Midnight settled heavily over the house, silence stretching through the halls like a held breath. Everyone slept—everyone except Asif.
He moved quietly, deliberately, his footsteps controlled as he made his way toward Rima's room. There was no hesitation in him, only resolve. He pushed the door open and stepped inside, the dim light outlining her sleeping figure.
"Ria… wake up," he said softly.
No response.
"Ria, wake up," he repeated, firmer this time.
Her eyes slowly fluttered open, heavy with sleep. "What?" she mumbled, squinting before recognizing him. "Oh… it's you. Are the girls okay? Are they hungry?"
"No. They're asleep," he replied. "And you're coming with me."
"Huh—?"
Before she could react properly, he grabbed her legs and pulled her off the bed. She gasped, about to scream, but he quickly covered her mouth with a scarf, lifting her into his arms.
Meanwhile, Nikolai, half-awake and thirsty, stepped into the hallway. His eyes narrowed slightly as he caught sight of Asif carrying Rima. Confusion flickered across his face, but instead of intervening, he continued toward the kitchen for water, watching quietly as Asif disappeared.
Outside, Asif placed Rima into the car. She struggled, her body tense with shock and anger.
"I'm sorry," he said, looking at her seriously. "But please, just stay calm. I'm doing this for the girls."
She kept moving, trying to break free, but he shut the door and got behind the wheel. The engine roared to life, and they drove off into the night.
From inside, Nikolai watched the car disappear into the darkness.
In the car, Asif finally removed the scarf from her mouth.
"ARE YOU FUCKING NUTS!?" Rima shouted instantly.
"Can you for once STOP FUCKING YELLING!" Asif snapped back sharply.
She flinched, startled by the sudden intensity.
"Good girl," he muttered. "Now sit quietly. Don't move."
"Where are we going?" she demanded.
"To get married."
"What!?"
"Yes. I'm tired of proposals. I want to make my girls happy. They said they want you to be their mama… so that's what I'm doing. Think about it."
Rima leaned back, stunned into silence. Her mind raced. She loved the girls—that much was undeniable. And she liked him… but love? Would he ever love her?
She turned her face toward the window, sighing.
"Stupid man," she muttered.
"More like stupid husband," Asif replied, smirking.
She shot him a look. "Look, I love the girls. I'm also hurt. So don't you dare push it."
He didn't argue. Instead, he pulled out his gun, gently brushing it against her cheek—not threatening, but enough to make her freeze.
She swallowed, her lashes fluttering.
The car slowed as they reached a mosque.
Asif handed her a red gown.
"I don't do gowns or skirts. I can only cover my hair," she said firmly.
"After marriage, wear them. Your girls will love to see you in them… I too wish to see you in a beautiful saree," he said, handing her a veil.
They stepped out of the car. The cool night air wrapped around them.
Asif smiled slightly. "Let's go."
"Make me," she shot back, challenging him.
He slipped the gun into his pocket, stepping closer.
"Ami bolchi shor—ekhonoi. Na hole jor kore kandhe tule nebo," he said quietly. (I'm telling you, move right now. Or I'll forcefully throw you over my shoulder.)
She smirked. "Tumi amake jor korte parbe na." (You can't make me.)
Without another word, he lifted her over his shoulder.
She screamed.
"Ekhoni prokriya shuru koro!" Asif ordered as they entered. (Start the procedures right now!)
Moments later, he set her down. She adjusted the veil over her hair, her breathing uneven. He pulled out his gun again, holding it low but visible.
And just like that, the marriage process began.
By sunrise, the house stirred awake.
Nikolai sat feeding Lily.
"Has anyone seen Asif?" Noman asked.
"No," came the replies.
"Has anyone seen Rima?" Addison added.
"Wait… they're both missing?" Zahuril frowned.
"Actually," Nikolai said casually while feeding Lily, "last night I saw him. He took Rima… looked forceful… and drove off."
"Ewww!!!" Lily protested, turning her head away from the food.
"Come on, love, you have to eat," Nikolai coaxed gently.
Suddenly—
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY YASMINE AND YASMIN!"
The twins came running down the stairs. It was August 12th.
"Baba home!" Yasmine squealed.
They turned—
And there stood Asif, dressed in a groom's outfit.
"Baba!" Yasmin waddled toward him.
He picked her up, pulling Yasmine close. "Happy birthday, my sweethearts," he said, kissing them both.
