CHAPTER 20 : "REUNION OF TWO HEARTS"

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I'm sorry for not updating yesterday. I needed to make a few changes to the chapter I had written, and it took a little extra time. Thank you all for your patience.Hope you will enjoy the chapter💗✨

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The day of the event had finally arrived. Kashi stood by the window of her small room, staring at the bustling street. Normally, such an event would fill her heart with excitement. But today was different. There was no excitement, only a sense of dread weighing heavily on her chest. This time, she wasn't visiting to meet her Veer ji, the person who had always filled her heart with warmth, but Vishwanath Rai Singhania, the formidable King of Bundelkhand and she had no other choice but to go. His status had always been an afterthought to her, but after the truth of his identity came to light, everything felt so different, so distant.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her mother's voice. "Kashi, beta, come here."

Kashi quickly composed herself and went to her mother's room. As always, her mother's fragile form made her heart ache, but she didn't let it show. She smiled softly and sat beside her, Just then, Riya arrived, ready to help. Her presence eased Kashi's worries to some extent. Kashi briefed Riya about her duties for the day, the timing of her mother's medications, the meals, the schedule for when she should rest. Kashi detailed everything with the care of someone who had done it countless times before, ensuring every detail was remembered. She didn't want to leave her mother, not like this, but duty called.

"I'll be back soon, Maa. Don't worry," she said, gently squeezing her mother's hand.

Her mother smiled weakly. "I know, beta. You're always there when I need you. But please, take care of yourself too."

Kashi nodded and turned to Riya with gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you so much for being here, Riya. I really appreciate your help today." Kashi's voice was filled with sincerity.

Riya smiled warmly in response, assuring her, "Don't worry, Kashi. I'll take good care of aunty."

After bidding goodbye, Kashi took one last look at her mother and left. Her heart, heavy with a mixture of anxiety and sadness, felt torn between two worlds , her mother's fragile condition and the daunting task that awaited her at the Singhania mansion.

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Kashi arrived at Bundelkhand, her eyes drifting over the familiar landscape as she walked through the gates of the Singhania mansion. It was as grand and imposing as she remembered, a stark reminder of the vast chasm that existed between her world and Vishwanath's. Yet today, it felt even more intimidating. After passing through the security check, she was greeted by the staff, who verified her ID and directed her toward the stall area, where her cafe's famous delicacies would be displayed.

With a deep breath, she focused on the task at hand. The stall setup began quickly, as the helpers efficiently arranged the cupcakes, pastries, samosas, and chai that would serve as the signature snack items.The stall was adorned with pink and purple floral decor, which lent a vibrant charm to the display. Flower pots dotted the area, each containing blossoms in kettle-shaped vases, their bright colors harmonizing beautifully with the sweets and snacks. As she arranged the final touches, the beauty of the flowers and the intricate details of the display momentarily distracted her from her racing thoughts.

But just as she stepped back to admire her work, a voice pulled her back to reality.

"Kashi beta, you are here again?"

Kashi turned to see Rajmata Shalini standing there, her regal presence softened by a warm smile. Though the last encounter with the royal family had ended with revelations that shook Kashi to her core, today, Rajmata's greeting felt.... normal, almost as if the truth that had unraveled between them had never happened. Rajmata didn't ask about that day, and for that, Kashi was immensely grateful. She didn't think she was ready for that conversation right at the moment.

Shalini's eyes softened. "How are you, beta?"

Kashi's nervousness spiked for a moment, but she quickly composed herself. "I'm doing well, aunty. Thank you. I also work at a café that was requested to set up a stall for today's event, so I'm here to oversee everything."

Shalini nodded pretending to be surprised. "You have done a wonderful job," she said glancing at the beautifully decorated stall. Let me know if you need anything. You take care, beta."

Kashi smiled and nodded as Shalini excused herself. Once she left, Kashi exhaled deeply. She had been so tense, unsure how his mother would react, but the brief exchange had left her feeling more at ease.

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The preparations continued. Though Kashi was only supposed to manage the stall, she couldn't help but get involved in the cooking process. She rolled up her sleeves, helping the cook with the tea and baking cupcakes, assisting wherever she could. Her once pristine dress was now stained with oil, tea, and smudges of cream from the cupcakes. Despite the mess, she worked with determination, trying to ignore the swirling emotions inside her.

Shalini, passing by again, noticed Kashi's soiled dress and couldn't help but smile. She admired the girl's hardworking spirit, but she also couldn't let her look so disheveled for the grand event. She called one of the helpers and had a pink and purple lehenga brought to Kashi.

