The grandeur of Jodhpur’s most sacred temple was momentarily disturbed by a sudden commotion. Ranjana Singh Rathore, the respected matriarch of the Rathore family, had collapsed mid-prayer. Devotees gasped in shock, while the temple’s priest rushed to call for help. The royal guards, stationed outside, wasted no time and swiftly carried her to the family’s private hospital.

As soon as they arrived, the entire Rathore family assembled in the VIP waiting area. Vikransh Singh Rathore, the formidable king of Jodhpur, walked in with his signature intensity. His chachu, Mahendra  Singh Rathore, stood beside him, exchanging worried glances with Vikransh’s mother’s personal caretaker.

The doctor arrived moments later, holding a clipboard. His expression was serious yet reassuring.

“Mrs. Rathore is stable now. Her blood pressure had spiked due to stress and fatigue. She needs to be monitored for the next two days and must avoid any mental strain,” the doctor explained.

Rajeshwari , the ever-interfering widow who lived in her maternal home, sighed dramatically. “Yeh kya ho raha hai iss ghar mein? Pehle Sandhya chali gayi aur ab yeh sab …”

(What is happening in this house? First, Sandhya left us, and now this…)

Vikransh’s jaw clenched at the mention of his late wife, but he remained silent.

His younger sister, Kriti , looked at the doctor. “Koi serious baat toh nahi na?”

(There’s nothing too serious, right?)

The doctor shook his head. “Agar stress control nahi kiya toh serious ho sakti hai. Aap log inhe bilkul parishan mat hone dijiye.”

(If she doesn’t manage her stress, it can become serious. Please ensure she isn’t troubled at all.)

Vikransh turned to the doctor with a curt nod. “Main apni maa ke stress ka reason nahi banna chahta.”

(I don’t want to be the reason for my mother’s stress.)

The doctor smiled slightly. “Toh fir unki baat maan lijiye. Shayad unka stress kam ho jaaye.”

(Then listen to her. Maybe that will reduce her stress.)

Veerendra placed a hand on Vikransh’s shoulder. “Beta, unka sirf ek hi sapna hai… tujhe ek baar phir settled dekhna.”

(Son, she only has one dream… to see you settled again.)

Vikransh sighed but said nothing. His mother’s wish was something he already knew.

---

Meanwhile, in another section of the hospital, Purvika Sharma walked out of the billing counter, clutching the receipt for her sister’s treatment. Exhaustion lined her delicate features, but relief washed over her knowing she had managed to pay the amount with her hard-earned wages.

As she walked through the hallway, she noticed an elderly woman sitting alone in the waiting area. No one was around her, and she looked visibly weak. Ranjana Singh Rathore.

Purvika hesitated before stepping forward, pulling out a small bottle of water from her worn-out bag. “Maa ji , aap paani lijiye.”

(Ma’am, please have some water.)

Ranjana looked up, momentarily startled. Her eyes softened as she took the bottle from Purvika’s hands. “Beta, tum yahan?”

(Child, you’re here?)

Purvika gave a small smile. “Meri behen ki treatment chal rahi hai.”

(My sister is undergoing treatment.)

Ranjana noticed the worry behind the young girl’s eyes. There was something about her—grace in adversity, resilience in suffering. A girl like her… she would make the perfect daughter-in-law for the Rathore family.

"Iska dil kitna saaf hai… aise ladkiyan toh aaj kal milti hi nahi hain. Agar yeh is ghar ki bahu ban jaaye toh sab kuch kitna accha ho jaaye.”

(Her heart is so pure… girls like her are rare nowadays. If she becomes the daughter-in-law of this house, everything will fall into place.)

She gave Purvika a gentle smile. “Tumhari behen theek ho jaayegi, beta. Bhagwan sab dekh raha hai.”

(Your sister will be fine, child. God is watching over everything.)

Purvika nodded, murmuring a soft thanks before walking away.

----

After clearing the bill, Purvika entered Priya’s hospital room. The sight of her younger sister, pale and broken, made her heart ache. Priya looked at her with tear-filled eyes.

“Didi… kyu bacha liya mujhe?”

(Sister… why did you save me?)

Purvika swallowed the lump in her throat. “Piyu, main tumhe kaise khone de sakti hoon?”

(Piyu, how could I let you go?)

Priya’s sobs grew louder. “Mera baccha chala gaya didi… main jeena nahi chahti!”

(My baby is gone, sister… I don’t want to live!)

Purvika sat beside her, holding her close. “Piyu, teri jaan sirf teri nahi hai. Tu meri bhi hai. Agar tu chale gayi toh main bhi jeena chod dungi.”

(Piyu, your life doesn’t belong only to you. It belongs to me too. If you leave, I will stop living as well.)

Priya clung to her, her sobs gradually quieting as exhaustion took over. Within minutes, she had fallen asleep in Purvika’s embrace.

-----

Two days later,

Ranjana returned home to the Rathore palace. As the car pulled into the grand entrance, the household staff lined up in reverence. Her younger sister-in-law, kanchan, stepped forward, holding an aarti thali.

"Jiji, swagat hai aapka," she said warmly, circling the thali around Ranjana’s face before touching her feet.

(Sister, welcome home.)

Ranjana smiled, placing a hand on kanchan’s head in blessing. "Sada suhagan raho."

