Chapter 29

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height


The house was quiet, save for the gentle hum of the heater in the corner. Dev sat alone on the couch, staring at his phone as Ayaan's name flashed on the screen. His heart skipped a beat, equal parts joy and trepidation filling him. Ayaan rarely called this late, and the urgency in his son’s timing was impossible to ignore.

He quickly answered, his voice soft and eager. “Hello, champ! What’s up? Why are you calling so late?”

“Papa!” Ayaan’s excited voice rang through, filled with childlike urgency. “I had to tell you something. Something very important!”

Dev’s lips curved into a smile as he leaned back against the couch, his heart swelling with love. “Okay, tell me. I’m all ears.”

Ayaan took a deep breath, as though preparing for a momentous announcement. “Papa, today Buddy… I mean, Abhinav uncle … said really bad things about you to Mama.”

Dev’s smile faltered, his stomach tightening as concern replaced his earlier calm. “What did he say, Ayaan?”

“He said you’re not a good person and that you’re disturbing Mama. He even brought some papers and told Mama to sign them!” Ayaan’s voice grew indignant, and Dev could almost see his son’s tiny fists clenched in defiance. “But I told him he’s wrong! I said you’re a good man. A very good man. And he has no right to say bad things about you!”

Dev sat upright, his grip tightening on the phone. His emotions warred between pride at Ayaan’s loyalty and dread at Abhinav’s interference. “Ayaan… you… you did that for me?”

“Yes, Papa!” Ayaan exclaimed proudly. “Because you are a good man. And you promised me that you’ll make our family happy again.”

Dev’s voice cracked slightly as he replied, “Thank you, champ. That means the world to me. But what happened after that? Is your Mama okay?”

Ayaan hesitated for a moment before answering, his tone quieter. “Mama didn’t say much. She told Buddy to leave and said we’ll talk about it later. I think she was upset. So, I told her how you’ve changed, Papa. I told her how you play with me now and talk to me. You’re my best friend, Papa!”

Dev swallowed hard, a lump forming in his throat. His son’s words pierced through his guilt, filling him with both overwhelming love and a deep ache.

“You’re my best friend too, Ayaan,” Dev whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “Thank you for standing up for me. But listen, I don’t want you to get into any trouble, okay? If someone says something bad about me, just tell Mama. Don’t fight with anyone.”

“But, Papa…” Ayaan began, his voice hesitant.

“No buts, champ,” Dev said firmly yet gently. “Your job is to stay happy and smile, okay? Leave the grown-up stuff to me.”

“Okay, Papa,” Ayaan agreed reluctantly. Then his tone brightened suddenly. “Oh! Papa, can I ask you something?”

“Of course, anything,” Dev replied, his lips curving into a small smile despite the storm raging inside him.

“I saw a  super cool robot toy today! Can you buy it for me?” Ayaan’s voice bubbled with excitement, his earlier frustration forgotten.

Dev chuckled, momentarily distracted from his worries. “A robot toy, huh? What does it do?”

“It talks, moves, and even lights up! It’s so cool, Papa! Can I have it, please?”

“Done!” Dev said playfully. “Anything for my champ. I’ll get it for you tomorrow.”

“Yay! Thank you, Papa!” Ayaan cheered, his joy radiating through the phone.

As their conversation continued, Dev felt a fleeting sense of peace in Ayaan’s innocent chatter. But the moment the call ended, reality came crashing back.

Dev’s POV

Abhinav had crossed a line, and the thought of him trying to manipulate Navya or come between Navya and Ayaan sent a chill down my spine. Ayaan’s words echoed in my mind, equal parts comfort and burden: “You’re a good man, Papa.”

But was I? Could I be the man Ayaan believed I was?

For the first time in years, I felt truly seen—not as the broken man I had been, but as the father my son now looked up to. I couldn’t let him down. Not now.

Navya’s POV

I stood frozen near Ayaan’s door, my heart pounding as I listened to the conversation spilling out from his room. The phone was on speaker, and I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but Dev’s voice stopped me in my tracks.

“... I love you and Mama very much. And I’m trying—every single day—to be the kind of Papa and husband you both deserve. I made mistakes, but I’ll do anything to fix them. I promise.”

The sincerity in his voice was startling. This wasn’t the Dev I had known—the man who once pushed me away with his indifference and cold words. This was someone different. Someone… broken.

