I leaned back against the plush leather seat of his car, the soft hum of the engine filling the silence. His long meeting with the foreign clients had finally ended, and I  was now speeding towards Rathore Haveli. The cool night breeze flowed in through the slightly rolled-down window, but my sharp gaze lingered on the books and the small personal diary resting beside him. My fingers tapped on the steering wheel as he debated whether to open it or not.

Something about the diary intrigued me . I had seen enough personal belongings left behind by employees before, but this—this felt different. A thought crossed his mind, and before I  could dismiss it, his hand instinctively reached out for the diary. With a swift motion, I  flipped open the first page, only for my eyes to be met with bold, handwritten words:

"Diary padho aur agle janam mein gadhe bano."

("Read this diary and be reborn as a donkey in your next life.")

A muscle in my jaw twitched. My brows furrowed for a brief moment before he let out a sharp exhale through his nose. Without another thought, I  shut the diary and tossed it back onto the seat.

My driver, Raghav, who had been silently driving, stole a glance at me through the rearview mirror and hesitantly spoke, "Hukum sa, sab theek hai?"

("Your Highness, is everything alright?")

My cold gaze met his through the mirror, making the poor driver straighten his spine immediately. "Gaadi seedha haveli le jao. Bina wajah zyada baat mat kiya kar."

("Just drive straight to the haveli. Don’t talk unnecessarily.")

Raghav gulped, nodding quickly, and focused on the road ahead. Silence filled the car once again, broken only by the sharp ringtone of my phone. I picked it up without checking the caller ID.

"Bolo."

("Speak.")

A deep chuckle echoed from the other end. "Bhai, tu ab bhi utna hi rude hai jitna pehle tha. Koi improvement nahi."

("Brother, you're still as cold and rude as ever. No improvement at all.")

I sighed, recognizing the voice instantly. "Yug, kaam ki baat kar." ("Yug, get to the point.")

Yug Pratap Singh, my best friend and the only person who could afford to tease me without fearing consequences, laughed. "Itna bhi kya busy hai tu? Lagta hai koi naya kaand kar diya tune. Kahin aur shaadi se bhaag toh nahi gaya?"

("Why are you so busy? Looks like you’ve done something again. Did you run away from another marriage proposal?")

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Bakwas mat kar. Baat bata."

("Stop talking nonsense. Get to the point.")

Yug’s voice turned serious. "Aaj raat ek shipment aane wala hai. Border pe kuch log dikhe hain jo humare kaam mein taang ada sakte hain. Sambhalna padega."

("Tonight, a shipment is arriving. Some people have been spotted near the border who might interfere with our work. We need to handle it.")

My gaze darkened. "Jitni zaroorat ho, utne bande bhej do. Mujhe update chahiye har aadhe ghante mein."

("Send as many men as needed. I want updates every half an hour.")

Yug hummed in agreement before adding, "Aur sun, maa ne mana liya tujhe shaadi ke liye? Ya abhi bhi nakhre dikhane ka plan hai?"

("And listen, have you been convinced by your mother for the wedding, or are you still planning to act difficult?")

My grip on his phone tightened. "Maine haan bol diya hai."

("I’ve already said yes.")

Yug smirked from the other side. "Tu shaadi kar le, hum sangeet mein DJ bulayenge. Aakhri baar tu naacha tha jab Sandhya bhabhi zinda thi, yaad hai?"

("Get married, we’ll call a DJ for the wedding celebrations. The last time you danced was when Sandhya bhabhi was alive, remember?")

A heavy silence followed. My expression remained unreadable, but my fingers clenched. "Raat ke shipment pe dhyan de. Mujhe update chahiye."

("Focus on tonight’s shipment. I need updates.")

Yug exhaled lightly, realizing he had struck a nerve. "Theek hai bhai. Tu sambhal apne aap ko."

("Alright, brother. Take care of yourself.")

I hung up without another word, my mind now occupied with both business and unwanted memories. I turned my gaze back to the diary but didn’t reach for it again. Instead, I  leaned back and shut his eyes for a moment.

