The cool night air of Udaipur carried the faint, sweet scent of blooming night-jasmine, but on the first-floor balcony of the west wing, Virajita was in a complete state of panic.
She stood in the dark shadows of the marble archway, her heart doing a wild, fast sprint against her ribs. She looked down at the dark garden below. The distance to the ground felt very long, but her stubborn, independent mind refused to back down. She looked at the stone railing where she had spent the last twenty minutes carefully tying four of her heavy silk sarees together, knotting them with fierce, aggressive strength.
"Main koi khairat ka kosh nahi hoon," Virajita muttered to herself, her lower lip trembling with a mix of anger and raw determination. "Agar unhe lagta hai ki char crore dekar woh meri aatma ko is sone ke pinjre mein qaid rakh sakte hain, toh unhe Chhaya Nagar ki ladkiyon ka itihas nahi pata." (I am not a charity fund. If he thinks he can keep my soul imprisoned in this golden cage by giving four crores, then he does not know the history of Chhaya Nagar girls.)
She took a deep breath and climbed over the heavy stone railing. Her small fingers gripped the twisted silk fabric with all her strength. Slowly, carefully, she lowered her body into the open air. The fabric of her orange saree rustled loudly against the clean marble wall of the palace, the sound echoing terrifyingly loud in the quiet night.
With one final, cautious drop, her soft leather juttis finally touched the cool, damp grass of the inner courtyard. A massive, triumphant smile broke across her face. She let go of the saree rope, instantly dusting the white marble powder off her hands. She turned around, ready to slip into the shadows of the banyan tree and prove that the palace security was a joke and froze completely.
Standing barely three feet away from her, right in the pale, silver moonlight, was Shaurya.
He was leaning casually against a white marble pillar, his broad arms folded tightly across his massive chest. He looked incredibly neat, his crisp white shirt unbuttoned slightly at the collar, his dark tailored suit completely untouched by the night wind. He didn't look angry; instead, a highly amused, dangerously playful smirk was playing on his lips.
"Ofo! Koshish atyant sarahniya thi, priye," Shaurya murmured, his deep, rich voice carrying an intense heat that sent a sudden, violent shiver straight down her spine. "Kintu aapne ye niyam bhool diya ki haveli ke is kone mein bhoomi par pehra hum swayam dete hain." (Ofo! The attempt was highly praiseworthy, darling. But you forgot the rule that in this corner of the mansion, we personally guard the ground.)
Virajita gasped, her entire face turning bright red in a single second. She took a sharp, panicked step backward, her spine hitting the hanging silk sarees.
"Kunwar Sa! Aap... aap yahan kya kar rahe hain?! Aap har baar kisi check-post ki tarah mere samne kaise khade ho jaate hain?!" (Kunwar Sa! What... what are you doing here?! How do you stand like a check-post in front of me every single time?!)
"Humne kaha na, Virajita... hum aapki har ek chal par dhyan rakhnte hain," Shaurya chuckled softly, the sound low and rumbling in his chest. (Did we not say, Virajita... we keep our focus on your every single move.)
He walked forward with slow, heavy steps, his massive, powerful frame completely blocking out the moonlight as he stepped directly into her personal space. The scent of crisp sandalwood and rain wrapped around her senses, making her dizzy. Before her brain could process the danger, his large, warm hands shot out from the dark. He caught her gently yet firmly by her slender waist, pulling her small body completely flush against his hard chest.
The physical proximity was overwhelming. Virajita's palms landed flat against his white shirt for support, feeling the rapid, steady thumping of his heart beneath the fabric. Her amber eyes went wide, looking up into his dark, swirling gaze.
"Chhodiye mujhe..." she whispered nervously, her voice losing all of its usual sharp anger, becoming completely weak under his intense stare. (Leave me...)
"Nahi," Shaurya murmured, his eyes locking onto her lips as his fingers tightened on her waist with an absolute, undeniable possessiveness.