Ayaan’s response was immediate, his belief in his father unwavering. “You’ll make us a happy family again. Right, Papa?”

I pressed a hand to my mouth, stifling the sob threatening to escape. Could I believe him? Could I trust the man who had once shattered my heart to now piece it back together?

Ayaan hung up the phone, feeling happy and proud. As his Papa sounded so serious, like he really meant it when he said he’d make everything better.

He turned to Navya, who was standing in the doorway. Her eyes were shiny, and she looked like she might cry.

“Mama, did you hear? Papa is the best!”

She knelt in front of Ayaan and cupped his cheek gently. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes, but she nodded. “Yes, Ayaan. I heard everything.”

“Papa promised he’ll make us a happy family,” said  Ayaan earnestly. “Do you believe him, Mama?”

Navya didn’t answer right away. She just looked at  him , and  at the phone in his  hand. Finally, she kissed Ayaan’s forehead and said, “It’s late, sweetheart. Let’s get you to bed, okay?”

Ayaan pouted, but he didn’t argue. As Navya tucked Ayaan in, He still thought about Papa’s promise and how much he wanted it to come true.

Navya’s POV

I watched Ayaan drift off to sleep, his small hand clutching the blanket. His faith in Dev was unshakable, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy.

Dev had changed—there was no denying that. But was it enough? Could I open my heart to him again after all the pain he had caused?

I sat by Ayaan’s bed, running my fingers through his soft hair as memories of the past flooded my mind. The nights I had cried myself to sleep, the mornings I had steeled myself against Dev’s indifference… and now, his words echoed in my heart.

“I’ll do anything to fix my mistakes. I promise.”

For Ayaan’s sake, I wanted to believe him. But for my own sake, I wasn’t sure I could.

And yet, a small voice whispered in my heart: He’s trying. Even Ayaan sees it.

As the night stretched on, I stayed by my son’s side, torn between hope and fear, between the promise of a better future and the scars of the past.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dev walked through the aisles of the shop, his eyes scanning the shelves for the toy Ayaan had requested. His heart raced as he imagined the joy on his son’s face when he would hand him the toy. He finally found it—a bright, shiny robot with all the bells and whistles. It was exactly what Ayaan had described. A small, relieved smile formed on his lips as he placed the toy in his basket.

As he turned to leave, something caught his eye—a delicate display of glass bangles in various colors. His gaze lingered on the display, and his mind instantly drifted back to a time long ago, a time when he had noticed something simple yet beautiful about Navya.

Flashback

Dev sat at his desk, pretending to focus on the paperwork in front of him, though his eyes kept drifting to Navya. She was sitting at the small table by the window, arranging a set of colorful glass bangles. Her fingers moved delicately, arranging the bangles with a care and precision that mesmerized him. The soft clink of the glass as she handled them filled the room, and for a brief moment, the world outside seemed to disappear.

Navya was so immersed in what she was doing that she didn’t notice Dev’s eyes on her. She carefully picked up a green bangle, examining it before adding it to the set. Then she picked a red one, her lips curving into a gentle smile as she placed it beside the others.

Dev’s mind wandered, a strange sense of awe building in him. He had always been indifferent to things like bangles or jewelry. But as he watched Navya, there was something so calming, so soothing about the way she handled the delicate glass. He hadn’t seen her like this before, and for the first time, he wondered what it was about her that had always fascinated him, despite his attempts to suppress it.

Navya looked up then, meeting his gaze with a questioning look.

“What’s wrong, Dev? You look distracted.”

Dev cleared his throat, trying to act nonchalant. “Nothing. Just wondering if you’re planning on wearing those all day. You never have time for anything else.”

Navya chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling as she continued to arrange the bangles. “I’m just setting them up. It’s a small thing, but it’s important for married women to wear glass bangles. It’s considered auspicious.”

Dev’s expression faltered for a moment. “Bangles? You really care about this stuff?”

Navya looked up, her smile fading slightly. “Why, do you not like it?”

Dev’s gaze hardened, but something in his chest twisted at the thought of disappointing her. He forced a disinterested laugh. “Not really. It’s all just… whatever. Why waste time with these?” He gestured vaguely at the bangles, trying to downplay the unease bubbling inside him.

Navya didn’t seem offended. She simply nodded, the softness of her eyes betraying her understanding of his indifference. She didn’t say anything more, but the moment lingered in the air.

