Sold to the Thakur's

She's going. to be his wi-wife.

Hey hiii mayawiyans!!!!!!

Enjoy the chapter

I'm currently dealing with an eye infection and can't use my phone much. My eyes hurt a lot, This headache is killing me I feel like pulling someone's hair, smashing things, screaming until my throat breaks. My head hurts so bad.(migraine person can relate????)

Your continuous requests made it impossible for me to resist posting this one!

However, I just want to ask for a little patience for the next update.Please forgive me if it's get delayed, but I promise I'll return soon. ????

I think my mumma won't let me work for at least a week ?? but still, I'll try to sneak in some time whenever she's busy.

Right now, my phone is basically banned in my own house ?? and I'm updating this secretly she has no idea!

So if I suddenly disappear, please wait for me ?? Because if I get caught using my phone again.

.. I'll probably be thrown out of my own house, and then you guys will have to raise me ??

Devyani stood frozen for a few moments, her wide eyes reflecting pure astonishment.

The grand corridors shimmered with golden chandeliers, walls carved with royal artistry, and soft fragrances filling the air.

Everything around her looked unreal too perfect, too luxurious, too much like a dream she didn't belong in.

From her small village home to Thakur Haveli, and now this palace the change was too overwhelming. She couldn't digest the enormity of it. Every corner whispered wealth, every step echoed royalty.

And yet... wherever she went, people stopped what they were doing maids, staff, even guards all turning to look at her.

Her beauty was untouched, her presence serene, almost otherworldly. She looked like she didn't belong to the earth but had accidentally stepped down from heaven.

Meanwhile, everyone headed to their rooms. Jinal too was about to leave when she heard someone call her name.

"Jinal..."

Her feet halted. Her shoulders stiffened.

She didn't want to turn around her heart was already pounding but she had no choice. Slowly, she turned back.

Rajveer stood there, a bit awkward, his hand going up to nervously scratch the back of his neck.

"H...hi..." he managed, voice slightly unsure.

Jinal blinked, caught off guard, but gave him a polite, nervous smile. "H...hi."

Silence. Heavy and awkward.

Neither of them knew what to say next.

Finally, Rajveer cleared his throat and mumbled,

"You... can go. Umm... take rest. We'll talk later."

Jinal just nodded softly, murmuring, "Hmm," before walking away quickly.

Rajveer stood there for a moment, watching her retreating figure, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Then, shaking his head slightly, he turned and left too back to his work, his mind strangely quieter than before.

Later that evening, the entire Thakur and Oberoi families gathered for dinner in the grand dining hall.

The long marble table gleamed under golden lights, servants quietly moving around with trays of delicacies.

Virendra and Rajan were seated at the head, engrossed in deep business talk their voices calm yet commanding.

The younger siblings were busy teasing and pulling each other's legs, laughter echoing through the hall.

The women were gathered in small conversations, discussing their lives, families, and memories, their soft giggles adding warmth to the royal air.

Amid all that chatter, Jinal sat quietly.

She tried to eat, but her fingers fidgeted with the spoon more than her lips touched the food.

Every few minutes, Rajveer's gaze flickered toward her quick, cautious glances that he hoped went unnoticed.

He didn't want to make her nervous again, but somehow, his eyes kept finding her.

Across the table, Devyani sat silently. Her plate was untouched. The hum of laughter and conversation around her felt distant she simply didn't feel like eating.

A few minutes later, Aditya walked in after finishing a meeting, adjusting his sleeves as he took his seat beside her.

Aditya frowned slightly, noticing her plate.

"What happened?" he asked softly. "Why aren't you eating, bhabhi?"

She lowered her gaze, her voice gentle.

"Adi bhaiya... I don't feel like eating."

He sighed, his tone turning firm but caring.

"But you have to. Come on you didn't eat anything since morning."

He pushed her plate closer and began coaxing her to take a few bites. Devyani hesitated but obeyed quietly, nibbling on the food he offered.

Around the table, all the siblings froze mid-bite, staring at Aditya as if they'd just seen a ghost.

Aditya, who was usually calm and distant, was now gently feeding someone?

He noticed the wide eyes on him and rolled his eyes slightly.

No one dared to say a word.

And Devyani?

She simply smiled faintly.

In the middle of dinner, a soft cheerful voice suddenly echoed near the door.

"Hi everyone!"

Everyone at the table turned in unison.

A young girl stood there, wearing a sparkling pastel dress, a bright smile on her face. Her confidence filled the air.

