CHAPTER 44: "THREADS OF INNOCENCE"

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The grand hall of the Singhania Mansion resonated with grandeur, a fitting stage for the splendid events taking place today. It was draped in gold and crimson today, the colors of prosperity and courage, with intricate patterns woven into the fabric. Chandeliers hung like sparkling constellations, bathing the hall in a warm, golden glow. Rows of elegantly set chairs awaited kings from distant kingdoms, celebrities of global acclaim, influential ministers, and business tycoons who had traveled far to witness this union a celebration of strength and compassion. Alongside them, the loyal people of Bundelkhand were also invited to witness the crowning moment of their new queen, a symbol of love, resilience, and unity.

Amid this opulence, Kashi sat in her room before an ornate dressing table, her reflection staring back at her. Draped in a lehenga of deep blue and gold, adorned with motifs of peacocks and lotuses, she looked like a queen out of a dream. The pearls on her dupatta shimmered as it cascaded over her shoulders, a veil of light that complemented her radiant beauty. Her delicate neck was adorned with a statement necklace of intricate gold filigree, studded with emeralds that gleamed against her skin. Matching earrings dangled from her ears, their stones sparkling with every subtle movement. The beautiful bracelet, gifted by her Veer ji, sparkled on her wrist, its elegance adding to the splendor. Yet, her hands trembled slightly as they clutched the edge of the table, the weight of the occasion pressing on her heart.

The stylist and beauticians had worked their magic, enhancing her natural grace, but none of it quelled the nervousness in her heart. Today, the world would know that she was no longer an ordinary girl Kashi Sharma, but the wife of Vishwanath Rai Singhania, King of Bundelkhand, a man of unparalleled power and influence. Her Veer Ji would be by her side, yet the thought of stepping into the spotlight, with countless eyes scrutinizing her every move, filled her with nervous jitters.

Above all, another worry gnawed at her, her heels. The stylist had insisted she wear pencil heels to complement her attire and balance the height difference with her Veer ji, who was undeniably tall. Every step felt like a precarious balancing act. "What if I fall? What if I embarrass myself and Veer ji?" The thought alone made her want to hide. She glanced down at the heels with a pout, her lips curving into an almost childlike expression of frustration. "Why does he have to be so tall?" she muttered under her breath, her cheeks puffing slightly as her fingers fiddled with her dupatta. But the moment her nervous thoughts threatened to spiral further, the door creaked open.

Vishwanath entered the room, radiating power and elegance. His deep blue sherwani, adorned with the same motifs as Kashi's lehenga, fit him like a second skin. The intricate embroidery and regal aura made him look every bit the king he was. But beneath the commanding exterior, his eyes softened as they settled on his beautiful wife.

"Kashi," he said, his voice warm and reassuring, as he moved towards her. Noticing her nervousness, he placed his strong hands gently on her shoulders, their eyes meeting in the mirror, his eyes steady and warm. "Pareshan hone ki koi baat nahi hai," (There is no need to worry) he said, his tone a soothing balm to her frayed nerves. "Tumhare Veer ji har kadam mein tumhare saath hai." (Your Veer ji is with you at every step)

She nodded, her lips pressing into a small, nervous smile.

"Tum tyaar ho?" (Are you ready?) he asked gently.

"Ji," (Yes) she whispered as she stood up. Her lehenga swirled around her feet like a cascade of water, but before she could take more than two steps, the dreaded happened. Her foot twisted slightly, and a loud shriek escaped her lips. Her arms flailed for balance, but before she could hit the ground, a strong pair of arms encircled her waist.

Vishwanath caught her effortlessly, pulling her close against his chest. The sudden movement caused her hand to snap against the top button of his sherwani, sending it flying with a metallic ting that echoed in the room, but Vishwanath's focus was solely on her.

"Kashi, tum thik toh ho na? Chot toh nahi lagi?"(Kashi, are you okay? Did you get hurt?) he asked, his voice laced with concern.

Stabilizing herself, Kashi nodded, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Main thik hoon, Veer ji. Bas....yeh heels," (I'm fine, Veer ji. It's just... these heels) she admitted sheepishly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yeh bohot unchi heels hai aur mujhe inme chalne ki aadat nahi hai isliye baar baar pao mudd raha hai." (These heels are really high, and I'm not used to walking in them, so I keep tripping.)

Vishwanath glanced down at her feet, his brows furrowing. Without hesitation, he bent down, gently lifting the hem of her lehenga to inspect her foot. Kashi stepped back instinctively. "Veer ji, rehne dijiye," (Veer ji, let it be) she said, flustered.

"Mujhe dekhne do, Kashi," (Let me see, Kashi) he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. Kneeling before her, he gently took her foot in his hand, his touch surprisingly tender. His eyes darkened with concern as he examined the slight redness forming on her delicate skin.

