49.

This book is entirely a product of my imagination. Please do not copy my work, or I will take strict action.

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Aaradhya's pov

I hurried upstairs my heart beating fast. They must be in their room right?

I pushed the door open but the room was empty. Their toys were scattered on the floor but there was no sign of them.

"Arnav? Advik? Arya?" I called my voice slightly shaky. No answer.

I checked the washroom the balcony even under the bed but they weren’t there. A cold fear gripped my chest.

Where could they be? Did they go to Chachu’s room? The garden? But why didn’t they tell anyone?

I rushed downstairs again my breath uneven. "Maa they are not in their room" I said my voice coming out more panicked than I intended.

"Check outside! Maybe they went to the garden!" Chachi said also looking worried now.

I nodded and ran towards the garden, my body trembling.

"I scolded them because they were asking for money" Riya said walking behind me.

"Me too" I replied and stepped into the garden but there is no one.

"Look for the kids!" Maa shouted her voice trembling. The workers started searching everywhere.

"Advik! Arnav! Arya! Where are you bacchon?" Maa called out again her voice breaking.

"Wait I’ll ask the guards" Riya said and ran to the main door. I followed her.

"Did you see the kids?" she asked making the guards alert.

"No ma’am we didn’t see them" one of them replied and panic spread through me.

"Where did they go?" I whispered my hands turning cold.

"Wait ma’am we’ll check the CCTV footage" he said leading us to the security room. Maa and Chachi followed closely.

The screen started playing and we all held our breath.

We saw them stepping out of my room and heading toward Riya’s. A few minutes later they walked out looking sad.

Then they sat in the living room whispering something to each other. Suddenly they started jumping excitedly but Arnav said something, and their smiles faded again.

After a while they cautiously moved toward the main door looking around to make sure no one saw them.

They stepped outside pretending to play near the entrance. A tempo was parked there carrying old furniture out of the mansion.

Before anyone can notice them, they sneaked inside the tempo. A few seconds later the vehicle drove off.

"Oh my God! Where are they?" Maa cried tears streaming down her face. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it would burst. A thousand horrible possibilities ran through my mind.

"We should inform them" Chachi said and we nodded. With trembling hands I dialed Aarav ji’s number.

He picked up immediately. "Yes love?" he asked. I swallowed hard my throat dry.

"T.....the k… kids are missing" I whispered my voice shaking.

I heard his sharp intake of breath. Then his voice changed anger, fear, and worry laced in it.

"What do you mean by they are missing love?" he asked his voice sharp with worry. I explained everything to him my tears falling nonstop.

"Shhh don’t cry. We are coming" he said gently. I nodded and cut the call.

"They are coming" I told everyone and they nodded.

"Ma’am we found where the tempo is and where the kids are" Arjun's voice came from behind. We ran to him instantly.

"Where are they? Take us to them!" I said urgently.

He nodded and we rushed to the car. Sitting inside I gripped my hands tightly.

"Inform sir about the location" I instructed and he nodded. They have trackers in each of their clothes which is why Arjun can track their location.

I prayed nonstop. Please God keep my kids safe. Let them be fine.

After fifteen minutes we reached the location. As soon as we stepped out I saw Aarav ji and others arriving in their cars.

Then my eyes landed on our kids. Believe me each one of our jaws dropped to the ground seeing them.

"Please help us! We are really poor!" Arnav cried out sitting on the footpath.

"We haven’t eaten anything for a whole month. Please help us!" Arya added looking at the people passing by.

"We will die if we don’t get food. Please give us 2000 rupees" Advik begged wiping his fake tears.

Their expensive clothes and their words didn’t match at all. Everyone could clearly see that they are Yaduvanshi’s kids.

"Please give us money. God will bless you with a beautiful wife or a handsome husband" Arya added sweetly.

I had to control my smile and my anger at the same time.

"ARNAV! ARYA! ADVIK!" Papa's loud voice boomed.

They turned toward us and stood up quickly. Advik and Arya immediately hide behind Arnav.

"Dadu, Mumma, and Papa" Arnav says and everyone glares at them.

