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Shivansh's POV
I leaned back in my chair, tapping my fingers on the polished surface of my desk. The silence of my cabin was comforting-a place where everything made sense. No distractions, no unnecessary emotions, just work.
I was in the middle of reviewing a report when the phone rang, pulling me out of my focus. I glanced at the intercom display, and my mother's name flashed across the screen.
I picked it up immediately. "Jii, Ma?"
"Did you guys left the office?" She asked as soon as she hear my voice.
"No maa i---" She cut me in the middle.
"Shiv, why are you still in the office? You should have left by now!" Her voice carried that mix of warmth and subtle reproach that only she could manage.
"I'm wrapping up some work. It's important," I replied, keeping my tone calm.
"Nothing is more important than family," she said, her tone firm. "We're meeting them, and I don't want to hear excuses. You better leave now. And on your way, buy something nice for her."
"For who?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer.
"Don't play dumb, Shivansh," she laughed softly. "For your wife-or whoever she's supposed to be someday! Buy something special. You're not getting younger, and it's about time you start thinking seriously."
I groaned, rubbing my temples. "Ma, these things..."
"No arguments," she interrupted. "I don't ask for much, but I'm asking now."
I let out a sigh. "Fine. I'll leave now."
"Good boy," she said, her tone lighter now.
The call ended, leaving me muttering under my breath. But even as I grumbled, I couldn't ignore the small smile that crept onto my face. No matter how much I pretended to resist, I could never say no to her.
Just as I was putting away the last of my things, the door to my cabin swung open without warning. Avi and Dhruv-walked in, as if knocking was beneath them.
"Bhaiya, let's go!" Avi said, his tone is urgent. "We're running late. They'll reach before us, and it won't look good."
I glared at them. "Knocking isn't forbidden, you know."
Dhruv just grinned. "Knocking takes time. We're already late."
I shook my head, grabbing my coat. There was no point arguing with them. We left the office together.
I was behind the wheel, with Dhruv in the passenger seat and Avi lounging in the back. The drive was quiet for the first few minutes until Avi decided to break the silence.
" Bhaiya, where's Veer bhai? I haven't seen him in ages," he said.
I kept my eyes on the road. "He's out of the country for work. He'll be back in a month or two."
"That makes sense," my cousin replied. "He's keeping himself busy." I nodded.
The two of them started chatting about an upcoming family event. I stayed quiet, my attention on the road, until we reached our destination-a showroom of jewellery from which maa, choti maa or daid sa brought their jewellery. This showroon main branch is in Jaipur.
"I need to pick up something," I announced as I parked the car.
"For yourself?" my cousin asked.
"No," I said, stepping out of the car. "For her."
As soon as we stepped into the showroom of jewellery, it felt like the atmosphere shifted. The usual hum of activity came to an abrupt halt, and every pair of eyes turned toward us. I wasn't surprised-after all, the presence of royalty had that effect. The whispers started almost immediately, and I could sense the sudden tension in the air.
Avi and Dhruv didn't seem to notice, too absorbed in their own world. But I felt it-the way the entire showroom seemed to hold its breath.
Within moments, the manager, or perhaps someone higher up in the chain, appeared from behind a glass partition. She hurried toward us, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. Her expression was a mix of professionalism and surprise, and she came to a halt in front of us.
"Your Highness," she said, her voice soft yet filled with respect. "Please, if you would follow me. We have a private area for you to relax and shop."
I nodded, following her without a word. Avi and Dhruv followed suit, though they seemed far less bothered by the attention. The manager led us to a secluded part of the showroom, where the noise of the main floor was muffled.
Once we were seated, she asked, "May I get you something to drink? Perhaps some tea, or a selection of leaves to prepare a more personal brew?"
I looked at her, unimpressed. "Tea leaves?" Dhruv asked, and I am raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that? Something more special? Because frankly, it doesn't matter to me. Just bring whatever you think will work."
She nodded quickly, trying to regain her composure. "Of course, Your Highness. I'll bring something immediately."
We sat in silence for a few moments, the weight of our presence still hanging in the air. I had no interest in the trivialities of tea or whatever else they thought would impress us. We were here for something far more important.
Finally, the manager returned with a tray of tea, which she placed gently on the table in front of us. She stood there for a moment, waiting for our approval, but I just waved it off. We weren't here for tea-we were here to make our choices.
Without further delay, I gestured toward the jewelry displays. "Let's get on with it," I said, my voice cutting through the tension that had settled in the room.
The manager quickly moved to fetch the pieces we'd shown interest in, eager to please. Dhruv and Avi exchanged amused glances, but I was already focused on finding the perfect gift.
I leaned back in my seat, my gaze fixed on the showroom's array of items, but my mind was elsewhere-on her. The pieces here, while beautiful, didn't hold any meaning for me. I needed something more.
