♔ Aarav ♔

          From my security team, I find out where Hiten currently is staying. My guards follow me into the hotel and I head straight to the elevators to take me to the floor he is on as I already know the room number. I knock on the door and then cover the peephole so he can't see it's me.

Almost a minute later, he answers. "You again." He tries to put on a tough show but I feel like rolling my eyes.

I push my way inside and make a face at how messy he's kept the place. Yes, this is a hotel room, but there is still an etiquette of living. This... this looks like a pile of garbage with beer cans everywhere, a half-eaten pizza box on the bed with the covers ruffled up and clothes everywhere. I pick up a wet towel from the chair as if its infectious and throw it aside.

"What do you want?"

I hold my hand out and Vikas hands me a file. I place it on the desk and push it to the corner he's standing at with his arms crossed trying to intimidate me.

Hah, someone tell him I have learned the tricks of intimidation from ASR, and he nowhere matches to the level. He's not even on the scale.

Even calmly sitting, I can be more intimidating than he. "Sign it," I voice out the order in a clear, chilling tone.

"What's that?" He questions reaching for the file to open it and read.

"In case you can't read, that says you will never in the future try to claim your rights over Jhanvi or her child. You will have no claim over anything that belongs to either of them."

He scoffs, throwing the file back on the table. "You are a fool if you think I'll ever sign that. That child is mine. Heck, I have more of an involvement in that child's creation than her."

I smirk in response even though deep down, I want to beat the shit out of him. His brows narrow in confusion. I can understand his reaction. He's here trying to rile me up but he is not going to get that satisfaction. "Are you camping out here thinking she'll come back to... you?" I say in an insulting manner.

"You think that spineless girl has the guts to raise a child by herself?"

I stand up and button the center of my suit. "Her name," I take a step close and glare him in the eyes head on, "is Jhanvi Narayan Singh Raichand, and she is not alone anymore. If you only know her enough to think she'll return to a piece of shit like you..." I laugh shaking my head at his absurd thinking.

I may have not known her growing up, but I still see the fire in her eyes. She knows when to stand up for herself. Any girl to pull a fight with me without a second thought knows better. And let's not forget, her ancestry belongs to that of fierce Rajput warriors that have shaped the history of this country. Cowering away is not in her blood.

"...then you don't know her at all."

"And what, you do?"

I remain silent so I don't let out anything about my and Jhanvi's childhood to him that I shouldn't. I turn back to face him, "If you know what's best for you, you will sign it."

"Who do you think you are threatening? You don't know me, I'm a police officer."

"Don't embarrass yourself, Hiten. You're a cop in Australia. Here, you are nothing. I won't hesitate to drag you to court for this, but you will lose and you very well know you don't have the means to bear a legal expense on your cop salary. Now... I don't think you want to be charged for fraud, theft, and accepting illegal bribes on duty, so you have a day to sign it."

I turn to leave and Vikas reaches for the door and steps aside to let me pass first.

I stop by the doorway and twist my head back for a last parting. "Oh, and do say hello to Dinesh Bhatia for me."

I don't have to look up at him to learn of his shocked expression. Both of them underestimate us, but they will soon learn. When it comes to people we care about, Raizada's are always three steps ahead in any game. Jhanvi's pregnancy was unexpected, but that is only one step back. And, if anything, she is closer to us than before – a lot safer than ever.

Dinesh Bhatia is going to have to do better than planting Hiten in her life to steal everything that's rightfully hers.

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

          After visiting Hiten, I arrive at the office. Knocking on Jhanvi's door and entering, I pull out a chair to sit on. "How are you today?"

She shrugs her shoulder, "Fine. Did you need anything?"

And she is back to talking only as per necessary. "Are you sure you don't want to stay here?"

She crosses her arms over her chest, "Sure. These people here know me, even if I've only been here a week. I don't need them judging me when they eventually find out I am pregnant."

I bite back my tongue on pointing out that just yesterday, she was saying she did not need to hide it. Maybe she is okay with telling the baby who the father is but wants to keep this news private as long as possible to avoid scrutiny from the society. Who am I to deny her that? Maybe not having the society and their prejudiced thoughts meddling about will help her come to terms with the reality, emotionally.

"Where do you want to go then?"

She is quiet for a few seconds as she thinks. "How about the estate? I haven't seen it yet."

I shake my head, "No, bad idea. Renovations going on right now."