"Jab tak aap hamare savalon ka uttar nahi deti, tab tak hum aapko swayam se door nahi jaane denge." (No. Until you answer our questions, we will not let you go away from us.)
"Shaurya! Virajita!" a soft, hurried voice suddenly interrupted them from the dark garden path.
They both snapped out of the trance instantly, stepping apart in a panic. Devki Devi was walking down the stone pathway, her silver hair shining under the moonlight. The grand matriarch had just returned from her month-long temple tour, her heavy white cotton saree rustling against the grass. She looked at the tied silk sarees hanging from the balcony, and then at Virajita, who was trembling from a mix of fear, embarrassment, and the cold night breeze.
Virajita immediately dropped her head, hot tears of deep shame gathering in her eyes. In her village, whenever her cruel biological grandmother caught her doing anything rebellious, she would lock her in a dark room for days, screaming harsh insults and calling her a characterless burden who ruined the family name. She braced herself for the shouting, her shoulders tensing up automatically as she waited for the royal anger to strike.
"Dadi ji, main... main bhag nahi rahi thi, main bas..." Virajita choked out, a tear escaping her eye as she prepared for the worst. (Grandmother, I... I wasn't running away, I just...)
Dadi ji did not let her finish the sentence. She knew everything. Shaurya had explicitly confessed his deep feelings to her over the phone weeks ago, detailing how he found the girl who saved his life and why he paid four crores to shield her from her toxic uncle. Dadi ji knew Shaurya brought her here purely to protect her, even if his royal arrogance made it look like a business deal. He was completely unable to express his true feelings to her face, always wrapping his care in stubborn, formal authority so he wouldn't look weak or vulnerable.
Dadi ji walked right past Shaurya, completely ignoring her own grandson. Slowly, with immense grace, the old lady opened her arms wide and pulled Virajita straight into a warm, tight, protective hug.
Virajita froze in absolute, total shock. Her arms stayed stiff at her sides for a second. The fabric of Dadi ji's white cotton saree smelled beautifully of fresh lavender and pure, unconditional safety. It was a comforting maternal warmth she had never experienced in her entire life. Her biological grandmother back home was an evil, bitter woman who treated her like a piece of property to be traded away for money. But this royal lady, the matriarch of the palace, was holding her like a precious daughter.
"Chup ho jao, bacchi. Hum sab jaante hain," Dadi ji whispered gently, her soft palm caressing the back of Virajita's head, pressing her securely against her chest. She looked over Virajita's shoulder and gave Shaurya a very stern, warning glare so he wouldn't say anything absurd to worsen the girl's fear. "Shaurya, baahar thand hai. Haveli ke niyam humne banaye hain, aur hamara niyam kehta hai ki hamari bacchiyan thand mein baahar khadi nahi rahengi. Tum andar jao." (Be quiet, child. I know everything. Shaurya, it is cold outside. I made the rules of this mansion, and my rule says that my daughters will not stand outside in the cold. You go inside.)
Shaurya looked at his grandmother holding Virajita, and then at Virajita's tiny hands, which were slowly, hesitantly starting to grip the back of Dadi ji's white saree. A soft, deeply relieved expression filled his handsome face. The heavy, possessive tension in his shoulders finally melted away. Bowing his head quietly, he turned around and walked back into the palace, leaving them alone in the quiet garden.
The moment his footsteps faded, Virajita's independent, defensive walls completely broke down. The tight grip she always kept on her emotions finally snapped. She wrapped her small arms tightly around Devki Devi's waist, burying her face deep into the older woman's neck, and began to cry silently, her shoulders shaking violently.
"Voh... voh sab mujhe ek bojh samajhte the, Dadi ji..." Virajita choked out through her tears, using the name naturally for the first time because she felt so incredibly safe. "Unone mujhe char crore mein bech diya... jaise main koi bazaar ka saaman hoon." (They... they all thought of me as a burden, Grandmother... They sold me for four crores... like I am some item from the market.)
