The large dining hall was filled with the soft sound of cutlery touching plates and low conversations flowing around the table. Warm sunlight poured through the tall windows while servants moved quietly around the mansion.
The tiny girl sat on Nikolai's lap while eating lunch, her tiny fingers twisting the fabric of his black shirt as she hummed softly under her breath. Her head rested against his chest while he carefully fed her spoon after spoon.
"Zafraan is done with his therapy right?" Sohan said calmly while cutting his food.
"Y..Yes sir," Clara answered softly.
Zafraan sat quietly beside her. He picked up a lighter and clicked it open and shut repeatedly before smiling faintly.
"Great. You're coming home after the wedding," Sohan said as his eyes shifted toward Clara.
Her heart cracked painfully.
She lowered her head and silently continued eating.
After lunch, Lily dressed up in a pretty grey long skirt that flowed softly around her legs. Her hair was neatly brushed while little silver clips sparkled beneath the light.
Farhan handed Nikolai a set of traditional drums.
"Just use that hall. It's far from here and nobody will disturb you two," Nihal said.
"Thank you bhai(brother)," Lilith(Baneva) said happily before kissing his cheeks.
"Aww your welcome baby," Nihal said lovingly.
The two walked toward the large empty hall together. The room echoed softly beneath their footsteps. Massive chandeliers hung from above while the polished floor reflected the sunlight.
Nikolai sat down on the floor with the drums before looking at her.
"Ready Bambi?" he asked.
"Yeppppppp!" Lily(Neva) squealed excitedly.
He smiled softly before beginning to beat the drums exactly as promised.
"Dhoom dha takka dhin na boom boom dhaa tak dhin dhum ta ra ka dhin dhin dha takka boom na dhin ta dhum dhum takka ra dhin gi na tom dhaa boom tak tak dhin na dhom ra ka ta dhin boom dha dhin takka dhum na ra dhin dhin boom ta ka dhum dhaa tak dhin na tom boom boom takka dhin ra ka dhum ta dhin dhaa na boom takka dhin dhin dhom ta ra ka boom dhaa dhin na tak tak dhum boom ra ka dhin ta—"
The deep sounds thundered beautifully across the hall.
She began spinning around while clapping her hands joyfully.
Her giggles echoed everywhere.
Nikolai stared at her lovingly.
He loved seeing her happy.
He loved seeing her smile.
Then the tiny girl began to sing sweetly while dancing around him.
"Meri jaan tum meri roshni ho
(My love, you are my light)
Dil mera sirf tumhare liye dhadakta hai
(My heart beats only for you)
Dhoom dhaa tak dhin na, dhoom takka dhaa
(Deep drums echo with love and passion)
Teri aankhon mein chand bhi sharma jaaye
(Even the moon feels shy before your eyes)
Maine rab se sirf tumhe maanga hai
(I asked only for you from God)
Dhin takka boom dhaa, ra ka dhin dhin
(The drums thunder like a dancing heartbeat)
Tumhari hansi meri duniya ka sukoon hai
(Your smile is the peace of my world)
Tere bina meri saansein adhuri lagti hain
(Without you, my breaths feel incomplete)
Dhoom boom takka dhin na dhaa tom
(The royal drums roar with endless emotion)
Main tumse mohabbat karta rahunga hamesha
(I will keep loving you forever)
Chahe duniya toot jaaye phir bhi
(Even if the whole world breaks apart)
Dha dhin dhaa boom tak tak ra ka
(The drums beat fiercely like eternal love)
Tum meri dua, meri kismat, meri zindagi ho
(You are my prayer, my destiny, my life)
Meri jaan… sirf tum
(My love… only you)."
The tiny girl sang beautifully while Nikolai continued beating the drums.
She suddenly leaned forward and bumped her forehead against his gently.
His face turned red instantly.
She kissed him softly.
Nikolai pulled her onto his lap before kissing her slowly. His hands wrapped carefully around her waist while she cupped his face tenderly.
Unknown to them, the families secretly watched from outside the hall with happy smiles.
"Love me?" Nikolai whispered against her lips.
She nodded shyly.
The two hugged tightly.
"May the almighty bless them," Aklima said softly with a smile.
By nightfall the mansion became quieter.
Clara sat beside the bedroom window while tears rolled down her cheeks silently.
"Lala?" Zafraan called softly.
She quickly wiped her tears away.
"Hey… excited to go home?" she asked with a smile while dropping the file based on Lily's case onto the table.
Zafraan stared at her quietly.
Then he slowly stepped closer.
"I love you," he said softly.