Rajan looked up, instantly smiling.

"Oh! You all haven't met her yet," he said warmly, gesturing for her to come closer. "She's my elder brother's daughter Kashvi Oberoi."

Kashvi smiled and waved lightly. "It's so good to finally meet everyone. I've heard so much about the Thakurs."

But the response she received was... silence.

The Thakur siblings merely looked at her for a moment before turning back to their plates. Their expressions unreadable cold, polite, detached.

Even Payal, usually chirpy, stayed quiet. Rudraksh smirked faintly under his breath, while Aaradhya rolled her eyes as if unimpressed. The room that had just been filled with warmth and teasing now felt awkwardly still.

Kashvi shifted slightly, her smile faltering. For the first time, she looked unsure.

Rajveer noticed.

He cleared his throat and said softly, "Come, Kashvi. Sit and have dinner."

Her smile returned a little forced this time as she moved to the table and took a seat beside Rajveer.

The servants quickly placed a plate before her, and she glared at them.

For a few moments, the only sound in the hall was the clinking of spoons and plates.

Kashvi tried to blend in, but she couldn't shake off the strange, heavy atmosphere.

Something about the Thakur family was different powerful, composed, but distant, as if no one dared to enter their quiet, royal world.

Kashvi's eyes kept wandering across the grand dining hall, scanning every face one by one. Something about her expression shifted from curiosity to restlessness.

After a few moments, she finally frowned and asked innocently,

"Umm... Rivan didn't come?"

Rajveer, who was peacefully taking a bite, coughed hard choking for a second as water slipped down the wrong way.

The word Rivan echoed through the table like a curse no one dared to speak aloud.

Every Thakur sibling froze mid-bite. Rudraksh's fork halted midway, Payal's eyes widened, and Aaradhya instantly looked at Aditya, silently asking if she'd heard it right.

For a few seconds, the entire table went dead silent.

The air grew heavy as if someone had just summoned a storm in the middle of their meal.

Only the elders, lost in their business discussions, didn't notice the sudden change in atmosphere.

Rajveer finally composed himself, forcing a polite smile even though his heartbeat spiked. "Ah... Rivan—uh, he's not coming," he said quickly, setting his glass down. "He's... busy with some work."

But Kashvi's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Not coming? What do you mean he's not coming?" she asked, genuinely confused.

That single question made the siblings exchange quick, panicked glances.

Because for anyone else, even uttering Rivan Thakur's name so casually could invite fury his or theirs.

He was a name wrapped in silence, fear, and unspoken rules.

And yet here was this girl, asking about him like he was... just another person.

Rajveer let out a dry laugh, trying to mask the tension. "You know how he is," he said lightly. "He doesn't attend parties or family gatherings. He prefers staying... away."

But Kashvi wasn't satisfied. "Oh, I see," she murmured softly, still lost in thought. "That's strange. I was sure I'd get to meet him this time..."

Everyone went still again even Jinal's hand stopped midway as she lifted her glass.

Because no one no one ever said that.

Kashvi smiled lightly, completely unaware of the storm she had just stirred.

"Umm... I wish I could see him," she said casually, twirling her fork. "I personally came all the way from London for him. But anyway, I have a meeting scheduled with him next month — I'll surely meet him then."

The entire table went silent again.

Aditya's jaw stiffened. Rudraksh dropped his spoon. Even Rajveer blinked, speechless.

But the one who felt it most was Devyani.

Her hand, which had been resting softly on her lap, suddenly curled into a tight fist so tight that her knuckles turned pale white.

Her heart thudded painfully.

A meeting with Rivan?

Why... why would she travel from London just to see him?

She bit her lower lip and kept her eyes glued to the plate, pretending not to listen, but every word Kashvi spoke stabbed like a needle in her chest.

And then as if destiny wanted to twist the knife deeper Kashvi's gaze drifted toward Devyani.

Her voice faltered.

Her perfectly confident smile froze.

For a moment, she forgot how to blink.

Devyani wasn't doing anything to attract attention just sitting quietly, her lashes lowered, her expression calm, almost serene. Yet there was something unreal about her.

Her skin seemed to glow in the soft chandelier light, her features so delicately carved they looked ethereal.

The faint nervousness in her movements, the innocence in her eyes she looked like something carved out of heaven and placed among mortals.

Kashvi's smile faltered slightly.

She prided herself on her beauty everyone always said she was the most beautiful among her cousins, even in London. But now, for the first time, she felt... small.

