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(Votes guys!! atleast cross the 2k, anyway increased the word count. Do comment! banging migraine mai likha hai!)

(Adding outfits on Instagram to stories, you can check it out on Inheritedvibes)

I forgot to add the hindi translations, someone please add it in comments!

∞All an act∞

Aradhaya Singh Rajvansh

If only Mahadev could take a moment to talk to me and explain the intentions of this man. What does he really want from me? Who is he really? The one he pretends to be now or the one he showed me seven years ago? This morning, when I had the allergic reaction, his face didn't show a hint of deception. I don't know if I want to believe it or if it's actually true, but all I saw was pure concern. It seemed genuine, as if he really cared, as if his declarations of love weren't just a facade.

This confusion is messing with my brain like nothing before. Whenever he comes close, my heart betrays me, and this evening, even my body. Every other time, he doesn't miss a chance to be near me, but if he's not around, my eyes search for him. Why am I doing this? Why do I want to hurt myself again?

When he's around, it reminds me of his betrayal, but when he's not, I'm drawn to him unwillingly. This is ruining my peace. I can't afford to get my heart broken again. I healed myself once; I can't do it again. I was so consumed by my grief that I neglected my family, my brother who needed me most at that time.

I grew so selfish that I couldn't face the people who love me more than anything. How can I forget everything in a second? How can I forget that my one mistake of falling in love cost me everything dear to me?

My knuckles grew white as I gripped the balcony railing of my room. It was 8 PM, and I was in my night suit, waiting for Bhai's call for dinner. But I couldn't stop replaying every moment with him in my mind. Why do I feel so helpless around him? Why do I let him get close after all this time? Anger surged through me, and my throat ran dry as I tried to swallow the lump that hurt. My eyes filled with tears. Why do I always end up crying?

My family has spoiled me too much, making these tears flow so easily. But, Mahadev, you were a witness to everything that happened seven years ago, during these years, and even now. You saw me shedding tears every night before sleep. Not a single night passed without me crying myself to sleep, not a single day without missing him, without needing him.

He wasn't there, Mahadev. He didn't even try to find out about my whereabouts. He just let me go.

"Aru." I quickly wiped my tears, inhaling deeply as Bhai walked into my room with a server following him.

"Bhai," I said, trying to plaster a smile as real as I could manage.

"Did something happen?" He cupped my face, concern etched on his features. Why does he have to be such a detective?

"No, nothing happened." I tried to dodge the question, shaking my head and walking past him to the food trolley, lifting the covers to check the dinner.

"What's this, Bhai?" I scrunched my nose, giving him a disapproving look. He stood there with a poker face.

"Aru, I am your brother. I know when you fake your smiles and when you smile the brightest. What surprises me is that you feel the need to put up an act before me." I stood numb, listening to him as he took slow steps toward me, sighing.

"What is it?" he asked, cupping my cheek, and in that moment, all I wanted was to hug him and cry, clinging to his chest. To tell him everything my heart wanted to utter, to complain to him like I used to do back in childhood. To tell him that this world had hurt his baby sister, to ask him to hide me from everything and take me to our garden, where he always used to take me, where he would push me on the swing, washing away every hard feeling I stored in my heart.

But how could I? This man had been a rock for our family, taking every hit on himself before it could even graze any of us. Be it the school bullies who never dared to even look at me because I am the sister of the Rajvanshs, the sister of Aridhaan Singh Rajvansh. Not only for me but even for Yug and Yagya Bhai, if we can go into this world fearlessly with our identities, it's because we know that the pillar of a human, our brother, is there behind us, always having our backs if something goes wrong.

No matter how much we try, we can never be there for him the way he is for us. He's had his fair share of battles fought all alone. Even if we want to be there for him, we can't; we are just so small before him and his problems that we could never do anything significant for him. He would never let us be involved, either. He would die a million deaths before letting even a strand of our hair be harmed. The most we can do is to not let our problems trouble him, but no matter how much I try, I end up running to him. I've learned to grow up and handle things on my own, but I always need him, and I am so grateful to have him in my life.

