Morning sunlight poured through the tall windows of the grand mansion.
Inside the main hall, everyone was gathered.
Nikolai sat with the boys while both families and the grandparents occupied the long seating area. Riyana sat quietly beside her parents, her fingers intertwined tightly in her lap.
From far down the corridor they could hear laughter.
Lilith's laughter.
Her cousins were sitting around her, carefully drawing henna on her hands and feet.
Her soft giggles echoed through the house.
"So that bitch caused everything?" Ishaan asked coldly.
"Yes," Damian replied.
"Sohan is going to be released by the end of this week," Rezaul added.
Riyana's heart skipped a beat.
For years she had waited.
Years without her husband.
All she wanted was her family whole again.
But Mr. Kadeon spoke firmly.
"He isn't going to let Lily leave with him."
Nikolai leaned back in his chair.
"Hm."
Mr. Noman cleared his throat.
"And that wedding you did… was a big sham."
Everyone looked at Nikolai.
"That was not a wedding. That was child's play."
"Did you even ask for her hand properly?"
"Do you know how grand The Gem's wedding must be for both families?"
Nikolai chuckled quietly.
"My apologies."
He leaned forward slightly.
"I only wanted to keep my tiny wife safe."
"The attacks were increasing."
"And her panic attacks were getting worse."
"So I had to do it."
Mrs. Rashi crossed her arms.
"Well we want her wedding to be done properly."
"Traditional Indian style."
Mrs. Asma immediately objected.
"Uhmm no. Bengali wedding style."
"Uh oh…" Zafraan muttered.
Soon both families started arguing.
Voices rising.
Traditions clashing.
Nikolai silently watched the chaos unfold.
Suddenly a small voice came from the doorway.
"Lily w…will h…have T…T…two weddings!"
Everyone turned.
Lilith stood there happily.
She began doing a small excited dance.
Her hands and feet were covered in beautiful henna designs.
Nikolai's eyes instinctively scanned her delicate hands and feet.
Prettiest designs for the prettiest Bambi, he thought quietly.
"Neva, your Mehndi looks beautiful!" Mrs. Asma said warmly.
"T…thank you ganny," Lilith replied shyly.
"Mihu, you said two weddings right?" Mr. Kadeon asked.
"Uh huh."
"S…so n…n…nobody w…will f…f…fight… Mkay?" Lilith said sweetly.
She walked over and sat directly on Nikolai's lap.
He adjusted her carefully so she was comfortable.
His hand gently held hers.
"That's actually a good idea love," Mr. Kadeon said.
"But Nikolai will have to talk to your Baba first."
"Or he might take you away from your husband."
Lilith blinked.
"C…can Lily call Baba now? Pretty please?"
"Uhmm Baba will come baby," Ariz said softly.
"Mkay," she whispered.
She began playing with Nikolai's rings quietly.
Across the room Anika sat counting money.
"Hey darling, what are you doing?" Karim asked.
"Trying to see if my money is enough to buy a house for my mother and siblings."
"Dad has crossed the line," she said sadly.
At that moment Riyana walked in carrying several boxes.
"Anika, I got my soon-to-be daughter-in-law a dress."
She opened the box revealing a beautiful blue Ghagra Choli with sparkling blue diamond jewelry.
Anika's eyes widened.
"I already have a blue dress ma… this is too much beyond my budget."
"Oh come on," Riyana smiled.
"Just accept it."
"For Lily's sake. She'll be happy if you wear it."
Anika sighed.
"Yes ma."
"Thank you."
"Great! Get ready soon," Riyana said before leaving.
Karim was speaking on the phone when Anika's phone rang.
"Hi Mama. Are you at the airport?"
"Yes Anika," her mother said.
"We ran away from him."
"We are free now."
"We booked a hotel."
"Thank goodness," Anika said in relief.
"I'll get the house ready Mama. Bye."
She ended the call.
Karim looked at her.
"I got a house ready for you."
"Huh?" she blinked.
"You heard me."
"There's a house ready."
"Let's go get your family and move them in."
"No Karim."
"I'm going to get an apartment or house myself."
"I have $70,500. I'll pay the balance with my next salary."
Karim suddenly pulled her closer.
He kissed her deeply.
Pinning her gently to the wall.
She closed her eyes.
"Mhm…"
Karim hummed in satisfaction before pulling away.
He looked directly into her eyes.
"Listen carefully."
"I don't care if we fight."
"I don't care if someone tries separating us."
"But never let your family leave that house."
"Every night you overwork yourself and still do side jobs for them."
"I want to do this for you."
"So even if you say no…"
"I'll still do it anyway."
Anika giggled softly.
"Tum pagal ho."
(You are crazy.)
Karim smirked.
"Sirf tumhare liye."
(Only for you.)
They left together.
Four hours later.
