A D I T Y A

I traced the edges of the photograph in my hand,as I muttered,

“I am tired, Minal.” a lone, traitor tear escaped from my eye, and fell on Minal ‘s cheek. I wiped it away and traced her face lovingly.

“ I’m really tired of saying that I don't want to get married but my family —they are not ready to listen to me,”

It's been four months since Minal left me and our son and went to live her life in another world— a world far away from any human being. Life hasn't been the same since that day. Everything changed. Everyone changed, especially me. my family. They are not the same anymore.

I kept her photo frame on the night stand beside my bed and stood up.

Walking to Ivaan’s crib, I checked him. My baby was sleeping soundly, today he is officially four months old and it's been four months since I lost the love of my life. Life is unpredictable isn't it?.

Who thought that the day when I got the greatest joy of my life will become the darkest day of my life? Who thought that I would lose my wife that day?

I signed, pushing those thoughts away.

I glanced at Ivaan again, a small smile formed on my lips. My baby.

Ivaan is the perfect replica of me. From his small amber eyes to his sharp features everything is just like mine.

I traced his soft cheeks, which were soft like cotton, no they are softer than it. Ivaan is calm. He Sleeps a lot, never wakes up at night until or unless he is hungry and he never cries except when he is hungry or I am or maa is not around him.

Sometimes I wonder why he didn't have any of his mother's traits, I wonder if he realises the absence of his mother or not.

Ivaan is the only reason I'm breathing today, or else I would have followed my wife that day itself. I glanced at the clock. It's eight in the morning, I need to leave for the office at nine. With a last glance at Ivaan, I entered the bathroom and quickly got fresh up.

After I got ready in my tuxedo, I kept the coat on the couch and walked to my baby. It's time to wake him up. I walked to Ivaan's crib only to see my baby wake-up. he was glancing around with his cute big amber eyes.

“ Good morning baby,” he blinked his eyes while yawning cutely. I picked him up and cooed a little. I checked his diaper which was full. I smiled, and walked to the changing table which was specifically designed for Ivaan.

I cradled Ivaan in my arms, inhaling his baby smell.

He blinked at me with his sleepy amber eyes. His lips parted a little, as he yawned cutely. My son is a charmer. Smiling at my charmer son, I laid him down on the big table.

“ Let's get you ready, hmm? Papa has to leave for work,”

The dressing table has a small bed inserted in the middle of it, so that we could lay the baby there and can change his clothes easily.

I carefully removed his clothes and cleaned his body with the wet wipes, and then changed him into a new diaper and blue onesie. My son is calm. Like very calm, never fussy and easy going. Sometimes I get worried about him. Shouldn't babies cry more? Shouldn't he cry for his mother? Or maybe he never got to know about her or how it feels to have a mother?

My heart clenched at that thought.

He doesn't deserve it, all of this.

I finished dressing him and now he is all awake. He glanced at me with those same amber eyes, scanning me as if he could understand my pain. I leaned in and pressed a kiss on his forehead before picking him up.

“ Let's go and see what everyone is doing, hmm?”

Ivvan made a sound, as if agreeing with me. I picked up my coat and then my bag, along with Ivaan's Milk bottle and headed downstairs.

Descending the stairs, i found Everyone sitting at the dining table ready to have their breakfast.

“ Good morning, Everyone.”

“Good morning Adi”

“Good morning bhaiya,”

I smiled at them , and kept my things on the couch before pulling my chair back and sat on it along with Ivaan. My mother came to me and took Ivaan from me.

She cradled him in her arms and kissed his cheeks, “my little prince, all fresh and ready for the day” she murmured with a smile before rocking him gently.

“ Maa, Ivaan ki dhoodh,” Kuhu, came out of the kitchen with Ivaan's Milk bottle and handed it over to mom, and went to sit beside her husband, My brother Arnav.

Mom, too, took her seat along with Ivaan in her lap, and we started eating.

Wow, what a peaceful day today is going to be.

Note the sarcasm.

I mean, is this my family? —sitting quietly and having breakfast without making any fuss? I doubt something is fishy.

