As I step into the restaurant, I see Aditya, Rudra and Rahul, already seated at the table. Rahul waves from across the room, Aditya raises an eyebrow and Rudra? Well, Rudra's grinning like he's about to dish out all the gossip. Looks like it's going to be an eventful evening.

"Always keeping us waiting?" Rahul rolls his eyes as I stride towards the table.

I nod at Rahul's jest with a sly grin. "Well you know how it is. I have to make an entrance." 

Rudra leans forward, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Speaking of entrances, you'll never guess who I ran into the other day." He pauses dramatically before blurting out, "This misters missus!"

Aditya cocks a brow. I can't help but suppress a grin, It's been about thirty five days since that chance meeting of Rudra with Ishika, but the memory is still fresh in my mind.

Rudra's animated retelling is both entertaining and slightly exaggerated, much to Aditya and Rahul's disdain.

"Picture this," Rudra begins, his hands gesturing wide as he sets the scene. "This giant right here having a petite and delicate wife, like a little bird." Aditya's Lips twitched while Rahul and Rudra burst into a full blown laughter attracting unnecessary attention.

I glare at them, undoing the top two buttons of my shirt. "She is hardly a little bird. The girl is highly volatile."

Rudra dismisses me, "Ofcourse ofcourse, I am just saying you two make for quite a contrasting pair." He pauses, considering his words, " She is a pocket size thing."

" A pocket size thing? Really Rudra, Man you have a way with words." Rahul grins in amusement.

"Rudra enough. Stop objectifying my wife." My face tightens.

All three of them grins at me showing of their teeth like they are advertising for a fucking toothpaste company. Idiots.

" And for your information She is Divya's little sister."

Aditya's expression change, he has met Divya's complete family during her marriage, Ishika included.

"You mean Divya's sister Ishika is your wife Ishika?" He frowns. "She is seven to eight years younger than you. Is this wise?"

" Talk to my mother about that. I was completely unaware of my wife's identity until the wedding day."

His expression remains unchanged. "Don't worry it's not an issue. Belive me when I say it. She is damn intelligent."

" And what do you mean by that?" Rahul says.

" She has secured a full scholarship for her doctorate studies at Cascadia Northwest University in Seattle." I reveal, a hint of pride coloring my words.

I was shocked when she informed me that all the four universities have accepted her application but Cascadia is the only one offering her complete scholarship. It's hard to get accepted for all. That's when I realised my wife is smart.

My friends stare at me in stunned silence, their expressions a mix of surprise and bewilderment.

"Cascadia Northwest University? That's one of the top research institutions in USA!" Rahul exclaims, his eyes wide. "A full scholarship for a doctorate program is no small feat."

I nod, a small smile playing on my lips.

Aditya's brow furrows as he processes this new information. "But a doctorate program last for 5 to 7 years and sometimes even more, how are you both going to manage?"

" Plus Ivaan in the picture?" Rahul adds.

" Now who is this Ivaan?" Rudra tilts his head in confusion.

They exchange glances.

I let out a heavy sigh." Ivaan is Ishika's adopted son. He's a four year old kid."

Rudra lets out a low whistle. "Damn, Abhiraj. You really did hit the jackpot, didn't you? You got a son along with a wife, all wrapped up in one delightful package."

I shoot him a warning glance, but there's no real heat behind it. His comments, while crass, are ultimately harmless. He's just being Rudra.

"And you don't have problem with that?" He says carefully.

" Does that matter? When even my parents didn't find it necessary telling me."

" And you're fine with all this, being forced to marry a woman you don't know and share parenting duties with her despite kid not being yours?"

" She never forced me to behave like a parent and nor she dumped me with any of the duties. I adore the kid. He is too sweet to not love." I admit.

" And what about the kid's mother." Rahul asks.

I give him a bored look, " You know me so don't act like a fool."

"Definitely, the Mister doesn't have a single love bone in his body." Rudra intoned.

" I don't plan on falling in love. So there is no testing of your words."

" So you're planning to remain celibate throughout your marriage?" He waggles his brows.

" Be quiet Rudra."

" So when is she leaving to Seattle?" Rahul asks.

"As soon as her documentation gets completed."

All of them nod.

" Are we here to talk about my wife or should we have something aswell?"