Dadi ji's own eyes misted with a rare hint of emotion as she tightly held the crying girl, rocking her back and forth gently on the grass.
"Hum yahin hain, Virajita. Ab se tum is ghar ki beti ho, koi sauda nahi," Dadi ji murmured softly against her hair, wiping her tears with the edge of her clean white saree. "Jab tak hum jeevit hain, is haveli mein tumhe koi bojh nahi kahega. Tumhe hamari khairat pasand nahi na? Theek hai. Hum nahi denge. Hum tumhe tumhara adhikaar denge. Ab rona band karo, hamari pyari bacchhi." (I am here, Virajita. From now on you are the daughter of this house, not a deal. As long as I am alive, no one in this mansion will call you a burden. You don't like my charity, right? Fine. We won't give it. We will give you your right. Now stop crying, my dear child.)
Virajita gripped the white saree tighter, an overwhelming sense of absolute security washing over her with a beautiful force. She had finally found her true safe place, right in the warm arms of her new grandmother.
The next morning, the grand dining hall of the Prajapati Estate was filled with a completely different energy. The heavy tension of the previous days had softened into a warm, comfortable domestic routine.
Dadi ji sat at the head of the massive teakwood table, looking every bit the royal matriarch. To her right sat Khushi, who was currently busy trying to steal a sweet pastry from a silver platter while her grandmother wasn't looking. Across from them sat Virajita and Suhani.
"Virajita, ye kaju ki barfi khao," Dadi ji said smoothly, pointing a silver spoon toward a crystal dish. Her voice was warm, completely dropping any harshness. "Tumhara chehra bilkul peela pad gaya hai. Is haveli mein rehkar yadi hamari bacchiyan kamzor dikhengi, toh sansar hum par thukega." (Virajita, eat this cashew barfi. Your face has turned completely pale. If my daughters look weak while living in this mansion, the world will spit on us.)
"Ji, Dadi ji," Virajita said softly, a genuine, warm smile breaking across her lips as she accepted the sweet.
Suhani, who was currently busy stuffing a giant piece of saffron halwa into her mouth, grinned widely. "Dadi ji! Aap meri behen ko toh bol rahi hain, par paranthe toh saare main khaa gayi! Kal raat ko Malhotra ji ke sath security ki padhai karte-karte mujhe itni bhookh lagi ki main bata nahi sakti!" (Dadi ji! You are telling my sister, but I ate all the paranthas! While studying security with Malhotra ji last night, I got so hungry I cannot even tell you!)
Dadi ji let out a dry, amused chuckle, her sharp eyes twinkling with humor.
"Suhani, tumhari is asimit bhookh ka upchar toh keval Devnarayan ji hi kar sakte hain. Kintu humne suna hai ki kal raat tumne suraksha karyalaya mein koi bada dhamaka kiya tha?" (Suhani, only Lord Devnarayan can cure this limitless hunger of yours. But I heard that you caused a major explosion in the security office last night?)
Suhani instantly choked on her halwa, her face turning pink as Khushi burst into loud, mocking laughter.
"Dadi! Isne toh mukhya security wing ka emergency button hi daba diya!" Khushi cheered, clapping her hands. "Pura office band ho gaya aur ye Malhotra ji ke tight suit ko pakad kar ro rahi thi!" (Dadi! She pressed the main security wing's emergency button! The whole office shut down and she was crying while holding onto Malhotra ji's tight suit!)
"Arre, woh toh galti se haath lag gaya tha!" Suhani pouted, waving her fork in the air defensively. "Aur Malhotra ji toh bilkul patthar ki murti hain, unhe toh koi farq hi nahi padta!" (Arre, my hand just touched it by mistake! And Malhotra ji is a complete stone statue, it doesn't even matter to him!)
