5. The first meeting

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At the dinner table, Digvijay ji, Kashi, Prisha, Mr Kashyap, Manisha and Mahi were sitting to have the dinner. Meenal and the other servants served the food. Digvijay ji told the servants to make Daal Baati Churma specially for Kashi.

Kashi had a smile on her face when she saw her favorite dish finally kept in front of her. "Thank you so much, Kaka. Daal Baati Churma is my absolute favorite. It reminds me of home." she said, her eyes sparkling with genuine gratitude.

Digvijay ji smiled warmly at her. "I'm glad you like it, Kashi. I also asked the servants to make some ghevar for you. It's important that our guests feel at home and enjoy their meals." said Digvijay ji. Kashi's smile widened. "That's so thoughtful of you. I really appreciate it." said Kashi.

As everyone began to serve themselves, Mahi's sharp voice cut through the pleasant atmosphere. "Kashi, you should be careful with all this oily food. You wouldn't want to gain weight and not fit into your wedding lehenga, would you?" said Mahi.

Kashi's smile faltered for a moment, but before she could respond, Prisha interjected, her tone firm and protective. "Mahi, that's enough. Kashi looks beautiful just the way she is. Besides, it's not the food that matters, but the happiness it brings. And if Kashi is happy, that's all that should matter to us." said Prisha.

Mahi raised an eyebrow, ready to retort, but Prisha wasn't finished. "And just so you know, the best way to celebrate and enjoy life is to relish the moments, including the food. A wedding lehenga can always be adjusted, but a heart that feels welcomed and loved is irreplaceable."

Manisha and Mr. Kashyap exchanged glances, clearly impressed by Prisha's words. Digvijay ji nodded approvingly, his respect for Prisha growing. Mahi, left with nothing more to say, quietly returned to her meal, her expression a mix of annoyance and defeat.

Kashi looked at Prisha with gratitude. "Thank you, Prisha. That means a lot to me." said Prisha and smiled back. "That's what best friends are for, Kashi. Now, let's enjoy this delicious meal together." said Prisha.

The rest of the dinner proceeded with a much lighter and happier atmosphere, filled with laughter and conversation, the earlier tension forgotten. The rest of the dinner proceeded with a much lighter and happier atmosphere, filled with laughter and conversation, the earlier tension forgotten. Just then, Meenal came to them.

"Raja sahab, Maharaja sa and his family are here." Meenal announced. Kashi looked at Digvijay ji with curiosity. "Who has come, Kaka?" asked Kashi.

Digvijay ji smiled. "Kashi, this is the Pratap family, the family that has been ruling Rajasthan for the past hundred decades." said Digvijay ji. Kashi's eyes widened in surprise and awe. "The Pratap family?" she repeated, almost in disbelief.

Digvijay ji nodded. "Yes, come, let's go meet them." said Digvijay ji. Kashi and Digvijay ji walked to the gate to greet the esteemed guests. As they approached, Bhairav stepped forward and embraced Digvijay ji warmly.

"Bhairav, it's so good to see you." Digvijay ji said, his voice filled with genuine affection. "And you as well, Digvijay ji." Bhairav replied, his eyes twinkling with the joy of the reunion.

Digvijay ji then turned to Dada Hukum, bowing deeply and touching his feet. "Dada Hukum, your blessings are always with us." said Digvijay ji. Dada Hukum placed a hand on Digvijay ji's head. "Bless you, Digvijay. It is good to be here." said Dada Hukum.

After the formalities, Digvijay ji turned to Kashi. "Kashi, meet Dada Hukum, Bhairav, his wife Akshita, his sister Anita, and Agastya." said Digvijay ji. Kashi folded her hands respectfully. "Namaste." said Kashi.

Dada Hukum smiled kindly. "Namaste, dear. May you always be happy and blessed." said Dada Hukum. Bhairav, Akshita, and Anita also blessed Kashi, wishing her all the best for her married life. Then Digvijay ji introduced Shivansh.

"Shivansh, meet Kashi. Kashi, this is Shivansh, the Hukum sa of Rajasthan," Digvijay ji said. Shivansh folded his hands and said, "Namaste." said Shivansh. "Namaste." replied Kashi.

Mahi who was standing in the hall saw Shivansh and smiled. " This man has to be mine. I like him. And I get what I want." said Mahi with a sinister plan in her mind.

In the room of Shivansh, he was getting restless. His heart was beating faster than usual and he didn't know what to do about it.

Shivansh paced back and forth in his room, the tension in his chest growing with each step. He couldn't shake the strange, unfamiliar feeling that had taken hold of him the moment he met Kashi.

His mind replayed the brief encounter again and again-the warmth in her eyes, the softness of her voice as she greeted him with a simple "Namaste." There was something about her, something that stirred emotions within him that he hadn't felt before.

