Isha let out a loud, excited scream, "Ahhhhhhhhhh....."
Anant covered his ears, laughing, "Why are you screaming?"
Isha's eyes sparkled with excitement, "Really, that deal is done?"
I rolled my eyes, "Dramatic," and headed upstairs to my room.
Anant confirmed, "Yes, that deal is done."
Isha's excitement turned to curiosity, "Means now we can go to our home?"
Anant replied, "No, we have to stay here for one more month."
Isha started crashing Anant's hair as he rested his head on her lap. After a moment of comfortable silence, Isha asked, "Ok, but what about Vaani?"
Anant's response was casual, "She will stay with us."
The room fell silent for a moment before Isha asked, "Coffee?"
Anant hummed in response, and Isha got up to prepare the coffee. As she moved towards the kitchen, Anant called out, "I'm in our room," and headed towards their bedroom.
After entering his room, Dhruv made a phone call. As the person on the other end picked up, Dhruv said with a smirk, "Our Singapore deal has been done, now Vaani will be in Rajvansh mansion after one month."
The person on the other end seemed to find this amusing, saying "Our plane is working on its own," and bursting into laughter. anant ended the call, still smiling to himself.
He then seemed to reflect on a past event, saying "Sorry bacha, that day I scared you, but I had no other option to take you with us."
flashback,
Dhruv and Anant are in their parents' company office, while Vaani is staying in a hotel. Anant is seen thinking to himself, frustrated that someone (likely Dhruv) still doesn't understand something.
However, an idea seems to strike Anant, and he smirks, thinking "Now let's see how you don't agree." He then calls the hotel manager, instructing him to cut the lights of the hotel for five minutes when he receives a message from Anant.
The manager is hesitant, pointing out the potential damage and inconvenience to the hotel and its guests. Anant is unmoved, telling the manager to just do as he's told and that he will be compensated for any losses.
As Anant ends the call, he thinks to himself, "Sorry bacha, but you will have to bear pain to live with your husband." The flashback then ends, leaving the reader wondering what exactly happened and what Anant's plan was.
flashback end
Isha's voice broke into Anant's thoughts, "Your coffee." He turned to thank her, "Thank you, Jaan."
As he sipped his coffee, Isha sat down in front of him and asked, "Now tell me the complete truth."
Anant began to recount the entire story, including the events at the hotel, the plane, and the conversation between him and Vaani's brother. Isha listened intently, her expression growing more concerned by the minute.
As Anant finished his story, Isha exclaimed, "How much has this innocent child suffered?"
Anant reassured her, "Not anymore, she has suffered as much as she had to. Now Dhruv will have to take care of her."
Isha looked uncertain, "You're sure that Dhruv will take care of her?"
Anant nodded confidently, "You weren't there when Vaani was scared. Whatever was in Dhruv's eyes, I couldn't call it worry or anger... it was love."
Isha seemed to relax a bit, "Okay, I'll let it go for now. I'm going to prepare dinner." She nodded and left the room.
As soon as she was gone, Anant closed his eyes and whispered, "Sorry, Jaan, for not telling you the complete truth. If I had, you would have hated me."
Dhruv pov-
As I stood in my room, I felt a sense of accomplishment and relief wash over me. My efforts of the last few months had finally paid off, and I could return home. But, as I thought about going back to Rajvansh mansion, a nagging question crept into my mind - what about Vaani? Could I really take her with me? And what would I do with her if I couldn't?
My thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. "Yes?" I called out.
The servant's voice replied, "Sir, dinner is ready. All the members are waiting for you."
I nodded, even though he couldn't see me. "Okay, I'll be there in five minutes."
As I made my way downstairs to the dining area, my gaze fell on Vaani, and my feet seemed to stop mid-step. I couldn't explain why, but every time I saw her, my heart skipped a beat. Her eyes, deep and mysterious like the sea, drew me in, making me feel lost in their depths. Her innocent and sweet voice was like music to my ears, and I found myself wanting to listen to her talk forever.
But why? What was it about Vaani that had such a profound effect on me? I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but I knew that I couldn't ignore these feelings anymore.
As I entered the house, I couldn't help but notice that Vaani was no longer wearing sindoor and mangalsutra. A pang of discomfort hit me, and I wondered why it bothered me so much. Didn't I tell her to remove them?
My mind flashed back to the conversation,we had on the jet. "I want to talk to you," I said, and she nodded, her eyes locked on mine. I sat down in front of her and explained, "Look, I am taking you with me. I will not tell anyone about our marriage. You are my wife only in name, who is known only to me, Anant, and Anant's wife. No one else should know this."
I paused, then continued, "You will be a Vaani Rajvansh only for me, but for the world, you will still be a Vaani Rawat. So, there's no need to wear this mangalsutra and sindoor. You have to remove it."
