Days passed as Maya and her children settled into life in Bangalore. Mayank and Adhya thrived in the warmth of their family, their laughter filling the house.

But beneath Maya's calm exterior, a storm brewed.

She, Surya, and Samay had spent nights meticulously plotting their revenge against the Shekhawats. The truth had revealed itself in London-the real mastermind behind her grandparents' deaths. And now, it was time.

She had to return to Rajasthan. To face her past. To end this once and for all.

That evening, Maya's phone rang, pulling her from her thoughts. Ishani.

Her heart clenched. Ishu...

She hesitated for only a second before answering.

"Hello?" Her voice, soft yet uncertain, carried the weight of anticipation.

"Ishu... How are you?" Maya asked, her throat tight, guilt gnawing at her.

"Maya... Oh my god!" Ishani gasped, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Do you know how happy I am to hear your voice after all these years?"

Maya swallowed hard. "I'm sorry, Ishu," she whispered.

"I won't forgive you unless you come to my 5th anniversary party, two days from now," Ishani stated firmly.

Maya stilled. Rajasthan. The perfect reason to return.

Before she could respond, a small, excited voice chimed in.

"Please, Maya... My son needs to see his Badi-Maa," Ishani added, her voice thick with emotion.

Maya gasped, her heart clenching.

"What's his name, Ishu?"

"Badi-Maa, my name is Aarav!" the little boy chirped.

Maya smiled, warmth flooding her. "How old are you, baby?"

"One... two... threee!" Aarav counted on his tiny fingers.

Maya laughed, her chest tightening. "Wow! Now I really, really want to see you."

She could almost hear Ishani's relieved smile before the call ended.

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Maya sat on the edge of the bed, running her fingers gently through Adhya's hair as Mayank curled up beside them. The hush of the night wrapped around them, broken only by the soft hum of the A.C and their sleepy breaths.

"Are we really going to Jaipur tomorrow, Mumma?" Mayank mumbled, his voice heavy with sleep.

Maya smiled faintly. "Yes, baby. We are."

Adhya peeked up at her, eyes wide and curious. "Is it far?"

"Not too far," Maya said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. Her hands were calm. Her heart wasn't.

"Will there be new people?" Mayank asked.

Maya paused. "Maybe. Someone I used to know... a long time ago."

Adhya yawned, then whispered, "Do you miss them?"

The question caught her off guard. Her throat tightened. She looked down at her children-pieces of him she had carried for five years, pieces of love she'd never spoken of aloud.

"Sometimes," she said, her voice barely above a breath. "Sometimes I miss who they were. Before everything changed."

Silence settled for a moment. Then her son reached out, placing his small hand over hers. "It's okay to be nervous, Mumma. You always say being brave doesn't mean not being scared."

Maya let out a shaky breath, her eyes stinging.

"And you're the bravest person we know," her daughter whispered, snuggling closer.

Maya leaned down and kissed both their foreheads, holding them as if they were her anchor. And they were.

"Whatever happens tomorrow," she said softly, "just promise me one thing."

They looked up at her, curious.

"Don't hate me or leave me, okay?" Her voice broke, and she swallowed. "Promise?"

"Never, mumma, Promise," they said in unison.

She turned off the lamp, leaving just the moonlight. As she closed the door behind her, Maya stood for a moment in the hallway, hand over her heart.

The dat after tomorrow, she would face the past.

But tonight... her children had already given her the strength to survive it

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The day after tomorrow, Maya and her family arrived in Rajasthan for Ishani and Avyaansh's fifth anniversary celebration.

As they reached the Kshatriya Mansion, a wave of nostalgia hit her. Everything looked the same, untouched by time. Yet, she felt different. With a sigh, she set her things down and sank onto the bed, letting the past wash over her for a moment.

The party was at six-it was only three.

Needing a distraction, Maya headed to the bathroom for a long, refreshing bath. As the warm water soothed her nerves, she allowed herself a rare moment of quiet.

Later, she dressed in a stunning red saree. Standing before the mirror, she took in her reflection, tracing the subtle changes in her body. Motherhood had softened her, added curves where there weren't any before. Her gaze lingered on her fuller figure before she exhaled, shaking off the thoughts.

She opted for light makeup-dark lipstick staining her lips, kohl outlining her eyes with precision. Her jhumkas swayed as she moved, and a choker sat elegantly around her collarbone, discreetly covering her mangalsutra.

Once ready, she called for her children. One by one, Mayank and Adhya took their baths, emerging dressed for the occasion-Mayank in a small red and black kurta, Adhya in a delicate red dress. Their outfits mirrored hers, a silent symbol of their unbreakable bond.

Descending the grand staircase, Maya held their hands securely in hers. The moment they stepped into view, the room fell into a hush.

Gasps echoed through the hall as eyes fell upon them-Maya, regal and poised, with her two children by her side, radiating elegance and strength.

Kamakshi rushed forward, pressing a small black dot behind their ears to ward off evil eyes.

And with that, they set off for the Rajput Mansion.

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ADRANKSH SINGH RAJPUT:

I was simply having my breakfast when my little chipmunk ran up to me. Smiling, I lifted him into my arms, settling him on my lap.

I wish I had kids. Kids with Maya. The thought hit me like it always did-sharp and aching. Life would have been so beautiful.

"Bade-papa! Bade-papa! I'm finally going to see Badi-maa!" Aarav's excited voice broke through my thoughts.

