AUTHOR'S POV

The Raichand mansion was glowing with warmth that evening.

Soft golden lights reflected from the crystal chandelier. Fresh flowers decorated every corner. A gentle fragrance of food floated in the air, making the house feel alive and welcoming.

In the center of the living room, a large table was decorated with balloons and gifts. A chocolate cake

stood proudly in the middle, waiting for midnight.

A banner hung near the wall- "Happy Birthday, Agastya!"

On the couches and chairs, two families sat together... laughing, talking, teasing, and sharing memories.

It never felt like two different families.

It always felt like one.

Rajendra Raichand sat beside Digvijay Rathore, sipping tea slowly.

"Time flies so fast," Rajendra said with a smile.

"Just yesterday he was learning to walk... and today he's turning ten."

Digvijay chuckled. "And still running around like he owns the world."

Everyone laughed softly.

Vedika walked in with a tray. "Papa, please eat something before you start getting emotional," she joked.

Rajendra pretended to glare. "Is it a crime to love my grandson now?"

Avinash shook his head. "Drama runs in this family, Papa."

More laughter filled the room.

Nearby, Darshan, Rajveer, and Nishant were discussing old business stories, occasionally teasing each other.

"Do you remember that meeting in Delhi?" Darshan said. "We almost lost the deal."

Rajveer laughed. "And you blamed me for it!"

Nishant smiled quietly. "But in the end, we still won."

On the other side, Anushka, Nandini, and Lavanya were talking about the children.

"Anvi has become so responsible," Nandini said proudly.

Lavanya nodded. "Shrinidhi copies everything she does."

Anushka smiled warmly. "They all grow up so fast."

The sound of hurried footsteps suddenly echoed in the corridor.

Before anyone could react, the main door flew open.

Anvi, Agastya, Vidyut, and Shrinidhi rushed inside, laughing loudly.

But this time... They weren't alone.

Between them stood a small boy. He looked almost the same age as Shrinidhi. Messy hair. Dust on his clothes. Wide, innocent eyes filled with fear and curiosity.

Everyone in the living room turned silent.

Rajendra frowned slightly. "Kaun hai yeh beta?"

(Who is he, beta?)

Before anyone else could speak, Agastya stepped forward proudly. He placed his hand on the boy's shoulder. "This is my son."

Silence. Complete silence.

Then... "WHAT?!"

"Excuse me?"

"Agastya?!"

Everyone stared at him in shock.

And the next second... The entire room burst into laughter.

Rajveer laughed so hard he almost spilled his tea.

"Pagal ho gaya hai kya?"

(Have you lost your mind? )

Nandini shook her head. "Drama king."

Darshan smiled. "Kya bol raha hai tu?"

(What are you saying?)

Even Vedika covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.

But Agastya didn't laugh. He didn't smile. He stood straight. "I'm serious."

Slowly, the laughter faded. Everyone looked at him again confused.

He held the little boy's hand tightly. "I found him near the temple," Agastya continued. "He was sitting on the stairs... alone."

He looked at Saharsh and smiled softly. "I named him Saharsh."

Then he said proudly, "And he will call me Papa."

Everyone froze. "Just like I call my Papa... Papa," he added.

"And I'll scold him also," he nodded seriously, "Like Papa scolds me."

A few people chuckled again. Thinking he was joking.

But Agastya didn't move. Didn't blink. Didn't back down.

Rajendra finally leaned forward. He looked at the little boy kindly. "Beta... where are your parents?"

Saharsh looked around.

So many faces. So many eyes. So many questions.

He didn't know what to say. His lips trembled. Slowly, he turned to Agastya. And held his hand even tighter. As if it was the only safe place in the world.

Agastya understood. He spoke for him. "He doesn't have anyone," he said quietly. "He lives on the temple steps."

The room went silent.

Lavanya's eyes filled with tears. Nandini looked away. Vedika pressed her lips together.

Rajendra closed his eyes for a moment. Digvijay sighed deeply.

After a pause, Rajendra spoke gently. "Beta... you can't have a son."

Agastya frowned. "Why?"

"You're not married," Rajendra explained softly.

"You don't even have a wife."

"So," Rajveer added, "He'll stay with all of us. As our child."

