Chapter 101 5 Years Later
Five years… a single moment that slips away in the blink of an eye, and yet a span of time powerful enough to change the entire picture of life. These five years pass just like that.
The city transforms. People’s thinking changes. Relationships, friendships, rivalries everything takes on new colors. The name of the Rajput Empire grows even more powerful. Their strength, their influence, their aura become so intense that just hearing the name Rajput makes people feel small.
On the other side, Shekhawat Enterprises proves its might as well. Their business empire touches new heights. Media, markets, politics everything bends at their feet.
And then comes Aryan Enterprises, rising with intelligence and relentless effort, reaching a position where their respect now stands shoulder to shoulder with the Rajputs and the Shekhawats. In the city’s boardrooms and in whispered conversations of power, only three names are spoken now, Rajput, Shekhawat, Aryan.
Yet, amidst all this change, one place remains untouched by time Rajput Villa. Its walls, its grandeur, its heavy gates stand exactly as before. But the people living behind those walls… their emotions, their stories everything has shifted completely in these years.
That evening, the study room of Rajput Villa carries a tense atmosphere.
I stand there, my eyes burning with fire, my lips holding words sharp enough to cut. My face feels hot, as if a storm is about to erupt inside me.
Across from me sits Samar Rajput, calm as ever, a devilish smirk playing on his lips. He leans back slightly in his chair, his eyes gleaming as he looks at me, then lets out a cold chuckle.
“So what’s wrong now, my sweetheart?” His voice is oddly calm, as if my anger is nothing more than a joke to him.
I don’t stay quiet.
Grabbing his hand in fury, I say firmly, “Come with me.”
I drag him straight into my room.
The moment Samar steps inside, he stops in his tracks. A flicker of surprise flashes in his eyes. And just for a moment, his face softens.
Because right in front of him is Ayansh.
Only four years old. A round, innocent face. Sparkling eyes full of mischief and purity.
Samar walks over slowly, lifts the child into his arms, and presses a soft kiss on his tender neck. With warmth melting into his voice, he whispers, “My cute little Dragon…”
I stand behind them, still angry. My voice comes out sharp as I say, “Your cute dragon troubles me the whole day. Every single day mischief, drama. Do you even know?”
Samar looks at me, hiding a faint smile. “Alright, alright… don’t get angry. He’s just a child. Mischief is natural at this age. Don’t stress yourself.”
Then, stroking Ayansh’s soft hair, he adds lovingly, “Come on, champ. Let’s go outside. And when you come back, you’ll find the room cleaned up. Then no crying, okay?”
Ayansh looks up at him with innocent eyes, then shyly hides his face against Samar’s shoulder. A tiny smile escapes his lips.
I watch them.
Slowly, the hardness in my eyes melts away. Samar’s gentleness reaches somewhere deep in my heart. Without saying a word, I quietly follow them.
The three of us settle on the sofa in the hall.
Ayansh sits in my lap, wraps his little arms around my neck, and says in his sweet, innocent voice, “Mumma… look, my face is so clean. I’m a good boy, right?”
I can’t help myself, I laugh. A soft smile curves my lips as my eyes rest on his round, chubby cheeks.
Just then, the grand doors of the mansion open.
The guard bows respectfully as Vihan walks in, holding a big bouquet of colorful balloons and a bundle of chocolates in his arms. He looks like a surprise Santa meant only for Ayansh.
Ayansh’s eyes sparkle with pure joy.
He slips down from my lap and runs on his tiny feet straight toward Vihan.
“Big Dad..!!” he squeals excitedly.
Vihan immediately kneels down on one knee, spreading his arms wide, a warm smile on his face. “My little champ..!!”
Here’s your scene rewritten in present tense with first-person POV for Ishani, keeping everything else the same:
Ayansh throws himself into Vihan’s embrace, hugging him tightly. In his little innocent voice, he whispers into Vihan's ear,
“Bade Papa, don’t give my chocolate to Mom otherwise, she’ll eat it.”
Vihan chuckles softly, patting his head. “Okay, beta… I won’t.”
He hands him a chocolate, and Ayansh’s face lights up with a victorious smile.
Just then, I appear. My expression is strict, my tone sharp as I snatch the chocolate away.
“Enough! No more chocolates. You’ve already had three since morning.”
The words hit Ayansh like a blow. His round cheeks turn red, his lips pout, and tears well up in his big eyes as he makes the cutest crying face.
I fold my hands and say firmly,
“No, Ayansh. This time, I won’t melt at your innocent face.”
Vihan opens his mouth to say something, but I stop him immediately,
“And you! Not a single word. Because of you two, he’s becoming more and more stubborn.”
Ayansh puffs his cheeks even more and turns his face away, sulking, as if saying, “I won’t talk to you anymore.”
Seeing this, Vihan can’t hold back a laugh. He picks him up in his arms and says gently,
“Alright champ, don’t cry now. Peace.”
I stand with my hands on my waist, voice strict,
“Now come on, time to change your clothes. Look how dirty you’ve gotten. Grandma will be back from the temple soon, and you can’t be seen like this.”
Ayansh quietly lowers his head, but in his innocent eyes, the little sparkle of wanting chocolates still shines brightly.
Vihan hands him over to me. I hold him close gently, then turn to Vihan.
“You sit down. I’ll get him changed and bring him back.”
Vihan quietly sits on the sofa. He picks up the balloons he bought for the kids and walks over to sit beside Samar.
Samar, as always, speaks in his deep, stern tone,
“If you miss her so much, then why don’t you just bring her back?”
Pain washes over Vihan’s face. He stays silent for a few moments, then softly replies,
“I’ve gone so many times already… I’ll go again today. With the same hope that maybe this time, she’ll return.”
TO BE COUNTINUE...!!!