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Isha's POV
The hum of the engine filled the silence between us as I steered the car onto the winding road leading toward the Raghuvanshi palace. The noon sky stretched wide above, streaked with hues of orange and crimson, as if the heavens themselves were painting a masterpiece.
I glanced at Ishika sitting beside me in the passenger seat. She had been quiet, her gaze fixed on the horizon, her fingers absently playing with the hem of her dress. It wasn't like her to be this reserved.
"Ishu," I began, breaking the silence. "What happened? Do you want to talk about something?"
"Are you really ready for the wedding? And… everything else that's going to happen?" She asked me.
She turned to me, her expression a mixture of hesitation and determination. For something i didn'trespond, her eyes searching mine as if weighing the truth in her answer. Finally, i sighed.
"Yeah, I know," i said, my voice softer than usual. "But something's on my mind. I think I need to talk to Dadi sa first before I move forward with the dates."
She frowned, my words lingering in the air between us. I know she could tell there was more to it—something i wasn't saying—but She didn't press. Instead, She nodded.
"Okay. Just… let me know if you need anything," She offered.
I smiled faintly, my usual brightness dulled but still present. "Thanks, Ishu."
For a while, the conversation faded, and the gentle hum of the car filled the space again. But my curiosity wouldn't let me stay silent for long.
"When is Bhai coming back from his trip?" I asked, trying to shift the mood.
Ishika's face lit up slightly. "He's already here. He's at Raghuvanshi Palace with Aunty, Uncle and Arjun."
Her words caught me off guard, and for a moment, I felt a flutter of surprise. A small smile tugged at my lips. "Really? Okay… I'll meet him after some time. Yay, finally!"
We both laughed softly, the tension from earlier melting away as the thought of seeing Bhai brought a new energy to the moment.
Fifteen minutes later, we pulled up to the Raghuvanshi Palace. The grand estate stood tall and regal, its intricate architecture glowing in the fading light of the evening. Outside the house, two sleek cars were already parked, their polished surfaces gleaming under the lanterns lining the driveway.
I parked our car next to them, turning off the engine as Ishika and I exchanged a knowing glance. "Looks like everyone's already here," she said, a hint of amusement in her tone.
"Yeah," I replied, stepping out of the car and taking in the familiar sight of the palace. My heart swelled with a mix of anticipation and nostalgia. "Let's go."
We walked toward the grand doors, ready to face whatever awaited us inside.
As we stepped through the grand entrance of the Raghuvanshi Palace, the familiar warmth of the house greeted me. The intricate carvings on the walls and the soft glow of chandeliers overhead gave the place an almost magical feel. Ishika and I walked together, her hand brushing mine as if to ground me.
I scanned the hallway for familiar faces and spotted Shivansh Mother and Choti ma near the staircase, both engaged in a conversation with the servants. They turned as soon as they noticed us approaching, their expressions lighting up with joy.
"You two are finally here!" Choti aunty exclaimed, her voice filled with affection as she moved toward us.
Before I could say a word, Aunty stopped us with a playful smile. "Wait! Don't you dare take another step." She gestured to one of the servants, who quickly brought a silver thali adorned with a small diya, kumkum, and rice grains.
Choti aunty stepped forward and performed aarti for both of us, her smile never fading. The faint scent of sandalwood from the diya filled the air, calming my restless thoughts. Once she finished, she dabbed a small dot of kumkum on our foreheads and placed a sweet in my hand.
I and ishu was about to touch their leg but yhey stop us and hugger us. And i said "Aunty Namaste, choti aunty Namaste. " Ishu also greet them.
Aunty said "Beta, now that you're going to become our daughter-in-law, what's this 'aunty' and 'choti aunty'? From now on, call me 'Maa,' and Choti Aunty continued, " And call me 'Choti Maa,' just like Shiv does. Alright?" I nodded
"Now, you can go," she said, laughing softly as she motioned us inside.
Ishika and I made our way to the living area, where the soft hum of conversation and occasional laughter echoed. As we entered, all eyes turned toward us. The room was filled with familiar faces—dada sa, uncles, papa, mummy, arjun, and, of course, Bhai.
Shivansh and bhaiya's nowhere to be seen.
I smiled brightly, my heart swelling with warmth as I greeted everyone, touching the elders' feet one by one. They blessed me with words of love and teasing remarks about how long it had been since they'd seen me.
When I finally reached Bhai, I couldn't help but grin. He pulled me into a tight hug, his familiar cologne and comforting presence instantly making me feel at ease.
"It's good to see you," he said, his voice laced with affection.
"You too," I replied, my voice lighter than it had been all day.
As the conversations swirled around me,
"when did you return?" I said, my voice steady but tentative.
Bhai looked at me, his piercing eyes meeting mine. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Today, First, when I went to meet you, I found out you were at the office. Now, you're about to become Raghuvanshi from Maheshwari."
"Bhai, please you don't start now." I said with a small smile tugged at my lips.
