Few years later,

The Rai Singhania mansion was at it's prime.

Luxury and opulence dripped from every crevice of the mansion, the warmth of freshly made food and the chatters of people spilled through the openings.

"Kiyu, idhar aao." Mayura called her adorable son. She was dressed elegantly in a baby blue dress, a belt clinched lightly around her growing stomach. Her feet were swollen, her breathing laboured, and weight increasing every month.

She was pregnant. And the occasion of celebration in the mansion was her baby shower.

Kiyansh, who wore a matching blue miniature suit, approached Mayura quickly, but carefully enough not to end up hurting his beloved mother. "Yes, mumma." He held her hand, guiding her towards a nearby comfortable couch. 

"Aap idhar baitho," he instructed. He was about to run to fetch her a glass of juice and a something little to eat, when she stopped him by holding his arm. He turned around, looking at his mother with patience.

"Fridge mein fruit sandwich rakha hai. Mrs. D'Souza ke keh kar nikalwalo. Saath mein khayenge." 

Kiyansh's tired eyes lit up like stars. He walked up behind her, his arms around her neck, and hugged her tightly. "Thank you, mumma. You are the best. I love you!"

Mayura stroked his cheek, pressing a kiss to his other cheek. "I love you more, baccha." She giggled, ruffling his hair. "Now go and eat it before it gets spoilt."

Kiyansh walked towards the kitchen, a happy tune on his lips. The eyes of the guests followed him, pity and concern visible clearly in their eyes. They whispered amongst each other, their unwarranted worries float around from person-to-person. The topic of their discussion was simple: Kiyansh's future and status as the heir. Once Mayura was to give birth, they knew well that he would be excluded from everything - wealth, name, family, status.

Or atleast that's what their expectations were.

In the kitchen, Kiyansh found Mrs. D'Souza humming to herself as she moved from shelf to shelf, preparing snacks for the guest. She came to a halt when she saw him and smiled fondly at him. "Kya hua baba? Aap yahan?" She asked, setting up another tray of snacks.

"Mumma ke liye juice aur snacks lene aaya hoon. Aur apne liye sandwich." He advanced towards the tray and swiped a papdi snack from it, popping it in his mouth. "Mhm, tasty. Aap mumma ke liye bhi bana do. Unhe kuch chatpata khane ka mann hai."

"Okay."

Arranging a few extra snacks, to compensate the few he ate, she handed it to an attending staff nearby. Kiyansh approached the refrigerator and opened it, finding his sandwich wrapped in a layer of food-safe plastic. Taking it out, he placed it on a plate beside the bottle of fresh fruit juice. Unwrapping it, he left it to rest for a while and assisted Mrs. D'Souza with the snack preparation for his mother.

Once done, he went back to his sandwich. Pouring the juice in two glasses, he cut his sandwich into half, licking the cream from his fingers. The taste of strawberry was vivid, making him eager to have his sandwich immediately. But he held back, putting everything on a tray and walked back to Mayura.

He was half-way through the garden, balancing the tray and swiveling carefully through the crowd when, a particularly familiar voice made him halt in his tracks.

"Kiyansh beta," an elderly woman called, followed by her equally scheming husband.

Kiyansh didn't know their names, or their relationship with his family. But he for sure knew their voice, it was ingrained in his brain ever since he first heard it at the age of four.

Relatives or not, he would always see them as enemies - devils. Just like everyone present in the party was - back stabbers. Vile snakes who sneered and mocked him when Vihaan was under arrest for murdering his wife. Six months. For six months, the child bore a life of contempt and mockery, hiding himself in the shadows, desperately praying every night that things would go back to normal again. That everything was a dream and once he'd wake, he would his mother, father, and baby sister. Alive and smiling.

Alas! Fate never favoured him, and everyday for six months, was a living hell for him. The desolate walls of the mansion echoed with the sneers and curses of his relatives; the silence weighing heavily on his fragile shoulders. His chest swelled, his throat clammed by words he could never say for there was none to listen - not even an animal.

It was just him against the world and his darkness.

A pair of arms wrapping around his waist pulled him out of his trance. He looked down to find a little girl, barely five or six, looking at him with a sparkle in her eyes. "Bhaiya!" She called, her voice as sweet as the cakes Mayura baked. Her blue eyes sparkled like glass candies, a wondrous grin etched on her face, revealing her missing teeth.

"Kiyu," a woman's call made him turn away from the couple and search for her desperately. There, at a distance, he found her — Ishani, his father's younger sister and his aunt, calling for him with a smile. Her blue eyes sparkled under the sun, her gait increasing as she approached him.

Kiyansh looked at the little girl and pushed the tray towards her. "Hold this for me, please." He uttered urgently and she obliged, her tiny arms trying hard to hold them. He immediately set off towards Ishani and embraced her tightly.

