[ 13th February 2025 – Maheshwari Mansion – Dining Hall ]
The morning sunlight filtered through the tall windows of the Maheshwari dining hall, soft and diffused. It kissed the gold rims of dinnerware and gleamed off polished silver cutlery. The long teakwood table was immaculately set—buttery parathas steaming beside bowls of tropical fruits, a glass carafe of freshly pressed juice sweating lightly in the warmth, and imported spreads arranged like obedient soldiers.
At the head of the table sat Uttam Maheshwari. Straight-backed. Silent. The State's Chief Prosecutor even at breakfast. His sharp eyes were unreadable, but the firm line of his mouth betrayed a father's quiet disapproval. He hadn't spoken much since the previous night, but his silence echoed louder than scolding ever could.
To his left, Needhi in a pastel-blue silk saree, stirred her chamomile tea with delicate precision. Her smile was poised, perfect, and empty—never once touching her eyes.
On his right sat Aria, draped in a navy-blue anarkali stitched with silver. Her posture was regal, her expression calm. Too calm. Her hands rested lightly in her lap, but her back was just a little too straight—like a woman bracing for impact.
Between her and Manik, the twin strollers stood like miniature carriages in a royal court. Swaddled in printed onesies, Dev clutched a bright green dinosaur, while Navya held a floppy-eared bunny close to her chest. Their mittened hands shifted occasionally, little fists clenching and releasing. Their eyes were wide and curious, tracing the soft movements of light on the ceiling or gurgling softly at nothing at all.
Manik leaned in over the strollers, elbows on the table, every inch the gleeful rebel. In black jeans and a crumpled T-shirt under a leather jacket, his hair was still damp from a rushed morning shower. He whispered theatrically, head tilted toward the twins.
"Skittle One just gave me the look," he muttered, nodding solemnly at Navya. "She's plotting something. Probably world domination."
Navya blinked up at him, unbothered. Dev made a wet, hiccup-like sound and kicked softly.
Across the table, Vaibhav scrolled through his tablet, murmuring softly to himself. Crisp white shirt, cufflinks sharp, blazer wrinkleless—every inch the high-profile lawyer. His every movement screamed restraint—except for the quick glances he kept sneaking toward the strollers.
Needhi was the first to break the silence.
"So, Aria," she said, voice smooth as silk, "now that your engagement has been... resolved, and your children introduced, what's next for you?"
Aria didn't look up. She adjusted the napkin on her lap.
"I'm taking the twins shopping. They need supplies. That's all you need to know."
Needhi smiled, thin and bright. "How proactive. And Manik, I assume, is your expert guide? Or is this just another one of his publicity stunts waiting to happen on social media?"
Manik placed a hand to his chest with mock offense. "Excuse you. I am a noble mamu now."
Vaibhav finally looked up, brows arched. "If you're planning on shopping, at least do it properly. Not from some roadside stall."
He slid two business cards across the table toward Aria, fingers barely brushing the surface.
"One owns a premium baby furniture brand. The other manages Phoenix Courtyard Mall. I'll call ahead. They'll give you priority access."
Aria glanced at the cards, then up at him. Her hands remained still.
"I don't need your referrals or your help."
His jaw flexed. "It's not help. It's common sense."
"And I said no."
Silence stretched thin.
Needhi chuckled lightly. "Well. Why use common sense when one has inherited defiance?"
Aria's tone was low, steady. "I've managed without your advice before. I'll manage again."
Vaibhav scoffed. "You mean the same way you've always handled things? Recklessly? With your record, it's a miracle the children made it here."
Aria's eyes darkened, but before she could retort, Manik forward dramatically, grabbing the tension with both hands.
"Let's not stab each other with forks before the juice gets warm," he grinned, nudging the stroller. "Skittles, remind your uncle passive aggression isn't on the menu."
Dev stirred, cooing quietly. Navya let out a soft sigh, still clutching her bunny like it held the secrets of the universe.
"Don't forget," Needhi added, turning to Aria, voice sweet. "These children carry not just your name, but ours. It reflects on us how you behave now."
Aria turned her head slowly with a tight smile. "Then I'll make sure they grow up knowing how not to become what some of us already are."
Needhi's smile remained fixed.
"Don't you think it's time you stop playing mountain girl and behave like a proper Maheshwari , hmm?"
Before Aria could reply, Uttam—who had watched everything in silence, finally spoke.
His voice was low, but steely. "You never liked bending to anyone's will, Aria. Not even mine."
Aria's ankle shifted under the table, crossing tightly over the other. She didn't look up—but her body had stiffened, locked like a drawn bow
The familiar sting of her father's disappointment clawed through her, sharper than any insult. But she gave nothing away.
"You can still walk away from this engagement. I said this yesterday, and I'll say it again," he continued. "your children don't need the man who abandoned you to raise them. They have this family. That should be enough."
Aria looked up then, her eyes ringed with tired shadows, but steady—like steel just cooled from the forge.
"He didn't know I was pregnant. He deserves a chance to know his children."
Uttam said nothing.
Vaibhav snorted. "Don't mistake his guilt for responsibility."
Then, like a breeze through tension, Manik reached out and snatched the cards. "Oh, come on, Bhai! If you want to spoil the twins just say so. No need to act like you're handling mafia clients."
Vaibhav gave him a scathing look, but the tension had cracked.
As if on cue, Navya let out a soft coo, her toy elephant squished between her arms. Dev waved his tiger rattle like a mini mace.
Manik immediately leaned in, pretending to be hit.
"Ahh! Struck down by cuteness! Skittles have chosen violence."
Vaibhav glanced over, instinctively. The babies looked up at him blinking, then smiled.
Vaibhav's fingers stilled on his coffee mug. His perfectly composed expression twitched—an emotion nearly breaking through.
Manik leaned in, whispering, "You're already whipped, bhai. It's okay, I won't tell anyone the cold-blooded Vaibhav Maheshwari is secretly a softie."
Vaibhav refused to respond, choosing to inspect his tablet screen with unnatural focus.
Needhi, who had observed the twin-induced softening, masked her discomfort with a sip of tea. Then, tone sweet as spun sugar, she addressed Aria again.
"Try not to overexpose them, dear. Not every outing needs to be a performance."
Aria met her gaze with quiet steel.
"I didn't realize protecting your children counted as a performance."
Needhi's fingers stiffened on the teacup handle.
Dev suddenly sneezed.
Uttam glanced over at the twins, brows loosening just a fraction.
"Take my car and driver. You'll need help carrying everything. Keep the children warm, " he said to Aria, almost gruff.
Aria blinked—surprised by the softness beneath the instruction.
"I will," she said softly. "Thank you, Papa."
He didn't respond. But he watched her like he was still trying to understand who she had become.
Aria stood and turned to leave. Navya gurgled softly. Dev flailed his arm with a triumphant squeak.
Manik followed, grabbing the nursery bag.
"Alright Skittles! Time to conquer the aisles of baby fashion world!"
Vaibhav groaned, "Please stop naming the children after candies."
Manik smirked. "Too late. It's canon now."
Navya gurgled in agreement. Dev kicked.
"See?" Manik crowed. "She says yes. It's unanimous."
As they reached the doorway, Needhi's voice floated behind them, low and smooth.
"Just remember, Aria. Attachment is easy. Protection is the real burden."
Aria paused but didn't turn around.
Her voice was calm. "Then it's a burden I'll carry alone."
And with that, she stepped out.
With her babies.
Her brother.
Her silence.
And every wall she still had left to keep standing.