53. Niharika to know the truth

By the time Shivaay and Niharika reached the palace, the rain was pouring heavily, drenching the world outside in its relentless rhythm. As they stepped inside, the warmth of the grand hall welcomed them. The soft glow of the chandeliers reflected the joy of their unexpected arrival.

Shweta, Shivaay's mother, was the first to notice him. Her eyes widened in surprise before a delighted smile spread across her face. "Shivaay, beta!" she exclaimed, rushing toward him and pulling him into a tight embrace. Her happiness was evident, her voice trembling with emotion. "I can’t believe you’re here!"

Shivaay returned the hug, his voice steady but warm. "Yes, Maa. I thought I'd drop by since I was nearby."

Behind her, Anita, his Chachisa, emerged from the inner quarters, her face lighting up at the sight of him. "Shivaay! Khamma ghani, beta!" she said, her tone a mix of affection and surprise. "What a wonderful surprise!"

Shivaay greeted her with a respectful bow. "Khamma ghani, Chachisa."

Just then, Ishaan entered the hall, his tie slightly loosened and his sleeves rolled up, a clear sign of exhaustion from managing the company in Shivaay's absence. When he saw Shivaay, a sense of relief washed over him. "Bhai! You’re back!" he said, hurrying over to clasp Shivaay’s hand. "Thank God, managing everything without you has been no joke."

Shivaay chuckled softly, patting Ishaan's shoulder. "You’ve done well, Ishaan. I’m proud of you."

Meanwhile, Ivaan and Riya, the youngest members of the family, came rushing in, their excitement uncontainable. "Bhaiya!" they called out in unison.

Riya, her eyes twinkling with happiness, said, "I can't believe you’re actually here! This feels like a festival now!"

Ivaan grinned mischievously. "Finally, someone to balance Ishaan Bhaiya’s strictness. You have no idea how serious he’s been lately!"

The laughter that followed echoed through the palace, a harmonious melody of joy and reunion. The males of the family were still out, but the presence of Shivaay had already brought a sense of completeness to the home.

By evening, the males of the Ranawat family returned from their respective work. Indra Singh Ranawat, Anand Singh Ranawat, and a few other elders walked into the grand hall, their conversations interrupted when they noticed an unmistakable figure standing by the fireplace.

Indra froze for a moment, his sharp eyes narrowing before recognition dawned. "Shivaay?" he called out, his voice laced with both surprise and authority.

Shivaay turned toward his father, offering a respectful nod. "Bauji," he said calmly, walking up to touch his feet.

Indra took a step back, trying to mask his astonishment. "You’re here? Without informing anyone?"

Shivaay straightened, his expression unwavering. "It was a last-minute decision. I had some work nearby and thought of visiting."

Anand, his chachaji, chuckled, stepping forward. "Shivaay beta, you always know how to surprise us. Khamma ghani!"

Shivaay greeted him with the same respectful bow. "Khamma ghani, Chachaji."

The other men in the room exchanged surprised glances before Ishaan, who was already present, broke the moment with a grin. "Bauji, you should’ve seen your face. You were so shocked!"

Indra glared at him mildly but didn’t deny the accusation. Turning to Shivaay, he said, "It’s good to see you here, but why didn’t you call? I thought you were busy with the California project."

Shivaay smiled slightly. "The work is under control, and I wanted to see how everyone was managing things here. Besides, it's been a while since I visited."

The atmosphere relaxed as the elders finally welcomed him properly, with Indra and Anand sharing a few words about business updates. The shock of his unannounced arrival soon gave way to warmth and camaraderie, filling the palace with a lively buzz.

Shivaay, however, couldn’t help but glance toward Niharika, who stood quietly at a distance, her gaze soft and full of gratitude. Though the family’s attention was on him, his was firmly anchored on her, the silent anchor of his unexpected return.