Like someone had just walked in and stolen all the light that used to belong to her.

That quiet girl with shy eyes Devyani radiated something Kashvi never had.

Purity. Grace. A softness that couldn't be bought or copied.

And for the first time in her life, jealousy flickered behind Kashvi's painted smile.

Kashvi's eyes kept darting toward Devyani again and again the more she looked, the more her pride scratched her from within.

So when she noticed the bowl of exotic salad placed right in front of Devyani, she leaned slightly forward with a sweet but sharp smile.

"Excuse me," Kashvi said in her polite, accented tone. "Can you please pass me the avocado salad?"

Devyani blinked. "Avo... what?"

Kashvi tilted her head, her smile stretching wider. "Avocado salad," she repeated slowly, as if talking to a child.

Devyani's eyes darted between the dishes placed around her the silver bowls gleaming with colorful food and then back to Kashvi with innocent confusion.

"Woh... kaunsa hota hai?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kashvi leaned back in her chair and smirked. "Oh... you don't know?"

Her tone carried sugar, but her eyes sparkled with mockery.

A faint sadness crept up Devyani's cheeks she hated not understanding things, especially in front of everyone.

Aditya noticed instantly and narrowed his eyes at Kashvi.

Rajveer quickly caught on to the uneasy silence that had settled.

He cleared his throat and said smoothly, "Kashvi, come we have a very important meeting to attend. The client's already on call."

Kashvi frowned, clearly irritated. "Right now?"

"Yes, right now," Rajveer said firmly, giving her a look that left no room for questions.

She sighed and rolled her eyes. "Fine."

Both of them left the table, Kashvi tossing her hair over her shoulder in slight annoyance, while Rajveer gave a subtle glance back at Devyani before disappearing down the hallway.

The Thakur siblings sat still for a few moments — trying to keep their anger bottled in.

They didn't want to create a scene on the very first night, but the way Kashvi had mocked Devyani had rubbed every single one of them the wrong way.

Aaradhya muttered under her breath, "Ugh, I swear, if she wasn't Rajveer's cousin, I would've given her a perfect reply."

Rudraksh scoffed. "Forget perfect, I would've made her swallow that avocado salad."

Payal hid her giggle behind her hand while Jinal shook her head. "Ignore her, Rudra. She's not worth it."

But Devyani stayed silent, her gaze fixed on the floor, her soft fingers playing with the corner of her saree pallu.

Everyone noticed, but no one wanted to press her not tonight.

The corridors glowed under golden lights, the marbled floors reflecting their laughter and footsteps.

Only the "pagal trio" Rudraksh, Aaradhya, and Devyani were awake, moving through the vast halls like curious children.

Aaradhya grinned. "This place looks straight out of a movie! Look at that chandelier, Rudra!"

Rudraksh, pretending to be uninterested, shrugged. "Hmm. Just another rich man's showpiece."

But when he turned, his eyes landed on Devyani walking silently a few steps behind them, lost in thought her expression soft, a shadow of sadness on her face.

Rudraksh frowned. "Hey, what happened? Why are you quiet, bhabhi? That girl's words still bothering you?"

Devyani blinked and quickly shook her head. "Nahi... I just... didn't understand what she was saying, that's all."

Aaradhya looped her arm around Devyani's. "That's because she doesn't understand manners. Don't take her words seriously, okay?"

Rudraksh crossed his arms, his tone sharp with anger. "The audacity of that girl taking bhaiyya's name like they're friends! I was shocked!"

Aaradhya added dramatically, "If Rivan bhaiyya had been here, she would've forgotten her English accent for life."

That made Rudraksh snort. "Exactly! Bhaiyya would've given her one look just one look and she'd have fainted with fear."

Aaradhya giggled. "Or run back to London."

Finally, a small smile tugged at Devyani's lips faint but visible.

Aaradhya noticed instantly and squeezed her hand. "There it is! Our sweet bhabhi's smile. Don't ever hide it again, okay?"

Devyani just nodded softly, her heart feeling a little lighter with their teasing warmth surrounding her.

The night passed under the glittering lights of the Oberoi Palace

Three figures walking through marble halls

One angry, one playful, and one slowly learning what it feels like to belong.

"Let's go back to the rooms now," Aaradhya yawned, stretching her arms. "Tomorrow's going to be a long day."

Rudraksh nodded. "Yeah, Bua already warned us about breakfast at sharp eight. If we're late, she'll make us clean the palace."