The car sped through the deserted streets, heading straight towards Rathore Haveli....

[Purvika’s Home – Midnight]

The night was eerily silent, the only sound being the creaking of the old fan hanging from the ceiling. Purvika sat near the dimly lit lamp, lost in her thoughts. The weight of the day had settled heavily on her shoulders. Her eyes kept darting towards the door, anxiously waiting for her father to return from his drunken night out. Priya sat beside her, holding her hand.

Priya (softly, worried): "Didi, so jao na... Aap thak gaye ho."

(Didi, please sleep… You’re tired.)

Purvika smiled weakly, brushing her fingers through Priya’s hair.

Purvika (tired but firm): "Tu so ja, Piyu… Mujhe aadat hai raaton ko jaagne ki."

(You sleep, Piyu… I’m used to staying up at night.)

Before Priya could argue, the front door banged open. Their father, Rakesh Sharma, stumbled inside, the strong stench of alcohol filling the small room. His bloodshot eyes scanned the room before falling on Purvika.

Rakesh (slurring angrily): "Kaun bola tha tujhe kaam karne jaane ke liye? Kisne ijazat di tujhe?"

(Who told you to go for work? Who gave you permission?)

Purvika immediately stood up, lowering her gaze in respect and fear. Priya clutched her hand tightly.

Purvika (softly, pleading): "Baba… Yeh naukri zaroori hai… Ghar chalane ke liye… Priya ki dawaaiyon ke liye…"

(Baba… This job is necessary… To run the house… For Priya’s medicines…)

Her father’s face twisted in rage. He took a staggering step towards her and raised his hand, but stopped at the last moment. Instead, he threw a nearby metal plate across the room. It clanged against the wall, making Priya flinch.

Rakesh (mocking, cruelly): "Arey wah! Badi bani maa ke jaisi! Tujhe kya laga? Tere jaise besharam ladki ko kaam dega koi? Teri jagah sirf ek hi jageh hai! Samajhti hai tu?"

(Oh wow! Acting like a mother now? What do you think? Someone will give a shameless girl like you a job? There’s only one place for girls like you! Do you understand?)

Purvika’s eyes welled up, but she refused to let the tears fall. She clenched her fists, breathing deeply to control her emotions.

Purvika (determined yet respectful): "Baba, aap jo chahein keh sakte hain… Par main apni aur Priya ki zindagi barbaad nahi hone dungi."

(Baba, you can say whatever you want… But I won’t let Priya’s and my life be ruined.)

Rakesh let out a cruel laugh, shaking his head.

Rakesh: "Dekhna ek din bina izzat ke sadak par padi hogi tu! Phir mat kehna baap ne samjhaya nahi!"

(One day, you’ll be lying on the streets without respect! Then don’t say your father didn’t warn you!)

Saying this, he staggered inside his room and slammed the door. Silence filled the space, except for Priya’s muffled sobs.

Priya (crying softly): "Didi… Kyun seh rahi ho yeh sab? Hum bhaag kyun nahi jaate?"

(Didi… Why are you enduring all this? Why don’t we run away?)

Purvika hugged her tightly, pressing a kiss on her forehead.

Purvika (whispering, resolute): "Bhaagna kamzor logon ki aadat hoti hai, Piyu… Aur main kamzor nahi hoon."

(Running away is a habit of weak people, Piyu… And I am not weak.)

A fresh wave of exhaustion hit her, but before she could think further, her eyes widened in panic.

Purvika (suddenly remembering): "Meri kitaabe!"

(My books!)

Priya looked at her in confusion.

Priya: "Kya hua?"

(What happened?)

Purvika (stressed, panicking): "Meri kitaabe factory mein reh gayi… Agar kho gayi toh? Naye nahi laa sakti main… Paise kaha hain mere paas?"

(My books got left behind at the factory… What if they get lost? I can’t buy new ones… I don’t have money!)