As the evening transitioned into night, the palace settled into its familiar rhythm. In the midst of the quiet, Jhumki, one of the Ranawat household staff, arrived for her newly assigned night shift. This change had been decided by Anita, who had noticed how Niharika tirelessly handled the lunch preparations every day. Anita, firm in her decision, had shifted Jhumki’s responsibilities to assist Niharika during the evenings to ease her workload.

Jhumki entered the kitchen, adjusting her dupatta as she stepped inside. She noticed Niharika busy setting out plates for the family's late-night tea. A soft smile played on Jhumki’s lips as she glanced toward the hallway, where she had briefly caught sight of Shivaay earlier.

“Choti Ranisa,” Jhumki said cheerfully, addressing Niharika with respect. “I heard about the Maharaj Kumar’s return today. It feels like the palace has regained its soul.”

Niharika paused for a moment, her hands still on the tray she was arranging. A faint blush crept across her cheeks as she nodded. “Yes, Jhumki. He came back unexpectedly.”

Jhumki’s smile widened as she moved to help with the preparations. “Unexpected, but not unwelcomed. Everyone seems so happy. Even Ranisa Anita was saying earlier how it feels like the old days again with him here.”

Niharika couldn’t help but smile softly, her heart warmed by the genuine happiness surrounding Shivaay’s return. Jhumki noticed her quiet demeanor and added, “And you, Choti Ranisa? You must be relieved to have him back. It’s no small thing for someone to leave everything and come back just because you needed them.”

Niharika looked down, her fingers tracing the rim of a cup. “It’s overwhelming, Jhumki. I still can’t believe he came all this way…for me.”

Jhumki placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “It’s because you’re worth it, Ranisa. You always have been. And Maharaj Kumar sees that too.”

The words sank deep into Niharika’s heart as Jhumki’s quiet support made her feel a little more at ease. Together, they finished the evening preparations, the warmth of Shivaay’s unexpected return lingering like a comforting presence throughout the palace.

The dining hall buzzed with warmth and chatter as the family gathered for dinner. The long, polished table was filled with an array of dishes, reflecting the richness of the Ranawat household. Everyone settled into their seats, with Shivaay taking his place beside Niharika, his presence commanding attention.

As they began eating, Indra Singh Ranawat looked up from his plate, his piercing eyes fixed on Shivaay. “So, tell me, Shivaay, why did you come back so suddenly? It’s not like you to leave work behind,” he asked, his voice calm but curious.

Shivaay straightened slightly, his expression neutral but respectful. “Actually, Bauji, the workload was less than expected, so I thought it was a good time to come back and spend some time here.”

Indra raised an eyebrow, skeptical but intrigued. “Less work? That’s never stopped you before. Even when you didn’t have much to do, you’ve always preferred staying abroad or at your other sites. What’s different this time?”

Before Shivaay could respond, Riya, sitting two seats away, grinned mischievously and chimed in, “Bauji, don’t you see? Bhaiya is married now. He has someone to come home to!”

Her words hung in the air for a moment before the table erupted in laughter. Ishaan leaned back in his chair, smirking, while Ivaan added playfully, “Exactly! Now bhaiya has a reason to take breaks. It’s all bhabhi’s influence.”

Even Anita couldn’t help but smile as she added, “Riya is right. This is the first time we’ve seen Shivaay beta willingly take time off. Clearly, Niharika is working wonders.”

Niharika’s cheeks turned a soft shade of pink, and she looked down at her plate, trying to suppress a shy smile. Shivaay glanced at her, his lips curling into a small smirk as he replied, “Well, maybe Riya’s right. Sometimes, you just need the right reason to come home.”

The family laughed again, the warmth of their bond filling the room. Indra chuckled softly, shaking his head. “If that’s the case, I suppose we owe Niharika a thanks for bringing you back.”

Niharika looked up, her eyes meeting Indra’s, and she gave a polite nod, her heart swelling with both pride and nervousness. Shivaay’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he returned to his meal, the laughter and lightness of the dinner continuing around them.

It was late at night when Shivaay stepped into his room after a month. The space felt familiar—dark wooden furniture, soft white curtains, and the faint scent of sandalwood that lingered in the air. Everything seemed the same, yet one thing was strikingly different.

