CHAPTER 15 : "THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM"

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After a long and successful day at office, Vishwanath returned to the Singhania mansion with Raghavendra and Rudra. As soon as they entered, Rajmata Shalini Rai Singhania and Maharaja Rajendra Rai Singhania welcomed them with open arms.

"Vishwanath, Raghavendra, Rudra! Tum sab aa gaye!"(You all have arrived!) their mother exclaimed with joy. But before they could enter, she stopped them. "Ruko, pehle arti karne do," (Wait, let me perform the aarti first) she said, lighting the small lamp and waving it in front of them. She then applied a tilak on each of their foreheads.

Vishwanath smiled as he bent down to touch his parent's feet, taking their blessings. "Maa Papa aap dono kaise ho?"(Maa, Papa, how are you both?) he asked, his voice filled with warmth.

Shalini smiled and nodded. "Haan, beta. Hum dono thik hai. Tumhara hi intezaar kar rahe the. Dinner ready hai, chalo sab khana khane chalte hai."

(Yes,son. We are both fine. We were waiting for you. Dinner is ready, let's go and eat)

As they walked towards the dining area, with the other family members moving ahead, Shalini gently placed her hand on Vishwanath's shoulder. Her eyes were filled with warmth and motherly concern. "Vishu Beta, safar kaisa tha? Sab thik raha, na? Tum apna khayal bhi sahi se nahi rakhte. Tumne time pe khana to khaya ya nahi ? Aur rest ki ya phir pura din bas kaam mein hi busy rahe? (Vishu beta, how was your journey? Everything went well, right? You don't take proper care of yourself. Did you eat on time or not? And did you get any rest, or were you busy with work all day?) She bombarded him with questions, her worry evident in every word.

Vishwanath chuckled softly at her concern and gently held her shoulders. "Maa, aap kitni chinta karti ho. Main bilkul thik hu, Aur haan, maine time par khana bhi khaya aur proper rest bhi ki" (Maa, you worry so much. I'm perfectly fine. And yes, I ate on time and also took proper rest.) he reassured her, though the memory of skipping a few meals due to his busy schedule at the beginning of his arrival in Jhansi lingered in his mind. But after he met Kashi , she always made sure he ate, especially during their playful "butta breaks" (corn breaks) . The thought of those little moments made him smile inwardly, she was always looking out for him, even from afar.

Shalini gave him a gentle smile, though the hint of concern remained in her eyes. "Beta, tumhare bina yeh ghar bohot adhoora lagta hai," (Son, this house feels very incomplete without you) she added softly, giving his arm a comforting squeeze.

"Maa abb main wapis aagaya hu apko bilkul tension lene ki zaroorat nahi hai", (Maa, now that I'm back, you don't need to worry at all) Vishwanath replied gently holding her shoulders , his tone full of respect and love for the woman who had always been the family's anchor.

With a nod, Shalini finally seemed satisfied, gesturing for him to join others at the dinner table.

The atmosphere at the dinner table was light-hearted, with Rudra cracking jokes and making everyone laugh. Despite the heavy responsibilities that came with their positions, the Singhania family cherished these moments together.

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After having dinner and putting her mother to sleep, Kashi retired to her room and lay on the bed, her mind restless. She stared at her phone, contemplating whether or not to call him. She missed him so much that it hurt, but she didn't want to disturb him. He had said he would call when he was free, but what if he was too busy?

"Kya karu... Unhe call karu ya nahi?"

(What should I do... Should I call him or not?) she whispered to herself, feeling nervous. After a few moments of internal debate, she finally decided to call him. But as soon as the phone rang, she panicked and immediately hung up. Flustered, she hid under her quilt, feeling silly for being so nervous. Why was she acting like this? She had spoken to Veer ji so many times before, but now everything felt different. Her heart was racing, and her face felt warm with embarrassment.

Meanwhile Vishwanath, who had just returned to his room after a heartwarming dinner and conversation with his family, one after a long time. The warmth of home had filled a void in him, but a part of his mind still lingered elsewhere. He noticed his phone ring for a brief second before going silent. Curious, he checked the screen and saw Kashi's name. His heart skipped a beat, and without hesitation, he called her back.

In Jhansi, Kashi peeked out from under her quilt when she heard her phone ringing again. Seeing Veer ji's name flash on the screen made her heart race even more. With shaky hands, she picked up the call.

"Hello?" she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Hello, Kashi," Vishwanath replied, a smile tugging at his lips just hearing her voice. "How are you? Aur aunty? Sab thik hai na?" (Is everything alright?)

