CHAPTER 17 : "A CONFRONTATION OF HEARTS" - PART (02)

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to everyone🙏🏻

✨

She looked at him with tearful eyes. "Aapne mujhe dhoka diya hai, Vishwanath ji. Main kabhi nahi soch sakti thi ke aap itni badi baat mujhse chupaoge. I feel so betrayed. I just.... I just feel hurt" (You have betrayed me, Vishwanath ji. I could never have imagined that you would hide such a big thing from me. I feel so betrayed. I just.... I just feel hurt) Kashi said, her voice not angry, but laced with hurt.

The heartbreak she felt ran deep. Unknowingly, Kashi had begun to fall for her Veer ji, allowing herself to dream of a future with him. Her heart had already started to build those fragile dreams. But now, in an instant, they had all crumbled. The revelation of his true identity had not only shocked her but had also left her feeling lost and devastated. She felt deceived by the very person she had started to love, and the weight of that realization crushed her, leaving her heartbroken and adrift. What she didn't know, though, was that this king had already fallen deeply for his queen.

Vishwanath's heart clenched at her words. He had been prepared for her anger, for her to yell at him, but this quiet, gentle expression of her pain made it so much worse. He couldn't bear the thought of her feeling this way because of him.

He knelt down in front of her, lowering himself onto his knees, his head bowed. The mighty king of Bundelkhand, a man who had never bowed before anyone, was now bowing before her, his queen.

"Please mujhe maaf kar do, Kashi," he whispered, his voice heavy with emotion. "Mujhe pata hai ki maine tumhe bohot dard diya hai, aur main bilkul expect nahi karta ki tum yeh sab bhool jao. Par bas ek mauka de do mujhe sab thik karne ka. Tum mujhse gussa ho sakti ho, mujhe daant sakti ho, lekin please, mujhe apne aap se dur matt Karo. Main kuch bhi karne ke liye tayaar hoon tumhari maafi ke liye, chahe jitna waqt lage. Bas.... ek baar mauka de do, mujhe yeh sabit karne ka ki main ab bhi tumhari zindagi mein ek jagah ke laayak hoon."

(Please forgive me, Kashi, he whispered, his voice heavy with emotion. I know I've caused you a lot of pain, and I don't expect you to forget all of it. But just give me one chance to make things right. You can be angry with me, you can scold me, but please, don't push me away. I'll do anything for your forgiveness, no matter how long it takes. Just.... give me one chance to prove that I still deserve a place in your life.)

Kashi looked down at him in shock. She had never expected to see him like this. "Yeh kya kar rahe hai aap, Vishwanath ji?" she said, her voice trembling. "Aap ek raja ho... mere aage jhukne ki zaroorat nahi hai apko. Please, uthiye."

(What are you doing, Vishwanath ji?

she said, her voice trembling. "You are a king... there's no need for you to bow down before me. Please, get up.)

But Vishwanath didn't move. He held her hands in, his grip firm yet gentle. "Kashi, tum mere liye bohot maayne rakhti ho (Kashi, you mean a lot to me) . Take your time, but please... don't shut me out. Don't push me away", he said with pain in his voice.

Kashi was slightly shocked by his words. He was a king, a man who could have any woman in the world, yet here he was, telling her that she meant so much to him. Why would someone like him say that? The whirlwind of emotions inside her made it hard to think straight. She needed time to process everything, to understand what this all meant for her and for them.

Moreover, she felt very dizzy, as she hadn't eaten anything since morning firstly due to the tension of delivering the package, then because of this revelation and confrontation. All of it was taking a toll on her.

I... I need time," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Main abhi... kuch samajh nahi paa rahi hoon."(I am not able to understand anything right now.) Kashi said while blinking, feeling lightheaded.

Before Vishwanath could reply, he noticed her sway slightly, her face growing pale. "Kashi.... tum thik ho?" (Kashi.... are you ok?) he asked getting up swiftly, concern flooding his voice.

Kashi's vision blurred, and she felt herself falling.Vishwanath's arms were around her in an instant, catching her before she could hit the ground. His heart raced as he held her close, the fear of losing her overwhelming him.

