Epilogue 2
The glass-walled corner office, overlooking the city's skyline, was silent. Except for the softest of giggles. The polished marble floor was scattered with tiny plush toys, an open sketchbook with colorful scribbles, and a half-eaten banana on Aaryaant Dandwani's lap.
And sitting in the middle of his grand oak desk, wearing a pastel frock and two crooked ponytails, was his one-year-old daughter-her tiny fingers gripping a gold pen like a sword, eyes gleaming with mischief.
Aaryaant sat on the couch nearby, shirt sleeves rolled up, his tie hanging loose around his neck as he made cartoonish sounds, dramatically pretending to faint each time she attacked him with the pen.
"Oh no! Princess Aarvika has struck again!" he cried, collapsing onto the couch dramatically.
She clapped, let out a happy squeal, and stood wobbling on the desk like the conqueror she believed she was. Just then, a knock on his door caught the attention of both father and daughter.
Aarvika sounded something in her baby voice and they got the signal to come in. Aaryaant chuckled at her bossy expressions just exact as her mother the office door creaked open. His manager, assistant, and two junior partners peeked in quietly.
"Sir... the five-million rupees meeting with the international investors..." His manager said.
The assistant slowly raised a finger, pointing toward the little queen of the office desk. Aaryaant didn't even look up. Still sprawled on the couch, he lifted a hand.
"Postpone it." he calmly said.
There was no protest. No confusion. Not even a blink of surprise. The manager just nodded, smiling softly.
"Of course, Sir. Rescheduling for tomorrow." he said.
Because ever since Vanya Kapoor entered Aaryaant Dandwani's life, this has become the norm. Meetings moved. Boardrooms waited. And the empire adapted-because his family always came first. Back inside, Aaryaant sat up, reached for his daughter and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her chubby red cheeks.
"You've got your mamma's fire and your papa's world in your fists, little one. You win." He whispered. Aarvika yawned and nuzzled into his chest, resting there like it was her throne.
And for Aaryaant Dandwani-trillionaire, tycoon, and once the most feared negotiator and Mafia King in the country-there was no deal more valuable, no meeting more important than being his daughter's playground.
After an hour...
The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open to reveal Vanya, dressed in a soft cream co-ord set, her hair pulled into a low braid, and a little bag of homemade snacks in her hand. She stepped out, greeted warmly by the staff. They all knew who she was-The prominent event planner and the heartbeat of Aaryaant Dandwani himself.
"They're in his office, ma'am," the receptionist informed her with a polite smile. Vanya nodded, her lips curving up knowingly. She pushed open the glass door to his office-already guessing what she'd find.
And there it was.
Her entire universe, tangled in each other.
The grand desk was a battleground of baby crayons, stuffed giraffes, and two pink and blue sippy cups lying sideways. The chair had been wheeled to the side. But the real sight was on the couch.
Aaryaant, leaned back, head tilted slightly to the side, one arm hanging off the cushion. And on his chest, Aarvika, fast asleep, one chubby hand gripping his shirt tightly like it was her personal blanket.
Her little mouth was open slightly, a thin trail of drool staining his white shirt. And her father, Mouth parted, snoring softly, with a sticker stuck to his cheek that read "SUPER DAD."
Vanya blinked, one hand flying to her mouth to stifle the laugh bubbling out. She walked quietly, barely making a sound, and stopped beside the couch. Her heart melted.
She crouched beside them, brushing her fingers softly across her baby's chubby cheek, then looked at Aaryaant-hair a little messy, tie still undone, shirt wrinkled from playing.
He looked like peace. Her peace.
"Of course, Five million rupees postponed for one banana and a nap." She whispered to herself and gently kissed Aarvika's head, then Aaryaant's forehead.
That stirred him. His eyes fluttered open, and the moment he saw her, his entire being relaxed.
"Hey..." he said, voice husky with sleep.
"You skipped lunch again, Mr. Father." she whispered smiling back.
"Blame our daughter," he murmured, glancing down at Aarvika.
"She declared war on pens and negotiations." Vanya chuckled, placing the snack box on the table and sitting on the floor beside him, resting her head against his arm.