He stopped by the window, looking out at the moonlit landscape of the palace grounds. The night was calm, serene, but his thoughts were anything but. He found himself questioning what it was about Kashi that had unsettled him so deeply.

"Why do I feel this way?" Shivansh whispered to himself, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I've met countless people, but none of them have ever made me feel like this. What is it about her?" he said.

His mind was a whirlwind of confusion. He had always been in control of his emotions, always measured and composed. But now, with just one meeting, Kashi had turned his world upside down.

He couldn't understand it, but he couldn't deny it either. The way she carried herself with grace and humility, her genuine smile that seemed to light up the room-it had all left an indelible mark on him.

As the minutes ticked by, Shivansh's restlessness only grew. He found himself questioning everything-his feelings, his thoughts, his reactions. But the more he tried to suppress the emotions bubbling up inside him, the stronger they became.

Finally, he stopped pacing and stood still, his heart pounding in his chest. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm within him, but it was no use. The truth was undeniable, staring him in the face.

"I've fallen for her, Kashi... she's different. She's not like anyone I've ever met. She's... she's everything." Shivansh murmured, the realization hitting him like a thunderbolt. The words felt foreign on his tongue, yet they were the only explanation that made sense.

He walked over to his bed and sat down, his thoughts swirling around this newfound realization. His mind raced with memories of their brief interaction-how her presence had drawn him in, how her voice had resonated with something deep inside him.

He had always believed that love was something that took time, something that grew slowly. But with Kashi, it was as if a dam had burst, flooding him with emotions he had never expected.

Shivansh looked up at the ceiling, the weight of his feelings settling over him like a heavy blanket. He knew that this was no fleeting infatuation-this was something deeper, something real.

But with that realization came a wave of uncertainty. He was the Hukum of Rajasthan, a man with responsibilities, duties, and obligations. Falling in love had never been part of the plan.

"What am I supposed to do now? She is engaged to someone else." he asked himself, his voice barely above a whisper. The answer wasn't clear, but one thing was certain-his life had just taken a turn he hadn't anticipated.

He closed his eyes, the image of Kashi's face filling his mind. There was no denying it-he had fallen for her, and there was no turning back.

A wry smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he finally accepted the truth. "She's stolen my heart, and I didn't even see it coming. Kashi... my queen, even if she doesn't know it yet." said Shivansh.

As the night wore on, Shivansh's thoughts drifted to what the future might hold. He knew it wouldn't be easy-love never was. But as he sat there, with the moonlight streaming through the window, he made a silent vow to himself.

"I won't let her go. Whatever it takes, I'll protect her, cherish her, and make her mine. Because from this moment on, she is my everything." Shivansh said, his voice firm with resolve.

And with that, the restless tension in his chest began to ease, replaced by a sense of calm determination. Shivansh had found his purpose, his reason-and her name was Kashi.

Later that night, in the privacy of their room, Bhairav noticed Akshita deep in thought. He sat beside her, taking her hand gently. "What are you thinking about, Akshita?" asked Bhairav

Akshita looked at him, her eyes reflecting her contemplation. "Bhairav ji, I was just thinking about Kashi. Actually the royal matchmaker brought her photo, I had a feeling she was the right choice. And now, after meeting her, I feel even more convinced but she is getting married." said Akshita.

Bhairav smiled, squeezing her hand reassuringly. "You have a good instinct, Akshita. Kashi seems like a wonderful girl. She might have been a great addition in our family but." said Bhairav.

Akshita nodded, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Yes, I think so too. She has a certain grace and kindness about her. I just hope everything goes smoothly for her marriage." said Akshita.

Bhairav leaned in and kissed her forehead. "It will, Akshita. With our support and blessings, everything will be fine." said Bhairav.

Akshita rested her head on Bhairav's shoulder, feeling a sense of peace. "I hope so, Bhairav. I really hope so." said Akshita. As the night wore on, the palace was filled with a sense of hope and anticipation for the future, the bonds of family and friendship growing stronger with each passing moment.

The next day, the palace of Digvijay ji was getting ready for the upcoming ceremonies. In the temple, Kashi and Prisha were standing and praying. " Kashi, Prisha." said Digvijay ji. Kashi and Prisha came out of the temple and saw Digvijay ji.

He had come there with the Agarwal family. Yuvraj was also standing there. He came to Kashi and then held her hand. " I am so happy to see you." said Yuvraj and then forcefully kiss her hand.

Kashi was feeling uncomfortable. " Leave my hand. " said Kashi, " I haven't held this hand to leave it. My love." said Yuvraj and then again kissed her hand. Kashi forcefully freed her hand and then went to Digvijay ji.

Digvijay ji looked at the Agarwal family. " Let's have breakfast together because after this the bride and groom can't see each other after that. " said Digvijay ji. This is a tradition in Indian marriages that bride and groom can't see each other before marriage.

