77.
Everyone was gathered in the dining hall. Vayu was hugging Aarya tightly, his little arms wrapped around her as if he had known her forever.
"Bhai, ruk ja. Behen hai teri," Veer said, watching them with a faint smile.
Shaurya glanced at Aarav. His eyes silently asked him to take the empty seat beside him. Aarav caught the look and shook his head slightly.
"Not now. Please," Aarav murmured.
Shaurya nodded in understanding. Instead, he gestured to the staff. One chair was moved closer to him for Aarya, and another placed beside it for Vayu. Only then did he signal everyone to sit.
Yug and Ravi sat across the table from each other, their usual tension quietly present.
Roy, still not fully healed, was asked by Shaurya to join them.
He sat beside Ravi, and soon enough, the two were talking nonstop—low voices, occasional laughter—filling the silence others seemed hesitant to break.
Shaurya cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention.
"Well, I'm glad that we're here together as a family," he said, his voice steady but warm. "With a perfect addition to our family—my daughter, Aarya."
He smiled at her. Aarya looked around, slightly confused by all the eyes on her, all the smiles meant just for her. She stayed quiet, her small hand firmly clasped in her daddy's.
"Aarav is back. Shouldn't we celebrate it?" Roy said, his voice hoarse but sincere.
"Of course. Of course," Shaurya nodded slowly. "That's something I've been thinking about."
He paused, his expression turning thoughtful. "But right now, I think we all are mourning for someone or the other—or let's put it simply—our parents."
He glanced briefly at Yug.
"My apologies, Yug, for bringing this up. But your situation made me miss my mother. And I think, somehow, Aarav, Aarohi, and Veer are thinking about their parents too."
The table grew quieter.
"They're a big part of our lives," Shaurya continued softly. "So instead of celebrating joy alone, maybe we should do something that holds meaning."
He turned to Aarohi. "Do you have something in mind?"
Aarohi nodded.
"Yeah. I was thinking of having a puja in our mansion. Every year it happens in the palace. Let's do it here this time." She smiled, her eyes glistening slightly. "I'm really happy today—my brother is back, and of course, my little princess."
Aarav smiled, his chest tightening with emotion.
Shaurya rubbed his beard, a thoughtful smile appearing.
"That's good. Let's discuss the details later then. A puja it is."
He looked around the table.
"But let's not invite everyone this year. Just family. And our people."
Everyone nodded, a quiet agreement settling over them.
"Also," Shaurya continued. "I'm glad Roy is getting better. Thank you again—for saving my brother."
Ravi patted his back proudly.
"Ha, maar daal mujhe," Roy winced instantly. "Dard ho raha hai."
"Oh—sorry," Ravi said at once, pulling his hand back, genuinely startled.
A faint smile passed around the table.
"I hope," Shaurya went on, glancing at everyone, "that we continue like this—standing by each other, protecting our loved ones, helping one another heal. And may we keep moving forward... stronger than before."
"Inshallah," Ravi murmured, placing a hand on his chest.
Shaurya's gaze shifted to Aarav.
He had been unusually quiet through the entire conversation—listening, observing, present, yet withdrawn.
Aarohi noticed it. Veer noticed it too. Aarav, who once filled every silence with his voice, now sat still, as if weighed down by memories only he could hear.
Before, Aarav would yap until people's ears starts bleeding or pass at least a funny comment.
Shaurya exhaled slowly.
He knew healing didn't arrive all at once.
Before the silence could grow heavier, a loud grrrrr echoed across the table.
Everyone turned toward Vayu.
The child froze, eyes wide, hands pressed to his stomach.
A second later, laughter broke out.
"Alright," Shaurya said, chuckling despite himself. "Let's eat before someone here starves."
"Chachi," Aarya said suddenly, wrinkling her nose, "can I call you beautiful instead? Chachi sounds... yucky."
Aarohi burst into laughter. "I know, right? But thank you, my little princess."
"Raat ko neend nahi aayegi khushi ke maare," Veer muttered under his breath.
Aarohi shot him a glare.
Conversations slowly picked up again. Veer and Aarohi spoke to Yug, easing him into the family rhythm. Across the table, Aarya and Vayu chatted nonstop, whispering and giggling like conspirators.
"Aarav," Shaurya said softly.
"Yeah?" Aarav looked up.
"Do you... not feel good here?"
Aarav hesitated. "No. I'm fine."
"But you're barely eating."
"I think I'm just tired," Aarav said quietly, setting his spoon back onto the plate.
Shaurya stopped eating too.
Without another word, he hooked a hand around Aarav's chair and dragged it closer—wood scraping against marble.
Aarav stared. The chair was heavy. And I'm sitting on it.
Aarya watched the scene with open amusement, swinging her feet.
"What are you doing?" Aarav whispered.
"Nothing much," Shaurya replied calmly.
He scooped some rice from his own plate and held it up near Aarav's lips.
"Shaurya," Aarav muttered, flustered, "we're not kids anymore. And this is... odd."
"Do you feel bad that I'm doing this?" Shaurya asked quietly.
Aarav shook his head.
"Then no one else's opinion matters," Shaurya said simply—and fed him.
The table fell silent.
No one commented. No one interrupted.
Everyone just watched, hoping—quietly, desperately—that this time, these two would heal together.
"Big Papa!" Vayu suddenly whined. "Feed me too!"
Shaurya smiled. "Of course."
He fed Vayu next, and Aarav, shaking his head fondly, picked up food for Aarya.
The table filled with conversations again.