             ............................

As I make my way down the foyer, I hear some voices coming from the living room, tinkerbell's voice unmistakable, accompanied by another feminine tone I remember all too well, Dhriti's.

Moving closer to the area, I catch the sight of Ishika, deep in conversation with Dhriti. Their head bend close together, discussing some important paperwork. I can clearly point out a sense of urgency in her expressions.

Dhriti looks up as she senses me nearing them. Her eyes meets mine for a brief second before averting her gaze back to the papers. A faint blush dusting her cheeks.

My brows furrow slightly as I watch her reaction.

Is it possible that she still has feelings for me or is it a fading attraction? 

Despite that I can't help but feel a twinge of offence at the sight of her blushing while she's in presence of my wife.

I clear my throat, trying to shake off the uneasiness that settles in the pit of my stomach, "Is everything alright?"

Tinkerbell looks up at me, and gives me a brief smile. "You're back! Yeah everything is good. I was just discussing some last minute documentation work regarding my admission process with Dhriti dii."

My forehead crease as I listen to Tinkerbell's words. My wife addressing my ex girlfriend Dhriti in such a familiar way, was something I never anticipated.

I feel a range of emotions within me, including a hint of discomfort and slight uneasiness as I realise how close they have become.

I nod, forcing a polite smile, "Alright! Let me know if you need any help." I offer, my gaze flickering towards Dhriti before I exit the room.

It feels as if the dynamics of our relation has changed in a jiff, few moments ago I was all confident towards the settled boundaries between me and Dhriti but now it looks as if something changed in an instant. Leaving me grappling with newfound sense of unease.

                .........................

Two weeks left

"Umm...do you have a minute I need to discuss something with you?"

Raising my gaze from the laptop screen, I find Tinkerbell sitting  on the edge of the bed, her fingers restlessly dancing.

Keeping my laptop aside, "go ahead." I say.

"Since everything is confirmed and only a handful of days left, I think I should inform Ivaan about me leaving. But I can't do that alone, Could you please be with me when I tell him? It's going to be difficult for me to handle him alone."

I nod in understanding. Ivaan is a resilient kid, but I also know both of our presence will make all the difference.

"Don't worry. I'll be there with you."

Her eyes meet mine, "Thank you," She says, her voice soft with emotions.

I can see the sadness etched on her face.

All this while I have noticed, how all her time is spend in loving Ivaan. That kid is literally getting spoiled by my wifes' affection. Even in night, Ivaan remains at her side.

"His heart is going to break." I murmur, imagining his reaction.

"I know. But I have no other option." She replies, in resignation.

I know as much as it pains her to leave Ivaan, it's the best for her future. And she might have weighed all the options before reaching this decision.

We sit in silence for a few moments, "We should tell him tonight, before he goes to bed. The sooner we rip off the bandaid, the better." She says.

"Whenever you're ready," I reply.

Tinkerbell takes a deep breath. "Okay let's do it."

Rising from the bed, together we walk out of the bedroom, readying ourselves to deliver the news that will undoubtedly shake the kid's world.

               
At Night.

"Here have these biscuits kiddo." I offer Ivaan the chocolate cookies I bought while returning back from the office. He's a sucker for chocolates.

"Thank you Mr.Big." Ivaan says softly, flashing me a beautiful smile.

"Ivaan, we need to talk to you about something," Tinkerbell says.

"About what?"

She picks him in her arms and settles on his bed, me following her.

"Ivaan..." She begin slowly, making him sit between us.

"You remember once I was telling you how I always dreamt of studying in Cascadia University, and if I'll get a chance I'll definitely go."

He nods.

" Well a month ago I applied to get admission in the same University." She tells her. " And I am accepted there. Now I am a student of Cascadia University, I'll have to go there soon so that I can start taking my lectures."

" You do?" He turns his side ways, questioningly.

" I have to."

" Where is Casiddiaa Univesity mumma?" I smile as he mumbles the words incorrectly.

" It's in...erm....Seattle, America."
She says anxiously.

" America is not in India. It's a different continent." His eyes widen.

" Kiddo it's a little away from India. But Mumma got admission there and now she has to go."

" When will we go there mumma? Will Mr.Big also come with us? I want him to also come with us, I really like him."

