2
The market hit them like a warm, colorful wave stalls piled high with glittering bangles, embroidered dupattas, piles of bright spices scenting the air, and the constant hum of bargaining voices.
The Thakur women spilled out of the cars like a small, loud festival: Yashodha composed and watchful, Rekha excitedly pointing at fabric, Payal squealing over a mirror, and Aradhya with that dangerous smirk that always meant trouble.
"Today I'm going to harass every man who dares to look this way," Aradhya announced aloud, tossing her hair like a banner. She was already scanning the crowd, eyes glittering.
Payal rolled her eyes. "Stop this nonsense. You always harass boys. If Bhaiyya or Papa find out, you'll be dead."
Aradhya narrowed her eyes theatrically. "Let them come. I'll take my chance."
Devyani blinked, innocent and earnest. "Ummm... what do you mean by 'harass'?" Her brow wrinkled. The word sounded like a beast she had never met.
Aradhya laughed and tapped Devyani's nose with a playful finger. "Come on. I'll show you."
Yashodha watched them with a small smile, but her eyes stayed sharp there were always too many strangers in a market. Rekha was already bargaining with a fabric seller, her voice loud and practiced.
The bodyguards spread around them like silent sentinels, blending into the crowd but watching every move.
As they moved deeper into the bustling market, the crowd thickened, voices overlapping, and vendors shouting rates. The air smelled of dust and roasted peanuts, but something else hung there too—the weight of eyes.
A few men, standing near a pan shop, were staring far too boldly.
One of them, barely in his twenties, leaned against a scooter, eyes shamelessly trailing from Aradhya to Devyani, and then stopping lingering on Devyani's chest. His gaze was so filthy, so unapologetic, that even the sunlight felt tainted for a second.
Aradhya noticed.
Her laughter froze. Her smile vanished, replaced by that dangerous anger the one that made Payal mutter, "Bas ab gaya bechara."
She marched two steps forward, loud enough for half the street to hear.
"Aye saale kutte,aankh niche kar!"
(Hey, you slick idiot, lower your eyes!)
The boy blinked, startled, but didn't move.
Aradhya's voice cut sharper, fearless and dripping with mockery.
"Saale, tere ghar me bahen nai hai kya? Aankhein nikaal ke hath me de dun?"
The surrounding vendors laughed, some in shock, others in approval. The boy instantly looked down, guilt flushing his face red. Payal shook her head but couldn't stop the proud grin.
"Every single time," Payal muttered. "Bhaiyya would kill them, but she gives heart attacks instead."
They moved on, pretending to ignore it, but Devyani was still shaken. Her innocent eyes darted around; she clutched Aradhya's arm like a child seeking safety.
"Why... why were they looking like that?" she whispered softly, genuinely confused.
Aradhya squeezed her hand gently, forcing a smile.
"Because the world is full of garbage, Devu. And sometimes, you gotta be the fire that burns it before it touches you."
Devyani's lips parted in awe, eyes wide. "Oh..." she said, as though she'd just learned a new lesson written in bold across the sky.
Payal groaned her hand over her mouth, laughing. "You're crazy, Aru."
Devyani's face lit up. "Then... I'll also say that next time!"
"NOOOO!" Payal and Aradhya both yelled in unison, bursting into laughter.
The market around them had returned to normal bustle, but those few men had learned something: these weren't just pretty faces from a royal house—these were Thakur women.
And no one messed with a Thakur woman and walked away smiling.
Aradhya leaned forward, eyes blazing with mischief and menace. She put one finger under Devyani's chin so the girl had to look straight at her.
"Suno," she said, low and slow so Devyani could copy the tone. "Agar koi tumhe galat nazar se dekhe, pehle seedha bol —'Aye sale kutte, aankh niche kar!' "
("Listen — if someone stares at you in the wrong way, say — 'Hey you damn dog, keep your eyes down!'")
Devyani blinked, then repeated the words shyly. Aradhya laughed and corrected her little pauses, then added the next line, fiercer.