"Get inside the car now" Chachu says in a cold voice. They run into the car quickly.

I turn to Aarav ji and glare at him. Not just me even Riya glares at Jaye. We all sit inside the car. Arjun starts the engine and the car moves.

We reach the mansion. The three of them stand near the entrance looking down at the floor. Everyone is glaring at them.

"Why did you all do this?" Aarav ji asks standing in front of them. His voice is cold for the first time. I see fear on their faces.

"We are asking something!" Jaye shouts making them flinch.

"We asked Mumma for money but she refused. So we made a plan to beg on the street and get money" Arnav replied still looking down.

Hearing this we all slap our heads. Of course they are Yaduvanshi's kids.

"So you all will pull a stunt like this?" Aarav ji shouts. Arya suddenly steps forward and stands in front of Arnav.

"Papa please don't shout at Bhai. I was the one who told them to do this" Arya says trying to protect her brother.

"No Papa! I am the one who wanted to play with money" Advik says standing in front of Arya.

We can't help but smile internally at their love for each other.

"From now on their chocolates, toys and everything else are stopped. I dare anyone to give them anything" Papa says firmly. He gets up and walks to his room.

"They are getting bad day by day" Chachu says shaking his head before heading to his room.

"I didn’t expect something like this from you all" Raj says his voice full of anger. The kids’ chins wobble as tears threaten to fall.

"I won’t give you anything from now on" Darsh says before walking away.

"Aarav ji let’s go to the room" I say and we also start walking toward our room. Riya and Jaye leave for their room too. Now only the three of them are left in the living room.

I hear soft crying behind us as they realize everyone has left them. I enter our room and sit on the bed.

"This is all your fault. You have spoiled them Aarav ji" I say glaring at him.

He gives me puppy eyes and says softly "I didn’t spoil them love. I just love them."

I keep glaring at him and he looks down.

"Sorry" he says. I scoff.

"I was so scared. If anything would have happens to them I can't forgive myself ever" I say my voice trembling.

Aarav ji sits beside me and gently lifts my chin. "I’m here and I’ll make sure nothing happens to our kids ever" he says firmly. His words reassure me because I know he will always protect them.

"They are really devils" I say chuckling.

He giggles and says "No doubt about that" Then he gets up and heads to the washroom to get freshen up.

I stay on the bed looking at a picture of me when I was pregnant. Memories flood back and I smile. Even when they were in my womb they were devils from the start. I chuckle as I remember a moment from that time.

Flashback

"Aaradhya is mine before you all" Papa says giving everyone a challenging look.

"She is mine" Jaye says possessively making it clear I belong to him.

"Excuse me you all. She is mine" Aarav ji says joining the argument.

I giggle watching them fight over me. But suddenly I feel a sharp kick in my stomach.

"Ahh" I hiss placing a hand on my belly. They all rush to me worried.

"What happened Aaru?" Maa asks anxiously.

I smile and say "The baby is kicking and saying that I’m his or hers." Everyone bursts out laughing.

Flashback ends

I get up and Aarav ji and I head downstairs together. The kids are still standing in the same place looking nervous.

Everyone is seated at the dining table and no one is paying attention to them.

"Go and change their clothes and bring them back" Maa says to the helper. The helper nods takes the kids to their room and returns after some time with them dressed in their night suit.

They sit in their usual places at the table. I start serving them food. Their eyes dart around looking at everyone’s faces silently asking for forgiveness.

"Please forgive us. We will not repeat this mistake again" Arnav says his voice small and full of regret.

"Yes we will not ask for anything or do anything like this again" Arya says drawing everyone's attention to them.

"Please forgive us" Advik says with puppy eyes and it’s hard not to melt seeing them.

"Promise?" Papa asks and they all nod eagerly.

"Promise Dadu" they say in unison.

Everyone starts explaining to them why they shouldn’t do such things again. The atmosphere softens and we begin eating dinner.

After one week

Aarav's POV

"Where are they?" I ask looking upstairs impatiently.

"Papa they are girls. They take time to get ready" Arnav says and we all chuckle.

