Adranksh returned to the mansion with a rare smile on his face. It was the first time in five years that anyone had seen him like this. The staff exchanged bewildered glances, while his family stood frozen in shock.

"Adranksh, what happened to you?" Ajendra asked, his voice laced with disbelief.

Ever since Maya had left, Adranksh had been off. For five long years, he had withdrawn into himself, speaking only when necessary, his presence like a ghost haunting the mansion. He had ignored everyone, driven only by the fire of revenge. Sleep had become a distant memory, his nights fuelled by restless rage and sleeping pills.

But now-he was smiling.

He turned to his mother, his voice filled with an emotion they hadn't heard in years.

"Maa, She's coming back!"

Ishani and Vedha, who had been sitting at the dining table, gasped. Their eyes brimmed with tears as they rushed toward him.

"Really? She's actually coming back?" they asked eagerly, their voices trembling with hope.
They all had a smile on their face now.

Adranksh nodded, his heart racing. Without another word, he walked toward his room.

As he stepped inside, he looked around and exhaled deeply. The emptiness was suffocating. The walls, once alive with her presence, now felt hollow. The air was stale without her scent. But that would change-soon.

She was coming back.

Determined, he strode into the bathroom and turned on the sink. Staring at his reflection, he ran a hand over the rough beard he had let grow over the years. He had never bothered to shave, never cared to. But now, with each stroke of the razor, he felt himself shedding the weight of the past.

When he stepped out, freshly shaven, dressed in a crisp suit, the transformation was undeniable. The fire in his eyes had returned.

Adranksh Singh Rajput was back.

Without hesitation, he made his way downstairs, had a quick breakfast, and left for his office. There was work to be done.

Maya was coming back. And he would be ready.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bangalore, Airport.
Maya stepped out of the airport, a wave of nostalgia washing over her as the familiar sights of home surrounded her. The scent of the air, the warmth of the breeze-it all felt like a bittersweet embrace.

Standing a few feet away, her father, Surya Kshatriya, waited with her elder brother, Samay. The moment their eyes met, time seemed to freeze.

Taking a deep breath, Maya tightened her grip on Mayank and Adhya's tiny hands and walked toward them.

"Mayank, Adhya," she said softly, kneeling beside them. "Meet your Thatha and my big brother, Samay."

Surya and Samay stared at her in disbelief. But as the realization set in, their expressions melted into pure emotion.

Before they could react, Mayank took a confident step forward. "Hello, I'm Mayank Maya Kshatriya," he introduced himself with a polite nod.

Not wanting to be left behind, Adhya beamed and followed suit. "Hello, Thatha and Amma's Anna. I'm Adhya Maya Kshatriya!"

Surya's breath hitched. His eyes shimmered with unshed tears as he bent down and lifted them both into his arms, holding them close as if afraid to let go.

"Appa, hold on! I want to spend time with my niece and nephew too," Samay complained playfully, crossing his arms.

Maya chuckled, watching the interaction unfold.

Mayank, always the thoughtful one, turned to his grandfather. "Thatha, I'm a little heavier than Adhya because I'm a boy. Maybe Mama should carry me while you carry Adhya?" he suggested seriously.
(Thatha- Grandfather, Mama- Mother's brother)

Surya stared at the young boy, admiration filling his gaze. How mature he was for his age. With a gentle nod, he shifted slightly, allowing Samay to take Mayank into his arms while he kept Adhya close.

As they walked toward the waiting car, Maya couldn't help but smile. For the first time in a long while, she felt something warm blossom in her heart-she was home.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As they reached her home, a sea of familiar faces stood waiting at the entrance. Kamakshi, Bhoomi, Smriti, Janardhan, Vijendra, Lavanya, Karishma, Vaishali, Yuvraj, and Ishan-all gathered with anticipation, their eyes brimming with emotions.

Maya stepped out of the car, her heart softening at the sight. Despite the years apart, she had kept track of their lives-their weddings, their milestones. And yet, standing before them now, she felt an unfamiliar weight settle in her chest.

Mayank and Adhya clung to her, their small hands tightening around her fingers as they peeked out from behind her. The crowd of strangers unsettled them.

"It's okay, babies," Maya whispered, bending down to their level. "They are our family-your grandparents, uncles, and aunts."

Slowly, the twins stepped forward, still holding onto their mother's hands.

A collective gasp filled the air as everyone took in the sight of Maya-not just her return but the two children standing beside her.

Kamakshi rushed forward, her hands trembling as she knelt in front of them, taking in every tiny feature. Tears shimmered in her eyes.

"My grandchildren..." she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. She hesitated before opening her arms, seeking permission.

Mayank and Adhya turned to Maya, who gave them an encouraging nod. Tentatively, they stepped into their grandmother's embrace, allowing her to hold them for the first time.

"This is your Kamakshi Ajji," Maya said softly. "My mother."

Kamakshi held them tightly, as if afraid they'd vanish.

