug," Aarav said, nodding toward his friend. "He picked it out."
Aarya ran back to Yug, hugging his legs. "Thank you, Yug Uncle! I love it so, so much!"
Yug crouched down, smiling. "Do you love me, though?"
"I love you too!" she giggled, hugging him tighter and blowing him a few exaggerated kisses.
"Alright, that's enough," Aarav chuckled. "Bedtime now, little one. It's late. Let's get you changed."
As Aarav reached for her hand, Yug gently stopped him.
"You need a breather," he said softly. "Go take a shower. I'll put her to bed."
Aarav paused, then gave a silent nod and turned down the hallway.
Fresh from the shower, Aarav was drying his hair when he slowed outside Aarya's room, drawn by the sound of hushed voices.
"Uncle... do you know my dad?" came Aarya's quiet question.
Yug's voice followed with a small chuckle. "Of course I do. Your Papa and I—"
"Not Papa," she interrupted. "My other dad."
There was a pause. Yug's breath caught.
"Do you know him? Please tell me."
"...Yeah," Yug replied gently. "I know him."
"Really? What was he like? Was he strong?"
Yug smiled, running his hand gently through her hair. "Very strong."
"Like... Superman?"
"Something like that," he said, voice soft and warm. "Now sleep, little Princess. Dream something sweet."
He kissed her forehead, turned off the lights, and stepped out of the room.
Aarav was standing in the hallway, leaning quietly against the wall. Their eyes met.
"Yug—"
"Come," Yug cut in gently. "Let's go to the balcony. I'll make some coffee."
The city lights flickered softly below as the two men sat on the balcony, steaming mugs in their hands. The silence between them wasn't awkward — just full.
"She keeps asking about him," Aarav said eventually.
Yug nodded. "Yep it's time you tell her. About her other father. About everything."
Aarav hesitated. "I know. I also want her to get to know them but Yug, woh abhi choti hai. She's still so little, Yug. I don't want to disrupt her world. Meeting him... that won't be simple."
"I get it. But she's not just little — she's aware. And curious. Vedansh won't hide it forever, you know that. Let her meet him. Let her know the truth — gently. She deserves it. Aur jaldi kya hai. Abhi to sirf woh apne dadaji se hi milegi. Itna stress mat lo".
There was a long silence before Aarav finally said, "I'm thinking of telling her tomorrow. About the Shekhawats. About the Royal family."
"She's going to lose her mind when she finds out she's a real-life princess," Yug grinned.
"Well... only if her let's her" Aarav muttered. "God, it's going to be a mess." He ran his fingers through his hair, frustration simmering.
"Bade logon ki bade bade problems," Yug quipped with a grin. "Simple souls like me can't relate."
Aarav scoffed. "Also, you really shouldn't have given her that diary. You're spoiling her."
"Are you kidding me? It's a diary, Aarav. Not a car".
"And I'm telling you — she's five! She's not supposed to have secrets."
"Everyone needs their own space. Even five-year-olds. Let her explore her own world. That's part of growing up."
"She doesn't need to," Aarav smirked. "I already made her world perfect. That's why she loves me more."
Yug raised an eyebrow. "Delusional, as always." Aarav punched his arms playfully.
There was a beat, then Yug's expression shifted. He set his cup down and reached for Aarav's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Can I ask you something?"
Aarav looked at him and nodded.
"If Shaurya ever asked you to come back into his life... would you?"
Aarav went quiet. His gaze dropped to their joined hands.
"I don't know, Yug," he said softly. "Maine woh har yaadon ho bhula diya hain. Par woh insaan, woh mere dimaag se utarne ka naam hi nahi le rha. I just know that things are never going to same between us. I can't risk making the same mistake again. Not when Aarya is everything."
"So you still love him. I got my answer."
"No. Humare beech ab kuch nahi raha. Hum shayad ek doorse ke liye bane hi nahi the"
Yug remained silent, his thumb brushing once across Aarav's knuckles.
"I just hope," Aarav added quietly, "that no matter what happens... she never has to feel what I did."
And in the silence that followed, both of them knew — the hardest part was yet to come.
"Aarav, maan leta hu tumne use bhula diya... but will Shaurya agree to this?" Yug asked quietly.
Aarav sighed, avoiding his gaze. "Usse tayaar hona hi padega. Anyway he doesn't really cares though. Bhadh mein jaaye woh buddha".
He turned toward Yug and playfully pressed a hand over his mouth. "Aur tum... thoda kam bola karo. Bohot bolte ho yaar."
Yug simply looked at him, his eyes thoughtful even behind the smile.
"Shaurya Shekhawat... we really do need to talk," Yug thought to himself, a quiet storm stirring in his mind.
"Chalo ab andar aao, aaj raat yahin ruk jao. Kaafi din ho gaye, dhang se baat bhi nahi hui." Aarav said, gently tugging Yug by the arm as they stepped back inside.
"Kya din aa gaye hain," Yug smirked, "Aarav Singh Chauhan khud keh raha hai ke baithke baatein karein."
Aarav rolled his eyes, placing both their coffee mugs in the sink before turning back.
"Waise... aunty kaisi hai? Any improvements?"
Yug's face sobered.
"I don't know, bas chemo chal rahi hai. Doctors keh rahe hain zyada umeed mat rakho. Aur main... main khud ko mentally prepare kar raha hoon. Ek na ek din toh chali hi jaayengi."
Aarav walked over and gently rubbed Yug's back.
"Zyada hero banne ki zarurat nahi hai. At least we can pray right? Everything will be fine, I'm here for you Yug".
Yug exhaled slowly. This time, Aarav took his hand and led him to the couch. They sat, and Aarav spoke again — firm but soft.
"Now listen to me. Aur beech mein bolna mat."
Yug raised his eyebrows but didn't interrupt.
"Do you remember how you took care of me when I was sick?
You were the only one who stood beside me when Aarya was born and I was a wreck.
Tum mere aur Aarya ke zindagi mein bohot anmol ho Yug.
Feels weird saying but yes, mere apne hi kuch nahi kr paaye.
If you ever feel alone, just come to us. Me and Aarya. And yeah Eve as well".
Yug stared, speechless. The silence between them grew full — full of unspoken memories, years of shared weight.
"Kuch toh bolo," Aarav nudged gently.
Yug smiled faintly, his eyes unusually quiet.
"I don't know what to say."
He leaned in a little, just enough to make Aarav wary. Aarav leaned slightly back with a raised brow.
"Relax. Kiss nahi kar raha." Yug whispered with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Jab tak Shaurya Shekhawat khud tumhe mere hawale nahi kar deta, I won't make a move I promise".