Here you go folks! the Epilogue as promised!

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EPILOGUE

*3 years later*

Aditya gently placed his briefcase on the floor, trying to be quiet as possible. He heard the piano from his study and knew that Zoya was in there playing. Dressed in a sharp navy blue suit, he quietly slipped into the room. Zoya's back was facing him. Dressed in a casual salwar kameez, she was seated on the piano bench lost in the music.

Saiyyan...

It was her favorite tune. Aditya smiled and crept closer to her. She was focused on playing the chords...it'll be easy to scare her. Aditya grinned wickedly...almost there...3...2...1

"Aap aa gaye." Zoya said without turning back. It was more of a statement. She stopped playing and turned, giving Aditya a I know what you were about to do smile'.

Aditya pouted, his shoulders lowering in defeat, "How did you know I was here?"

Zoya stood up from the piano bench and giggled at Aditya's childish reaction. "We've been married how long?...I know your every move." Zoya said confidently and went into Aditya's waiting arms.

She lifted her face up and gave him a kiss. 3 years of marriage...and it was the best. Zoya still couldn't believe how blissful these years have been. Sure they fought...which married couple didn't? But when all was said and done, the love between them remained strong...and it remained true. And even after all these years, she felt it in her heart every time Aditya was near. It was a flutter every time he was close...she didn't need eyes to see him...her heartbeat always informed her. It was simply the connection they shared.  

Aditya pulled back and looked down at Zoya, "Hi freckle face", he said affectionately and placed a soft kiss on her nose.

Zoya simply smiled back lovingly. "How was your meeting?" Zoya asked.

Aditya was now full time CEO of Hooda Hotels. "It went well...we'll sign the contract tomorrow." Aditya replied. "How was yours?" Aditya asked back.

Zoya was now running Siddiqui Electronics. She took over the empire when her father decided it was time to retire. "We closed the deal with the foreign delegates today...the new stores are planned to open by the end of this year." Zoya replied. "That's my girl." Aditya said, proud of his wife.

Both of them stepped into their respective roles so beautifully. Business was flourishing under Aditya and Zoya's guidance, and they were now considered the power couple of the corporate world. 

Aditya leaned in for another kiss, but this time, was interrupted by the cry from the baby monitor. "Looks like she knows you are home too..." Zoya said, knowingly.

Aditya chuckled in response and they both walked over to the nursery. Going over to the bassinet, Aditya picked up the little bundle wrapped in a pink blanket. Green eyes, just like Zoya's, looked up at Aditya.

"Hi baby..." Aditya murmured and placed a soft kiss on his 3 month old daughter's forehead. They named her Adiya...for Aditya and Zoya.

"She is getting more and more beautiful...just like her mom." Aditya said, "You know I'm getting a gun right? Need to keep all the boys away from her." he said, earning a slap on his shoulder from Zoya.

"You will do no such thing!" Zoya lectured, trying to give Aditya a stern look but ended up laughing when Aditya simply grinned back.

Zoya then walked up and stood behind Aditya, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her chin on his shoulder. They looked down at their daughter, simply soaking in the fact that she was theirs.  

"Every time..." Aditya murmured, "Every time I come home...she wakes up. How does she know every time?" He asked, amazed at how much he loves this little bundle in his hands. His daughter yawned and started falling back asleep and Zoya smiled, feeling her heart swell with love...the sight of father and daughter always having this affect on her.

"She is connected to you...she feels it in her heart whenever you are close...just like I do." Zoya murmured back. Aditya looked back at Zoya, his eyes expressing to her what he isn't able to put into words. It stayed quiet between them...sometimes...words were just not needed.

Their intimate moment was interrupted when they heard the doorbell. Knowing that Zoya's parents have arrived, Aditya, with Adiya still in his arms, and Zoya made their way to the living room.

When they entered, they saw that Harshvardhan and Wasim were already settling down for a game of chess. They played that often now after retirement. "Ready to lose?" Harsh taunted Wasim. Wasim simply answered by moving his first soldier. Anjana and Roshnaq got comfortable on the couch while Arjun and Noor were sitting on the floor, bickering over something.

"How hard is it! You don't put the wet towel on the bed." Noor said in an annoyed tone at her husband.

"But it's on my side of the bed!" Arjun argued back. The elders simply rolled their eyes at their youngest kids.  

Noor raised her hand to hit Arjun. "Noor!" Zoya said, stopping her from hitting Arjun. "Appi you always take Arjun's side" Noor pouted, but lowered her hand none the less.

"Love you babhi!" Arjun grinned and gave Noor a triumphant look. Noor simply glared back.

