Hello guys... Welcome back. I hope you like this chapter.

Kindly ignore the grammatical mistakes as English is not my first language.

Enjoy reading 🤗

Author's POV-

~After 2 days~

The sun of Jaipur shimmered softly through the marble jharokhas of the Mandir, casting a golden glow that seemed like a divine spotlight on the land of royals. The Randhawa family, having just arrived from Delhi, stood together with folded hands under the vibrant sky, soaking in the calmness of the holy place before stepping into the world of Rajasthan's legacy.

Rivaan's dadi Surekha, Aditya Randhawa, Suhana, Siya bhabhi, Ashok chhote papa, Nandini chhoti maa, tanvi his cousin and little Abhaan were there, dressed gracefully in ethnic elegance - the kind that drew respectful glances from the locals. Jaipur had been buzzing with the news of their visit - after all, the Randhawas were here not just to attend a wedding but something that change many lives.

To complete a promise that they had made years ago.

Just as the family moved through the temple courtyard after their prayers, an unexpected gasp from Surekha (his dadi) broke their calm.

"Dadi!" Siya rushed forward as Surekha's steps faltered.

But before anyone could react, a soft pair of arms supported her. A girl, dressed in a stunning yellow anarkali with a vibrant matching dupatta flowing behind her like poetry in motion, caught her just in time.

She held Surekha with care, gently whispering, "Thoda pani deejiye, unka BP low lag raha hai."

(Give some water, I think their BP is low)

A calm strength sparkled in her eyes, her tone steady yet soft. Her bangles chimed like bells as she guided Surekha to a shaded bench, gently fanning her with the pallu of her dupatta.

Siya stood frozen for a second, watching the girl - no, the vision - who looked less like a visitor and more like she belonged to the temple's divine aura.

There was a softness in her smile, mischief in her eyes, and grace in her every move.

"Kaise ho dadi aap? Better? Should I call a doctor?" the girl asked, kneeling beside Surekha with a warm hand over hers.

(How are you dadi?)

"Iam ok beta. Don't worry, she is a doctor." Said dadi showing his finger towards Siya who is a well reputed neurologist.

Just then, her eyes caught sight of the temple priest. She quickly stood and walked over, handing him a maroon velvet pouch.

"Purohit kaka, Yeh dadi ne bheja hai. kaha tha - aapko dedun." She said with a beautiful smile.

(Priest uncle, this is sent by dadi. She asked to give it to you)

"Aur haan, kal time se aa jayega nahi toh meri pitai pakki." she added further, speaking with such innocence and a hint of naughtiness that the priest couldn't help but smile.

(And yes, come on time tomorrow otherwise I will get into trouble.)

"She's like a ray of sunshine," Siya whispered to dadi.

Surekha nodded slowly, "Uske haath ka chhuna hi aisa tha... shaant. Jaise ghar ki beti ho."

(Her hands touch is like... Piece. Like a daughter of the house)

"Main toh keh rahi hoon," Siya chuckled, "Agar aisi devrani mili toh ghar roshan ho jaaye."

(I was saying) (If I get a sister-in-law like this then the home will lit up)

Just then, Ashok noticed her. "Kaun hai yeh ladki?" he asked to the priest, adjusting his sunglasses.

(Who's that girl?)

The priest, smiled and folded his hands, "Yeh wahi hai jiske liye aap yahan aaye hain. Sikar ki Yuvrani Sa... Ekakshi Yaghuvanshi. Jinke darshan paane ke liye log taraste hain."

(She's the one for whom you came here. Sikar's princess... Ekakshi Singh Yaghuvanshi)

There was silence for a moment.

Yuvarani.

The one they were here to meet - the royal blood with whom a future alliance might bloom.

But she was not what they expected. She was not walking with guards or jewels. She was playing with children near the mandir entrance, tying ribbons on their wrists and sharing prasad. Her anklets echoed like laughter, her smile - untouched by pride - shimmered brighter than any crown.

As she walked back towards the bench, a little child tugged at her dupatta and she bent down, talking animatedly. The wind danced with her hair, sunlight resting on her face like a blessing, and in that moment - the entire Randhawa family watched her in admiration.

Ashok whispered to Nandini, "Toh yeh hai humari Rajkumari..."

(So she's our princess)

Nandini smiled with a glint of awe, "Aur lagti bhi hai... pariyon jaisi."

(And she looks like that too... Like an angel)

None of them knew, in the next few hours, their sons - including one particular icy-hearted CEO - would walk into the same space she had lit up unknowingly.

And fate would stir once again, this time not just for kingdoms and companies...

...but for hearts.

🥀

After sometime, Rivaan along with his elder brother Vivaan and cousin Aarav entered holding bags in their hands as they assended the temple stairs.

The scent of incense and marigold garlands mingled in the air as the Randhawa family sat in the temple courtyard, their palms folded in reverence. Chanting of mantras echoed gently, wrapping the morning in divine calm. Rivaan Randhawa sat beside his family, head bowed, posture straight-but the storm inside him refused to rest.

He hadn't felt this kind of restlessness in years.

Since they left Delhi, something had been unsettling his soul-like time itself was preparing to shift. His fingers twitched as he tried to mask the unease behind closed eyes. Everyone around him seemed to have found peace in the aarti... except him.

As the puja concluded, he excused himself.

