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Author's POV
At Raghuvanshi palace, Delhi
Saturday; when they arrived..
The grandiose palace in the heart of Delhi stood like a relic from another era, its towering domes and intricately carved pillars a testimony to centuries of regal dominance. It wasn't just a palace-it was an emblem of power, a silent yet imposing reminder of the Raghuvanshi dynasty's long-standing legacy.
Shivansh stepped out of the sleek black car that had brought them from the Airport, his polished shoes clicking against the pristine marble driveway. The palace staff hurried to greet them, bowing with reverence, but Shivansh merely waved them off, his expression cold and impassive.
This wasn't a vacation for him. It was an interruption-a distraction from his meticulously planned schedule. While his family buzzed with excitement about their short trip and the upcoming dinner with their friends, Maheshwari family, Shivansh had only agreed to accompany them out of obligation. He was the eldest son, the figurehead of their lineage, and the expectations that came with the title demanded his presence. It didn't mean he had to enjoy it.
" Shivansh, at least try to look like you're here willingly, " his older brother, his best friend, Ranveer teased, falling into step beside him as they entered the grand hall.
Shivansh shot him a glance, his dark eyes sharp and unamused. " I am here just because Maa insisted And you know very well that I can't ignore Maa's words, and then Dadi-sa has also made up her mind to get me married to her. So, I had no choice but to come. " he replied curtly. " Let's not pretend this is anything more than a social obligation. "
The palace smelled of aged wood and sandalwood incense, a scent that Shivansh associated with his childhood but felt no attachment to. He had outgrown these walls years ago, trading the comfort of familial tradition for the cold, hard pursuit of financial empire-building. Jaipur had been his starting point, but his ambitions were global. This palace, no matter how opulent, was merely a backdrop for fleeting visits-a resting ground before the next big deal.
As the family settled in, Shivansh retreated to his private quarters, brushing off his mother's suggestion to join them for tea in the courtyard. The massive suite, with its high ceilings and vintage décor, was undeniably luxurious, yet Shivansh found it stifling. He loosened the collar of his crisp white shirt, poured himself a glass of water from the silver pitcher on the side table, and sat by the window. The city of Delhi sprawled before him, bustling with life and opportunities-a stark contrast to the quiet isolation of his palace.
He wasn't here to indulge in family nostalgia or rekindle bonds with the Sharma family, despite their long-standing friendship. His focus remained sharp, his priorities clear. Even now, as he watched the city come alive under the morning sun, his mind raced with calculations, strategies, and economic forecasts. The dinner tomorrow was another chore, another series of polite conversations he'd have to endure while silently planning his next venture.
"Shiv," a knock at the door interrupted his thoughts, and his best friend, his personal assistant, Dhruv, stepped in carefully. " Butler has set up your workspace in the study downstairs, as you said. The reports from the Dubai project are ready for your review."
Shivansh nodded. "Good. I'll get started now."
"Shiv," Dhruv said casually, " Maa ne permission de di ki hum yha kaam kar sakte h toh yeh nhi ki aate hi kaam karne lag jao. Thoda toh rest le le. "
( Maa, gave permission that we can work here, but that doesn't mean you start working as soon as you arrive. Take some rest too. )
Shivansh's eyes narrowed. "I don't take breaks, Dhruv, you know that. If dad has concerns, he can speak to me directly. Schedule the call with the Dubai team for 3 PM."
"Yes, sir, but main aaj join nhi kar raha hu maine phle hi leave le li thi toh main ab apka assistant nhi hu 1 week ke liye. " Dhruv said in a teasing tone and left.
( But I'm not joining today. I have already taken leave, so I'm not your assistant for the next week. )
Shivansh adjusted his tie and went to the study, a grand room filled with old books and heavy wooden furniture. His grandfather had once worked here, but Shivansh's focus was different. He wasn't interested in old traditions or family history. His battles were fought in the business world, and his victories were measured in profits and growth.
Outside, his family's laughter echoed through the halls. His maa and choti maa were calling for tea, and his cousin and best friend aka brother were joking with each other. For a brief moment, Shivansh paused, watching them from the top of the staircase. They looked so carefree, so light-hearted. It was a life Shivansh had distanced himself from long ago.
But he didn't linger. Joy and relaxation were distractions he couldn't afford.
In the study, Shivansh worked tirelessly, reviewing reports and preparing for his next business moves. The ticking of the clock marked the hours as he remained completely focused. His younger brother, Avi, eventually wandered into the room.
"Bhai, come downstairs," Avi said casually, leaning against the desk. "Badi maa is making pakoras, and everyone's having fun."
"I'm busy," Shivansh replied without looking up.
"You're always busy," Avi said with a sigh. "Don't you ever think about what you're missing?"
