Epilogue
Sana
Seven years later
“I just need to stop by the temple first, but I promise I’ll be there on time,” my mom says over the phone.
I smile, adjusting the phone on my shoulder while placing my overnight bag into the car. “Alright, Mom, just don’t be late.”
“I won’t, don’t worry,” she replies with a smile in her voice before hanging up.
Turning, I glance back at our house—mine and Aditya’s.
I still can’t believe it’s been seven years since we got married.
There was a time I’d almost lost hope, convinced that life had other plans for us, that the heartbreak would win.
But somehow, we found our way back. And not just back—we built something stronger, something unshakable. In fact, it’s been perfect.
His parents, who once felt like strangers, now feel like my own.
They haven’t just accepted me as their daughter-in-law but also welcomed me as their daughter, showering me with all the love and respect I’d only ever hoped for.
Even now, they’ve planned a special lunch to celebrate the opening of the new branch of my new café.
Not to mention, the most beautiful surprise in all of this is the bond that’s blossomed between Aditya’s mom and mine.
They’ve become more than just in-laws. They’ve become true friends.
That’s why Mom is joining us for lunch at his parents’ place today.
Because in this family, she belongs every bit as much as I do.
I glance down at my watch and it’s already noon.
“Aditya!” I yell. “We’re getting late.”
Just as the words leave my mouth, I see my husband coming down the steps with our five-year-old daughter, Khushi, nestled in his arms. Her two tiny pigtails bounce with each step, and that radiant, lightning-bright smile of hers is reserved just for her father.
She looks up at him with pure adoration, and I can’t help but smile.
She has him wrapped around her tiny little finger, and he doesn’t even try to deny it.
“We’re here, wifey,” Aditya says with a grin, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek before opening the back door of the car. He carefully places Khushi in her car seat, securing her belt before bending down to kiss her chubby little cheeks.
“Papa,” she giggles, her tiny hands reaching for him.
He chuckles, closing the car door before turning back to me. In one swift motion, he wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me close. His lips press against my forehead, lingering just long enough to make my heart flutter.
“Did I tell you how beautiful you look today, wifey?” he murmurs.
“God, I love you in sarees. And this green one?” His eyes sweep over me with unmistakable desire.
“It’s making you look even sexier. I don’t know how I’ll keep my hands off you.
” His smirk turns wicked as he leans in, his breath warm against my ear.
“How about we skip lunch and stay back home… so I can have my way with you?”
“No way, mister,” I laugh as I place my hands on his chest and give him a playful push. “I’m not skipping the lunch my mother-in-law has arranged for me. So, keep all your naughty thoughts on hold.”
His lips curve into a smirk, but I don’t give him a chance to argue.
I open the door and slip into the passenger seat, stealing a glance at him through the rearview mirror.
He shakes his head with a chuckle, then walks around the car as he opens his door and slides into the driver’s seat, his eyes still filled with mischief.
I know that look. This conversation isn’t over.
“I bet my mom will understand,” he winks as he starts the engine.
I roll my eyes, grinning. “Oh, I’m sure she will. And then she’ll scold you for being shameless and tell you to let me enjoy my special lunch in peace.”
Aditya smirks, unfazed. “Or she might just agree that her son deserves some wifey time too,” he teases.
“What does my princess say?” He glances into the rearview mirror, his expression softening when he sees Khushi lost in her own little world, tapping away on her iPad, her tiny fingers moving with full concentration.
Aditya chuckles, “Looks like our princess is too busy to side with either of us.”
I reach back and brush a strand of hair from Khushi’s face. “That’s okay… because no one is skipping this lunch. End of discussion.”
Aditya sighs dramatically. “Fine, fine. But after lunch, wifey… you’re all mine.”
I shake my head, but my smile doesn’t fade.
We make it to his parent’s home a little after one, thanks to the crazy traffic that tested both our patience.
As soon as the car comes to a stop, I step out, stretching slightly before moving to the back. Opening the door, I find my baby girl looking up at me with that bright, heart-melting smile of hers. Her tiny arms reach out instantly, wordlessly asking me to lift her.
“Come here, my love,” I say, scooping her up into my arms. She giggles, wrapping her little arms around my neck, her warmth making all the exhaustion from the traffic melt away.
Behind me, Aditya steps out, shaking his head. “I swear, I could’ve walked faster than that traffic.”
I smirk, shifting Khushi on my hip. “Well, good thing we took the car. I doubt your princess here would’ve enjoyed a midday trek.”
He grins, stepping closer to press a kiss to Khushi’s forehead. “You’re right. Our little queen deserves nothing less than royal treatment.”
Khushi giggles, nuzzling into my shoulder.
Aditya wraps his arms around me as we walk up to the door, but before we can even ring the bell, the door swings open.
Aditya’s parents stand there, smiling as if they had been waiting for us. His mom’s eyes immediately soften when she sees Khushi in my arms.
“There’s my little angel!” she coos, reaching out to take Khushi, who happily goes to her Daadi.
His dad smiles, stepping aside. “Come in. We were just wondering when you’d get here. Traffic must have been bad, huh?”
