Ashiqui

Prologue

The first time he saw her was when he went to pick up his younger brother from college. Clad in a pink kurta and denims she was simple, but something in her eyes attracted her. There were thousands of girls but his eyes were struck on her. The gorgeous smile on her face and the pearly white teeth that was seen from time to time as she gave a full-blown smile to everybody.

But one thing he noticed that nobody noticed. The sadness in her eyes. The story behind those sparkling eyes was darker. She looked like an open book yet like a mystery to him.

And six months later he was getting ready in his room for his marriage to her.

It's funny and amusing for him that how fast time flew by. It was like yesterday he saw her and six months passed by and now he was going to marry her in 1 hour.

"Rudra..."

The voice made his thoughts stop and he turned around to come face to face with his father. Vikram stood on the threshold of the room and looked at his. His first son getting married. He couldn't help but grow emotional at the very thought of it. It seemed like it was only a few years ago when he was born and brought light and joy to his world and now he was going to bring a wife.

"Dad...you are acting like it is me who will be going away from this house. Common dad you were once the King of Rajasthan, you being emotional doesn't suit you." Rudransh joked, a slight smile forming on his face.

Vikram walked towards Rudransh and took the pagri from the bed. He placed it on Rudransh's head and secured it there. "If your mother had been alive, she would be the happiest person on the earth right now." The smile vanished from rudra's face as he listened to his father. Vikram noticed it and smiled sadly.

His wife died while giving birth to Avyan. His second son never felt or received the love of a mother. Yes his Brother's first wife was there still she was not the person you would want to receive love from. Vikram was heavily involved in royalty at that time and rudransh took it upon himself to help avyan grow. At 6 years of age he acted like a mature person to his brother so that he never felt the lack of love.

Rudransh loved his mother a lot but the passing away of her took a toll on him and he grew reluctant of her. He respected her still but the love was missing.

"Bhaiya, Papa. You both are here and I am finding you all around the house. We have to leave." Avyan said bouncing on his toes. "Why are you acting like it's your wedding?" rudransh said picking up his phone and walking towards avyan.

"After all you are going to bring my best friend in the house. Finally I could have somebody who would join me in my pranks and also save me from your wrath." Avyan said and stuck out his tongue at rudra. Vikram chuckled at his younger son and walked towards him and ruffled his hair. Avyan whined complaining.

"Let's go or else this little guy over here would go and marry in your place rudra." Vikram remarked. "I am not little." Avyan said huffing.

"As if it would happen." Rudra though in his mind. She was his. And it was going to be official today.

*****

Ishani Chauhan was going to be his completely today and he will make sure nobody would snatch her away from him.

She only wanted to be loved. While sitting on the stool in front of the mirror she thinks back about her life. The dull and monotone life she has. How can a person such big and powerful as the King of Rajasthan can send a proposal for an average girl like her. She was not pretty enough nor did she have the perfect hourglass figure.

She was chubby, curvaceous. Her cheeks puffy and lacked a good jawline how can he marry her. Her thoughts went back to the day two days back when suddenly her best friend called her informing that his older brother was interested in her and he wants to get married to her. So much has happened in two days.

She has met all his family members but not him. They were sweet according to her.

His three siblings which also included her best friend avyan were friendly. Although the elder one Abhiraj was a bit cold but she noticed the warmth in his eyes, veer the middle one was friendly and was quick to make her feel homely.

His father was the one who brought tears to her eyes. She never had the love of a father and looking at her father-in-law and sensing his warmth and love she cried. The one she liked the most apart from her best friend was the aunt of the four brothers.

Siya rathore was something else. She was like a sweet blinding sun ray beside her cold husband. Manav rathore was cold, more dangerous than his elder brother but his eyes showed the warmth to Ishani, whereas his second wife Siya was opposite of her.

Although the couple shared an age gap of 11 years but Ishani couldn't help but notice the coordination and interaction between them. The slight softness of manav's eyes when he looked at Siya.

"Ishani." A cold voice called her out. She turned and came face to face with her aunt. More like a witch to her. Her aunt, Shalu walked to her and held her arms tightly. Ishani winced in pain as the grip on her hand tightened.

She was sure it would leave a bruise on her. "Remember you useless girl in which family you are getting married to okay. They won't handle your childishness or immaturity. And even god won't help you if I ever hear a single word against you. I will skin you alive got it." Shalu yelled at Ishani pushing her a bit.

Ishani trembled like a leaf as she held the dressing table. She didn't dared to looked into the eyes of her evil aunt. She nodded her head frantically. "remember eyes always down and head down, listen to all their orders quietly don't even utter a single voice against them. God knows how they chose such a worthless girl like you to be the wife of the King."

Tears pooled in ishani's eyes hearing her words. Shalu exited slamming the door. Ishani flinched at the loud voice and slumped on the floor. Tears streamed down her face. This was her life.

She was sure she would never be enough for him.

Ishani Chauhan would never be enough for Rudransh Rathore.