"Bua!" He leapt into her arms, giving her a tight hug, his arms wrapped around her neck. "I missed you so so so much, Bua. Where have you been all these days? I had so much to tell you!" He whined, looking at her accusatory.

Ishani smiled apologetically, ruffling his hair. "I had some work, baccha. But now, I'm completely free. Tell me everything!"

Kiyansh nodded. "Angre Chacha didn't come? What about your daughter? I haven't met her just once." He pout, his eyes roving over the garden as he searched for Angre and the daughter.

"Angre came. He's inside, using the washroom. And as for our daughter, Ashika, you just met her." His eyes open wide in shock, his eyebrows arching upwards as he wriggled them. Ishani responded with a smile, her eyes gesturing towards the little girl who sat beside Mayura. The same girl who had hugged him moments ago.

"Really? I - " His excited mind refused to form coherent sentences, and before he knew it , he had sprinted across the garden. He skid to a half, panting and puffing as he saw Ashika , his cousin sister sitting happily with his mother.

"Kiyu , meet Ashika. She is Ishani and Angre's daughter , your cousin sister."

His eyes lit up in excitement. He walked round the table and sat beside the girl , taking her into a tight embrace and smothered her against his chest. "Careful baccha , you are holding her too tight. " Mayura softly intervened , prying them away. Ashika's face was red , making Kiyansh look down in embarrassment.

"Sorry , Ashi. I was too excited to meet you and I was too rough . " He apologized , looking down at his entwined fingers . " You know , you are my younger sister. I ... I never had a sister before. So so - "

" Bhai , koi nahi . " She interrupted , her voice a sweet bell . " I love you too , " she giggled , displaying her little teeth where the front two were missing .

" Accha , she has forgiven you , Kiyu. But now , you have to forgive her , "

Mayura pointed towards his plate of sandwich which lay on her lap . He looked at her mouth and found it covered with bread , cream and strawberry pieces . So was his shirt a mess.

Little Ashika looked up at him with sad eyes , pushing the plate from her lap to his , half a slice still untouched .

" Sorry , Bhai . I was hungry , " she whispered ,  " I didn't know it was for you , "

"Ashika , " Ishani called her daughter sternly , " you should always ask — "

" No , bua . Don't scold her . It is fine , "  Kiyansh wrapped his arms around her , passing the plate back on her lap . Taking out the napkin from his pocket , he wiped her dirty mouth and his shirt . " She can have it . I am not angry . "

" But Kiyu , it's your favourite sandwich . You even got angry at your papa once when he accidentally had a bite . " Mayura reminded , the two women astounded by his maturity .

"It is fine , mumma . She is a child , no , she is my sister , she can have it . She can have everything I have - my toys , books , food , shoes , games , everything . " He smiled sweetly ,  patting her head .

" Well , then I have a good news for you , Kiyu , " Ishani smiled . " We are moving back in . "

" Really ? " Kiyansh jumped in his seat , looking at Ishani his eyes and mouth wide open . " You , chachu , and Ashi will be staying with us , forever ? "

" Yes , " Angre responded , a bright smile etched  on his lips . He walked in down with Vihaan by his side .

Kiyansh quickly jumped off his seat , and ran towards Angre , hugging him tightly . " Chachu ! " He whispered , burying his face in Angre ' s chest .

" Champ ! " He smiled , running his fingers through the child ' s hair .

Vihaan smiled , walking past them and towards Mayura , gently pecking her lips ever so gently , before he took a seat with her , Ashika sitting in the middle .

But his peace didn't last for long . As soon as the nephew - uncle duo broke the hug , the former ran back to Vihaan and shook his shoulders hard , hovering around him . " Papa , Bua , Chachu and Ashi are going to stay with us . Did you hear about it ? "

" Yes , yes I did . "

• • •

" Breakfast is ready , " Ishani announced , her voice reaching every corner of the house . Mayura placed the bowls of food on the table .

" At your service , madam . "

Angre and Vihaan arrived together , bowing dramatically making their respective wife ' s smile .

Sharing a grin , they took their seats , turning up the plates . They had only reached for the breakfast when Mayura stopped them both by lightly hitting the back of their palms .

" I hope you remember that two of our kids cannot walk down the stairs on their own , " she sighed while Ishani added in agreement . " And the other two kids cannot carry these two , "

The two husbands sighed dramatically , pushing their chairs back in sync .

" Have kids , they said , " Vihaan grumbled .

"It will be fun , they said , " Angre completed as they ascended the stairs .

" Lies , " they groaned , stepping into the room where their children slept .

The silent mansion soon echoed with the shrieks and screeches of little child and their stubborn father's , who only wanted to have a plate of warm breakfast .

" Five minutes , papa , " Ashika whined , burying her face into the pillow as Angre tried to wake her up .

