Chapter 34
The training grounds were still echoing with the sound of steel when Randhir left, wiping sweat from his brow
And then..... He saw him.Aaryan was walking quickly across the stone pathway, head lowered, steps hurried. His face was covered again but this time with a black cloth.
It made those black doe eyes look impossibly striking. Darker. Deeper. Almost unreal. So beautiful..
Randhir stopped and without thinking
He stepped directly into Aaryan’s path.
Aaryan didn’t notice.His eyes were downcast, focus fixed on the ground, and he was walking fast Too fast, almost like running.
He crashed hard into a solid chest.
“Ah....!”
Randhir closed his eyes instinctively as the impact hit him.
His hand moved on the reflex straight to Aaryan’s waist. He held him possessively.
Aaryan froze.
His breath caught painfully when he looked up and he saw Randhir.
Shock flooded his face.
“R... Rajkumar...”
He tried to step back immediately.
But Randhir didn’t let go.His grip stayed firm at Aaryan’s waist.
Slowly... very slowly... Randhir opened his eyes and leaned down until he was level with Aaryan’s gaze.
Those eyes.
God!
Those eyes again.
Randhir’s lips curved faintly.
Randhir: Lagta hai…Bohot betaab ho…
His thumb pressed just slightly.
“…Humari baahon mein aane ke liye.”
Aaryan’s heart slammed.
“Nhi....!”
He pushed Randhir with all the strength he had and stumbled back.
Aaryan: V...vo… vo main galti se….
l.... lad gaya tha…”
His voice shook badly.
“M...mera vishwas kariye, Rajkumar…”
Randhir straightened, amused.
A slow smile tugged at his lips as he watched Aaryan tremble like a startled deer.
Randhir: Par hum kaise vishwas karen ?”
He tilted his head slightly.
“Ye dusri baar hua hai…”
His gaze softened just a fraction.
“…titli.”
Aaryan blinked.
“titli?”
His brows knitted in confusion.
“J... ji… mera naam Aaryan hai…”
“Titli nahi…”
Randhir chuckled softly.
Randhir: Jaanta hoon.
He leaned a little closer not touching this time.
“Par titli bhi toh bura nhi hai.”
Aaryan didn’t know what to say.
So he simply nodded.
Randhir laughed quietly at that genuine amusement flickering across his sharp features.
And then.....
A voice cut through the garden air.
Saanvi: Aaryan! Kahan mar gaye ho?
Jaldi aao!
Aaryan startled.
Without another word, he turned and ran toward the garden, his black dupatta fluttering behind him, steps hurried and uncoordinated.
Randhir stood there, watching him go.
A slow smile spread across his face.
He scratched the back of his neck lightly, eyes still following that small retreating figure.
“Sach mein titli hai,” he murmured to himself.
............
Randhir entered Rani Kalyani’s chamber with his usual calm stride, but his mind was anything but calm.
“Maa,” he greeted, bowing slightly.
Rani Kalyani was seated comfortably, sipping her tea, eyes sparkling with mischief even before he sat.
She looked… far too pleased.
Rani Kalyani: Hmm.
She took another slow sip, then smiled.
“Aap jaante hain., Randhir…aapki pasand bohot hi....
”
She paused deliberately.
“... khubsurat hai.”
Randhir stiffened.
His eyes snapped to her.
Randhir: Maa
Kalyani waved her hand dismissively.
Rani Kalyani: Arre arre, shant... Puri baat to suno...Sirf khubsurat nahi agar pariyo jaisa kuchh hota hai to vo pari se bhi jyada khubsurat hai.
Randhir frowned.
“Maa, aap kis baare mein....”
Rani Kalyani leaned forward slightly, eyes glinting.
Rani Kalyani: Aaryan.
The name landed like a strike.
Randhir’s jaw tightened.
Randhir: Aap… aap usse mileen?
Kalyani’s smile widened Dangerously smug.
Rani Kalyani: Mili?
She chuckled softly.
“Randhir, humne toh uska chehra bhi dekh liya.”
Silence. Apure deadly silence....
Randhir’s fingers curled slowly.
Randhir: …Kya?
Rani Kalyani nodded proudly.
Rani Kalyani: Haan. Bilkul saamne humare baitha tha bohot ghabra raha tha na…
She placed a hand on her chest dramatically.
“Par jaise hi nakaab hataaya..”
She sighed dreamily.
“Hayy Ram.Itni narmi.Itni masoomiyat. Itna khubsurat pure kul me koi nhi hai .Aankhen aisi jaise kaajal mein doobi hui raat. Aur honth to b...”
Randhir clenched his jaw harder.
Randhir: Maa…
His tone was controlled but strained.
“Aap ye sab mujhe kyu bata rahi hain?”
Rani Kalyani tilted her head innocently.
Rani Kalyani: Bas isliye…
She smiled sweetly.
“…kyunki maine aapse pehle use dekh liya.”
That did it.Randhir looked away sharply. Annoyed and Jealous.
And very much caught.
Kalyani laughed softly, victorious.
