Author's POV

Sixteen years had passed since Aira and Reyansh began their new life together.

Peace had quietly settled over both the Raisingh and Mehra families.

Today was Ranveer Raisingh's forty-fifth birthday.

Morning light fell on his face as always.

They stayed in the same villa, beside Rishabh and Tanvi's.

A tight knit family was always Ranveer's dad, Ranjan Raisingh's wish. And finally he got it.

Aryan and Rini were too staying since a few days in the Raisingh villa. Especially because of Ranveer's birthday.

Rini got really comfortable with Riti, almost like a best friend, while Aryan was Shaurya's shadow.

So Rini stayed more with Riti in the villa.

Aryan and Rini now were 18 year olds. And our cutest Shaurya and Ritwika were 15.

Ranveer's POV

"Shona‐", her whisper came into my ear in the morning.

After a whole night of house partying, my eyelids were heavy with sleep.

"Shona-", Idhika again whispered and I opened my eyes, fluttering.

"Hmm..."

"Shona, Happy Birthday.", Idhika whispered, planting a soft kiss on my forehead.

I smiled, "Thank you my jaan. Idhar aaiye.", I opened my arms to take her in my embrace.

Idhika smiled, "Awww...coming."

"I love you, Idhika.", I said, smiling.

"I love you too.. Many many happy returns of the day. May you have a very long, happy and healthy life my dear husband.", Idhika said, caressing my face.

I kissed on her cheek, "Thank you dear. Aap bas saath ho, aur kya chahiye?"

She giggled, "Chaliye, ab uthiye. Aryan, Rini aur Riti ko bhi utha dijiye. I am going to freshen up.", Idhika got up, tying her hair into a bun.

Sixteen years of married life with her and never for once I felt misunderstood. She saw through me even before I could say anything.

My respect for my wife kept on increasing day by day.

I got up to wake up the kids, who weren't exactly kids anymore.

I knocked on Aryan's door, "Aryan—"

"It's open..", his voice came from the room.

I opened the door slightly, "Wake up, my boy. The housekeeping will clean the room.", I said.

He was lying down on his stomach. Slightly turned his face at me and smiled, "Two minutes dad. I am already awake."

Oh morning problem. Fine!

I blinked at him, "Fine, boy. Get up and lets hit the gym."

He showed with his finger- Two minutes.

I went to Ritwika's room after that, she is the lazy one. The most pampered in the whole house.

"Riti, wake up, wake up.", I went inside and nudged her. We don't let her lock her room at night yet.

She got up, and hugged me, "Baba...wake up bhaiya first na."

"Aww mera bachcha..bhaiya is already awake. Chalo utho.", I said kissing on her head.

"Bhaiya awake? Already? Wahh.. okay fine. My 10th boards will kill me someday. So much of pressure.", she started talking like an adult.

I chuckled, "Brush karlo.. Rini ko jaake dekhta hoon."

I knocked on Rini's room, "Bachcha, uth gayi?"

Rini opened the door, rubbing her eyes, "Happy birthday, Papa. Come inside na."

"You woke up early haan?", I asked, scanned her room a bit. I always get worried about her.

She speaks less, although smiles a lot. But turning 18 for a girl is never easy.

"Mom wished you?", She asked, sitting on the bed.

"Kaun? Aira? Nope. She is too busy re.", I said, smiling.

"Hmm..that she has been since very long.", Rini said, smiling sarcastically.

"Rini, your mom is a businesswoman, beta. Busy toh rahegi na? Shaurya bhi hai, and teenage boys sambhala hai unhone, tujhe bhi sambhala. Cut her some slack.", I said, covering for Aira.

Rini nodded and smiled, "Oh I understand. Mom was saying kuch business expansion hai. So yeah... whatever. What's the plan for your birthday today?", she said in a hurry.

I smiled at her, "Tu bata.. if you have any wish for today I will fulfill."

"Buy me a BMW. Please. Hahaha.", Rini said, laughing.

"You really want one? Answer honestly.", I said, testing her.

Her eyes widened, "Papa? Aryan wanted a BMW too, although you gave him a Range Rover. But that was his favourite model and he doesn't have one yet. Are you sure about giving me one?"

"If you want one, I will give. But after making sure that you are driving properly.", I said, my voice firm but soft.

She was thinking, hard, "Hmmmm... ok.. buy me one. A black one. Okay?"