I wrapped my arms around him, pressing my cheek against his chest while he hugged me back. His embrace was warm and reassuring, a fortress against the world. He didn't need words to comfort me; his presence alone was enough. The scent of his cologne mixed with the familiarity of his heartbeat under my ear calmed the storm inside me.

"I am so grateful to have you," I whispered softly, feeling the tension in my body begin to release. He chuckled, a deep, comforting sound, as he caressed my head.

"What happened, Princess?" he asked again, his voice gentle, coaxing. If he asked one more time, I might blurt everything out—the dilemma of my mind and the desires of my heart.

"Can a sister not hug her brother without anything happening?" I mumbled against his chest, my voice muffled but sincere. His chest vibrated with his soft chuckle.

"Aap toh chahe humesha ese hi raho, hum aapko jaane hi na de kahin." He kissed the crown of my head, making me feel so overwhelmed with gratitude.

"Rakh lijiye Bhai. Hume kahin nahi jaana."

"Kahan jaari hai aap?" He pulled back, raising a brow at me. "I wish I could have stayed here with you seven years ago too. I know I was being stubborn, but you should have stopped me, pulled me back home." He chortled at my words, wiping the tear that trailed down my cheek. Damn these tears.

"The time needed you to go away, Aru. It was a mess here. Moreover, you and Dad got a good getaway from us." He smiled, making me chuckle. "Now, I'm not letting you go anywhere, even if you ask me to. Ese hi pakkar kar rakh lenge aapko." He pulled me into a hug, rubbing my back.

"Aridhaan, don't give her curd." Our necks snapped toward the door as our mother walked in, her words halting mid-sentence.

"Aru, Aridhaan, what happened?" Her eyes, the same color as ours, trailed between our faces.

"If she wishes, she can have some, Ankita." Papa followed behind her, stopping to observe the room.

"Jeeja sa, it will not help her throat." Next was Choti Maa, walking in but stopping beside Papa.

"But the medicines are very strong, Kritika." Chote Papa followed her and halted, observing everything.

"Before you all start, nothing happened. I was just complaining about not wanting khichdi." I waved my arms, explaining, and rested my hands on my waist. Everyone's faces relaxed at my words.

"What can we do? Whenever you both have an intense conversation, you end up dropping a bomb of a decision on us." My mother heaved a sigh, pressing her chest.

"Pakka koi kahin nahi jaara na?" Chote Papa confirmed, and I tittered, shaking my head.

"Koi kahin nahi jaara."

"You both just scare us all." Choti Maa side-hugged my mother, and both ladies sighed.

"You all are here? We were waiting in the dining room." Yug and Yagya Bhai walked in along with our grandparents.

"Yug, are they all having a family meetup without us?" Dadu held Yug Bhai's shoulder, giving him a dramatic stare. They had been alike since forever, whether it was Yug Bhai smuggling sweets for Dadu or Dadu secretly helping Yug Bhai with his finance assignments that Bhai used to give him.

"Vahi hai, Dadu." He sucked his upper lip, shaking his head dramatically, making everyone chuckle.

"Veer, they are asking me to eat khichdi and as I observed, that too without curd." I went to him, wrapping my arm around his and leading him to sit on the couch.

"But Aru, your throat isn't well, bache." Dadi walked over to sit beside me, trying to persuade me.

"But who eats khichdi at a wedding?" Yagya Bhai threw himself onto the bed, making himself comfortable, while the other twin sat before me at the table.

"Exactly." I tried to crib, eyeing the others in the room.

"Dahi bhalle, tikki chaat, golgappe, and even her favorite raj kachori were also there in the dinner starter menu. I had one plate each of everything. But Aru, you have your khichdi, I'll go and eat from your side too." Yug Bhai, as the evil man he is, licked his lips recalling the taste of my favorite food items.

"Dadu! Look, he is teasing me!" I tried to complain, but he held my chin.

"I am not teasing you, tobah, it's a sin. I am just telling you that to take care of your health, you have to miss the delicacies." He rose from the table, pinching my nose, and laid down with Yagya Bhai on the bed.

"Yug!" Dadu spoke in his stern tone, but I could see him controlling his laugh.

"This is not fair. You all are enjoying the food while I have to feed on bland food." I rose to stand in the corner of the room with my arms crossed and pouting lips.