That made Aaradhya giggle. "She'll start with you first."

Devyani smiled faintly, listening to their playful banter.

When they reached the grand staircase, she softly said, "You all go ahead... I'll stay for a few minutes. I just need some air."

Aaradhya paused. "You sure?"

Devyani nodded. "Hmm."

Both walked away laughing while Devyani stood near the large glass window, gazing at the moonlit garden below. The soft wind brushed her face, carrying the scent of jasmine. For a few moments, it was peaceful silent until the sharp click of heels echoed from behind.

"Hi," a voice laced with fake sweetness broke the calm.

Devyani turned, startled. "Hi... hiiii," she stammered softly, her fingers nervously playing with her saree pallu.

Kashvi stood there in a silk nightrobe, her arms crossed, a smirk curling on her lips. "So... where are you from?"

Devyani hesitated. "I... I'm from a village near Rajasthan."

Kashvi's smirk widened. "I knew it," she said mockingly, her tone dripping with contempt. "You look like one of those village girls. So cheap."

Devyani blinked, not fully understanding her words but feeling the sting in her tone. "Cheap...?" she repeated softly, confused.

Kashvi tilted her head, pretending to pity her. "What the hell are you doing with the Thakur family, huh? You don't even know maids aren't allowed to sit with them."

Devyani froze. "M-maid?" she whispered, her eyes wide.

Kashvi took a slow step closer, her perfume heavy in the air. "Yes, maid. That's what you look like. Don't tell me you actually think you belong here?"

Devyani gulped, her throat tightening as she clutched her saree tighter, her knuckles turning pale. "I... I'm not... a maid."

Kashvi laughed under her breath. "Oh really?" She looked her up and down the simple saree, the shy eyes, the trembling hands. "Then who are you, hmm? You look nothing like a Thakur. No way."

Kashvi's smile turned poisonous. "If you're not a maid, then who are you?" she taunted, leaning in until her perfume filled Devyani's senses.

Devyani's throat went dry. How should she introduce herself? Rivan had told her never call him husband. So what was she to say? Her mind scrambled for a safe answer and found none.

Kashvi's eyes glittered with triumph. "See?

You don't have an answer. I knew it maids don't have answers.

" Her voice dropped, cruel and deliberate.

"And one more thing stay away from the Thakurs, got it?

I'm soon going to be their daughter-in-law.

Soon to be the wife of Rivan Thakur." She savored the name as if it were a weapon.

"And when I enter that house, you'll be the first one I'll kill and my husband won't even tell me anything. "

The words fell like stones. Devyani's world narrowed to the shape of that sentence: wife of Rivan Thakur. Kill. First one. Her mouth worked but no sound came out. Her pulse thudded furiously in her ears until it almost drowned out everything else.

Kashvi laughed once, a soft, cruel sound, and turned away as if the conversation were over. She left with the same polished ease she'd entered, heels clicking down the corridor, already imagining the next slight to land.

Devyani remained frozen where she stood.

The corridor seemed to tilt; the lights blurred.

Those words Rivan, wife, kill replayed in her head, switching places until they made no sense at all.

She pressed a hand to her chest, feeling the dry hitch of breath.

For a long moment she simply stood, clutching her saree pallu, the palace suddenly too big and too loud for the small, fragile girl inside her.

When she finally moved, it was with slow, careful steps back toward her room, each footfall soft as if she were afraid the world itself might hear and decide what to do next.

Her words hit like tiny shards sharp, cold, humiliating.

The words rolled again and again in her head, sharp like shards of glass. Her lips trembled as she whispered them to herself, trying to make sense of it, but every time she repeated them, her chest ached a little more.

And no one... even told me.

Her voice cracked. She laughed softly a broken, hollow laugh that didn't sound like her. "Why would they, right? Why would anyone tell me?" she whispered bitterly, wiping a tear that refused to stop. "You, Devyani, you are just here for one year... not for a lifetime."

Her heart twisted painfully. She pressed her palm against her chest as if that could stop the storm inside.

But... neither did he tell me...

Her breath hitched. A small sob escaped her lips. "He could have told me once... just once..." she murmured. "I would have understood. I always understand him his silence, his anger, his hatred... everything."

Tears streamed down her cheeks, hot and uncontrollable. "That's why he hates me," she whispered to herself, her voice trembling. "Because he already belongs to someone else. Because in his eyes, I don't deserve even a place beside him."

"See her... and see yourself, Devyani," she murmured brokenly. "There's a huge difference, isn't there?"