Dev, for all his efforts to seem unaffected, couldn’t stop thinking about the way she had handled the bangles—so gentle, so thoughtful. For a fleeting moment, he felt something stir inside him. But it was quickly buried, replaced by his usual cold demeanor.

End of Flashback

Dev’s hand hovered over the glass bangles in the shop, his fingers tracing the smooth surface of a few delicate pieces. A faint smile touched his lips as he remembered the way Navya had cared for them, the way she had cherished something as simple as bangles. He knew, in that moment, that he hadn’t paid attention to her back then—not in the way he should have. And he regretted it.

But now, standing in front of the same kind of bangles, Dev felt a sense of warmth in his chest. Perhaps it was small, but he wanted to make up for those little things he had missed in the past—the moments when he could have been there for her, truly there, and wasn’t.

He picked up a set of bangles, the same colors Navya had arranged so carefully all those years ago. A gentle smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he added them to his basket, along with Ayaan’s robot toy.

It’s the little things, isn’t it? I never understood it before—how much these small gestures matter. But now, I see. I see how much it would have meant to her back then… and maybe, just maybe, it would mean something now. A gesture. A small offering to show her I’m here. That I’m different now. That I care.

Dev walked out of the toy shop, his heart a little lighter now that he had bought both Ayaan’s toy and the bangles for Navya. The air felt crisp, and for a brief moment, it seemed like everything was starting to fall into place. But just as he stepped onto the sidewalk, he saw a familiar figure leaning against a car, waiting for him.

It was Angad, Dev’s best friend. Angad grinned broadly when he saw Dev and immediately walked over, pulling him into a tight hug.

“Dev mere bhai! What are you doing at a toy shop?” Angad’s voice was filled with amusement, but also a touch of curiosity.

Dev chuckled, his heart lightening at the sight of his old friend. “I came to buy toys for Ayaan,” he replied, holding up the bag in his hand.

Angad’s eyes widened in excitement. “Did you meet them?”

Dev hesitated for a second, then nodded slowly. “Yes, I met them.” His tone softened, almost as if the weight of the moment was settling on him.

Angad raised an eyebrow. “How is it possible, Dev? I mean, you came here for therapy, right?”

Dev ran a hand through his hair, his smile faltering just a little. “Yes, everything happened unexpectedly. And I’m just trying to find my way back to them.”

Angad’s face softened with understanding. “I am so happy for you, Dev. Really. But I can see it’s not easy. You’ve been through a lot, I can tell. But don’t get defeated, because, let’s be honest, Navya has endured a lot too—for years, and from you.”

His words carried a weight of honesty that struck Dev hard. Dev’s shoulders sagged slightly, and he let out a deep sigh. “I know, Angad. I hurt her deeply. I wasn’t the husband or father she deserved. But now, I want to make it right. I need to make it right.”

Angad gave him a reassuring nod. “Then fight for her, Dev. Not with words, but with actions. She’s not going to trust easily, and she has every right not to. But if you’re sincere, you’ll find a way to show her how much you’ve changed.”

Dev looked at his friend, determination slowly filling his eyes. “You’re right. Navya deserves every effort I can make. I’ll do whatever it takes to prove to her that I’m not the same man I was before  but It’s not easy. ” His voice broke slightly, the emotional weight of the past few years pressing down on him.

Angad placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “You’ll find a way, Dev. I know you will. And don’t worry—everything will make sense when the time is right. You’ll see.”

Dev nodded, grateful for Angad’s unwavering support. “I’ll tell you everything once we’re at the resort. I just need to get it all sorted out in my head first.”

Angad smiled. “Take your time. I’m here for you, always.”

The two stood in silence for a moment, the bond of their friendship a steady comfort in the midst of the chaos Dev was facing. But unknown to them, a pair of eyes watched them from a distance.

As they stood there for a moment, catching up, neither of them noticed someone lurking in the distance, watching them closely. Abhinav, hidden behind a nearby pillar, observed the entire scene. His eyes darkened as he saw Dev holding the toy and the glass bangles. The anger in his chest swelled, but he didn’t approach them. He stayed hidden, quietly fuming, watching Dev carefully.

Abhinav’s Mind pov

"So, this is how it is. He’s trying to buy his way back in. A toy for Ayaan… bangles for Navya… like this will fix everything. What is he doing?"