Aditya groans as he steps in. “Don’t even get me started, Dad. I thought we’d be stuck there forever.”
I shake my head, smiling. “But we made it, and that’s what matters.”
His mom looks at me fondly, reaching out to touch my cheek. “Sana, looking as beautiful as ever in this saree.”
I flush slightly at the compliment, glancing at Aditya, who just smirks as if silently reminding me of his earlier words. I shoot him a playful glare, but he only winks before we enter the house.
As we step into the living room, Aditya’s mom gently places Khushi on her play mat, where she immediately gets busy arranging the tiny furniture in her dollhouse. Her little brows furrow in concentration, making us all smile.
Aditya and his dad take their usual spots on one couch, while his mom and I sit opposite them.
Aditya stretches his arms over the back of the couch, looking at me with a teasing smirk. “So, wifey, ready to be showered with all the love and attention today?”
His mom chuckles. “Of course she is! Today is special, and we’re all so proud of her.”
I smile at her before looking at his dad. “I still can’t believe you all planned this lunch just for me.”
His dad waves a hand dismissively. “You’ve worked hard for this, beta. You deserve it.”
Aditya winks. “And here I was, thinking we could just celebrate at home, you know, privately…”
My eyes widen, and my face flushes as his mom shakes her head. “Aditya, behave.” she chides before turning to me with a warm smile. “I made your favourite red sauce pasta.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I say softly, feeling a sudden lump in my throat. God, how much I love her affection, the way she makes me feel so loved.
Just then, the front door swings open, and my mom walks in, her eyes instantly finding me. A smile spreads across her face as she makes her way to me with that familiar warmth that always makes me feel like a child again.
“There she is,” she says, bending to place a kiss on my forehead. “The woman of the hour.”
Aditya’s mom stands up with a grin. “You’re right on time! We were just talking about how proud we are of her.”
I glance between my two moms, blinking away the happy tears threatening to spill. If someone had told me years ago that this would be my reality, I wouldn’t have believed it. But here we are.
Mom then walks over to Khushi, scooping her up and pressing a kiss to her chubby little cheek.
“You look just like your mommy,” she murmurs, making Khushi giggle as she snuggles into her Nani’s embrace.
Aditya grins. “She’s got my charm, though.”
I roll my eyes. “Sure. Keep telling yourself that.”
Laughter fills the room as we all make our way to the dining table, where a feast awaits. Bowls of fragrant curry, fresh rotis, crispy fritters, and, of course, my favourite red sauce pasta are laid out invitingly on the table.
As we take our seats, the lunch begins—not just with food, but with endless chatter, teasing, and laughter between bites.
Aditya’s mom keeps piling food onto my plate, while my mom chimes in with playful scolding about how I never eat properly.
Aditya and his dad get caught up in a debate about cricket, while Khushi happily munches on her pasta, completely content in her little world.
I sit back and glance around—at my family, at my little girl, at the people who make my world whole. I take it all in, letting the warmth of the moment settle deep into my heart. This… this is what true happiness feels like. This moment, this life—it’s everything I ever wished for.
Hours later, we’re back home. Aditya carefully places Khushi in her bed, moving with the gentleness only a father can have.
She’s completely out, her tiny fingers curled into little fists, her long lashes resting peacefully against her cheeks.
My heart melts at the sight as I watch him tuck her in with the utmost care.
“Good night, princess,” he murmurs, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead before pulling her pink blanket over her. I switch off the main lights, leaving only the soft glow of the night lamp. I check the baby monitor, ensuring everything is set before we quietly step out, closing the door behind us.
As soon as we’re in the hallway, Aditya throws an arm around my shoulder, pulling me close. “You sleepy, sweetheart?”
Even after all these years, my stomach still flutters at the way he says it. I glance up at him, knowing exactly where that playful glint in his eyes is leading.
“Maybe,” I reply, resting my head against his shoulder.
“Good. Because I have other plans for you.”
“What plans?” I ask, my hands already having a mind of their own, sliding up his shirt, feeling the warmth of his skin.
A low moan escapes his lips as his muscles tense under my touch. In a swift, effortless motion, he scoops me up into his arms, carrying me bridal style. A surprised gasp leaves me before I instinctively wrap my arms around his neck, holding on as his smirk deepens.
“You’ll find out soon enough, wifey,” he murmurs, his eyes darkening with intent.
I laugh softly, resting my forehead against his. “You do know we had a long day, right?”
He starts walking toward our room. “And now, it’s time for an even better night.”
My heart races as the door shuts behind us.
“I love you, hubby,” I whisper, my fingers tracing the sharp lines of his jaw.
“I love you too, wifey,” Aditya’s eyes soften for a moment before darkening with something that always pulls me under. He gently lays me down on the bed, his body hovering over mine, caging me.
His thumb brushes over my lips, and I know it—we could have fought it, denied it, pushed each other away a million times, but we were always meant to end up here. I would have always belonged by his side as his wife. It was just one of those things that felt predestined, impossible to escape.
The End