Right at that moment, Shaurya walked into the dining hall, followed closely by Swayam. Both men looked incredibly sharp in their formal business attire, ready for the upcoming corporate travels. Shaurya's dark eyes instantly searched the table, locking onto Virajita's face with a quiet, lingering focus. Virajita looked down at her plate, her cheeks heating up slightly as she remembered the intense closeness of the previous night.
Swayam stepped forward, his face completely rigid as he bowed slightly toward the matriarch. "Kunwar Sa, hamari Delhi yatra ki saari taiyariyan poori ho chuki hain. Vaahan chalit-yantra ke anusar samay par taiyar hai." (Kunwar Sa, all preparations for our Delhi journey are complete. The vehicle is ready on time according to the mobile schedule.)
Swayam, like Dadi ji, knew exactly why Shaurya had brought Virajita here. He knew about Shaurya's hidden, three-year search for the girl from the barn. He knew how Shaurya was totally unable to express his true feelings directly, hiding his deep care behind a mask of administrative duty and corporate arrogance because he was too proud to tell her the truth. Swayam gave Shaurya a subtle, warning glance to ensure his boss wouldn't slip up and reveal the secret too soon, keeping the atmosphere stable.
"Atyant uttam, Swayam," Shaurya said, his deep voice rich and smooth. He didn't sit down at the table; instead, he walked over to Dadi ji and bowed to touch her feet, receiving her silent blessing. He then turned his gaze toward Virajita, his expression softening into a look of deep, silent regret. Because he was totally unable to express his real emotions face-to-face, he tried to speak of his protective feelings in an indirect way, masking his love behind standard administrative talk. "Hum ek saptah mein lautenge, Dadi ji. Haveli ki suraksha aur... hamari sahayika ka dhyan rakhiyega. Unhe is haveli mein kisi bhi vastu ki kami nahi honi chahiye, kyunki unka surakshit rehna hamare liye sabse mukhya hai." (Extremely good, Swayam. We will return in one week, Grandmother. Take care of the mansion's security and... our assistant. She should not lack any item in this mansion, because her remaining safe is the most important thing for us.)
Virajita's fingers tightened around her spoon. She didn't look up, but she could feel his intense gaze burning against her skin, filled with an unsaid care that she completely misunderstood as billionaire arrogance.
The transition over the next two days was slow and beautiful. With Shaurya away on his one-week business tour, the heavy, royal atmosphere of the palace felt entirely different. The grand halls no longer felt like a golden cage; instead, they began to feel like a real home.
Dadi ji spent her afternoons sitting on the breezy veranda, a large brass bowl of fresh betel leaves next to her. She insisted that Virajita sit by her feet every single day. Dadi ji used this time to gently soothe the girl's wounded pride, constantly dropping indirect hints about Shaurya's true nature, knowing how bad her grandson was at showing his heart.
"Virajita, idhar aao," Dadi ji said gently, waving her hand toward the carpet. "Humhe Chhaya Nagar ke purane itihas ke baare mein batao. Humne suna hai vahan ki mitti mein ek alag hi sugandh hai. Shaurya hamesha kehta tha ki us shehar ke logon mein ek aisi shakti hai jo bade se bade yoddha ko bhi jhuka sakti hai." (Virajita, come here. Tell me about the old history of Chhaya Nagar. I have heard that the soil there has a completely different fragrance. Shaurya always used to say that the people of that town have a power that can bow down even the greatest warrior.)
Virajita sat down smoothly, adjusting the borders of her simple cotton suit. "Ji, Dadi ji. Hamare gaon mein log bohot seedhe hain, kintu jab baat samman ki aati hai, toh koi piche nahi hat-ta. Meri maa hamesha kehti thi ki samman se bada koi dhvaj nahi hota. Par Kunwar Sa toh keval paise ki bhasha jaante hain." (Yes, Grandmother. The people in our village are very simple, but when it comes to respect, no one steps back. My mother always used to say that there is no flag greater than respect. But Kunwar Sa only knows the language of money.)
Dadi ji's sharp hazel eyes softened completely, a rare, genuine smile curving her old lips as she stroked Virajita's hair.
