AUTHOR'S POV

The next morning, the Raghuvanshi palace was bathed in soft golden sunlight, spilling into the dining hall where the family had gathered for breakfast.

The clinking of cutlery and low murmur of conversation filled the air.

Yugant sat at the head of the table, commanding as ever, his posture perfect, eyes scanning the morning papers more out of habit than interest.

Suddenly, the serene routine was interrupted.

“Sir… I have found something,” Advay’s voice cut through, calm but urgent, as he entered the room holding a file.

Yugant barely looked up from his plate. “I am done,” he said, voice cold and final.

Without another word, he stood, his chair scraping back sharply. The movement alone made several staff jump slightly.

Advay followed him silently, carrying the file.

Mihir and Mahika exchanged mischievous glances. This was it.. the perfect opportunity which they couldn’t resist.

“Bhai! Wait for us!” Mihir shouted as they bolted from the breakfast hall. Mahika laughed, matching his pace.

Yugant’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn’t turn. His footsteps were measured, unstoppable, yet the chaos behind him barely registered.

As they rushed past the elders in the hall, Mihir couldn’t help but shout, “We’re going shopping with Bhai’s black card!”

The dining hall erupted in a mix of shock and amusement. Mahika waved her hand in the air dramatically, “Yes! He’s taking us! Don’t worry, Dadi, we’ll be back before lunch!”

Vasundhara’s eyebrows shot up, disapproval radiating from her every pore. “Mahika! Mihir! What nonsense-”

“Relax, Dadi,” Mihir called back, grinning wildly. “It’s Holiday!”

Prabhakar shook his head, though a small smile tugged at his lips.

“They never change,” he muttered, sipping his tea.

Meanwhile, Yugant walked down the palace corridors with Advay trailing silently, the file clutched firmly in his hand.

The breeze rustled the papers, but his focus was unshaken. He didn’t acknowledge his siblings’ antics, they would have to catch up if they could.

But Mihir and Mahika were relentless, and somewhere in the back of his mind, he couldn’t help but allow himself a small, almost imperceptible smile.

Even a king, it seemed, could not escape his siblings’ chaos.

The sleek black car purred quietly as Advay opened the passenger door and stepped in, file in hand.

Yugant was seated in the back, scanning the documents, his mind still sharp, calculating every possibility.

Suddenly, the doors burst open again. Mahika and Mihir came running, breathless but determined.

“Bhai! We’re coming too!” Mahika declared, her voice triumphant.

Yugant’s eyes narrowed sharply. “No. Absolutely not,” he said firmly, his commanding aura leaving no room for argument.

Mihir grinned mischievously, leaning over from the side. “Bhai, come on! It’s your wedding! We’re not asking, we’re insisting!”

Mahika joined in, clasping her hands in a pleading gesture. “Please, Bhai! You never let us have fun. Just this once?”

Yugant let out a long, exasperated sigh, the kind that could silence a room.

“Fine,” he said at last, voice clipped but resigned. “But mark my words..  don’t do anything reckless.”

The siblings cheered quietly and slid into the car.

The driver started the engine, and the black car glided smoothly onto the road, cutting through the quiet streets of the city.

Yugant turned slightly, keeping his eyes on Advay. “So… tell me. What did you find?” he asked, voice even but sharp.

Advay shifted the file, clearing his throat. “Sir… she is going to ANGEL'S HOME today. There is some function there.”

Mihir’s eyebrows shot up. “Angel’s Home…?”

Mahika frowned. “Wait… but we were supposed to go shopping?”

Advay replied calmly, “Yes, sir. But Angel’s Home… it’s like an ashram, not for children but for girls. There is no more information available beyond that.”

Yugant’s gaze sharpened. He leaned back in his seat, mind racing.

Mihir, oblivious to the seriousness in his brother’s eyes, nudged Mahika. “Shopping can wait. This sounds… interesting.”

Mahika shot him a glance, smirking, then turned to Yugant. “Bhai… looks like Monday just got more exciting.”

Yugant didn’t reply immediately. His eyes drifted back to the file, then out the window.

Somewhere inside, a plan was already forming, sharp and calculated, because for him, this wasn’t just curiosity anymore. It was possession.

And Arisha Rawal… she had no idea the king was already coming for her.

The black car came to a smooth halt in front of Angel’s Home, its sleek body reflecting the morning sunlight.

Yugant stepped out first, Advay and the siblings following behind. His presence alone drew glances from the few staff and visitors nearby, the kind of quiet authority that demanded notice.

“Stay here,” Yugant instructed to driver, voice calm yet commanding. “We go on foot from here.”

The group walked toward the main gate, the sprawling campus of Angel’s Home slowly revealing itself, a place that felt serene yet formal, a mix of ashram discipline and modern structure.

Suddenly, a young man emerged from the entrance, striding toward them with an easy confidence.

“You all here?” he asked, eyes scanning the group.

Mahika’s eyes widened, and she almost stumbled. She thought to herself, Wow… he’s so handsome!

Mihir tilted his head, a smirk forming. “Do you know us?”

The young man smiled, an easy, warm grin. “Of course I do. I am Ishan Rawal, Kiara’s elder brother. But… why are you here?” His gaze shifted toward Yugant.

Mihir was about to explain when Yugant’s voice cut sharply across the air: “I am here to meet Kiara.”

Mihir, Mahika, and Advay froze mid-step, staring at him in disbelief.

Ishan nodded slowly, his expression polite but cautious. “But… she is not here.”

Before he could continue, a girl dashed toward them, her energy almost palpable. “Ishan bhai! Let’s go. The function is about to start!”

“I… wait, Sanvi,” Ishan began, but she cut him off with a playful wave and a grin, dragging him along.