12:09 PM
"Mihu! Mihu! Mihu!"
Zafraan ran around searching frantically.
"What's wrong?" Damian asked.
"I can't find Lily anywhere!"
Nikolai stood up instantly.
"Lily!"
"Has anyone seen Lilith?"
"Uhmm Boss…" Nolan said nervously.
"You might wanna see this."
Everyone walked toward the window.
Outside in the garden—
Lilith sat in a puddle of muddy water.
A running tap had mixed with sand creating a muddy mess.
Her clothes were soaked.
Her hands were covered in dirt.
She was laughing loudly.
"Neva!" Reyan shouted.
Lilith looked up happily.
"HIIIIIII!!!!!"
She waved energetically.
"Lily get out of there! It's dirty!" Rafsan yelled.
Everyone rushed outside.
Lilith looked at her teddy bear.
"Uh oh."
"Teddy let's run!"
"No more muddy!"
She looked back at them.
Then tapped Aarav's arm.
"Tag you it!"
And she ran.
Everyone tried to catch her.
Her joyful giggles filled the air.
"Baby come on!" Anika called.
But Lily kissed her nose and ran again.
Her cousins joined the chase.
"Areeee Mihu be careful!" Vanya shouted.
Soon Lily slowed down breathing heavily.
Nikolai simply watched.
His tiny wife looked so happy.
He turned the pipe water on and cleaned the mud off her.
"Only he can control her," Urlima laughed.
"Yeah," Hammed agreed.
"Man this tiny girl has so much energy!" Caspian said.
"Honestly," Nirma nodded.
"The last time she ran like this she was four."
"This girl made Baba fall countless times," Farhan laughed.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Just then—
Several luxury cars pulled up.
A woman stepped out.
"Oh look… the bitch is here," Aarav muttered.
"I hate this woman," Karim added.
Farhan knelt beside Lily.
"Lily listen."
"That's a bad aunt."
"She might try making you cry."
"But you'll make her cry even more."
"I'll buy you the whole candy store."
"I pinky promise."
"Mkay!" Lilith nodded.
The woman entered the mansion.
She wore expensive glasses.
This was their aunt.
Sakshi.
She had five children.
Four daughters — Eshani, Mrinal, Hamsika, Kamakshi
One son — Evander
Her American mafia husband had died years ago.
All his wealth went to her.
"Hello everyone," Sakshi greeted.
"Riyana."
"Honestly I was shocked to hear you were still alive."
She hugged her.
Riyana rolled her eyes.
"Also… sorry about your daughter's condition," Sakshi said mockingly.
"Cut the crap," Karim said sharply.
The Bratva and Domino Apex men entered behind him.
"Where is Lily and Nikolai?" Troy asked.
"Right here," Nikolai said.
Sakshi froze.
Her eyes widened.
She saw the wedding necklace.
The vermillion in Lilith's hair.
"She is married?" she gasped.
"Who would marry a mentally unstable girl?" Eshani smirked.
They laughed.
"What funny huh?" Lilith asked innocently tilting her head.
"Shut it," Damian snapped.
The men lifted their jackets revealing guns.
Silence filled the room.
"Bambi looks cute right?" Nikolai said calmly.
He booped her nose.
She giggled.
"This is Mrs. Lilith Nikolai Devereaux."
"So show some respect," Hassan said.
Evander's eyes widened.
"Wait… you mean THE Nikolai Devereaux?"
Lilith covered her ears.
Nikolai stood tall.
His presence dominating the room.
Lilith looked at Sakshi.
"W…why you mean?"
She waddled toward her.
"Lily not bad girl."
"Lily nice."
"But you mean to Lily."
"Ms pretty please be nice to Lily."
She gestured with her tiny hands.
"Or Nikki d…d…doesn't like when meanies are mean."
She pointed at her husband.
Nikolai spoke calmly.
"Be nice."
"Or be gone."
Both mafia groups opened their jackets again revealing their guns.
Sakshi swallowed.
"Be a good aunt okay?" Rohan said.
She nodded.
2:00 PM
The festival party started.
Music filled the mansion.
"Mihu come on!" Anika called.
Nikolai stood near the window watching.
Lilith had changed clothes.
She wore a green Tamil saree.
A golden waist chain (Kamarband) sparkled around her waist.
A delicate flower nose ring adorned her face.
Silver anklets chimed softly when she moved.
Her hair was styled in a flower bun braid.
Nikolai smiled proudly.
Music started.
Lilith and the women began singing and dancing.