"Done, kab lena hai bol. Dila dunga. My princess wants something, aur main na du ye ho nahi sakta.", I said, smiling widely.

"Hahaha... fine. But Aryan will riot. Be ready for that.", Rini said, finally getting up from bed.

"You don't worry about that. Usko main handle kar lunga.", I said, laughing softly.

"Haan, then be ready for Idhika maasi's lecture. 'You are spoiling the kids, Shona.', hahaha.", Rini teased me.

"Idhika ko thoda tease karte hain, chal. Usko guess karne bolna kaunsa gift dunga tujhe main. Ok?", I said, taking Rini in my team.

"Haan, Papa, chalo. Lets make her crazy.", Rini said, grinning in excitement.

Finally at the breakfast table all five of us gathered.

"Good morning Rini. Wassup?", Aryan said, sitting beside her.

"Oh my morning started well. Papa will gift me something.", Rini said to Aryan.

"Huh? But it's Dad's birthday right, he should get the gift. Not you.", Aryan said, knitting his brows.

Riti nudged me, "Baba, what gift?", Riti got up and put her arms around my neck from the back gently.

"Surprise hai. But do you want something too?", I asked Riti.

"Ummm... no. I will take something tomorrow. Let didi have it today.", Riti giggled and Rini smiled at her.

Idhika finally sat with her plate, "Kya gift ki baat ho rahi hai?"

I looked at Rini, our plan was on.

"Papa will gift me something huge.", Rini said to Idhika.

"Huge? What huge? Lemme guess—", Aryan said.

"No, wait. Let your maasi guess. Idhika, guess kijiye.", I said, was in a full mood to tease my wife.

Aryan chuckled, "Fine, maasi... Do the damage."

Idhika frowned at me, "Huge by size? Or huge by budget?"

"Both", Rini said before I could.

Idhika narrowed her eyes, "Car?", she said. Of course she guessed. She knows me too well.

"Spot on... but a BMW. The sexiest one.", Rini almost screamed in excitement.

Idhika's eyes widened, "Haww, Shona aap bachchi ko BMW- She can't drive properly."

"I told her, once she learns to drive properly only then she would be allowed to take it out.", I said to Idhika.

"Oh wait– that model which I wanted? Oh no, Rini. I am gonna kill you.", Aryan mock glared at her.

"Bhaiya, you have a RANGE ROVER. That too you were just seventeen. Let didi have it na.", Riti took Rini's side.

"Tu side mat le iski. Jab tak Rini thik se driving nahi sikhti, the keys will be with me.", Aryan said, teasing Rini.

Idhika looked at me and smiled, "Lo, ho gaya kalesh shuru inka."

But this kalesh is my life. My kids and my wife, is my life.

"Aryan, tu Rini ko sikha dena ache se, and of course I would be there too. Oh, and take Anaya along with you.", I said.

"Hmm, Anaya di se yaad aya, I have to go somewhere. Unki ek friend ke ghar party hai. Rini aur Riti ko bhi bulaya hai.", Aryan said.

"Konsi friend? Do I or Idhika know them?", I asked, firmly.

"Khannas. Round the corner hai dad. Pool party hai. November weather is calling us. Don't worry I will make sure Riti safe rahe.", Aryan said.

I trusted my child, but not blindly.

"I will talk to Anaya first. Khannas means? Mohit Khanna?", I asked.

"Yeah... right! Real estate ka business hai.", Aryan said.

I looked at Idhi, "Yaad hai Jaan, tumhare hospital opening ke time pe a guy was literally fighting? Wo uska land tha isiliye. He is the same guy, Mohit Khanna."

Idhika nodded, "Kids, make sure koi problem na ho. Call me or your dad anytime. Okay?"

All three of them nodded.

"Maasi, don't worry. I will keep my sisters safe.", Aryan smiled like a good kid.

Still I went with them to Rishabh bhaiya's villa.

Tanvi bhabhi was sitting scolding Anaya.

"Bhabhi–", I entered, with the kids.

"Arey Ranveer. Aao. Please come.", Bhabhi asked me to sit.", Bhabhi said, smiling.

"Bhabhi, these kids are going to some pool party with Anaya. Wanted to make sure that you know about this. Riti is still very young na.", I said, looking at bhabhi, but still read Anaya's face.

"Chachu, don't worry. Main hoon na.", Anaya said, awkwardly smiling.

Haan, haan pata hai sab mujhe kitna 'Main hoon na' hone wala hai wahan.

