Chapter -5
"Congratulations, Mr. Abhimanyu," the investor said. I nodded in response.
Mr. Evans stepped forward to hug me as a form of congratulations, but I quickly stepped back. "Uh, actually, sir prefers limited contact," Aakash, my PA, interjected. Mr. Evans, looking embarrassed, extended his hand instead. I glanced at his hand, then back at him, and shook his hand.
I dislike unwanted physical contact with people even more than I dislike their presence. I don't appreciate being touched or overly affectionate gestures.
I left the hotel with my PA trailing behind me. My car was already waiting. The bodyguard opened the door for me, and I settled inside. "Sir, your clothes for today's function are already in your hotel room," Aakash informed me.
"You’re coming with me," I commanded without even looking at him.
"W-why me, sir?" he stammered, halting mid-sentence as I glared at him. He mumbled something and said, "Okay, sir," sitting up straight.
"I'll just go in, greet them, and leave. It will only take half an hour," I thought to myself as I closed my eyes. I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep more than two hours tomorrow.
(Abhimanyu's Outfit)
I entered inside and with Aakash and two bodyguards who are in normal clothes.
The air crackles with vibrant energy. Gold and crimson drapes cascade from the ceiling, adorned with twinkling fairy lights.
The aroma of spices and exotic flowers fills the space.
Guests, a kaleidoscope of colors and joyful faces, swirl to the pulsating beat of live music.
Children run about, while people engage in lively conversation and laughter.
Suddenly, all eyes turn toward the entrance, and a hush descends upon the crowd.
The doors swing open, revealing Abhimanyu.
He stands tall, radiating an aura of effortless power and carries himself with a quiet confidence that speaks volumes about his billionaire status, far beyond any designer label.
The guests murmur in awe. Women whisper among themselves, their eyes wide with admiration, while men watch him with a mix of envy and respect.
"He is Abhimanyu Singh Rathore, King of Rajasthan and CEO of RR Enterprises," a woman replies to her friend who asked about him. Abhimanyu is a very private and secretive person. While many know him as the CEO of RR Enterprises, few are aware of his identity as a king. He hasn’t publicly embraced his royal status for quite some time.
Citizens of Rajasthan are more familiar with him as their king than people from other states.
Abhimanyu moves through the crowd with practiced grace, maintaining a stoic expression and revealing little emotion.
Women and others long to speak with him, at least once, but they maintain a respectful distance, aware of his dangerous and powerful aura. Aakash acknowledges the greetings from everyone, returning their smiles.
Ignoring the stares, Abhimanyu continues toward his family.
"Oh, Abhimanyu is here!" Badi Ma said with a smile as she noticed me. Aditya and his bride stood up upon seeing me.
"Congratulations to both of you!" I greeted them while gesturing for Aakash to hand over the gift. "Thank you so much for coming," Aditya replied, and his bride also thanked me. I had forgotten her name, or rather, I hadn’t paid attention to it.
"Beta, have something to eat and stay for a while; the function is going on," Aditya's mother suggested.
"I have some work," I replied, turning towards Badi Ma. I noticed Aakash talking to Aaryan, or more accurately, complaining about something to him. He quickly moved towards me as soon as he noticed my glance.
"I am leaving, Badi Ma," I said. She was going to say something, but I cut her off, saying, "You know on what condition I agreed to attend this, so please don’t ask me to stay." She sighed and said okay.
"You’re leaving, Bhai?" Navya asked sadly. I nodded and turned to leave.
I sighed, looking around. Everything was so bright and shiny. There was so much hustle and bustle, and I didn't like it.
I was just about to check my phone when suddenly an announcement was made: "Now, let's welcome our younger clan. Give a huge round of applause for our gang!" a boy shouted as he quickly ran down from the stage.
Someone was going to perform. I looked towards the stage; the lights turned off, and dim lights flickered around, with the stage bathed in a single spotlight. I noticed a girl standing with her back towards me.
"Oh, Di is going to perform!" Navya exclaimed excitedly. I could hear them since I was standing just a few steps behind, but they couldn’t see me unless they turned around.
"Yeah, I think she will set the stage on fire; it's my gut feeling," Aaryan said to her. Everyone was looking at the stage with anticipation, and I felt a little curious about who this so-called great Di was.
Suddenly, a single spotlight illuminated the center of the stage. She began to dance, her movements fluid and graceful. As she turned to face me, boom!
My breath hitched. The air around me seemed to thin. My throat suddenly felt dry, as if a desert wind had swept through me.
My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat in time with the rhythm of the music.
Oh, my dear heart. I felt a strange tingling sensation, a jolt of electricity coursing through my veins. I was speechless, completely captivated, standing there like a statue with my mouth agape.
I was completely mesmerized. I couldn't tear my eyes away. The girl's movements were a whirlwind of emotion, a captivating blend of strength and vulnerability. I saw joy, passion, and a hint of mischief in her gestures.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lulWz7VWRqk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm9ROPLPSr8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCK-aj_xqqM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9XgcUnEiW8
The music swelled, a vibrant melody that filled the air with a sense of joy and celebration.