His gaze fell on the wall where a large wedding photograph now hung. The image caught his attention immediately, pulling him back to a moment he’d rather not dwell on but couldn’t ignore.

In the picture, Shivaay stood tall and composed, his cold eyes reflecting indifference. Beside him, Niharika, clad in a red bridal saree, looked nervous and scared. Her delicate hands clutched her maangtika as Shivaay filled her hairline with vermillion. The red powder had smudged onto her nose, a telltale sign of her trembling movements.

He stepped closer, his fingers brushing the glass frame. The tension between them in the photo was palpable, a stark reminder of a beginning neither had fully embraced. Yet, it also symbolized a bond that had started to take root in their shared silence.

Shivaay’s gaze softened momentarily. “So much has changed,” he murmured, his voice low and reflective.

He turned away, noticing how the room had subtly transformed. Her belongings were neatly arranged, a vase of fresh flowers adorned the side table, and her presence filled the space. For the first time, the room felt less like his and more like theirs.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he looked at the photograph again. It was a reminder of how far they had come—and how much further they had to go.

Niharika entered the room quietly, her steps light and hesitant. Even though Shivaay had been away for a month, she had stuck to the habit of sleeping on the couch, unwilling to occupy the bed he had so clearly told her was not for her. His words from their wedding night still echoed in her mind, leaving her with no courage to change her routine.

She walked over to the couch, picking up a pillow and blanket from the corner. As she turned to arrange her sleeping spot, she felt a strong grip on her wrist. Startled, she looked up to see Shivaay holding her hand, his dark eyes fixed on her.

"Sleep on the bed," he said, his voice deep and calm, but there was a firmness to his tone that left no room for refusal.

Her heart raced at his unexpected words. She blinked, unsure if she had heard him correctly. "But... where will you sleep?" she asked hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.

His gaze softened, though his expression remained serious. "I’ll also sleep on the bed," he replied, his tone making it clear that it was not a suggestion but a decision.

Niharika stared at him, her mind racing. For so long, she had kept her distance, abiding by the boundaries he had set on their first night. And now, in this moment, everything seemed to shift. Unsure of what to say, she simply nodded, allowing him to guide her away from the couch.

As they stood by the bed, Shivaay released her wrist and turned toward the other side. Without another word, he lay down, leaving enough space for her. Hesitant and still trying to process what was happening, Niharika slowly settled onto the bed, her heart pounding in her chest.

For the first time since their marriage, they were sharing the same space, and the silence in the room was heavy with unspoken emotions. She lay there, staring at the ceiling, wondering if this was the beginning of something new or simply another layer of complexity in their fragile relationship.

Shivaay turned toward Niharika, his voice soft as he called her name. "Niharika," he said, his tone filled with a mix of urgency and hesitation.

She hummed in response, not looking up from where she lay, lost in her thoughts. The air between them was still heavy with the remnants of their unresolved tension.

Shivaay took a deep breath before speaking again, his voice low but firm. "I want to tell you something," he said, his eyes searching hers for any sign of understanding.

Niharika, still lying beside him, turned her head slightly toward him, her expression calm but curious. "Say," she replied, her tone soft but open, ready to listen.

Shivaay turned his gaze toward the ceiling, the weight of the memory heavy on his chest. "You remember the day when I misunderstood you and accused you of being in a relationship with Kanishk Verma?" he asked, his voice tinged with regret.

Niharika let out a soft sigh, the memory of that painful moment still fresh in her mind. She closed her eyes briefly before replying with a quiet, "Hmm."

Shivaay's voice dropped as he spoke, guilt lacing his words. "That day, when I came to the conclusion, it was because I saw a name—'Love' with a heart—on your phone. I got suspicious and asked Mr. Ankit Mehra to trace the number. He did, but he gave me the wrong information... he said it belonged to Kanishk Verma, your so-called boyfriend."