Agastya stiffened. "No."

Everyone turned to him.

"He won't be 'everyone's' child," Agastya said firmly. "He's mine."

Before anyone could reply, "I'll adopt him."

All heads snapped in one direction. Adhiraj had spoken.

Vedika stared at him. "Adhiraj?"

"I'll adopt Saharsh," he repeated calmly.

Agastya's eyes widened. Then narrowed. "No."

"Why?" Adhiraj asked.

Agastya stepped forward. "Because God gave him to me." He wrapped his arm protectively around Saharsh. "He is mine."

The room was shocked.

Digvijay finally spoke.."Beta... you're too young for all this."

"You can't adopt anyone."

Agastya nodded. "Okay."

Everyone relaxed thinking he understood.

Then he added, "So he'll live with me."

They froze again.

"And when I become big enough... When I earn... When I'm allowed..." He looked straight at his father. "I will adopt him. I promise."

Saharsh looked up at him. Eyes shining. For the first time... He smiled.

For the next ten minutes, the living room was filled with voices as everyone tried to explain.

"Samjho beta..."

"Abhi tum bahut chhote ho..."

"Yeh sab itna simple nahi hota..."

(Try to understand, beta...

You're too young right now...

It's not as simple as it seems...)

Rajveer explained calmly. Nandini tried softly. Lavanya even joked a little.

But Agastya? He didn't listen.

He just sat there with Saharsh beside him, holding his hand tightly, as if someone might take him away. "No," he repeated. "He's staying with me."

Finally, Rajendra sighed. "Chhodo," he said gently. "He will understand in a few days."

Digvijay nodded. "Abhi emotions zyada hain."

(Right now, his emotions are taking over.)

Adhiraj looked at Agastya. "We'll talk later, okay?"

Agastya didn't reply. He just nodded once.

Vedika clapped her hands lightly. "Okay, enough serious talks," she announced. "It's already noon. Pehle lunch."

Everyone agreed.

"Party ki preparation baad mein," Nandini added.

(We'll deal with the party later.)

As people started getting up, Anushka's eyes fell on Saharsh. He was sitting quietly. Too quietly for a child. Her heart softened.

She walked towards him and smiled. "Beta... let's get you changed, okay?"

Before Saharsh could reply, "No!" Agastya stood up instantly. "I'll-"

Vedika turned toward him, and a single sharp, dangerous glare was enough to make Agastya freeze instantly.

"Let Aunty help him," Vedika said slowly. "Or I'll send you to Rathore house."

Everyone hid their smiles.

Agastya swallowed. "Okay..." he muttered. Then he bent down to Saharsh. "She's nice," he whispered seriously. "She won't scold you."

Saharsh nodded, trusting him.

Anushka held Saharsh's hand and took him upstairs.

In the guest room, Anushka helped Saharsh change into clean clothes.

He looked completely different now. Neat. Fresh. Comfortable. Like he finally belonged somewhere.

As she adjusted his collar, her eyes fell on the bed. Darshan's phone lay there.

She picked it up. "Oh... he must be looking for this," she murmured.

Saharsh suddenly jumped down. "Agastya papa!" he said excitedly. And before Anushka could stop him, he ran out.

"Slowly!" she called. But he was already gone.

Smiling faintly, she shook her head and started walking downstairs with her phone still in her hand. Out of habit, her thumb moved across the screen, lighting it up.

A file opened.

She hadn’t meant to open it. But she did. And then froze.

Medical Report - Anushka Rathore.

Her eyes moved slowly across the screen, line by line, word by word. Then...

“Patient is unlikely to conceive in future.”

Her breath caught instantly as her hands began to tremble. Her vision blurred while memories crashed into her mind all at once, hospital beds, unbearable pain, tears, loss… the miscarriage.

It felt like something inside her had shattered completely.

She took one step forward. Then another. But her legs felt weak beneath her. The phone nearly slipped from her trembling fingers.

“Anushka!”

Darshan noticed immediately. The moment he turned toward her, his heart dropped.

She was standing there crying silently, completely shattered.

He rushed towards her. "What happened?" he asked urgently.

She showed him the screen, her hands shaking.

"I..." she sobbed. "I... I'll never be a mother, Darshan..." Her voice cracked. "I'll never hear someone call me Ma..."

