12.
Veer stepped quietly into the room and paused at the sight before him—Vayu fast asleep, clinging to Aarohi's hair, his tiny fingers curled around a strand.
Aarohi was nestled beside him, both of them tangled in warmth and comfort.
Veer couldn't help but smirk as he took a quick photo, capturing the moment.
He tiptoed closer and gently tickled Vayu, who squirmed with a sleepy frown and rubbed his eyes.
"Ouch... Vayu, baal chhodo humara," Aarohi mumbled, still half-asleep as she gently freed her hair from his grip. She shifted slightly but didn't wake fully, continuing to cuddle Vayu.
Veer smiled and ran a hand lovingly through his son's hair.
"Mere bacche ko school nahi jaana aaj?"
"No, Papa... let me sleep," Vayu murmured, voice heavy with sleep.
"Acha? Toh theek hai. Toh tumhare Big Papa akele chale jaayenge." Veer teased, grinning.
Vayu's eyes flew open. "No! I'll go with Big Papa!"
Still half-dazed, he stumbled out of the bed, dashing out to find Shaurya.
Aarohi sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Veer... Sunday hai. Kyun pareshan kar rahe ho use?"
Veer chuckled as he walked over and sat beside her.
"Thoda privacy bhi toh chahiye na, Aarohi."
She smiled sleepily, brushing a hand across his cheek.
"Kab aaye tum? Kuch khaya? Thake thake lag rahe ho."
"I love it when you miss me," Veer said with a grin, leaning into her touch.
"Maine aisa kuch nahi kaha, idiot," she muttered, pulling her hand back—but Veer caught it and kissed her knuckles softly.
Pulling her closer, he wrapped his arms around her and rested his forehead against hers.
"Kya hua?" Aarohi chuckled.
"Bas... lagta hai hum dono ke paas aajkal romance ke liye waqt hi nahi bacha. I'm sorry, Aarohi. I'll try to come home earlier. But kaam itna hota hai..."
Aarohi leaned her head on Veer's shoulder.
"I understand... Vayu misses you a lot too. The other day he cried because you left for work without waking him. Tum baap-bete kitne rote ho. Rondu kahike."
Veer chuckled softly.
"Baap-bete ka pyaar hai. Tum nahi samjhogi."
"Haan haan, kuch bhi. Tum Karwa Chauth pe rahoge na?" Aarohi asked as they lay down, wrapped in each other's warmth.
"Of course. I always look forward to days like that. Even the smallest puja in this house feels special... because you're here. Tumhari wajah se yeh jagah ab tak ghar bana hua hai."
Aarohi raised an eyebrow, a smile teasing her lips.
"Movie dekh ke aaye ho kya?"
"Biwi se thoda pyaar se baat bhi na karu ab?" Veer laughed, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "By the way, I have something to tell you."
"Hmm? Kya?"
He looked into her eyes.
"I love you, wifey."
Aarohi blushed and turned away, trying to hide her smile.
"Chup raho aur so jao."
"Arey yaar, itni jaldi to neend—"
"PAPA!!"
Both Veer and Aarohi looked toward the doorway. Vayu stood there with his arms crossed, lower lip jutting out in dramatic betrayal.
"PAPA LIAR! Aaj Sunday hai aur Big Papa toh ghar pe hai hi nahi. NO SCHOOL!" Vayu huffed and stomped his feet in protest.
Veer burst into laughter but didn't respond, still gazing at Aarohi fondly. Vayu, seeing no reaction, marched toward the bed and flopped right in the middle, settling himself between them.
Veer groaned.
"Vayu! Kya hua? Go to your room, beta. Let Mumma and Papa—"
"Aaj toh main yahin sounga," Vayu declared triumphantly, snuggling close to Aarohi, who was trying to hold back a laugh.
Veer sighed dramatically.
"Bohot badmaash ho gaye ho aap."
He leaned in, kissed Vayu's cheek and pulled it gently, then launched into tickling his son's little belly. Vayu squealed in laughter, his protests forgotten, as the room filled with their giggles and warmth.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Shaurya, yaar! Come on, have a drink," Vaani said, flashing her most charming smile as she handed him a glass of wine. They were at a high-profile auction party, the kind only the rich and ruthless frequented.
Shaurya took the glass without looking at her, sipping with a disinterested air.
"When did you get back?" he asked, eyes fixed on the stage ahead.