Her reflection in the glass doors stared back red eyes, trembling lips, skin pale. "She's beautiful, confident, educated... she belongs to his world. She speaks to people without fear. She looks perfect beside him."

A sob tore out of her throat. "And you... you are just a village girl. A nobody. A burden he was forced to carry."

She clutched her saree pallu tightly, her nails digging into her palm. "His burden... his headache. That's what you are, Devyani. Nothing more."

The tears came faster now, and she didn't even try to stop them. The ache inside her chest spread until it felt like she couldn't breathe.

"He never smiles at you... never even looks at you properly unless it's in anger," she whispered. "And still... still you wait for him, you care for him.

She shook her head violently as if denying her own heart.

She sank to the floor her knees folding beneath her as silent sobs wracked her body. "Maybe it's better this way," she whispered into the empty room. "At least now I understand why he never looks at me with anything but hate. Because he already has someone... someone who deserves him."

The wind blew harder, lifting the edge of her saree as if trying to comfort her, but nothing could stop the hollow ache inside her chest.

She hugged herself tightly and whispered one last time a broken truth she finally accepted,

"Maybe I was never meant to be in his world... maybe I was just a mistake that destiny made."

She stumbled into her room, her steps uneven, her eyes burning. The door clicked shut behind her, and everything went silent. Too silent.

Her back slid down against the door as her trembling hands covered her face. "Why... why does everyone only think to leave me?" she whispered, her voice breaking between sobs.

"First Maa... then Bapu... even Bhaiyya didn't want me..." Her chest ached as each name escaped her lips like a wound reopening. "And now... even Pati ji... hates me..."

Tears streamed endlessly, dripping down her chin.

"Why? What did I do wrong? Am I that bad?

" she cried softly, hugging her knees close, rocking herself like a scared child.

"I try to be good, I really do... I listen to everyone, I don't speak much, I don't trouble anyone. .. then why no one wants me?"

Her hiccups grew heavier as she spoke to herself, "Maybe she's right... I am just a village girl who doesn't know anything. I shouldn't care about this world. It doesn't belong to me."

Her gaze drifted to the walls adorned with gold frames and chandeliers that sparkled like stars, yet they felt so... cold. "This isn't my world. I'm just... staying here for a year. After that... I have to leave."

Her lips quivered. "If I get attached to all this... if I get attached to them... it'll only hurt more later, right?" she said as if convincing herself. But her voice cracked again.

She buried her face into her palms and cried harder. "But can't I stay with them? They are my family now... Papa, Maa, Rey, Adi Bhaiyya... they're all so good to me..." her voice grew softer, fragile. "I don't want to leave them. I don't want to go back to that emptiness again..."

Her heart pounded painfully in her chest, the ache spreading through every nerve. "Maybe I don't deserve happiness," she whispered, her tears soaking the fabric of her saree. "Maybe people like me... are only meant to be left behind."

The night grew darker, her cries echoing softly in the grand but lonely room. She held her heart as if trying to keep it from breaking apart completely.

And between her sobs, she whispered one last time, almost like a plea to the universe,

"Please... just once... I don't want anyone else to leave me. Not again."

Then her trembling body slowly fell into silence, tears still glistening on her cheeks the only proof of the storm she carried inside.

I don't even remember when my legs gave up.

One moment I was sitting near the door, and the next... I just lay down on the cold marble floor.

It's freezing... but maybe that's what I deserve, isn't it?

Something cold, something empty just like me.

My tears keep falling; they won't stop no matter how hard I try. My throat hurts, my chest hurts even more, but the pain inside my heart... that's unbearable.

I press my palms against my chest as if I could stop the ache, but it only gets worse.

"Why... why does it hurt so much?" I whisper to no one.

The silence around me feels so cruel. The big, beautiful room looks like a cage now golden walls, shining chandeliers, soft bedsheets... but none of it feels like home.

I curl up on the floor, pulling my saree closer around me, like it could protect me from the cold. My breath trembles as I close my swollen eyes.

The salty taste of tears lingers on my lips.

"Don't cry, Devyani... you'll make noise... they'll scold you again..." I whisper to myself, hiccupping.

But the tears just don't stop. They slide down quietly, soaking the floor beneath me.

I don't know when I fall asleep maybe between one sob and another.

The floor feels hard, but my body is too numb to care.

The last thing I remember before drifting into darkness is whispering his name in a broken voice...

"Pati ji..."

