CHAPTER 21: " WHISPERS OF LOVE & SHADOWS OF DOUBT"

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As they continued frying the samosas, the peaceful rhythm between Kashi and Vishwanath was suddenly interrupted when a few drops of hot oil splattered onto Vishwanath's hand. He instinctively pulled his hand back, wincing slightly.

Kashi's eyes widened in panic. "Veer ji, kya ho gaya? Dikhaiye mujhe!" (Veer ji, what happened? Show me!) she cried, grabbing his hand before he could protest. Her fingers were gentle as they inspected the reddened area, her worry evident in her voice. "Zyada lagi toh nahi aapko? Maine bola tha aapko rehne dijiye, main kar lungi. Par aap meri baat sunte kab hain. (You are not hurt much, right ? I told you to leave it, I would have done it. But you never listen to me)

Her scolding, though tinged with worry, only made Vishwanath smile inwardly. No matter how upset or angry Kashi might be with him, she could never stop caring for him. It was this very care, this fierce protectiveness, that made him fall in love with her all over again.

Kashi quickly led him to the sink, washing his hand under cold water. Then she grabbed some ice from a nearby cooler and pressed it gently to the burn. "Ab zyada dard toh nahi ho raha na, Veer ji?" (Now you are not feeling too much pain, right, Veer ji?") she asked, her voice soft with concern.

Vishwanath, his heart swelling with warmth, shook his head. "Kashi, main theek hoon. "Bas thoda sa jala hai, chinta karne ki koi baat nahi hai". (Kashi, I'm fine. It's just a small burn, nothing to worry about) he said, his amusement clear. Yet despite his light tone, he couldn't help but feel content hearing her call him "Veer ji," the name that made his heart race. For the world, he might be Vishwanath, but for Kashi, he only wanted to be her Veer ji.

"Pakka na, Veer ji? Dard toh nahi ho raha?" (Are you sure, Veer ji? You're not in pain, right?) she asked again, her eyes searching his face for any sign of pain.

"I'm fine, Kashi. Tum itni chinta mat karo," (I'm fine, Kashi. Don't worry so much.) Vishwanath reassured her, smiling softly.

As she sighed in relief, he added, "Lao, abb baki samose bhi main fry kar deta hoon." (Here, now I will fry the rest of the samosas too)

But Kashi quickly shook her head, waving him off. "Nahi, nahi, Veer ji. Aapne kaafi kaam kar liya. Ab cook aa ke sambhal lenge." (No, no, Veer ji. You've already done enough work. Now the cook will come and take care of it.")

Before Vishwanath could argue, a helper arrived and informed him that Rajendra was looking for him. Vishwanath's face grimaced briefly, his reluctance evident. He didn't want to leave her side, but duty called.

"I will be back soon, Kashi," he said, his voice low with promise. And with one last glance at her, he reluctantly left to find his father.

Kashi watched him go, her heart heavy with emotions she didn't know how to voice. No matter how hard she tried to ignore her feelings for him, her restless heart would never let her forget.

Needing to distract herself, Kashi busied herself with the final preparations. Her constant movement caused loose strands of hair to fall from her bun. With a sigh, she undid her hair completely, leaving them open. Removing a pink flower from the gajra she had worn. She carefully tucked it behind her ear, completing her look once more.

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The grand event of the year had begun. It was the kind of event where the world's elite came together to celebrate the successes of the Singhania family. This wasn't just any gathering, it was the culmination of years of work, a project that had catapulted the Singhania empire to global fame. The success of this project not only put the Singhania name on the world map but also contributed significantly to India's economy, boosting its influence and soft power across nations. Politicians, businessmen, and powerful influencers from all over the world had arrived to bask in the glory of the Singhanias and their accomplishments.

The vast hall of Singhania Mansion gleamed with grandeur. Crystal chandeliers illuminated the room with a soft, golden glow, casting shadows over the elegantly dressed crowd. The family stood at the entrance, greeting each guest with warmth and pride. Vishwanath Rai Singhania, the king of Bundelkhand, stood at the center of attention, tall and majestic, exuding a confidence that made heads turn. He was surrounded by a sea of people politicians, billionaires, dignitaries, all eager to exchange pleasantries with him. His father, Rajendra, his mother, Shalini and brothers Raghavendra and Rudra were close by, sharing in the joy of the moment. Amid the crowd and the grandeur, he kept stealing glances at Kashi, his gaze softening every time it landed on her. There was an undeniable pull in his heart, a growing urge to abandon everything, his duties, the people surrounding him, the event itself and just go to her. The formality of his title and position felt like chains in that moment, holding him back from the one place he wanted to be that was by her side.

From afar, Kashi watched quietly. She stood behind the stall, watching as people approached Vishwanath with admiration. There he was Vishwanath Rai Singhania, the globally revered business tycoon, a king with immense power and stature with the world at his feet.

