👑 Twenty Five~

Durdhara was clicking a mirror selfie sporting her new silk robe set when Hardik whistled at her.

She turned around looking at him sharply and said,"I bet you're mingling up with lowlifes nowadays. What's with this behaviour?"

"Oh come on! I gotta do what every man with a sexy wife does,"Hardik replied with a smirk, staring at his laptop's screen, typing something attentively.

"Are you done with your work?"Durdhara asked, taking a seat in front of the mirror, and combed her hair.

"Just a minute, Jaan. The plan is ready. We can kickstart the project as soon as possible once this gets approved. By the way, are you going downstairs in that attire?"

"Yep! I have got green signal from Mom and Daadi. I can wear whatever I want."

"Well in that case, how about wearing the silk lingerie instead, which I brought for you,"Hardik said, his eyes still glued to the screen, while a smug smile played on his lips.

A cushion hit his face and he frowned and looked at Durdhara, who raised a brow and asked,"What? You got what you deserved. I wish it was a vase instead. But you're my husband, so cushion will do."

"You're atrocious at times, you know?"

"And you're reprobate at times, you know?"

"When did I become reprobate?"

"Just a second ago."

Hardik saved the file and shut the laptop while saying with a smirk,"So wishing to see ones own wife in a lingerie is being reprobate?"

Durdhara stood up and walked up to him and sat on his lap, throwing his laptop away on the couch.

"Hey woman! Easy!"he said while she held his collar and pulled him closer.

"Now, what were you saying?"she asked and he said,"Uh...nothing serious. It's just..."his fingers worked up her thigh.

"I wonder if I had really been a common dancer instead of being a princess, what would have been your take on me!"she said, narrowing her eyes at him.

"Trust me Jaan, you don't wanna know that. I would have abducted you and kept you in a room somewhere in my private villa and then you know the rest..."he winked at her.

"You vile miscreant!"she said hitting his chest.

"Language, sweetheart,"he said with a chuckle, pulling her for a kiss and she kissed him back gladly.

"You would have been my queen anyways,"he whispered, breaking the kiss, only to kiss her again.

Durdhara chuckled in the kiss, before pulling back slightly and running her fingers through his cheek. "That's the thing I wanted to hear."

Hardik nuzzled her neck, kissing around, while saying,"Ummmm...that's a new perfume you have put on."

"Oh! That's Mr.Sinclair's gift,"she said and got up from his lap. Walking up to a cabinet she brought a box and sat near him while showing him the content.

"Nice,"Hardik said while she leaned against his chest, saying,"It's said, if one gifts perfumes without taking any money in return, then one who gifted the perfumes and the one who received it are supposed to indulge in a fight sooner or later."

Hardik laughed and said,"That's hilarious. Why would you fight with Andrew? Also, it's impossible from his side, as he admires you a lot."

Durdhara shrugged. "Well, I don't know. I just said what I have heard from people. Anyways, when are you taking me out on a date or a long drive? It has been a long time."

"Right, about that, how about this weekend?"

"I am in."

"Lovely!"he said, kissing her hand.

Virat was walking through the corridors, going towards his room, when he heard Akaay's giggles. He stopped and walked up to his kids' room to find Snehanvi playing with his son.

"Okay, now you'll do your tasks, your teacher will scold you otherwise,"Snehanvi said.

"Nobody scods Kumar Akaay,"the little one said, unable to pronounce the word scold.

"Okay Kumar Akaay, you'll remain illiterate if you don't study. I am going,"she said and stood up.

"What's illi...ilete.."

"Illiterate. See! You don't know the meaning of it. It means one who doesn't know anything."

Akaay looked on thoughtfully and then said,"Okay! Akaay studies."

Snehanvi chuckled and sat beside him, taking him in her lap. She opened a book and made him write the alphabets and words which had been given to him by the tutor.

She suddenly noticed Virat and kept him down before coming to him.

"Aap kab aaye? You needed something?"she asked.

"Nothing. Thanks for taking care of my son,"Virat said in his usual royal manner.

"It's my duty. Besides, he likes me too,"Snehanvi said, looking at Akaay.

"But I guess Vamika won't accept you so easily. She was a bit grown up when Queen Anushka left. She's yet to come out of that trauma."