Then silence.

Only the soft sound of the wind passing through the curtains as if the night itself was trying to lull me into a restless, tear-stained sleep.

.

.

.

Next morning

The morning sun spilled softly into the palace, glimmering across the white marble and brushing against the silk curtains. Everyone in the Oberoi Palace was already awake, busy preparing for the upcoming party.

Jinal, adjusting her dupatta, walked down the long corridor and gently knocked on Devyani's door.

"Bhabhi?" she called softly, then slowly pushed the door open.

The sight that greeted her melted her heart Devyani was sitting in the balcony, her knees pulled to her chest, gazing at the sunrise. The golden light touched her face, making her look peaceful, almost angelic... but only she knew the storm hidden behind those quiet eyes.

Jinal smiled, walking toward her. "Bhabhi, let me help you drape," she said cheerfully.

Devyani blinked, coming out of her thoughts, and only nodded faintly. "Hmm..."

She stood silently as Jinal carefully wrapped the soft saree around her delicate frame. Jinal talked about the morning, the upcoming party, the beauty of the palace but Devyani just listened quietly, her eyes blank, her lips still trembling from last night's tears.

Once ready, they both headed toward the breakfast hall. Everyone was already there, talking, laughing, teasing each other. But Devyani... she was quieter than usual sitting still, her fingers tightly holding the edge of her saree.

Then suddenly, Kashvi's sharp voice from the night echoed in her head.

"Stay away from the Thakur's. I'll be their daughter-in-law soon Rivan Thakur's wife. And when I enter that house, you'll be the first one I'll kill."

Her heart thumped violently. Her breaths turned shallow.

What if that girl really hurt her?

What if everyone got angry if she stayed close to them?

The thought terrified her.

She turned to Jinal with a small forced smile. "Jinal... can you send my breakfast to my room? I'm not feeling well... a little headache."

Jinal frowned with concern. "Oh no, really? Then let me stay with you. Should we go to the doctor?"

At that one word doctor Devyani froze. Her heart skipped a beat. She'd heard that word before... on television, where people with white coats used sharp tools and took out blood.

Her lips trembled. "N...no! Please! I'm fine! Really!" she blurted out, panic flickering in her wide doe eyes.

Jinal blinked, surprised at her sudden fear. "Okay... okay, relax, bhabhi. I won't call the doctor. You take rest, hmm? I'll send your breakfast to your room."

Devyani nodded quickly, still clutching her saree. "Thank you..."

As soon as the door closed, Devyani exhaled shakily, pressing a hand to her chest.

"Thank god... she didn't take me to that d-d-dooctoor," she mumbled under her breath, still trembling a little. "Or else he will tear my skin and take out blood..."

She shivered at the thought and quietly sat near the window again, staring outside trying to calm her frightened little heart.

Devyani sat in the balcony, knees pulled close to her chest, her gaze lost somewhere in the endless blue sky. The palace gardens below were alive with laughter and faint music, but none of it reached her. Her fingers twisted the edge of her saree as if trying to hold herself together.

A knock at the door startled her. She quickly wiped her face, composing her trembling voice.

"Bhabhi... may I come in?" came Aditya's calm, gentle tone.

"Haa, Adi bhaiyya," she murmured, forcing a small smile as he stepped inside.

Aditya entered, holding his phone in one hand, concern flickering in his eyes when he saw her pale face. "Why are you sitting alone here, bhabhi? Everyone's downstairs..."

Devyani shook her head quickly. "Umm... nothing, bhaiyya. Just... little headache, that's all." Her voice was soft, trembling slightly. She lowered her gaze, afraid even of being questioned too much.

Aditya nodded slowly, though he wasn't convinced. He looked at her for another moment, then said, "Oh... okay."

He took a breath before continuing, "Actually, bhai is on call."

For a moment, she didn't understand. Her brows furrowed slightly.

Then he clarified softly, "Rivan bhai... he's on call."

The name hit her like a wave crashing into her chest.

Her breath hitched. The world blurred. Every nerve in her body froze as the sound of his name echoed in her ears .......Rivan.

Her fingers clutched her saree tighter, her knuckles turning white.

The images flashed his cold eyes, his rough words, the moment he'd hurt her without mercy.

Her heart started to pound painfully, like it wanted to escape her chest.

Aditya noticed the sudden fear clouding her face. "Bhabhi?" he asked softly, but she didn't answer.

Devyani's lips parted, but no words came out. She just shook her head rapidly, her eyes pleading no.