Maa came with choti maa greeted me warmly, and we fell into a polite conversation about the family, the wedding, and the endless preparations. I listened intently, occasionally adding my thoughts, but my attention kept flickering back to my decision.
Before I could say much more, a voice called out from across the room.
"Isha beta, come with me," said Dadi sa, her tone commanding yet kind. "I need to talk to you."
I nodded, grateful for the distraction. "Of course, Dadi sa," I replied, excusing myself from Maa and Choti maa.
As I followed her out of the bustling living room, a sense of relief washed over me. I had been hoping for a chance to talk to her, and this was the perfect opportunity. Whatever she had to say, I was ready. And, perhaps, I'd finally get the answers I'd been searching for as well.
I followed Dadi sa as she led me through the wide corridors of the palace. The soft rustle of her sari and the light tapping of her cane on the marble floors echoed in the quiet. My thoughts were racing, and my hands were cold with nervousness. What was I even going to say? How could I bring up something so personal, so overwhelming, in front of her?
When we reached her room, Dadi sa opened the door and gestured for me to come in. The space was warm and inviting, with an old-world charm that felt like her essence had been imbued into the walls themselves. She motioned for me to sit on the cushioned chair near her bed, and she settled herself into a recliner, looking at me with patient, kind eyes.
"Sit, beta. Get comfortable," she said, her voice as soft as the fabric of her shawl.
I obeyed, sitting down but fidgeting with my fingers in my lap. I couldn't meet her gaze directly, my nerves refusing to let me. Dadima tilted her head slightly, studying me.
"You look like you have something on your mind, Isha," she said, her tone light but probing.
I swallowed hard, trying to steady my voice. "I was nervous, Dadi sa. I didn't know how to bring this up. But I needed to talk to you."
Her expression didn't change; she remained calm, her presence steadying me in a way I didn't expect. "Okay, say what you want to say," she encouraged.
I hesitated for a moment before blurting out, "How did you know I wanted to talk to you?"
A small, knowing smile played on her lips. "Isha, it's not difficult to see when someone's heart is burdened. And you're not very good at hiding your emotions."
Her words made me flush slightly. She was right, as always.
"But don't worry," she added, leaning back comfortably. "This isn't about me knowing—it's about what you want to share. So, go ahead. I'm listening."
I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. This was it—the moment I'd been dreading and anticipating in equal measure.
"Dadi sa," I began, my voice trembling slightly but growing steadier as I spoke. "I respect all of you deeply, and I'm grateful for how kind and understanding everyone has been. But I'm not ready for the wedding yet."
Her eyes remained fixed on me, her expression unreadable but patient. I continued.
"I understand the importance of this union, and I don't want to disrespect anyone's wishes. You can proceed with the engagement, and I'll honor that. But the wedding…" I paused, searching for the right words. "I need time. A year, maybe two. I can't just say yes and move from my world into yours like it's a simple transition. My world is different from yours. I need time to prepare myself, emotionally and mentally."
Dadi sa didn't interrupt, letting me spill everything that had been bottled up inside. I took a deep breath, my words now tumbling out in a rush.
"I need to make sure I'm ready for this commitment—not just because it's expected, but because it's the right thing for me. I need to know that I can embrace this new life fully and wholeheartedly. Please understand, Dadi sa. I'm asking for time, not freedom from this."
When I finally stopped, I realized my hands were trembling slightly, and my heart was pounding in my chest. I looked up at Dadi sa, searching her face for any sign of judgment or disappointment.
She was quiet for a moment, her eyes studying me as though weighing the sincerity of my words. Then, she leaned forward, placing a hand gently over mine.
"Time," she said softly, her tone laced with wisdom. "Time is something we all need when life asks us to make big decisions. And I understand that this is not just a decision—it's a shift in your entire world."
Her words felt like a balm, soothing the storm within me. She continued.
"Isha, you are brave to speak your truth, and I respect that. You're not refusing—you're asking for what you need, and that is a sign of wisdom, not weakness. I will speak to the others, and we'll find a way to honor your request."
Tears pricked the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them away, overwhelmed by her understanding. "Thank you, Dadima," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.
"Thank me for staying true to yourself, beta," she said, her hand giving mine a reassuring squeeze. "Now, no more worrying. Let's enjoy the engagement for now and let the rest fall into place in its own time."
As I nodded, relief washing over me, I realized how lucky I was to have someone like her in my corner. This conversation, though difficult, had given me a renewed sense of strength.
"But look, kid, you did well by telling me about your decision. But you'll also have to tell everyone downstairs about it, because that's what a queen does. And we all know this. We chose you for Shivansh and the Queen of Jaipur for this reason—we know you're strong, independent, kind, and capable of making your own decisions. We saw all the qualities in you that a queen should have, and you have them all. But today, as you told me about your decision, it proved that I have truly found the right queen for Jaipur." Dadi sa said and stood up from her seat.
