As the first rays of the morning sun crept through the windows, Mayura woke up early, her heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Today was her first day at her new college. She turned her head slightly and saw Abhimaan still asleep beside her. A soft smile played on her lips as she took in his peaceful expression. The reality of their decision to give their marriage a real chance felt both exhilarating and daunting.
Silently, she got off the couch and began to get ready, opting for a simple yet elegant traditional dress that made her feel both confident and comfortable. As she stood before the mirror, she noticed Abhimaan waking up, his eyes groggily meeting hers. Their gazes locked, and her heart skipped a beat. His sleepy eyes sparkled with warmth as he took in her appearance.
Mayura felt her cheeks warm under his gaze, a blush spreading as she braided her hair and applied light makeup. Even though she tried to focus on getting ready, she couldn't ignore the way Abhimaan was looking at herâas if he was seeing her for the first time.
"Abhimaan?" she whispered, breaking the spell.
He blinked, his expression softening as he spoke, "Jaana, you look... breathtaking."
Her heart soared at his words, and she felt lighter, almost floating. She shook his shoulder gently, coaxing him to wake up fully. "You need to have breakfast before I leave."
He yawned and stretched, then offered, "Iâll drop you off at college."
Mayura immediately shook her head. "No, Abhimaan. I want to blend in, experience college like a regular student, not as the King of Rajasthanâs wife."
His face darkened slightly, eyes narrowing. "So, you're ashamed of our marriage?"
Shocked, Mayura quickly responded, "No, itâs not that at all! I just want to keep my personal life and status separate from college."
After a pause, Abhimaan nodded, though she could see the displeasure lingering in his eyes. "Fine, Jaana. But Iâm not happy about it."
She descended the grand staircase, the sound of her footsteps echoing in the spacious foyer. The palace staff was already bustling about, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods filling the air. Glancing at the grand dining hall, Mayura knew she had to leave soon to make it on time. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out into the bright morning sunlight, ready to face the day.
Abhimaan stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his suit meticulously. His black shirt was crisp, the silver tie perfectly knotted, giving him the appearance of a powerful, commanding figureâa man who was used to respect. Despite his polished appearance, his thoughts were elsewhere, drifting to Mayura.
He couldn't fathom why she was so insistent on keeping her identity hidden.
After getting ready, he headed downstairs, expecting to see her waiting for him. But she was already gone. Disappointment settled in his chest, and he approached a servant polishing the banister.
"Did madam eat something before she left?" Abhimaanâs tone was firm.
The servant looked up, a bit nervous. "No, sir. She was in a hurry and didnât have breakfast."
Abhimaanâs jaw tightened. She hadnât even taken the time to eat. "Ensure her food is ready when she returns, and have a light snack prepared for her from tomorrow . Sheâll need it."
The servant nodded and quickly went to fulfill his orders. Abhimaan remained still, his thoughts churning. He would respect her wish for spaceâfor now.
Entering his office, he ignored the hunger pangs from skipping breakfast, only to be interrupted by the ringing of his phone. He glanced at the caller ID, his expression hardening.
"Mr. Maity," he answered, his tone clipped.
"Abhimaan ! I need to discuss business with you," his father-in-law's voice boomed through the phone.
Abhimaanâs grip tightened on the phone. "What is it? Iâm busy."
"Profits are down, and we need to discuss a new real estate venture. It's going to be a goldmine!"
Abhimaan's frustration grew. "And what about Mayura? Have you thought about her well-being, her happiness?"
A pause on the line made Abhimaan hope his words had hit home, but then his father-in-law dismissed him. "Mayura? Sheâs fine, Iâm sure. Now, letâs focus on business."
Abhimaanâs jaw clenched, realizing how deeply his father-in-lawâs selfishness ran. Now he understood better why Mayura distanced herself from her family.
"Fine. Iâll review the reports and get back to you."
"Good. After all , our investments are our first priority."
The call ended, and Abhimaan slammed the phone down, anger simmering within him. He couldnât believe the manâs complete disregard for Mayuraâs happiness, only caring about profits. His thoughts returned to Mayura, and he vowed silently to give her the space she needed, but he wouldnât let her slip through his fingers. Not now, not ever.
Rajeev came into my office, his usual calm demeanor replaced with something more serious. I noticed it immediately, and my instincts told me this wasnât just about a routine meeting.
"Sir, there's a business meeting tomorrow morning," he started, but I could tell he was holding something back. "And... there's something else. It's about Mayura ma'am."
The mention of her name made me pause. I put down the pen I was holding and leaned back in my chair, giving him my full attention. "What is it, Rajeev?"
He handed me a file, the cover marked with her name. "I looked into the history, as you ordered . The medical records, the visits to different hospitals⦠there was something off."
I opened the file, skimming through the contents. The records were detailedâmedical bills, hospital visits, prescriptions. But what struck me was the pattern. Regular visits, recurring issues, but no clear diagnosis.
Rajeev continued, his voice more solemn now. "We couldn't find any official case records, sir, but we spoke to some people in her old neighborhood. It turns out, her father... he was the one behind it. He used to beat her every day. It wasnât just once or twice; it was a regular, almost routine."
I felt a wave of anger rise within me, my grip tightening on the file. The thought of someone, anyone, hurting her like that was enough to make my blood boil. But her own father? The man who should have protected her? I couldnât fathom it.
"And her family?" I asked, though I already suspected the answer.
Rajeev shook his head. "They didnât care, sir. Not one bit. No one intervened, no one tried to help her. They just let it happen."
I clenched my jaw, trying to contain the fury building up inside me. How could a fatherâno, how could any human beingâdo this to their own child? I thought back to the first day Mayura came to my home. How she seemed uneasy when my family bonded around her, the way she hesitated, like she was seeing something foreign. It makes sense now. She had never experienced real family warmth, never known what it was like to be loved unconditionally.
And then I remembered how she grew attached to my family so quickly, how her eyes lit up whenever they showed her kindness. She must have felt like she finally found what she had been missing all her life. The way she looked when I told her to leave for the palaceâit wasnât just sadness; it was fear. Fear of losing something she had just found, something she had never had before.
I slammed the file shut, my anger barely contained. I can't believe this. How could a father be like this? No wonder she was so scared of family bonding at first. But then she saw my family, how they treated her, and it must have been like a whole new world for her.
Rajeev stood silently, letting me process the information. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside me. But one thing was clear: I would protect Mayura from anything and anyone who tried to hurt her ever again. I would make sure she never had to face that kind of pain, not while I was around.