mention of self harm

Samrat was pacing in his room back and forth, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. Each step he took seemed to echo with the gravity of the decisions he faced, the room feeling smaller with every turn. The shadows cast by the dim light danced along the walls, mirroring the chaos within him.

He paused for a moment, looking out the window at the moonlit garden below. The night was serene, a stark contrast to the turmoil in his heart. He couldn't shake the feeling that the events of the past few days had set in motion a chain of events that would change everything. Yet, the pieces of the puzzle remained elusive, leaving him restless and uncertain.

The laughter and music from the wedding festivities seeped through the walls, a constant reminder of the life outside this room, a life that seemed to move forward effortlessly while he remained trapped in his own conundrum. He thought about the mysterious young woman who had appeared at the most unexpected times, her presence both an intrigue and a distraction.

Samrat knew he had to make a decision, one that would affect not just his but her life.
Roshni

He don't know when she made a place for herself in his heart.

क्या-कुछ ही मुलाक़ातों मे इतना गहरा प्यार हो जाता है?

This question was continuously ringing in his head. From the engagement day, everything was going wrong.

They were happy and closer but
one picture just one picture ruined it all.

Mugdha- Samrat beta tu kuch karna,she tried to take her own life 2 times already. We should cancel this Wedding.

Megha's mind was a whirlwind of emotions ever since her conversation with Roshni's mother. She had felt a sense of unease creeping in, like an unwelcome shadow that refused to leave.

Samrat- Choti Maa-sa i have tried but she is not even listening to me. I have called her but she is not receiving my call.
He was tired from everything now.

Smriti- Now nothing can be done, muhrat hogaya hai vo bhi taiyaar hai ab yuvraj  you should get ready too.
She said as she exit his room.

Mugdha - i wish i could anything for you both, she really loves her dream i saw it in her eyes, you know she reminded me of you sisters. They were passionate about---

Saksham- Mughda Maa-sa is calling for you.
His shouted from outside the room.

- You are her going to be Husband and it's your responsibility that she gets all the happiness in this world, which she deserves. I know usne sari umeed haar chuki hogi par tum uske better half ho.
You should make everything right for her,
Today, the Suryavanshi parivaar should welcome a daughter-in-law, not a girl with a burdened heart.

Mughda approached Samrat with a warm, comforting smile, her presence like a gentle breeze on a sweltering day. She wrapped her arms around him in a reassuring hug, hoping to lift his spirits.

Samrat nodded, feeling the weight of her words settle over him like a warm blanket. He knew she was right,
It was his responsibility to ensure that the new chapter in their family's life began with love and acceptance, not regret and sorrow.

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Samrat was getting ready after putting on his sherwani but some loud noise from the oustide caught his attention.

He quickly reached towards the area of Palace where workers were cooking Royal dishes.

He saw Roshni and ishaanvi were running in the middle of workers more like creating a chaos.
He was about to approach them but then something in his mind stopped him.

Samrat understood  Roshni's intentions as he watched her sprint away from the wedding festivities. She was running away from the very event that bound her to a future she no longer desired.

In this moment of liberation, her face radiated a newfound joy, the kind that comes with a breath of fresh air after being confined for too long. Her eyes sparkled with a lightness he hadn't seen before, and there was an unmistakable glow about her, as if she had shed the weight of expectations that had been thrust upon her.

She looked so genuinely happy, and Samrat found himself unexpectedly relieved rather than angry. It was as if her escape mirrored a freedom he secretly longed for himself. Watching her run with such abandon, he realized that sometimes, breaking away from the path laid out for us is the bravest thing one can do. He could do nothing but silently cheer her on, hoping she would find the peace she so desperately sought.

"Bas aap jaha rahe khush rahiye Roshni, bas jab aapko aapki मंजिल mil jayegi tab hum apni मंजिल ke pass aa jayenge."
He whispered words that echoed in his heart like fate, binding them together forever.

●●●●

Nayak - what bhabi bhaag gayi?
He asked him, still in shock.