She blinked in shock.
"H..Huh?" Clara whispered.
He cupped her face carefully.
"I love you so much Clara," Zafraan said again.
Fresh tears formed in her eyes.
He smiled softly at her.
"Be my princess… be mine," he whispered.
She nodded immediately.
He smiled before kissing her softly.
Clara wrapped her arms around his neck and the two hugged each other while kissing gently.
It was 9:00am.
Nikolai had been trying to wake Lily up for several minutes.
But she still wasn't waking up.
"Baby why are you scaring me? Please get up," he whispered fearfully while tapping her face gently.
He quickly checked her heartbeat.
Normal.
Her breathing.
Normal.
"Why aren't you waking up?" he whispered shakily.
But inside her mind—
She was trapped in horrifying flashbacks of the accident.
Her fingers gripped the bedsheets tightly.
Nikolai suddenly rushed out of the room in panic.
Everyone downstairs was eating breakfast when he appeared.
"Leonid! Leonid!" Nikolai shouted.
"Yes boss what wrong?" Leonid asked immediately.
"Lily isn't waking up she breathing b..but she not talking and opening her eyes!" Nikolai said fearfully.
Suddenly—
"MUMMAAAAA!!!!!"
A loud terrifying scream echoed upstairs.
Everyone instantly pulled out their guns and ran upstairs.
The moment they entered the room—
The tiny girl was destroying everything around her.
Objects crashed against the walls.
Glass shattered everywhere.
"Stay away back back back back back!!!!!!" she screamed hysterically.
Blood dripped from her nose and mouth.
Then she crawled beneath the bed while trembling violently.
"What is happening?" Sohan asked in horror.
"Lily what wrong baby?" Nimra cried.
"B..Bloody b..big car…" Lily stuttered fearfully.
Her entire body shook.
"Mumma gone…"
"T..They gonna hurt Lily…"
"I a bad girl…" Lilith(Baneva) cried loudly.
Anika suddenly opened her phone and gasped.
"Oh no… today is September 3rd and every 3rd of each month back in mental hospital they give her an injection and also…" she stopped.
"What?" Riyana asked fearfully.
"They beat her a lot when they kill her favorite nurse before Anika… they drowned her head in water… give her injection and no food… I sneak food for her… it was hell for her," Ethan explained quietly.
Tamman's chest tightened painfully.
She looked at Ishaan.
He gently rubbed her back.
"It not your fault," he whispered softly into her ear.
She wiped her tears away.
"Baby it okay don't be afraid love Mumma is here," Riyana said while bending beside the bed.
The tiny girl slowly turned her head.
"Mama?" she whispered weakly.
"Yes baby come to mama," Riyana said with a trembling body.
"Lily a naughty baby…" the tiny girl whispered brokenly.
"No baby come here," Riyana cried softly.
Lilith(Baneva) slowly crawled out from beneath the bed before grabbing onto her mother's arms tightly.
"There we go sweetie," Riyana whispered while kissing her forehead.
"Come bath."
She carried Lily carefully into the bathroom and locked the door.
Outside the room Nikolai stepped into the hallway while rubbing his forehead heavily.
"Boss you got a call," Damian said.
"Who?" Nikolai asked.
"I don't know it a lady."
Nikolai took the phone.
"Hello?"
"Nikolai Kaal William Devereaux," an older woman spoke.
"Who is this?"
"Your great grandmother. You having been picking my calls and your father as well."
"Greetings," he said coldly.
"Bless you dear. Well we are expecting you. I have a lovely lady for you best in our land and we heard your marriage to some mad girl—"
"She not mad. Don't you ever call my wife mad or you will regret it," he interrupted dangerously.
"Oh really? Okay then since you decided not to come we decided to come to you but you are not even here."
"Are you in my house?" he asked sharply.
"No no no child. We have our own mansion here but we want you to come home with us to welcome you and the kids too."
"Now listen old lady. I would not be going anywhere nor do I wish to see you especially when you just insulted my wife so please don't make me lose respect. Watch and mind your words," Nikolai said in a low dangerous deep voice.
The old woman laughed softly.
"Just like your grandfather… Hmmm am proud alright. We will be waiting for you. Come soon child."
The call ended.
Nikolai rubbed his face tiredly.
"Can't I have peace with my wife dear God?" he muttered to Damian.
"I think you should keep Lily hidden from everyone for her safety Boss," Damian advised.
"Here we go my baby," Riyana whispered while carrying Lily back to the room.
Clara prepared a heavy dose of injections carefully.
"Nick… Lily has to sleep for 8 days," Leonid said quietly.