"I'm not missing anything," Shivansh replied coldly. "I'm building something bigger-something that will secure our future beyond these palaces and old alliances."
Avi frowned but didn't argue. He knew Shivansh too well to expect a different answer.
As the afternoon passed, Shivansh finished his work and leaned back in his chair. The study was quiet, and the sunlight streaming through the windows made the room feel warm and calm. For a brief moment, he felt a strange restlessness-a flicker of something he couldn't name.
He walked to the window, looking out at the gardens where his family had gathered earlier. For a second, he wondered what it would be like to join them, to laugh and relax like they did. But he quickly pushed the thought away.
Shivansh had made his choices. His life was about responsibility, ambition, and power, and there was no room for anything else.
That evening, Shivansh finally joined his family for dinner in the grand dining hall. The table was filled with delicious dishes-his mother had ensured that everyone's favorite foods were served. Shivansh ate quietly, barely engaging in the cheerful conversation around him. His choti papa shared stories about old family traditions, and his siblings laughed at inside jokes, but Shivansh's thoughts kept drifting to the work he had left unfinished.
After dinner, while the rest of the family relaxed in the lounge, Shivansh excused himself and returned to the study. He worked late into the night, the weight of deadlines and decisions pressing heavily on his mind. The dim light of the desk lamp flickered as he sifted through papers and emails, his focus unshaken despite the growing ache in his head. By the time he finally lay down to sleep, exhaustion had set in, and his headache had worsened. He had worked so late into the night, driven by his bad habit of pushing through fatigue, and now his head throbbed, his mind spinning with unfinished tasks.
The next morning, Shivansh woke up early, the dull pain in his head still lingering. He got dressed quickly and joined his family for breakfast in the courtyard. His mother, always observant, noticed his tired face.
"You've been working too much," she said gently, passing him a cup of black coffee. "At least today, don't go. We need to leave for the Maheshwari house at noon."
"I will come by then, Maa," Shivansh promised, giving her a small nod.
But as the day unfolded, work once again took over. Shivansh and his brothers veer and avi and dhruv also acknowledge him left for the office shortly after breakfast. All of them discussed business strategies during the car ride, and once they reached the office, Shivansh dove straight into meetings and calls. Hours passed in a blur of reports and decisions. When he glanced at the time, it was already past noon-much later than he had planned. His phone buzzed with a reminder about the lunch with the Maheshwari family, and he briefly considered going.
By the time he finally wrapped up his tasks, it was already past afternoon. His brothers and best friend came directly in his cabin without knocking.
" Chal shiv, maa or badi maa ke already bhot call aa chuke h meeting ke chakar me dekhe bhi nhi chal ab late ho rha h address h mere pass chal ab chalte h hum. " Veer said
( Come on, Shiv. Maa and Badi Maa have already called many times; we didn't even notice because of the meetings. It's getting late now, I have the address. Let's go. )
Shivansh adjusted his cufflinks, glancing at the time. His meeting had stretched far beyond his plans, and his family was likely fuming as they waited at the lunch gathering. His elder brother Veer, lounging in the passenger seat, smirked.
"Late as always, Shiv. You're really setting the bar high for punctuality," Aarav quipped, leaning back casually.
From the backseat, Dhruv, Shivansh's best friendand her assistant chuckled. "Maybe the King here is allergic to family lunches. But don't worry-we'll say your 'royal duties' kept you occupied."
"Enough," Shivansh snapped, starting the engine. His irritation was evident, though he hid it under a veil of cool indifference. The car sped through the streets of Delhi, their destination now just a few turns away.
On the other hand, Isha is chasing ishika at full speed in her with prisha, with an exasperated sigh, still muttering about Ishika's antics. but fate had other plans. Ishika, already on her bike, had taken a sharp U-turn ahead, and Isha, in her distraction, didn't see the sleek black car turning onto the same lane.
CRASH!
Her car screeched to a halt, narrowly missing the other vehicle.
"What the-!" Isha stormed out, her temper flaring. She banged on the window of the car, ready to unleash her fury. "Do you not know how to drive? Are you blind? That was clearly your fault!"
The car door opened, and Shivansh stepped out, his icy demeanor making the air around them feel heavier. For a moment, he said nothing, stunned as his gaze locked onto her. Her flushed face, her fiery black eyes, and the melodic chaos of her voice-it was as if she was an angel dropped into his life just to wreak havoc.
Avi leaned out of the car window, grinning. "Looks like Bhaiya found his match."
Veer asked " This is Isha, right? Vikram Uncle's daughter, the one whose house we're going to? And the one Dadi Sa was thinking of proposing a match for?"
Dhruv chimed in. "Yess, and now i think He's definitely distracted. We should honk before he proposes to her in the middle of the road."
