Hello friends...

Read the prologue and let me know your reviews...

PROLOGUE...

Randeep Raichand, one of the most famous and successful business tycoons, stood in front of her deceased mother's portrait. Gazing at her with misty eyes, he spoke, "Meri zindagi ka ek hi maksad hai Maa aur wohh hai Mr Anand Singhania se badla lena. Aur iske liye main kisi bhi hadd tak jaa sakta hun. Main uss aadmi ko poori tarah barbaad kar dunga, jiski wajah se aaj aap mere saath nahi ho... Aapke ek ek aansoon ka hisaab dena hoga uss Anand ko... Mujhe pataa chal gaya hai Maa ki uski sabse badi kamzori uski laadli beti hai... Ashi Singhania... Jaise uss aadmi ne aapko dhokha diya tha, main uska badla uski beti se lunga. Aakhir usse bhi toh pataa chale ki uske baap ne kya kya kartoot ki thi unki jawaani mein. Anand ki har galti ki sazaa uski beti bhugdegi... Jis din main uski kamzori ko poori tarah se tod dunga, uss din mera badla poora hoga Maa... Main uss din chain se so paaunga, jis din main unki aankhon mein ansoon dekhunga. Main uss Anand aur uski beti ki zindagi ka wohh haal karunga ki poori duniya dekhkar dang reh jaayegi..." Wiping the tears that flowed down his cheeks, he made a promise to take revenge on his mother's behalf.

At other part of the world, "Paa... main bohot jald India waapis aa rahi hun. I can't wait to meet you... I've missed you so much Paa. Meri kal raat ki flight hai, parso tak main ghar aa jaaungi. Aap please meri fikar mat karna aur main cab se ghar aa jaaungi... Please Ramu kaka ko airport bhejne ki koi zarurat nahi hai. Main khud manage kar lungi. Take care Paa... Love you... See you soon..."

Ashi Singhania, the topper from New York University, sent a voice mail to her father, Anand Singhania, as she was coming back home to take over their ancestral business. Being the apple of her father's eyes, all her wishes had been fulfilled even before she could voice it out. She had no idea what her coming back to India was going to cost her...

Anand Singhania was on cloud nine as his daughter was going to come back after four long years. His happiness knew no bounds. To surprise his daughter, he had arranged awelcome party for her in the evening. He had invited all his relatives, friends and all the well-known business tycoons of the country.

A day later... "Paa... main aa gayi...", Ashi entered the mansion with excitement. Her father who was waiting for her in the living room walked hastily in her direction and hugged her warmly. "Ashi... tujhe ghar aane mein koi problem toh nahi hui naa? Tune Ramu ko bhejne ko manaa kyun kiya? Wohh aa jaata naa tujhe lene, usse koi taklif nahi hoti."

Ashi broke the hug, "Kya Paa... aapko mujhe yeh poochna chahiye ki main kaisi hun? Yeh kya aap Ramu Kaka aur cab ki baatein lekar baith gaye. Jao... main aapse baat nahi karungi ab?" She turned her face away from her father and pouted, making him chuckle. "Accha baba... Main koi dusri baat nahi karunga. Ab batao, meri Princess kaisi hai?"

When she didn't turn towards him, he held her elbow, "Ab maan bhi jao Princess... kab tak mujhse naaraaz rahogi? Waise... maine tere liye ek surprise plan kiya hai. Agar tu aise hi roothi rahegi fir kya mazaa aayega surprise ka?" Ashi instantly turned, "Kaisa surprise?" Her father chuckled, "Surprise ka naam liya toh kaise jhatt se maan gayi, huh?"

Ashi hugged her father again, "I missed you so much Paa... Main bas wait kar rahi thi ki kab India waapis aaungi aur aapse milungi. Agar meri internship naa hoti toh main jald se jald aapke paas waapis aa jaati." Her father patted her head, "I missed you too Princess. Ek tu hi toh meri family hai aur kaun hai mera huh? Mera yeh business aur sab kuch tera hi toh hai, aur ab tujhe hi sab sambhaalna hai, isiliye maine tujhe itna durr bheja taaki tu yeh sab akele sambhaal paaye."

Ashi stood staring at him with misty eyes, "Paa... Main ab aa gayi hun naa? Main sab sambhaal lungi. Aap bilkul bhi business ki fikar mar kijiye, main hun naa. Aap jo bhi chaahte hai, main wohh sab karungi." Anand walked her towards her mother's large portrait in the living room, "Dekh rahi ho Smriti... hamari princess kitni badi ho gayi hai, kitni badi badi baatein karne lagi hai. Ab se hamara business sambhaalegi, mujhe sambhaalegi. Par jab isse iska Prince mil jaayega naa, tab mujhe aur mere business ko bhi bhool jaayegi."