Aaj zarur toofan aane wali hai, haa. I internally nodded my head, and tore a bite of roti and started eating.

Just then I thought,Everyone became silent and looked at each other. Okay,I know what's coming now.

I scoffed. How foolish of me to think that they would drop that topic.

“ Adi?” Dadi called,

here we go again.

I looked up at her from my plate.

“ Ji dadi” she looked at everyone, as if confirming something and then continued

“ Adi beta you should get married! no don't talk just listen to me. Ivaan is just 4 months old and he needs a mother. I know Teri maa hai, Kuhu hai , Mai hu par hum har pal uske sath nahi reh sakte hai. Take yourself as an example. You are 33 and still depend on your mother for silly things and now think about Ivaan,he is just 2 months old don't you think he needs a mother?”

( I know your mother,kuhu and I are there but we can't stay with him every second)

I signed, I know she is right, absolutely correct but how am I supposed to marry someone else when I am still in love with my wife?

“I thought about it last night, dadi. but I can't move on from Minal” i said, my chest tightened with the thought of marriage.

“Then who is saying that?.First get married then time will decide what happens with you both,” dadu said,

His voice is calm, leaving no room for discussion.

I exhaled and glanced at my siblings for help but how can I forget they are my siblings, they just shrugged off. idiots. Knowing that there is no escape this time. I nodded slightly, unwillingly.

As soon as I did, everyone smiled— a smile that speaks volumes of how happy they are. Mom kissed Ivaan's forehead saying he will have a mother now, dad looked happy and my grandparents were already discussing, probably about the girls, for whom they are going to send my rishta. And my siblings, those idiots were grinning. But Krish didn't seem to be happy, he looked a bit off . I shrugged off the thought.

And for the first time in four months, I saw my family smiling again. Even though marrying someone other than Minal hurts me. For them, for my family, for my son and for their happiness I had to get married. I will.

After a brief minute, Papa cleared his throat, getting our attention. “There is a party at Arora mansion this evening. Everyone needs to attend it.” I frowned, a party at Arora mansion and I didn't know? That bastard didn't tell me ?

“Ok” I said simply, before pushing my chair back and standing up, walking over to Maa, I leaned down, I kissed her forehead and then Ivaan's “take care maa, bye,” she nodded with a smile and I walked out of the mansion.

✧

I entered my cabin with Param– my PA followed closely behind. Removing my coat, I circled it on my chair and then I sat down.

Param placed my signature black coffee on the table and started to narrate my schedule for today.

“ Sir, you have a meeting with board members in the morning and after that at 2 pm you have a meeting with our department heads, and sir, Mr Verma's PA called,” i frowned,

“ Avyansh? Why did his pA called?” I demanded.

Avyansh Verma—The famous neurosurgeon of Our country. He was my junior in school and one of my closest friends.

“ Sir, there was a fire accident in their hospital, and he wants to increase the security level,” i nodded,

I leaned back on my chair, fingers tapping on the armrest as i processed the information,

“ How bad is it?” I asked, though I asked with concern, my voice came out sharp.

“ Sir, from what I had gathered,it was bad. The hospital collapsed after an hour of burning. Not many died but many were injured and Mr. Verma was also in a critical State,”

I stilled, my fingers , which had been taping the arm rest froze mid step.

Avyansh… critical?

“ Where is he now?” I asked, my voice came out sharp, my jaw clenched.

“ Sir, he is fine now, out of control and normal, i heard a girl saved him by risking her life,” I raised an eyebrow.

A girl saved Avyansh? That was unexpected. A man who in his whole life never dated, not even for fame, let a girl touch him?, interesting.

My grip on the armrest loosened slightly,

“ Who is she?” I asked, my voice firm, but laced with curiosity.

“ I don't have all the details yet, sir. But from what I have heard, she is the new intern, who was present there when the fire broke out and she saved him, before the building collapses. Mr. Verma was fine, he doesn't have any injuries but that girl… she is in critical condition,”

My eyebrows raised higher. That type of selflessness isn't common. Who would risk their life for Avyansh like that ?

“ Find out about her,” i ordered,

“ Name, family background and everything,”

“ Yes, sir.”

