[12th February 2025 | Aria's Villa – SHIMLA, HIMACHAL PRADESH]
The early morning mist curled over the hills of Shimla. The frost clung to the villa roof as a reminder of the quiet, hidden life they were about to leave behind.
Aria closed the boot of the car, double-checking that the bag of baby essentials was securely packed.
The soft cries of Dev and Navya echoed faintly from the backseat where Vidya gently rocked them, trying to soothe their travel –weary fussiness.
Vijay stood at the threshold, arms crossed, but his face betraying concern.
"You're sure you don't want me to come along?"
Aria gave him a small smile.
"No. I need someone here, someone I can trust. Keep watch. Let me know if anything changes or if someone comes sniffing around."
He nodded.
"I'll keep my ears to the ground. Just... don't go dark on me again. I'm already neck-deep in baby bottles and fake certificates."
Aria laughed softly and pulled him in for a quick hug.
"Thank you, Vijay. For everything."
Then Vijay turned to Vidya, his demeanor softening.
"So, little sister," he said, placing a hand gently on her head, "Take care of yourself. And if you ever need help — don't forget, you've got a brother here. Got it?"
Vidya blinked, surprised by the warmth in his tone.
After a brief pause, she nodded, her voice low and hesitant.
"Ok."
Aria settled into the driver's seat.
The engine purred to life, and the villa that had kept them hidden for a month slowly receded into the rearview mirror.
Trees blurred past, and the winding roads of the hills faded into open highway.
Silence sat between them — calm, heavy, familiar.
○●○
THE RAJVANSHI ESTATE – AHAAN'S BEDROOM
The room was elegant, neat, just like him. Ahaan adjusted the cuff of his charcoal-black shirt for the third time, his eyes flickering to the mirror as he ran a hand through his hair.
"You're going to polish a hole into your reflection," a teasing voice called from the doorway.
He turned.
"Savi," he exhaled in relief.
"Thank god."
Savi, dressed in a lavender gown, grinned.
"You look handsome enough. Relax."
"I'm not nervous about how I look," Ahaan muttered, tugging at his collar.
"I don't know this girl. I don't even know if she wants this marriage. What if she's being forced into it, just like me?"
Savi stepped in, resting a hand on his shoulder.
"She's not."
"And how would you know that?"
"I know her," Savi said with a glint in her eye.
"And trust me, she's not the kind to be forced into anything. You're going to like her."
"You've met her?"Ahaan asked, eyes narrowing. "When?"
She smirked.
"That's a story for another time. Right now, Dadi's calling for us downstairs."
"But—"
"No buts. Let's go before she bans us from dinner again."
○●○
[DELHI AIRPORT]
The humid Delhi air clung to Aria's skin as she stepped out of the terminal, one hand gripping the stroller that held a sleepy Dev, while Vidya followed close behind with Navya.
The twins looked calm—for now.
Her phone buzzed.
"Papa," she answered, already bracing.
"Are you here?" Uttam's voice was steady but edged with anticipation.
"Everyone's already at the hotel. The Rajvanshis too. It's time."
"I'll be there soon," Aria replied smoothly.
"I need to check in somewhere else first."
There was a pause.
"Why and Where?"
"A different hotel," she said vaguely.
"I won't be late. Don't worry."
She hung up before more questions came.
○●○
[A MODEST HOTEL, CHANDNI CHOWK ]
In a quiet room tucked into a less crowded part of the city, Vidya paced with Navya in her arms.
"You don't have to do this alone," she said for the third time.
"Let me come with you."
Aria shook her head as she zipped up her blazer and leaned down to check Dev's blanket one last time.
"You can't be seen with me. Not yet."
"Why?" Vidya demanded.
"You don't trust me?"
"It's not about trust," Aria said evenly.
"We don't know who took Rooh. It might be the Rajvanshis. It might be someone else entirely. If they see you, if they recognize you..."
Vidya looked down, holding back the lump in her throat.
"I'm going to introduce the twins as mine," Aria continued.
"Ahaan might deny it, but with those birthmarks... he won't be able to for long."
She met Vidya's eyes.
"If he does, I'll handle it. You just stay here. Wait for my call. I'll bring you to the Maheshwari mansion in a day or two. Until then, keep your new identity in mind and don't answer unknown numbers."
Vidya hesitated.
Then, with a reluctant nod, said, "Okay. Be careful."
Aria reached for the stroller handle again. "I'm always careful."