Ashi interrupted, "Paa... aisa kabhi kuch nahi hoga. Main aapse promise karti hun Paa ki kabhi kisi bhi situation mein main aapka saath nahi chodungi. Main aapse hun aur aap mujhse. Koi bhi difficulty ko hum saath mein face karenge, main aapko kabhi bhi akela nahi chodungi, aap par kabhi koi problem nahi aane dungi, yeh aapki beti, Ashi Singhania, ka promise hai."

Anand smiled amidst his tears and blessed her wholeheartedly. "Ashi... chalo... tu thak bhi gayi hogi naa? Thodi der aaraam kar le, shaam ko hume baahar jaana hai. Paanch baje tak acche se ready ho jaana. Tera dress main shaam tak bhijwa dunga. Thik hai... Ab apne kamre mein jaa." Suddenly his mobile rang, picking up the call, he walked away.

Ashi stood in front of her mother's picture, "Maa... I miss you too. Main har pal aapko miss karti hun. Lekin main jaanti hun ki aap yahin mere aaspaas ho, apna aashirwaad de rahi ho. Main aapse bhi promise karti hun Maa ki main kabhi bhi Paa ko kisi bhi haalat mein akela nahi chodungi, unki saari baatein maanungi, unhe hamesha saari khushiyaan dungi. Aapke jaane ke baad unhone hi toh mera dhyaan rakha hai, mujhe akele itna bada kiya hai. Main yeh kabhi nahi bhoolungi Maa ki kaise Paa ne khud bhookhe rehkar mera pet bhara hai, kaise unhone meri wajah se dusri shaadi nahi ki. Main bas Paa ko khush dekhna chaahti hun, fir uske liye mujhe kuch bhi kyun naa karna pade."

Anand returned at that moment and asked, "Ashi... tu abhi tak yahin hai. Jaa... fresh ho jaa, main tere liye kamre mein hi khaane ko kuch bhejta hun. Aur fir acche se aaram karna aur jaldi time pe ready bhi ho jaana. Thik hai... Chal... mujhe office mein thoda kaam hai, main tujhe shaam ko milunga. Apna khayaal rakhna." Saying that, he left while Ashi rushed to her room to freshen up.

After relishing the delicious meal, Ashi caught up on her beauty sleep. Around four in the evening, her alarm buzzed. She quickly freshened up and got ready for the evening. The maid had already kept her dress ready till she finished her long shower. At sharp five, she descended the stairs to find her father already waiting for her in the living room.

Dressed in a black suit, her father looked stunning. She whistled and teased, "Paa... Aap toh aaj bohot handsome lag rahe ho. Hum kahin special jagah jaa rahe hai kya, jo aap itne acche lag rahe ho?" Anand instantly sensed her teasing and caught her ear softly, "Badmaash... tu mujhe ched rahi hai, huh?"

She pouted, "Aahhhh... ab mera kaan chod bhi dijiye, dard hone lagaa hai." He immediately left her ear and asked in concern, "Sorry Princess... mujhe tera kaan itna zor se nahi pakadna chahiye tha. Jyada dard toh nahi ho raha?" Ashi instantly felt bad for her lying, "Arey Paa... aap sorry mat boliye, main toh bas mazaak kar rahi thi. Aapne aaj tak waise bhi mujhe kabhi koi dard nahi diya hai, aur main jaanti hun ki aage de bhi nahi sakte Paa, kyunki main aapki Princess jo hun..."

Anand and Ashi left towards the seven-star hotel where he had planned a surprise party for his daughter to introduce her to everyone. When they entered the venue, Ashi was surprised to see the decorations. She asked, "Paa... ab bataa bhi dijiye ki hum yahaan kyun aaye hai, kiski party hai yeh? Poore raaste aapne kuch nahi kahaa, ab toh hum yahaan pohonch gaye hai naa, ab toh kuch bataaiye."

Anand glanced at her sideways and replied, "Ashi... bas do minute aur, fir tujhe pataa chal jaayega ki yeh party kiski hai aur kiske liye hai. Ab chal... hum waise bhi late ho gaye hai." He offered his arm and holding onto his arm warmly, they entered the decorated hall happily.

When Ashi saw their relatives and friends around, she instantly turned towards her father. He smiled, "Welcome back Princess... yeh party maine tere liye rakhi hai." Ashi was surely surprised. She hugged her father and then walked ahead to meet and greet the people present in the party.