"Tumhari maa ne tumhe bohot achhi shiksha di hai, bacchi. Kintu tum Shaurya ko galat samajh rahi ho. Vah pathar dikhta hai, par uske hriday mein kisi ke liye itni gehri jagah hai jo tum soch bhi nahi sakti. Vah apni bhaavnaon ko vyakt nahi kar paata. Vah keval tumhare samman ki raksha karna chahta hai." (Your mother has given you a very good education, child. But you are misunderstanding Shaurya. He looks like a stone, but in his heart, there is such a deep place for someone that you cannot even imagine. He is unable to express his feelings. He only wants to protect your respect.)
A soft tear gathered in Virajita's amber eyes. She looked at Devki Devi and felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
"Dadi ji... aap sach mein bohot achhi hain. Meri gaon waali dadi toh hamesha mujhe ek bojh samajhte thi. Unone hamesha mujhe danta aur nirlajja kaha." (Grandmother... you are truly very good. My village grandmother always thought of me as a burden. She always scolded me and called me shameless.)
Dadi ji pulled her closer, her touch full of a deep, protective love. "Vah stri moorkh thi, Virajita. Ab se tum hamari cheli ho, hamari beti ho. Is ghar ki deewaron par jitna adhikaar Shaurya ka hai, utna hi tumhara bhi hai." (That woman was a fool, Virajita. From now on you are my student, my daughter. As much right as Shaurya has on the walls of this house, you have the same.)
Meanwhile, behind the grand estate near the lush green fields and the royal stables, a completely different type of bonding was starting to take place.
Swayam Malhotra stood by the wooden fence, holding his security tablet, watching the grand white stallion inside the enclosure. The animal was magnificent, with a coat as white as a pure pearl and dark eyes that literally shone like gems in the bright afternoon sun. He was Shaurya's private elite guard horse, a fierce beast that was completely wild and dangerous to handle. At first, the connection between the horse and the palace staff was terrible; nobody except Swayam could even approach the stable without the horse kicking the wooden gates in absolute fury.
"Oye! Safed jannat! Idhar dekh!" Suhani's voice rang out from the top of the fence. (Oye! White heaven! Look here!)
Suhani was sitting right on the high wooden rail, wearing her black kurta. In her hand, she was holding a massive basket of fresh, juicy carrots and red apples.
The horse instantly stopped his pacing. He turned his heavy head toward her, his ears twitching. At first, he let out a loud, angry snort and took two aggressive steps backward, showing his teeth to scare her away just like he did with the other guards. But Suhani didn't flinch or run away. She just laughed loudly, stretching out her small hand with a sweet piece of apple.
"Arre, gussa mat kar! Main toh tere liye nashta laayi hoon!" Suhani called out smoothly, her voice completely calm and friendly. (Arre, don't be angry! I have brought breakfast for you!)
Slowly, step by step, the wild stallion's aggressive posture began to soften. The smell of fresh fruit and her completely fearless, gentle voice drew him in. Within minutes, the beast that usually bit strangers was carefully sniffing her palm, taking the apple pieces with gentle lips. By the time the afternoon sun began to set, the massive horse was comfortably resting his heavy white head straight into Suhani's lap, letting out soft, happy blowing noises.
"Maine iska naam rakh diya hai, Malhotra ji!" Suhani cheered as Swayam walked up to the fence. "Aaj se iska naam hai, Moti! Kyunki ye bilkul sacche moti jaisa chamakta hai aur iski aankhein bhi chamakdar hain!" (I have named him, Malhotra ji! From today his name is, Moti! Because he shines exactly like a real pearl and his eyes are also bright!)
Swayam stopped dead in his tracks, his jaw dropping by a tiny fraction as he watched his fierce warrior animal acting like a calm puppy. "Moti? Yeh shahi shreni ka yoddha ashva hai, Suhani ji! Aap iska naam ek sadharan gharelu pashu jaisa nahi rakh sakti hain!" (Moti? This is a royal class warrior horse, Suhani ji! You cannot name him like a simple domestic animal!)