He pulled her into his arms immediately, holding her tightly and protectively against him.

“No,” he whispered shakily. “Don’t say that.”

“But it’s written…” she cried, clutching the phone weakly. “It’s final…”

Darshan gently cupped her face, forcing her to look at him. “Listen to me,” he said firmly. “You are already a mother.”

Confusion flickered through her tear-filled eyes.

“To every child who feels safe with you,” he continued softly. “To every heart you heal.”

Then his voice lowered even more as he brushed away her tears. “And maybe…” he murmured quietly, “God just has other plans for us.”

Darshan held Anushka’s hand tightly as they slowly walked downstairs. Her eyes were red, swollen, and exhausted from crying.

And the moment she stepped into the living room, everyone noticed immediately.

Nandini was the first to stand up. "Didi...?" she whispered.

Vedika's smile faded instantly. "Bhabhi, kya hua?" she asked worriedly. (Bhabhi, What happened?)

Lavanya rushed closer. "Why are you crying like this Chachi?"

Digvijay and Rajendra exchanged concerned glances.

Darshan opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, Anushka broke down again.

She covered her face and sobbed. "I... I can't... I can't do this..."

Nandini held her immediately. "It's okay... shhh... we're here."

Vedika sat beside her and gently held her hand. "Please tell us," she said softly. "What happened?"

Through broken breaths and tears, Anushka finally spoke. "My reports... I can.. I can never become a mother..."

The room went silent.

Lavanya's eyes filled instantly. Nandini hugged her tighter. Vedika closed her eyes, trying to control her emotions.

Darshan sat beside her, holding her hand. "No matter what," he said softly, "You're not alone."

Rajveer placed his hand on Darshan's shoulder. "We're all with you bhaiya."

Rajendra spoke quietly. "Life tests the strongest hearts the most."

Anushka cried into Nandini's shoulder. "I wanted... I wanted to hear someone call me Ma..."

Nandini whispered, "And you will."

"Maybe not biologically," Vedika added, "But emotionally... you already are."

Just then, the sound of a car stopping outside echoed followed by familiar voices breaking the moment.

"Arre wah! Aaj toh ghar full lag raha hai!"

(Oh my! The house feels lively today!)

Everyone turned instinctively.

The main door opened and Vansh Suryavanshi walked in with Richa beside him. Behind them came Ishant Yadav and Kritika, holding little Ishika carefully.

And between them... A tiny Rivan walked in slowly, holding Vansh's finger tightly.

He looked around with wide eyes. So many people. So many faces and quietly hid behind Vansh's leg.

"Happy Birthday, Agastya!" Vansh announced. But his smile slowly faded.

The atmosphere felt heavy.

Richa noticed Anushka’s face first, her red eyes and trembling lips. Panic flashed across her expression as she immediately rushed toward her.

"Didi... kya hua?" she whispered.

(Didi... What happened?)

Kritika followed, worried. "Why is she crying like this?"

Vansh frowned. "Bhabhi... kya hua?" he asked gently.

(Bhabhi.. what happened?

Ishant nodded. "Why are you crying so much, bhabhi?"

No one answered immediately.

Anushka tried to speak, but her voice broke. "I'll never be a mother..."

Richa and Kritika froze. Then both hugged her tightly.

"No," Richa said firmly. "Don't ever say that."

Kritika handed Ishika to Vedika and knelt in front of Anushka.

"You were with me every day," she said softly. "You took care of me like a mother."

"You already are one."

Meanwhile, Rivan peeked from behind Vansh's leg. He looked at Anushka. Then slowly walked towards her. And held the edge of her dupatta.

"Ma..." he whispered softly.

Anushka looked down.

Rivan looked up at her with innocent eyes. "Don't cry," he said in his tiny voice.

The room froze.

Anushka's breath caught. Her heart skipped. She bent down slowly and held his cheeks gently. "Beta..." she whispered, "I'm not your mother."

Rivan frowned genuinely confused. He turned back and looked at Vansh. Then at Richa. Then at Ishant and Kritika. As if checking something. Then he looked back at Anushka.

“But…” he said slowly, pointing toward his parents with innocent confusion, “Ma-Papa said I have to call you Ma… because you’re my mother.”