"Kashi!" he called out, gently patting her cheek. But she was too weak to respond.

He made her lie down on the couch immediately and carefully sprinkled water on her face. After a few moments, she stirred slightly, gaining a bit of consciousness. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she looked at him, dazed and exhausted.

"Kashi," Vishwanath asked softly, concern lacing his voice, "Tum thik toh ho na?" (Are you ok?)

Kashi nodded weakly, attempting to sit up, but as she moved, her stomach let out a loud, rumbling growl. She froze, her cheeks flushing a deep red in embarrassment. Trying to hide her discomfort, she quickly turned her face away avoiding his gaze.

Vishwanath, however, immediately understood. She hadn't eaten anything. His brows furrowed in worry as he asked, "Kashi, tumne aakhri baar kab khana khaya tha?" (Kashi, when was the last time you ate something?)

When she didn't answer, her silence told him everything he needed to know. Without wasting another moment, Vishwanath got up, removed his coat, and folded his sleeves.

Kashi silently watched him as he moved towards the kitchen, her mind still reeling from the day's events. The penthouse he had brought her to was immaculate but minimal, with only basic necessities stocked in the kitchen. It had been a while since he had come here, and this place was sometimes used by his brothers, Raghavendra and Rudra, as well. There wasn't much in the fridge except for some packed food and a few vegetables.

But Vishwanath worked efficiently with what he had, preparing a simple yet mouth-watering pasta in just 15 minutes. The aroma filled the room, but Kashi, lost in her thoughts, barely noticed. She was seated on the leather couch, staring blankly ahead, trying to make sense of everything.

He walked over to her, holding a plate of the freshly made pasta. He blew on the spoonful of pasta to cool it down and then carefully brought it to her mouth, waiting patiently.

Kashi, exhausted from the storm of emotions, didn't have the strength to resist anymore. She opened her mouth and took in the delicious pasta, her heart feeling heavy despite the warmth of his gesture.

As she ate, Vishwanath gently scolded her, "Kashi, tum apne health ko itna lightly kaise le sakti ho? (Kashi, how can you take your health so lightly?) You need to take care of yourself."

She didn't respond, but his words touched her deeply. She could feel his care, his concern. How could a king be so humble? Why was he tending to an ordinary girl like her? These questions plagued her mind, and she wondered how she would ever be able to stand beside him in a world where she felt so small, and he towered above all.

What Kashi didn't realize, though, was that in this vast world, she was the only one who had the power to bring this mighty king to his knees.

With those thoughts swirling in her mind, Kashi finished the entire plate of pasta, with Vishwanath gently feeding her. She asked him to have some too, but he gently denied, stating that she needed it more than he did.Vishwanath quietly took the plate away once she was done, giving her the space she needed to gather her thoughts.

But she needed time. Time to process everything. Vishwanath had hidden a significant part of his life from her, and while his intentions seemed pure, the betrayal still hurt. She needed to think about everything, to figure out how she truly felt about him now.

Her eyes wandered to the clock on the wall, and she realized it was almost 4:00 PM. Panic surged through her as she remembered the last bus from Bundelkhand to Jhansi left at 4:30 PM. She needed to get back home before evening as she had told her mother, and Anjali couldn't be left alone for long. Her mother was severely ill, depending on Kashi for all her needs.

She hesitated for a moment, then softly spoke, "V-Vishwanath ji... kya aap mujhe bus stand tak chhod sakte hain? Akhri bus 4:30 baje nikal jayegi. Mujhe shaam tak ghar pahunch na hai, varna Maa chinta karengi.... aur unko meri zarurat bhi hai." (V-Vishwanath ji... can you drop me off at the bus stand? The last bus will leave at 4:30. I need to get home by evening, otherwise Maa will worry.... and she also needs me.)

Vishwanath looked at her, concern flashing in his eyes, and nodded. "I'll drop you off at Jhansi myself Kashi."

But Kashi immediately shook her head. "Nahi, Vishwanath ji. Jhansi tak ka safar 2 ghante se zyada ka hai. Aapko mujhe chhod ke phir wapas Bundelkhand aana padega. Aap itni takleef kyu uthayenge? Aur aap raja hain, aur ek raja par bohot sari zimmedariyan hoti hai. Main aapko aur pareshan nahi karna chahti. Please, mujhe bas aap bus stand tak chhod dijiye."

