Epilogue 3
Kapoor Paradise | Garden
Aaryaant sat cross-legged on the picnic mat, watching the golden sunlight pour over the delicate curls, a feature from him, of his four-year-old daughter as she plucked daisies and tried braiding them into her tiny hair. Her giggles rang like temple bells, her eyes-his exact shade of honey brown, shimmered under the sky.
She was his heart walking outside his body.
And just like that, the memory swept in-
Flashback | Three Years Ago
It had been one of those chaotic mornings. Vanya, still in her satin robe, had been trying to coax a one-year-old Aarvika into eating mashed bananas and oats for the last thirty minutes. But her daughter had different plans.
With a squeal, Aarvika escaped from her high chair, wobbling on her tiny legs with impressive speed, banana smeared on her cheek and a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.
"Aarvi!" Vanya called, huffing and chasing after her, one spoon still in hand.
"Aarvika baby, not again!" she huffed at her daughter.
The toddler toddled her way into the hall, where her father stood near the window wall, his back facing them, earbud in one ear and tablet in hand, giving crisp instructions to his PA over a call.
Without hesitation, Aarvika ran to him, her tiny hands clamping around his leg like a koala, her head resting against him, babbling nonsense with purpose.
Aaryaant blinked, then glanced down.
And his entire world melted.
"Princess?" he said in a silly voice, immediately picking her up and lifting her into the air.
"What's this? A baby attack on Papa's leg?" His voice shifted into a baby tone. Aarvika squealed, clapping her banana-sticky hands on his cheeks.
Vanya arrived a second later, breathing heavily, her hands on her hips.
"I've been running behind her like a madwoman. She refuses to eat!" She whined.
"No eat," Aarvika declared proudly in her baby voice, hiding in her papa's neck, peeking at Vanya from inside Aaryaant's shirt collar with a little devilish grin making Aaryaant chuckled.
"Let's try the Dadda magic, hmm?" He walked over to the dining area and sat down with her on his lap.
Ten minutes later, with airplane noises, sound effects, and a few dance moves, Aarvika had eaten every bite.
"See? You just needed a co-pilot" he winked at Vanya, handing her a clean, full-bellied Aarvika.
Vanya rolled her eyes, kissed Aarvika's forehead.
"You're lucky your dad is irresistible." she whispered.
They shared a quick smile and a heartwarming kiss before grabbing their files and keys-heading to their offices like a true power couple, leaving behind giggles, empty bowls, and the scent of home.
Flashback ends
Back to present
Now, as Aaryaant watched his daughter hum and skip across the lawn, her hair now neatly braided by Vanya before school, he smiled.
That moment-her little arms around his legs, hiding in his chest-was etched into him forever.
"Papa, look! I made a flower crown for Mamma!"
She ran to him, holding out her masterpiece. He took it gently, kissed her hand.
"And now she'll wear it like a queen. Just like you two are my queens." He said.
He tucked her into his lap, hugging her tightly, whispering a silent thanks to the universe for Vanya, for this little miracle, and for the thousand little memories that built their forever.
Later that day in Vanya's office
The scent of fresh coffee lingered in the air as Vanya sat behind her elegant oakwood desk, her saree impeccably draped, her expression sharp as she flipped through case files. Her assistants spoke in hushed tones-not out of fear, but out of admiration. Mrs. Vanya Kapoor Dandwani was a goddess of calm precision in office.
She had just finished signing off a major event when her office door gently opened without a knock-the only two people in the world, allowed to do that. Aaryaant walked in with Aarvika in his arms, both of them trying very hard to stay serious.
"The Queen's flower crown, as requested," he said dramatically, bowing his head slightly.
"Mumma... for you!" Aarvika wiggled down, walked up to her mom, and said in her soft angel voice. In her tiny fingers was the slightly messy but love-filled daisy crown she had made that morning.
"My crown is here? I must be the luckiest queen in the world." Vanya said as her stern demeanor cracked in an instant. She leaned forward, scooped her daughter into her arms.
She placed the flower crown on her head, and the office that often witnessed legal battles and strategy turned into a palace of love and laughter for a moment. Aaryaant came closer, eyes softening at the sight of his girls.
"We canceled our lunch meeting. We thought we'd crash yours!" he said, brushing his hand gently across her cheek and kissing his woman's lips. Vanya smiled, raising an eyebrow.
"Aarvika convinced you?" she asked.
"Aarvika runs the house," he whispered, leaning in.
"And half of her Papa's company!" Their daughter giggled, playing with the corner of her mother's saree.
The assistants outside peeked in from the glass window and melted instantly. It wasn't every day the ice-cool senior lawyer smiled like this-or had a flower crown on during client hours.
"You know you just made my whole week, right?" Vanya whispered into Aarvika's hair,
"I did?" she questioned.
"You and your Papa both."
They stayed like that for a while-Vanya on the couch with her daughter on her lap and her husband seated beside her, arms stretched over the backrest protectively, like the world couldn't touch them.
And maybe it couldn't.
~~·~~
Sunday Morning | Garden Brunch Setup
The sun peeked through the curtains of a breezy spring morning as a soft jazz tune floated through the mansion’s private garden. Aaryaant and Aarvika were seated under a canopy adorned with blush pink flowers and gold drapes. A courtesy of Vanya's aesthetic touches.
Aaryaant had just finished helping Aarvika color inside her storybook when he looked around, brow raised.
“Where’s your Mamma?” he asked his daughter.
“Secret!” Aarvika chimed, grinning, her little hands covering her mouth in a playful hush.
Just then, the French doors opened, and Vanya stepped out, wearing a soft brown saree, her long hair falling in waves, her mangalsutra gently resting over her heart. But what caught Aarvika’s attention was the box she held in her hand. A gift wrapped and marked with 'To Papa he already suspected what was coming.
"We're pregnant. Again!" Vanya announced taking a deep breath.
There was a moment of stunned silence, then loud cheers, squeals and comments followed.
Ariv: “Another Dandwani? Oh, My aarvi’s going to have a partner-in-crime!”
Vartika: “I knew you’d do this before us!”
Aaryaant chuckled, pulling Vanya closer.
“Looks like the family’s expanding.” He playfully remarked.
Just then, Aavyaan cleared his throat. He stood beside Vani, holding her hand, trying to suppress a grin.
“Well… so is ours.” he uttered in a very low voice.
Everyone turned again, jaws dropping.
"We're expecting too!" Vani smiled proudly.
Now that sent the courtyard into full-blown celebration mode.
Ariv: “What is happening?! Is this a Dandwani-Kapoor baby boom?”
Vartika: “Apparently the next generation decided to arrive together!”
I’m gonna be big sister AND big sister again!” Aarvika, meanwhile, said, walked around
Everyone laughed.
“Well, we’re next.” Vartika leaned into Ariv’s side.
“Whenever you say the word, Mrs. Dandwani.” He smirked making her blush.
With arms around each other, laughter in the air, and two new lives growing within the circle of family, it felt like joy had found a permanent home in the Dandwani-Kapoor legacy.
The happiest ending
Thank you readers for showering your love on this book. I'm lucky to receive your love. Do shower your love and support on my second book : UNTIL MY LAST brEATH
The book is for readers who wanted Ariv and Vartika's lovelife.