Rani Kalyani: Arre baba, dekho toh sahi. Ab jalo mat Randhir.
Randhir scoffed.
Randhir: Hume jalan nahi ho rahi.
Rani Kalyani raised an eyebrow.
Rani Kalyani: Achha? Vo to dikh hi rha hai..
She leaned back comfortably.
Randhir exhaled slowly.
Randhir:
“Maa… aap bohot zyada bol rahi hain.”
Kalyani smiled satisfied.
Rani Kalyani: Haan. Kuchh jyada hi sach bol rahi hoon.
She stood up, adjusting her pallu.
Randhir: Maa…
He inhaled slowly.
“Hum bhi… Aaryan ko theek se dekhna chahte hain. Kuchh kariye na humari madad kariye”
The admission came out rough. Honest. Almost desperate.
Rani Kalyani didn’t answer immediately.
She just smiled.
That knowing, dangerous smile was the kind that meant she had already won.
Rani Kalyani: Achha?
She tilted her head, eyes sparkling.
“Toh hum kyu madad karein?”
Randhir frowned.
“Maa...”
She cut him off lightly.
Rani Kalyani:Aapka pyaar hai.
Her tone was sweet, but merciless.
“Aap koshish toh kariye.”
Randhir exhaled sharply.
Of course.
He should have known.
Defeated but not arguing he straightened and stood up, folding his hands briefly.
“Ji, maa.”
He turned to leave.
Just as his hand reached the door...
Rani Kalyani: Randhir.
He stopped.
She looked at him seriously now still teasing, but with weight beneath it.
Rani Kalyani: Bohot naazuk hai wo.
Randhir’s posture stiffened.
Rani Kalyani: Use mazboot banana hoga. Pura rajya chalana hai use… humare baad.
She paused deliberately.
Then added, smiling wickedly..
Rani Kalyani: Aur sabse aham baat....” Her eyes glinted.
“…aapko sambhaalna hai.”
Randhir’s ears burned red instantly.
“Maa....!” he muttered, mortified.
Rani Kalyani laughed softly.
Randhir didn’t look back.
He walked out quickly, the dignity barely intact.The door closed.
Rani Kalyani leaned back, utterly pleased. She shook her head, amused beyond measure.
Rani Kalyani (laughing to herself):
“Uff… Ye kacchi umra ka pyaar.”
.........
Night had wrapped the palace in silence.
Only the soft glow of oil lamps flickered along the stone walls as Randhir stood near the open balcony of his chamber. A cool wind brushed against his face, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside him.
He rested his forearms on the railing and stared into the darkness.
Aaryan…
Those eyes surfaced again...
black, wide, trembling.Hidden behind cloth, yet powerful enough to unmake him.
Randhir exhaled slowly.
Randhir (to himself):Chehra dekhna hai… Par darana nahi hai.
He straightened, pacing the room now, boots heavy against the floor.
Seedha bula loon?
Nahi… bhaag jaayega.
A faint smirk tugged at his lips despite himself.
Titli hai… zyada zor diya toh ud jaayegi.
He stopped near the table, fingers tapping thoughtfully against the wood.
He remembered how Aaryan flinched at raised voices.How his shoulders curled inward, as if expecting punishment.
Randhir’s jaw tightened.
Randhir : Koi usse aise dara nahi sakta.
He turned toward the window again.
Maa sahi keh rahi hain… bohot naazuk hai.
Then his eyes darkened with resolve.
A plan began to take shape.
Somewhere quiet and safe. Where Aaryan wouldn’t feel watched.
Where he wouldn’t feel small.
Randhir closed his eyes briefly.
Kal…
A soft, dangerous certainty settled in his chest.
Randhir: Kal tumhe theek se dekhunga, Titli.
A faint smile curved his lips.
“Is baar…tum bhaag nahi paoge.”
The lamp flickered.
.............
Next day .....
Today there is dawat arranged in the palace to celebrate their local festival.
Music filled the palace courtyard.
Lanterns glowed warm gold, dancers spun gracefully, laughter floated through the air everything looked perfect.
Peaceful. Almost unreal.
From the raised platform near the pillars, Randhir stood alone, posture relaxed but eyes sharp.
They weren’t on the dancers.
They were fixed in one place only.
Aaryan.
He stood a little behind Subhan, exactly where a servant should be quiet, obedient and invisible.
He wore a deep red dress, simple, not flashy, but the colour clung to him like fate.
A red dupatta covered his face, soft fabric falling over his shoulders.
And those eyes
Even from a distance, they glimmered.
Randhir’s jaw tightened.
Laal…
Is rang mein aur bhi zyada kayamat lagta hai…
Around them, joy continued.
But not everyone was celebrating.
In the far corner of the courtyard, half-hidden by shadows and pillars, Saanvi stood with Veena.
Their faces were anything but happy.
Veena’s eyes burned with venom as she stared at Randhir.
Veena: Kuchh bhi karke…Isko apne saath sula lo.
“Bacche ho gaye na,” Veena continued coldly,
“toh shaadi se ye kya... vo uski maa Kalyani bhi nahi rok paayegi.”