"Kashi beta," Shalini said kindly, approaching her again, "your dress has become quite dirty. Please, wear this lehenga. You can't attend the event like this."

Kashi hesitated, not wanting to accept such an expensive outfit, but Shalini's motherly insistence left no room for argument. "Aren't you like a daughter to me? Won't you listen to me, Kashi?" she said, her voice gentle yet firm.

"Go, change quickly," she added with a smile, "the function is about to start soon."

With no other choice, Kashi nodded, her heart feeling strangely touched by Shalini's words. She followed the helper to a guest room to change, still wondering why Rajmata had not brought up the revelations from their last meeting. Perhaps, she thought, it was better this way. Avoiding the topic spared them both the discomfort of reopening old wounds.

As she made her way to the guest room, her eyes wandered, scanning the mansion. Unconsciously, her heart longed for a glimpse of her Veer ji. Memories of their time together flooded her mind their shared laughter, the way he looked at her with such warmth, and the promise of a love that felt so real. The thought of seeing him after everything made her heart race, a mix of anticipation and anxiety causing her stomach to twist in knots.

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Meanwhile, Vishwanath was in his room, getting dressed for the event. His thoughts, like Kashi's, were plagued by memories of her. He had been struggling with his emotions. The love he had for her still burned fiercely inside him, but now it was mixed with confusion, hurt, and longing.

He donned a long navy-blue coat with slack pants, completing the look with a bow tie and loafers. The regal attire was fitting for the king he was, but today, none of it mattered to him. He felt hollow, his thoughts consumed by the absence of the one person who made him feel whole.

As he descended the stairs to inspect the event arrangements, he felt his heart suddenly race. He placed his hand over his chest, confused by the sudden rush of emotions. When he turned the corner, the sight before him made everything clear.

Kashi.

She was there, walking towards him, her attention focused on fixing the dupatta of the lehenga she now wore. The pink and purple fabric flowed around her like a soft breeze, and her hair, tied in a bun adorned with gajra, made her look ethereal. Vishwanath's breath caught in his throat. She was the picture of grace and beauty, the queen of his heart.

For a moment, he stood frozen, watching her, feeling a mix of emotions surprise, happiness, and an overwhelming sense of love. His heart ached with how much he had missed her.

Kashi finally looked up, and their eyes met. Time seemed to stop. The world around them faded, and the pain, the misunderstandings, and the distance between them dissolved in that moment. The connection they shared was too powerful to be severed by anything, even the truth of their worlds.

But before either of them could speak, the cook interrupted their silent exchange.

"Kashi ji, everything is almost ready. Just a few samosas left to fry."

Kashi nodded, tearing her gaze away from Vishwanath. "Please have lunch before the party begins. You'll be too busy once it starts."

The cook smiled and agreed, leaving Kashi to finish the final preparations.

When she glanced back, Vishwanath was still staring at her, his expression unreadable, but his clenched fists and tense jaw gave him away.

Vishwanath felt a surge of possessiveness as he watched Kashi care for another man's meals. It was an innocent gesture, but it made him irrationally jealous. She was only his to love, adore and cherish. The thought of anyone else receiving her attention, no matter how trivial, made his heart burn. Only he deserved her attention every glance, every smile, every word.

Kashi, feeling the weight of his gaze, quickly busied herself with the stall. Her hands trembled slightly as she began frying the samosas, but Vishwanath wasn't about to let her escape so easily. Gathering his courage, he walked over to the stall.

"Kashi, tum yahan?" (Kashi, you here?) he asked gently, his voice betraying the emotions swirling inside him. "Kaisi ho tum? Aur Aunty kaise hain?" (How are you? And how's aunty?)

Kashi hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond. "Main theek hoon, Veer.... Vishwanath ji," she corrected herself, feeling the awkwardness between them. "Maa bhi theek hain. Main yahan café ke taraf se ayi hoon, stall manage karne ke liye." (I'm fine, Veer.... Vishwanath ji," she corrected herself, feeling the awkwardness between them. "Maa is also doing well. I'm here on behalf of the café to manage the stall.")

Silence hung between them again, thick with unspoken words.

Vishwanath's eyes moved to Kashi, and he observed her closely. She was struggling with the heavy, embroidered dupatta of her lehenga while trying to fry samosas at the stall. Her brows furrowed in concentration, and the delicate way she tried to keep her dupatta away from the hot oil only made her seem more vulnerable in his eyes.

