13.
A soft knock broke the silence as Shaurya slipped into his jacket.
"Bhai? Can I come in?" Veer's voice came from behind the door.
"Yeah, sure," Shaurya said, eyes fixed on the mirror as he ran a hand through his hair.
Veer entered, quietly closing the door behind him. He stopped a few steps in, watching his brother.
Shaurya turned, eyebrows raised. "What is it?"
Veer hesitated, then spoke—his voice calm but firm. "Talk to him. Bring him back. Maybe it doesn't matter to you anymore, but it matters to the rest of us. We still care about Aarav."
Shaurya didn't respond. He strapped on his watch without looking up.
"Isn't Dad already on it?" he muttered.
Veer shook his head slightly. "You really think that's enough? If you'd wanted, Bhai... aap sab kuch thik kr sakte the. But maybe it's too late now. So at least... do it for us."
Shaurya scoffed. "If it means that much to you, why don't you go?" He finally looked at Veer, the fatigue clear in his voice. "I'm done thinking about all this."
Veer exhaled sharply. "It's pointless talking to you. Just don't do something you'll regret."
Shaurya's expression hardened. He grabbed Veer by the collar, pulling him close.
"You don't get to fucking tell me what to do," he hissed. "Tum humse chote ho, don't forget that".
Veer didn't resist. He just stood there, quiet—his eyes clouded with hurt. That broke something in Shaurya. His grip loosened.
"Veer..." He ran a hand through his hair, stepping back. "Just leave."
"Bhai—"
"LEAVE"
"Vayu aapka intezzar kar rha hai".
-------------------------------------------------------
"Do you think he's sleeping?" Yug whispered, crouching slightly as he and Aarya peeked through the narrow gap in Aarav's bedroom door.
Aarav lay still, his back facing them. Aarya held a steel utensil with wicked glee in her eyes, tiptoeing like a tiny ninja.
"Let's go inside," Aarya whispered back, barely containing her excitement.
They crept forward with exaggerated silence, preparing for the ultimate wake-up scare.
But just as Aarya raised the utensil—
"Don't even think about it, Aarya."
Both froze. Aarya groaned in disappointment, her shoulders slumping.
"Ugh! Papa, you ruin all the fun!"
Aarav turned to face them, his hair tousled, a smirk playing on his lips.
Yug chuckled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.
As Aarav slowly sat up, Yug's eyes caught a subtle motion—Aarav quickly slid something, a thread or string of some kind, under his pillow. Yug noticed but said nothing.
"Come here, you little troublemaker," Aarav grinned, pulling Aarya into his lap and immediately launching a tickle attack.
Aarya squealed with laughter. "Nooo, Papa! Stop! Stopp!"
"Then no more scaring Papa in the morning!" Aarav said playfully.
Aarya pouted, dramatically folding her arms.
"But it's already 8:30, and sleeping is boring, Papa! We should do something fun! It's Sunday!" Her voice lilted with adorable insistence.
Aarav chuckled, pressing a kiss to her head.
"Fine, Miss Sunday Enthusiasm. What do you suggest we do today?"
Yug crossed his arms, leaning against the doorframe.
"No Frozen please Aarya."
Aarya grinned, already brimming with ideas as the morning light spilled into the room—marking the start of a Sunday that might turn out to be anything but ordinary.
Aarav held Aarya close, her laughter slowly quieting as she snuggled into his chest. He smiled, but there was a hint of seriousness in his eyes now—like a wave of thought he could no longer hold back.
He looked at her gently.
"Aarya... do you remember that night when you asked me about your... other dad?"
Aarya blinked up at him, her small fingers still clinging to his shirt. She nodded slowly.
"Haan, Papa... I remember."
Aarav took a breath.
"Do you still want to know about him?"
Aarya's eyes lit up with curiosity. She sat up a little straighter in his lap, nodding again, this time with excitement.
"Yes! Please tell me!"
Aarav glanced at Yug, who gave him a subtle nod of encouragement.
"You have... a grandfather too," Aarav said softly."His name is Vedansh Shekhawat. And he wants to meet you."
"Really?!" Aarya gasped, her mouth forming a perfect 'O'. But then her face scrunched into a thoughtful little frown. She looked down at her tiny fingers tapping against Aarav's arm.
Aarav noticed and gently asked,
"What happened, princess? What are you thinking?"
Aarya looked up, wide-eyed.
"Is he a good man papa?"
Aarav chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"He's a very good person. In fact, he's like a father to me too. He's kind. And he really, really wants to meet you."
Before Aarav could say more, Yug chimed in teasingly,
"He might look scary, like one of those big goblins from Aarya's storybooks... but don't worry, he's just a softie inside."
Aarav rolled his eyes and glared at Yug.
"Yug. Shut up."
Yug just grinned, raising his hands in mock surrender."I'm just saying! She should know what she's walking into."
Aarav turned his attention back to Aarya.
"So, would you like to meet him?"
Aarya tilted her head, seriously contemplating it.
Then she looked into Aarav's eyes and asked in her small, careful voice,
"Papa... did he ever hurt you?"
Aarav's heart clenched for a moment. He held her a little tighter but then smiled.
"No, baby. Never. He's never hurt me."
Aarya's face broke into a bright smile, all her hesitation melting away.
"Then yes! I'll meet him! And I'll give him my pink clips. So he doesn't look scary anymore!" She beamed, clearly proud of her thoughtful plan.
Yug laughed out loud.
"That's it, problem solved! Vedansh Shekhawat in glittery pink clips— seriously I'd be dying to witness this".
Aarav shook his head, smiling.
"You're unbelievable."
He looked down at his daughter's glowing face.
"Thank you, Aarya. He's going to be so happy to see you."
Aarya giggled and leaned her head against Aarav's chest.
"So my other dad is coming to meet me as well right Papa?"
Aarav froze.
Aarav glanced at Yug—who gave a hopeful shrug—and smiled.
"Not yet. But he'll come soon".