Mafia's Heartbeat

Chapter 17

Dinner that night was peaceful.

The long table buzzed with low chatter. Dishes clinked. Laughter spilled softly. In his usual spot, Tanuj sat in Nishant’s lap, sucking on his pacifier string while holding a tiny bunny plush, swaying slightly, sleepy from too much rice.

Anjali served everyone warm gajar ka halwa. Rahul, however, stood up quietly and held a plain, worn-out brown envelope in his hand.

He placed it in front of Aarav.

Everyone looked.

Aarav frowned, confused. “What’s this?”

Rahul gave a small smile. “Your dream, son.”

With shaking fingers, Aarav opened it.

Inside—his breath caught.

"Shantivan Medical College. Full merit-based admission. Your rank: 1st in state."

His eyes blurred. The room grew still.

Flashback

A flicker of memory returned—
Him as a boy, sitting on a cold floor, reading under a broken bulb.
Tanuj—barely a toddler then—curled in his lap, hugging a stuffed sock pretending it was a bear.

Their father's voice thundered in his ears:

“Waste of money. Doctors are for the rich. You’ll never be one.”

His chest tightened.

Aarav gripped the letter, teeth clenched.

But then—

“Dok-torrrr!!” a happy squeal broke the silence.

Everyone turned.

Tanuj, in Nishant’s lap, had raised both arms high with a big smile.

“My bhai dok-torrr!!” he giggled, bouncing. “bhai wear dok-tor coat with buttons!”

Aarav stared, stunned. His lips trembled.

Even in his tiny world, Tanuj understood this was special.

That moment was short-lived.

Komal scoffed. “So… now we're sending him to a medical college?”

Kamolika chimed in coolly, “Do you know how many proper candidates apply for that seat? This family really thinks dreams grow on trees.”

Aarav’s shoulders sank.

Tanuj whimpered softly, sensing the shift, his pacifier trembling in his mouth. He clung tighter to Nishant, burying his face in his chest.

Nishant rubbed his back. “Shh… bunny, it’s okay. Just colors talking.”

But the words kept stinging.

“He couldn't even protect Tanuj,” Komal muttered.

“This dream will embarrass the family,” Kamolika added.

Aarav looked down, breathing unsteady.

That’s when Nikhil stood up, eyes blazing.

“Enough.”

His voice cut through everything.

He stepped beside Aarav, his tone steady, sharp.

> “Aarav earned that seat. First in the state. No one gave him anything—he took it with hard work. With nothing but grit.”

He glared at Kamolika.

“And if that bothers you, maybe you should be ashamed. Not him.”

Komal narrowed her eyes. “You’re just defending him because—”

“Because I love this family,” Nikhil said firmly, “and he is this family.”

Raj leaned across the table, full of energy. “Aarav! Guess what? I GOT THE SAME COLLEGE!”

Aarav blinked.

“We’ll be batchmates!” Raj grinned. “Imagine us ruling the anatomy lab!”

Aarav smiled faintly.

And in Nishant’s lap, Tanuj clapped and squeaked, “Dok-tor Raj Bhaiyuuu!! Dok-tor Raj and bhai wear hat!!”

Everyone laughed softly.

---

Night fell.

In their room, Tanuj lay curled in Nishant’s arms, tucked under a thick soft blanket with his bunny tucked between them.

Nishant wiped a bit of cream on Tanuj’s cheek.

“Tickles…” Tanuj murmured, eyes fluttering.

Nishant chuckled softly, kissing his forehead.

“You’re so brave, you know?” he whispered. “Even when the world is mean. You just smile.”

Tanuj nodded sleepily. “Bunny smile too…”

“Do you want to cuddle close tonight?”

Tanuj gave a lazy thumbs-up, paci bobbing.

Nishant held him tighter. “I love you so much, my little love.”

“Love you toooo,” Tanuj yawned

[Across the haveli, Nikhil was folding laundry when a soft knock came.]

Aarav peeked in.

“…Can I come in?”

Nikhil smiled. “Always.”

Aarav stepped in slowly, barefoot, eyes low. “I… um… wanted to say thank you. Again. For what you said.”

“You never have to thank me for standing by you,” Nikhil said.

They stood silently for a moment.

Then Aarav sat beside him on the bed.

He hesitated—then rested his head lightly on Nikhil’s shoulder.

“I don’t know what this is yet,” Aarav whispered, cheeks pink.

“But I feel safe.”

Nikhil gently linked their fingers together.

“Then stay.”

“Just for tonight.”

They didn’t kiss. They didn’t say anything else.

But in that quiet warmth, the bond grew deeper.

---

In one room, Tanuj whimpered softly in his sleep, clutching Nishant’s shirt.
Nishant rubbed his back, whispering, “Shh, love, I’m here.”

In another, Aarav and Nikhil lay side by side, the moonlight pooling around their intertwined hands.

Somewhere else, Raj dreamed of stethoscopes and college cafeterias.

---

The house breathed in peace.

And the world finally whispered:

“Goodnight.”