"Phir agar phir bhi dare toh thoda tez bolna — 'Teri aankh nikaal ke ball bana ke khelungi!' "
("If he still dares, say it louder — 'I'll pull out your eyes and make balls to play with!'")
Devyani's eyes widened. "Aankh... ball?" she echoed, baffled but thrilled by the drama.
She showed Devyani how to throw the words with a laugh and a stare one hand on hip, head tilted, voice like a pistol. She demonstrated the perfect disgusted nose-scrunch and the little laugh-that-says-you're-finished.
Devyani practiced once, then again, trying on anger like a new dress. Her first attempt came out small and sweet: "Aye... sale kutte... aankh niche kar..." She almost giggled at herself.
Aradhya corrected the rhythm, pushed her chin up and made her say it like she meant it. Devyani tried again, this time louder, more certain, and a tiny spark of something fierce lit up behind her doe eyes.
"Ok I'll do this," she said very seriously, tiny fists clenched. "Agar koi dekhe, main bol dungi — Aye sale kutte..." She mispronounced one word and they both burst out laughing.
Aradhya ruffled her hair affectionately. "Perfect. You're dangerous and adorable. Now when you say it, they'll run."
They left the stall arm in arm: one newly armed with words, the other gleefully proud of her pupil.
After Yashodha's scolding, all the girls fell silent, pretending to behave. They trailed behind the elders like obedient shadows though Aradhya still threw secret glares at any man who dared to glance their way.
Devyani's eyes sparkled as they passed one jewelry stall. Her steps slowed when she spotted a beautiful silver payal glinting under the lights. Tiny ghungroos hung from it, tinkling softly with the wind.
"Kitne ki hai ye?" she asked.
The shopkeeper smiled, "Bas madam, 1700 rupaye."
Her eyes widened. "Ek payal ke itne paise?" (So much for just one anklet?)
Instantly, she placed it back on the counter as if it might bite her.
By the time they reached the palace, the cars were loaded with shopping bags and laughter.
Yashodha and Rekha chatted about tomorrow's return to Rajasthan, while Aradhya bragged about how many earrings she bought.
Devyani, holding a few bangles, entered her room quietly. She placed them on the dressing table, the soft colors shimmering in the warm light.
Her heart was strangely light. Everything here felt new loud, chaotic, yet filled with warmth. For the first time, she didn't feel entirely like an outsider.
And somewhere, she could feel him getting closer not in words, but in the way his silence had changed.
He didn't yell. He didn't shout. Just quiet glances that lingered a little too long...
And she couldn't stop herself from smiling at the thought.
"Tomorrow we'll leave..." she whispered to herself, touching her bangles softly, "but I don't want to go."
Unknowingly, her heart had already found a rhythm in this madness and its name was Rivan Thakur.
It was noon.
Rivan entered the room to grab his laptop before heading out for a meeting. But the moment he stepped inside, he stopped.
Devyani stood near the mirror, carefully slipping on her colorful bangles. The soft ching-ching sound filled the room, matching the small smile curving her lips. She looked so lost in her little world simple, pure, happy.
Rivan leaned against the doorframe silently, arms crossed. His cold, unreadable eyes softened for a brief second. She looks... cute, he thought, a faint smile tugging his lips.
Devyani caught his reflection in the mirror.
Her smile vanished.
Her brain blank for two second suddenly remembered.
Devyani turned sharply, eyes wide and face all serious.
"Abe sale kutte! Aankhein neeche kar!"
Rivan froze mid-step.
For two long seconds, he didn't even blink.
His laptop bag slipped a little from his hand.
The silence was so thick that even the bangles stopped clinking.
Rivan blinked.
He actually turned around, thinking she must be yelling at someone outside the window.
But then he heard it again
Her innocent yet fiery voice filling the whole room:
"Abe oye, tujhe hi bol rahi hoon! Aankh neeche kar warna aankh nikal ke ball bana ke khelungi!"
Rivan froze.
For a whole second, he stood there blank, expressionless, laptop still in hand.
Then slowly, very slowly, he turned his head toward her.
He blinked once. Twice. Processing.