Her heart pounded in her chest. Those books were her only hope, her escape from this miserable life. She couldn’t afford to lose them. Her hands trembled as she clutched the bedsheet, trying to calm herself.

Priya (softly, trying to comfort her): "Koi leke nahi jaayega didi… Kal subah chale jaana."

(No one will take them, didi… Go and get them in the morning.)

Purvika exhaled shakily, nodding. But deep down, she knew the uncertainty of her life wouldn’t let her rest easy.

The night stretched on, heavy and restless, as both sisters drifted into an uneasy sleep—one burdened by a cruel father, the other haunted by the fear of losing the only thing that gave her hope....

As Vikransh entered the haveli, the familiar sound of laughter and playful banter echoed through the grand hall. His younger sister, Kriti, and cousins, Aryan and Rudra, were sitting casually on the plush velvet sofas, chatting amongst themselves. The atmosphere was light, almost teasing, but the moment Vikransh entered, they all fell silent, knowing well his commanding presence.

Kriti (teasing with a sly grin): “Bhaiya, shaadi ki taraf kadam badha rahe ho? Rishta mil gaya hai?”
("Brother, are you moving towards marriage? Have you found a match yet?")

Rudra (grinning): “Kriti, tu na! Vikransh Bhaiya ko shadi ke liye humne kaafi koshish ki thi, lekin unka dil toh kab ka khoya hua hai!”
("Kriti, you! We’ve tried so much to get Vikransh Bhaiya married, but his heart is long lost!")

Aryan (mocking): “Haan, aur kisne socha tha ki humare Vikransh Bhaiya itne ‘heartless’ ho sakte hain!”
("Yeah, who would have thought our Vikransh Bhaiya could be so ‘heartless’!")

Vikransh walked in calmly, his cold demeanor unaffected by the teasing. He shot a sharp look at his cousins, his gaze like ice, immediately making them realize they had crossed a line. The air seemed to freeze, and they all fell into an uncomfortable silence. Vikransh’s gaze remained impassive, yet there was something chilling about it.

Vikransh (in a cold tone): “Shut up. Agar yeh sab sunna tha, toh ghar na aata.”
("Shut up. If I had to hear all this, I wouldn’t have come home.")

Kriti (giggling nervously, trying to lighten the mood): “Arre Bhaiya, bas mazaak kar rahe the... Tumhe pata hai hum sab tumhe kitna respect karte hain!”
("Oh Bhaiya, we were just joking... You know how much we respect you!")

But Vikransh didn’t respond. He simply turned on his heels and walked towards his son’s room.

The cousins exchanged a glance, trying to suppress their laughter, but they knew better than to provoke him further. Vikransh was a man of few words, and his mood could change in an instant.

As he walked towards Saransh’s room, the teasing and joking faded into the background. Vikransh’s expression softened, and his pace slowed. He could still hear the echoes of his cousin’s words, but all that mattered now was the sight of his son, who was the only one capable of filling the emptiness that his wife, Sandhya, had left behind.

Upon entering his son’s room, the warmth of fatherhood hit Vikransh. Saransh was sound asleep, his tiny chest rising and falling steadily. Vikransh approached the bed quietly, not wanting to disturb the peaceful moment. He sat on the edge, brushing his fingers through Saransh’s hair, savoring the feeling of tenderness that only a father could experience.

Vikransh (in a low voice, to himself): “Meri duniya tum ho, Saransh. Tumhare bina sab kuch adhoora hai.”
("You are my world, Saransh. Without you, everything feels incomplete.")

He leaned down and kissed his son’s forehead gently, watching the little boy as he slept, unaware of his father’s intense gaze. Saransh was the only reason Vikransh still clung to life, to hope. He caressed his son’s hair one more time before standing up, his heart filled with a love so strong it made him vulnerable—something he would never show to anyone else.

Vikransh made his way back to his room. The familiar scent of his late wife, Sandhya, hung in the air like a ghost, refusing to let go. As he entered, his eyes were immediately drawn to the framed photograph of Sandhya on the bedside table. The memories of their shared moments, their love, and everything they had built together flooded his mind.