"I can understand. It's not easy to accept change. That too such drastic ones! I'll try my best to help her out."

"It's okay even if you don't try. You're taking care of Akaay, that's enough."

"A mother doesn't differentiate between her children. I cannot ignore one while taking care of the other,"Snehanvi said, looking straight at him.

"You're considering yourself as their mother?"

She gave a nod.

"Fine! I won't say anything if they too consider you as their mother. But don't cross your line."

"I know."

"Good,"Virat said before walking away.

Snehanvi sighed and went back to Akaay. She helped him out with his academic tasks and made him prepare his lessons. She then played with him, before a maid brought food for him. She fed him and got him ready for bed and then checked the time and found that it was around 9p.m and Vamika hadn't come to the room even for once since evening.

Tucking Akaay to bed, she put him to sleep before going out of the room searching for Vamika, whom she found in their playroom.

"Vamika! Why are you studying out here? Go to your room beta,"she said, approaching her.

Vamika looked up at her and said in a sharp tone,"Why are you here? Won't you give me privacy anywhere? Go from here!"

"I will go away. You go to your room beta. And please have your dinner."

"That's none of your concern! Go from here. I said go!"Vamika said and threw her pencil box at Snehanvi all of a sudden, hence she couldn't move away. The sharp metal side of the box hit her forehead, giving a cut.

Snehanvi winced in pain when Virat rushed in hearing the sound, as his room was beside the playroom.

"What happened here?"he asked, eyes narrowing at Vamika after he saw the cut on Snehanvi's forehead. "Vamika!"he said in a stern loud tone, and the little girl flinched. "You hit her with your box?"

"Uh! No! Actually Vamika was going to her room...I asked her to give her things to me...so she threw her box at me like Akaay does. I missed it and it hit my forehead,"Snehanvi lied.

"What do you think of me? A fool?"Virat asked.

"No, that's what has happened. Vamika, go...go to your room,"Snehanvi said and Vamika ran away from there.

"Vami! Wait!"Virat started chasing her but Snehanvi held his hand stopping him but then quickly left it and said,"Sorry. I just wanted to stop you. Leave her, Yuvraj. Please. She's a kid. We had a talk this evening itself that she'll need time to accept me around her. Don't be hard on her."

"Unacceptability doesn't allows her to harm someone who hasn't done anything to her. That's wrong! This kind of behaviour is wrong. She should be punished for it."

"And you'll push her away from yourself by doing that. She has already lost her mother. You punishing her for hurting me will make her feel that you are supporting me over her. Don't do that. It's her bottled up anger and trauma. Let those get out for her to heal,"Snehanvi pleaded.

Virat stared at her and sighed. "You're mature as compared to your age. But a fool too. Beware around Vamika. She has her mother's temper."

"She'll be generous too then, if she's more like her mother,"Snehanvi said. "I have heard a lot about the queen's generosity."

Virat's eyes softened. "That she was. Generous, caring, empathetic towards people. Anyways, come, you need to get a first aid."

"This little cut will cause no harm to me. I had endeared bigger wounds back in my village."

"This isn't your village and stop being oversmart. Come along,"Virat said and walked ahead of her, and she made a face at him, following him up.

Chandrika was at the Town Hall Club staring at the confetti falling down from above, while the party was in full swing. Despite her best attempts her eyes were going towards Shubman and Sharon who had made an entry together, grabbing all the spotlights and on top of that they had been crowned with the title of the Most Happening Couple of the party.

Chandrika's eyes narrowed as she watched Shubman dancing with Sharon on the dance floor as Sharon had pulled him in, and they seemed lost in conversation, their laughter and smiles suggesting they were having a great time. Sharon laughed as it seemed Shubman had cracked a joke, with his eyes sparkling with amusement.

As Chandrika observed the scene unfold, she couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. She had come to the event with her group of friends, but her attention kept drifting back to Sharon and Shubman. Despite the lively music and energetic chatter around her, Chandrika found herself unable to enjoy the moment, her mind preoccupied with the close proximity between Sharon and Shubman.

The more she watched them, the more Chandrika's unease grew. She didn't like the way her mind was reacting, the possessiveness and envy simmering just below the surface. With a subtle shift in her expression, Chandrika attempted to brush off the feeling, focusing instead on the vibrant atmosphere and the company of her friends. However, her gaze continued to stray toward the dance floor, her curiosity about Sharon and Shubman's connection lingering.