Silence fell instantly. Everyone just stared at him, completely stunned.

"What?" Nandini whispered.

Rajveer frowned. "Kya bol raha hai yeh?"

(What is he even saying?)

Lavanya looked at Richa. "What does he mean?"

Vansh took a deep breath. Then looked at Darshan and Anushka. His eyes were serious now.

"Actually..." he began, "We came here today to ask for your help."

Everyone became alert.

"But now..." he continued, "I think Mahadev has already given us something..." He looked at Anushka again. "...that can lessen your pain."

Darshan and Anushka exchanged a slow glance.. confused, nervous, and painfully hopeful all at once.

And in that single moment, everyone understood.

This conversation… was no longer meant for children.

Ishant cleared his throat. "Baccho..." he said gently, "Go and play in your room."

Anvi clapped happily. "Yay!"

Agastya grabbed Saharsh's hand. "Come, let's go!"

Shrinidhi nodded excitedly. Vidyut followed. Even little Rivan ran back to Vansh.

"Go," Vansh smiled softly. "We'll talk later."

A trusted caretaker walked in. "Come, beta," she said warmly.

All the children left with her, laughing and talking loudly, completely unaware that something life-changing was about to be decided behind them.

The door closed softly. And the living room fell silent once again.

Vansh looked at everyone once. Then finally spoke. "Actually..." he said slowly, "We want you to give our children your name."

For a moment... No one reacted. Because no one understood.

"What...?" Rajendra whispered.

Nandini frowned.."Name? Means?"

Lavanya looked confused. "Why would they-"

Vansh took a deep breath. His voice trembled. "We don't have much time," he said.

Everyone froze.

Richa held his hand tightly. Ishant lowered his gaze. While Kritika's hold tighten on Ishika.

"We know..." Vansh continued, "We are going to die soon."

The words hit like thunder.

"What?!" Avinash stood up in shock.

"Don't say nonsense!" Vedika cried.

Richa's eyes filled with tears.

"But before that..." Vansh added softly, "We want our children to be safe."

"To live with dignity. To live without fear." He looked at Darshan and Anushka. "And to live... with your name."

"So that... No one will ever question them," he said. "No one will ever doubt that they are loved."

The room felt heavy.

Richa turned towards Anushka. Her voice broke. "Didi..." she whispered, "You just said... you can't be a mother." She held Anushka's hands.

"Can you... please become a mother for my child?"

Anushka's eyes widened. Her heart stopped.

Richa continued through tears, "Can you love Rivan... like your own?"

Before anyone could recover, Kritika looked at Vedika. "Will you become a mother for Ishika?" she asked softly.

Vedika gasped. Her hand flew to her mouth. "Me...?"

Everyone stared at them in stunned silence, shocked, speechless, and completely confused by what they had just heard.

"Are you both out of your minds?!" Adhiraj said in disbelief. "What are you saying?"

Rajveer shook his head sharply, disbelief written all over his face. “No,” he said firmly. “Whatever this is, we’ll handle it. We’ll find the best treatment, the best doctors… but don’t talk like this.”

"There are so many hospitals!" Nandini said urgently.

Darshan stepped forward. "And if someone is threatening you... If someone is behind all this... We will protect you," he said firmly. "No matter what."

Ishant slowly shook his head. Tears rolled down his cheeks. "No one can help us," he said quietly.

Everyone froze.

"What do you mean?" Digvijay asked.

Ishant looked up, eyes full of pain. "Not because you don't want to... But because..." He paused. "...it's already decided."

"We are going to die," he whispered.

"But before that..." He looked towards the closed door where children had gone. "We want our children to live."

"To laugh. To dream. To grow up without fear. To grow up... loved."

Silence filled the room. No one spoke. No one even moved. There were only broken hearts, unspoken fears… and destiny waiting quietly at the door.

Anushka wiped her tears slowly. Her voice was still trembling, but she gathered courage. "Why..." she asked softly, "Why can't I adopt both the children?"

Everyone turned towards her. Ishant looked at her. And for the first time... he smiled.

"Because..." he said quietly, "They are not born to be siblings."

Everyone frowned.

"What?" Rajveer whispered.