Mihir’s eyes widened, caught by the sight of the girl moving with ease and confidence.

Ishan turned back to Yugant and the others, chuckling. “Let’s go, you can meet Kiara later. Enjoy the function for now.”

Yugant’s lips curved into a small, knowing smirk, as if he already had plans forming.

Mihir leaned closer, whispering into his ear, “Bhai… you’re smart.”

Yugant glanced at him, one eyebrow raised. “You’re not less. I noticed how you were staring at that girl,” he added, making Mihir flush crimson.

Then he shifted his gaze to Mahika, voice low but firm, laced with teasing authority.

“Mahika… stay away from that guy. I will not let you keep a boyfriend.”

Mahika crossed her arms, pouting slightly. “Bhai! I wasn’t even thinking-”

Yugant cut her off, eyes narrowing slightly, still playful yet commanding. “I have seen enough to know your intentions.”

Mahika huffed, muttering under her breath, while Mihir tried hard not to laugh.

Yugant’s smirk remained, sharp and amused, as they all followed Ishan and Sanvi toward the function.

The function hall of Angel’s Home was decorated exquisitely, blending tradition with simplicity.

The girls took their seats quietly, the atmosphere buzzing with anticipation.

Yugant, Mihir, Mahika, and Advay followed Ishan and Sanvi, settling into a reserved corner.

A girl stepped onto the stage, her voice steady as she acknowledged everyone present.

“This year,” she began, “we celebrate with a special theme, honoring our customs and traditions. Our theme… is Ramayana.”

Another girl took the mic, smiling warmly. “We thank everyone for being here, and a very special thanks to Arisha di.”

A chuckle rippled through the audience, and she added teasingly, “Yeah, yeah, I know why you’re chuckling, she’s younger than us, but she is the only one who gave us life.”

The audience murmured appreciatively, touched by the sincerity.

Another girl’s voice rang out, stronger, filled with emotion. “To pay her back… we can do anything even if that cost us our lives.”

Yugant’s eyes flicked to the stage, eyebrows raised, intrigued by the reverence and devotion directed at someone he hadn’t yet met in person.

The final girl took center stage, her tone firm yet emotional. “As you all know, Angel’s Home is not just a home, it is a sanctuary for girls rescued from human trafficking. We are not considered ‘pure’ like society expects. We had to give up our dignity just to survive. And then… one day, an angel came. And that angel is our Arisha di.”

A hush fell over the hall, every word striking deep.

“She didn’t just give us life or a home. She gave us everything a girl deserves. She supported our marriages, found us partners who didn’t care about our past, gave us husbands, families, children… When our own families abandoned us, she stood by us. And we will be forever grateful to her.”

The hall erupted in applause, eyes glistening, hearts swelling with gratitude.

Then, suddenly, a sharp, confident voice cut through the noise.

“Enough of your drama! Let’s begin already, this lehenga is suffocating!”

All eyes turned toward the stage.

There she was - Arisha Rawal, striding up, no hesitation, seizing the microphone with authority and a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.

Her presence was commanding, yet effortless, unapologetic, and filled with energy.

Yugant, Mihir, and Advay froze for a brief moment, struck by her charisma.

Mihir’s jaw dropped, Mahika’s eyes widened, and even Advay had to swallow hard to maintain composure.

Ishan and Sanvi’s faces broke into proud smiles.

“That’s our little sister,” Sanvi whispered, beaming.

Yugant’s attention was locked on her.  Arisha’s confidence, the fire in her eyes, her ability to command the room in a way no one else could.

Something about her stirred a feeling he hadn’t anticipated, a mix of curiosity, respect, and undeniable intrigue.

Mihir leaned over, whispering in awe, “Bhai… she’s… incredible.”

Yugant’s smirk was faint but sharp. “I noticed.”

As the applause subsided, Arisha raised her hand, her eyes scanning the hall with a sharp, commanding gaze.

“Before we begin,” she said firmly, “a word of warning - no photos, no videos, no recordings. Anything that leaves this hall leaves with consequences. Understood?”

A respectful murmur swept through the audience, and every eye flicked toward her.

There was no room for negotiation, her authority was absolute.

Even Yugant, sitting silently with Mihir and Mahika, felt the weight of her presence.

Satisfied, Arisha handed the microphone to a music coordinator. The first notes of a soulful song began to fill the hall, the melody gentle yet powerful. The girls on stage adjusted, and the hall fell into a quiet, expectant hush.

As the song reached its first note, the Ramayan-themed play began. The young performers, each representing characters from the epic, moved with grace and precision, their costumes reflecting the story’s grandeur.

Arisha, standing off to the side, observed with meticulous attention, occasionally giving a nod or small direction to ensure everything flowed perfectly.

Her presence was magnetic, part mentor, part protector, part ruler of this space.

Yugant’s gaze remained locked on her, his mind racing. The girl in the photograph seemed pale in comparison to the fire and energy Arisha exuded in real life.

She was more than just a savior; she was a force of nature, commanding loyalty, respect, and devotion from everyone around her.

Mihir whispered beside him, almost breathless, “Bhai… I get why everyone follows her. She’s… unstoppable.”

Yugant didn’t respond immediately. His sharp eyes never left Arisha, noting every movement, every gesture, every spark of fire in her expression.

She’s mine, he reminded himself silently. No one else will ever have her.

The music swelled, the girls performed flawlessly, and the play unfolded on stage.

But for Yugant, time seemed to slow. The entire function, the planning, the people.. they all faded into the background.

All that mattered was Arisha - her poise, her authority, her fire.

And somewhere deep inside, he knew, this was just the beginning.

TO BE CONTINUED..