"I'm here!" I hear my princess's voice. She comes running downstairs dressed in a beautiful maroon frock looking like an angel.

"Oh my goodness who is this angel on earth?" Chachu says picking her up in his arms.

"Hehe Dadu it’s me your Gudiya!" Arya says with an innocent smile.

"Oh so you are my Gudiya" Chachu says making her laugh loudly.

"Let’s go we’re ready" Riya’s voice draws our attention. I turn to see her walking down with the others.

My love is wearing a saree of the same maroon color as our princess. She looks breathtaking in that bold color.

"Let’s go Mr Aarav Yaduvanshi" she says confidently walking toward me. I can’t stop smiling.

"You all go with your partners. We’ll take the kids with us" Raj says. We nod in agreement.

I walk to my car and open the door for her. She steps in gracefully and gives me a soft "Thank you."

I sit in the driver’s seat start the car and begin driving.

"Jaan you are looking like a bomb today" I say unable to hide my admiration.

She giggles and says "Thank you, Mr. Yaduvanshi. And you are looking... okay okay."

I chuckle and rest my hand on her thigh.

"Baby I know I’m just okay okay but you are precious. Please give me the chance to worship a goddess like you" I say giving her thigh a gentle squeeze.

Her breath quickens and she looks at me trying to control herself. "Please control yourself Aarav ji. We have to attend the function" she says softly.

I wink at her and say "Let’s not go to the function and stay here. We can make love in the car." Her cheeks turn bright red and she blushes hard.

"You’re blushing as if it’s our first time in the car Jaan" I tease her and she lightly slaps my hand.

"Stop it! You are so shameless" she says trying to hide her smile. I chuckle loving her reactions.

"We have two products of ours and it's not only my work na?" I say teasingly and she starts hitting me playfully.

"You don’t have a filter in your mouth!" she says shaking her head and I laugh.

"I was planning to take the kids somewhere" she says and I nod.

"Why not? Let’s go to our Iceland for some time" I suggest and she nods excitedly.

"Why not? Let’s plan" she says smiling and I nod again.

"I’m really proud of you. You are raising our kids like a responsible mother my love. Thank you for coming into my life and making this beast feel love" I say kissing her hand gently.

"Thank you for loving me like this" she replies her voice soft and full of emotion. We both smile at each other.

We finally reach the venue and step out of the car. There are so many media people waiting outside. I plan to ignore them and walk ahead but I stop when I see the kids coming out of their car and standing confidently in front of the media.

I stand behind them with my love Riya, and Jaye, watching the scene unfold.

"You all can ask us questions" Advik says smiling at the reporters. The media people adore their innocence and confidence.

"Okay so Mr. Yaduvanshi what do you want to become in the future?" one of them asks Arnav.

Arnav smiles and says "I want to become like my Dadu successful in his personal and professional life."

We are all shocked to hear this. How can he reply so maturely? He is behaving like such a grown up kid.

"And you Mr. Singh?" another reporter asks Advik.

"I want to become like my brother" Advik says proudly holding Arnav’s hand.

"And I’ll protect my brothers and become their bodyguard!" Arya says making everyone laugh.

"Let’s go inside" I say and they nod.

"Bye bye everyone! Take care of yourselves!" the three of them say cheerfully as they walk inside. We follow them smiling.

"Did you see guys? The Yaduvanshis are not just rich and successful but also teach their children to respect others and......" we hear one of the reporters saying and I feel a wave of pride.

"Hello my friend!" Papa’s friend comes and greets everyone warmly.

"Hello! How are you?" Papa asks and his friend nods with a smile. They talk for a while before he moves on to attend to other guests.

"Mr. Yaduvanshi" one of my business partners comes and starts a conversation with me.

The ladies are seated at one table chatting and enjoying themselves while people continue to come and meet us.

While I’m talking my eyes fall on a couple in the crowd. I turn to look at my wife.

Aaradhya's POV

I am sitting with Kia and Riya while Maa and Chachi are busy meeting their friends. The kids are sitting together chatting about something I can't hear.