" Raunak , enough . Stop crying , baccha . Mumma is waiting for you , "

Vihaan told the crying boy , and received a kick on his face instead .

The room was filled with the sound of the alarm , crying babies , and persistent father's .

Exhausted , they decided to give in and call the masters - their mothers .

" Wifey , please , " Vihaan pleaded , giving her puppy eyes .

" Do the dishes in return , for the entire day , " she proposed , a smirk on her lips .

" Babe , " Angre whined as Ishani tasked him with another duty in exchange for his demand .

" Well , if you don't want to , then fine . Wake them up , and only then you get to eat . "

The two men exchanged glances , understanding that they were caught in a dangerous situation , and they were not allowed to bargain .

" Fine , "

Mayura and Ishani smirked at each other , giving a high - five . The men groaned , realising they had been tricked by their wives .

" Ashika , Raunak . Wake up , " Ishani commanded as soon as she stepped into the room .

Angre watched in astonishment as his children woke up without a fuss , yawning and stretching themselves on their beds . Raunak was obedient , cooing and giggling as Ishani held him in her arms .

"Kiyu , Rhea . Utho , baccha . " Mayura approached their bedsides , placing a gentle kiss to their foreheads . Rhea was quick to wake up , crawling towards Mayura and hugged her tightly , burying her face in her mother ' s bosoms .

" Good morning , my beautiful mumma . " Kiyansh wished , kissing his mother ' s cheek and then his little sister ' s head . Kiyansh and Ashika tided their beds , making their way to the bathrooms to freshen up .

" Breakfast is ready . Go and have it with your fathers , " Ishani informed gently as she prepared a bath for Raunak and Rhea , who were conversing with each other in their own language of babbles .

" Hmm , so what do my babies want to wear ? " Mayura pondered holding a pair of yellow casuals and another pair of denim jumpsuits .

They eager pointed towards the yellow casuals , kicking their legs in the air and giggling excitedly .

" Yellow it is , " Ishani placed the denims away and grabbed a pair of towels from the closet .

Drying and moisturizing the two children ,  their mothers dressed them up neatly and combed their little hairs . Little Raunak smiled proudly at his reflection , pressing a kiss to Mayura ' s cheeks while little Rhea did the same for Ishani ' s cheeks .

Even though , Ashika and Raunak were Ishani ' s children , while Rhea and Kiyansh were Mayura ' s , the children thought of both the ladies and men as their parents , and never differentiated between each couple .

" Mwah ! " They sounded , pressing kisses on their mother's cheeks lovingly .

Carrying the children downstairs , Mayura and Ishani carefully made them sit on their high chairs , making them wear a bib so that their clothes don't get dirty .

" Our princess looks so cute , " Angre cheered , squishing Rhea ' s cheeks . But little Raunak hit his hand away , slightly jealous of the attention she was getting and also because she was getting irritated by the touch of his rough hands .

The table erupted into laughter as they watched Angre getting schooled by his little son about respecting boundaries .

" I will go and get their breakfast , "

Ishani had only risen from her seat when Angre made her sit back down , his hands on her shoulders . " Rest now , Jaan . Vihaan Bhai and I will handle everything . You two should have your breakfast . "

He spoke softly , his eyes filling with love for his wife . He kissed her forehead .

Vihaan nodded in agreement , making Mayura comfortable in her seat . He filled her plate with fruits , salad , roti and a generous serving of the sabzi .

" Ashi , baccha , do you need something ? " He asked the child as he poured a glass of water for Mayura .

" Just some fruits , papa , " she smiled .

" I will give it to her , papa . You feed Raunak . "

Kiyansh offered , reaching for the small bowl and filled it with fruits , handing it to his sister .

She smiled .

Angre filled Ishani ' s plate to the brim , placing it in front of her to eat . Vihaan fetched the food bowls of the children while Angre got two stools for them .

Setting them in front of the children ' s high chairs , Vihaan placed the food bowls on their tables , taking a seat in front of Raunak .

" Here come ' s the aeroplane . Captain  Raunak are we safe to land ? " He took a spoonful of food , flying it through the air . The little boy kicked his legs in excitement , his mouth open wide for the food .

Kiyansh sat back in his seat , watching his family through moist eyes . Rhea and Angre , where the former was throwing food crumbs at the latter and laughing .

Vihaan and Raunak , with the latter being stubborn with the spoon , not letting it out of his mouth .

Ashika , who sat beside him and ate her breakfast with the cutest smile on her face .

Ishani , his aunt , who couldn't stop laughing at the antics of the children .

And finally , he looked at Mayura , his mother .

The woman who had single-handedly shaped his world . Who fixed him , healed his scars , and taught him the meaning of love and family once again .

His heart felt warm and fluttered as he watched his family ' s liveliness .

He was finally happy .

• THE END •