I froze. What? When?

I schooled my features, keeping my voice calm. "How do you know that, Aarav?"

He puffed out his little chest proudly. "I spoke to her today! She said she'll come for Amma and Papa's anni... anniver..." He struggled with the word, pouting in frustration.

But I barely heard him.

She was coming back.

My Maya.

My fingers clenched against the table as my heart pounded. After all these years, after all the distance, she was finally returning.

There was nothing-nothing-that would stop me from getting her back now.

Just two more days.

I just had to wait two more days.
Fourty- eight hours.
Two thousand eight hundred and eighty minutes.
One lakh seventy two thousand eight hundred seconds.

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Maya and her family walked inside the Rajput Mansion. It was all decorated for Maya held her children close as she stepped deeper into the grand hall.

The moment the doors swung open, her breath hitched. Control it. She reminded herself.

Silence fell like a crashing wave.

All eyes turned to her. Gasps echoed through the hall, whispers rippling through the crowd. She walked in with unwavering confidence, power radiating from every step. But it wasn't just her presence that stunned them-it was the two children at her sides, their small hands holding hers as they curiously scanned the unfamiliar faces.

The Rajput family stood frozen.

Maya. After all these years.

And then, they saw the children.

"Maya," a familiar voice called, breaking the trance.

She turned, spotting Vedha approaching with Aadrik, who held a little baby girl in his arms.

Vedha pulled Maya into a brief hug before stepping back, her gaze flickering between her and the children in surprise.

Maya smiled softly. "Mayank, Adhya, meet your Atte Vedha and your Chote-Papa Aadrik."

Mayank stepped forward, offering his hand to Aadrik. He eyed the boy curiously before shaking it. "Bilkul apne baap par gaya hai," he murmured, earning a sharp glare from Maya.

Adhya tilted her head. "Chote-Papa, do you know our father?"

The question struck like lightning.

Aadrik's gaze snapped to Maya, realization dawning on him. They don't know. And neither does he.

Before he could respond, Maya's attention shifted to the baby girl in his arms. Wide, curious eyes stared up at her.

Vedha smiled. "Baby, she's your Badi-Maa. Go to her."

The little girl immediately reached out, and Maya didn't hesitate to take her. Warmth spread through her chest as she held the child close.

"What's her name, Vee?" she asked, brushing a strand of hair from the baby's face.

"Vamika," the little one answered in her tiny voice.

Maya chuckled. "You're adorable."

After a moment, Vamika stretched her arms back toward her father, and Aadrik took her with a soft smile.

Adhya suddenly tugged at Maya's hand, her lips forming a pout. "Amma, lift me too."

Maya bit back a smile, seeing the jealousy in her daughter's eyes. She kissed her cheek. "Baby, if I carry you now, your dress will wrinkle. You don't want that, do you?"

Adhya gasped and immediately shook her head.

By then, the rest of the Rajputs, save for one, had gathered around Maya.

Kaveri's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she took in the sight before her.

"Won't you greet your Ajji, Maya?" she whispered.

Maya's lips trembled into a smile before she wrapped her grandmother in a warm embrace. One by one, she greeted them all, finally turning to her children.

"These are your great-grandparents," she said, gesturing to Kaveri and Ajendra. "And these are your grandparents." She pointed to Shrestha, Utkarsh, Kausalya, and Rajendra.

Mayank furrowed his brows. "But how, Amma?"

Maya sighed softly, crouching to their level. "Because, baby... they are your father's family."

The children exchanged glances, curiosity flickering in their eyes as they slowly warmed up to the Rajputs.

But Maya...

Maya was hoping. Praying.

That he wouldn't come.

That she wouldn't have to face him.

But she had wished too late.

Adranksh was already there.

Watching her.
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Adranksh paced restlessly in his study, pretending to focus on the files in front of him, but his mind was elsewhere.

A knock on the door made his head snap up. Dhruv stepped in.

"Ma'am's here."

For the first time in years, Adranksh felt his heart skip a beat. He clenched his fists, willing himself to stay composed, but the moment he heard this, his control shattered.
"But sir.." Dhruv trailed but he didn't listen.

Without a second thought, he strode out of the study, his heartbeat drumming in his ears. As he reached the top of the stairs, his eyes found her instantly.

Maya.

She stood in the grand hall, dressed in deep red, her presence commanding and yet painfully familiar. Time had changed her, but she was still his Maya. His fingers curled at his sides, fighting the urge to reach for her.

His gaze flickered to the two small figures clinging to her hands.

Were they her children? Had she moved on? No.
'There is no fucking way, I'll let that happen. I'll kill that bastard with my own hands if I have too.'
His chest tightened.

She looked up. Their eyes met.

For a moment, the world around them faded.

He wanted to be angry. He wanted to demand answers. But all he felt was the overwhelming relief that she was here. In front of him.

A slow, almost disbelieving smile tugged at his lips.

She came back.
The moment Maya saw Adranksh approaching, her heart lurched.

No.

Panic surged through her veins. She turned swiftly, searching for Samay. Take the children away.

But it was too late.

A presence loomed behind her, the air around her shifting. The familiar heat of him crawled up her spine before she even saw his face.

"Adranksh, you came!" Shrestha's voice rang with happiness, but Maya barely heard it.

Her fingers curled into fists. Her breath came shallow.

She was ready to face anything but this.
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Leela<3