I picked up my coffee, taking a small sip.

Avyansh being in danger isn't common. That man had always been two steps ahead then this…..fire accident,— it was deliberate, a direct threat. One i wasn't going to ignore.

“ Also, Strengthen the security level of Sanjevani hospitals and at Verma mansion too. Until I get to know everything, i don't want any other incident,”

Param nodded and stepped out of my cabin, while sipping my coffee, I pulled out my phone from the pocket and Dialed Avyansh number.

Ringing…….

After 3 rings, he finally picked up.

“ you really can't stay out of problems can you?” I murmured, as soon as the call connected.

He chuckled, “ you know Aditya, problems loves me,”

I exhaled, he was okay — for now. But that doesn't mean I am letting this go easily.

“ So, how is your health?” I asked, keeping my coffee mug on the table.

“ Better, thanks to a certain someone, who saved me,”

I smirked, at his tone. Avyansh isn't someone who acknowledges someone's help.

“ Must be special, if you are actually admitting it,” i said, leaning back onto my chair.

“ She is,” he said after a minute of silence. “ It's her Aditya, the love of my love, the girl whom I hurt four years ago. Dadi appointed her as a wildcard intern in our hospital. She saved me,"

I straightened in my seat, my smirk fading as his words sank in. The girl he hurt four years ago?

“Are you serious?” I asked, my voice dropping slightly.

“Dead serious.” Avyansh’s voice was unreadable, but I knew him well enough to sense the storm brewing beneath his calm tone. “It’s Arya, Aditya. She saved me.”

I exhaled, Arya Roy. The girl who once meant everything to him, the girl he let go… and now, she had risked her life for him?

“Well, well,” I tapped my fingers against the desk. “Fate really does have a twisted sense of humor.”

Avyansh exhaled heavily. “She’s in critical condition, Aditya.”

I heard the unspoken words in his silence. And it’s killing him inside.

“You’re going to stay by her side, aren’t you?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

“I will,” he admitted, his voice quieter this time. “I owe her that much but her brother, he will not allow me,”

I leaned back, rubbing my temple. This wasn’t just about the fire anymore. There were too many unanswered questions, and Arya’s sudden return was one of them.

“Alright,” I said, my tone all business now. “I’ll handle the security upgrades. But Avyansh… if someone set that fire deliberately, this isn’t over.”

“I know,” he said grimly. “And I know who’s behind it.”

I stilled, he knows?

“ Who?” my voice came out sharper than intended.

“ Someone whom I think i know,” he paused and said

“ Don't worry, i will take care of that,”

I didn't like the sound of it, is he serious?

“ Avyansh” I warned, my grip tightened on the phone,

“ You are on a hospital bed, recovering from the fire that almost killed you and you are saying that you will handle it?”

He let out a chuckle, “ come on Aditya, you know me better,”

I do, and that's exactly why I wasn't convinced.

“ You might know who’s behind this," I said, my voice dangerously calm,

"but I don’t like the way you’re handling it. You just got out of a life-threatening situation, and the only reason you’re breathing is because Arya—of all people—risked her life for you. So excuse me if I don't sit back and watch you play the hero again.”

Silence.

Then, a quiet sigh. “I appreciate the concern, Aditya, but this isn't just about me anymore.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I get that. But you’re not fighting this war alone. Whoever set that fire isn’t going to stop at just one failed attempt. And if they wanted to send a message, consider it received.”

“I know.”His voice was laced with a deadly calm. “And that’s why I have to handle this myself.”

I exhaled sharply. “Fine. But if you think I'm going to sit back and let you do this alone, you're dumber than I thought.”

Avyansh chuckled. “I never expected you to.”

Damn right.

“Good,” I muttered. “Now, stay put and let me do my job. I’ll dig into security, and you focus on not dying for once.”

I heard a low laugh before he said, “Noted.”

“Also,” I added, leaning forward, "Arya’s brother—what’s his deal?"

The humor vanished from Avyansh’s tone. “Nitin. He hates me, Aditya. And after what I did… I can’t blame him.”