Fear surged through him. The oil was dangerously hot, and she was too focused on managing her attire to notice how precarious the situation was. Without thinking, Vishwanath took an apron from the nearby hook, draped it over himself, and stepped forward, taking the ladle from Kashi's hands before she could protest.

"Kashi, main tumhari madad kar deta hoon," he said, his tone firm but caring. "Tel bohot garam hai, tumhe chot lag sakti hai." (Kashi, let me help you,he said, his tone firm but caring. The oil is too hot, you could get hurt.)

Kashi, completely shocked by his gesture, stared at him in disbelief. This wasn't just any man offering to help, it was Vishwanath Rai Singhania, the King himself. A man who commanded respect and authority, someone whose very presence demanded reverence from everyone around him. He was known for his power, his wealth, his untouchable status. And yet, here he was, standing beside her in a simple stall , offering to take over a task as mundane and menial as frying samosas.

"Na..Nahi, Vishwanath ji," (N..No, Vishwanath ji) she stammered, trying to take the ladle back from him. "Aapko yeh karne ki zarurat nahi hai. I can manage, please. Mujhe iski aadat hai." (You don't need to do this. I can manage, please. I'm used to it.)

But Vishwanath wasn't having it. Gently but firmly, he took her hand, which was clutching the ladle, and met her gaze with a determination that left her speechless. His voice was soft but resolute as he said, "Kashi, please mujhe madat karne do. Tumhara lehenga bohot heavy hai aur ise manage karna mushkil hoga. Yeh tel bohot zyada garam hai aur jalne ka khatra hai. Tum meri madat kar sakti ho samose laake, lekin frying main karunga. Please, yeh meri request hai. Zidd mat karo."

(Kashi, please let me help you. Your lehenga is too heavy and difficult to manage. This oil is very hot and can cause severe burns. You can help me by bringing the samosas, but I will do the frying. Please, it's a request. Don't be stubborn.")

There was something in his voice, a quiet urgency that made Kashi's protests die on her lips. She knew he wouldn't relent, and truth be told, the concern in his eyes made her heart swell in ways she couldn't quite explain. For a moment, all her walls came crashing down. Silently, she nodded, accepting his offer, her eyes still wide in disbelief.

The two of them began working in peaceful harmony, their movements synchronized without words. Every now and then, their hands brushed against each other, sending sparks of awareness shooting through them. But neither of them acknowledged it, too focused on the task at hand or perhaps too afraid of what such small moments might reveal. Vishwanath didn't care if others were watching he just wanted to be near her, to help her, even in the smallest ways possible.

From a distance, Shalini stood observing them, a fond smile spreading across her face. Her son and Kashi made such a beautiful pair, working together with an ease that spoke of something much deeper than simple affection. Shalini had long since come to admire Kashi for her humility, her hard working and caring nature. For her, wealth and status were never as important as a person's heart, and Kashi had already proven herself to be worthy of not just her son, but of the entire kingdom. In Kashi, Shalini saw a future queen someone who, with her warmth and kindness, could bridge the gap between royalty and the people, someone who could stand beside Vishwanath not just as a wife, but as an equal, as a partner who truly understood the value of love, compassion, and hard work.

As she watched the two, Rudra, walked up beside his mother, his expression amused. "Maa, bhaiya ne ese toh kabhi humari kitchen mein kadam tak nahi rakha hoga. Aur aaj dekh rahe ho bhabs ke saath full-on samose tal rahe hain!" he chuckled. (Maa, Bhaiya has probably never even stepped into our kitchen. And today, look at him full-on frying samosas with bhabs!" he chuckled.)

Shalini smiled knowingly and said, "Isse pyaar kehte hain, Rudra. Pyaar aapse sab kuch karva leta hai." (This is called love, Rudra. Love makes you do everything)

Rudra chuckled. "Woh toh dikh hi raha hai, maa," (That's clearly visible, Maa ) he quipped amusement dancing in his eyes, before he and his mother walked away, leaving the couple to their quiet moment.

To be continued....

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Author's Note 📖

In this chapter, "Reunion of Two Hearts," we witness the reunion of Kashi and Vishwanath following the revelation of his true identity. Both of them have fallen deeply in love, and their affection for each other shines through their actions. Vishwanath's caring gestures reflect the depth of his feelings, setting the stage for a beautiful connection. As we move forward, stay tuned for the next chapter, where Kashi's love and care for Vishwanath will unfold in her own unique and heartfelt way🫶🏻🫀

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