(May you always be blessed.)

As she stepped inside, a sense of finality settled over her. The wheels of fate had already begun turning, and soon, the Rathore family would have a new daughter-in-law.

Vikransh entered his mother’s room. She was lying down but sat up when she saw him.

“Tumhe apni maa ki zara bhi chinta nahi hai?”  she chided.

(Do you not worry about your mother at all?)

Vikransh sighed. “Aapko stress nahi lena chahiye, Maa.”

(You shouldn’t take stress, Maa.)

Ranjana gave him a knowing look. “Ek kaam karo… shaadi kar lo.”

(Do one thing… get married.)

He stiffened. “Maa…”

She interrupted. “Mujhe aur kuch nahi sunna. Maine decide kar liya hai.”

(I don’t want to hear anything else. I have decided.)

He sighed again, running a hand through his hair. “Aap jo chahengi wahi hoga aur mene is baat k liye haa pehle hi kar di h...”

(Whatever you want will happen as I already agreed to before)

Ranjana’s eyes softened as she patted his hand. “Tumhe kisi ki zaroorat hai, Vikransh. Tum akela nahi reh sakte , saru ko ek maa ki jarurat h aur yeh kaam m pura karke hi chain se mar paungi.”

(You need someone, Vikransh. You can’t be alone forever even saru needs a mother. I'll die peacefully only when I complete this task )

He exhaled deeply but didn’t argue. His mother’s happiness was paramount.

And unknown to him, she had already found the perfect girl for him.

--

Meanwhile, Purvika and Priya returned home. But instead of relief, they were met with their father’s cold fury.

Father: "Kya zarurat thi tujhe bachane ki, Priya? Ek bojh kam ho jata."

(What was the need to save you, Priya? At least one burden would have been less.)

Purvika (pleading): "Papa, aap aise mat kahiye. Piyu meri behen hai."

(Father, please don’t say that. Piyu is my sister.)

Mother (bitterly): "Tujhse pucha kisne tha paise kamaane jaane ka? Is ghar ki izzat mitti mein mila di tum dono ne!"

(Who asked you to go out and earn money? You both have ruined this family’s honor!)

Priya flinched, holding onto Purvika’s hand.

Purvika (whispering to Priya): "Hum saath hai, Piyu. Hamesha."

(We are together, Piyu. Always.)

As their parents stormed off, Purvika held her trembling sister, her resolve strengthening. No matter what, she would protect Priya.

Little did she know, destiny had already written a new chapter in her life—one that would change everything forever...

As Purvika and Priya stood there, their father’s cruel words echoing in the silence of their small home, Purvika felt her sister tremble beside her. She tightened her grip on Priya’s hand, silently promising to shield her from the storm that was their father’s wrath.

Their mother remained seated, her face a blank mask of indifference, while their father continued his tirade, his voice dripping with resentment. "Agar marna hi tha toh puri tarah marti, ek bojh kam hota!"

(If you had to die, you should have died completely! One less burden to bear!)

Priya flinched, her swollen eyes brimming with fresh tears. Purvika, her heart aching for her younger sister, stepped forward, her voice firm but pleading, "Papa, bas kijiye... jo ho gaya so ho gaya. Piyu abhi bhi bohot kamzor hai, please usse aur dukh mat dijiye."

(Papa, please stop… what’s done is done. Piyu is still very weak, don’t hurt her more.)

Her father’s eyes burned with anger as he pointed a finger at her. "Tu chup reh! Tum dono behne sirf sharmindagi ho iss ghar ke liye!"

(You stay quiet! You both are just a disgrace to this house!)

Purvika bit her lip, swallowing the lump in her throat. She wanted to scream, to fight back, but she knew it was pointless. Instead, she turned to Priya, who stood motionless, staring at the floor. Gently, she cupped her sister’s face, wiping away her tears. "Main hoon na, Piyu? Sab theek hoga... main hoon na."

(I’m here, Piyu. Everything will be fine… I’m here.)

Priya slowly nodded, her fingers clutching Purvika’s dupatta like a lifeline. With a deep breath, Purvika pulled her sister toward their shared room, away from their father’s venom, away from the pain.

As they stepped inside, Purvika shut the door behind them and exhaled shakily. She guided Priya to the cot, sitting beside her as Priya curled into her lap, her body wracked with silent sobs. Purvika stroked her sister’s hair, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.

"Ab so ja, Piyu… kal ka din naya hoga."

(Now sleep, Piyu… tomorrow will be a new day.)

But deep inside, Purvika wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep this promise.

The night outside was silent, but inside, two sisters clung to each other, fighting battles only they understood. And somewhere far away, in a grand palace, a king prepared to meet his fate, unaware that his life was about to be intertwined with a girl who knew nothing of royalty—only survival.

---

Dear Lovely lilies,

The first chapter is finally here! You’ve stepped into a world of power, pain, and destiny—where two souls from completely different worlds are about to collide. But before we move forward, I want to hear from YOU!

Did the emotions hit deep? Were you drawn into Purvika’s struggles and Vikransh’s silent storm? What are your thoughts on Ranjana’s decision? I’d love to know your favorite moments, theories, and anything you’d like to see next!

Drop your reviews, share your thoughts, and let’s make this journey even more exciting together! Your support means the world.

Much love & suspense,

Nia