Flashback ~

Sandhya (with a playful smile, holding his hand): “Tumhare saath mera har din perfect hai, Vikransh. Tum mere saath ho toh duniya ki koi bhi mushkil asaan lagti hai.”
("Every day with you is perfect, Vikransh. When you’re with me, no challenge in the world feels difficult.")

Vikransh (with a soft smile, touching her face): “Aur jab tum mere saath ho, Sandhya, toh duniya mein kuch bhi adhoora nahi lagta. Tum meri sabse badi taqat ho.”
("And when you’re with me, Sandhya, nothing in the world feels incomplete. You are my greatest strength.")

Vikransh could still hear her voice, feel the warmth of her touch. But now, the room was cold, the absence of her presence unbearable. It had been so long since he had heard her laughter, felt the way she had held him at the end of a tiring day.

Present Moment

Vikransh closed his eyes for a moment, letting the memories wash over him. But just as quickly, he shook his head, pushing the emotions aside. He couldn’t afford to dwell in the past. There were responsibilities, a son to raise, a legacy to uphold. He stood up, wiped away a stray tear, and took a deep breath . His emotions had no place in his life anymore. Feelings were a luxury he couldn't afford—not when the world saw him as an unshakable force, a man without weakness.

He turned away from the framed photo, straightening his posture, forcing himself back into the role he had mastered over the years—the King of Jodhpur, the ruthless businessman, the man who no longer had the right to grieve.

With one last glance at Saransh’s sleeping form, he walked toward the large window towards overlooked the palace courtyard. The moonlight bathed the haveli in a soft glow, but all he could see was the darkness that had settled inside him since Sandhya’s death.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, snapping him out of his thoughts. He pulled it out and saw a message from Yug.

Yug: “Kal milna hai....Zaroori baat hai.”

("We need to meet tomorrow . It’s important.")

Vikransh locked his jaw. If Yug had something to discuss urgently, it was either business or something darker. He put his phone down without replying immediately, exhaling slowly.

Tomorrow would bring new decisions, new battles.

But tonight, for just a few fleeting moments, he allowed himself to close his eyes and remember what love had once felt like.

Even if it was just a memory now.....

---

The first rays of dawn filtered through the tattered curtains of Purvika’s small room. She hadn’t slept much, her mind constantly replaying the moment she realized her books were missing.

"Agar woh kho gaye toh? Nai Purvika, aise nahi sochna… kahin na kahin mil jayenge."

(What if they’re lost? No, Purvika, don’t think like that… I’ll find them somewhere.)

She hurriedly braided her hair and adjusted her faded dupatta before grabbing her bag. Just as she was about to step out, Priya stirred on the bed.

Priya: "Didi, subah subah itni tension mein kyun ho?"

(Didi, why are you so tense this early in the morning?)

Purvika hesitated for a moment before sighing.

Purvika: "Kal factory mein books reh gaye. Agar kho gaye toh naye kaise laungi?"

(I left my books at the factory yesterday. If they’re lost, how will I buy new ones?)

Priya’s face fell. She knew how much those books meant to her sister.

Priya: "Toh ab kya karogi?"

(So what will you do now?)

Purvika: "Kya kar sakti hoon? Factory jaake dekhna padega. Bas dua kar woh waise ke waise pade ho."

(What else can I do? I have to go to the factory and check. Just pray that they’re still there.)

With that, she left, walking briskly toward the factory. Every step felt heavier with worry.

Upon reaching, she barely greeted the workers as she rushed inside, her eyes scanning every corner of the factory floor. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears. She searched frantically near the machinery where she had been working last night.

Nothing.

Panic started to creep in. She couldn’t afford new books. Her father already loathed her studies. If he found out she lost them, she didn’t even want to imagine his reaction.

"Bhagwan, kahin toh rakhe ho…"
(God, they have to be somewhere…)

She turned towards the manager’s office, hesitating before knocking. Maybe someone found them?