Ashi didn't know that her father had even invited the well-known industrialists and the media too. She was giving an interview to a reporter, when she saw few other reporters rush towards the entrance. She asked that reporter curiously, "Yeh sab aise bhaag ke kyun gaye baahar?" The reporter smiled, "Aapko thodi der mein pataa chal jaayega Ashi madam... ummm... Sorry... kya main aapka interview thodi der baad continue kar sakta hun? Wohh... mujhe bhi baahar jaana hai." Ashi nodded in confusion while that reporter too rushed towards the entrance.

Ashi walked towards her father and joined his group. She asked, "Paa... aisa kaun aaya hai jiske liye sab media waale aisa hadbadi mein baahar jaa rahe hai?" Anand looked at the entrance at the precise moment and smiled, "Princess... aao... main tujhe kisise milvana chaahta hun."

Taking her hand in his, he walked towards the entrance where the media people had gathered. As they approached the entrance, Ashi sucked in a deep breath. She saw someone who was dressed in a blue tux suit who looked like a Greek God. When she met his gaze, her heart stopped, and she shuddered.

Ashi had never felt such an intense pull towards any guys till now. Even after staying in New York for years, she had never felt this kind of attraction towards the opposite gender. She had many male friends, but none had caught her attention. It was just her first day in India and she was awestruck. Who was he? And why was he affecting her so much? She stiffened the moment, they reached him. His scorching gaze burnt her skin. Dressed in a blue gown, she looked like a real princess. She took in his attire while he did the same.

Anand spoke breaking their small eye lock, "Ashi... inse milo... yeh hai Randeep Raichand. Mere best friends, Vivek Raichand aur Vishakha ka beta. Yeh Raichand Industries ka eklauta maalik hai. And mind you, he is one of the best self-made businessmen I have ever seen till now. Raichand Industries ki shuruwaat Randeep ne khud ki hai wohh bhi bina kisike help ke aur iski mehnat se aaj Raichand Industries ko itna oonche mukaam mila hai, jisse dekhkar I am sure ki Vishakha jahaan bhi hogi, wohh bohot proud feel kar rahi hogi."

Randeep fisted his hands in anger but didn't let it show on his face. How dare he speak about his mother so casually as if he had done nothing? Anand was the whole and sole reason why Randeep was an orphan today. His mother had died when he was seven and his father had left them before her death. Randeep would never forget that day. This Anand Singhania would have to pay for his sins...

"Randeep... yeh hai meri beti... meri Princess... Ashi Singhania... aaj hi New York se apni master's degree poori karke aayi hai. Mera business join karne waali hai kuch dinon mein." Randeep broke his thoughts and concentrated on the father-daughter duo. Though his only intension was to destroy that duo, he had not expected Ashi to be so beautiful and stunning.

Reprimanding himself, he diverted his attention to his enemy. "Mr Anand Singhania... Thank you for inviting me to this wonderful party. Mujhe yaad toh nahi hai kuch, but I am sure ki agar aap keh rahe hai toh main maan leta hun ki aap mere parents ko jaante the. You know I didn't get much time to spend with either of them, so I have no idea about it. I just know you as the most successful businessman in the hotel Industries."

Anand nodded, "Randeep... Thank you for accepting the invitation and attending this party. This means a lot to me. Jab bhi apne parents ke baare mein jaanne ka, baat karne ka mann kare toh mujhse kabhi bhi ghar pe milne aa jaana." Turning to his daughter, he said, "Princess... chale... aur bhi bohot logon se tujhe milvaana baaki hai." Giving a nod to Randeep, Anand held Ashi's hand and walked towards a group of people.

Ashi could feel his intense gaze on her throughout the party. Randeep stood with a group too. He wasn't interested in any of their business talks, but his gaze was stuck on a certain gorgeous girl. After few minutes, the music started playing and Anand and Ashi danced slowly to the soft song. Others too joined and within minutes, the dance floor was full of people who danced in couples.

Randeep stood at a distance and observed the father daughter duo. He was prepared to start with his plan. He knew that his nemesis's daughter was attracted to him. He had caught her looking at him several times. He knew and understood those looks very well. Being the most popular, rich and handsome eligible bachelor, he got too much of such female attention. But he never cared, as his only and only focus was Ashi Singhania... his enemy's daughter...

After few minutes, Randeep walked to the dance floor and patted Anand's shoulder. He asked, "May I have a dance with your daughter, Mr Anand Singhania?" Ashi froze hearing his request. She wanted to dance with him, but she feared her own reactions to his close proximity.

