Rathore palace:

The next morning, the soft chirping of birds and the melodious call of peacocks filled the air, spreading a gentle sense of positivity throughout the entire area. As the sun began to rise, its first golden rays travelled across the estate and stopped at a grand, towering gate that shone as brightly as polished gold. Several guards stood on both sides of the gate, alert and disciplined, protecting the entrance with quiet confidence…

Inside the gate lay a huge, beautifully maintained garden. Different kinds of flowers and plants filled the space, their colours glowing softly under the morning light. Small stone pathways curved through the garden, leading towards various parts of the palace. Each path seemed to tell its own story, guiding visitors deeper into the royal grounds. Near the palace’s main entrance, too, a number of guards stood watch, their presence adding to the dignity and security of the place. The entire scene looked peaceful, grand, and alive with the freshness of a new day…

Inside the palace, workers were bustling everywhere, moving from one place to another, busy with their tasks. Some hurried along the corridors, while others carried out their daily chores. It was the time for morning prayers, and everyone was about to head downstairs, yet a delightful fragrance lingered in the air, so tempting that it could captivate anyone nearby…

Just then, a voice broke through the calm morning:

“Ah! This fragrance is wonderful… who is making Halwa so early in the morning?...”

The voice did not belong to anyone else but Armaan’s grandfather, Adhiraj Singh Rathore, who had just stepped out of his room on the lower floor…

“Ha ha, no matter how good it smells, you won’t even get a spoon, remember your diabetes has worsened…” came another voice from behind. It was Armaan’s grandmother, Radhika Singh Rathore, who had just finished her preparations in the prayer room and was walking out…

“Exactly what Maa said, Baba! This isn’t for you. You remember, right? The doctor told you yesterday not to eat sweets…” said Armaan’s mother, Ragini Singh Rathore, stepping out of the kitchen, holding a plate of freshly made halwa…

The morning had turned lively, filled with the warmth of family chatter, the aroma of sweets, and the gentle rhythm of palace life awakening to a new day…

“Are bhai, what’s all this chatter so early in the morning?..” came another voice. It was Armaan’s father, Abhinav Singh Rathore, as he was coming down from his room…

“What else, brother? Bhabhi made halwa, and Baba is going crazy over it, what else could happen?...” Behind him was Abhigyan Singh Rathore, Armaan’s uncle, giving a teasing smile at his father…

“By the way, what’s special today? Why did Badi Maa make halwa?” came the voice of Abhimanyu Singh Rathore, Armaan’s cousin, who had just returned from the garden after his morning exercise…

“What, Bhai? You make me run so much, I’m completely exhausted…” said the other cousin, Akshit Singh Rathore, who had gone for the morning jog with Abhimanyu…

“Well, your stamina is terrible, how will you ever run properly, huh, you lazy cat?” said Armaan’s cousin and the most pampered one in the family, Akshita Singh Rathore, as she came downstairs after getting ready…

“Oh, you monkey, keep quiet! You don’t even do a bit of exercise, and you’re lecturing me? Do it for one day and then I’ll agree…” Akshit snapped back irritably…

“Stop fighting like cats and dogs! Every time I see you, you two are arguing,” scolded Armaan’s aunt, Nisha Singh Rathore, as she stepped out of the kitchen. “Abhi and Akki, go take your baths first, and come downstairs quickly. It’s almost time for the prayer...”

“Yes, Maa…” they replied together, and with that, Abhimanyu and Akshit headed to their respective rooms…

“By the way, Badi Maa, what’s the occasion for making halwa today?” Akshita asked, her voice filled with the excitement of a curious child…

“Because after one whole year, our little prince is finally coming home…” Radhika said, and the happiness in her voice was clearly visible…

Akshita’s eyes widened. “What? Abir bhai is coming?” she almost screamed, unable to hold back her excitement…

“Ha ha, yes, but stop shouting so early in the morning,” Nisha scolded her lightly…

“Oh Maa, forget all that! Just tell me when Bhai is coming!” Akshita insisted, bouncing with joy…

“By lunchtime, gudiya,” Abhinav replied with a gentle smile…

Ragini hesitated for a moment. “Woh… Baba…” she began to ask something, but stopped midway. Yet Adhiraj understood what she meant…

“Don’t worry, Ragini,” he said calmly. “He arrived home late last night…”

“Alright then, let’s start the prayer or we’ll get late,” Abhigyan said, taking charge…

Hearing that, everyone gathered for the morning prayer. A few minutes later, Abhimanyu and Akshit joined them. After the prayer, the family moved to the breakfast table, taking their usual seats. The atmosphere felt warm and homely, and everyone began waiting for Armaan, since he always came downstairs exactly at breakfast time…