"It's not bland, but tastes good." Aridhaan Bhai walked to me with a plate of khichdi, tasting a spoon first.

"It just lacks some masala, gudiya." Chote Papa took a taste too, walking to stand beside Bhai, who brought a spoonful near my mouth.

"I want curd," I asked with puffed cheeks.

"Only one or two spoons, not more than that," my mother instructed from behind, while my father brought the bowl, serving three spoons into my plate and winking at me.

"At least be grateful I am not asking for pickle," I chided, but Choti Maa interjected. "Haan haan, khaye aap aachar, fir saare functions mein khichdi or soups khilate aapko." To which my mother added, "Voh bhi bina curd ke."

"How do you manage with these cruel ladies?" I took one spoon of the khichdi. It was bland, tasteless, and questioning its existence.

"Tell us about it." Chote Papa heaved a sigh, to which Bhai and I snickered.

"If our princess is having khichdi, Yug, order khichdi for all of us. We will have it with her." Dadu declared, getting up from the couch.

Yug Bhai gasped loudly, "Isse accha sazaa-e-maut de dete, Dadu jaan."

"I ordered it already, Dadu." Yagya Bhai gave the other twin a stinging look.

"Chaliye, beth kar khayiye." Dadu took the plate from Bhai and pulled me to the couch where Maa and Choti Maa fed me the khichdi.

"You all don't have to eat this bland dish. You all go and enjoy the food." I tried to speak in between, but Papa glared at me.

"Don't talk while eating, Aru."

"If our gudiya is eating, then why can't we?" Chote Papa caressed my head, and before I could say anything, Yug Bhai rose from the bed, stretching himself.

"We have been eating this party food for three days now. I guess khichdi for a meal won't be a bad idea." He shrugged and took the spoon from my plate. His face twisted, but he covered the expression and gulped the food. "Or maybe we can skip a meal too." He added, to which everyone giggled.

It was already the day of the wedding, and the ceremonies had already begun in the west wing of the palace, which was occupied by Ridhima Bhabhi's family. Aahana and I were getting ready for the wedding. Aahana designed this piece last month, and I am wearing it before the launch. It was a lehenga with zardosi work and peacock embroidery paired with kundan jewellery.

"Where were you last night?" Aahana's hand, which was applying my eyeliner, halted in between when I wiggled my eyebrow to know the answer.

"Abhir took me for ice cream," she spoke blandly, without any interest.

"Aahana, do you like him?" She snickered at my words, capping the eyeliner.

"What makes you think so?" She was trying to cover up her excitement, but if she knows me, then I too know her way too well.

"Cut the act." I glared at her, and her words fumbled.

"He just irritates me." She huffed, sitting on the chair beside me.

"That's the Chauhan genes." I retorted, and we both broke into laughter.

"Give yourself a chance at happiness. The world is much more than work, Aahana." She looked at me with blank eyes, and I knew she would try to dodge the question and avoid the confrontation.

"You look drop-dead gorgeous." I eyed her, and she heaved another sigh.

"Not now, Aru." I shook my head, giving up on her.

"Let's get going. We have the duty to safeguard Shravan Bhai's shoes." She straightened her dress, checking herself out in the mirror.

"Hun toh mai hot." I chuckled at her words, opening my phone's camera.

"Bht jada hot." We clicked selfies and then headed to the wedding hall, where everyone was present as the wedding was about to begin.

The atmosphere was electric, filled with laughter, chatter, and the rich scents of flowers and incense. Guests were dressed in vibrant colors, and the hall was adorned with elegant decorations, setting the perfect backdrop for the grand celebration.

As we approached the main area, we saw Shravan Bhai, looking dapper in his wedding attire, surrounded by friends and family. He spotted us and waved, his face breaking into a wide smile.

"Aru, Aahana, over here!" he called out, beckoning us to join him.

We made our way through the crowd, exchanging greetings and compliments with the guests.

"You two look stunning," Shravan Bhai said as we reached him.

"Thank you, Bhai. You're not looking too bad yourself," I teased, earning a chuckle from him.

"Ready for the big moment?" Aahana asked.