"And she won, clearly." He looked at her, eyes full of warmth.
"They both do. Every single day."
Vanya looked up at him-this powerful man made of softness and strength.
"You're a better father than I ever dreamed... and a husband beyond my prayers." she whispered.
"And you made me both!" He said leaning down and kissing her forehead followed by her lips. Their little family, tangled in that couch and covered in crayon stickers, was the most beautiful empire he had ever built.
A soft knock interrupted them as his PA entered with a parcel after being permitted.
"Sir your parcel!" He said placing the parcel on his glass table and left greeting Vanya with a polite smile.
"What's in it?" She asked as he opened the parcel.
"Patience love, patience!" He said.
As he opened it, he took out two black boxes. Opening them, he took out the anklets and walked to them. Reaching near vanya's feet, he placed her feet on his chest and made her wear the gold anklet.
"You really know my taste in ornaments!" She exclaimed as she saw a minimal, simple yet elegant gold anklet.
"I know the whole you. More than you know yourself!" He whispered, so as not to wake their little bundle of love.
"What's in another one?" She asked, glancing at another little box.
"That's for my little love!" He said taking out the small cute anklet. She chuckled and went awe at the cutest anklet, just like their daughter.
He fastened the anklet on her ankle and kissed the feet of the blessing of their love, after placing her feet on his forehead.
"Meri choti or badi laxmi!" He again exclaimed taking them into a soft small family hug.
Clicking a picture of their feet, he Posted it.
Aaryaant.K.Dandwani My laxmis
Rooftop Terrace of The Indian Bru?s Studio | Sunset Hour
The sky melted into hues of orange, pink, and soft gold. The city below buzzed quietly while up above, the world slowed down on the terrace of The Indian Bru?s.
There, on a plush picnic blanket surrounded by cushions, sat Ariv, criss-crossed, in a white shirt and green loose cargos, one arm lazily resting behind him, and the other stretched out beside a tiny whirlwind of joy-Aarvika.
She sat between Ariv and Vartika, who wore a simple black suit, her hair tied in a loose low bun, and the baby was wrapped in a mini ivory and golden lehenga designed by none other than her Masi Queen. The small anklet is still on her ankle, with a small ghunghroo added which makes a cute sound whenever she moves with her small and chubby feet.
"She looks like a couture ladoo," Ariv chuckled, watching the baby attempt to grab a glittering cushion tassel.
"She is couture," Vartika smiled at her, tightening the waistband.
"You have no idea how long it took to get her to stay still for the final fitting."
Aarvika squealed, now crawling toward the edge of the blanket to reach the tiny diya that had been lit in a glass lantern. Her anklets chimed as she moved.
"Baby no," Vartika said, gently pulling her back.
Aarvika turned, frowning, clearly about to protest. Before the pout could form, Ariv picked her up in one swoop, lifted her in the air.
"Distraction time!" he said and spun her slowly like a plane. She giggled uncontrollably, arms flailing, and then plopped down into his lap like jelly, babbling gibberish and trying to remove his nose.
Vartika clicked a photo.
"You're going to make her expect royal treatment from every man she meets."
Ariv leaned into Vartika slightly, Aarvika squished between them, her hand grabbing Ariv's hoodie string.
"She should. She's got many people showing her what love should feel like."
Vartika's smile softened. Aarvika was now resting her cheek against Ariv's chest, thumb in mouth, eyes beginning to droop. Vartika reached over, gently tucking the baby's hair behind her ear.
"She always sleeps like that when she's with you."
"Maybe because she knows she's safe," he whispered, now looking at Vartika with something deeper than affection.
"And you?" he asked softly. "You feel safe with me?"
She looked at both of them-the fierce model and the sleepy tiny human before and nodded.
"With both of you. Always." she whispered.
Vartika leaned her head on his shoulder, her hand resting gently over Aarvika's back. There, under the setting sun, surrounded by glittering city lights, tangled lehengas, and warmth-they weren't just a moment anymore. They were home.
Another little gift for my lovely readers. Hor you like it. Enjoy and stay blessed.