"Haan, Veer ji. Main aur maa dono thik hai," (Yes, Veer ji. Both Maa and me are fine) Kashi replied, feeling comforted by his concern. As they spoke, Kashi found herself more relaxed, her nervousness slowly fading.

"Veer ji, aap kaise ho? Main apko bohot miss kar rahi thi..."(Veer ji, how are you? I've been missing you a lot...) The words slipped out before she could stop them. As soon as they did, her eyes widened, her breath caught in her throat. She bit her lip, her cheeks flushing as she realized what she had just said.

There was a momentary pause on the other end of the line, and then she heard Vishwanath's deep, amused chuckle. "Kya kaha tumne, Kashi? Ek baar repeat karna toh...."(What did you say, Kashi? Once could you repeat that....) His teasing tone made her cheeks burn even more. She could picture his teasing smile as if he were right there beside her.

Kashi shook her head, though he couldn't see it. Her voice came out in a soft, embarrassed whisper. "Kuch nahi, Veer ji...." (Nothing, Veer ji....)

But Vishwanath wasn't about to let her off so easily. "Nahi, nahi, mene toh suna. Tumne kaha tha ke tum mujhe miss kar rahi thi. Sahi suna na?" (No, no, I heard you. You said that you were missing me. Did I hear that correctly?)

Kashi covered her face with one hand, wishing she could disappear into the bed. "Veer ji...." she murmured, trying to deflect his teasing, but his laughter on the other end only made her smile shyly. Kashi's face turned red with embarrassment. She quickly changed the subject, making Vishwanath laugh even harder.

Vishwanath's heart swelled with affection at her flustered response. Her innocence and honesty were a balm to his weary soul.As their conversation flowed, Kashi's voice began to soften. Vishwanath noticed the long pauses between her words, and he smiled to himself, knowing she was fighting sleep.

A few moments passed, and all he could hear was the sound of her slow, steady breathing. His heart skipped a beat as he realized she had fallen asleep while talking to him.

He didn't hang up the phone immediately, instead, he listened to the gentle rhythm of her breathing, feeling a strange sense of calm and peace wash over him. Even though miles apart, knowing that she was safe, peaceful, and dreaming brought a contentment that eased the burdens of his day.

"Even in sleep, Kashi, the soft rhythm of your breath holds my heart captive making it race with a power only you possess" he thought, a smile playing on his lips. He finally ended the call and closed his eyes, letting sleep claim him as well, knowing that tomorrow would bring them back to their shared moments, their laughter, and their bond that seemed to grow stronger with every passing day.

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Days passed in a blur, with Vishwanath and Kashi talking daily. What started as simple conversations on the phone soon turned into video calls. The more they spoke, the closer they became. Vishwanath couldn't help but look forward to their calls, often sneaking away to a quiet corner of his room at the time of video call so his luxurious surroundings and real identity as the king of Bundelkhand remained hidden from Kashi. To her, he was still the humble and kind-hearted middle-class man she had grown fond of.

But with each passing day, the weight of the truth grew heavier on Vishwanath's shoulders. He wanted to tell her who he really was, but the timing never seemed right.He was desperately waiting for the project he was working on to be finished so that he could finally tell Kashi everything. The more he thought about revealing his identity, the more anxious he became. Would Kashi still look at him with the same warmth if she knew the truth? Despite his worries, whenever he saw her smile during their video calls, his heart would be put at ease, and he would reassure himself that soon, very soon, he would tell her everything.

Their connection flourished, even as Vishwanath, Rudra, and Raghavendra worked tirelessly on the massive project that would determine the future of their company. The project turned out to be a grand success, catapulting their business to new heights across the world. The Singhania name now shone brighter than ever before.

To celebrate this monumental achievement, a grand party was organized in honor of their success. Invitations were sent to the elites around the world and preparations began for what would be the event of the year.

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Meanwhile, at the textile factory where Kashi worked, her boss called her into the office one morning. She stood in front of the large desk, her nerves fluttering as she wondered why she has been called. The boss handed her a sealed package wrapped in delicate cloth and an identity pass with the textile factory's name imprinted on it.

"Kashi, this package contains the sarees you designed. They were specially made for Rajmata Shalini Rai Singhania," her boss explained, his tone serious. " The queen mother chose this factory because of its renowned craftsmanship and attention to detail.And we have to prove that we are the best. We won't get an opportunity bigger than this."