Standing back up, he guided her to sit, his expression a mix of worry and irritation. "Kashi tumne yeh itni uncomfortable heels kyun pehne?" (Kashi, why did you wear such uncomfortable heels?) he asked, his voice stern but tinged with care.

"Stylist ne kaha tha," (The stylist had said) Kashi explained, her eyes downcast, her voice tinged with hesitation. "Aap lambe hain, toh mujhe yeh heels pehnni chahiye....aur yeh iss lehenga ke saath acchi lagegi." (You are tall, so I should wear these heels and they will look good with this lehenga.)

Vishwanath's gaze softened as he took in her words, but his concern didn't waver. "Par tum inn heels mein bilkul comfortable nahi ho Kashi" (But you are not at all comfortable in these heels, Kashi) he said gently, his tone soft but concerned.

Kashi hesitated for a moment before shaking her head."Koi baat nahi Veer ji, main aaj ke liye manage kar lungi,"(No problem, Veer ji, I will manage for today) she said, her voice small but resolute. "Aur mujhe aapke saath acche bhi toh lagna hai," (And I want to look good with you) she added with a soft smile, hoping to lighten the tension in the air.

Vishwanath's eyes softened at her words as he crouched down again, gently taking her hands in his. The crease of worry on his forehead, however, remained. "Kashi," he began, his voice a blend of gentleness and firmness, "tumhe kisi ko bhi impress karne ke liye khud ko takleef dene ki zarurat nahi hai." (You don't need to put yourself through any discomfort to impress anyone.)

His thumb lightly brushed against her knuckles, his gaze unwavering as it held hers. "Tum aise hi perfect ho, samjhi? (You are perfect just the way you are, understood?)

He leaned closer, his gaze holding hers. " Aur waise bhi, meri nazar mein toh sabse acchi aur pyaari ho tum," (And anyway, in my eyes, you are the best and the most beautiful.) he said, his words causing her cheeks to flush a deep pink and she quickly looked away, her heart racing. "Lekin...." (But)

"Lekin vekin kuch nahi, tum yeh heels nahi pehnogi . Main abhi flat footwear leke aata hoon." (No, ifs and buts. You won't wear these heels. I will get flat footwear for you right away) He interrupted, standing back up, his tone leaving no room for argument. But before he could move further, Kashi reached out and gently held his hand, stopping him in his tracks.

"Par Veer ji, suniye toh" (But Veer ji, listen) she said hesitantly, her voice soft yet pleading, "iske neeche heels chahiye, varna yeh lehenga baar-baar paon mein atke ga." (It needs heels underneath, otherwise this lehenga will keep getting caught in my feet)

Vishwanath paused, his brows furrowing as he considered her words. After a brief moment of contemplation, he let out a sigh and said, "Tum yahi ruko," (You, Stay here) his tone firm but calm.

Kashi watched him walk away, disappearing into the adjoining dressing room. She sat there, confused and slightly anxious, wondering what he was up to. Moments later, he returned, holding a pair of elegant block heels in his hand.

Without a word, he knelt before her, lifting her foot with care.

"Veer ji, yeh aap kya kar rahe ho?" (Veer ji, what are you doing?) she asked, startled.

He looked up briefly, his eyes firm yet kind. "Tumhare comfort ka dhyan rakh raha hoon, Kashi." (I'm taking care of your comfort, Kashi.)

With utmost care, Vishwanath removed the pencil heels, his fingers briefly caressing the reddened area of her foot. His touch was gentle yet confident, as though silently apologizing for her discomfort, even when he wasn't at fault. He then slipped on the block heels, adjusting the straps with meticulous precision, ensuring they fit her perfectly.

His movements were unhurried, filled with an unspoken tenderness that made Kashi's breath catch. It wasn't just the action, it was the thoughtfulness behind it that left her heart aching in the most beautiful way. This man, a king in every sense, was kneeling before her, prioritizing her comfort over appearances.

Vishwanath stood up and extended his hand. "Aao, Kashi. Ab chal ke dekho. Isme pao toh nahi mud raha na?" (Come, Kashi. Now try walking. Your feet aren't twisting in these, right?)

Tentatively, Kashi took a few steps. The block heels were infinitely more comfortable, and her face lit up with relief. "Yeh better hai Veer ji. Aur isme main ghirungi bhi nahi!" (This is better, Veer ji and d I won't even fall in these.)

Vishwanath chuckled, his deep voice carrying a warmth that instantly put her at ease. "Girti kaise, Kashi? Tumhe lagta hai main girne deta?" (How could you fall, Kashi? Do you really think I would let that happen?) he asked, his tone playful yet filled with affection.