Kashi's heart swelled with pride. She was so proud of the man he was kind, strong, and successful but the more she watched, the more reality sunk in. The world around Vishwanath was not hers. It was a world of glitz, wealth, and influence, a world where she, a simple girl from Jhansi, could never fit. She was lost in her thoughts when an arrogant voice interrupted.

"Hey! Two cupcakes, please," demanded a voice. Kashi looked up to see a girl dressed in a figure-hugging, heavily embellished lehenga standing with her friend. Her long hair flowed in soft curls, and she wore high heels that clicked as she impatiently tapped the floor. Kashi nodded and quickly began arranging the cupcakes on a tray, trying to shake off her feelings.

The girl smirked and turned to her friend, her tone filled with pride. "You know, today my dad is going to speak to Rajendra uncle about my marriage alliance with Vishwanath," she said confidently, as if it were a done deal.

Kashi's hand, which had been steadily working, froze mid-motion. Her breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, her heart seemed to stop altogether. The world around her faded as her mind struggled to process the words she had just overheard. Marriage alliance? Vishwanath? The name echoed in her head like a thunderclap, the weight of it sinking into her chest, squeezing her heart painfully.

Her fingers trembled slightly, still clutching the items she had been handling moments ago, but her focus was completely shattered. Could this really be true? Was her Veer ji going to marry someone else?

The girl's friend gasped, her excitement palpable. "Oh my God, Maya! Are you serious? That's huge! Vishwanath Rai Singhania, the king himself! You're so lucky!" Her voice bubbled with enthusiasm, only adding to the whirlwind of emotions brewing inside Kashi.

Maya laughed smugly, her voice dripping with arrogance. "Yes, once this alliance gets finalized, no one can stop Maya Mittal from becoming the Queen of Bundelkhand."

Kashi felt like the world had crumbled around her. Her chest tightened painfully, and for a moment, she found it hard to breathe. She had always known that she wasn't deserving of Vishwanath, that she belonged to a different world. But hearing someone else claim him, hearing that his alliance with another girl might be finalized, it shattered her already fragile heart.

She felt tears prickling the corners of her eyes, but before she could let her emotions get the better of her, Maya's sharp voice cut through her thoughts. "Hurry up! I don't have all day."

Snapping out of her daze, Kashi quickly finished arranging the cupcakes on the tray and handed them to the girls. As Maya and her friend walked away with their air of superiority, Kashi felt a deep ache settle in her chest. She tried to distract herself by focusing on her work, but the weight of Maya's words kept pulling her down.

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Meanwhile, Maya made her way toward Vishwanath who was speaking to a business associate, her steps confident and calculated. As she neared him, her demeanor changed. She went from being the rude, arrogant girl at the stall to a sweet, flirtatious version of herself. "Hey, Vishwanath," she said in a sugary tone. "It's been so long! How are you?"

Vishwanath, who had been scanning the room, stealing glances at Kashi whenever he could, turned to her, not really interested but maintaining his composure out of politeness. "I'm good, Maya. How are you?"

"I'm doing great!" Maya beamed. "I brought you a cupcake. You must try it. Come on, just one bite!"

Vishwanath hesitated. He wasn't in the mood for Maya's pestering, but not wanting to be rude to his father's friend's daughter, he took a small bite. Maya's face lit up like she had won a prize, while Vishwanath remained indifferent, his thoughts far from her. All he could think about was Kashi.

Kashi turned her back to them, trying to shield herself from the painful sight, but she couldn't help stealing glances. Each look at Maya with Vishwanath intensified her heartache. She told herself it was foolish to feel this way. Vishwanath belonged to a different world, one she could never be part of. Maya was perfect for him. She came from a wealthy family, understood the elite world, and was everything Kashi could never be. Kashi swallowed hard, trying to push the pain aside, but it only grew stronger.

Suddenly, Maya's overenthusiastic gesture caused some of the cupcake cream to smear onto Vishwanath's coat. She panicked, fussing over him, trying to wipe it off. Vishwanath, clearly irritated now, pulled away. "It's fine, Maya. I'll take care of it myself," he said coldly, moving away from there.

Maya stomped her feet in frustration, her excitement deflating as she watched him walk away, leaving her feeling both embarrassed and rejected.

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The party continued in full swing, and soon, it was time for the couple dance. Many couples started dancing as the lights dimmed and a soft melody filled the air. Maya, still lingering near Vishwanath, seized her opportunity. "Vishwanath, come on, let's dance!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with hope.

Vishwanath wanted to straight away deny Maya, but she called out so loudly in front of everyone that he felt compelled to respond. Reluctantly, and not wanting to embarrass her, especially since Maya's father was a very good friend of his father Rajendra he agreed to just one dance. However, his heart wasn't in it. The only person he truly wanted to dance with, the only one he desired by his side, was Kashi.