"They are destined for each other," Ishant continued.

"They complete each other. When the time comes... They will become one."

Silence settled over the room. Complete, unsettling silence. Because no one understood what he meant.

"What are you talking about?" Vedika asked nervously. "This makes no sense."

Darshan shook his head. "Yeh sab kya keh rahe ho?"

(What are you even saying?)

Vansh took a deep breath. "Because..." he said firmly, "We are not ordinary people."

Everyone looked at him confused.

"We possess supernatural powers," he continued. "The Seven Core Powers of the Universe."

The room froze.

"What nonsense-" Avinash started.

But Vansh raised his hand. "Let us prove it."

He stretched his palm forward. Suddenly... A soft golden light appeared.

Everyone gasped.

Before anyone could recover from the shock, Ishant slowly closed his eyes. Instantly, the air around him shifted as a gentle wind began moving through the living room. Curtains fluttered wildly, loose papers scattered into the air... and then everything stopped at once.

Silence fell over the room again.

Nandini held Rajveer's arm. "Oh my God..."

Lavanya whispered, "This... this is impossible..."

"These are only small demonstrations," Vansh said. "Our real powers are much bigger." He looked towards the children's room. "And they exist in Rivan and Ishika too."

"Stronger than ours," Ishant added. "Much stronger."

Everyone was stunned.

Nishant finally spoke. "If you have powers..." he asked slowly, "Then why can't you save yourselves?"

Vansh and Ishant chuckled softly.

"We have powers," Vansh replied. "But not enough."

Ishant nodded. "When we got married..." he said, "We lost most of our abilities."

Everyone stared.

"Lost?" Darshan repeated.

"Yes," Ishant said. "Because we married normal girls."

Richa and Kritika looked at them.

"But we never regretted it," Vansh added quickly. "Not even for a second. Loving them was worth everything."

He held Richa's hand tightly. Ishant held Kritika's.

"If we are dying today..." Vansh continued, "That doesn't mean everything ends." He looked at everyone. "Our children will complete what we couldn't."

"Please..." Ishant said, his voice breaking,."Raise them like your own. Protect them. Love them. Guide them."

"Don't ever tell anyone..." Vansh added, "...that they are ours."

Everyone looked shocked.

"Let the world believe... they are yours."

"We don't need our name," Ishant said firmly. "We only need justice."

Vansh's eyes darkened. "We want revenge for everything that happened to us. We don't want this to repeat..."

"...with anyone." His voice shook with anger and pain. "We don't want our children to suffer what we did."

Ishant stepped forward.."But..." he said softly, "When the time is right... Tell them the truth. Tell them..."

"...that we were their parents."

“That we loved them. That we fought for them. That no matter what happened… we never gave up.”

By then, tears were streaming down everyone’s faces.

Because this was no longer just a request.

It was a legacy. A mission. A destiny.

And two innocent children were now carrying the future of an entire universe on their small shoulders.

The living room remained silent for a long time.

Finally, Rajendra broke the silence. "If this is the truth..." he said slowly, "Then we will accept your children."

Everyone turned towards him.

"They will be raised as our own," he continued firmly. "With love. With respect. With protection."

Digvijay nodded. "We promise."

Darshan held Anushka's hand. "Rivan will be our son," he said.

Anushka's eyes filled. "And I will love him... like my own blood."

Avinash looked at Vedika. "We will take care of Ishika," he said softly.

Vedika nodded. "With my life."

Relief washed over Vansh and Ishant's faces.

"Thank you..." Richa whispered.

But Vansh raised his hand gently. "There is one more thing," he said. "You cannot tell them everything."

Everyone looked alert.

"What do you mean?" Rajveer asked. "When the time comes..." Ishant explained, "They will know automatically."

"Their powers will awaken," Vansh added. "And so will the truth."

Then he took a deep breath.

"And..." he continued, "When Ishika turns twenty-one... And Rivan turns twenty-four..."

Everyone listened carefully.

"...get them married."

Silence.

"What?!" Lavanya whispered in shock. "That's so early..."

Vansh nodded. "It is," he agreed calmly. "But it's important."

"When they become one..." Ishant said firmly, "Their powers will merge. They will become unstoppable."

"Unmatched."