"Just yesterday. Don't worry, I'll be gone soon, so you can relax," Vaani rolled her eyes, reading his mood as always.
Shaurya said nothing. Vaani, dressed in a striking red gown with more skin than fabric, leaned a little closer—clearly trying to draw his attention elsewhere.
Her breasts to be exact. Ravi, Shaurya's longtime bodyguard, watched the scene unfold with barely disguised disdain, resisting the urge to roll his eyes.
"So, what's new, handsome? I heard Vedansh Uncle went to Udaipur?" Vaani asked, swirling her drink.
"Mhmm." Shaurya's gaze remained fixed on the stage, unmoved.
"You're okay with that?" she probed further.
"Doesn't concern me." He took another sip. "I'm going to Udaipur too."
"What?! You're actually going to meet him after everything he did?" Vaani looked stunned.
Shaurya raised a brow, barely amused. "I never said I was going to meet him. Vayu has a trip there. I'm just going as his guardian."
"Ohh... I thought—well, never mind. In that case, maybe I'll tag along. What do you say?" Vaani asked, laughing nervously.
Shaurya shrugged. "Suit yourself. Sirf wahan kuch dhang ke kapre pehen lena. Bachche rahenge."
Ravi let out a snort, barely containing his laughter. Vaani's face was red.
At that moment, a velvet-draped crown was unveiled on stage. The room quieted with intrigue. It caught Shaurya's attention instantly.
"Opening bid, 50 crores!" the auctioneer called.
"50 crores from the Shekhawats," one of Shaurya's representatives announced.
"50 crores once... twice...—"
"75 crores!" another voice cut through the hall—it was a rival family. Of the Shekhawats.
Vaani raised an eyebrow. "This is getting interesting."
"100 crores." Shaurya's side remained calm, collected.
The rival bidder hesitated, then pushed forward. "125 crores."
Gasps rippled through the hall. Even the announcer seemed breathless. It was clear the crown wasn't worth that much—but the feud wasn't about worth.
Everyone expected Shaurya to drop out.
Instead, without blinking, Shaurya set down his wine glass and said coolly,
"500 crores."
The hall fell into stunned silence. Vaani choked on her drink.
"Shaurya, are you out of your mind?!" she hissed.
The auctioneer could hardly contain the thrill.
"500 crores! Going once... going twice... SOLD! To Mr. Shaurya Shekhawat!"
Applause broke out around the room. Cameras flashed. People murmured in awe.
Shaurya stood up without a word, buttoned his jacket, and walked out—unbothered, unreadable.
Vaani followed Shaurya out into the cool night air, heels clicking against the pavement.
"Shaurya! Wait!" she called out, slightly breathless. "Thoda ruk jao na, pagal. Our conversation isn't over yet."
Shaurya stopped in his tracks and turned halfway, his voice flat.
"Tumhe aur kuch kehna hai?"
"Can't you slow down for once? What's the rush?" She rolled her eyes, then quickly returned to her point.
"Listen... Aarav's in Udaipur too. Just don't let your walls come crashing down again, okay? You know exactly what I mean."
Shaurya didn't answer. Instead, he took out a lighter and lit a cigarette, exhaling slowly, eyes cold and unreadable.
"And Aarav—he's still the same, Shaurya. Arrogant. Immature. I saw his interview the other day—talking like business is just a game. Flaunting his face like he's some saint. He wants to provoke you, can't you see? He's always been like that. Afterall jiska khoon hi ganda ho-"
In a flash, Shaurya grabbed her wrist and pushed her back against a tree. His eyes turned lethal.
"Aur ek lafz, Vaani... Just one more. I swear I'll rip that tongue out." His voice was a low growl.
"Zubaan sambhal ke baat karo. Don't make me forget you're a woman."
The air turned electric. Vaani's confidence crumbled.
"I-I'm sorry, Shaurya... please let go. I was drunk. I didn't mean it. I—I wasn't thinking." Her voice trembled as her eyes welled up.
Shaurya held her in place a beat longer, then released her without a word. He turned, walking back toward his car like nothing had happened.
"Aarav will never come back to you, Shaurya," Vaani called after him, her voice laced with angry tears.
"No matter how long you wait—he's never coming back."
Shaurya didn't even flinch. He got in the car, started the engine, and drove off into the night—silence louder than any reply.