Epilogue

The old, large clock in her office showed 5:10 p.m. Yet, one last task needed her attention, a file that required her review and signature to ensure the timely start of the new school building project she had promised in her election manifesto. The groundwork was already completed by the respective departments and now it only needed her final approval.

Sighing in tiredness, Khushi opened the file, hoping to get this done sooner.

And that was when she heard a knock on her office door amidst the stillness of her office. Assuming it was her PA, she murmured 'come in', her eyes still on the pages.

But as the door opened slightly, she looked up and there he was. Arnav. He stood at the threshold, with a smile on his face, along with Vanshika and Veer, their nearly 4-year-old twins. She had realized, these three faces had the power of dissolving her gloom, her tiredness! Especially these days when their family was set to grow, she thought caressing her baby bump.

With a beautiful, radiant smile on her face, she tried rising from her chair with some effort, while cradling her seven-month baby bump.

"Careful." Arnav said, coming further inside the big office and reaching near her in quick strides. He gently kept his hand and supported her back while their kids clung to her by then.

"Mommy!" both said in unison.

And as if on cue the baby in belly kicked, showing her/his happiness seeing its siblings and daddy. Khushi gasped and quickly held Arnav's hand to put in on her tummy where the baby kicked again!

Veer and Vanshika who were told they were going to have a new baby sister or brother soon who was currently in their mommy's tummy, also asked to be a part of it as they would do every time their sibling kicked and Khushi smilingly held her toddlers' little hands and kept it on the place where the little one continued playfully kicking away!

It was a few days ago when their mommy and daddy had first 'introduced' them to this 'kicking' wonder in their mommy's tummy who was their brother or sister. And since then, they would always want to feel that unique experience.

"Yay! He is kicking!" Veer said.

"No silly, she is kicking. We are going to have a sister." Vanshika said with confidence.

"Really? How do you know? Mommy said, we won't know it until baby comes out of her tummy. Right mommy?"

Khushi, overwhelmed by this moment, felt tears welling up in her eyes. She nodded softly at her son, with heart full of love...

"But I want a sister! I already have a brother." Vanshika exclaimed, "Daddy! You promised me a sister!" she said, keeping hands on her tiny waist, glaring at Arnav.

Arnav had an arm wrapped around Khushi, his own eyes showing similar disbelief of having this moment bestowed on him and khushi, to receive their kids' love, answered his daughter, "Daddy has tried his best, baby. But why don't we wait for a few more days and let this surprise be revealed? Hmm?"

Vanshika seemed satisfied with his answer and stuck her tongue out at Veer, who booed her in return, their playful fighting making their parents smile.

"Ready to go home?" Arnav asked Khushi, seeing their kids busy playing with each other. He had made it a practice to come to pick her up every single day in last 5 months. Since the day she took her oath as Deputy chief minister of Delhi.

"But I had to review that school project's file and sign it before tomorrow." She said, sadly.

Arnav thought for a moment before telling her, "How about I review it, jot down the key points for you and then you only review that short, concise summary tomorrow morning? That way, you can still relax tonight." He said with a warm smile.

If Khushi hadn't already been won over by this version of Arnav, the complete antithesis of the man who had once broken her, she found herself falling in love with him all over again.

She nodded and saw arnav gather her bag, her pregnancy vitamin supplements, the file etc. and the family left her office to go home. As they drove off, the convoy of security vehicles followed closely, reminding her of the responsibilities she carried as Deputy Chief Minister but sitting in their car, surrounded by her husband and children, Khushi felt a serene peace, a sense of home.

.

.

Later that night, seated on their king size bed, as Khushi watched Arnav diligently read and take notes of the school project file as he had promised her, her mind went back to past several years of knowing this man and how her opinions kept changing. First, she was enamored with him as a wide-eyed young woman in her twenties. Then, she had defied her father to elope and marry him, only for her world to crumble when Arnav publicly dismissed her, eventually causing the downfall of her father's political career. Then after her husband Swayam's death, she was made to marry Arnav as a mere deal to secure her position. On Rani Maa's guidance. She now doubted if Rani maa had done it with her own motive of bringing her long lost son near her. Filling swayam's place in her own life with arnav maybe?

But in any case, after their twins' birth, they both had decided to leave all this behind and went to settle in Kasauli. That was really when Khushi got to see Arnav was a changed man from that spoilt brat she had initially met. He had kept his word of making her and their kids his priority, he had kept himself on the line to protect their little family. Even when she had decided to return to delhi, to politics, he had stood by her, protected her by creating that illusion of going against her. A move she wouldn't really approve of. But she had to admit his intent was good.