Vaani listened silently, nodding her head, and then looked away, gazing out the window. I returned to my seat, feeling a sense of unease.
Now, as I stood in the dining area, Isha's voice broke into my thoughts. "Dhruv, why are you standing there?"
I shook my head, clearing my thoughts, and took my seat at the table. Anant asked Vaani, "Princess, which subject do you study?"
I felt a surge of possessiveness at the term "princess." Why was Anant calling my wife by that name?
She is not your wife, only your responsibility, remember
I felt a surge of annoyance, but before I could respond, Vaani's innocent voice intervened.
"Matlab?" she asked, looking at me with curiosity.
Isha quickly intervened, "Means, what do you want to study next?"
As they continued their conversation, I listened intently, trying to appear nonchalant. Vaani's responses revealed a shocking truth - she had been discouraged from pursuing her education by her uncle.
"I can study more?" she asked, her voice laced with surprise.
Anant's response was encouraging, "Why not, princess?"
But Vaani's next words ignited a fire within me. "Uncle said I don't have to study after my 12th."
That bastard, I thought, clenched my fists in anger. I will not spare you, Rawat.
Isha's voice broke into my thoughts, "There is no one like you, uncle. If you want to study, then tell me which subject you want to pursue."
Vaani's response was music to my ears, "Medical, I want to be a doctor. I also cleared the NEET exam."
The room fell silent for a moment, before Isha asked, "Thume NEET clear kar rakha hai?" (You cleared NEET?)
Vaani's casual response, "Yes," was followed by Anant's question, "12th ke sath?" (Along with 12th?)
Vaani nodded, and I felt a mix of emotions - pride, surprise, and a hint of possessiveness.
I asked, trying to sound calm, "Which rank?"
Vaani's response was matter-of-fact, "273."
I nodded, trying to process this new information. Anant and Isha were staring at Vaani as if she was a ghost, and Vaani was looking at us with a mix of confusion and curiosity.
I tried to communicate with her through my eyes, but she just looked away. Isha broke the silence, "Means, there is no need for you to get admission, you just have to apply."
But Vaani shook her head in the negative, and I wondered what was going through her mind.
Vaani's words caught my attention, "I had given the paper two years ago, so there's no guarantee of its result." I understood her concern, but I was determined to help her.
I said, "Okay, tomorrow we'll get your admission done in Rajvansh Medical College, then you can start your classes." Vaani's eyes widened in surprise, and she asked, "What?"
Isha chimed in, "Why, you went to school, then you'll have to go to college too." But Vaani's response was unexpected, "I never went to school, I used to take online classes and would leave home only to give exams."
Her words were laced with a hint of sadness, and I felt a pang of regret for not knowing this about her earlier. Anant's serious tone broke the silence, "But now you have to go to college, and wherever you want to go."
Vaani's face lit up, and she started smiling, her dimples adding to her beauty. The atmosphere in the room shifted, and I could sense Vaani's excitement and anticipation.
After dinner, we returned to our respective rooms. As soon as I lay down on my bed, sleep consumed me, but my mind was still reeling with thoughts of Vaani and her mysterious past.
Next morning......
VAANI pov-
I woke up early, feeling excited and a bit anxious. "Didi, what should I wear, chashni?" I asked Isha, using the nickname I had given her.
Isha chuckled and said, "Keep quiet, no one is late, and anyway, today we are going for your admission. Your classes will start after that, for which we will do shopping."
I was bouncing on the bed, unable to contain my excitement. Isha gently set me back down, trying to calm me.
I had never left my home before, but now that I knew no one would stop me, my happiness knew no bounds. My bond with Isha had grown stronger, and I felt grateful to have her by my side.
Isha instructed me to come downstairs and have breakfast before we left for the college. I nodded eagerly, feeling like a good child.
At the dining table, I devoured my food like a panda, making everyone chuckle. Anant teased me, saying, "Baccha, eat it slowly, all this food is yours."
I mumbled with my mouth full, "No, no, gulab jamun, I have to eat quickly, otherwise, we will be late." My words were met with laughter, but I noticed someone's gaze on me, and I felt a slight pang.
After finishing my breakfast, I rushed to my room to get ready. "Chashni, can I wear this dress?" I shouted from behind, and everyone turned to look at me.
As I came down the stairs, my leg turned, and I almost fell, but I managed to steady myself. Everyone shouted in unison, "Carefully!" and rushed towards me.
Dhruv scolded me, "Can't you walk by seeing? If you fall now, then we would have to face another problem." His tone was harsh, and I felt a sting.
I whispered slowly, "Sorry," and lowered my head. Dhruv left, and I felt a pang of hurt.
Isha's voice was soothing as she said, "Aww, it's okay, it's his habit to shout at people. You come, we have to go to the college too." My face glowed up at her words, and I nodded eagerly, feeling like a child again.
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