"Aaradhya" I hear someone call my name. I turn around and freeze in shock. It's my mother and father.

"How are you?" Mummy asks her voice soft. I don't know what to say.

"I'm fine" I reply with a faint smile.

"Hello" I hear my kids cheerful voices. They greet my parents politely and touch their feet.

"Congratulations on your happy life" Dad says. I nod but stay silent. I don't feel sad, happy or nervous. To me they feel like strangers. It might sound selfish but I never felt real love from them neither motherly nor fatherly.

"Forgive us" Mummy says looking at me with pleading eyes. I take a deep breath and walk toward them.

"I'm not angry with you. In fact I’m thankful that you forced me to marry Aarav ji. At least you did something good for me even if it was unknowingly" I say. They give me a weak smile.

"Will you come back to us?" Mummy asks hesitantly. I look at her for a moment before replying.

"Why should I return to you? I’m sorry if my words hurt you but you never treated me or Di like your daughters. We were just puppets to you" I say lowering my gaze.

"Aaru baccha...." I hear Maa’s gentle voice. I turn to see her standing nearby. She smiles at my parents and silently encourages me to continue.

I turn back to my parents and smile faintly. "I feel real parental love from Maa and Papa. They love me like their own daughter" I say and they smile weakly again.

"Be happy in your life and goodbye" they say before turning to leave. I sit back in my place feeling nothing. What they did to me can never be forgiven.

"Are you okay?" Maa asks placing a comforting hand on mine. I nod and we continue talking enjoying the rest of the party.

We return home late at night.

"That was such a fun night" Darsh says sitting on the couch and we all agree.

"Aaradhya and I have planned a little vacation for the kids. What do you all think?" Aarav ji asks looking at everyone.

"Why not? I haven’t gone anywhere in so many days!" Riya says jumping excitedly.

"You’re the mother of one child love but you’re behaving like a kid" Jaye teases making everyone laugh.

"You just went shopping yesterday" Raj adds and Riya pouts.

" Choti Mumma you’re acting more childish than us!" Arya says giggling.

"Okay then we’ll go this weekend" Maa says and everyone agrees.

"It’ll be so much fun!" Arnav says running around in excitement.

"Let’s sleep now it’s late" Chachu says and everyone heads to their rooms.

"Are you okay love?" Aarav ji asks as we settle in our room. I know what he’s asking about so I nod and smile at him.

We cuddle and he gently runs his fingers through my hair.

"I’m okay Jaan" I assure him. He smiles warmly at me.

"I was craving something" he says and I instantly know what he means. I look at him and before he can say anything I press my lips to his.

I kiss him with all my love and he kisses me back, holding my waist tightly. As our love deepens I realize how far we have come in life.

A few years ago I had no one by my side but now I have everyone. Maa, Papa, Chachu, Chachi, Jaye, Riya, Darsh, Raj, Kia, Rahul, my three kids and most importantly my love my Aarav ji.

From being his replacement bride to enduring his coldness and now to feeling his unconditional love Aarav ji has completely transformed my life. We have become each other’s everything. We are whole together.

The end 😭

I don’t have enough words to express how happy and sad I feel right now. I never thought I would get this much love for my book but you all proved me wrong. The love and support you’ve given me and my book are priceless. ❤️

Thank you so much for giving my book a chance. I love you all with all my heart  and I hope each of you gets a man like Aarav Yaduvanshi in your life someone who loves you, cherishes you and supports you. 💖

Thank you everyone for commenting and voting on each chapter. You all are my world trust me I mean it. And your author will always be here to support you in every aspect of your life. 🌍✨

Lastly thank you and love! I have so many things to say but I feel like I’m wasting your time. I’m really sorry if this sounds cringe but every word comes straight from my heart. 💫 Love you all from the bottom of my heart. 💕

And My second book will start on 5th February and I’ll reveal the book’s tropes, cover and character introductions on 1st February. If you have any questions you can message me on Instagram and follow me there for updates.

My ID is ficnuverse_00.

Thank you love you 😭🌎💗