Maya straightened, addressing the twins. "I know there are a lot of people to remember, but for now, you can call them Ajji, Thatha, Atte, and Mama, okay?"

(Ajji-grandmother, Thatha-grandfather, Atte-Aunt, Mama-Uncle.)

The twins nodded obediently.

Taking a deep breath, Mayank spoke first. "Hello, I'm Mayank Maya Kshatriya."

Adhya followed immediately. "And I'm Adhya Maya Kshatriya."

A proud smile graced Maya's lips at their confidence.

Just then, Lavanya stepped forward, her gaze locked onto Maya's children with disbelief. She knelt before them, her expression unreadable.

"Mayank, Adhya..." she began, her voice gentle but firm. "You are Rajputs."

Maya's expression darkened instantly. Her body tensed as she glared at Lavanya.

"No," she stated, her voice laced with finality. "I raised them. They are my blood. That makes them Kshatriyas."

Lavanya didn't back down. "Bhabhi, you're right. But they are my brother's children too. His blood runs through their veins. They are Rajputs by blood as much as they are Kshatriyas."

Tension crackled between them as the weight of the past loomed heavily in the air.
Samay intervenes by asking his mother to welcome them.

"Amma," he said, his voice steady yet laced with emotion, signalling her to interrupt.

Kamakshi looked at her son, then at Maya, whose eyes still burned with unspoken fury. Taking a deep breath, she nodded, brushing away her tears.

Samay turned to his sister, offering her a small smile. "You're home, Maya. That's what matters."

Maya's expression softened. She knew Samay had always been her anchor, the only one who never judged, never questioned-just stood by her side.

Kamakshi cleared her throat, composing herself before turning back to the children. "Come inside, my little ones. This is your home now. You can meet your cousins soon after they come back from school."

Mayank and Adhya looked up at their mother for reassurance. Maya nodded, squeezing their hands.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Adranksh's heart shattered when Dhruv confirmed her whereabouts-Bangalore.

A city too far from him. From them.

His grip tightened, a storm brewing in his chest

He sighs as a memory hits him.

FLASHBACK
Maya had been ignoring him all day for forgetting their three-month anniversary.

Adranksh had enough. Pinning her against the wall, he leaned in, his breath hot against her ear. "You want to punish me, hmm? Fine. But don't forget, sweetheart... I always return the favour."

Before she could react, his lips trailed down her neck, slow and teasing. His hands moved with infuriating patience, tracing every inch of her skin, making her shiver.

"You ignored me for hours," he murmured, his voice dark. "Now, let's see how long you can last when I take my time with you."
Her breath hitched as his fingers trailed over her waist, his touch so soft yet it burned her skin. "Adranksh-" she started, but he cut her off with a slow, kiss just below her jaw.

"No talking," he ordered, his voice rough with control. "You made me suffer all day. Now, it's your turn."

His lips brushed over hers but never fully claimed them, teasing, tormenting, making her ache for more. His hands roamed over her body with maddening patience, touching everywhere except where she needed him most.

She clenched her fists, her resolve slipping. "Adranksh, please-"

He smirked, his grip tightening around her wrists as he pressed her back against the wall. "Not yet, Malyshka . I'll make sure you never ignore me again."

And then, he finally kissed her-slow, deep, and punishing.

His kiss was slow at first, teasing, punishing until she broke. With a frustrated whimper, she arched into him, pressing herself closer, her nails digging into his shoulders. That was all it took for his control to snap.

With a low groan, he lifted her effortlessly, her legs wrapping around his waist as he carried her to the bed. He laid her down carefully, his hands roaming over her body, his lips tracing a path down her throat.

"You ignored me, Maya. You made me crave you." His voice was dark, filled with unspoken promises as he pinned her wrists above her head. "Now, you'll make it up to me."

His lips descended, exploring, worshipping-his hands memorizing every inch of her. Maya trembled beneath him, gasping his name, her body surrendering to his torturous pace.

And when he finally claimed her, it was slow and deep, a sweet punishment that left her breathless.

The night stretched on, their bodies tangled in the sheets, lost in whispers and heated touches. He made love to her over and over again, as if branding her into his very soul, ensuring she would never forget this night-just as he would never forget the torment of her absence.

By the time dawn broke, Maya lay exhausted in his arms, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on her bare skin.
Maya, wrapped in his arms, laughing as she traced invisible patterns on his chest. "You'll always find me beside you, Ansh," she had whispered. "Even if the world tries to pull us apart."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

But she wasn't beside him now. She had left.

Adranksh clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. No. He wouldn't allow it.

If fate had taken her away, he would defy fate itself.

She was his.

And he was going to bring her back-into hislife, into his house, into his arms. Where she belonged.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hope you guys liked this chapter, kindly show some appreaciation in the comments.
Let me know your thoughts.
Vote if you think this chapter was worth it<3
Yours truly,
Leela<3