It was then that Mahendra, Ranvijay's uncle, raised his glass in a toast. "To Ranvijay, may his marriage be as steadfast and enduring as the walls of this great house."

Glasses clinked, and a chorus of agreement filled the room. But amidst the celebration, Sunita, Mahendra's wife, glanced around, her brow furrowing slightly. "Speaking of steadfast, where is that girl, Arohi? She has been quite the help during these preparations. Arohi!" she called out, her voice rising above the din, "Where has that girl disappeared to now?"

~~•~~

As the last hues of twilight painted the sky, Arohi Sah stood in the tranquil expanse of the Shekhawat mansion's gardens, her thoughts a silent whirlpool amidst the cacophony of celebration preparations. Her respite was short-lived, however, as the voice of another servant sliced through the serenity.

"Arohi beti, Daadi Sa' calls for you," beckoned an older maid, using the affectionate and respectful term for 'grandmother' in the traditional household.

Arohi's head lifted, and with a nod of acknowledgment, she made her way through the maze of marigolds and chrysanthemums, her feet knowing the path well. The mansion, a testament to the Shekhawat's grandeur, loomed before her, its windows aglow with the warmth of family and festivity.

~~•~~

The air was thick with the scent of impending rain as Arohi Sah made her way back to the Shekhawat mansion, her mind still echoing with the serenity of the gardens. The sky, a canvas of darkening blues, promised a storm, and Arohi quickened her pace, eager to be within the sheltering walls before the heavens opened.

As she rounded the corner of the sprawling estate, her path unexpectedly converged with that of Ranvijay Shekhawat, the man whose very name sent ripples of fear through the city's underbelly. He stood there, a solitary figure against the brooding sky, his eyes fixed on the horizon as if in challenge to the brewing tempest.

Arohi's steps faltered, her breath catching in her throat. the intensity that simmered in his gaze, a reflection of the ruthless nature that had forged his empire.

"Watch where you're going," Ranvijay's voice was a low growl, his eyes snapping to hers with a predator's focus. It wasn't a shout, but it cut through the silence with the sharpness of a blade.

Arohi's heart raced, but she met his gaze, her own eyes unflinching. "I apologize, Ranvijay Sa'," she said, her voice steady despite the adrenaline that surged through her veins. "The gardens needed tending before the rain."

Ranvijay's eyes narrowed, assessing her, the maid who dared to hold his gaze. "The gardens can wait," he said dismissively, his attention already drifting back to the storm clouds. "Go inside. The preparations for tomorrow must be flawless."

Arohi nodded, a silent acknowledgment of the command, and stepped aside to let him pass. As she moved, her shoulder brushed against his, an inadvertent collision that sent a jolt through them both.

For a fleeting second, their eyes locked again, and in that brief exchange, something unspoken passed between them. It was a recognition of sorts, a realization that beneath the roles they played, there was a shared understanding of survival in a world that demanded strength at every turn.

Then the moment was gone, and Ranvijay continued on his path, his presence leaving a wake of charged air. Arohi watched him go, the encounter etching itself into her memory like a shadow against the storm.

She turned and hurried into the mansion, the first drops of rain beginning to fall. Inside, the warmth and light felt like a different world, and as she resumed her duties, Arohi couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted, however imperceptibly, in the delicate balance of the Shekhawat household.

~~•~~

Inside, the elders' voices rose and fell in a symphony of excitement and nostalgia. Arohi entered quietly, almost invisible, yet her presence was a thread woven into the fabric of the household's daily life.

"Ah, there you are, Arohi," greeted Saroj Daadi Sa', her voice rich with the wisdom of years. "Come, sit. Tell us, how do the preparations fare?"

Arohi folded her hands in a namaste, a gesture of respect. "All is as planned, Daadi Sa'. The gardens are a bloom of colors, and the kitchens are alive with the scents of sweet and savory."

The room hummed with approval, and Ramya, Ranvijay's sister, clapped her hands in delight. "Just wait until you see Bhai in his wedding attire, Arohi. He'll look every bit the prince he is!"

Laughter filled the room, and Ritik added, "A prince, indeed. But let's hope he doesn't scare away the priest with his 'commander' glare."

The family mirth was a warm cloak around Arohi, and for a moment, she allowed herself a small smile. It was these moments, these snippets of joy and unity, that made her duties all the more rewarding.

As the conversation turned to tales of Ranvijay's childhood, Arohi listened, her eyes reflecting the flicker of oil lamps. She was more than just a maid; she was a keeper of their stories, a silent guardian of their joys and sorrows.

And as the night deepened, the elders dispersed, each to their own quarters, leaving Arohi in the quiet aftermath. She collected the tea cups and straightened the cushions, her movements a dance of shadows and light.

"Arohi," called out Devyani, Ranvijay's mother, her voice carrying a softness reserved for those she held in esteem. "You have done well, child. Rest now, for tomorrow we celebrate."

With a final bow of gratitude, Arohi retreated, her form disappearing into the embrace of the mansion's corridors.

~~•~~

The mansion was silent, save for the occasional creak of aged wood and the distant rumble of thunder. Arohi's heart was a drumbeat in her chest as she ascended the grand staircase, each step taking her closer to the confrontation she both dreaded and yearned for. The weight of her secret felt like a stone in her stomach, and with every breath, she steeled herself for the storm that was about to break.

Ranvijay's room was at the end of the corridor, its door ajar, spilling a sliver of light into the darkness. Arohi paused, gathering the shards of her courage before pushing the door open.

Inside, Ranvijay stood by the window, his silhouette etched against the night sky. The room was a reflection of the man himself—imposing, meticulously ordered, and with an undercurrent of danger. His eyes were fixed outside, watching the lightning dance across the heavens, a mirror to the turmoil within him.

At the sound of the door, he turned, his gaze piercing through the dimness to land on Arohi. His expression was unreadable, a mask of indifference that belied the quickening of his pulse at the sight of her.

"What are you doing here, Arohi?" His voice was a low rumble, a controlled calm that contrasted with the chaos of the brewing storm.

Arohi met his gaze, her own eyes a tumult of emotions. "Ji , I needed to see you," she began, her voice a whisper, "to tell you something important."

Suspicion flickered in Ranvijay's eyes, a spark that ignited his defenses. "Speak," he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"Ranvijay, ji " she whispered, her voice quivering with a vulnerability she had never allowed herself to show. "I'm pregnant."

Ranvijay's heart thundered in his chest, a mix of emotions swirling within him. He had succumbed to the temptation Arohi presented, a moment of weakness—or was it desire?—that now bound them in the most unexpected way. Yet, even as he held her trembling form, he couldn't shake the nagging suspicion that had haunted him since that night. She was an enigma, wrapped in innocence but shrouded in secrets.

He pulled himself away from his thoughts , the shadows in the room mirroring the dark turn of his thoughts. His face devoid of any emotions other than hardness "Arohi," he said, his voice steady despite the storm raging inside him, " Abort it. this child... it's nothing but a mistake. So abort it."

~~●~~

Writer's Note : please do not shy away from voting or commenting. It would mean a lot to me .

•though there would be mention of consumption of alcohol liquor throughout this story , I personally, do not support this . Keep yourself healthy , sane and stay away from this poisonous addiction.