"8 days?" Sohan whispered.
His heart shattered.
"I'm sorry everyone but it for her health and her brain is tearing apart. The injured part in her brain is tearing apart. If we don't put her to sleep and inject the cure we made for her—" Dr Mason stopped sadly.
"Yeah or she will actually die or coma for some years," Dr Liv added.
Lily tightly held onto her mother's arm.
Nikolai sat on the bed holding her hand.
"Fine," Riyana whispered sadly.
"My baby will take a long sleep hm?"
The tiny girl nodded slowly.
"Nappy?" Lily(Baneva) whispered.
"Yes love," Nikolai answered gently.
"Here is milk Amma(mother)," Rezaul said softly.
"Here Ria," Aklima added.
Sohan sat beside his daughter feeding her warm milk slowly.
Dr Kelvin injected her carefully while the doctors prepared the drips.
Nikolai leaned down and kissed her softly.
"One more pretty please?" Lily(Neva) asked sleepily.
He chuckled softly before kissing her again.
"Baba?" she whispered.
"Yes love?" Sohan answered immediately.
"Please Lily wants a baby."
Silence filled the room instantly.
"A baby?" Reyan repeated in shock.
"Uh huh…"
"L…L..L…Lily had a dream! H..h…hold a little baby so softly and Tammy got a baby g….g….g..growing in her t…t..t…tummy too…"
"L…L…Lily wanna baby also…"
"Can Lily have a baby too?" Lily(Neva) asked innocently.
Everyone looked at each other silently.
"Uhmm sweetie… how about when you wake up we talk about it hm?" Sohan said carefully.
"Nunu Lily talk now."
"Bambi how about this… pray to God for a baby and we will like Tammy," Nikolai said softly.
"Pinky promise?"
"Yes love."
"Okie…"
She yawned sleepily.
Nikolai kissed her forehead before standing up slowly.
Sohan sat beside her while Dr Raphael injected the medicine into her veins.
Then both Sohan and Riyana slowly began singing the lullaby they used to sing to her when she was little.
Sohan softly sang,
"Sleep now little angel close your sleepy eyes tonight
The stars are glowing softly and the moon is shining bright
I will stay beside you while the quiet winds sing low
And carry you to dreamlands where silver flowers grow."
Riyana continued gently,
"Hush now my darling hear the gentle river flow
Hear the night birds singing in the forests far below
The sky is wrapped in velvet and the world is calm and deep
So rest your little heart now and slowly fall asleep."
Sohan softly tapped the bed rhythmically.
"Dhoom na dhin na… soft little drums so light
Guiding sleepy dreamers through the peaceful night
Boom ta ra dhin na… soft as clouds above
Wrapped inside the warmth of endless love."
Riyana stroked Lily's hair tenderly.
"The moon will guard your dreams tonight
The stars will hold you near
No shadow walks beside you now
For love is always here."
Sohan continued quietly,
"Close your eyes and drift away upon the silver streams
Where crystal boats and golden lights float softly through your dreams
The butterflies are sleeping beneath the glowing trees
And lullabies are dancing within the midnight breeze."
Riyana hummed softly.
"La la la… hmmmmm… sleep now little one
The night has just begun
Every star up in the sky
Sings a sweet and gentle lullaby."
Sohan smiled sadly through tears.
"Far beyond the mountains where the quiet heavens shine
Angels hum soft melodies so peaceful and divine
The clouds become your pillow, the stars become your light
And all the world grows silent in the beauty of the night."
Riyana whispered softly,
"Dhin takka na… dhoom dhoom na…
Soft heartbeats echo slowly
Ta ra dhin na… boom na ta…
The night wraps around you gently."
Together both parents sang softly,
"Sleep now… dream now…
Rest within the moonlight glow
Close your eyes… drift away…
To peaceful worlds beyond the sky.
Sleep now little angel, do not fear the night
For we will sing beside you till the morning brings its light
Hush now… softly now… calm as the quiet sea…
May your dreams be filled with love for all eternity."
Both father and mother sang lovingly for their daughter.
The windows were closed gently.
Her brothers kissed their little sister's forehead one after another.
Nikolai carefully wore her bunny socks onto her tiny feet before covering her with the blanket.
Everyone slowly left the room.
Except the doctors.
They stayed behind checking her condition.
"You okay Boss?" Nathan asked quietly.
Nikolai nodded silently.
Downstairs everyone sat in the large living room quietly.
No sound.
No laughter.
Only sadness.
"Vishal sigh this mess up," Marco muttered.
"No kidding," German replied.