Kritgaya- but....but why bhai?
He was stunned by hearing this.

Samrat was looking out the window-
Everyone was enjoying the wedding like it was just a temporary happiness for them.

Dadi ji- Humne bheja hai Roshni ko, she deserves to live her life to the fullest.
Everyone has one life to live and i will not just sit back and watch all the injustice happening to my laddu.

She said as samrat called her in his room, he knew she couldn't take this huge step alone, someone must be behind it.

Samrat kneeled down infront of her -
I know dadi-sa aur hum aisa chahte bhi nahi hai. I also want her happiness and we will get married whenever she wants not when Everyone but her wants.

Roshni's Dadi was looking at samrat like he was the only who saw her Innocent and true intentions- Beta how could you.... i mean you're not angry at me?

Smarat- The first day we met,
in her eyes- Her passion was palpable, radiating from every fiber of her being. It was clear that her dreams were her lifeline. The first day i saw her, i knew she loves her dream more than anything in this world and i can't snatched away the only thing she lives for. And from now on  we all in this room keep this a secret—
Main bhaga hu shaadi se vo nahi.
Roshni ko aapne ghar bhej diya hai ishaanvi ke sath thik hai dadi-sa?

[ I have run away from the wedding,
not her. You have sent Roshni home with Ishaanvi, is that okay grandma?]

Dadi caressed his head and gave him a forehead kiss with motherly affection-
-You are the only one in this world who really saw her Passion and you are ready to fight for dreams by taking  all the blame just to save her dignity.

Samrat- Always dadi-sa bas aap ghar jaiye aur sabse yehi bolenge.
He pleaded to her and she nodded.

Nayak - But samrat what about you?
He asked him.

Kritagya- I have a plan and we are dever-sa of our Pyaari bhabi-sa , it's our duty to protect her dignity.
He said to nayak.

Nayak- now what are you cooking in
pea size brain of yours?
Now he was getting frustrated with both of his younger cousin brothers.
.
Smarat- I believe in Kritgaya, whatever he will do, it's for the sake of our family.
I will be in my penthouse and tomorrow i will comeback home.
He said as was going towards the only place he find peace and burden free from all the responsibilities.

(A/N- oh boy you have no idea he is going to give shock to entire bloodline of Suryavanshi)

Nayak- and what about bhabi-sa and ishaanvi? Are they safe?
He asked Samrat.

Samrat dailed a number in his phone-
- Hello miss.Sharma , i have a favor to ask from you, tonight Night protecter have to protect someone make sure they reach safely to their destination.

And then cut the call and looked towards Nayak who was just a centimeters away from him.

- the person on other line didn't said anything, you should've waited na-
He said while complaining to him.

- She understood what I wanted to say, and why are you so concerned about it?
Samart pushed him while maintaining a distance, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.

Kritagya - bhai leave him alone the main point is, you go ahead and we both will convince our family about all this.
He said as pulled Nayak behind him.

Samrat raised his eyebrows- You look too happy about all this? Plan kya hai be tera?
He asked him.

Kritagya sprinted towards towards the door while saying- That you will know tomorrow, now go will see you soon.

Nayak- i will take care of him you go ahead bhai.
He assured him and took Dadi-sa with him.

Samrat also left for his penthouse.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Kritagya and Trisha wedding-

Kritagya inner monologue-

I can't express in words how divine and beautiful she is looking in wedding dress.

I stood at the end of the aisle, my heart pounding in my chest as i watched Trisha make her entrance.
She wore a stunning red wedding lehenga that shimmered with every step she took. The intricate gold embroidery glistened under the soft lights, enhancing her graceful presence.

The time had slowed down, each second stretching out as i took in every detail of her. Trisha's radiant smile was a burst of sunlight in the room, her eyes sparkling with joy and excitement. Her beauty was mesmerizing, and i couldn't help but feel like the luckiest man in the world at this moment.

