𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐣𝐩𝐮𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐢𝐫𝐬

6 | Whispers of Love

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟔

The haveli's courtyard came alive with the soft rustling of leaves as Abhinandan parked his car, the guards on duty offering him respectful greetings, "Pranam Ranaji." He acknowledged them with a nod, his heart racing as he made his way towards the haveli. In his hand, he clutched a delicate Gajra, a gift for his beloved Ranisa, Akshata.

As he stepped into the living room, anticipation mixed with nervousness, making his heart thump against his chest. He was eager to surprise her, but unsure of how she would react. Just as he was about to head towards his wing, a clearing of the throat caught his attention.

Abhinandan turned to find his grandmother, Padmini, watching him with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. Her teasing smile made him momentarily confused, but following her gaze, he realized she was eyeing the Gajra in his hand. Abhinandan, wide-eyed, instinctively hid the floral adornment behind his back, his cheeks turning a shade of red. Padmini couldn't hold back her laughter at his reaction.

"Arey, Ranaji aap to sharma rahe hai. (Arey, Ranaji, you are feeling shy.)" She teased, causing Abhinandan's embarrassment to deepen. He scratched his neck with a shy smile, attempting to play off the situation.

"Dadi, Kya aap bhi na." he complained, but his grandmother continued to tease him relentlessly. Deciding it was best to escape the playful banter, Abhinandan mustered the courage to say.

"Dadi, hum thodi der mein aaye. (Dadi, I'll be back in sometime)" He started to walk away, only to stop in his tracks when Padmini called out.

"Arey Ranaji, aap ki Ranisa kitchen mein hai waha kaha jaa rhe hai aap. (Arey Ranaji, your queen is in the kitchen, where are you going?)" Her words halted Abhinandan in his tracks, and a surprised yet pleased smile spread across Abhinandan's face. He turned back to his grandmother, who was now grinning knowingly. With a nod of gratitude, he headed towards the kitchen, his heart still racing with a mix of excitement and the lingering embarrassment from his grandmother's teasing.

Abhinandan entered the kitchen with a soft smile, stopping a little away. His heart still fluttered from the teasing encounter with his grandmother in the living room. The rich aroma of spices filled the air, and he could see Akshata engrossed in her cooking. Her back turned towards him as she worked alongside the staff preparing dinner.

His heart swelled with affection as he watched Akshata, appreciating the grace and dedication with which she moved around the kitchen. He couldn't help but smile at the sight of her, the Gajra still clutched in his hand, ready to surprise her. Her grace and poise in the kitchen always fascinated him. Softly, he approached, his footsteps muffled by the hum of activity in the kitchen.

The staff noticed him, ready to offer their greetings to their Ranaji, but Abhinandan swiftly put a finger to his lips, urging them to remain silent. Confusion flickered across their faces, but the unspoken command from their king kept them still.

Abhinandan gestured subtly for them to leave, one by one until the kitchen was left with a quiet hush, leaving the king alone with his queen. Akshata, still unaware of Abhinandan's presence, continued to hum, lost in her work.

The flickering flames of the cooking stove cast a warm glow over the intimate scene. Abhinandan, not wanting to interrupt her flow, waited for the perfect moment to reveal his surprise. He watched as she stirred a pot with a gentle rhythm, her fingers moving with practised ease. Abhinandan couldn't resist any longer, finally deciding to break the silence, his voice soft but filled with affection.

"Akshata," he said, and Akshata turned around, surprised after hearing Abhinandan's voice.

"Hukum, aap yaha? (Hukum, you here?)" she asked, her eyes widening with surprise.