"Thodi der mein aata hoon," he whispered to Siya, who gave him a nod.

(I'll be back in sometime)

He walked towards the backside of the ancient temple, where the sandstone walls glowed golden under the dying rays of the sun. The breeze was soft, rustling the peepal leaves. He took a deep breath, hoping to center himself.

But then...

His breath caught. His footsteps halted.

And time... paused.

There she was-a vision, dancing barefoot on the smooth temple floor, the twilight casting a divine halo around her. The folds of her ivory-gold anarkali swirled like poetry in motion, and her expressions narrated something beyond just rhythm-it was longing, grace, and fire in one.

🎵 "Ghar more pardesiya, aao padharo piyaa....."

The lyrics echoed through the temple walls like a hymn of fate. Each step she took, each twirl she did, was a painting in the air. Her eyes closed as her body flowed with the beat, unburdened and free-yet carrying some unseen weight in her aura.

Rivaan stood frozen, lips parted slightly, breath heavy.

He couldn't see her face clearly-the golden light of sunset kissed her skin and blurred the lines-but her presence wrapped around his senses like déjà vu.

🎵 "Main ne sudhbudh chain gawake

Main ne sudhbudh chain gawake

Ram ratan pa liya...."

His eyes refused to blink, afraid he'd miss a second of her.

And just like that, the dance ended. She stood still, head bowed in serenity, before walking inside again-unaware of the spell she had cast.

Rivaan finally exhaled. His heart thudded painfully.

"Who is she...?"

"Why am I feeling like I've seen her before-felt her before?"

"Maine toh apna dil... apni rooh, saath saal pehle kisi ko de diya tha. Toh phir yeh kaisa ehsaas hai? Yeh kaisi uljhan?"

(I've already given my heart... My soul to someone 7 years ago. Then what is this feeling?

He looked at his own palms, as if trying to read the future hidden in their lines.

What he didn't know-was that his ruhh... the girl his soul had never stopped loving-was entering his breathless life again.

And fate had just reopened a door... they both once left half-closed.

🥀

The vibrant beats of Ghar More Pardesiya had just faded, but the rhythm lingered in Rivaan's heartbeat.

He stood still near the carved sandstone pillar, trying to recollect the control he had always prided himself on. His eyes-usually sharp and cold-were now uncertain, as if touched by a forgotten warmth.

"Bhai!" a familiar voice called from afar. It was Tanvi, his younger cousin, waving her hand.

Snapping out of his daze, Rivaan turned, composed himself, and walked towards the temple's main sanctum where his family stood in prayer before the idol of Maa Durga. The fragrance of incense swirled around the air. Bells echoed. And sunlight filtered through the intricate jaali-work, creating a divine play of shadows and light.

He folded his hands in reverence and closed his eyes-desperately hoping for calm, not knowing the storm was just about to turn divine.

As he stood still, unaware, a girl came and stood beside him-her hands folded, eyes shut, lips silently whispering a prayer.

Ekakshi.

Not knowing she was beside him...

Not knowing fate had chosen this very moment.

A gentle breeze swept through the temple. And then-the red and golden "chunni", the blessed veil of Maa Durga which hung beside the idol for bhakts' blessings, detached from its place... carried by the wind.

In a heartbeat, it floated down... and softly, wrapped around both Rivaan and Ekakshi-draping their heads, covering their faces partially-uniting them under the sacred blessing of the Goddess herself.

The two stood still, wrapped together by fate, unaware.

Their families, standing at a distance, froze in awe. Aditya and Surekha exchanged glances-eyes moist with the emotion of a promise now whispered back to life by the divine.

Suhana touched her mangalsutra, her heart full.

Nandini smiled with folded hands, "Maa ne apna aashirwad diya hai..."

(Goddess has blessed them already)

At that exact moment, Rivaan opened his eyes.

He felt a weight on his head, a sudden warmth. His brows furrowed lightly. As he tilted his face, his gaze met the edge of the veil... and the fluttering end of a girl's dupatta.

She stood beside him.

The same girl.

The one from the back of the temple... the dance... the glow of sunset.

Startled, he turned fully to look at her-heart pounding. But before his gaze could catch her face, she had already stepped away into the crowd, leaving behind the faintest scent of jasmine and sandalwood.

He gently removed the chunni from his head, eyes still searching the path she vanished into.

Just then, the temple priest approached the family, a soft smile on his lips.

"Maa ne swayam chunni barsayi hai... yeh sirf aashirwad nahi, ek sanket hai. Devi ka sanket."

(Goddess himself thrown the veil... It's not just blessing, it's a sign. Goddess sign.)

Surekha nodded deeply, voice thick with emotion,

"Samay aa gaya hai... apna vaada poora karne ka."

(The time is here... To complete our promise.)

Suhana clasped her hands with Nandini, whispering,

"Wo vaada jo abb tak adhura hai."

(That promise that is still not completed.)

Unaware of the whirlwind he had just stepped into, Rivaan stood still, watching the spot where she had stood.

His heart knew something had changed.

What he didn't know-was that his destiny had just worn a red chunni.

💖｡⁠◕⁠‿⁠◕⁠｡💖

I hope you guys liked it.

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Drop a comment about the story and your favourite part of the chapter.

How do you like their first encounter?

What promise is his family talking about?

Thank you 😊