Saanvi swallowed.
Saanvi: Par kaise, maa?Sona toh door…Vo hume khud ke paas tak nahi aane deta.
Veena smiled.
Veena: Are meri bholi beti…Uska bhi ilaaj humare paas hai.
She slipped her hand into her sleeve and pulled out a small strip of tablets.
Saanvi’s eyes widened.
“Maa... ?"
Veena pressed the tablets into her palm.
Veena: Jaa. Juice mein mila de.
Saanvi hesitated.
“Maa… par ye kaam karega na?”
Veena’s lips are curved, cruel and confident.
Veena: Sau pratishat.
Her voice dropped.
“Tere baap ke liye bhi isi ka istemaal kiya tha.”
She nudged Saanvi forward.
“Ab jaa.”
Heart pounding, Saanvi took a glass of juice from a passing servant. With trembling fingers, she mixed the tablets in, stirring until they dissolved.
Then...
She walked toward Randhir.
Randhir hadn’t noticed her yet.
His gaze was still searching for red.
Saanvi: Rajkumar…
He didn’t respond.She stepped closer.
Saanvi: Rajkumar, hume pata hai . Humari shaadi toot gayi.
Randhir finally turned.
Cold. Distant.Saanvi forced a smile.
“Par koi baat nahi,” she said gently.
“Shaadi na sahi… Hum dost toh reh sakte hain na?
She lifted the glass.
“Ye lijiye.Khaas aapke liye. Maa ne banwaya hai.”
For a second, Randhir studied her.
Something in his eyes shifted.
Shayad… maan liya hai.
Without another word, he took the glass and he drank all of it.
Saanvi watched every drop.
Her lips slowly curled into a smirk.
The dawat ended slowly music faded.
Laughter thinned. Lanterns dimmed one by one.
Randhir stood near the pillars long after most guests had left.Something was wrong.His head felt heavy.The air felt too warm.
Every sound seemed distant like it was reaching him through water.
He rolled his shoulders once, jaw tightening.
Ye… ajeeb sa kyu lag raha hai…
His vision blurred for a split second.
Randhir clenched his fist.Before he could ground himself. A hand touched his.
Saanvi.
“Rajkumar,” she said softly, too softly.
“Aap thak gaye lagte hain…”
She tried to hold his hand properly this time. instantly Randhir jerked back violently.
His eyes flashed.
“Door raho.”
Saanvi stumbled in surprise.
Randhir turned sharply and walked away, his steps uneven now but fast. He reached his chamber, pushed the door open, and slammed it shut behind him.
Bang.
.
Randhir leaned against the door, chest rising and falling rapidly.
Something was burning beneath his skin.
His breath felt wrong.
Too shallow.
Too hot.
He ran a hand through his hair, pacing the room.
Randhir: Ye kya ho raha hai mujhe…
His body felt unfamiliar like it wasn’t listening to him anymore . Images began to intrude.
Red fabric.
Black eyes.
A soft voice saying Rajkumar…
Randhir stopped dead in his tracks.
“No,” he muttered.
“Abhi nahi.”
But the pull was relentless.
The thought of Aaryan standing quietly, eyes lowered
hit him like a wave.
Randhir’s chest tightened painfully.
He gripped the edge of the table, knuckles whitening.
Randhir: Sirf ek baar…Bas dekhna hai.
His control was cracking not into violence, but into something more dangerous.
Heat pooled in his veins, his thoughts growing hazy, tangled.
Randhir grabbed his angavastram and threw it around his shoulders, not even bothering to fix it properly. He unlocked the door and stepped back into the corridor.
The palace is mostly quiet now.
Torches flickered.
Footsteps echoed.
Randhir moved like a man half-awake, eyes searching instinctively.
For black eyes.
For the only presence that felt right.
Randhir: Aaryan…
The name slipped out unbidden.
He didn’t know where Aaryan’s chamber was.But his feet carried him anyway.
Down one corridor.
Then another.
Every time his vision blurred, the image sharpened again Aaryan looked up at him.Aaryan whispered his name. Aaryan standing too close.
Randhir pressed a hand to his chest, breathing hard.
Randhir: hume rukna hoga…
But his steps didn’t slow.Because whatever had been mixed into that drink was eating away at his restraint
and the only thing his mind wanted now…
Was the boy in red.
.........
Rani Kalyani Devi stood near the balcony of her chamber, gaze scanning the courtyard below.
Something felt… wrong.
Randhir should have met her by now for saying good night.He never disappeared after a gathering. Never.
Her fingers tightened around the edge of her pallu.
“Randhir?” she murmured, more to herself than anyone else.
No answer.A flicker of unease crossed her face. She turned sharply to the guard standing outside her chamber.
“Rajkumar kahan hain?”
The guard bowed. “Maharani sa… unhe dawat ke baad kisi ne nahi dekha.”
That was enough.Rani Kalyani didn’t waste another second.She moved through the corridors with purposeful steps, her bangles barely making a sound.