"No alcohol. I am warning.", I said to Anaya firmly.

She blinked, "Haan pakka chachu. We won't drink."

I looked at Rini. She blinked at me.

Rini was my spy. Always reported quietly everything to me. Hahaha.

Tanvi bhabhi frowned at Anaya, "If anything goes wrong this will be your first and last pool party."

I smiled at the kids. They were scared of me, but still somehow came to me when anything went wrong.

"Bhabhi, Aira ko complaint kar dena. Seedhe ho jayenge saare. Aur Idhika ko pata chala toh phir khair nahi.", I said addressing all three of my kids.

"Dad, mom ko nahi. Please. Sar khaa legi mera. She is already stressed regarding Shaurya.", Aryan said, frustrated.

I chuckled, "Thik hai. Go and enjoy. Then in the evening Rini ka gift lene chalenge."

Mehra Mansion
Aira's POV
Since a few days, in fact two to three months were so busy, that last night I could catch some sleep.

Reyansh was beside me, his arms around me.

The black out curtains made it look like nighttime, and I checked the table clock.

"10 AM? Shaurya!!!!", I woke up in a jolt.

Reyansh was used to it, he merely hugged the bolster tighter and turned to the other side.

"Ten already... Shaurya!", I threw the duvet aside and frowned at the clock.

Reyansh chuckled, still closing his eyes, "Aaru...Aryan toh Raisingh villa gaya hua hai na, Shaurya ki routine kharab hogi ab dekhna.", he muttered in his sleep.

I looked at him, smiled, and gently kissed on his cheek, "Acha ji..aap ki bhi hogi. Aryan nahi toh gym bhi nahi. Hai na?", I teased him.

He caught my waist, "Acha hai na? Aapke saath time mil jayega.", he said, finally opening his eyes.

"Uff..Reyansh, aap bhi na. Let me go, ye Shaurya ka guitar class hai aj.", I said, softly.

He softly kissed me, and gently let me go, "Shaurya pe hi saara dhyan hai aapka, Aaru.", He said, smiling.

I tickled him mischievously and got down of the bed, "Aap bhi uth jaaiye.", I said, and escaped the room.

"Shaurya!!", I called him again.

"Yeah mom.", he finally answered from his room.

"Your guitar class, beta?", I asked.

"Cancelled today. I will practice with Dad. Ok?", he said.

I smiled, and finally reached his room door, "Mera bachcha, kitna acha baby hai mera.", I said, looking at him.

He was styling his hair, "Mom...ab main bada ho gaya hoon. Please haan."

I chuckled, "Ok beta. Aaja for breakfast. I will freshen up by then.", I said, and went to the washroom.

I got ready for work in a cream saree, few clients were coming today from Indonesia, so wanted to look my best.

We sat on the breakfast table, the food was served to my in laws in their room.

Reyansh, I and Shaurya sat on the table.

Shaurya was busy scrolling his phone.

"Beta, have your food first.", I said, softly.

He just nodded and continued scrolling.

This boy...uff!

"Aryan Rini nahi hai to khali khali lag raha hai, nahi?", Reyansh said.

"Haan, but they were so excited for Ranveer's birthday. Gift Ranveer ke jagah unhe jo milta hai.", I chuckled.

Reyansh shook his head, smiling, "He spoiled them, totally."

I nodded.

"What spoiled? Wahi same game ka different version har saal dia bhaiya ko.", Shaurya said in a complaining tone.

"Beta...Range Rover game nahi hai.", Reyansh scolded him.

"I am talking about Playstation.", Shaurya looked at Reyansh narrowing his eyes.

Reyansh frowned, "I also buy you playstation. Tujhe bhaiya wala hi chahiye?", he asked.

"Well...bhaiya wali cheezon mein baat hi kuch aur hai.", he said, smirked mischievously and started having his pancake.

I chuckled, and finished my glass of juice, while Reyansh looked at me, in disbelief.

"Ye kya bann raha hai, Aaru? Kal Aryan ka Range Rover bhi hadap lega.", He said.

"Bhai hai uska, karne dijiye jo karna hai. Don't interfere between my sons.", I said, and got up to leave.

"Say happy birthday to him... from my side," Shaurya said, referring to Ranveer.

I smiled.

"Why? Wish him yourself."

I ruffled his hair—something he absolutely hated.

"Mom!" he groaned, trying to fix his hair.

Chuckling, I picked up my handbag and left for MHOM.