"Renovations?"

"Yeah, what do you think? The palace remains abandoned for over 30 years and it's safe to go back and live there?"

"Palace?"

I find myself grinning at her surprise. "Jhanvi, why do you keep forgetting you are a Princess? Yes, you have a palace. It's not just your dad's business and home here in Mumbai that they left behind."

She frowns for a second, and it could be either because she is not much stoked over this for it comes in the way of a normal, quiet, life or because she does not want the reminder of who she is. She sighs. "I'm out of ideas then."

I sit up to lean in, "We could go to Milan. We are supposed to get there in two weeks for the calendar shoot but we can go early."

Again, she is quiet as she considers the suggestion. I figure it would be a good plan. Let things settle in. Take these two weeks for some peace and perhaps, away from everything, she will let me in.

Then, she announces, "Alright, yeah. You have an office there, right?" I nod in response and she continues, "Then I can continue learning business meanwhile."

Well... work is still on her mind. I tell myself a person cannot very well change their personality within a week. "I'll look into the arrangements then."

Eva walks into her office, ready to say something, but pauses on seeing me present. Then her eyes advert to the phone in her hand and she speaks to her, "Ms. Raichand, Mr. Malhotra would like to speak to you."

Before Jhanvi can reach for it, I snatch the phone away from her. Her eyes widen and she acts instantly, taking the phone and ending the line before I say a word. "What were you thinking of doing?"

"You expect me to sit there when he continues to bother you?" I question enraged that she'll keep enabling him to reach out to her. I knew he'd try to reach her since my visit to him two hours ago. "You're forgetting what I told you yesterday." I remind her about the threat of ruining him.

"This is my business!" She raises her voice as if my fetish to control everything gets on her nerve.

Well, if only she knew how much her carefree attitude was getting on my nerves! She's taking this so lightly, it's infuriating. She has no idea what's at play here.

"Then you very well might want to make it clear to him to not call you again, before I take things in my hands and make it my business." I announce and walk back to my cabin. The last thing I hear is her sigh.

Fighting with her every step of the way was going to be very exhausting, even when I was only trying to keep her safe.

Just as I walk out, I realize this argument happened in front of Eva. The look she gives me is enough to know she'll be lecturing me about this later. Just great. Asking her to pose as Jhanvi's assistant is coming back to bite me in the ass now.

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

          At the end of the day, I make my way to dad's private cabin so we can leave together. While he's finishing up a call, I sit at the couch in the far-off sitting area, taking out a ring I had asked from Anjali earlier in the morning. She had tried to ask questions but I told her I just needed it. She was not convinced but she did trust me, knowing about Jhanvi.

After the call ends, dad walks over to me and eyes the ring I hold in my hand while sitting next to me, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"It's Jhanvi, dad." I voice out my rationale. "There's nothing I wouldn't do for her."

He nods his head with lips pressed firmly together. Jhanvi was the first friend I ever made. The only girl I've held a torch for all these years. "You don't have to do this by yourself. Why not tell her about us? She can stay with us."

"I want to," I express honestly, "but she's not ready for that. I fear she'll run away from our crazy family."

He laughs along at my attempt to lighten the moment and the clenching of my heart.

I add in seriousness as the smile fades, "She doesn't want to stay here. I think she just wants something normal in her life right now. To come out of everything. Besides, Dinesh planted Hiten in her life so he must know by now Jhanvi is here and with us. Maybe it'll be best to take her away from here for some time."

He counters, "We can keep her safe, Aarav. The whole reason we decided to bring her back, remember?"

I shake my head, firm on my choice. "Maybe, but I'm not willing to take that chance with her life... with the baby's life.  But when she is ready, home is the first place I will bring her. Promise."

I wish I could just tell her everything but with the pregnancy, I don't want to put that stress on her. Even the doctor said next few months were critical. The chance of miscarriage..? No. The thought itself is unfathomable. I cannot imagine what it would do to Jhanvi. She takes this baby as her only family. After everything she has already been through, I fear this might be the last straw that would break her and so long as I am alive, I would never let it happen.  

He still wants to help as he mentions, "Still, if it ever gets too much..."

I smile at him, "Dad, I appreciate it, really... but I need to fight this on my own. You've sacrificed a lot for me and everyone in this family has always taught me to stand for family. It's time I do that."