"Gifts?" Yasmin asked eagerly.
"Remember when you said you wanted pretty auntie to be your pretty mama?" he asked.
"Yes… please can pretty auntie be our pretty mama?" Yasmine added.
"She is now."
"What are you talking about?" Zahuril demanded.
"I got married," Asif said calmly. "And I would like to introduce my wife to you all."
Nikolai smirked as Lily giggled.
"Everyone… please. My wife and the mother of my daughters—Mrs. Rima Asif Haq."
Rima stepped out from behind him.
The women gasped.
"Wowwwww!" Chaya exclaimed.
"Yayyyyyy!!!" the twins screamed.
"What?!" Zahuril snapped.
"Are you crazy!?" Mrs. Brenda added.
"Rima, congratulations!" Olivia and Addison said happily.
"Yayyy, Ria is married like Lily!" the tiny girl clapped.
"So that's why you took her last night," Nikolai muttered.
Rima sighed, then smiled softly at the twins. "Happy birthday, my lovies. I got a lot of gifts for you. Come on, let's go."
She took them from Asif—her husband—and walked away with them.
"Pretty mama! Pretty mama!" they chanted happily.
"What is the meaning of this?" Zahuril demanded.
"It's not that bad," Asif replied casually. "I simply married the woman my daughters love. And she loves them. So I made her my wife."
"You kidnapped her in the middle of the night and married her without telling anyone?" Mina said angrily.
"Yes, sister-in-law," Asif said calmly, arranging breakfast.
He picked up a tray. "Bye."
He walked off.
"Baba, your son is insane," Nabila said.
"Maybe he is," Zahuril admitted. "But I have no objection. May the Lord bless their marriage."
"Yeah!" Lilith (Baneva) clapped.
Nikolai pulled her closer.
Elsewhere, plans were underway. Nikolai discussed moving to his new mansion, preparing for family introductions as tradition demanded.
Arina rested her head on Ethan. Olivia leaned on Logan.
"Hmmmmm… bhai, give Lily chocolates!" Lily suddenly demanded, grabbing Aarav's hair and swinging it.
"Baba, help!" Aarav cried as Nishi laughed.
"Chocolates chocolates chocolates chocolates!!!!!!!" Lily chanted, pouting.
"Hold on, love," Nishi said, bringing her a bowl.
Lily immediately let go of Aarav's hair. He stumbled, dizzy, while Sohan laughed.
She sat happily, devouring the chocolates.
By noon, Nikolai held Lily close.
"Lily, darling, I'll be going to prepare for our wedding," he whispered, kissing her neck gently.
"Nikki… come b…b…back for Lily?" she asked softly.
"Of course. My sweet girl will be dressed as my bride. And I'll come get her… and take her home with me."
She blushed deeply. "Pinky promise?"
"Pinky promise," he said, hooking their fingers together.
Then he kissed her—deeply.
He restrained himself, pulling away before things went too far.
She rested her forehead against his.
"Nikki…"
"Yes, my dear?"
She hugged him tightly. "I love you."
"I love you too, sweetheart."
By evening, Nikolai waved goodbye as he left with his family.
Rima stayed—this was now her in-laws' home.
Asif entered her room.
"Mrs. Asif," he teased.
She rolled her eyes. "Mr. Kidnapper ji."
"It's your husband, Ria love."
She blinked. "Did you just call me love!?"
"Yeah. And I know about your past lover… and your ex-best friend too."
Her eyes widened.
"Calm down," he said. "My late wife never loved me. She trapped me with a child… wanted money, luxury. Even after the girls were born, she slept with other men. She hurt me in ways I didn't want."
He stepped closer.
"We are two broken people. The Almighty brought us together through my daughters. They wanted a mother… and their prayers were answered. Mine too."
Rima swallowed.
"You love your wife. I can't replace her—"
He cut her off, pulling her close and kissing her deeply.
Her first kiss.
Her cheeks burned red. Her eyes shut tightly as she responded, hesitant but real.
They pulled apart.
She covered her face.
"Your first kiss, huh?" he asked softly.
She nodded.
He hugged her gently. "I promise to treat you right."
"I promise to protect you… and the girls," she replied.
They held each other.
From the doorway, Mina watched, smiling.
"Thank you, God," she whispered, seeing at last that Rima had found someone who would truly care for her.
And as the household prepared for the next wedding, something new had already begun—unexpected, chaotic… but real.