Devyani, completely unaware of the storm she'd just summoned, looked at him innocently and asked,
"Kya hua? I said it right na?
Rivan's grip on his laptop tightened; his jaw flexed sharply.
"Kitten..." his tone was calm, too calm.
Devyani blinked. "Hmm?"
He took a slow step toward her. Then another. Each one deliberate.
Her heartbeat quickened.
Rivan stopped right in front of her, eyes locked on hers, voice dangerously low —
"Say that again."
"Ummm... a-aye sale kut—"
"Stop." His tone dropped colder than ice.
Her eyes widened. "W-what? I just—"
He exhaled, half shocked, half struggling not to laugh at her clueless face.
"Who taught you that, huh?"
"Aradhya!" she replied proudly. "She said if someone stares, we must say this only!"
She nodded confidently. "Haan! You were staring at me so I told you to put your eyes down!"
Rivan ran a hand down his face.
For a man who could make entire boardrooms fall silent with one look... his own wife had just called him kutte and threatened to play cricket with his eyeballs.
He took a slow step forward, each footstep echoing in the silent room.
Devyani's fake confidence instantly melted.
"W-why are you coming near?" she stuttered.
He stopped right in front of her, bending slightly so his eyes met hers.
"Kitten..." his tone was dangerously soft, "Next time you say that to me make sure you have someone to save you later."
Her lips parted. "S-save me? From what?"
Rivan leaned closer, his breath brushing her ear, and murmured,
"From me."
She blinked rapidly, her heart racing, not understanding what he meant but feeling a strange flutter in her stomach.
he muttered under his breath, half amused, half irritated—
"Aradhya... I'm going to bury you alive for this."
And Devyani, still standing there clutching her bangles, whispered to herself,
"But I just said what she told me..."
RIVAN's hand slid to her waist before she had time to think; the touch was firm, possessive. He pulled her closer until there was no space left between them his presence pressing like a shadow that both frightened and warmed her.
"You are okay calling me kutte?" he asked quietly, the words half-amused.
Devyani blinked, completely earnest. "Haan," she said."You called me 'kitten na"
For a breathless second his eyes closed, as if he was tasting the absurdity of it.
Then, almost impossibly soft, he said, "Theek hai. Aapke liye kutta bhi ban jaata hoon bas doosron ke saamne mat pukaarna."
("Alright. For you, I can even become a dog—just don't shout it in front of others.")
Devyani's face lit up with that toothy, innocent smile that disarmed him every time. "Okay kutte pati ji." She said it like a child copying an important new phrase, utterly proud of herself.
RIVAN let out a sound between a laugh and a groan, his expression melting for half a heartbeat before the old, colder edge returned. He softened a hand at the base of her spine, then slid it away and stepped back.
Under his breath angry, amused, protective he murmured, I'll settle the score with Aradhya later.
Devyani tilted her head, puzzled by the tone she heard in his voice, and watched him walk away. The moment hung between them: childish, intimate, dangerous and impossibly theirs.
.
.
.
The grand corridors of Palace, usually echoing with quiet discipline and soft footsteps, were now filled with chaos... all thanks to one person Devyani Thakur.
Wearing her saree proudly adjusting her shawl, she stepped out of her room with royal confidence.
Her eyes scanned the hallway one male servant bowed politely in respect, saying,
"Namaste, Thakurain ji."
And before he could blink—
"Abe sale kutte! Ankh niche kar!" she shouted, glaring dramatically.
The poor servant almost dropped the tray he was holding and instantly bent so low he could practically mop the floor with his forehead.
"Ji-ji Thakurain ji! Sorry Thakurain ji!"
Devyani smiled proudly. "Good boy."
Then she kept walking like a queen inspecting her kingdom except this queen had absolutely no idea what she was doing.
Every servant who saw her from far away instantly froze like statues.
But our Devyani was on a mission.
She turned at the corridor another servant bowed.
"Abe oye! Tujhe hi bol rahi hoon! Ankh niche kar warna nikaal ke ball banake khelungi!" she said proudly, repeating every single line Aradhya had taught her.