My breath hitched as i stood here, completely captivated by her. It was as if i had been transported into a different realm, where nothing else existed but Trisha and the love that enveloped them.

Kritagya was deep in "lover boy" mode, his heart full of adoration and admiration for the woman who was about to become his wife.

As she approached, every doubt and worry faded away, leaving only the profound certainty that this was the beginning of a beautiful forever.

Kritgaya gently filled Trisha's hair partition, feeling a profound sense of fulfillment wash over him. In that moment, he realized he had kept his promise-to protect her from the shadows of her past, particularly her abusive father. Her father, a man who relentlessly pushed her beyond her limits, demanding she achieve the top position in every class from school to college, had left deep scars on her soul.

Trigger warning ⚠️ -
Mention of Child abuse.

They were maybe 5 years old when Kritagya first saw her in kids park-
Kids play zone.

She was building a sand castle while her small pigtails was troubling her.

He came closer to her and reached for her pigtails and telling her in his baby voice-
Main ishko loka huu, tum meleh banao.

Trisha- Hai??? Haa tik hai.
She was confused but did as she was told by him.

After this they were eating ice cream purchased by Trisha's mom-

Kritagya- Thanku aunty.
He cutely said to her mom.

Trisha mom- It's okay beta, waise pehli baar Trisha ne is park main friend banaya hai, or bhi khelne aate rehna beta.
She said to baby Kritagya affectionately.

Trisha's was happily absorbed in eating her ice cream but suddenly it got snatched away by her Father.

- what are you doing? Tomorrow is your yearly final exam, what if you will catch a cold.
He shouted at her.

Trisha clutched her mother's saree and hide herself behind her.

After watching this Kritgaya hands clenched his ice cream tightly and looked at Her father furiously- Uncle ye ka hai? Ish cleam gira diye aap, ab saaf ki jie.

He frowned while looking at him and was about to snatch his ice cream too, but Kumar the butler, came to his rescue.

- Sir, I believe you should think twice before laying your dirty and pathetic hands on Kunwar-sa.
Kumar ( the butler) stated firmly. His voice was calm yet commanding, a voice that brooked no argument.

The butler stood tall in front of him, his stature imposing. He grabbed his hands twisting them expertly while staring blankly, his expression unyielding. It was a stance that communicated both protection and authority, a silent vow to shield Kunwar-sa from any harm.

Trisha father was groaning in pain, Her mother was in shock after finding out about the little boy infront of her is one other than Kunwar-sa Kritagya.

After seeing all this trisha comes closer to her father.
Trisha- cholo mele papa ko, dard hora hai.
She lightly punched kumar's legs in order to protect her father from him.

Kritagya- Uncle jale do inhe.
As he said this, kumar immediately left his hand and stepped back.

He fell on Trisha mom's arms and Trisha also lightly blowing to her father's hand to ease his pain.

Trisha was angry now and lashed out at Kritagya with tears soaked eyes - i Hatee you!!!!! Kulwar-cha i hateeee you..

Hearing her words, a single tear fell from Kritagya's eyes. That day, he made a solemn promise to himself: he would never appear before her with his royal status but rather as a commoner, to protect her from any harm.

Determined to uphold his promise, Kritagya began to act out at home, throwing tantrums and insisting to his mother, Rani-sa, that he wanted to attend the same school as Trisha. He concealed his true motive, claiming it was merely a whim rather than a carefully thought-out decision driven by his desire to be close to her.

Unlike the rest of his royal family, who attended prestigious convent schools, Kritagya chose the path less traveled. With the help of his loyal butler, Kumar, he managed to enroll in the same school as Trisha, adopting a new identity to blend in with the other children. Though his name remained the same, his background was carefully fabricated to keep his true heritage a secret.

As the days passed, Kritagya found himself adapting to this new life. Each morning, he donned the uniform of an ordinary student, leaving behind the opulent world he was born into. His interactions with Trisha became more frequent, and he cherished every moment, feeling a sense of normalcy and freedom he had never experienced before.
But everything changed when he began to see marks on her hands , behind neck and sometimes she was zoning out from the class. He knew as the higher class approaching her father is pushing her to score high.
Kumar is giving detailed information to him , how his father is doing everything even, if it's wrong to make sure trisha upload the position of class topper.