"Nervous but excited," he admitted, glancing towards the entrance where Ridhima Bhabhi would soon make her appearance.

We took our places as Bhabhi walked toward the stage, flanked by the Chauhan siblings. She looked gorgeous, and I had to admit that he looked regal in his attire. The royal Rajput turban suited him so well, emphasizing his sharp features. His eyes shone brightly, tinged with moisture. He held Bhabhi's hand and whispered something, making the three of them smile widely. He kissed Bhabhi's cheek and walked down from the mandap. Abhir and Rohan approached him and hugged him, followed by Ruhi and Rishi. Seeing them together brought a smile to my face. He had always loved his siblings, and Rishi had always been a brother to him. They had been best friends since childhood, attending the same school, the same college, and now working in the same office.

My trance was broken by Aahana whispering in my ear, "I hate to admit it, but these Chauhan brothers are looking extremely hot." I chortled at her words as she sucked in air, heaving a sigh. "Kaash, they weren't so stupid."

"Indeed," I agreed.

"I wonder why every handsome man has to be stupid. Such a shame to have a body and face but lack the brain and heart that are most needed." Her disappointment was evident, and I could feel who it was pointing to. As the rituals began, we settled ourselves. Yug Bhai approached us with gift boxes in his hands.

"Hide them in the car trunk," he whispered while checking his surroundings.

"Relax, we will take care of it," I assured him, taking the gift box from his hand.

"Jaan se sambhal kar rakhna, Aru. That Abhir has bet a date with me if he gets the shoes." One should understand that Aahana is extra serious if she uses Hindi in between.

"I'll go." I lifted my lehenga, realising that as much as it looks pretty on you, carrying it is equally tough. The hall was exquisite with its decorations, everything beautiful and brightly lit. The food buffet was in full swing, and thankfully, I was allowed to have a little of almost everything, just not too spicy or tangy.

As I was about to leave the hall, my heel got stuck in the folded mat, making me tumble. As my face was about to kiss the ground, the gift box latched from my hand onto the floor, joined by many other boxes. I was steadied by a strong grip on my arms. "Dhaya!" I heard his words as I fluttered open my eyes. His face was inches away from mine, his breath warm and fresh on my nose. His eyes scanned my face, and I took a moment to admire his flawless features. His lips stretched into a smile, and he spoke in a soft, velvety voice.

"Careful, love," he whispered, straightening me. I met his concern-filled eyes and noticed a red chandan on his forehead, feathering away with small droplets of sweat. Two grains of rice stuck to it, and one grain had fallen on his nose. Involuntarily, my hand stretched to his nose, and my fingers removed the grain. My trance was broken as I heard Abhir gasping and grinning beside him, holding a handful of gift boxes.

"So caring," he sang, and his brother gave him a stare while I quickly retrieved my hand.

"Are you okay?" his voice laced with concern.

I nodded, taking a step back. "Yeah, I just stumbled on this folded mat." I looked down at the crumbled mat while he bent on his knees, straightening it and even the bottom flare of my dress.

"No, you don't have to." I tried to object, but he gave me a smile. This smile, and the face it was plastered on—Mahadev, why is it such a task to avoid this man?

Abhir cleared his throat and collected the boxes, keeping them on the table. "I'll leave, Bhai. You bring your boxes with you." He left while Rudransh stood up, facing me and straightening his kurta. Goddammit, this man in traditionals.

"Did I tell you that you are looking extremely beautiful?" He asked so casually that I retorted without giving a thought to my words.

"No."

"Oh, then let me tell you, in a way you like." He took a notepad from his pocket, scrolled to an empty page, and scribbled something. He tore the page from the notepad and offered it to me. "Have it." I took the page from his hand, feeling the usual jitters as his fingers brushed against mine. Why does this man have me captured in his hold? Why do I need to remind myself to maintain my distance, that this is no good? As usual, my heart wiped away my thoughts, and I chose to read what he wrote.

"Hey Dhaya,

Did I tell you that you look so beautiful and divine? If your right side looks like a brightening moon, then your left is like the first ray of sunshine—pure and bright. Either way, you enlighten my dark eyes. Today, you look as if your Mahadev took long moments before making you and forgot how to think the same way because he himself was so impressed by what he made.