His voice trembled with regret as he continued, "And that's when, with all the hate I had for you and the lack of trust in my heart, I created that entire mess. I was blinded by my own assumptions, Niharika. I never once thought about the truth, about your side of the story."

He paused, his words heavy with guilt. "Then, I went to California. That's when I discovered that Mr. Charles had an ex-business partner—Kanishk Verma. And the worst part was, he wasn't lying about it. He was the same Kanishk Verma who you had mentioned before. I was furious with him, especially after he spoke badly about you. But I made sure to handle him, to show him his place."

She blinked, still processing his words, and then, in a hushed tone, she whispered, "What? You met him in California?" Her voice was a mix of confusion and disbelief, as the realization of how everything had unfolded began to hit her.

Shivaay continued, his voice laced with guilt and determination, "I didn't stop there. I couldn't believe my most trusted person made such a mistake. So, I hired a spy, Arav Gupta, to find out the truth. Arav uncovered that it wasn't Kanishk's fault. He was in a tough spot, forced to lie because his wife and daughters were being held hostage by two unknown women. But then, Arav found something more—Riya was in grave danger. A truck was being set up to hit her car as she was coming back from college. The plan was ready. But Arav, with his sharp mind, managed to keep everything under control. He assured Ankit that his family would be safe, and he made sure the attack on Riya never happened."

Shivaay's grip tightened around the blanket as he spoke with a mixture of frustration and suspicion. "And then, I found out something even worse. Someone from my own palace is involved in this mess. I still don’t know who, but my instincts tell me it's someone close. I have my doubts about Jhumki—she was there when the explosion happened, and it doesn't make sense. How did she escape unscathed? There’s something off about her, and I'm sure Kanishk Verma is connected to all of this, too."

His voice dropped to a whisper, as if he were still processing everything. "I don't know who to trust anymore."

Shivaay's voice softened, carrying an urgency that Niharika had never heard before. He looked at her with serious eyes, a mixture of concern and protectiveness flooding his expression. "Please, Niharika, when I go back to California after this week, be aware of your surroundings. Protect yourself and the family. It's in your hands now. Keep an eye on everything, and if anything feels off, don't hesitate to inform me... or Arav. We need to stay one step ahead."

He paused, almost as if weighing the gravity of his words, and then added, "I know I’ve made mistakes, but I need you to be strong. We can’t afford to let our guard down."

Niharika nodded solemnly, her mind swirling with everything Shivaay had revealed. The weight of his words settled heavily on her heart. She had never imagined that so much had been happening behind their backs, that the threads of danger were so intricately woven into their lives. It was a lot to process—everything from Kanishk Verma to the potential threats looming over Riya and their family.

"I didn't know this much was going behind our backs," she murmured, her voice a mix of disbelief and determination. She shifted her gaze toward him, her eyes clear with resolve. "But I promise, I will do everything I can. For my family. As you know, I have never received love from my own, but from you all, from Jhumki and others in the mansion, I have. And I’ll protect it with everything I have."

Her words were steady, full of the newfound strength she was slowly learning to channel. Despite the overwhelming truth that had been unveiled, she understood one thing clearly: she wasn’t going to allow anything to harm the family that had given her warmth and affection.

Shivaay watched her closely, his expression softening. For the first time, he felt a glimmer of hope—hope that they could stand strong together against whatever was waiting on the other side of their struggles. He nodded in approval, his earlier tension easing, knowing that Niharika, despite all odds, would fight fiercely for them all.

Shivaay looked at Niharika, his expression softening further. "And you also don't take any of the tension," he said, his voice calm but firm. "We will go through this together."

Niharika met his gaze, a mixture of surprise and comfort flooding her. For the first time in a long while, she felt as though she wasn’t alone in this battle. His words, though simple, carried a weight of reassurance she had been craving.

"We'll face everything, as a family," he added, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

Niharika nodded, her heart lightening a little. The intensity of the situation hadn't lessened, but in that moment, the burden felt a bit more bearable. "Together," she repeated, her voice steady, as they both understood that their strength would come from standing side by side.