(No, Vishwanath ji. The journey to Jhansi is more than two hours long. You would have to drop me off and then return to Bundelkhand. Why would you go through so much trouble? You are a king, and a king has a lot of responsibilities. I don't want to trouble you any further. Please, you just drop me off at the bus stand.)

Vishwanath's expression tightened, he didn't want to let her go like this, especially not on a bus. He wanted to drive her himself, to ensure she was safe. And, truthfully, he wanted to spend more time with her, to try and make things right between them. But he saw the resolve in her eyes, the firmness in her voice. She was determined, and he had to respect that.

"Par Kashi...." (But Kashi....) he started, trying to convince her.

"Please, Vishwanath ji," she interrupted softly, but firmly leaving no room for an argument. Vishwanath sighed, giving in, though it pained him to do so. He nodded quietly.

As they walked out of the penthouse together, Kashi couldn't help but glance at him from the corner of her eye. He was a king, a man who held power and authority over an entire region. Yet, for her, he would always be the man who had cared for her, protected her, and made her feel special in ways no one ever had. But today, she remained silent, unsure of what to say after everything that had transpired between them.

They got into the car, and the ride to the bus stand was quiet. Vishwanath occasionally glanced at her, concern etched on his face, but Kashi was lost in her thoughts. Meanwhile, Vishwanath discreetly sent a message to someone, his fingers moving quickly over his phone.

When they finally reached the bus stand, Kashi hesitated before getting out of the car. She looked at him one last time, her heart heavy with unspoken emotions. Their eyes locked for a brief moment, and then she moved towards the bus.

Vishwanath watched her board the bus, his chest tightening with every step she took away from him. But before she disappeared from his sight, two other figures quietly followed her onto the bus, a man dressed in a simple shirt and pants, and a woman in a casual salwar kameez. Both moving with the alertness and composure of trained professionals. As they looked at him, Vishwanath gave them a subtle nod, acknowledging their presence.

They weren't ordinary passengers. Vishwanath had messaged the head of his security team, ordering two of his best bodyguards to ensure Kashi's safety without her knowing. While he respected her wishes, he couldn't compromise on her security as Kashi's well-being was his top priority. He had already arranged for the two bodyguards to stay in a small hotel in Jhansi overnight, knowing they wouldn't be able to return to Bundelkhand until the next day. Vishwanath was a king who deeply cared for his people, not just for show but genuinely.

Vishwanath stood by his car, watching the bus pull away, taking with it a precious piece of his heart. As the bus disappeared into the distance, Vishwanath's mind was filled with thoughts of Kashi. He knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy. He had hurt her deeply, and regaining her trust would take time. But one thing was certain, Kashi wasn't just a part of his life anymore. She had become his life, and he would move heaven and earth to make things right. He would do whatever it took to protect her, to win back her trust, and to make her see that, despite everything, he would always be her Veer ji. With these thoughts of Kashi and their future occupying his mind, Vishwanath drove back to Singhania Mansion, unaware of another confrontation awaiting him.

Words - 2220

Target 🎯 52 votes and atleast 10 comments (I love reading them)

Author's Note 📖

So in the chapter, we saw the raw emotions and turmoil Kashi faces after discovering Vishwanath's true identity. Her feelings of betrayal and heartbreak are palpable as she navigates the painful realization of her dreams shattering. Vishwanath's determination to make things right showcases his deep affection and commitment to her, even in the face of his own challenges. Stay tuned for the next chapter to uncover the twists that lie ahead!!💌❤️

I apologize for the delay in updating the chapter. I wanted to post it earlier, but my Wi-Fi has been acting weirdly today. Thank you for your patience, and I hope you enjoy the chapter. Please do share your thoughts!💕✨

Do follow me on Wattpad to get notified! smilingcupcake66

Also for exclusive spoilers, follow my Instagram 🆔 : smiling._.cupcake

Thank you so much for your love and support ❣️

Lots of Love,

Smiling Cupcake 🧁