The more Abhinav watched, the angrier he became. He saw the way Dev spoke to Angad, the way he held those bangles and toys with so much care. His grip on the pillar tightened as the jealousy and rage surged inside him.

"I won’t let him take them away from me. Not again. This is my family now, and no matter how much he pretends, Dev will never be part of it. I’ll make sure of that."

Abhinav took a step back, still hidden, and watched as Dev got in the car, the bangles and toy safely tucked away in his bag.

"I need to be careful. Dev’s up to something, and I won’t let him get close to Navya or Ayaan. They’re mine now. And I’ll do whatever it takes to keep them that way."

With one last glare at Dev’s departing car, Abhinav turned and walked away, his thoughts consumed by the idea of stopping Dev from getting too close. He knew this wasn’t going to be easy, but he was determined. He couldn’t allow Dev to manipulate his way back into their lives. Not now. Not ever.

- - - - - -

Dev and Angad arrived back at the resort, and Dev wasted no time recounting everything that had happened after meeting Navya and Ayaan. His mind was still reeling from the confrontation with Abhinav, and he needed to unload.

"Abhinav... I thought he was a good man at first," Dev began, his voice tinged with frustration. "He genuinely cared for Navya, and I could see it. But now... I don't know. Something’s changed in him. He used to be calm, understanding, but now he feels like a threat, and it’s scaring me."

Angad listened closely, his face tightening in concern. "You think he’s dangerous?" he asked, his voice low.

"Yes," Dev responded, his fists clenching as he recalled the heated exchange.

Flashback

Dev managed to dodge the blow, his own anger igniting. "So, this is how you deal with things, Abhinav?" he taunted, his eyes gleaming with challenge. "Trying to claim what isn't yours?"

That was it. The dam broke. Abhinav launched himself at Dev, his fists swinging. They collided with a force that sent both men stumbling, grappling with each other in a furious tussle. Fists flew, and the air was filled with the sounds of grunts, punches, and ragged breathing.

"Navya is not yours anymore!" Abhinav yelled, his voice hoarse as he landed a punch on Dev's jaw. "She's mine!"

Dev staggered back, his eyes blazing with a mixture of pain and fury. He tasted blood on his lip but ignored it. "Yours?" he shouted back, his voice filled with disbelief and rage. "You think you can just take them away from me?"

Abhinav swung again, but this time Dev caught his arm, twisting it and shoving him backward. "She was *never* yours, Abhinav!" Dev spat, his voice trembling with the intensity of his emotions. "She is mine. Ayaan is mine. And I will *get them back.*"

Abhinav struggled against Dev's grip, his eyes burning with fury. "You're delusional!" he barked. "You think you can just waltz back into their lives after all the pain you caused? You left them, Dev! You abandoned them! And now, you have the nerve to claim them?"

Dev tightened his hold on Abhinav's arm, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I made mistakes," he admitted, his voice breaking. "But I will not let you keep me away from my family. I will make things right."

Abhinav shoved him away with all his strength, breathing heavily. "You can't make things right!" he roared, his voice echoing around them. "Because they don't need you anymore! Navya doesn't need you, and neither does Ayaan!"

Dev stepped forward again, refusing to be swayed. His entire body trembled with the force of his determination. "They are mine," he said through gritted teeth, his eyes locking onto Abhinav's with a fiery intensity. "And I will get them back, no matter what."

Abhinav stared at him, his chest heaving, his eyes filled with a mixture of anger and something else-fear. "Let's see," he hissed, his voice cold. "I will not allow you near them. I will not let you hurt them again."

Silence filled the air as the two men glared at each other, both of them bruised and panting. The tension between them crackled like electricity, neither willing to back down. They were standing on the precipice of a battle, one that neither of them was willing to lose.

Dev wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes never leaving Abhinav's. "You can try, Abhinav," he said, his voice low and steady, "but you will fail. Navya and Ayaan are my life, and I will fight for them with everything I have."

Abhinav's eyes flickered with something akin to fear but quickly hardened. "Then fight," he challenged, his voice like ice. "Because I will fight just as hard to keep you away from them. I will not let you ruin their lives again."

They stood there, chest to chest, their breaths mingling in the tense, charged air. Neither of them moved, their eyes locked in a silent declaration of war. This was far from over, and they both knew it.

Finally, Abhinav took a step back, his eyes

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net