It was a new and special day. The Rajput mansion gleamed with joy in the heart of Pune. A rare and heartfelt family reunion was underway.

Adarsh had arrived with his wife, Dhrishti, and their little one, Advik. Agastya, Dadi Saa, Suhani, and Abhiraj-everyone from the Rajput family was together once again.

The reason?

Akriti's pregnancy.

She had entered her fourth month, and the family wanted to celebrate togetherness, warmth, and life.

♡

Shashi had just returned from the hospital. Her hair was messy, her face visibly tired. Without speaking to anyone, she went straight upstairs and stepped into the shower.

Warm water cascaded down, washing away the fatigue of the day.

She stepped out moments later, skin glowing faintly, damp hair cascading over one shoulder. There was a quiet command in the way she carried herself. Even exhaustion couldn't dull her fire.

She dressed for her meeting with calculated grace.

A sleek jet-black blouse with dramatic puffed sleeves hugged her frame. The deep wrapped neckline subtly highlighted her collarbones, lending a gentle allure. Paired with mocha beige high-waisted flared trousers, the ensemble sculpted her silhouette and flowed with quiet elegance. Nude open-toe heels peeked from beneath the hem-every inch exuded poise and power.

A delicate gold chain rested at her collar, a soft shimmer against her skin-the final touch to her minimal yet fierce presence.

She combed her hair and left it open, the damp strands framing her face naturally. Just then, two familiar arms wrapped around her from behind. A soft smile curved her lips as she met his eyes in the mirror-Aakash, looking effortlessly handsome as ever.

"Where are you going, Rosebud?" he murmured, pressing a kiss to her exposed collarbone.

"For a meeting with Mr. Vrishank," she replied smoothly.

He turned her around and pulled her into a warm hug.

"Aren't you tired, baby? You just came back from the hospital."

"I'm not that tired, Aakash. A good coffee will fix me," she said with a small smile.

He cupped her face, eyes soft.

"Just don't exhaust yourself in all this."

She pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"I'll try, Mr. Rajput."

"Should I drop you?" he offered.

"No need. Abhi is coming with me."

"Haan, woh toh har jagah hota hai," he muttered with a roll of his eyes. (Yeah, he's everywhere.)

She laughed at his annoyed expression.

"Okay, bye."

She turned to leave, but he pulled her back by the waist like a sulking child.

"Can I get a kiss?" he asked sweetly.

She smiled, leaning in to give him a soft, slow kiss. When they parted, he whispered,

"Go safely."

With a quick peck on his lips, she walked out of the room.

Aakash remained standing there, a lingering smile on his face.

---

Dinner time came... but Shashi hadn't returned yet.

She had texted Aakash she'd be late, but he hadn't expected this late.

He sat out in the lawn, foot tapping anxiously, eyes scanning the gate. Just then, a hand rested gently on his shoulder. He turned to see Adarsh and Sarthak standing behind him.

"Kya hua?" Sarthak asked. (What happened?)

"Woh abhi tak ghar nahi aayi hai," Aakash replied quietly. (She hasn't come home yet.)

"Abe bhai, tu tension mat le. Usko koi farq nahi padta. Don't stress yourself-she'll come," Adarsh assured him.

Aakash nodded but continued tapping his foot. Sarthak noticed.

"Aakash," Sarthak called gently.

"Ji bhai?"

"Tu kabse pyaar karta hai usse?" Sarthak asked softly. (Since when have you loved her?)

Aakash looked up in surprise. They had a 10-year age gap-love talk was never on the table between them.

"Bhai..." he stammered.

"Haan, bata na mujhe aaj. Sach. Kyu mana kar raha tha pehle shaadi se?" Sarthak pushed. (Yes, tell me today. The truth. Why were you refusing marriage earlier?)

"Aap sach mein puch rahe ho?" (You're really asking?)

"Haan, ab bata." (Yes. Tell me now.)

Aakash finally opened up.

"Isiliye mana kar raha tha kyuki..." (I refused because...)

And he explained everything, all his fears and reasons.

"Toh tu usse pyaar karta hai na?" Sarthak asked quietly. (So you love her, don't you?)

"Haan bhai," Aakash admitted. (Yes, bhai.)

"Aur woh?" (And she?)

"Pata nahi," he said, avoiding their eyes. (I don't know.)

Adarsh stepped closer.

"Dekh... agar woh tujhe apne saath rehne de rahi hai, yeh sabse badi baat hai. Shayad usne kabhi bola nahi, par woh bhi 'pyaar' shabd pe vishwas rakhti hai. Hamesha se usse un aadmiyon se nafrat thi jo ego sabse aage rakhte hai. Aur tujhe bhi yeh pata hai kyun. Uski aankhon mein dikhta hai... woh tujhse pyaar karti hai."

(Look... if she's allowing you to stay in her life, that says a lot. She may not say it, but she believes in love. She's always hated men who put ego before emotions. And you know why. You can see it in her eyes-she loves you.)

Aakash nodded, heart stirred.

Just then, headlights lit the driveway. A sleek car pulled up at the entrance. Aakash stood up immediately, all senses on high alert.

The car door opened, and Shashi stepped out. She looked drained, her eyes heavy with fatigue.

Without a word, she spotted Aakash and walked straight into his arms, wrapping herself around him tightly.

"Kya hua mere bacche ko?" he asked softly. (What happened to my baby?)

"Aapko miss kiya maine. Meeting mein kuch khaas important nahi tha. Mera time waste ho gaya," she whined like a tired child. (I missed you. The meeting wasn't even important. My time got wasted.)

He kissed her forehead lovingly.

"Bhook lagi?" (Hungry?)

She nodded with a pout, and he chuckled.

"Aao, sab wait kar rahe hain." (Come, everyone's waiting.)

Her eyes widened in guilt.

"Urghhh yeh sab meri wajah se hi kyu hota hai! Bhabhi ne bhi nahi khaya hoga." (Why does this always happen because of me! Bhabhi must not have eaten either.)

"She was waiting, but Sarthak bhai fed her. She's sleeping peacefully now. Ab chalo yaar, apne pati ki fikar nahi hai aapko?" he teased. (Now come on, don't you care about your husband?)

She giggled and walked in with him, her hand in his.

♡

At weekend Aakash and Shashi found themselves at Janvi's beautifully lit home, where laughter echoed through every corner and warmth flowed as freely as the music. The occasion wasn't grand-just an impromptu gathering of close friends and family-but it felt special. Strings of fairy lights adorned the balcony, cushions were scattered across the floor, and the air was filled with the comforting aroma of homemade food and fresh flowers. Janvi, ever the perfect host, had created a space that felt like a cozy escape from the chaos of the world. Aakash relaxed more than usual, a drink in hand, his arm casually slung around Shashi, who sat cross-legged beside him, her laughter soft and frequent.

As the night grew deeper, the room buzzed with playful games, old songs, and stories that brought out both nostalgia and wild laughter. Shashi, dressed in a breezy wine-coloured kaftan, looked radiant under the golden lights, her eyes crinkling every time Aakash whispered something teasing into her ear. They danced, too-awkward at first, until the rhythm of old-school Bollywood swept them into ease. It wasn't about the party or the music-it was the feeling of being surrounded by love, of belonging, of living a moment so full and genuine that it left their hearts light even as the night faded into quiet.

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