Suddenly a guy extended his hand towards her, inviting her to dance, saying,"Hey! Amar here. Amar Raghuvanshi. Wanna dance?"

Chandrika stared at him and then declined, politely expressing her lack of interest.

Undeterred, Amar continued to engage her in conversation, complimenting her singing talent and mentioning their dads were business partners. He also revealed that he had seen her at a party a few months ago but couldn't approach her since she had left early.

As she started walking ahead, Amar followed, still trying to persuade her. Despite her clear disinterest, he persisted in his attempts to connect with her, highlighting their families' professional connection. She maintained her polite yet firm demeanor, trying to convey her lack of enthusiasm for the conversation.

The air was getting thicker with the scent of beer and perfumes, the rhythmic beat of Bollywood music, and the excited chatter of the youngsters.

Chandrika, who had lost sight of her peers tried harder to get away from Amar as he was making her uncomfortable eventually. His compliments felt less like admiration and more like invasive observations. Though she'd brushed off his initial advances, hoping he'd get the message, but he seemed determined.

"Did somebody tell you that you're looking absolutely stunning tonight?" Amar asked, his voice a little too close to her ear. She moved away from him getting startled, and excused herself from him, not knowing that he was still following her.

As she reached a relatively quiet corner of the terrace overlooking the dazzling city lights, she thought she had finally found a moment of peace. But her respite was short-lived. Amar materialized beside her, blocking her path.

"Running away from me, Chandrika?" he chuckled, his eyes glinting in the dim light.

"Amar, please," she said, taking a step back. "I'm just enjoying the view. Leave from here. Our Dads might be business partners but that doesn't make us friends."

He stepped closer, cornering her against the railing. "Don't be like that. You know I've been wanting to talk to you all evening."

"I don't,"Chandrika stated firmly, her voice laced with a rising sense of unease. "And I think you should leave me alone."

Ignoring her plea, Amar reached out and touched her arm, his grip tighter than necessary. "Come on, Chandrika. Don't play hard to get."

Her heart pounded in her chest. "Amar, stop it! I mean it." She tried to pull away, but he tightened his grip, his face close to hers. The music suddenly seemed to fade into a dull hum, replaced by the frantic hammering of her own heartbeat.

"What's the matter? You think you're too good for me?" Amar's voice was laced with bitterness. He reached for her face, his touch unwanted and violating.

Suddenly, a figure exploded into the scene. A hand shot out, connecting with Amar's jaw with a resounding thud. Amar stumbled back, clutching his face, a look of disbelief and pain etched on his features.

Shubman stood protectively in front of Chandrika, his eyes blazing with anger.

"Get away from her,"he yelled, his voice low and dangerous. "Ever lay a hand on her again, and you'll regret it."

Amar, nursing his jaw, sputtered, "Prince Shubman! This is none of your business!"

"It's my business when I see someone disrespecting a lady like this," Shubman retorted, his fists clenched. "You need to learn some manners, and some basic decency. Now get out of here or I'll have to call my bodyguards to do the honour."

Amar passed both of them a bitter look and walked away holding his jaw in pain.

Chandrika, still shaken, found her voice. "Thank...Thank you."

Shubman turned to her, his expression softening. "Are you alright?"

She nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "Yes, I...I think so."

The music, which had seemed to disappear entirely, now surged back, a jarring reminder of the celebratory atmosphere that had been so brutally shattered. Chandrika leaned against the railing, her body trembling. Shubman stayed by her side, offering a silent, reassuring presence.

"How...how did you come here? I mean, you were dancing with Sharon,"Chandrika asked.

"I found Amar following you up while you were going across the dancefloor and felt like you were getting disturbed by his presence...so I decided to check once,"Shubman said.

"Despite me being your rival?"

"Rivalry isn't greater than the honour of a woman. Anyways, are you okay? Want to go home?"

Shubman's words silenced Chandrika and she looked away. "I am fine. Thank you."

"Get back inside and stay with your group. Come,"Shubman said. "Come on,"he repeated, extending his hand for her and she held it, walking back silently, with him.

************************************Here goes the update. Keep Reading and Keep Vommenting Guys.😘❤️