Kashi glanced up at him, her cheeks still tinted pink, her lips parting slightly to respond, but he didn't give her the chance. Taking a step closer, he leaned down just enough for his words to feel intimate, their impact heavier.

"Aur maine tumse kaha na," (And I told you, right) he continued, his gaze soft yet unwavering as it held hers, "tumhare Veer ji har kadam mein tumhare saath hai. Tumhe kabhi ladkhadane nahi denga." (your Veer ji is with you in every step of the way. I will never let you stumble.)

His words wrapped around her like a protective embrace, and her heart swelled with a mixture of gratitude and love for him.

"Main jaanti hoon, Veer ji," (I know,Veer ji) she whispered softly, almost as if confessing to herself. "Mujhe pata hai aap hamesha mere saath hain." (I know you are always with me.)

Vishwanath smiled at her response, his heart warming at her trust in him. "Bas, yeh humesha yaad rakhna, Kashi" (Just always remember this, Kashi) he said, his voice gentle but firm.

Her smile widened as her gaze flickered to his face, but then it shifted, catching on something else. Her eyes froze on his chest, where the top button of his sherwani had come undone, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of his strong, muscular chest. The well-defined lines of his skin peeked out, glistening faintly under the soft light, and Kashi's breath hitched involuntarily.

Her cheeks flamed a deep red as she quickly averted her eyes, her heart pounding furiously in her chest. She fidgeted with the edge of her dupatta, feeling her face grow impossibly warmer. Gathering her courage, she whispered, her voice tinged with shyness, "Veer ji....voh aapki sherwani ka button toot gaya hai" (Veer ji....umm, the button on your sherwani has come off)

Vishwanath, oblivious until now, glanced down, his brows furrowing slightly. "Oh no," he muttered, brushing his fingers over the broken button. "Yeh kaise hua?" (How did this happen?) His tone was casual, but the faint crease of irritation on his forehead suggested he was already thinking about how to fix it.

Kashi's gaze, despite her best efforts, flickered back to his chest for a fleeting moment before she quickly looked away again, her face burning with shyness. Her mind raced, scolding herself for noticing such a detail. Yet, her traitorous heart fluttered at the sight, and she found herself chewing on her lower lip nervously.

Vishwanath, noticing her reaction, tilted his head slightly, his lips curving into an amused smile. "Kya hua, Kashi? Itna sharma kyun rahi ho?" (What happened, Kashi? Why are you blushing so much?) he teased, his deep voice laced with curiosity.

"Nahi....kuch nahi, (No....Nothing) " she stammered, her voice barely audible as she kept her gaze firmly fixed on the floor.

He stepped closer, leaning down slightly to meet her eyes. "Sach bolo, Kashi," (Tell me the truth, Kashi) he said softly, his tone both playful and commanding. "Kahi tum kuch aur toh nahi soch rahi ho?" (Are you thinking of something else?)

Her eyes shot up to meet his, wide with shock and embarrassment. "Veer ji aap phir shuru hogaye" (Veer ji, you have started again) she exclaimed, her voice flustered as she quickly turned to the other side unable to face his teasing gaze.

His deep chuckle filled the air, a rich, comforting sound that seemed to wrap around her. Shaking his head with a mix of amusement and affection, he reached out, his strong yet gentle hands resting lightly on her shoulders. With a smooth motion, he turned her to face him, her eyes instinctively downcasted.

"Kashi," he murmured softly, his voice a soothing caress. Reaching out, he gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering for the briefest moment before he lifted her chin with a light touch, guiding her to meet his gaze.

Her breath caught as their eyes locked, the intensity in his dark, soulful eyes making her heart race. A small, tender smile graced his lips as he leaned in just slightly, close enough for her to feel the warmth of his presence.

"Tum sach mein bohot innocent aur cute ho, meri pyaari Kashi," (You really are so innocent and cute, my dear Kashi) he murmured, his deep voice soft and filled with an indescribable warmth that sent a shiver cascading down her spine.

Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, her pulse quickening as the sincerity in his words sank in. She tried to look away, but his hand remained steady, holding her chin with gentle insistence. For a moment, the world around her seemed to fade, leaving only the two of them in that fragile, beautiful silence.

After a while, Vishwanath reluctantly stepped back, though the tenderness in his eyes didn't waver. "Function shuru hone wala hai," (The function is about to start) he said, glancing at his sherwani and shaking his head. "Pata nahi yeh button kaise toot gaya." (I don't know how this button came off) Shaking his head slightly, he let out a soft sigh.

"Shayad jab aapne mujhe sambhala, tab mera haath lag gaya tha aur yeh button toot gaya," (Maybe when you helped me, my hand snapped it and the button came off) Kashi admitted, her voice small as she avoided his gaze. Her eyes darted around the room until they landed on something near the couch. Spotting the button, she hurriedly picked it up and held it out to him. "Yeh raha." (Here it is.)