Purvika took a deep breath before knocking on the manager’s office door. Her heart pounded in her chest as she waited for a response.

Manager (gruffly): "Kaun hai?"

(Who is it?)

Purvika (hesitantly): "Sir… main Purvika. Woh… mujhe aapse ek baat karni thi."

(Sir… I’m Purvika. I needed to ask you something.)

The manager sighed, rubbing his temples as he gestured for her to enter. He looked tired, his desk cluttered with papers.

Manager: "Bolo, kya baat hai?"

(Speak up, what is it?)

Purvika hesitated for a second before gathering her courage.

Purvika: "Sir, kal raat ko maine factory mein apni books chhod di thi… aapne dekha hai?"

(Sir, last night, I left my books here in the factory… did you see them?)

The manager frowned, clearly trying to recall. He leaned back in his chair, looking at her with mild confusion.

Manager: "Books? Kal raat?"

(Books? Last night?)

Purvika (nodding quickly): "Haan sir, shayad kisi ne uthai ho… ya aapne dekhi ho?"

(Yes sir, maybe someone picked them up… or did you see them?)

The manager scratched his head, mumbling to himself.

Manager: "Mujhe yaad nahi… kal raat bahut kaam tha, mujhe dhyan nahi gaya."

(I don’t remember… there was a lot of work last night, I didn’t pay attention.)

Purvika felt her stomach drop. He didn’t remember? That meant she had no clue where her books were.

Purvika (pleading): "Sir, please yaad kijiye… woh mere liye bahut zaroori hain."

(Sir, please try to remember… they are very important to me.)

The manager looked at her for a moment before sighing.

Manager: "Beta, mujhe sach mein yaad nahi… par tum store room check kar lo, shayad wahan ho."

(Child, I really don’t remember… but you can check the storeroom, maybe they are there.)

Purvika nodded, her throat dry. She turned away, feeling more anxious than before.

"Agar wahan bhi nahi mile toh?

(What if they’re not there either?)

She had no choice—she had to find them....

---

Purvika stood in front of her manager, her heart racing as he gave her a nonchalant shrug, claiming he had no idea about the books she had left behind. She felt a wave of frustration wash over her, her fingers clenching at the edge of the desk in front of her.

"How could he not remember?" she thought. "It was just last night... how could he forget?"

Her mind was in chaos as she tried to calm her nerves. This was not just about the books—this was about everything. The struggle to earn enough, to pay for Priya's treatment, and still manage her studies on top of it. Every single day was a battle. She couldn’t afford to lose these books, not now, not after everything she had done to buy them.

"Focus, Purvika," she whispered to herself, trying to steady her breathing.

She glanced around the office, trying to spot anything that might remind her of the books—her textbooks, notes, her whole world of education, everything she had worked so hard to keep together.

How was she going to explain this to her family? Her father would never understand. Her sister Priya had enough on her plate already, and Purvika refused to burden her with more worries.

"Focus. Think," she kept repeating.

But as much as she tried to calm herself, the thought of losing the books—the thought of everything slipping out of her grasp—sent a shiver through her. The job, her future, her hopes to study and escape this suffocating life, all of it was in jeopardy now.

"I can't lose this," she thought again, her heart heavy. "I can't lose myself."

As she turned to leave the manager’s office, she wiped the tears that had started to well in her eyes. She couldn’t let herself break down here, not in front of them. She had to stay strong, for Priya, for her family, and most importantly, for herself.

---

Dear lilies 🎀,

Word count 3500+

We’ve reached the end of another eventful chapter! This one was packed with emotions, struggles, and a glimpse into both Purvika and Vikransh’s worlds. From Purvika’s relentless fight for her dreams to Vikransh’s lingering past and his cold yet caring nature—every moment added a new layer to their journey.

What did you think of this chapter? Did you enjoy the mix of emotions, drama, and subtle humor? Which scene stood out the most for you? Your feedback means the world to me and helps shape the story even better!

Drop your thoughts, favorite moments, and suggestions in the comments. Looking forward to hearing from you!

- With love,
Nia