10:00 AM – At Rivan’s House
Everyone had finished breakfast and was now sitting in the living room.
Rivan looked unusually cheerful that morning.
Like a chirping bird, he said excitedly, “Big bro… Aniket bro… shall we play something?”
Aditya let out a deep sigh. “You’ve eaten breakfast without taking a bath… and now you want to play?”
Rivan pouted. “But I brushed my teeth!”
Aniket added, “But you still have to take a bath! Go now, Rivan.”
Rivan folded his arms stubbornly. “If I go take a bath, you’ll both leave! No, I’m not going anywhere. Anyway, skipping one day won’t hurt anyone!”
Aditya looked at him once and asked calmly, “Are you sure you’re not going to take a bath?”
Rivan stomped his foot and stood up. “Fine! I’ll go… but don’t leave before I’m back! You have to say bye before you go!”
Aditya sighed and smiled faintly. “You’re really starting to remind me of Ira. I still don’t know how I’m going to calm her anger down.”
Aniket laughed. “Well… you came here early morning without telling her so Of course she’s furious right now!”
Hearing that, Rivan made a face. “She’s not even here right now, and you’re still talking about her! You’re ignoring me!”
Aditya smirked. “Hmm… if you don’t go bathe, we’ll ignore you for the rest of your life.”
Rivan gasped. “No! You can’t do that!”
Aniket chuckled. “Then go take a bath! Off you go!”
Still pouting, Rivan marched toward his room.
As soon as he left, the atmosphere in the room changed.
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Aditya’s tone turned serious. “So tell me… who came to deliver that letter?”
Aniket spoke next. “Yeah… is it true that his father is still alive? That after all these years, he wants to meet him?”
Mr. Shah exhaled deeply, anger flashing in his eyes.
He said coldly, “Yes… if that letter is to be believed, then the boss’s father is alive. He’s sick and in the hospital. That bastard wants the boss’s help—claims that he is the boss's only family. CCTV footage shows a man dropping off the letter. The boss didn’t recognize him; he approached normally, as if it was just business.”
Aditya replied in a calm voice, “If that’s true, we need to find out which hospital he’s in—if he’s even there at all. The man’s a fraud, so before trusting a single word, we’ll verify everything.”
Aniket frowned. “And what if it’s true? What if he is sick and desperately needs treatment? Are we really going to help that bastard?”
Aditya looked away for a moment. “I don’t know. For now, all I want is the truth.”
Mr. Shah stood up sharply. “Forgive me, sir, but I’m against this. I don’t want to know anything about that wretched man. In my opinion, even you shouldn’t let the boss near him! A man who can sell his own son can’t be trusted. Even if he’s dying on a hospital bed, it won’t be enough punishment!”
Aditya nodded slightly. “I understand. But we’re not judges here. It’s not for us to decide whether he deserves to live or die, or what kind of man he is. Rivan—the very boy that man once gambled away—is the only one who has the right to decide. Our job is to help him reach that decision. And for that, we need the facts.”
Aniket leaned forward. “I don’t have a strong opinion either way, so I’m with Aditya on this. Let’s find out everything we can about that man—for Rivan’s sake.”
Mr. Shah’s eyes softened, though worry lingered in them. Aditya noticed and smiled faintly.
“I can’t believe you care about Rivan this much now. When I first assigned you to watch over him, you said babysitting wasn’t your thing. You told me working in the underworld had stripped you of all emotions.”
Hearing that, memories flashed before Mr. Shah’s eyes—their first meeting. A fragile boy with hope flickering in his gaze, determined to make tomorrow better than today. A boy who smiled even while wounded, because he refused to learn how to cry.
When Mr. Shah had called Rivan by his name that day, the boy had asked innocently, “Will you be my family?”
And at that moment, Mr. Shah knew—this was a star in a dark sky. A little longer in neglect, and he would have destroyed not just himself, but everything around him.
That day, Mr. Shah had replied, “You’re my boss and I am your employee so I can’t be your family.”
But today, those very words haunted him. Because now, he wanted to become Rivan’s family.
Lowering his eyes, Mr. Shah said quietly, “Aditya sir… you were right that day. I never truly lost my emotions. They were just buried—under the bloodstains that came with my work in the underworld. I want to become the boss’s family now… just like you already have.”
Aditya smiled warmly. “Don’t worry. The truth is, all three of us are already his family.”
Aniket gave a crooked grin. “That sounds a little cheesy, but I’ll admit—it’s kinda sweet. Anyway, Mr. Shah, what’s your final call? Still doubting Aditya’s decision?”
Mr. Shah straightened. “Since the leader assigned me to Aditya sir, my job has been to follow his orders. I’m loyal—to you, and to your command. Whatever you decide, I’ll do.”
Aniket waved his hand. “Whoa, we’re not that formal here, unlike my father! Everyone’s opinion matters—right, Aditya?”
Aditya stood up and said calmly, “Mr. Shah… I just want to understand everything clearly before taking any decision. I believe everyone’s thoughts matter—but judgments should come only when the time is right. For now, we gather information. The future will tell us what to do next. This decision will shape Rivan’s life… and only he has the right to make it. We’re just here to stand by him.”
Mr. Shah nodded. “Understood, sir. I’ll collect all the information. Give me until tomorrow.”
Aditya smiled. “Alright. And don’t worry too much. Everyone gets what they truly deserve—demons receive hate, and angels, love. That’s destiny.”
And with that, their conversation ended.
A thoughtful silence filled the room, as all three understood what needed to be done next.
Meanwhile, at Aditya’s office…
Ira sat with her cheeks puffed out, sulking.
Muttering under her breath, she said, “He’s hurt, that’s why my brother’s with him! Aditya bhai and Aniket bhai—both of them! So what about me, huh? Ahhh, bhai… I need you too!”
She looked like a little child craving attention—pouting, fidgeting, and waiting for her brothers to notice her.