She moved with effortless grace, her every step a delicate dance.
My eyes were drawn to her like moths to a flame, unable to look away.
Her smile was light and infectious, quickening my heart with a strange, unfamiliar longing.
I had never experienced anything like this before. It was as if the world had shifted on its axis, and I had been irrevocably changed.
As she twirled, her lehenga flowing around her like a silken waterfall, I felt a surge of possessiveness, a primal urge to claim her as my own.
The thought of another man's eyes lingering on her, of their hands brushing against her skin, ignited a fire of jealousy within me.
I wanted to pull her close, to shield her from the world, to make her mine alone.
I wanted her.
In that moment, she was mine—not in any conventional sense, not yet, but in a way that resonated in the deepest, most shadowed corners of my soul. It was an obsession, a fixation that clawed at my sanity, a terrifyingly beautiful realization.
Yet, beneath my possessiveness, a deeper emotion stirred. It was tenderness, a vulnerability I had never known before. I found myself captivated by her. It was as if she were a symphony, and I was hopelessly lost in its melody.
In that instant, I realized I was falling in love. It was a terrifying acknowledgment, one that threatened to consume me whole. But I couldn’t deny the truth of it: my heart was hers, body and soul, and I knew there was no turning back.
My cynicism about love was shattered before my eyes, replaced by a profound sense of wonder and a longing to know more about this enigmatic woman.
The world narrowed to the space between us, and within that space, I saw my future—a future defined by her, where her very existence was my sole purpose.
Everything else disappeared except for her.
I hated all these functions, but now I could watch her my entire life without blinking.
I hated the presence of people around me, but I wanted her by my side always.
I wanted her to talk to me, to give me attention, to touch me, to hug me.
I despised listening to others, but I could listen to her for hours.
"Kitni pyaari hai ye," I whispered to myself. Suddenly, Aakash approached and bowed in front of me while apologizing, "I am sorry, sir; I really am sorry. Because of me, you have to wait here." He was apologizing continuously.
I interrupted him, saying, "It's okay, just move and stand quietly." I spoke frustrated. I couldn’t concentrate on my jaan because of him. Stupid. He looked up, shocked, and stood quietly beside me, noticing I was focused on the stage.
I was completely awestruck by her, but then I heard someone beside me say, "Sundar hai na, kya pata teri bhabhi ban jaye.
Ruk, abhi uska performance complete hone de, phir baat karunga usse.
" (She is beautiful; who knows, she might become your sister-in-law. Wait until her performance is over, then I’ll talk to her.)
Another boy laughed and teased, "Oh, bhabhi!" I clenched my jaw and balled my fists to control myself.
Something stirred within me at the mere thought of her with another man. A wave of jealousy rushed through my body, and I felt something burning in my chest.
"Is she in a relationship or any commitment?" I questioned myself. "I hope she isn’t; otherwise, I can't even bear to think of her with another man," I mumbled to myself.
"Bring them here," I commanded Aakash, who nodded and signaled the bodyguards to do their job.
“What the hell, man!” one boy exclaimed to the bodyguard but halted when he noticed my deadly glare.
"I’m warning you, first and last time: stay away from her. Even if you think about her one more time, I will kill you brutally. It’s better to keep your fantasies in check," I said in a dangerous voice.
“Ye-yes, sir. We will not even attend the wedding. Sorry, sir,” they stammered and ran away. I signaled my bodyguard to check on them.
Once again, I was engrossed in her performance. Now, she was not performing solo; a group was dancing in pairs. I watched her intently, along with that man.
They both seemed around the same age, and something about their chemistry didn’t sit well with me. What were they? Friends? Siblings or.....?
But I envy him ,he is that much close with her and here I am standing away from her .
She didn't even looked at me once ."Ek baar to idhar dekhlo please" I said in my mind.(Atleast look here for once)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpTySRpMDvw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABso_nWvMeA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nfg3c3EmD4s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtvGBO7xqNo
(Group performances of Aarushi and other siblings and friends)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziy75XQ09y4
(Aarushi and Sid performance)
I was seething with jealousy as I watched him dance with her.
Why him? It wasn’t fair! Sure, I might not be able to dance, but I could learn! I muttered under my breath,
Then, as if by magic, a familiar tune filled the air—something energetic like "Sauda Khara Khara."
Suddenly, their group descended from the stage, pulling everyone into a spontaneous dance party.
My jaan, radiant with excitement, came bounding over to my family, her joy infectious.
My brothers and sister couldn’t contain themselves and rushed to join her. Laughter and music swirled around us as everyone let loose on the dance floor, but my eyes were glued to my jaan.
There she was, glowing with happiness, twirling and laughing with my siblings and a few friends. It was a sight to behold, and despite my frustration, I couldn't help but smile a little at the scene unfolding before me.