And now, as he had his own work, taking care of Mehra industries, training Swara to handle a major part of it, he was also taking enough time for their kids and for her.

It was perhaps her who found it difficult to balance sometimes.

"Do you think I made a mistake by taking up this position?" she suddenly asked loudly, making him look up in surprise.

"What?"

"Tell me honestly, Arnav, do you feel I should have not come back to politics?"

"Would you have been happy with that? In the long run, wouldn't you regret that you should have perhaps come back for your state, your people? After all, you call it your child. And I know how much it means to you."

"But our family-" she said, caressing her bump, as if apologizing their unborn in advance, "-our kids, you, I feel I'm unable to give you all enough time."

Arnav smiled and put down the file. And coming over to her side, he pulled her closer letting her rest her head on his shoulder. "Khushi, there is no set definition of 'enough time'. This is for everyone to decide what is the right balance for them. And as for us, you have been around us all the time. You are here when kids wake up, you are the one who feeds them breakfast. Ok, maybe you can't always drop them at school, but you have made it a point to not work beyond 6 pm. You even let go of chief minister position for us. And as for me, even if you stay around me 24 hours, it won't be 'enough'." He said with a playful smile, earning a light slap on his chest.

But then she looked up, her eyes showing utter admiration for him and guilt for herself, "I feel my ambitions come in the way of our family."

Arnav's eyes softened, "Being ambitious is not wrong, khushi. Being blind behind them is. And as far as I see, you are doing a great job of balancing it. Our Veer and Vansh are truly 'ours' now and this little one-" he said, caressing her bump and smiling as he felt a kick, "-is already our focus."

"How do you do this, Arnav? How do you always know how to soothe my mind?"

"Magic of love, honey." He said, kissing her forehead.

Khushi closed her eyes, reveling at this moment. She had truly been blessed in love. First Swayam, who healed the broken pieces of her heart and made her dare to love again, and then Arnav who proved that given a second chance, a person can truly redeem themselves and love like no other. She knew there was a part of her heart that belonged to Swayam- perhaps always will, but Arnav had made a place for himself in her heart. His love wasn't just given; it was earned, through his actions that spoke louder than words and his devotion that left no room for doubt.

Rab Ki Qawali Hai Ishq Koi, Dil Ki Diwali Hai Ishq Koi
Mehki Si Pyali Hai Ishq Koi, Subah Ki Laali Hai Ishq
Girta Sa Jharna Hai Ishq Koi, Uthta Sa Kalma Hai Ishq Koi
Saanson Mein Lipta Hai Ishq Koi, Aankhon Mein Dikhta Hai Ishq

Mere Dil Ko Tu Jaan Se Juda Kar De, Yun Bas Tu Mujhko Fanaa Kar De
Mera Hal Tu Meri Chal Tu, Bas Karde Aashiqana

Tere Waaste Mera Ishq Sufiyana
Mera Ishq Sufiyana
Mera Ishq Sufiyana

--*--

Swara was working on her laptop, reading the book on corporate strategies when her phone rang for the umpteenth time. And it was the same person calling her. Aman Mathur.

Deciding to take this and end it once and for all, she picked up the phone.

"What do you want, Aman?"

"Swara, please, just once listen to me. I made a mistake, I-"

"Mistake? No, Aman. What you did, what you were set to do was not just a mistake. It was a crime. You played with my feelings. And if bhai and bhabhi hadn't made me aware, God knows what you would have managed to do with me."

"Swara, please," Aman pleaded. "I didn't know about Dayal's plan. Trust me, I wasn't a part of it."

She let out a scoff. "Words like trust don't suit you, Aman."

There was silence for a moment. And then he said, "I'm sorry. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, and you may never grant it, but at least let me say it. With Khushi... I don't even know how to face her."

"Good," Swara said coldly. "Because you can't."

"I won't bother you any longer swara. If possible, please forgive me. For everything. I never wanted to hurt you."

"Goodbye Aman." Swara said and hung up the phone. Even when she had decided she would not let this heartbreak get to her, it still stung. Despite things had never truly started between her and aman, she felt as if she had lost her first serious relationship.

.

.

Rani Mehra stirred the black coffee in coffee mug, before taking a sip of the warm bitter liquid. Hadn't her life been similar? Warm with luxuries of the world, yet bitter with no one to truly stand by her?

But did she regret it? Would she do anything different given a chance?

Most likely, not.