The poor man's eyes widened in horror he instantly turned around and ran like his life depended on it.
Within ten minutes
Thakur Palace turned into a silent war zone.
Every male servant now walked with his eyes glued to the floor.
While serving tea — eyes down.
While dusting furniture — eyes down.
While walking — eyes down.
Even the palace guards outside the main gate were whispering,
"Bhai, agar Thakurain ji idhar aayi toh aankh bandh kar lena... warna ball ban jaayegi."
And in the middle of it all, Devyani walked with the proudest smile ever, hands on her waist like a victorious queen.
"Hmph! Ab koi mujhe nahi dekhega," she said to herself proudly.
"Kitna asaan hai na?"
She had no clue that the entire male staff was now praying
Reyansh had just stepped into Palace, fixing his cuffs, looking as charming and calm as ever.
The guards immediately bowed a sign of respect.
But before he could even greet anyone, a sweet voice squealed from the hallway
He turned and there she was.
Devyani, in, running toward him like a happy kid.
"Aap mere liye aaye?"
Reyansh's face instantly softened. "Ah, my Devu! Of course I came. How could I not come when my baby sister-in-law calls me, hmm?"
Devyani hugged him tightly, grinning from ear to ear. "Thank you, bhaiyya! But tomorrow we are leaving... you are late!"
He chuckled, patting her head. "It's okay, Devu. We'll enjoy today, hmm? You, me, full masti day!"
Devyani nodded eagerly. "Yes, bhaiyya!"
But before Reyansh could blink
She suddenly stepped back, narrowed her eyes like a mafia don, and shouted
"Abe sale kutte! Ankh niche kar!"
Reyansh froze mid-laugh.
His smile vanished. His eyebrows twitched. His brain stopped functioning for exactly five seconds.
"Hein... what?" he asked, completely stunned.
Devyani tilted her head innocently, "Aradhya ne bola tha jab koi dekhe toh aise bolna."
Reyansh looked around and realized every single servant had already lowered their gaze to the floor in terror.
Reyansh blinked twice, completely lost.
"Wait... wait... Devu... tumne mujhe kutta bola???"
Devyani frowned cutely. "Haan toh kya hua?"
Reyansh ran a hand over his face, trying not to laugh or cry. "Yeh kisne sikhaya yeh sab???"
Devyani proudly said, "Aradhya!"
Reyansh: "Of course..." ??
Rivan was sitting on the couch, phone in one hand, files scattered on the table his voice cold, commanding.
He was busy handling a business deal when suddenly
BAM!
The door flung open, and Reyansh walked in looking traumatized.
Without saying a word, he marched straight to Rivan... and hugged him tightly.
Rivan froze mid-sentence on call.
"Mr. Mehta, I'll call you back," he said dryly, cutting the call.
He glanced down at the man clinging to him.
"What the hell, Reyansh?"
Reyansh, in a baby-crying voice:
"Rivan... Devu ne mujhe kutta kaha!"
("Rivan... Devu called me a dog!") ??
Rivan blinked once, then twice.
Then, expressionless, he shrugged Reyansh off.
"Toh kutte ko kutta hi bolegi na... aur kya bolegi?"
("So she called a dog a dog... what else should she call it?")
Reyansh's mouth fell open.
He stared at him in disbelief.
"Bhsdk! Kya kara meri Devu ke saath?!"
("You idiot! What did you do to my Devu?!")
"Sale, 2–3 din tere paas kya chod diya, kya-kya sikha diya usko!"
("Left her with you for two-three days, and look what all she's learned!")
"Reyansh, go talk to your sisters for the evolution of your Devu."
("Reyansh, go and talk to your sisters they're clearly responsible for how your Devu has evolved.")
Reyansh: "Evolution?? Bhai, yeh toh full mutation hai!"
("Evolution?? Bro, this is a full mutation!")
Reyansh threw his hands dramatically.
"Yeah, great! My baby Devu is now barking orders at servants, calling me kutta, and I swear the guards saluted me with their eyes down!"