"Show me something unique," I said, my tone is clear. "Something that no one else has. I want a piece that's one of a kind-real, precious. Not something you can find in every shop or in every country. But it needs to be something special. Something only she could have."
The manager nodded and, without a word, walked toward the back of the showroom. Dhruv and Avi exchanged glances, but I remained focused, my mind already imagining her wearing the piece. It had to be perfect-something that spoke to her in a way that words couldn't.
A few moments later, the manager returned, holding a small velvet box. She placed it on the table, her eyes gleaming with pride. "This piece, Your Highness, is designed by our expert. It's a one-of-a-kind bracelet that is truly unique. We're expecting it to arrive today, and it's unlike anything you'll find anywhere else in the country-or even abroad."
She opened the box, revealing a stunning bracelet-crafted from the finest platinum, adorned with emeralds that glowed softly under the showroom lights. I picked it up, the weight of it solid in my hands. It was elegant, yet bold in its simplicity.
I could already picture it on her wrist, and I couldn't help but smile at the thought. This was it. This was the piece.
"I'll take it," I said firmly, without hesitation. "I'll wait for it."
The manager smiled, clearly relieved. "Of course, Your Highness. We'll have it ready for you as soon as it arrives."
We waited in silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts. I knew it was the right choice. Every detail, every curve of the design, spoke to me. It was the kind of piece that couldn't be replicated-a perfect match for her.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the bracelet arrived in a half an hour. I could feel the anticipation building inside me. This was more than just a piece of jewelry-it was a symbol of something deeper. I was already imagining the moment I would hand it to her.
The manager carefully placed the bracelet on a velvet cushion and slid it across the table toward me. I reached for it, my fingers brushing the delicate design. There was no doubt in my mind-it was perfect.
As I stood up, still holding the bracelet in my hand, I felt a quiet satisfaction settle within me. This was the piece-perfect in every way. My mind drifted back to her, imagining the way it would look on her wrist.
Before I could say anything more, Dhruv and Avi exchanged glances. They had been quiet until now, but it was clear they had their own plans.
"We also need to buy something for her," Dhruv said, breaking the silence."Can't let you have all the credit ."
Avi nodded in agreement, a grin spreading across his face. "Yeah, we've got to get something nice too. You've got your bracelet, but we can't be left behind, right?"
I smirked at their eagerness, amused by their sudden interest in gift shopping. "Fine, do what you want."
Avi immediately moved toward the necklace display, his eyes scanning the rows of exquisite pieces. He selected a necklace that shimmered with diamonds, the centerpiece a large sapphire that caught the light in a way that made it seem almost otherworldly. He glanced at Dhruv. "This one," he said, satisfaction evident in his voice.
Dhruv, not to be outdone, picked up a pair of diamond earrings, their brilliance unmistakable. He then turned to the tiara display, selecting one that was delicate yet regal. The diamonds were set in an intricate design, giving it a timeless elegance. "This is perfect," he murmured, almost to himself, before turning to Avi and then to me. "She'll love this."
I couldn't help but shake my head at their enthusiasm. It seemed that once they saw my choice, they were determined to outdo me with their own gifts. But that's how it always was with family-friendly competition, even when it came to picking the best gift.
The pieces they chose were stunning, and I could see why they had picked them. Each one was unique, but nothing could take away from the bracelet I had selected. Still, the thoughtfulness behind their choices didn't escape me.
The drive home was filled with their chatter. Dhruv and Avi bounced jokes off each other like schoolboys, but I stayed mostly quiet. My thoughts wandered as I gripped the steering wheel. The bracelet felt like more than a simple gift-it was a gesture, a message.
Avi said "I'll make sure veer bhai knows about our little shopping spree when he returns."
I didn't bother responding. Instead, I focused on getting us home. As we pulled up to the house,
When we turned into the driveway, I spotted the cars first-sleek, black Thar. There were also two more cars with Thar also neatly lined up outside the house. But one of them is going as we are entering and one is going.
"Looks like we're late," Avi said, leaning forward for a better look.
"Everyone's here," Dhruv added.
I parked the car, stepping out and taking a moment to assess the scene. The front door was ajar, and the faint sound of voices carried out to us. I didn't like being late to these gatherings, but it couldn't be helped.
"Let's go," I said, adjusting my coat before heading inside.
The moment I walked through the door, the energy shifted. The hum of conversation dipped, and all eyes turned to us. This wasn't unusual. I was used to being the focal point of a room, whether I wanted to be or not.
I glanced at Dhruv and Avi giving them a brief nod. Stay composed. They understood immediately, falling in step behind me as we made our way further inside.
The living room was full-family members scattered across the couches and chairs, their voices a mix of excitement and curiosity. My eyes scanned the room, taking in every detail, every face, every unspoken word.