The sound of a horn from behind jolted Shivansh out of his trance. Ignoring his brothers' teasing, he glanced back at her. "If you're done yelling, can I leave? I have somewhere to be."
Her mouth opened to retort, but Prisha intervened. "Isha, Ishu's already gone ahead. We need to catch up."
Isha huffed, muttering about reckless drivers as she got back into her car and sped off. Shivansh watched her leave, the faintest smile tugging at his lips.
"Earth to Shiv," Dhruv said, waving a hand in front of his face. "You're staring."
Shivansh cleared his throat, his expression returning to its usual stoic calm. "Let's go."
Then they reached Isha's house, where his family had already settled in. Unbeknownst to him, Isha was just pulling into the driveway, still grumbling under her breath about the infuriating stranger she'd encountered. Little did she know, their paths were about to cross again-this time, under far less dramatic circumstances
The grand fort echoed with faint laughter and conversation as Shivansh stepped into the house, his composed demeanor masking the annoyance of being late. His family was already settled in the living area, warmly greeting their hosts. Shivansh exchanged brief pleasantries before excusing himself to the garden to clear his head.
Ten minutes later, the peace shattered. A storm was about to hit-two, to be precise.
Ishika zoomed into the house, bursting through the front doors like a whirlwind. She bypassed the living area entirely, heading straight for the dining room without so much as a "hello." Behind her, Isha stormed in, looking equally furious and determined to confront her unruly best friend.
"Ishika Rajput! Stop right there!" Isha shouted, her heels clicking loudly against the marble floor.
"Not a chance!" Ishika yelled back, weaving around the dining table as if it were a battlefield.
Their chase came to an abrupt halt when Ishika grabbed a chair for cover, holding it like a shield. "I can explain!" she blurted, breathless.
"Explain?!" Isha retorted, pointing an accusatory finger. "You storm into my office, in my cabin shout at me in front of my client, and then you're enjoying the pizza with prisha like nothing happens, and then run off without saying anything! What exactly is there to explain, Ishika?"
"I'll tell you everything, but maybe not while you're looking like you're about to strangle me with your scarf," Ishika said, inching cautiously around the table.
Meanwhile, a softer voice interrupted the chaos. "Isha, maybe calm down first?" Arjun, Isha's younger brother, followed her elder sibling quietly, his demeanor a stark contrast to the chaos. And Prisha is standing near them, She hovered nearby, nervously tugging at her dupatta.
Isha ignored her. "Don't you dare move another step, Ishika!" she warned, attempting to circle the table from the other side.
"Ma!" Ishika suddenly shouted toward the kitchen. "Aunty! Save me!"
Isha's mother appeared from the living area. "What on earth is going on here?" she asked, bewildered by the shouting match.
"Ma, do you know what she's done?" Isha started, her voice rising with each word. "She barges into my cabin in the middle of the meeting, yells at me, then eats pizza with prisha, and now runs off without telling me why!"
"Isha, let her speak," her mother tried to intervene, but the voices of the two friends drowned her out.
"I was trying to tell you!" Ishika countered, her hands flailing for emphasis. "But then you started shouting! And eating the pizza was Prisha's idea, by the way!"
"What?!" Isha exclaimed, ready to launch into another tirade.
Their argument grew louder, making little sense to anyone except themselves. Isha's mother sighed, rubbing her temples. "Girls, enough! I can't even understand what you're arguing about!"
Before she could settle the situation, Isha's father entered, a deep frown on his face. "What is all this noise? We have guests, for heaven's sake!"
"Papa!" Isha turned to him, exasperated. "You tell her! Ishika's the one causing chaos here!"
"Me?!" Ishika exclaimed, clutching her chest dramatically. "You're the one chasing me through the house like a lunatic!"
Their bickering continued, drawing the attention of nearly everyone in the house-except Shivansh, who remained in the garden, blissfully unaware. Or at least, he was. The commotion soon reached his ears, and he decided to investigate the source of the chaos.
When he stepped into the dining room, his eyes widened. There she was-her. The fiery, infuriating woman from the near car crash.
"Isha?" Shivansh muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
Her sharp ears caught it immediately. She whirled around, her eyes narrowing. "You?! What are you doing here? Are you following me?"
Shivansh blinked, caught off guard by her accusation. "Excuse me?"
Isha crossed her arms, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, let me guess. You hit my car earlier, and now you've decided to stalk me. What's next? You'll ask for my phone number?"
Avi, who had followed Shivansh into the room, couldn't hold back his laughter. "Bhai, I think she's onto you."
Veer joined in, grinning. "Yeah, Shiv. Seems like you've got some explaining to do."
Shivansh shot them both a warning glare before turning back to Isha. "For your information, I am not stalking you. I'm here as a guest."
"A guest?" Isha repeated, her tone skeptical. "At my house?"