As if to insult Swayam directly, Moti let out a loud snort, turned his back on the security head, and nudged Suhani's shoulder for another piece of apple.
Suhani burst into a loud, bright laugh, tapping the horse's nose. "Dekha! Moti ko apna naam pasand aaya! Malhotra ji, tumhare is shahi discipline se toh ye ghoda bhi bore ho gaya hai. Ab se, main aur Moti best friends hain!" (See! Moti liked his name! Malhotra ji, even this horse is bored of this royal discipline of yours. From now on, me and Moti are best friends!)
Swayam adjusted his tight black coat, watching her with a very curious look. He cleared his throat, his face returning to its formal setup, but his eyes were fixed on her with hidden interest. Everyone else in this palace, from Shaurya to Dadi ji and Khushi was highly educated at top international universities. He wanted to know more about this wild town girl who talked so confidently.
"Suhani ji, yadi hum janna chahein... aapki shiksha kahan tak hui hai?" Swayam asked formally, crossing his arms. "Haveli ke pratyek sadasya uchh shiksha prapt hain, kintu aapka baat karne ka dhang atyant bhinn hai." (Suhani ji, if we may ask... where did you complete your education? Every member of the mansion is highly educated, but your style of speaking is extremely different.)
Suhani instantly puffed out her chest, throwing her head back as she began to yap loudly with pure pride. "Malhotra ji! Tumhe kya lagta hai main koi anpadh hoon? Main bohot zyada smart hoon! Main English bolti hoon! Chhaya Nagar ke convent school se padhi hoon main! My English is very heavy, understand? I can speak full sentences without stopping!" (Malhotra ji! What do you think, am I uneducated? I am extremely smart! I speak English! I studied at Chhaya Nagar's convent school! My English is very heavy, understand? I can speak full sentences without stopping!)
Swayam's lips twitched with a tiny, hidden muscle movement that was definitely a smile. He looked down at her bright, mischievous face, his frozen expression completely melting. A soft, deeply handsome smile broke across his face, his dark eyes swirling with a quiet, intense flirtation.
"Hum niyam ke anusar hi chalte hain, Suhani ji," Swayam murmured, his voice dropping into a low, smooth tone that made Suhani's breath catch for a split second. "Kintu aapke samne hamare saare niyam... thode kamzor pad jaate hain. Kunwar Sa ne haveli ka dwar khula rakha hai, kintu hamara dil ab qaid ho raha hai. Aapki ye heavy English hamare dimaag ko bhramit kar rahi hai." (We only walk according to the rules, Suhani ji. But in front of you, all our rules... become a little weak. Kunwar Sa has kept the mansion's doors open, but our heart is getting imprisoned now. This heavy English of yours is confusing my mind.)
Suhani's cheeks turned a faint shade of pink. She quickly turned back to feed Moti, trying to hide her blushing face behind the horse's mane while letting out a nervous laugh. "Malhotra ji! Aap toh bade chhup rustom nikle! Agli baar agar aisi baatein ki, toh kala pan lekar aungi! Don't look at me like that, okay?" (Malhotra ji! You turned out to be quite a dark horse! Next time if you speak like this, I will bring the black pan! Don't look at me like that, okay?)
By the end of the week, the sisters sat together in the west wing bedroom, watching the stars from the massive window. Virajita was holding a heavy book from the library, looking completely stressed because she couldn't understand a single word. Everyone in the house spoke perfect, elite corporate language, and her independent pride hated feeling left behind.
"Viru... saptah samapt hone wala hai. Kunwar Sa kal laut rahe hain," Suhani said softly, her voice holding a strange, quiet hesitation. "Hum chahein toh aaj raat mukhya dwar se nikal sakte hain. Malhotra ji ne suraksha niyam thode dheele kiye hain." (Viru... the week is about to end. Kunwar Sa is returning tomorrow. If we want, we can leave through the main gate tonight. Malhotra ji has relaxed the security rules a bit.)