My hearts softens listening to his innocent words, when I look at Tinkerbell she was already looking at me. Her eyes filling up with tears.

" Ivaan." I say again, " Bubba, mumma is going to live in a hostel which will be in University itself. And you know except for students no one is allowed there."

" So will we both stay in a different house?" Ivaan's eyes widen even further.

" No kiddo."

" Then?" He demands.

"Only I'll be going there. You're going stay with Nani and your Mr.Big is going to stay here." Tinkerbell says.

" For how many days?"

She lowers her eyes," You'll be staying here for a year."

"Noooo. I don't wan you to go." Ivaan crosses his arms stubbornly.

" But I have to Ivaan." She says softly.

" Why are you leaving me then?"
He shouts, his eyes brimming with tears.

"Ivaan," I say gently. Uncrossing his arms, I hold his little hand in my grasp, " Mumma has to go because this is something really important for her. She's going there to fulfill her dreams and learns loads of new things."

"But why can't she learn it here?" Ivaan's voice quivers in sadness.

"It's not the same kind of learning, baccha." I explain, struggling to find the right words.
"Sometimes we need to go a little far to learns special things. You know, even I went to Britain and then America to study. In the same way she is going."

" But I don't want her to go." His lower lip tremble as tears start to stream down his cheeks.

"She'll have to bachha."

Tinkerbell pulls him closer to her and take him in her embrace.
" Just a year. After that you and me, we'll be together. I promise. Till then you enjoy with Nani." She says, her voice choked with emotions.

Listening to her words, Ivaan starts resisting in her embrace, "Noooo," but she holds him, not letting him wither away.

"Ivaan control." I look at her, listening her strict tone.

"Nooo. You're leaving me, and then you're leaving me at Nani's house. I don't want anyone of that." He cries out loudly.

Ishika looks at me helplessly.

" Give him to me." She nods, letting me take him in my lap. And hug him tighter, as I hear him sob. " Shhh Bubba." I am feeling helpless. Tinkerbell's silent tears only weighing the moment.

"No matter where mumma is going, she'll always love you. And we can always talk to her, and maybe go and meet her also, yes?"
Ivaan nods, his small body wracking with sobs. Tinkerbell gently stroke his hair.

"I under....stand why she is going, but I don't wa...nna go and live at Na...ni's place. Badi Nani is going to send me to a h...ostel. I don't wanna go to hostel." He looks at me with teary eyes.

My chest tightens seeing his innocent eyes brimming with tears. Ivaan- I really love this kid.

Gently wiping away the tears from his face, " first stop crying and give a hug to your mumma."

Ivaan Jumps into her arms and give her a tight hug, dropping a soft kiss on her cheeks. And then comes back in my arms, nuzzling his head in the crook of my neck.

I smile seeing his act. Kissing his temple gently.

"Can I live with you Mr.Big? Please." Ivaan looks at me with those cute little button eyes of his, and my heart squeeze at his innocent plea. How can I say no to such an innocent soul?

"That's not even a question kiddo," I kiss his chubby cheeks. "You'll always have a place with me." I hold him even tighter, feeling his warmth against my chest. His little arms wrapping around me as if finding solace.

I look at Tinkerbell to check whether she is fine with it, and see her watching me widened eyes just like Ivaan had few moments ago.

"He's a handful. You'll be busy with your work. How will you manage?" She whispers.

" I'll figure something out. But he clearly looks distressed with the option you're suggesting Bella. Your dadi feels like a Hitler to me right now. No offence."

" I don't want to burden you up with my responsibilities." Her lips tremble.

I sigh, "I would have never said yes, if I felt him as a burden Ishika. I adore this kid and I  knew I had to be a father figure after marrying you. This kid right here deserves that."

She gives me a grateful smile, " It means a lot to me."

I nod.

"I guess Dhriti will still have to come here then. I'll instruct her about everything concerning Ivaan so that you don't get overwhelmed."

I feel a pang of guilty, listening her words. She's still unaware.
             
                 ........................

             To be continued...

Hey...

Hope you all are doing great.

So how was the chapter guys?

Abhiraj and Dhriti alone???? After Ishika is gone.

Plus Ivaan and Abhiraj are going to stay together...OMG....

Next update soon.

Till then don't forget to 👇