I really hope I wouldn't have to fall back on them for support. I know they'll always be there for me whenever I turn back, but I can't involve them in this. It's dangerous. Jhanvi herself doesn't know the danger she is in. She doesn't even know that her parents didn't die in an accident, but that it was a premeditated murder. Over the last twenty years, she was safe because Dad held the POA and no one in their right mind would dare to threaten him. But now that she was back and a little less than year before the will is placed in effect, her father's enemies will go after her stronger than before.

"Be careful." He gives a concerned warning as he stands up and pats the top of my head. "And don't worry about things at home."

"Thanks, Dad," I express my gratitude by standing up and hugging him. I'd never be able to tell him how much his support means to me.

He chuckles pulling back, "Are you crazy? You know we'd do anything for you."

That was very much true. I don't think anyone must have received so much love from so many people as I have.

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

          Arshiya crosses her arms over her chest and turns her back to me when I have reached home and found her in her room, "Bhai, this is not done." She complains while upset after I break the news to her that I'm going to need to go away for some time. "You promised when you returned this time that you'd stay at home with us. You were first in US for university and business school, then London for training and now again?"

I turn her by the shoulders to look at me, "I'm really sorry, Aru. I wish I could stay, but something important..."

She tugs away from my hold, "There is always something important going on. I wish you'd never joined the family business. Ever since you've joined, you never have time for us."

"Aru, don't be like that. You know you all are most important for me." I attempt to pacify her, but it doesn't work as she suggests.

"Then don't go. Get someone else to go in your place! So many people work for us."

Dejected, I offer the only information I can without divulging too much. "It's personal."

She narrows her eyes, "What's so personal you can't tell your own sister?"

I can hear the hurt in her voice, for I tell her everything. Ever since she's came into our lives, I have doted on her. After years of begging Khushi and Arnav dad that I wanted a little sister, my wish had finally been fulfilled.

"I promised someone, Aru. Please understand." I ask while holding her hands and really needing for her to not be upset with me.

Seconds later, her eyes finally soften. She knows how I feel about promises. "How long?"

"Maybe a year, I'm not sure." I am hoping to convince Jhanvi to eventually listen, but the way she is so stubborn, I'm not sure how long it'll take before she'll give in and agree to come back to Mumbai.

She jerks her hands out of my hold and exclaims, "A year?! What the hell is so important that it keeps you from your family for a whole year? Why would you even make someone that kind of promise?!"

"Arshiya..."

She shakes her head, grabs my phone from the couch, and hands it over. "I don't care who you made the promise to. Call them and tell them you can't come."

I have her sit on the couch instead and try to get through to her. "Listen dove, I know it sounds impossible, but it is just a year, right? Someone needs my help, and haven't our parents always taught us to be there for others when they need us? I'm going to miss you all a lot too, but please understand. Sometimes we have to make tough choices so our future will be better for it."

She mumbles in argument, "I can't think of one good thing coming out of this in the future."

"Don't you trust me?"

Her mouth opens to counter but she frowns instead. "It's not fair."

I pull her to my chest in a side hug, "Life isn't fair, Aru, but we've been fortunate our whole lives. Not everyone is that lucky."

"I know." She mutters, and there is good in her. She can come off as selfish and narrow minded or sometimes even spoilt for all the love we shower on her, but her heart is pure. She only gets like that when she fears her family distancing from her because of our busy lives.

I tell her one last thing, "A very long time ago, Aru, I made a mistake." She lifts her head off my chest in disbelief over the word 'mistake'. She holds us to such a high standard that the thought itself must be unfathomable for her. "I know you think the world of me, but I'm human too. And this mistake cost someone to lose everything... I have a chance now and I have to do everything I can this time. I'd never be able to forgive myself if she loses everything again because of me."

Cautiously, she questions. "Is this the same girl whose photo...?" I nod and her question trails off as she gets her answer. She breathes out through her mouth, "You found her."

"I've always known where she was." With a heavy heart, I admit one of the facts about Jhanvi.

Her brows knit together, "I don't understand."

"It's complicated. I'll tell you one day, just not now."

"Okay," she gives in and squeezes my hand in support alas. "Don't worry, bhai. Everything will be okay."

I ask to confirm, "You're not mad at me?"