"I got it Noor." Aditya then hit Arjun's head, "Stop putting wet towels on the bed." He ordered his younger brother. "Ow! Bhai this is unfair." Arjun whined, rubbing the spot where Aditya hit him.

"Thanks jiju!" Noor giggled and high fived Aditya. Zoya and Aditya greeted Wasim and Roshnaq. Aditya then placed Adiya on Roshnaq's waiting arms and took a seat by Anjana's feet on the floor.

Zoya looked at her family. Harsh and Wasim were arguing over who's turn it was. Anjana placed a loving hand on Aditya's head and spoke to Roshnaq has she made cooed over Adiya.

Noor and Arjun's banter went back and forth and Aditya played peace maker again. This was her family. The people she grew up with. The people who guided her when she thought all was lost. The wholesome feeling was a little overwhelming. Everyone was where they needed to be. Zoya happen to glance out the window and right at that moment, a shooting star flew across the sky.

Kehte hain, agar kisi toothe tara par dua mangho...tho woh puri ho jaati hain.

Zoya closed her eyes, 'Thank you...' Zoya said in her head, '...I didn't realize that when the world was shaking...you gave me exactly what I needed. You gave me who I was meant to be with. So thank you...' She didn't make a wish tonight...there was no need for it. She had everything she wanted right here.

When Zoya opened her eyes and looked back at her family, her eyes connected with Aditya's. His face softened seeing her and Zoya almost sighed at the way he looked at her. She smiled at him, her heart filled with happiness, and went to Aditya, sitting next to him on the floor.

Their hands entwined automatically. Zoya leaned in and gave Aditya a quick kiss on his cheek. He grinned at her and brought their joined hands to his chest and they turned to their family, easily joining into the conversation.

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Sakshi burned a candle in front of the murthi and put her hands together in prayer. The village was in darkness due to a power outage, so Sakshi made were way around her small home lighting candles.

The knock on her door caught Sakshi's attention. When she opened the door, she saw the neighborhood kids standing, looking at her with youthful eyes.

"Arre tum log yahaan?" Sakshi asked, looking down at the kids.    

"Sakshi maa...bahaar bijli nahin hai...aur humhe andhere mein khelna nahin. Aap humhe kahaani sunoa ge?" One of the older kids asked.

"Arre bacha...tum log ghar jao...tumhare maa baap pareshaan honge..." Sakshi reasoned.

"Nahin!" Some of the kids protested, "Humhe kahaani sunni hai...please Sakshi maa...please!" They all pleaded, not giving Sakshi a change to decline.

"Arre.." Sakshi tried again and was cut off again with pleading. Admitting defeat, Sakshi chuckled and opened the door further, indicating the kids to come inside. She didn't mind the kids. It was a known fact around town the kids adored Sakshi...and the feeling was mutual.

Sakshi sat down on her rocking chair as the kids all sat around her on the floor.

"Sakshi maa...woh prem kahani sunao na...woh humhe bohut pasand hai" A little girl requested.

Sakshi gave a lovely smile, because it was her favorite story too. "Ek rajkumari thi..." Sakshi began, "...joh toothe taro par bohut vishwas karti thi...aur woh humesha yeh chaati thi ke usse ek din uska raj kumar usse utha kar le jaye." 

Sakshi looked around the room to see the kids intently listening. The candle light reflected off their innocent faces. Sakshi continued, "Woh raj kumar...joh sirf uske liye bana hai...woh rajkumari usse humesha lardthi thi...jhakarthi thi...lekin uske dil ne uske saiyyan ko pehle se pehchaan liya tha...aur unn dono ke beech...bepannaah mohabat dheere dheere dastak dene lagi..."

Sakshi continued, a smile adoring her aging face as she told the little ones of a great love story. A love story that was buried in arguments...flickered with heartbreak...caught fire with respect...and burned bright with trust.  

THE END

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thank you thank you thank you to everyone who stood by this story and gave it so much love. its bitter sweet knowing that i won't be writing this story anymore...you guys gave it so much love and for that i am always grateful.

did you guys like how it ended? please tell me your thoughts!

Also for those that don't know...i am posting 'Saiyyan' on wattpad also...and the love making scenes are little more descriptive because wattpad has less restrictions. please do give it some love on wattpad too.

https://www.wattpad.com/story/173251894-saiyyan-adiya-ff

lastly...i will be getting to comments eventually...just been busy with life...so don't think i am ignoring your comments...i read them all multiple times because that fuels my writing...i just need some extra time replying.

And stay tuned for other works of mine...i will be posting on IF and wattpad respectfully. so please always be this supportive. i love you all!

JCluvs srk2019-01-27 09:44:44