The Heir and the Humble

Eight years in a blink

It had been ten days since their son was born, and the joy of welcoming little Vivek into the world was overshadowed by the rift that had formed between Devraj and his brother, Yuvi. Devraj had made it clear that he wanted no contact with either of them, a decision that weighed heavily on his heart.

Yuvi entered the room, his expression a mix of sadness and determination. "Dev, I came to say goodbye," he said softly, trying to gauge his brother's mood.

Devraj turned away, his back facing Yuvi, the tension palpable in the air. "Don't ever try to contact me again," he said, his voice cold and firm. "If you do, I might lose everything. I don't want to know about the boy."

Yuvi's heart sank at his brother's words. "Why are you punishing me, Dev? How can you expect me to stay away from you for 25 years? It's not fair!" His voice cracked with emotion, desperation creeping in.

Devraj remained silent, his shoulders tense. He couldn't bear to face Yuvi, the pain of their fractured relationship too raw. Yuvi took a step closer, searching for any sign of the brother he once knew. "I never questioned your decisions, but this... I can't accept this."

Understanding that further argument would be futile, Yuvi turned to leave. Just as he reached the door, Devraj spoke again, his voice barely above a whisper. "Take care of my boy and yourself."

Yuvi paused understanding that he already took the decision, looking back at his brother. "I will, Dev. I promise. I'll raise him like you would, and when the time comes, I'll tell him how great his father is." His voice was filled with sincerity, a promise that he intended to keep.

Devraj stood still, his back still turned, but a single tear slipped down his cheek, betraying the turmoil within him. He didn't respond, knowing that any words would only deepen the pain.

Yuvi took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. "I'll return him to you when the time comes," he said, his voice steady. With that, he left the room, with anika carrying Vivek in her arms, the baby peacefully sleeping, unaware of the emotional storm surrounding his family.

As the door closed behind Yuvi, Devraj finally allowed himself to feel the full weight of his emotions. He had made a choice to protect his son, but it came at a cost. The bond with his brother was shattered, and the future felt uncertain. He wiped away the tear, steeling himself for the days ahead, knowing that he would always love his son from a distance, hoping that one day, they would be reunited.

That night, when Devraj returned to his room, he was taken aback to find Anika sitting on the bed, waiting for him. The last time he had seen her was during the labor, when he had to leave her side, and the memory of that moment weighed heavily on his heart.

"You're still here?" he asked, surprise and relief flooding his voice.

Anika looked up at him, her eyes filled with unwavering love. "I told you I'm not going anywhere, leaving you," she replied softly.

Devraj felt a rush of emotions he had been holding back. He had mentally prepared himself for the worst, fearing that he had lost the three people he loved the most. Without thinking, he took long strides toward her and enveloped her in a tight embrace.

Anika could feel the tension in his muscles, the way he was trembling slightly, and she knew he was struggling to breathe properly. She let him hold her for a moment, allowing him to find solace in her presence.

"I'm so sorry that I left you when you needed me the most," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm sorry that you had to choose between our son and me. I'm sorry for every pain I caused you." His voice cracked as he spoke, the weight of his guilt crashing down on him. He was on the verge of a panic attack, his breaths coming in uneven gasps.