Yours, Ansh."

I couldn't take my eyes away from the words. No matter how much I tried, my stomach did backflips reading them, and I controlled myself hard not to smile widely.

"I told you not to call me that. I have a name, call me by that." I tried to dodge the topic, but he chuckled, stepping closer.

"Not call you what?" Amusement laced his voice, a smile plastered on his face.

"With that name." I stuttered.

"What name, Dhaya?" God, this impossible man.

"Would you stop? You know what I am referring to."

He arched a brow at me, mischief twinkling in his eyes. "I don't have an idea. What are you exactly referring to?"

"You are impossible. I am leaving." I tried to walk past him, groaning in irritation, but he gently held my wrist, pulling me back.

"Don't stop me, Mr. Chauhan." I gave him a hard glare, but he laughed and looked at the boxes on the table.

"Your box." He reminded me with a smart shrug. I huffed, took the box from the table, and walked out to the parking.

What does he think of himself? Sundar hai toh kuch bhi karenge?

Focus, Dhaya, focus! Wait, did I just address myself with that name? I have lost it for real! I hate this man.

I secured the box in the car trunk, keeping the keys with me, and walked back to the hall to Aahana. Only an hour was left, and the rituals were going smoothly with everyone cheerfully involved in the wedding.

After all the rituals, Bhai and Bhabhi were announced as husband and wife. Everyone congratulated them as they took the blessings of everyone. It was time for lunch, and everyone was excited. We were confident that we had safeguarded Bhai's shoes well and won the challenge, until Ruhi and Abhir took everyone's attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have Shravan jiju's shoes with us. We Chauhans demand two lakhs, one for our effort to steal them," Ruhi announced.

"And one for the fact that we were underestimated," Abhir added with a triumphant smile.

"What the hell?" Aahana gave me a look of disbelief, and I saw even Yug and Yagya Bhai's eyes on me.

"Guys, I kept them in the trunk. I don't know what they are talking about," I tried to explain, equally surprised as Abhir waved the shoes at Shravan Bhai. "How is this possible? I had them hidden!" I walked past everyone to the car trunk and saw the gift box lying there. I brought the box to everyone and handed it to Yug Bhai. "See, I had it safe..." My words were cut short when he opened the box, revealing dry fruits and wedding snacks inside.

"We did our hard work, Aradhaya. Never mind, don't be a sore player now. We won, and we need our winning prize," Abhir said confidently, emphasizing the word "prize" and giving a mischievous grin to Aahana. I still couldn't understand how this had happened. The car keys were with me all the time, so there was no chance that the box got replaced. But then, how and when did this switch occur?

"Your family is trying to loot me. Do something," Shravan Bhai elbowed Bhabhi, who just giggled at his words.

"Before getting married, this man used to promise me to waive millions for me. Now he's being stingy for just two lakhs. They are not looting you, just give them the money already." We all laughed out loud at her words while the happenings of the day replayed in my head.

"I get you, Dad, why you always followed Mom like a lost puppy!" Shravan Bhai's misery was adorable. Mamu added, "And I am glad you are following my footsteps," while Maami smiled at Bhabhi, "and you are following mine."

After the little chatter, Aridhaan Bhai took out a bundle of notes from his pocket and handed them over to the Chauhans.

The atmosphere was light-hearted and filled with laughter. Even though I was still puzzled about how they managed to steal the shoes, I went to take a glass of water. As I sipped, I overheard Abhir and Ruhi talking.

"If Aradhaya didn't stumble with Bhai, we would have never been able to get the shoes," Abhir chuckled.

I paused, replaying the events in my mind. Did he plan it all? To save me from falling just to fool me for a game of petty shoes? The realisation hit me like a wave, making me see the entire incident in a new light.

My mind flashed back to the moment I stumbled on the folded mat. Rudransh had been right there, his strong hands catching me, his concerned eyes meeting mine. Was that all a distraction? I couldn't believe he would go to such lengths for a mere game, but the pieces fit too perfectly. It always had been just a game for him.

⋆✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ⋆🌿✦🌺✦🌿⋆*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧⋆

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Have a beautiful day!