Song Performance
Lilith:
Munni badnaam hui darling tere liye
Munni badnaam hui darling tere liye
Munni badnaam hui darling tere liye
Munni ke gaal gulabi, nain sharabi, chaal nawabi re
Le zandu balm hui, darling tere liye
Munni badnaam hui darling tere liye
Munni ke gaal gulabi, nain sharabi, chaal nawabi re
Le zandu balm hui, darling tere liye
Le zandu balm hui, darling tere liye
Munni badnaam hui, darling tere liye
Munni badnaam hui, darling tere liye
Lilith:
Shilpa sa figure, Bebo si adaa
Shilpa sa figure, Bebo si adaa, Bebo si adaa
Hai mere jhatke mein filmi maza, re filmi maza
Haaye tu na jaane mere nakhre pe
Haaye tu na jaane mere nakhre pe lakhon rupaiya udaa
Ve main taksaal hui darling tere liye
Cinema hall hui darling tere liye
Munni badnaam hui darling tere liye
Munni badnaam hui darling tere liye
Karim:
Hey munni, hey munni
O munni ve, o munni ve
Tera gali gali mein charcha ve
Hai jama ishq da, ishq da parcha re
Jama ishq da, ishq da parcha re
O munni re
Farhan:
Kaise anaari se paala pada ji
Aarav:
Paala pada
Vanya:
Ho kaise anaari se paala pada ji paala pada
Bina rupaiye ke aake khada mere peeche pada
Rafsan:
Haaye haaye maar hi daalogi kya
Trinetra:
Popat na jaane mere peeche Saifu se leke lambhu khada
Item yeh aam hui darling tere liye
Item yeh aam hui darling tere liye
Munni badnaam hui darling tere liye
Ariz:
Hai tujh mein poori botal ka nasha
Hai tujh mein poori botal ka nasha
Dhalte budhape ko kar de jawan
Hothon pe gaali teri aankhein dunaali
Tu atom bomb hui darling mere liye
Munni badnaam hui darling mere liye
Munni badnaam hui darling mere liye
Lilith:
Munni ke gaal gulabi, nain sharabi, chaal nawabi re
Lilith:
Le zandu balm hui darling tere liye
Zafraan:
Munni badnaam hui
Lilith:
Darling tere liye
Ethan:
Baat yeh aam hui
Lilith:
Darling tere liye
Everyone:
Be Hindustan hui
Lilith:
Darling tere liye
Anika:
Amiya se aam hui
Male voices:
Darling mere liye
Lilith:
Le zandu balm hui
Male voices:
Darling mere liye
Nihal:
Cinema hall hui
Female voices:
Tere tere tere liye
Rafsan:
Aage badnaam hui
Anika:
Haan ji haan tere liye
Reyan:
Le sareaam hui
Lilith:
Darling tere liye
Darling tere liye
Darling tere liye
Everyone:
Darling tere liye
Nikolai watched her dancing happily.
He blushed slightly watching her joy.
People danced.
Colors flew.
Music played loudly.
6:07 PM
Everyone collapsed tired.
Lilith sat beside Sakshi who was fanning herself.
Lilith yawned.
Then gently leaned against her aunt's shoulder.
Sakshi was about to yell—
But she looked down.
The tiny girl had fallen asleep.
Quiet.
Peaceful.
Sakshi sighed and adjusted her shoulder so Lilith could rest.
"Aww… looks like someone has a soft heart," Riyana teased.
"Shut up," Sakshi muttered.
"Is she going to heal?"
Riyana's eyes filled with tears.
"No."
"Her brain was destroyed."
"They gave her dog pills."
"She's stuck like this."
"As a mother… it hurts to see your daughter like this."
Sakshi's heart tightened.
Her children looked at Lilith silently.
At that moment Nikolai entered.
"I'll take her."
He gently lifted her into his arms.
He carried her to her room.
Carefully removing her clothes and dressing her in pajamas.
He laid her down.
Then whispered softly in Russian.
"Spi krepko, moy milyy Bembi."
(Sleep tight, my sweet Bambi.)
He kissed her lips.
Then opened his laptop to work.
His phone rang.
"Hello."
"Hi Nick, it's me," a woman said.
It was his mother.
Mrs. Francesca.
"Need something?" he asked coldly.
"Your father and I want you and the kids to come home."
"Your grandmother wants to meet your wife."
He thought for a moment.
"Fine."
"But warn them."
"If anyone insults my wife…"
"I will not spare that person."
He ended the call.
His eyes softened as he looked at Lilith sleeping.
Meanwhile…
A prison gate opened.
"Congratulations sir."
"You have been released."
"You can go home now."
The prisoner slowly changed clothes.
He stepped outside.
His men bowed deeply.
"Welcome back boss."
He wore dark glasses.
His expression was terrifying.
"Russia," he said coldly.
"Yes boss."
He stepped into a Red Armored Mercedes-Benz G-63.
Dozens of cars followed behind him.
Soon he boarded his private jet.
He sat down calmly.
Looking out the window.
"Am coming…"
"Meri Baccha."
(My baby.)
The plane engines roared.
And the jet took off into the night sky.