Mafia's Heartbeat

ch 29

The sun was still gentle when Rahul sat out on the swing in the garden, holding a hot cup of tea, watching the breeze sway the wind chimes lazily. Anjali joined him moments later, setting her hand on his. Her eyes sparkled gently — a quiet knowing.

“He’s growing up, Rahul,” she murmured. “Your little raj”

Rahul smiled faintly, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Out of all our sons… he was the most innocent, the softest… my little tail,” he chuckled. “And now he’s getting married.”

Anjali squeezed his hand. “To someone who looks at him like the world ends and begins with Kai.”

“Raj.” Rahul exhaled. “He may be adopted, but he’s mine. Just as much as Nikhil or Nishant. The way he hugs me and hides behind me when he’s scared… he's always been our baby.”

As if on cue, Nishant strolled in with Nikhil by his side, having overheard the tail end of the conversation. Nishant smirked. “You do realize, Papa, that we don’t approve of this marriage, right?”

“Totally unacceptable,” Nikhil added dramatically. “Raj is supposed to stay ours forever. Not run off with your golden boy Kai.”

“Exactly!” Nishant nodded.

Rahul cracked a smile, his heart warming. “You two are such brats.”

Arav walked in from behind, carrying a glass of juice. “Let them be happy,” he said, softly smiling. “Raj and Kai belong with each other. That boy smiles like the sun when Kai’s in the room.”

Just then, a soft gasp echoed from the veranda. Tanuj, bundled in a tiny oversized hoodie and socks slipping off his heels, peeked from behind a potted plant. “Kai Bhaiya is gonna be a bride???”

Everyone turned to look at him. Nikhil chuckled. “Groom, baby. Kai’s the top one, remember?”

Tanuj blinked. “Ohhhhhh... so Raj Bhaiya will wear the sparkly outfit!”

They all burst into laughter. Anjali walked over to Tanuj and ruffled his hair. “You want them to get married?”

“Yes, yes, yes!” he clapped excitedly, jumping in place. “I wanna throw rose petals and eat cake and wear my pink sherwani!!”

---

At the College

Raj and Arav had left for their medical college by noon. During a short break between lectures, Arav leaned against the corridor wall beside the vending machine, turning to Raj with a thoughtful look.

“How long has it been, Raj?” he asked. “You and Kai?”

Raj looked up, biting his straw gently. “Three years, almost. He confessed on Diwali night. I cried for twenty minutes straight.”

Arav laughed. “You do cry a lot.”

“I’m sensitive, not weak,” Raj said proudly. “But Kai... he’s gentle with me. Never once made me feel ashamed. He’s the strong one, yeah, but he always lets me shine. He never lets me fall behind. Not once.”

Arav placed a hand on his shoulder. “You really love him, huh?”

“I really, really do.”

---

Back at the Haveli

In the garden, Kritika was chasing around Tanuj, who had managed to steal one of her dupattas and was twirling like a dizzy little prince. He ran and giggled, knocking into chairs, past flowers, until — bonk! — he smacked gently into Anjali’s legs.

“Oh no,” Anjali said, catching him mid-trip. “Running again, Mr. Bunny?”

“I sowwy,” he sniffled, lips trembling.

Before his tears could fall, Anjali cooed, picking him up and cradling him close. “No crying, my baby. Mummy will make your favorite chocolate cake, okay?”

Tanuj beamed instantly and clapped while Anjali headed into the kitchen with him still in her arms.

---

The Family Dinner

That night, the grand dining table was full again. Rahul at the head, Anjali beside him, and all their children seated with chatter filling the air. Laughter echoed as Tanuj tried to feed Nishant with his hands and ended up smearing paneer on his cheek.

Kai and Raj sat beside each other, Kai stealing glances while Raj blushed furiously and hid behind his glass of water.

Anjali raised a toast with her glass of buttermilk. “We’ve been thinking…”

Rahul stood next. “Let’s not wait any longer. Kai and Raj’s wedding will happen — in three days.”

Gasps. Cheers. A round of applause.

Raj froze, jaw dropping.

Kai grinned and pulled Raj close. “We’re really doing this?”

Raj nodded, misty-eyed. “We’re really doing this.”

Tanuj jumped up on his seat. “CAKE! And pink sherwanis!”

Everyone laughed, again.

Nikhil whispered to Nishant, “Our little family’s getting big.”

Nishant nodded, squeezing Tanuj close, as the evening faded into laughter, warmth, and love — a home where every bond, born or chosen, was cherished.

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