I stood there for a moment, letting the weight of the atmosphere settle. Whatever was about to happen, I was ready.
I stood there for a moment, letting everything settle. The soft murmur of voices filled the room, but I remained still, as though letting the atmosphere of the house guide me to where I needed to be. The light outside was dimming, casting a peaceful glow over the scene.
After what felt like an eternity, I moved toward the seating area, picking a single sofa away from everyone else. Dhruv and Avi settled onto the couch together, sharing a space, their voices low as they continued their banter. I didn't mind. I preferred the solitude of my own seat, away from the crowd.
Isha appeared moments later, her approach was far from what I expected. Most people would have greeted me, especially after what had happened earlier, but she didn't. Instead, she remained silent. She didn't even spare me a glance at first.
Not long after isha, Dadi sa entered the room, her presence commanding but gentle. She moved with purpose, her sharp eyes taking everything in, before she chose to sit beside me.
I felt a flicker of confusion rise in me. I had gotten used to admiration, or at least basic politeness, from everyone. But her indifference... it stung, even if I didn't want to admit it.
She moved toward her mother, and they began talking quietly. Not a single word directed my way.
I tried to ignore the odd sense of disappointment creeping up in me, but it was hard. Maa was speaking to Isha's mother, and I was half-listening as they exchanged pleasantries. But most of my attention was still on Isha. I watched her, the way she sat there, talking softly with maa, her attention entirely on my family, as though I were invisible.
For the first time in a long time, I found myself at a loss.
The tension in the room thickened as dadi saa noticed Isha's presence, her sharp gaze catching the moment. She sat up a little straighter, as if sensing that the time had come. She turned toward me, then to Isha, a knowing look crossing her face.
"Shivansh, Isha," my grandmother said, her voice calm but firm. "It's time. We will start the preparations."
She handed the kundali's (horoscope) to Raj prohit ji, who was seated nearby with another priest, his student. They began the ritual, flipping through the sacred book and muttering prayers under their breath, marking the dates for the engagement.
He was about to speak, to voice some thoughts on the matter, when suddenly, Isha stood up, her chair scraping softly against the floor. I could feel everyone's gaze shift toward her, the air in the room tightening as she made her move.
She took a breath, her eyes steady but serious. "I respect all of you, and I understand the significance of what's happening," she began, her voice clear. "But I'm not ready for this yet. I am okay with the engagement, but I need more time for the marriage. I would like it to happen in one or two years. I need time to think, to understand this transition. My world to yours... it's not something I can just step into without being sure."
The room fell into a deep silence. It was like the world itself paused. My heart beat loudly in my chest, and for a moment, everything else faded. I watched her, completely still, waiting for the words to sink in.
Isha's declaration was bold, unexpected. The room was frozen, everyone in disbelief, unable to process what she had just said. My grandmother remained calm, almost as if she had anticipated this. She didn't say a word, only smiled, a knowing smile.
I looked at my maa, her face unreadable. After what felt like an eternity, she spoke. "We don't have a problem with this," she said softly. "We'll wait. You have time."
Isha sat back down, and the tension in the room slowly began to ease. No one dared speak for a moment. Dadi saa's smile remained, a quiet affirmation that this was not unexpected, and that everything would proceed in its own time.
As the silence lingered, my mother finally spoke up, her voice cutting through the tension. "Raj prohit ji," she said, "please look for the engagement dates. Since our daughter don't want the marriage right away, we'll leave it for later, but let's go ahead with the engagement."
Raj prohit ji nodded, his expression calm as always. "Of course, Rani maa." He flipped open his book once again and started murmuring a few prayers under his breath, clearly in deep concentration. After a few moments, he looked up, his eyes meeting ours.
"I have found three possible dates for the engagement," he said, his voice steady. "The first one is two weeks from now, the second one is one month later, and the third is two months from now."
There was a murmur of conversation around the room. Some of the family members voiced their approval, others were a little uncertain. But no one objected. Dadi sa, however, seemed to have a different approach.
She leaned forward, smiling gently as she turned to Isha. "Isha, " she said, addressing her with affection, "why don't you take a walk with shiv? He'll show you the garden. It's a beautiful place to think."
Isha nodded, her face softening as she stood up. Dadi sa also added, "You two should decide on the date together. Don't let anyone else pressure you. It should be something that feels right for both of you."
It was strange, how the room seemed quiet as she sat. Her gaze met mine, and there was no need for words. I knew exactly what she thought, just as she knew what I was thinking.
Isha glanced at me, her eyes searching for something. And for the first time, I saw a slight smile on her lips.
I stood up as well, a quiet nod in dadi sa's direction. Together, we left the room, heading outside toward the garden.
The room grew quiet once again, everyone waiting to see what decision Isha and I would make about the future, about the dates.
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