RIVAN's gaze cut through him cold, precise, the kind that made men rethink their life choices.
"Just get lost, Reyansh," he said, every syllable clipped.
Reyansh saluted with a mock-solemn face. "Yes, I'm going — Aru needs a proper punishment for turning Devu into a mini terrorist."
.
.
Aditya was busy going through a few calls when the head servant came running into his office, panting like he'd just seen a ghost.
"Sir... sir, there's an issue," he stammered.
Aditya frowned, keeping his phone aside. "What issue?"
The servant gulped hard. "Madam..... she's roaming around the palace... shouting... and all the servants are... well, terrified."
Aditya brows drew together. "Terrified?"
The servant quickly shook his head. "N-no, sir! She's calling them names and threatening to... to make balls out of their eyes!"
Aditya roze, blinking in disbelief. "What?!"
Before the servant could add anything else,Aditya raised his hand, sighing deeply. "Okay... okay, I'll see what's the matter. Go."
He followed the faint sound of anklets and... shouting.
And there she was Devyani Thakur walking down the corridor like a Jhansi ki Rani, her eyes sharp, voice echoing through the haveli:
"Abe sale kutte! Ankh neeche kar warna ankh nikaal ke ball bana ke khelungi!"
Every servant in sight instantly dropped their gaze to the floor, trembling like leaves in a storm.
Aditya just stood there, frozen.
Still, gathering courage, he walked toward her. "Bhabhi?" he said gently. "Is something wrong? Are you uncomfortable with the staff? I can change them if you—"
Devyani turned sharply.
Her eyes widened when she saw him, and she pointed her finger straight at him.
"Abe sale kutte, ankh neeche kar!"
Adtiya went rigid. His soul left his body for a second. He immediately lowered his eyes like an obedient schoolboy.
Then, slowly lifting them again, he stammered, "B-Bhabhi... is... is something wrong? Should I... uh... change the servants if you're not comfortable?"
Devyani looked utterly innocent, blinking. "Why? Why will you change them? What's the problem with you rich people, haan? Always changing things when you don't like something."
Aditya mouth opened. Closed. Opened again.
He looked completely lost, staring at her like she'd just spoken in another language.
"I... I was just... trying to help," he said softly, scratching his head.
Aditya practically ran out of the corridor like his life depended on it. His heart was still racing, and he didn't stop until he found Reyansh.
Aditya grabbed his shoulder. "You YOU KNEW???"
Reyansh looked up, confused. "Knew what?"
Aditya hissed, still half-panicking. "That
bhabhi is roaming around calling everyone kutta and threatening to make cricket balls out of their eyes!!"
Reyansh instantly choked on his coffee. "She—she told YOU that???"
Aditya glared. "Yes!
Reyansh wiped his mouth, trying hard not to laugh. "Ohh... toh tum bhi shikar ban gaye."
Aditya frowned. "Shikar???"
Reyansh smirked. "Long story, bro. But in short— Aradhya happened."
Aditya froze. "WHAT?"
Reyansh nodded casually. "Of course. Who else in the family has a PhD in disaster creation?"
Aditya groaned, rubbing his temples. "Perfect. Just perfect. Bhai is going to kill someone tonight."
And as if the devil heard his name, RIVAN entered.
The deadly calm, cold-faced Thakur stepped in, his aura sharp enough to slice the air.
Both aditya and Reyansh instantly stood straight, trying to act innocent.
Rivan's voice was dangerously low.
"Where's Aradhya?"
Reyansh pointed weakly. "Umm... in her room... watching series..."
Without another word, Rivan turned and walked. The brothers exchanged looks and silently followed.
In Aradhya's room—
She was sitting comfortably on her bed, munching on chips, watching her favorite show. She didn't even realize she was about to face doomsday.
The door suddenly opened.
Her smile dropped.
In front of her stood the deadly trio — Rivan, Reyansh, and Aditya— each with a different level of fury, exhaustion, and trauma on their faces.
Aradhya blinked. "Hein? What happened? Why are you all looking at me like I stole your kidneys?"