When he thought enough is enough, he made a plan with kumar pretending to be Insurance policy agent and do a makeover of him like normal looking working employee.

His plan -

Trisha's mother was led to believe that her late father had secured a home for her, making her the sole owner. Kritagya's goal was for Trisha to live away from her father to prevent further trauma. After three years of witnessing abuse, her mother decided to leave, though she was forced to leave her son behind due to the father's manipulations.

[ i will write their college moment in upcoming chapters]

Kritgaya understood this pain all too well. He had seen the struggle in her eyes, the exhaustion etched into her features after endless nights of studying. He had witnessed her spirit nearly crushed under the weight of her father's harsh words and impossible standards. But he had vowed to stand by her side, to be her shield against the storm that raged within her home.

As he completed the ritual of filling her hair partition, it symbolized not just a promise kept, but a new beginning. It was a testament to the strength they had found in each other, the resilience that had carried them through the darkest times. Trisha's eyes met his, gratitude and love shining brightly, a beacon of hope for the future they would build together, free from the shadows of the past.

Kritagya-My rabbit.
He whispered close to her ears, his lips touched her earlobe.

Trisha scrunched her face while looking at Kritagya in a playful manner.

************************************

After completing all the wedding rituals they were told to go back to their room at night.

Nayak- i don't know why Smarat is not picking up my call, did you tried to give him call?
He asked Kritagya, while walking him towards his room which he is going to share with Trisha from today.

Nayak- I don't know why Smarat is not picking up my call?
He muttered, a hint of worry in his voice.His brow furrowed with concern as he glanced at his phone, yet another call to Smarat going unanswered.

Turning to Kritagya, who walked beside him,
- Did you try to give him a call?

Kritagya- I tried reaching him earlier, but he didn't answer. It's not like him to go off the grid, especially with everything happening today.
He nodded, his expression mirroring Nayak's unease.

As they walked down the dimly lit corridor, Nayak couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The wedding preparations created a lively backdrop, yet the unanswered calls left a lingering sense of foreboding.

Kritagya- I am heading to the room I'm sharing with Trisha.
Kritagya said, trying to focus on the immediate task at hand. He hoped that once he was settled, Samrat would get back to him and put his mind at ease.

The two continued their journey through the bustling venue, the sounds of laughter and music fading into the background as they approached the room. Nayak hoped that whatever was keeping Samrat from answering was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

Nayak - Chal bhai Main jata hu sone , you take care of yourself and make sure she is comfortable and she is my sister-in -law means sister. So as a brother i am giving you advice don't you dare to hurt her.
He warned him in a playful manner.

The Suryavanshi family had always been known for their warmth and hospitality, but today, he felt the chill of exclusion as Trisha was enveloped in the joy and affection meant for family.

- Of course, I'm the outsider now. Kritagya muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible.

He remembered when it was Grah pravesh ritual-
Trisha, with her radiant smile and infectious laughter, seamlessly integrated into the family gathering. It was as if she had always been a part of their lives, her presence lighting up the room like a beacon.

Kritagya opened the door to his room, unaware of the scene he was about to stumble upon. Trisha was standing by the mirror, struggling with her wedding dress. Her blouse hook was stuck, and she was clearly in need of assistance.

Noticing her struggling, Kritagya hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to approach the situation delicately. However, the urgency in her eyes compelled him to step forward. As he moved closer, he could feel the tension in the room shift, charged with an unexpected energy that neither of them could deny.

Gently, Kritagya reached towards her, his fingers brushing against her skin as he attempted to fix the troublesome hook. The proximity between them was electric, each breath synchronized as if they were sharing a singular heartbeat.