As Dadi sa leaned back in her chair, she gave me a gentle nod. "Isha, go downstairs now. Spend some time with everyone. I'll come in a few minutes."
I nodded, understanding her unspoken message. "Okay, Dadima," I said softly before standing up and leaving the room.
The hallways of the palace were a maze, and in my thoughts, I found myself confused about the direction to the living area. I slowed down, unsure of the way. That's when I spotted a servant walking ahead.
"Excuse me," I called out, my voice hesitant.
The servant stopped and turned, bowing slightly. "Yes, ma'am?"
"Where is the living area?" I asked, feeling slightly embarrassed.
The servant smiled politely. "Let me show you. Follow me."
I nodded, grateful for the help, and followed the servant through the grand corridors of the palace. The sound of our footsteps echoed faintly, the opulence of the place still managing to overwhelm me.
As we descended the staircase, I saw the warm glow of the living area lights ahead. The servant gestured toward the entrance and stepped aside. "Here you are, ma'am."
"Thank you," I said, offering a small smile before stepping into the room.
Inside, the room was alive with conversation and laughter. My eyes immediately landed on Ishu, who was talking animatedly with Choti maa. As I walked in, I saw Shivansh is also sitting with everyone and Avi bagi and Dhruv bhaiya are also there with him. But Bhai is not there where did he go.
Ishika noticed me and waved, her face lighting up. "Isha! Over here!"
I made my way over, exchanging polite greetings with Avi bhai, and Dhruv bhaiya as I passed by. Their smiles were warm but reserved, and I could sense their curiosity in their glances.
Once I reached Ishika, we fell into an easy conversation, her familiar energy helping me relax. For a while, I felt at ease, chatting with her and catching up on the family news.
The tension in the room thickened as Dadi Saa's sharp gaze landed on me. Her expression shifted slightly, as if she had been waiting for this moment. She sat up straighter, her commanding presence filling the space.
"Shivansh, Isha," she said, her voice calm but firm. "It's time. We will start the preparations."
She handed over the kundalis to Raj Prohit Ji, who sat nearby with his student. They began flipping through sacred texts, muttering prayers, marking auspicious dates for the engagement.
I sat there, feeling the weight of their expectations pressing down on me. My heart pounded as I tried to gather my thoughts, unsure of how to speak up without offending anyone. But as the moment stretched on, I knew I couldn't stay silent.
Before I realized it, I was standing. The soft scrape of the chair against the floor echoed in the room, drawing everyone's attention to me. I could feel their gazes on me, the air growing heavier with each passing second.
I took a steadying breath, my voice calm but resolute. "I respect all of you, and I understand the significance of what's happening," I began, meeting their eyes one by one. "But I'm not ready for this yet. I am okay with the engagement, but I need more time for the marriage. I'd like it to happen in one or two years. I need time to think, to understand this transition. My world to yours... it's not something I can just step into without being sure."
Silence followed, so deep it felt like the world had stopped spinning. I felt exposed, vulnerable, but I stood my ground. My heart raced as I waited for their reaction.
Dadi Saa's expression didn't change much, but her eyes softened. She smiled faintly, almost as if she had anticipated this. My gaze flickered to Shivansh's mother, Maa. Her face was unreadable, but when she finally spoke, her tone was unexpectedly gentle.
"We don't have a problem with this," she said. "We'll wait. You have time."
I exhaled a breath I hadn't realized I was holding and sat back down, my shoulders relaxing slightly. The tension in the room began to ease, though the atmosphere still felt heavy with unspoken thoughts.
Dadi Saa's smile lingered, calm and knowing. It was as if she believed everything would fall into place eventually.
Maa broke the silence, her voice decisive yet considerate. "Raj Prohit Ji, please look for the engagement dates. Since Isha needs time for the marriage, we'll leave that for later. Let's proceed with the engagement."
Raj Prohit Ji nodded and began murmuring prayers again, his fingers flipping through pages of the holy book. After a few moments, he looked up.
"I have found three possible dates for the engagement," he announced. "The first is two weeks from now, the second is one month later, and the third is two months from now."
The room buzzed with low murmurs as family members exchanged opinions. Some seemed agreeable, while others appeared hesitant. But no one openly objected.
Dadi Saa leaned forward, her smile turning warmer as she looked at me. "Isha," she said gently, "why don't you take a walk with Shivansh? He can show you the garden. It's a beautiful place to think."
I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension. Dadi Saa added with a touch of affection, "You two should decide on the date together. Don't let anyone else pressure you. It should feel right for both of you."
As I stood, her words resonated with me. For the first time, I felt like I had a say in this overwhelming situation. Shivansh stood as well, nodding subtly at his grandmother.
We walked out together, heading toward the garden. The air outside was calm, in stark contrast to the tension in the room we had left behind.
For a brief moment, as our eyes met, I caught a flicker of understanding in his gaze. Perhaps, just perhaps, we were on the same page after all.
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