Virajita looked out at the beautiful, peaceful palace gardens. She thought about Dadi ji's warm, loving hugs, Khushi's constant giggles, and the deep sense of safety she had felt over the last seven days. For the first time in her life, she felt like she belonged to a real found family. They had absolutely no good place to return to only a toxic village filled with monsters who hated them.
"Nahi, Suhani," Virajita said firmly, her amber eyes reflecting the starlight.
"Hum choron ki tarah raaron-raat nahi bhaagege. Hum yahan rahenge, niyam ke anusar kaam karenge, aur jab tak char crore poore chukta nahi ho jaate, tab tak yahan se ek qadam nahi hilenge. Hum ab is parivaar ka hissa hain. Main apna karz utarungi. Aur mujhe tumse kuch seekhna bhi hai." (No, Suhani. We won't run away like thieves overnight. We will stay here, work according to the rules, and until the four crores are completely paid off, we won't move a single step from here. We are a part of this family now. I will pay off my debt. And I need to learn something from you.)
Suhani's eyes widened with pure excitement. "Mujhse? Kya seekhna hai, behen?" (From me? What do you want to learn, sister?)
"Mujhe... mujhe thodi English seekhni hai, Suhani," Virajita said, her voice dropping into an embarrassed whisper. "Woh corporate log jab baithak mein bolte hain, toh mujhe kuch samajh nahi aata. Tum toh itna smart bolti ho, mujhe bhi thode bade shabd aur vakya sikhao." (I... I want to learn a little English, Suhani. When those corporate people speak in meetings, I don't understand anything. You speak so smartly, teach me some big words and sentences too.)
Suhani let out a dramatic gasp, instantly jumping onto the bed and crossing her legs like a grand professor. "Arre! Yeh toh bohot simple hai! Main toh professional hoon! Aaj se main teri teacher hoon! Chalo, repeat after me, Shut up your mouth and sit down on the floor! Yeh sentence tab bolna jab Kunwar Sa zyada ghamand dikhayein!"
(Arre! This is very simple! I am a professional! From today I am your teacher! Come on, repeat after me,Shut up your mouth and sit down on the floor! Say this sentence when Kunwar Sa shows too much pride!)
Virajita blinked blankly, repeating the words very slowly with a completely crooked accent. "Shat... shat up your maunth and sit down... Yeh sahi hai?"
(Shut... shut up your mouth and sit down... Is this correct?)
"Bilkul perfect!" Suhani cheered, laughing loudly at her sister's completely innocent face. "Aur jab Malhotra ji niyam dikhayein, toh unhe bolna, You are a total stone statue without cell! Dekhna, dono ka dimaag thanda ho jayega!" (Absolutely perfect! And when Malhotra ji shows rules, tell him, You are a total stone statue without cell! See, both their minds will cool down!)
Virajita nodded seriously, writing the completely wrong English sentences down on her pad, totally unaware of the hilarious disasters this training was going to cause in the upcoming chapters when she would actually use them in front of a highly educated Shaurya.
Suhani smiled widely, a deep look of relief clearing her face as she looked at her sister. "Theek hai! Vaise bhi, Moti mere bina bilkul khana nahi khayega... aur kya pata, Malhotra ji ka software bhi kharab ho jaye!" (Alright! Anyway, Moti won't eat anything without me... and who knows, Malhotra ji's software might also stop working!)
Late that midnight, the heavy double doors of the grand library opened with a soft, slow creak.
Shaurya walked into the dark room, looking completely exhausted from his long journey back from Delhi. His tie was removed, his dark suit jacket was slung over his arm, and his white shirt sleeves were neatly rolled up to his forearms. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw a single brass lamp burning at the far end of the long wooden table.