While the family settled, Ragini finally voiced the uneasiness she had been carrying…

“Maa, don’t you think we should talk to Armaan about his marriage soon?” she asked, worried clearly in her tone…

“You’re right,” Radhika agreed, “but who will talk to him? You know very well, there’s only one person in this house who can handle him…” she said, first sounding concerned, then shifting her eyes toward Adhiraj with a meaningful look…

Everyone understood instantly. A wave of silent laughter travelled across the table as they held back their smiles, because in this house, talking to Armaan about marriage was no less than putting your hand inside a tiger’s mouth…

Before they could continue the conversation, the sound of footsteps echoed from the staircase. The moment those steps reached their ears, a deep silence spread across the entire dining room. There was a strong sense of authority in those footsteps, so commanding that even the bravest could feel uneasy just by hearing them. Everyone instantly knew who had arrived, and without a word, they straightened up in their seats…

The man who walked in was dressed in perfectly polished black shoes and a sharp black Armani suit that spoke of power and class. His hair was neatly styled, and a light, well-kept beard framed his face. His attention was fixed on his phone as he walked, calm and unhurried. When he finally lifted his lashes, revealing deep brown eyes, eyes in which any girl could easily lose herself, the room seemed to hold its breath. Yet there was something more than charm around him. A dangerous, intimidating aura surrounded him, an energy so intense that even his own family hesitated before him…

That man was none other than Armaan Singh Rathore, the King of Jaipur and the undisputed ruler of the business world. He was someone everyone feared, just hearing his name was enough to make even his enemies tremble. Anyway, he walked in calmly and took his seat at the head chair. Without saying a word, he only nodded slightly at everyone and began eating his breakfast. Seeing this, the others also started eating, though the elders kept exchanging silent signals with one another…

Just then, a cold and stoic voice cut through the room, freezing everyone in their places for a few seconds…

“What is it? Say it,” Armaan asked…

Hearing this, everyone turned to look at Adhiraj ji. He first put on an innocent expression and then looked at his grandson…

“Armaan, come home early today. We need to talk to you about something important,” Adhiraj ji said in a slightly serious tone…

Armaan simply nodded in response. He finished his breakfast, stood up, and started to leave. Abhimanyu also got up and followed him, and soon both of them left for the office together. Once Armaan was gone, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief, because doing anything freely in his presence was never easy…

“Ragini, Nisha, let’s go to the temple today. I’ve arranged a small prayer,” Radhika ji said softly…

“Yes, Maa,” Ragini replied, and Nisha also nodded in agreement…

After breakfast, everyone went back to their respective rooms. All the men headed to the office section of the house to discuss their next plan, how to convince Armaan for marriage. Meanwhile, Akshit and Akshita left for their college, and the house slowly returned to its usual rhythm, carrying quiet hopes and unspoken plans within its walls…

After some time, the three ladies got ready and left for the temple. Even during the car ride, their conversation revolved only around Armaan’s marriage…

“Maa, do you think Armaan will agree to get married?” Ragini asked, her voice carrying a hint of worry…

“He will have to agree, Ragini,” Radhika ji replied firmly yet emotionally. “How long can he live like this? He now needs a life partner, someone who can understand him, bring back the old Armaan, love him, and with whom Armaan can share what lies in his heart. Someone he can open up to and share his pain. I can’t watch him slowly break from within. Look at what my child has become…” As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes and slowly rolled down her cheeks…

“Maa, please don’t cry,” Nisha said gently, wiping Radhika ji’s tears. “Our Armaan will surely become the same as before. And we are here, aren’t we? We will find the best girl for him, someone who can bring back the Armaan he once was...”

“Nisha is right, Maa,” Ragini added, her voice trembling. “We will do whatever it takes to bring him back, because I can’t lose this child too… not like before.” She stopped mid-sentence, her eyes turning distant, as if lost in painful memories…

“Alright, enough now,” Nisha said softly, trying to lighten the heavy mood. “We’ve reached the temple. You both go inside, I’ll bring the prayer plate…”

They stepped out of the car, and Ragini and Radhika ji slowly walked toward the temple, while Nisha paused for a moment to wipe away the tears that were about to fall from her eyes. After calming herself, she went to bring the prayer plate…

On the other side, Ragini and Radhika ji began climbing the temple stairs. The steps were slightly uneven, and suddenly Radhika ji’s foot slipped on a stone. She was about to fall when, at that very moment, a pair of hands reached out and held her firmly, saving her from falling…

.

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To be continued...