Rudra who had been a silent spectator throughout the evening,noticed his brother's irritated and disinterested expression as he danced with Maya. He had seen her pestering Vishwanath throughout the evening, trying to win his attention. Glancing towards the corner, he spotted Kashi standing there, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and longing. With his usual mischievous grin, he strode over to her.

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Meanwhile, Kashi who was lost in her thoughts, barely noticed that someone approached her.

"Hey! You must be Kashi, right?" came a lively voice.

Startled, Kashi quickly looked up to see a young man standing in front of her, his smile wide and mischievous. He had the same sharp, handsome features as Vishwanath but with an easygoing, playful and youthful vibe. This must be Rudra, his younger brother, as Vishwanath had told her once.

"Uh... yes," Kashi answered, her voice small. "Are you Rudra ji, Vishwanath Ji's younger brother?"

Rudra immediately burst out laughing, catching Kashi completely off-guard. "Rudra ji? No way! Don't 'ji' me, Kashi!" He grinned widely, shaking his head in amusement. "I'm too young, almost your age. Let's keep it simple just Rudra or you can call me Rudy, like my friends do, if you like. And yes, I'm Vishwanath Bhaiya's most handsome younger brother!"

Kashi blinked, feeling slightly embarrassed by her formality. "Oh, I'm sorry.... Rudra j....Rudra," she corrected herself shyly, still adjusting to his friendly nature.

"That's better," Rudra said with a wink. "And don't be so formal with me. We're going to be friends from now on, okay?"

Kashi hesitated for a moment, her eyes widening at how easily he talked about being friends. She smiled timidly and nodded, though still feeling a bit out of her element.

Rudra noticed her hesitation and decided to lighten the mood even more. "You know, it's not every day that someone calls me 'ji'. Makes me feel like an Oldy!" He made a show of pretending to stretch his back like an old man. "Do I look that old?"

Kashi giggled softly, covering her mouth with her hand. "No, No I was just... being polite."

"Polite?" Rudra raised an eyebrow in mock dismay. "Kashi, if you keep being this polite, I might just faint! We are not used to it in the Singhania family." He placed a hand dramatically over his heart, pretending to swoon, making Kashi giggle even more.

Kashi's nervousness started to melt away as she found herself enjoying Rudra's lighthearted company. His carefree attitude made it easier for her to relax, and she started feeling less like an outsider.

"You're so different from your brother," Kashi said, her voice soft but a little more confident now.

"Well, thank God for that!" Rudra replied dramatically, throwing his hands up in mock horror. "One Vishwanath is enough. Could you imagine two serious guys like him walking around, staring people down? And let's just not talk about Raghav bhaiya." He scrunched up his face, imitating a serious expression. "There would be no fun left in the world!"

Kashi laughed at his antics, the sound light and genuine. It felt refreshing to engage in such playful banter, a stark contrast to the weight of her earlier feelings.

Rudra's eyes darted back to the dance floor as he noticed Maya trying to get too close to his bhaiya. An immediate plan began to formulate in his mind, he had to bring Kashi and his brother together to dance. After all, only his bhabi had the right to dance with his bhaiya.

Come on, Kashi, let's dance! Rudra said.

Kashi looked up, startled, and smiled shyly. "No No, I'm just... watching."

"Nuh-uh," Rudra said, grabbing her hand without a second thought. "That's not how we do things here! You're joining the dance floor with me right now!"

Before she could protest, Rudra twirled her onto the dance floor, his energy infectious. "You'll thank me later!" he winked, pulling her into the midst of the swirling couples.

Kashi's heart raced with a mix of surprise and excitement. She hadn't anticipated this sudden turn of events.The music enveloped them, and she found herself smiling despite her earlier apprehensions.

"Just relax and follow my lead!" Rudra urged, demonstrating a few easy steps. His playful demeanor made it easier for Kashi to let go of her nerves and simply enjoy the moment. She twirled with Rudra, her movements light and graceful, forgetting her earlier worries for a moment. The partner exchange twirl came, and with Rudra's mischievous grin widening, before she knew it, he expertly spun her straight into Vishwanath's arms.

Her breath hitched as she collided softly against Vishwanath's chest, the warmth of his presence enveloping her. Time seemed to slow for a moment, her heart racing in sync with the rhythm of the music. Vishwanath's arms instinctively steadied her, his eyes locking onto hers with a mixture of surprise and something deeper, more intense.

"Veer ji..." she whispered, her voice barely audible over the music, but her eyes spoke volumes.

Vishwanath, who had been extremely irritated by Maya's persistent attempts to cling to him, felt an instant wave of relief the moment Kashi was twirled into his arms. It was as if a breath of fresh air had swept through him, calming the storm within.

Though he had caught Rudra's playful grin just before, and now it all made sense, his younger brother's intentions were crystal clear. Rudra had orchestrated this moment, and for the first time that evening, Vishwanath felt incredibly grateful to his mischievous brother.

To be continued......

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