Mafia's Heartbeat

chapter 16

The haveli was bathed in yellow.

Sunlight danced across marigold garlands. Drums echoed in the courtyard. Laughter bounced off the walls like wind chimes in a spring breeze. The smell of turmeric and rosewater filled the air.

At breakfast, Anjali had dropped the surprise with a sly smile:

> “Eat fast, today’s the Haldi!”

The house had burst into chaos after that. Kritika ran around hunting her yellow dupatta. Nikhil squealed when Kai smeared honey on his cheek “for good luck.” Raj and Aarav helped Tanuj dress up in soft yellow silk stitched with little suns.

The air buzzed with love.

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💫 The Haldi Begins

The courtyard was glowing. The three grooms sat on golden cushions:

Nishant with a subtle, proud smile

Aarav, radiating calm strength

And sweet Tanuj, bouncing lightly with nervous giggles, his pacifier ribboned around his neck, and his fingers gripping a bunny plush painted with Haldi-yellow

Families lined up to bless them.

First came Kritika, giggling as she messily smeared paste on everyone’s nose.

Then Kai. Then Raj.

Then—Rahul and Anjali stepped forward.

With shining eyes and warm hands, they applied turmeric on Aarav’s cheek and on Tanuj’s arms.

No one saw Komal in the back, lowering her gaze, her fingers slightly stained with something extra.

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🔥 The Burn

It began within seconds.

Aarav stiffened slightly. “It’s… tingling.”

But then Tanuj’s breath hitched.

He scratched his arms, then his chest, then whimpered. “b–bhai… itchy…”

Redness bloomed.

Suddenly, Tanuj screamed—soft but shrill.

“It hurts!”

Aarav instantly wrapped him in his arms, shouting, “Someone help! He’s burning—”

The Haldi was wiped off with wet cloths. Raj ran in with cold rosewater and milk. Nikhil helped fan them. But the damage was done—Tanuj’s skin was inflamed, patchy with welts. His soft whimpers crushed every heart.

“Keep him calm,” Nishant instructed, his jaw tight.

“I’m here, baby,” Aarav whispered over and over, gently rocking Tanuj, whose eyes were glassy with panic. “You’re okay. Bhai’s Here "

Just as calm began to return, a cold voice echoed across the corridor.

Kamolika.

“I’m not surprised,” she said, arms folded. “Ever since that boy came into this family, we’ve seen nothing but misfortune.”

All eyes turned.

She kept going.

“First the mehendi drama. Now this. The Haldi is ruined. The wedding will follow. And who’s always at the center of it?”

Her eyes landed squarely on Tanuj.

The child flinched.

Aarav stepped in front of him.

“Say one more word,” he growled, “and I swear—”

“Enough!” Nishant shouted.

Kamolika huffed and turned away, the damage already done.

In the grand drawing room, the atmosphere was tense.

Tanuj lay upstairs in his room, asleep under a blanket soaked in aloe and sandalwood. Aarav sat beside him, stroking his hair. He didn’t leave.

Downstairs, the rest gathered.

“It might be a rival family,” Rahul said grimly. “A political threat. They know the wedding joins two kingdoms.”

“They wanted chaos,” Anjali whispered. “And they got it.”

“We’ll double the security for the rest of the functions,” Kritika said sharply, eyes burning with suspicion. She glanced toward Komal but said nothing. Not yet.

Only Raj, Kai, and Kritika knew the truth.

The haveli was silent.

Nishant stepped softly into the room where Tanuj lay sleeping. Beside him sat Aarav, half-awake, hand resting on the boy’s head.

Nishant kneeled by the bed.

Tanuj’s face twitched in his sleep, but he was safe.

“I’m sorry,” Nishant whispered, voice cracking. “I promised I’d protect you. And today I failed.”

He placed a kiss on Tanuj’s bandaged hand.

Behind him, Aarav stirred slightly, his voice low but clear.

“You didn’t fail. You’ve never failed him.”

Nishant turned. Aarav’s eyes were soft, tired but certain.

“He’s still here. Still smiling. Still loved. That’s because of you.”

Nishant gave a small nod. Then smiled.

“He kept saying my name even in his sleep,” Aarav added gently. “You’re his home, Nishant.”

Nishant looked at the boy he loved  red-cheeked, bandaged, but peaceful between them.

He kissed his forehead.

“Goodnight, baby.”

He stood up to go—but just as he turned, he paused at the doorway.

“Goodnight. Arav,” he said

“Goodnight ,” he whispered.

The door closed gently behind him.