Digvijay ji sat down on the head seat. While Kashi, Prisha and Kashi's family sat down. The Agarwal family sat down in front of Kashi. Yuvraj was staring at Kashi only. She wasn't feeling comfortable but didn't say anything.

That's when Dada Hukum, Akshita, Bhairav and Anita came there. Digvijay ji looked at them and smiled. " Dada Hukum, they are Kashi's in-laws." said Digvijay ji, " Nice meeting you all." said Dada Hukum.

Everyone settled down to have the food. Shivansh entered the room briefly but excused himself, stating he had to leave for the office. Mrs. Agarwal looked at her son, "Yuvraj, why don't you take Kashi shopping? It would be good for both of you to spend some time together." Mrs Agarwal said.

Kashi hesitated, not wanting to go, " Yeah sure Yuvraj take her." said Manisha. Now Kashi had no choice but to agree. " Okay, I will go." said Kashi. Prisha was able to understand that Kashi isn';t comfortable but she wouldn't oppose her mother.

Once at the mall, Yuvraj's behavior became more overbearing. He dragged Kashi from one store to another, not paying attention to her preferences. They entered a boutique where Yuvraj picked up a short dress and thrust it towards Kashi.

"Try this on." he commanded. Kashi looked at the dress, clearly uncomfortable. "I'm not comfortable wearing this." she said softly. Yuvraj's face darkened with anger. "Just do as I say, Kashi. You need to start dressing the way I like." he snapped.

Kashi stood her ground, refusing to take the dress. Yuvraj's patience snapped, and he raised his hand to slap her. But before he could strike, his wrist was caught in a firm grip. Shivansh stood there, his eyes blazing with anger.

As Yuvraj's hand hovered in the air, poised to strike Kashi, the firm grip that suddenly clamped around his wrist was like a vice. The impact was immediate, halting Yuvraj's hand just inches from Kashi's face.

Shivansh had appeared like a shadow, his presence filling the room with an unspoken authority that demanded respect. His eyes, dark with fury, locked onto Yuvraj's, a silent warning flashing in their depths. The air around them crackled with tension, and the noise of the bustling mall seemed to fade into the background as Shivansh's hold tightened on Yuvraj's wrist.

"You think you can raise your hand against her? Do you have any idea what kind of man you're dealing with?" Shivansh's voice was low, dangerous, each word dripping with a controlled rage that sent a shiver down Kashi's spine.

Yuvraj, still in shock, tried to wrench his hand free, but Shivansh's grip only tightened. The pain in his wrist was nothing compared to the fear creeping up his spine as he realized the man standing before him was not just any man-he was Shivansh Pratap Singh, the King of Rajasthan, and he was furious.

"Shivansh... I... She needs to learn to respect-" Yuvraj stammered, but Shivansh cut him off with a cold, piercing glare.

"Respect? Respect is earned, Yuvraj, not demanded. And it's certainly not forced by raising your hand against a woman." His gaze flicked briefly to Kashi, who was standing there, wide-eyed and shaken, before returning to Yuvraj. "You've made a grave mistake today.""Shivansh's voice was calm, but the undercurrent of menace was unmistakable.

Shivansh released Yuvraj's wrist with a force that sent him stumbling back a few steps. Yuvraj clutched his wrist, the pain throbbing, but it was nothing compared to the humiliation burning on his face. He opened his mouth to retort, but Shivansh's next words froze him in place.

"Kashi is not just a woman to be ordered around. She is a queen in her own right, deserving of respect and dignity-things you clearly know nothing about. You think you can control her, mold her into something you find acceptable? You're mistaken. If you ever try to hurt her again, you'll answer to me." Shivansh took a step closer to Yuvraj, his towering presence overwhelming.

The intensity in Shivansh's gaze made it clear that this was no idle threat. Yuvraj knew that the man standing before him was fully capable of following through on his words. The weight of Shivansh's reputation, his power, and his command was pressing down on Yuvraj like an unmovable force.

Kashi, who had been standing in stunned silence, finally found her voice. "Shivansh ji...," she began, her voice trembling slightly.

But Shivansh held up a hand, silencing her gently. His eyes softened as they met hers, and he reached out to cup her face with a tenderness that contrasted sharply with the fury he had just unleashed on Yuvraj. "Kashi, you don't have to explain anything. You don't have to justify yourself to anyone, especially not to him." he said.

As soon as Yuvraj disappeared from view, Shivansh turned back to Kashi. His expression softened, and the fierce protectiveness in his eyes melted into concern. "Are you alright?" he asked gently, his hand still resting on her cheek.

Kashi nodded, her eyes welling up with unshed tears. "I... I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to cause a scene, but..." said Kashi

Shivansh shook his head, his thumb gently brushing away a tear that had escaped down her cheek. "You don't ever have to endure something like that, Kashi. Not with me around." said Shivansh

Kashi felt a wave of relief wash over her, mingled with gratitude for the man standing before her. "Thank you, Shivansh ji... for standing up for me." said Kashi

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