Her hand trembled as she gestured faintly, refusing to take the phone.

Aditya blinked, confused. "You... don't want to talk to him?" he asked gently.

She only nodded once, quickly, eyes wide and nervous like a scared child who'd seen a ghost. Her heartbeat echoed in her ears.

Aditya understood something deeper than words was hidden behind that silence.

He turned away slightly, taking a slow breath before putting the phone to his ear.

"Uh... bhai," he said carefully, trying to sound normal, "actually bhabhi has a bit of a headache. Maybe you can talk to her later?"

There was silence on the other side.

Then a low hum too quiet, but heavy came through the line.

Aditya could almost feel his brother's authority even through the phone, the silence carrying its own weight.

He quickly added, "I'll tell her you called," and before Rivan could reply, he pressed the red button.

He stared at the screen for a second, his heart racing. "I know I'm going to die for this," he muttered under his breath with a weak laugh. "But at least... I saved her from that fear for now."

He pocketed the phone and looked once more at Devyani still sitting there, her face pale, her eyes glassy with unshed tears.

"Take rest, bhabhi," he said softly, forcing a smile to lighten her mood. "And... don't worry. I'm here, okay?"

She only nodded faintly, her throat too tight to speak.

After he left, the silence returned but it wasn't peaceful anymore.

Devyani's pulse refused to calm. Her palms were cold.

She leaned back against the chair, whispering to herself in a trembling voice, "He called... why did he call...?"

The mere thought of hearing his voice again sent a shiver crawling down her spine.

She pressed her hand to her chest, trying to steady the wild rhythm of her heart.

But no matter how much she tried, that same old fear the same haunting presence of Rivan Thakur had returned, darker and heavier than ever before.

.

.

.

.

Jinal wandered through the vast corridors of the Oberoi Palace, her steps light but her eyes full of wonder. Every corner whispered luxury tall golden chandeliers, mirrored walls, ancient paintings that seemed to watch her as she passed.

Her fingers brushed over the marble railing as she moved, lost in her thoughts. The world outside felt far away; here, everything was calm, serene like she'd stepped into another time.

The soft rustle of her saree echoed in the stillness until a hesitant voice broke it.

"Uh... h–hiiiii," came a nervous stutter from behind her.

Jinal turned around, startled at first, then her lips curved into a small, polite forced smile. "Hiii," she replied, her voice calm but cautious.

It was Rajveer standing there with his usual slightly awkward charm, his hands shoved halfway into his pockets, trying to look casual but clearly nervous.

For a second, he just stood there, searching for what to say next. His gaze flickered between her face and the floor, as if he was rehearsing words in his mind.

"Umm..." he finally blurted, "want... to see the palace?"

Jinal blinked, her brows knitting slightly. "Oh... no actually," she said softly, smiling a little, "I've already seen a few areas."

Rajveer scratched the back of his neck, pretending to think. "Oh... right, right," he said quickly, then after a pause added with a small grin, "but you haven't seen the best part yet."

Jinal tilted her head, her curiosity quietly piqued. She could see that childlike spark in his eyes the kind that made it hard to say no. And though she didn't really want to go anywhere, she also didn't want to hurt him.

"Okay," she said finally, nodding gently. "Show me then."

Rajveer's face lit up instantly, like the sun had just broken through clouds. "Come with me," he said with sudden enthusiasm, gesturing for her to follow.

They walked side by side through long hallways glowing with soft golden light. Rajveer occasionally glanced at her from the corner of his eye not too long, not too bold, just quietly admiring her calm grace.

Jinal, on the other hand, kept her focus on the palace the high ceilings, the scent of fresh flowers drifting from the vases, the gentle echo of their footsteps.

Still, she couldn't help but notice the strange ease she felt beside him not love, not attraction, just a quiet warmth, like being seen after a long time.

As they reached the end of the corridor, Rajveer stopped before a carved wooden door. He turned to her with a faint smile and said softly, "Ready to see my favourite part?"

Jinal nodded, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

He pushed open the door and what lay beyond took her breath away.

Her eyes widened.

It wasn't another hall or royal room it was a terrace garden, hidden at the farthest corner of the palace.

The morning sun bathed everything in a golden hue.

Rows of white lilies and roses lined the marble railings, while an ancient fountain stood in the center, its water dancing gently under the light.

Birds fluttered around, chirping in the stillness.

Jinal took a slow breath, the wind softly lifting the loose strand of her hair. "It's... beautiful," she whispered, her voice almost lost in the breeze.