This was her dream, and she took pride in herself that she achieved it all. She had made a deal with Arvind in her youth, but he betrayed her. And then she had married Mr. Mehra, a much older man for power and effortlessly ascended into Delhi's political elite. For years, she had been the one pulling strings, deciding who sat on the throne. She reveled in that control.

Her only regret was perhaps that none of her kids were like her. She had expectations from Khushi, her daughter-in-law, but she was disappointed in the end.

But the good thing was, with Arnav and Khushi's return to Delhi and their decision to stay in Mehra mansion with her and Swara, she still was close to her grandkids! She remembered how they clapped excitedly seeing the coronation ceremony of their mother! Truth was, she was married to power, but her kids and grandkids were born with power! And she will ensure at least they will make the throne their priority when times comes!

.

.

On one hand as Arvind Raizada was sentenced to life imprisonment, Dayal's political career nearly ended, but on other hand Shashi Gupta was finally seeing days of happiness. He was still recovering from disabled state, as he watched with happiness the naming ceremony for Khushi's newest baby!

"Bhai, Bhabhi, as the baby's bua (aunt), I'm supposed to name the little one." Swara said cheerfully. "But I wanted to ask have you already decided on anything?"

Arnav and Khushi exchanged a knowing smile, their hearts full as they looked at their baby sleeping peacefully in Khushi's lap.

"Swar, this little one is nothing short of a blessing in our lives." Arnav began. "We discovered its existence during a time of turmoil, and we wanted the name to reflect the blessing the news brought into our lives."

"And what names have you decided on?"

"If it's a girl, we decided Meher, which means blessing." Arnav said, gently adjusting Vanshika in his lap while Veer was with his bua.

"And if it's boy-?"

"Vardaan (which means boon)." Khushi said, looking down at her youngest son.

--*--

25 years later:

'Vardaan Singh Raizada enters the political arena of India. If elected, he will be the youngest MLA the country has ever seen.' The story ran on loop.

Meanwhile, outside the party's office, a sleek, posh car came to a halt, drawing a swarm of reporters eager for a glimpse of the young scion. As Vardaan stepped out, the cameras flashed, and the reporters rushed forward. His tailored suit and composed demeanor showed an air of authority far beyond his young age.

"Sir, sir, Vardaan sir, is it true that you're not interested in state politics, unlike your mother?" one reporter shouted.

"Sir, you've lived abroad for 10 years. Do you think you understand this country's issues?" another asked.

It was true. Khushi had officially retired from politics a decade ago and leaving Mehra Industries in the capable hands of Swara and her husband, Jatin, Arnav and Khushi had moved abroad with their teenage children, while Rani Mehra chose to stay back in Delhi. Life had taken them in different directions.

Until Vardaan decided to return last year...

"Sir, do you speak Hindi?" came yet another question.

Vardaan smirked and removed his sunglasses with deliberate ease, revealing intense eyes that mirrored his father's. The questions continued, but he remained unfazed, knowing better than to answer.

Then, one question reached him through the noise, "Sir, don't you feel you're too young to survive in politics?"

Something stirred within him. Turning to face the reporter, Vardaan's lips curled into a confident smile as he replied in clear Hindi, "Sher ke bacche ko jungle mein survive karna seekhana nahi padta (A lion's cub doesn't need to be taught how to survive in the jungle)." leaving all speechless.

And just like that Vardaan Singh Raizada had arrived, and the world was watching.

While Veer had pursued a career in aviation, becoming a pilot, Vanshika had taken after her father in getting a business degree, Arnav and Khushi had watched in shock when their son Vardaan showed extreme interest in politics! Yet, they chose not to discourage him. Instead, they did their best to prepare him for the complexities of the political world.

Rani Mehra on the other hand felt happy that there was someone to take her legacy ahead.

However, Vardaan Singh Raizada knew one thing for certain: if he ever stood at a crossroads between heart and throne, he would take a balanced decision like his parents taught him.

--*--

A/N - Hope you liked it & got all closures. While I can give happy endings to stories in fictional world, real life doesn't always go like that. We face consequences of our choices and the situations we are made to deal with...that's my take away from the great queen Cleopatra's story. Anyhow. I'll post a closure note for this book and a parting gift for you all by mid next week. Hope to see you all around to bid farewell to our beloved Bikhre moti! ❤️(maybe I should indeed write that book of baby names as Arya had once told me. Had instantly loved vardaan when I thought of it, brownie points to happyy_me for guessing it would start with a 'V'.)