Anushka frowned nervously. "But..." she asked, "What if we don't let them meet?"

Kritika chuckled softly. "You can't," she said gently.

Everyone looked at her.

"They are connected," she explained. "They can feel each other's pain. When one is in danger... The other will know."

"Sometimes..." she added quietly, "They won't even be able to resist the urge to see each other."

Richa nodded. "And if you stop them from being together..." she continued, "Their lives will be in danger."

"Dark powers will start surrounding them. Trying to break them. Trying to control them."

Fear spread across the room.

Nandini hugged herself. "this..." she whispered, "is extremely dangerous..."

Vansh stepped forward. "That's why we trust you," he said. "Only you can protect them."

Then Richa reached into her bag. And took out a small, old diary. Its cover was worn. Its pages yellowed.

She handed it to Anushka. "Give this to them..." she said softly,

"When they start questioning you. When they start feeling... different. When they ask who they really are."

Anushka held the diary carefully as if it was made of glass.

"What is this?" she whispered.

"Our story," Richa replied. "Our pain. Our truth. Our love. Our fight."

Ishant added quietly, "It will tell them... Why they were chosen."

"And what they are meant to become."

The room was heavy with emotions. No one knew what to say. No one knew how to say goodbye.

Finally, Vansh took a deep breath. "Call the children," he said softly.

Vedika nodded and signaled the caretaker. A few moments later... Little footsteps echoed.

Anvi, Agastya, Vidyut, Shrinidhi, Saharsh and Rivan came running inside.

Vansh walked forward. And slowly... He placed Rivan's hand in Anushka's.

Anushka froze. Her heart trembled.

Richa gently lifted Ishika... And placed her in Vedika's arms.

Vedika held her tightly as if afraid she might disappear.

"They are yours now," Richa whispered.

Vansh looked at everyone. "We should go," he said quietly.

Before turning, he added, "Keep them away from each other... as much as possible."

Everyone frowned.

"Why?" Nandini asked.

"Or they'll start getting flashbacks," Ishant replied.

"Of our world. Our battles. Our pain."

Everyone nodded silently.

Vansh bent down to Rivan's level and held his shoulders gently. "Rivan..." he said firmly, "You have to protect her. At any cost."

"Even if it costs you your life."

Everyone froze.

"Vansh!" Ishant snapped. He stared at him angrily. "Have you lost your mind?!"

He turned to Rivan. "Don't listen to him," he said quickly. "Save her as long as you can."

"But when it comes to your life... Save yourself first."

Then he glared at Vansh. "Stop threatening my son-in-law."

Vansh blinked then laughed softly. Ishant laughed too. Their laughter mixed with tears.

Rivan looked at both of them in confusion at first, but then his tiny face turned serious. Puffing his chest out slightly like a little hero, he declared proudly, “I will keep her safe. Papa’s.”

Then, after a brief pause, he added with complete sincerity, “Even if it costs me my life.”

The entire room froze.

A three-year-old child… saying something like that with absolute conviction.

Vansh and Ishant could only stare at him for a moment before both of them pulled him into a tight hug at the same time. Richa immediately wrapped her arms around him too, and Kritika joined them seconds later.

Tears flowed freely through the room.

And after a few long moments, they finally stepped back.

Vansh turned towards everyone. "And..." he added. "We've transferred all our property... to Rivan and Ishika."

He handed the file to Rajveer, who immediately took it and quickly scanned through the documents before frowning slightly.

“What is this?” he asked.

Vansh smiled faintly. "He is my son," he replied. "I know him. That's why this condition."

"Which condition?" Adhiraj asked.

Ishant sighed dramatically. "My idiot best friend," he said, "Kept a condition that if Rivan doesn't marry Ishika... all the property will go to Ishika."

Everyone stared.

"What?!" Nandini burst out.

"Why?" Lavanya asked, shocked.

Vansh shrugged proudly. "Because my son is stubborn," he said. "Just like me."

For the first time in hours, everyone smiled.

Through tears. Through pain. Through fear.

Outside, the car waited silently.

Vansh and Ishant stood there for a moment, taking one last look at their children, their families… their entire world.

And then... They walked away.

Leaving behind two lives, two destinies… and a promise that would echo through time itself.

To Be Continued…