Rajveer smiled quietly, his eyes fixed not on the view, but on her expression that unguarded awe, the childlike peace that made her face glow.

"I knew you'd like it," he said softly, walking beside her.

"Hardly anyone comes here. It's peaceful.

.. like the palace itself breathes differently here. "

Jinal turned to look at him, her tone curious. "You come here often?"

Rajveer nodded slowly. "Yeah... when everything feels too loud, too much." He paused, his eyes drifting toward the sky. "People think palaces are full of happiness, but sometimes they're just full of echoes. So I come here to escape them."

His words held an unexpected weight, something Jinal didn't expect from him. She looked at him, her expression softening. "You sound like someone who hides his pain behind a smile," she said gently, almost without realizing she'd spoken aloud.

Rajveer turned to her surprised first, then he gave a faint chuckle, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Maybe you're right," he murmured.

A moment of silence settled between them not awkward, but strangely comforting. The wind blew softly, carrying the faint fragrance of jasmine around them.

"Rajveer..." she said softly, still gazing at the sky. "You're right. This place... it does feel peaceful."

He smiled faintly, his voice low. "That's why I brought you here, Jinal. You look like someone who could use a little peace too."

Jinal turned toward him, her eyes meeting his two gentle souls carrying different storms, standing in the same quiet wind.

Neither of them said anything after that. They didn't need to.

For a brief moment, it felt like the world had paused leaving just the two of them, the wind, and the sound of the fountain echoing softly in the golden silence.

He cleared his throat softly. "Umm... Jinal," he began, his voice low but uncertain, "can we— I mean, if you don't mind... maybe we could go out for lunch tomorrow?"

Jinal blinked, caught off guard. "Lunch?"

"Yeah, I mean... it's okay if you're not comfortable. I just thought after all this palace chaos maybe a quiet lunch would be nice. Just... a normal day, you know?"

For a moment, Jinal didn't respond. She looked down at her hands, thinking. There was something about Rajveer's tone gentle, unsure, not demanding that made it difficult to refuse. After a few seconds, she nodded lightly.

"Okay," she said softly. "I'll get ready by 1:30."

Rajveer's eyes lit up instantly, his face breaking into a wide, genuine smile. "Really? Okay! Thank you so much." His happiness was almost boyish, the kind that made Jinal hide a small smile of her own.

They walked a few more steps in silence, and then Rajveer's voice came again softer this time. "Umm... one more thing."

Jinal looked at him curiously. "Yes?"

He hesitated, glancing down at the floor before meeting her eyes again.

"Actually... tonight at the party there'll be some dance performances.

Everyone's going to be dancing with someone and I.

.. I was wondering..." His voice trailed, nervousness creeping in.

"...would you dance with me? Just one dance? "

Jinal froze for a second, caught between surprise and shyness. "Umm..." she murmured, brushing her saree pallu with her fingers. "We'll see."

Rajveer gave a small, understanding nod, his smile softening. "Yeah, sure. I'm not forcing, it's completely your choice."

The words hung gently between them awkward, but honest.

As they reached the last step of the grand staircase, neither spoke again. The palace's quiet returned, broken only by the faint echo of their footsteps.

Both walked toward the dining hall—

their silence heavy, but not empty.

No one would ever think to come here; no one would ever hear her screams.

Still, she screamed. She screamed until her throat burned, until every sound cracked and disappeared into the empty space.

Tears streamed down her face, mixing with the sweat and dust on her cheeks.

Her chest heaved, each breath ragged and shallow, and the walls around her seemed to close in tighter with every sob.

Finally, when her voice gave out completely, she sank to the cold floor, curling into herself. Her small hands clutched her ears tightly, as if the sheer pressure could shut out the cruel silence and the echoes of her terror. Alone. Helpless. Forgotten.

"Nope. Not at all." I leaned closer and pinched her cheek lightly. "How can I scold my small baby?"

Her eyes instantly narrowed. "Small baby? Me??"

"Yes, you," I said, half teasing, half enjoying her reaction.

She puffed her cheeks. "No! I'm not small! I'm big enough to complain about you to my papa!"

My brows furrowed. "Complain? About me?"

She nodded proudly. "Yes! And he said if I give him a solid reason, he'll give me a new husband! So you better be good with me!"

For a second, I forgot how to breathe. My eyes widened.

Was she... for real?

This woman no, this little trouble magnet was planning to replace me!