Reyansh crossed his arms. "You didn't steal kidneys, princess, you stole our peace of mind!"
Aradhya looked confused. "What? What did I do??"
Rivan took one slow step forward, his tone icy calm.
"Aradhya... tell me one thing... tumne Devyani ko kya sikhaya hai?"
Aradhya gulped. Her hand paused mid-air holding a chip.
She blinked up at her brother his expression unreadable, but his eyes screaming danger.
All three of them—Rivan, Aditya, and Reyansh—stood there glaring at Aradhya with the same deadly expression.
Rivan's voice was cold enough to freeze the air.
"Your card is blocked for one whole month, Miss Aradhya Thakur."
Aradhya's eyes flew wide.
"O–One month... bhai?"
"Yes," Rivan replied, unblinking. "No negotiation."
Aradhya swallowed hard. She couldn't even protest; his tone didn't leave any space for that.
She lowered her eyes and muttered under her breath,
"Did she really say those things to them? Maa, save me... please."
Rivan turned and left without another word.
Reyansh followed him, still annoyed.
Aditya stayed back for a moment, watching her like she was a ticking bomb.
Aradhya stood there in shock.
A blocked card meant disaster—no money from the card, no money from Papa, and no way to survive her royal expenses.
She gulped again... and then her eyes slowly shifted toward the only person who might help.
She smirked softly.
"Bali ka bakra..." she whispered, and marched straight toward him.
Aradhya folded her arms and said in her authoritative tone,
"Your card, brother. Hand it over."
Aditya didn't even look up at her. He just rolled his eyes.
"Never."
A slow, wicked smirk lifted Aradhya's lips.
"Should I... go tell Papa that his beloved son, who just returned home, was actually staying in our hotel?" she asked sweetly. "And that there was a girl with him?"
The moment the word "girl" left her mouth, Aditya's head snapped toward her—sharp, cold, deadly.
He didn't speak.
He didn't blink.
He only stared at her with that silent, lethal glare that made her throat dry instantly.
Aradhya gulped.
"O-okay... cool... brother. I don't want your card anymore," she whispered quickly, taking a tiny step back. "You can keep it."
She tried to leave, but Aditya stepped toward her—slow, controlled, dangerous.
His voice dropped to a low threat.
"Who went to the hotel, Aradhya?"
"N-no one, brother... absolutely no one." She shook her head so fast that her earrings rattled.
Aditya held her gaze for another long second before saying,
"Good. If I hear anything—anything at all—
I won't spare you. And you know that."
Aradhya nodded in panic.
"Yes, brother. I know."
Aditya's hand wrapped around her throat—not tight, but firm enough to freeze her breath and send a shiver racing down her spine. He leaned in, his voice so cold it felt like it scraped against her skin.
"Next time I even hear you taking her name..."
his grip tightened just a fraction,
"I'll fucking bury you alive, Aradhya. Don't test me."
Aditya left without another word—calm, steady footsteps echoing like a silent warning down the hallway.
Aradhya stood frozen, her pulse thundering in her ears.
She had seen Rivan angry... she had seen him furious...
But this?
This was different.
Everyone in the palace feared Rivan Singh Thakur—the ruthless, short-tempered, unpredictable beast.
But they always forgot one thing.
Aradhya swallowed hard, her voice barely a whisper as she hugged herself.
"Everyone thinks Rivan is the dangerous one...
until they see who the real Aditya Thakur is..."
A chill crawled up her spine.
Because Aditya's anger didn't explode.
It didn't roar.
It didn't threaten loudly.
It quietly promised destruction.
And that was far more terrifying.
The moment Rivan parted his lips to speak,
Devyani suddenly grabbed his shirt collar and opened his shirt buttons one by one FAST.
His entire chest was exposed before he could even react.
Rivan's soul: (leaving the body)
Devyani touched his chest with both hands and said with full confidence:
"See!! They are reacting!"
She started circling her fingers on his skin,
soft, slow, innocent touches...
Rivan's breath hitched.
She looked up at him seriously:
"Why are you removing your hands from my breasts?"
I am proving the difference na."