Kashi's heart skipped a beat. She knew the sarees well, she had poured her creativity into every intricate design. But she hadn't known they were for Rajmata Shalini Rai Singhania. The realization sent a rush through her. This wasn't just any client, this was the queen mother herself.She had heard about the royals of Bundelkhand all her life but had never imagined she would be tasked with something so important. Her hands trembled slightly as she accepted the package.

Kashi, you are the most diligent, hardworking, and reliable employee we have. That's why I'm entrusting you with this responsibility the boss continued,

You will need to show this identity pass to the guards before entering the Singhania Mansion. Make sure you keep it safe."

Kashi's heart pounded in her chest as she nodded. The idea of going to the Singhania Mansion felt overwhelming, but the thought of her Veer ji brought her comfort. After all, Bundelkhand was his home too. Perhaps she might even get a chance to see him while she was there. The excitement of the thought made her smile, and she reassured herself that everything would be fine.

"Yes, sir," Kashi replied firmly. "I'll make sure the package is delivered safely."

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That evening, as Kashi returned home, she found her mother sitting quietly, knitting a shawl. She walked over and sat beside her, placing the package on the small table next to them.

Maa, mujhe aapse kuch zaroori baat karni hai,"(Maa, I have something important to tell you), Kashi began, her voice tinged with both excitement and nervousness. Kal mujhe Bundelkhand jaana padega yeh package Singhania Mansion mein deliver karne ke liye"

(Tomorrow, I have to go to Bundelkhand to deliver this package to the Singhania Mansion.)

Her mother looked up from her knitting, her brow furrowing with concern. "Bundelkhand? The Singhania Mansion? Yeh toh ek bohot badi zimmedari hai, beta (That's quite a responsibility, beta)

Kashi nodded, trying to ease her mother's worries."Haan, Maa. Mere boss ko mujh par bharosa hai, aur main dhyaan rakhungi ki sab kuch thik se ho jaye. Main subah jaldi jaungi aur shaam tak wapis laut aaungi". (Yes, Maa. My boss trusts me to do this work, and I'll make sure everything goes smoothly. I'll go early in the morning and be back by evening.)

Her mother's eyes softened with a mixture of pride and concern. "Bas sambhal kar rehna, Kashi. Bundelkhand dur hai, aur Singhania's ek royal family hai. Apna Dhyan rakhna aur Wahan pohunch ne ke baad mujhe zaroor call karna, theek hai? Aur samay par khana khana mat bholna. Tumhe pata hai na , tum jab busy hoti ho to tum bohut aasani se bhool jaati ho" (Just be careful, Kashi. Bundelkhand is far away, and the Singhania's are royalty. Take care of yourself and call me when you reach there, okay? And don't forget to eat on time. You know how easily you forget when you get busy.)

Kashi smiled warmly, at her mother's concern."Chinta mat karo, Maa. Main sambhal ke rahungi. Aur jaise hi wahan pohnchungi, tumhe zaroor call karungi. Aur ho sakta hai maa, mujhe wahan Veer ji se milne ka mauka bhi mil jaye, kyunki wo bhi toh Bundelkhand mein hi rehte hain." (Don't worry, Maa. I'll be careful. And I'll make sure to call you as soon as I reach. Besides, Maybe I'll even get a chance to meet Veer ji while I'm there as he also lives in Bundelkhand.)

Her mother's expression softened into a smile."Ah, Veer beta. Wo humari zindagi mein ek bahut hi bada ashirwad hai, Kashi. Mujhe khushi hai ki humare paas koi esa hai jo hamari madad ke liye humesha khada hai." (Ah, Veer beta. He's been such a blessing in our life, Kashi. I'm glad we have someone like him who is always looking out for us.)

Kashi's heart swelled with warmth and happiness at her mother's words. Little did she know that her journey to Bundelkhand would bring with it the biggest revelation and shock of her life!

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Words: 2500 approx

Author's note 📖

The journey to Bundelkhand is all set to unveil profound changes and unexpected revelations. Little does Kashi know that this trip will not only alter her path but also bring the biggest shock of her life. As the pages turn, prepare to witness how the serene and comforting moments of her life will intertwine with life-changing truths and dramatic twists. Stay tuned!💌

Guys I'm thrilled to share that my book has reached 4K reads on Wattpad!🎉 Your support and enthusiasm mean the world to me. It's all because of your love and constant support.As a token of my appreciation, I've updated the story with a special chapter that's 2.5K words long. This update is exceptionally long nearly equivalent to three chapters combined. I hope you enjoy this extensive update!Thank you for being such amazing readers!🤗💕

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