Virajita was sitting there, quietly writing inside the leather account ledgers, her long hair falling over her shoulders. She didn't look up when he entered, keeping her focus entirely on the papers.
"Kunwar Sa, kripya mujhe pareshan mat kijiye," Virajita said, her voice quiet but sharp in the silent room. "Main apna karya poora kar rahi hoon taaki aapke char crore jaldi chukta ho sakein. Mujhe aapki khairat nahi chahiye." (Kunwar Sa, please do not trouble me. I am completing my work so that your four crores can be paid off quickly. I do not want any charity of yours.)
Shaurya stood silently in the shadows for a long, heavy moment, watching her. Then, he let out a deep, rendering sigh that sounded so full of raw, suffocating pain it made Virajita's fingers freeze over the ledger.
"Char crore..." Shaurya whispered, his rich, deep voice cracking slightly in the quiet room.
He walked forward slowly, his large frame completely closing the distance between them. He reached down, his large, warm hand gently covering hers, stopping her from turning the page. His skin was trembling slightly against her fingers.
Virajita looked up, her amber eyes ready to flash with her usual sharp anger, but the words completely died in her throat. Shaurya's eyes were swimming with an intense, heart-wrenching regret. The smug, untouchable mask was entirely gone; in his place was a man carrying a heavy, unbearable guilt. Because he was completely unable to express his real feelings face-to-face, he tried to drop an indirect hint, hiding his deep love behind the story of the past.
"Agar... agar humne aapse seedhe shabdon mein baat ki hoti, Virajita... toh kya aap hamse itni nafrat karti?" Shaurya asked, his voice dropping into a low, broken murmur that sent a sharp, painful pang straight through her heart. His grip on her hand was incredibly gentle, almost begging for a single glance of understanding.
"Humne... humne poori duniya se ladna seekha hai, kintu aapke is krodh ke samne hum haar jaate hain. Humne char crore isliye nahi diye kyunki hum aapko khareedna chahte the... hum toh bas aapko us nirlajja chacha se hamesha ke liye door rakhna chahte the. Kintu hamari is kritya ne... aapki aatma ko thes pahunchayi hai. Hum toh bas kisi ka purana karz uthar rahe the, bhale hi hamara tarika galat tha." (If... if I had spoken to you in direct words, Virajita... would you hate me this much? I have learned to fight the whole world, but in front of this anger of yours, I lose. I did not give four crores because I wanted to buy you... I just wanted to keep you away from that uncle forever. But this act of mine... has hurt your soul. I was only repaying someone's old debt, even if my method was wrong.)
Virajita stared up at him, her lips slightly parted, her heart hammering violently against her ribs. For the first time since entering the palace, she saw a flicker of something raw and emotional in his eyes, he was genuinely hurting because his action had wounded her pride, yet his mouth refused to form the words of love he actually felt. She could feel the intense warmth of his palm covering her hand, the raw sincerity vibrating in his massive chest as he leaned close to her face in the quiet shadows.
"Kunwar Sa..." she whispered softly, her clear voice trembling as her defensive walls finally cracked open just a tiny fraction for him.
"Only if you knew, Virajita..." Shaurya murmured, leaning down even closer until his lips gently brushed against the shell of her ear, his warm breath making her entire body shiver with a sudden, wild attraction. His dark eyes locked onto hers with a deep, aching devotion that felt completely overwhelming.
"Only if you knew how much a simple straw barn and a broken cloth can mean to a man who has everything else in the world. Humne teen saal ek aise dhvaj ka intezar kiya hai jo hamare is ghamand ko gira sake." (I have waited three years for a flag that could bring down this pride of mine.)
He slowly pulled his hand back, giving her one last intense, lingering look full of raw emotion, before turning around and walking out into the dark hallway.
Virajita remained standing alone in the quiet library, her heart completely shattered and beautifully reassembled all at once, staring at the empty space where he had just stood.
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Thank you for reading....😄
I know chapters are longer but I like to write longer chapters only, What to do?🤷♀️
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