INNOCENCE

★Epilogue★

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It was a peaceful afternoon at Mehra Manor, the golden sunlight streaming through the large bay windows, casting a warm glow over the room. Ananya sat on the sofa, listening attentively as Rihaan animatedly described something he had seen earlier that day. His childlike wonder had never faded, and Ananya found herself hanging onto every word, her lips curling into a soft smile.

"So, Anya, you should've seen it! There were these two birds, and they were talking to each other-just like us!" Rihaan exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement. His hands moved as he mimicked the birds flapping their wings. "They were saying 'chirp chirp,' but I think it meant something else, like maybe they were friends too!"

Ananya chuckled, her heart swelling with affection as she watched him, amused by his endless enthusiasm. She had learned to appreciate these little moments with him, the simple conversations that always made her day brighter. Rihaan had a way of turning the ordinary into something magical, and for that, she adored him.

Just as Rihaan was about to launch into another story, their peaceful moment was interrupted by two little voices calling out, "Mumma!"

Ananya barely had time to react before two small figures jumped onto her lap-four-year-old Aarav and his two-year-old sister, Aanya. Their bright eyes sparkled with joy as they giggled and clung to their mother, their little arms wrapping tightly around her neck.

"Whoa, whoa! Careful, you two!" Ananya laughed, her heart melting at the sight of her children. She kissed both of them on the cheeks, showering them with affection. "What are you two little troublemakers up to?"

"Mumma, we wanna play!" Aarav declared, his face determined as he clung to Ananya, refusing to let go. Aanya, the quieter of the two, simply snuggled closer, her tiny hands fisting in Ananya's shirt as if she was her safe haven.

Rihaan, who had been watching the scene unfold, suddenly pouted, his lower lip jutting out in dramatic disappointment. "Hey! What about me?" he complained, folding his arms across his chest. "I was talking to Anya first!"

Ananya turned to look at Rihaan, unable to hide her grin. "Oh, come on, Rihaan. There's enough of me for everyone," she teased.

But Rihaan, in true Rihaan fashion, wasn't having any of it. With a huff, he playfully nudged the two children aside, wrapping his arms around Ananya. "Nope! She's mine!" he said stubbornly, squeezing her as if claiming her as his own.

"Mumma's ours!" Aarav shouted, immediately scrambling to pull Rihaan away from his mother. Aanya, seeing her brother in action, toddled over and tugged at Rihaan's arm with all her strength, her tiny voice yelling, "Dada! No!"

The three of them-Rihaan and the two children-were now playfully fighting over Ananya, each trying to claim her attention. Aarav and Aanya were giggling uncontrollably, their laughter echoing through the room, while Rihaan put on an exaggerated show of resistance, pretending to be overpowered by the kids.

Ananya watched them, her heart so full it felt like it might burst. She couldn't stop smiling, her eyes dancing with amusement as she watched her little family. It was moments like this that made everything worth it-all the struggles, all the uncertainty. She had built a home here, not just with bricks and mortar, but with love, laughter, and the people who mattered most to her.

"You're all so stubborn!" Ananya finally said, laughing as she pulled Rihaan, Aarav, and Aanya into her arms. "Looks like I'm surrounded by troublemakers."