Their eyes met in the reflection of the mirror, and in that instant, the world outside seemed to fade away. The air was thick with an unspoken connection, pulling them inexorably closer.

Kritagya- I thought you needed a little help.
He said while making sure he is doing right to help her.

But his help was making it hard for Trisha to breathe normally. His warm fingers against her cold skin.

As Kritagya was unhooking her backless blouse, the room seemed to fill with an air of intimacy and anticipation. Trisha's imagination danced with wild scenarios, each more daring than the last. She watched Kritagya with a playful glint in her eyes, unable to resist the urge to tease.

-You're quite the distraction, you know. Kritagya remarked, his voice a soft whisper that seemed to hang in the air between them.

- Oh? And what exactly am I distracting you from?
She asked, her tone both innocent and knowing.

Kritagya turned slightly, a playful smile curling on his lips as he met Trisha's gaze.

He chuckled softly while stepping closer to her.

-From everything else really. It's hard to think straight when you're around.
He confessed, his words carrying a hint of flirtation.

Kritagya's eyes sparkled with amusement as he continued to unhook her blouse methodically.

- Are you flirting with me Kunwar-sa ?
She asked him while tilting her head.

-Well, maybe that's just what I intended do.
He replied, a teasing lilt to his voice.

-Is that so?And what do you intended to do about it?
Trisha asked him curiosity piqued as she turned around and her back pressed against the cold mirror but her hand was still on her blouse.

Her heart raced as he moved even closer, feeling the warmth radiating between them.

Trisha paused, her fingers lingering on the last clasp. He leaned in slightly, her voice barely above a whisper.

-Maybe I'll let you find out.
he said, his words promising secrets and possibilities yet to be explored.



Pc- Pinterest

He leaned a little more just above her sweetheart neckline blouse, and for a moment, she thought he was going to kiss her neck. Her heart raced with a mix of anticipation and hesitation. Her hands instinctively left the hook of her blouse and clutched his biceps, as if to stop him from coming any closer.

She could feel her nails digging into his skin, a silent plea for him to pause.

He stopped, sensing her unease, and looked into her eyes, which were a blend of fear but he couldn't hold  himself  back from teasing her after all , all these years he thought about this moment with her.

The room was charged with unspoken desires and possibilities, a silent agreement that neither was quite ready to break. As they stood there, the world outside seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in their shared moment of playful intrigue

He hissed a little, the sharp intake of breath signaling a momentary wince.

-Aaah!!!
He slowly whispered against her collarbone, his breath warm and soft, sending a shiver through her. Goosebumps rose in response
The sound was barely audible, a whisper carried on the air.

She quickly withdraw her hands but Kritagya snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her into him with an unyielding strength. 

The eye contact too close to breathe,  too close to say anything.
Just  air can escape from between them and nothing else.

Trisha was lost in his dreamy eyes and Kritagya took this chance as he unhook the hook from her blouse while smirking to her.

She quickly pushed him with all her strength, but he was more well-built than she anticipated; he only took two steps back, steady as ever.

With her blouse threatening to slip, she held it tightly, ensuring her modesty. He, respecting her dignity, averted his gaze, choosing not to make eye contact. Instead, he quietly exited the room, allowing her the privacy she needed to regain her composure.

— will be back in one hour. Until then, you can change and sleep comfortably on the bed. Good night.
he said softly, his voice a gentle reassurance as he closed the door behind him.

Trisha- Bade aye good night bolne wale, yaha meri raaton ki nind uda diye hai.
She whined and sulking like a child.

Left alone, she took a deep breath, her mind awash with the events that had unfolded. The quiet of the room enveloped her, offering a moment of solitude to gather her thoughts. The encounter had been unexpected, a collision of two worlds that seemed to carry a weight of its own.

As she changed and settled onto the bed, her mind drifted, replaying the whispered secrets and the silent promises exchanged. The night was still young, and though she sought the comfort of sleep, her heart remained restless, caught in the web of emotions that had been spun between them.

Fin.

Word Count- 4k