"Nick if Lily gets better will she go to university?" Naomi asked softly.
"Of course she will. She has dreams to achieve. She wants to become an artist and own both a restaurant and bakery joined together. Those who don't have jobs she will help them according to her," Nikolai answered while inhaling weed smoke.
His eyes were completely red.
"Brother what if she comes to her right senses how will she be?" Daira asked.
"From her voice not only her voice but she will never be on the wrong side. Hell na she can't. Sohan trained her so everything will be fine… I hope so," he answered.
"I feel horrible right now," Kalma muttered while crossing her legs.
"Same here Boss," Kaida added quietly.
Silence filled the room once more.
By nightfall Nikolai walked back toward his room when he suddenly stopped outside Sohan and Riyana's room.
Inside—
He heard Sohan crying.
"Ria when will our child get better huh? I can't bear to see her like this anymore… it all their fault… they ruined my little girl… I..I…I don't know what to do anymore Ria," Sohan cried painfully.
"Don't cry love. Our little girl will heal. She come back to us she will," Riyana whispered while wiping his tears.
"Look at me baby. Our little baby girl is strong. She also pushing herself to recover. Nikolai is helping her too. She has a big family with her and us. You are the strongest man and she sees you as the best father to your kids," she said while sitting on his lap.
Sohan sniffed and wiped his nose.
"She want a baby… how is that going to work out for her and Nikolai? He seems not to have a problem but what about her condition? How will she manage her newborn?" Sohan whispered worriedly.
"You right bay but the almighty will guide her and the family. Our little girl will become normal," Riyana said softly.
"How will she be? What kind of girl will she be aria? Bratty? Calm? Quiet? But one thing is for sure… I remember when she was 5. Remember she hates loud places and kept herself away from kids but made friends. She wasn't the talkative energetic girl. Always fight back when she sees wrong things. I pray everything in her life goes well," Sohan whispered.
"Of course it will," Riyana reassured him softly.
Outside the room—
Nikolai smirked faintly before walking back toward his room.
Meanwhile—
Inside Urlima's room.
"Shhhh… sleep well my dear," Urlima whispered lovingly.
Baby Roshni was wrapped inside a soft cotton yellow blanket.
Urlima arranged pillows carefully around the bed.
Juan walked into the room quietly.
He looked at his sleeping daughter before rubbing her tiny cheeks lovingly.
"Yes?" Urlima asked while looking at him.
"I wanted to check on her," he answered softly.
"She drank a lot of milk and doze off."
"Thank you for breastfeeding her."
"No problem… now you will stop ignoring her. She still a baby. None of this is her fault. From now on love your baby your daughter. Look at her… she adorable," Urlima said.
Juan chuckled softly.
"How did you lose your son?" he suddenly asked.
Urlima's face immediately fell.
"I lost him and my mother…"
"My father and my mother…"
"Papa marry a Russian woman and he was working as a taxi driver. Then he helped Sohan from some gang. From there papa got into dirty things but still loved my mom. She supported him. She stood by him even though he was wrong…"
"He backstabbed her by getting another woman pregnant in India."
"Out of jealousy she… got mom killed…"
"Father knew. It shattered him but because of the baby he kept quiet…"
"I was forced to marry a man who had partnered with dad company."
"We got married…"
"I saw hell in that cursed bond called marriage…"
"He cheated…"
"Hit me countless times…"
"I got pregnant…"
"I gave birth to a baby boy…"
"He was so so beautiful…"
"I loved him so much…"
"His father didn't even want him…"
"So I killed him."
"The father?" Juan asked quietly.
"Of course the father."
"I was 19 when he was born."
"Five years later Austin was the best son ever. He loved helping me around the house. After school he comes to the office and we spend time together…"
"That was when Father rival found us…"
"We were getting ice cream…"
"They shot me and him…"
"Burned my small house down with him…"
"Dad came and took me to the hospital…"
"After waking up I asked where Austin was…"
"Nobody said anything…"
"Just pure silence…"
"He…" Urlima broke down crying.
Tears rolled endlessly down her cheeks.
"I killed them all with their families…"
"I won…"
"But my Austin isn't here anymore…"
"He with the lord now…"
She drank from the whiskey bottle again.
Juan quietly sat beside her and rubbed her back gently.
Slowly—
Urlima placed her head on his lap.
Juan softly patted her head until she finally fell asleep.
He carefully carried her onto the bed before laying beside her.
Unexpectedly—
She tossed in her sleep and held his hand tightly.
Juan smiled faintly.
Then slowly—
He fell asleep beside her too.