"Yes," he replied, his calm composure returning. "My family is friends with yours. Is that going to be a problem for you?"
Isha opened her mouth to respond but found herself momentarily speechless.
His mother interjected before she could regain her footing. "Wait, you two know each other?"
"Unfortunately," Isha muttered under her breath, shooting Shivansh a glare.
Shivansh raised an eyebrow, fighting back a smirk. "The feeling is mutual, believe me."
Their verbal sparring left the room in awkward silence until Ishika, ever the opportunist, broke it with a loud laugh. "Well, this just got interesting."
Isha turned to her friend, narrowing her eyes. "Oh, don't think I've forgotten about you! Come here, right now!"
"Nope!" Ishika declared, darting behind Tisha for cover. "I'll stay over here, thanks."
Shivansh watched the scene unfold, a strange mix of amusement and disbelief flickering across his face. This wasn't the calm, elegant lunch he had been expecting. But as his gaze lingered on Isha's animated expressions, he couldn't help but think that chaos might not be so bad after all.
Isha turned to her mother, her hands on her hips, and exclaimed, "Mumma, do you know what she's been doing? She was riding her bike like a maniac, over 140 kilometers per hour! I wasn't even driving fast-I was just trying to keep up so she didn't end up in some ditch!"
Ishika, still hiding behind Prisha, peeked out and rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on! It wasn't that fast. 120, tops."
"Tops?!" Isha's voice rose an octave. But ishika interrupt " Wait don't even get me started on you are the one who crashing into his car." She jabbed a finger in Shivansh's direction. "And then blaming him for your nonsense!"
Isha waved her hands dismissively. "Look, it was a tiny miscalculation. His car just appeared out of nowhere!"
Shivansh, leaning against the dining table, raised an eyebrow. "Appeared out of nowhere? I was driving on the main road like any normal person. Maybe you didn't see me because you were busy breaking the sound barrier."
Veer burst out laughing. "Breaking the sound barrier! That's a good one. Should we call the traffic department now or later?"
Vivaan joined in, grinning. "Honestly, Shiv, you might want to start carrying a crash warning sign with you. Seems like trouble just follows you."
Ishika glared at both Isha and Shivansh, her patience snapping. "Shut up, all of you!" Her voice echoed through the room, momentarily silencing everyone. She turned to Ishika, her tone sharp but worried. "You shouldn't drive like that! It's dangerous! Do you have any idea what could've happened? And you," she pointed at Shivansh, "should've stopped to ask if she was okay instead of just standing there looking smug!"
"I did stop," Shivansh said coolly, "and she yelled at me. Does that count as gratitude?"
"I yelled because you honked at me!" Isha interjected. "It was so rude!"
"Because you were about to ram into my car again!" Shivansh shot back, his voice laced with exasperation.
At this point, Isha's mother, caught between disbelief and concern, looked between the two girls. "Enough, both of you! Isha, Ishika-what's gotten into you two? And why were you even driving like that in the first place?"
Isha threw up her hands. "Mumma, I was just following her because I thought she'd get herself killed, but ishika interrupt again but and look at her-she's the one who caused the accident and now she's acting like nothing happened!"
Ishika grinned sheepishly. "Well, I'm here in one piece, aren't I?"
Isha glared at her. "Barely! And if you ever pull something like this again, I swear I'll-"
"She'll ground you," dhruv interjected with a smirk. "Or worse, make you ride a scooter instead of a bike."
Avi added, "Actually, I'd pay to see that. Ishika on a scooter with a speed limit of 30 km/h."
"Shut up, you two!" Isha snapped, her hands flying up in frustration again. "None of this is funny! Mumma, please tell her to stop driving like a maniac before she kills someone-or herself!"
Isha's mother sighed heavily, clearly overwhelmed. "Enough shouting! Isha, Ishika, both of you go upstairs and fresh up and then come prisha bache tum bhi jao inke sath or dekhna ki yeh lade mat! And for heaven's sake, stop making me feel like I'm handling toddlers."
( Prisha, dear, you also go with them and make sure they don't end up fighting.)
Isha, still fuming, crossed her arms and muttered under her breath, "I should've just let her crash into a tree." And they left for isha's room.
Shivansh, who had been silently watching the drama unfold with faint amusement, leaned closer to Veer and whispered, "This is what we walked into? A full-blown circus?"
Veer smirked. "Yeah, but I'm loving the front-row seat. You think we'll get snacks next?"
Devika isha's mother said "I am sorry, these two are always like this-constantly fighting with each other but can't stay apart either. You all go ahead, they'll come soon. Let's all sit in the living area."
Geetanjali shivansh's dadi sa said shocking every one " No, no, why are you apologizing? They're kids; this happens. Come, you too, please join us."
....To be continued
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