Vishwanath glanced at the button in her hand and then at his sherwani before letting out a thoughtful hum. "Hmmm....Abb kya kare?" (Hmmm....Now what should we do?) he muttered, mostly to himself.

Kashi's face lit up with an idea. "Veer ji, aapke paas sui-dhaage ka dabba hai? Main abhi isse thik kar dungi," (Veer ji, do you have a sewing kit? I will fix it right away) she offered, her eagerness to help clear in her tone.

Vishwanath smiled at her determination, a hint of admiration flickering in his eyes. "Mein abhi mangva deta hoon," (I will have it brought right now) he said, his voice steady and reassuring. Picking up the landline, he called for a helper, who arrived promptly with a small sewing kit in hand. Vishwanath took it and handed it to Kashi, his fingers brushing hers for a brief moment.

Kashi threaded the needle with utmost care, her delicate fingers working with precision as she began fixing the button. Her brows furrowed slightly in concentration, her focus entirely on the task at hand. She stood close to Vishwanath, so close that the faint scent of jasmine from her dupatta reached him, wrapping around him like a gentle breeze.

Vishwanath's gaze remained fixed on her, unwavering, as though memorizing every detail of her movements. Every delicate flick of her fingers, every slight crease on her forehead as she concentrated, made his heart ache with a tenderness he hadn't known he was capable of. She was so unaware, so blissfully unaware of how deeply she affected him.

As Kashi tightened the last stitch, she tried to break the thread, but it refused to snap. Determined, she leaned in, holding the thread between her teeth to tear it. In her effort, her lips brushed against his chest, just where the newly fixed button now rested.

Vishwanath stiffened, his breath hitching as an unbidden jolt of heat surged through him. The unexpected contact, innocent as it was, sent his heart racing in a way that was both thrilling and terrifying.

His breath hitched, and he closed his eyes, fighting the emotions that surged within him, his hands curling into fists by his sides. Her innocence was a weapon she didn't even know she wielded, cutting through his carefully maintained composure with effortless ease. Not now, he told himself, forcing his heartbeat to slow. Not until she's ready.

"Hogaya, Veer ji!" (It's done, Veer ji) Kashi's cheerful voice broke through the storm raging inside him. Her eyes sparkled with pride as she looked up at him, utterly oblivious to the chaos she had just ignited within him.

Vishwanath took a deep breath, composing himself. His lips curved into a soft smile, his gaze warm as he looked down at her. For a moment, words failed him, caught in the flood of emotions she so unknowingly evoked by her innocent gesture.

"Meri pyaari Kashi," (My dear Kashi) he thought, his heart aching with affection, "tumhari masoomiyat ek din mujhe maar daalegi." (Your innocence will one day be the end of me)

He gently touched the freshly stitched button on his sherwani, more as a gesture of acknowledging her effort than inspecting her work. "Perfect, bilkul tumhari tarha, (Perfect, just like you) he said aloud, his tone a mix of gratitude and tenderness.

Kashi beamed at his words, her innocence shining through. Her eyes sparkled with an unguarded joy, completely unaware of the effect she had on him.

Vishwanath's heart tightened in his chest as he watched her, his emotions swirling in a way he had never experienced before. It amazed him how effortlessly she had become the center of his universe, holding his heart in her hands without even knowing it. Her innocence was her greatest strength, and it had pierced through his walls like a beacon of light, reaching places he had kept guarded for years.

How could someone so simple, so untouched by the complexities of the world, have such a profound hold over him? It wasn't just her beauty or her kindness it was the way she existed, purely and unapologetically herself, that left him completely undone. There was no pretense in her actions, no calculated moves to impress him, just her genuine, unaffected self, which made her all the more captivating. In that moment, as her radiant smile lit up her face, he fell in love with her all over again.

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Author's Note 📖

Firstly, I'm really sorry for the delay in posting. There was a serious technical glitch with my Wattpad account. Parts of the drafted chapter kept getting deleted, and this chapter also included the coronation ceremony. However, as the length of the chapter exceeded, parts kept getting erased, and I wasn't even able to restore them. I spent so much time trying to fix everything, only to have parts of my chapter deleted over and over again. To make matters worse, I couldn't access the edit option for a full two days, and I honestly don't know what went wrong. I ended up rewriting this chapter three times, but the same issue kept reoccurring. It was really frustrating. Because of this, I've decided to shift the coronation ceremony to the next chapter. I'll make sure to post the next part as soon as possible and earlier than expected. Thanks for your patience and understanding! 💕

Lots of Love ❤️

Smiling Cupcake ☺️🧁