Anand was shocked too but he recovered instantly. As far as he knew, Randeep had never danced with anyone in any of the parties. Though he thought that Randeep didn't know him, Anand had always kept his eyes on him. He was his parent's best friend in college afterall, so he had always been around him to keep a watch and protect him.

Anand glanced at his daughter once and turned to him, "Yes Randeep... you can dance with my daughter." Saying that, he put his daughter's hand in his and left the dance floor. Anand knew that Randeep was a pure gentleman. He had never heard anything wrong about him when it was concerned with the female populace.

Randeep got a lot of female attention, but he had hardly noticed them which hadn't escaped anyone's eyes in the country. Even the media had tagged him as an untainted gentleman who was never involved with anyone. He never had a female companion to any of the parties he attended, he was always alone. This was the first time that Randeep had asked permission to dance with someone. What moved Anand was the way he had taken his permission to dance with his daughter. How could he reject that request?

The moment Ashi's palm met his, a shudder passed through her whole body. Randeep had felt her shiver and was happy with his effect on her. He closed the distance between them and pulled her close. Ashi's could feel the heat emanating from his body. She had danced with many friends, but nothing matched this proximity.

As the soft and soothing music played in the background, Randeep watched her with hooded eyes while she had lowered her lashes. She couldn't meet his intense gaze. She knew that she would be caught the moment her eyes would meet his and he would know what effect he was having on her.

"Kuch bologi nahi Ashi?" When she didn't reply, Randeep goaded her, "Waise tum bohot lucky ho, kyunki aaj main tumhare saath dance kar raha hun. Ladkiyaan marti hai mere saath dance karne ke liye aur ek tum ho jo mujhse nazrein tak nahi milaa paa rahi. Kya main itna buraa dikh raha hun ki tum apni yeh khoobsurat si aankhen uthaakar mujhe dekhna bhi nahi chaahti?"

Ashi knew that he was teasing her, but it was high time that she should look at him. Finally, after an eternity, she met his intense gaze. The butterflies in her stomach were back again with full speed and she held her breath. Randeep tucked a strand of hair that was obstructing his view behind her ear softly, making her shiver yet again.

"Ashi... tum mujhse baat nahi karna chaahti?", his husky voice made her melt. He took his chances and wrapped his hands around her waist while Ashi kept both her hands on his shoulders. She couldn't dare to wrap her hands around his neck. He was happy that she hadn't felt awkward dancing with him. Though his intention of dancing with her was only the start of his plan, he was enjoying the closeness between them. Afterall, he wanted the media to make the next headlines on them. How eventful would that be, he thought.

Pulling up her socks, she understood it was high time that she should take control over her senses and start talking. This was the only chance when they could talk alone for now. "Randeep... itni sab khoobsurat ladkiyon ke yahaan hote hue, tum mere saath dance karne kyun aaye?" The words left her mouth before she could stop them. He quirked his eyebrow in response and chuckled, "Ashi... Are you probing for compliments from me? If so, then let me tell you that you are the most gorgeous girl that I have come across till now. You have the most beautiful brown eyes that I have seen so far. Ashi... you are really special for me or else I wouldn't have asked you to dance with me."

The music came to an end at that moment, and they had to part away reluctantly. Before leaving, Randeep moved closer to her and whispered, "Believe me Ashi... when I say that you are really special for me." Saying that, he left her and disappeared amongst the crowd. Her heart was still racing even when she had joined her father and relatives for dinner. She looked around the whole hall but couldn't trace him. She was somewhere sure that he had left the party before dinner itself.

Anand noticed his daughter's restlessness after the dance ended. He could easily read his daughter's mind and he instantly knew that Randeep was the reason. When they bid goodbye to the last bunch of people in the hall, the father daughter duo left towards their mansion all tired. Anand wanted to ask Ashi about her interaction with Randeep, but then thought to have that talk later the next day.

Randeep sat in his living room and went through the pictures that were clicked in the party. He stared at a picture for a good ten minutes and a charming smile broke on his handsome face. The picture was his and Ashi's where he had held her close to himself. He instantly sent that picture to one of the reporters and asked them to post it in the newspaper the next day, he also instructed them to make this particular picture viral on social media too...

This was his game, and he knew how he wanted to play it...

How was the start of the story?

Are you excited with this version of Ashdeep?

I have already written stories on Samaina, so this time I thought of using Ashdeep as my lead characters with a little change in their surnames...

I hope you will shower your precious love on this Ashdeep story too...

And yes... this is not going to be a short story...

Will update the first chapter next weekend...

Till then, take care and stay safe...

With Lots of Love,

Daksha...❤️