I ran a hand down my face. “Fantastic. Another complication.”

“Yeah,”he admitted. “But for now, she needs to wake up first.”

I didn’t miss the way his voice softened at the end. This wasn’t just about guilt. He still loved her.

“She will,” I said, my tone firm. “And when she does, you better be ready for whatever comes next.”

“I always am.”

Liar.

But I didn’t call him out on it. Instead, I let out a low chuckle. “Sure. Just don’t screw it up this time.”

He didn’t reply right away, but when he did, his voice was steady.

“I don’t plan to.”

With that he hung up. Typical Avyansh Verma.

I shook my head at his love life. It has been complicated ever since he had feelings for Arya.

Shaking my head, to remove the thoughts, i started to do my work.

✧

It was 6 when I reached Mansion. I was early today. Usually I will come back at 8 but today I have a party to attend. I walked inside only to see an empty living area. I frowned and looked for ramu kaka. He is the head house help here. Kaka saw me and said that everyone went to The party. Okay. Nodding at him, I Went to my room and got changed and left for Arora mansion.

Arora's and Kapoor's have been family friends since ages. Not only outside but inside the business we are partners. So, practically my dadu and Avinash dadu are bestfriend's then dad and Kabir uncle and followed by me , Arjun, Arnav, Advik and at last Krish and Mahi.

I have a great bond with everyone except Mahi. Mahi, younger sister of Arjun. After her 18th birthday till today I didn't see her. Maybe she is busy in her own life.

It was 7: 30 when I reached Arora mansion. Entering inside , my eyes found my two idiot bestfriend's sitting at a bar so I simply walked to them. Arjun and Dhruv looked at me and then we hugged.

“ You came late adi?” dhruv pouted, dramatically

I rolled my eyes and I pushed him away.

" Where is Ivaan?" I asked, ignoring his presence.

Dhruv gasped , placing a hand over his chest.

“ Why are you ignoring me adi baby? Did I do something?” he even changed his voice making Arjun struggle to control his smile

" Can't you just shut up!” I snapped , then smirked “Kriti ko batado that you are drinking”he immediately sat straight listening to his wife's name, looking guilty. Good

“Where is ivaan?” this time I asked Arjun

“ He is playing with Myra and Maan”

I nodded while sipping a soft drink. I stopped drinking alcohol after Minal said me to .

Suddenly, amidst the party chaos, we heard a baby laugh. A baby laugh — a familiar, knowing one. We, trio frowned and looked at each other. Unknowingly , I kept the glass on the bar table and started to walk in the direction, my heart pounded and then I stopped in my tracks.

There, he was my Ivaan laughing.

His tiny hands, clutched, the dress of the girl, his face lit up with pure joy, as he laughed at something she said. Tears gathered in my eyes, as I looked at the scene. It was the first time he ever laughed. His first laugh.

The girl turned slightly, her face coming into view as she asked Amrita aunty,

“Mumma I have this feeling that I saw Ivaan's face somewhere,”

I froze, hearing her voice. It was soft, sweet and a kind of voice people want to hear again and again.

Mahi.

Dressed in a blue Saree, looking gorgeous. She wasn't the little girl I remembered anymore. She has grown up into a beautiful woman. Her greyish blue eyes shining as she looked at Ivaan with….love. Those eyes were Kabir uncle's eyes. Just like Arjun and Advik who inherited their mother's eyes. She inherited her father's.

“Really?”Aunty asked her, her voice filled with curiosity.

Mahi nodded, “ haa,”

Krish smirked ,”Arey buddu ! Remember you know this person,”

Mahi frowned, thinking hard, “Yaad nahi aa raha,”

Krish signed, “You are feeling it because he is Aditya bhaiya '

s son” Mahi widened her eyes in shock and looked at Ivaan, her eyes softened instantly,

“ Tabhi ,isse pehle baar mil rahi hu par apna sa feeling aa rahi hai,”

( I meeting him for the first time but it feels so familiar)

“ Look Bhai came ,” Arnav said making her look at me.. her smile vanished, the moment her eyes fell on me. What did I do?

𐙚˙⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