She sighs, "No. I'm sad, but not mad. I think I understand... you never talk much about her but I think I get it. You feel guilty for whatever mistake you think you made. She's your unfinished business... but I also know you. You'll do everything you can to make it right, and like Lavanya maasi says... you don't always have to like what family does, but when they need you, you show up. So, even though I'm not happy you have to go, you have my support."

She doesn't know how much she's lessened my worries. I knew Dad would make everyone else understand, but I was only worried about Arshiya not understanding. I may not be her real brother, but it's the only one she's known and she means a lot to me.

Her birth wasn't the easiest. The seven months Khushi was pregnant with her were the most stressful months. She was born prematurely due to complications. I didn't understand it then, but I do understand now. Khushi shouldn't have been taken the risk in the first place, but she did and despite the odds and after a long recovery time, the doctors had finally announced she would survive. I won't go into details, but Arshiya was a blessing for us all.

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

          The next morning, once I arrive at the office, Pia follows inside as is her routine to brief me on everything I have on my calendar today. She hands me a sealed envelope, "This arrived for you today."

I say dropping it on the table and work on taking off my suit. "Pia, you're my secretary and part of your job is to check my mails for me."

"And you also said to not open any envelope that'd arrive from Landmark Hotel."

I realize these must the signed papers Hiten returned. "In that case, thank you."

She smugly answers, "What I thought." I glance at her sideways but she brushes it off, unaffected. This is what I get for having secretaries who know their worth – which is good for her but not when they get on my case. "You have a 10 with Mr. Sheikh and Sr. Raizada. 2 with Aman to finalize details for the calendar. 3 with Sam."

"Nothing in the evening, right?" I confirm.

She nods, "That's correct."

"Good; if Ms. Raichand is in, send her in."

"You got it," She leave to carry out the instructions and I turn the envelope over to break the seal. I flip straight to the last page. Signed. Good.

Jhanvi knocks on the door and sticks her head in, "You called?"

I nod her in and then wave for her to sit. "How are you today?"

"As can be expected." She answers with a shrug. Her face looks tired but she does not give that away in rest of her demeanor.

I turn the papers and hold them out, "This... is for you."

She leans forward to take them in her hand and skim through them. I thought she would be mad at me but her eyes widen when she sees the sign at the end. "You got him to sign this?" I don't reply as it is a question simply out of surprise.

"You do things for family."

I catch a reaction at the word family and realize how she does not know the concept of the word at all. All her life, she'd never known it. My heart reaches out to her. If only she'd let me show her what it means. But I know she's not ready to accept that yet.

I stand to walk around the table and casually lean back on the arm of the chair beside her, "I wasn't going to let him stick around."

She breathes in and whispers, "Thank you." I brush it off because it really is no big deal. She stands up and my eyes meet her chest. I blink up so I am looking at her instead, "I do appreciate this, but next time, please ask. I told you, decisions to do with my child are mines to make."

I swallow the hurt it sends to the center of my chest at the distant tone in her words. I force myself to nod instead of trying and drilling it in her head all my reasons for doing this, "Okay, understood."

If only she knew the only reason I even thought of covering the future of her child was because my own was uncertain. I try to not think about my real father as I inform in a clipped tone of my own to mask my hurt, "I have a meeting to prepare for."

She takes her cue to leave and I hold it for seconds after the door closes before venting out my anger by picking up the glass on the coaster and throwing it against the wall.

At the sound, I close my eyes and count to five to compose myself. I open my eyes when the door opens and I am sure that is Pia rushing in to check what the sound was about. She gasps at the cut on my palm and tries to come towards me but I turn and grab my suit coat, draping it over my arm. "I'm fine. Get that cleaned up."

She steps back, nods, and leaves to call the janitorial staff as I leave the cabin to go up to the private floor and chat with dad.

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

∞ authors note ∞

uh-oh! Angry Aarav. Wonder what'll happen next...! Longer chapter then I had intended as I added Arnav and Arshiya's scene afterwards but no issues! Hope you like it.

QOTC: How do you like Arshiya's personality? And thoughts on Jhanvi wanting to leave? Does it seem contradictory from the last chapter where she was strong and choosing to keep the child and not hide anything from the baby?

Next chapter is the important turning point in the story!! Perhaps, also the first glimpse of the story's main plot. Any speculations so far on what it may be?

PS: new cover, yay or nay? I felt more than any, book 1 is all Aarav so... :) Plus, him on a 'throne'. Fitting no?