The Royal Tatvas

Chapter 2

UDAIPUR AIRPORT (7:15 AM)

A girl stood at the arrivals gate, nervously tapping her phone against her palm, her eyes darting to every face that emerged from the terminal.

And then—finally—she spotted them.

With a sudden burst of energy, she ran forward and tackled the arriving girl into a bone-crushing hug, the momentum sending them both tumbling to the ground.

"Ow—Vidhi! You're mad! My back is gone because of your WWE-style hugs!" Aditi groaned, trying to sit up while Vidhi clung to her like a koala.

Vidhi pulled back sheepishly and stood straight, brushing her kurti. "Sorry, sorry. Couldn't help it."

Aditi gave her the most dramatic side-eye ever as she got up, still rubbing her back.

Meanwhile, Siya stepped forward with her usual grace. Vidhi quickly bent down, touching her feet. "Namaste, Aunty."

Siya smiled warmly, blessing her. Aditi just rolled her eyes and muttered, "Of course, now she remembers how to behave."

Vidhi, ever the firecracker, perked up again. "Come on! Let's go. I'll show you your apartment!"

She grabbed one of the luggage bags and started walking, but when she turned to look at Aditi—her jaw dropped. Aditi had three bags hanging off her shoulders and was dragging two more. Her mom had clearly dumped all the load on her.

Vidhi tried her best not to burst into laughter. "You look like you're preparing for a six-month Himalaya expedition."

"Shut up," Aditi huffed, tossing her hair with flair as she dragged herself toward the car.

They finally settled in the backseat as Vidhi zoomed out of the airport.

Aditi's eyes widened in awe, taking in Udaipur's morning serenity—the pale pink sky, the historic domes, the still lakes. It felt... familiar.

Suddenly, she blinked. The streets around her blurred into something else.

She heard the distant giggles of children. In her vision, a girl rode a camel, laughing as a boy shouted from behind, "Trisha!"

"Aditi?" Vidhi's voice cut through the moment. "You okay? Want water or something?"

Snapping back to reality, Aditi shook her head. "No, no. I'm fine."

Siya, sitting beside her, gave her a side glance—worried, but silent.

Trying to lighten the mood, Aditi smirked. "So... your fiancé? Weren't you meeting him today? What's the verdict?"

Vidhi made a face like she had just chewed a lemon. "Eww, don't even mention him. Total brat. My dad basically blackmailed me into meeting him. Said he'd kidnap me if I refused. Can you believe that?"

Aditi laughed. "Your dad's threats are so cinematic. Sometimes I wonder what genre your family belongs to."

"Tragic drama meets reality TV," Vidhi replied with a grin. "Let's not even start on my stepmom. Straight out of Cinderella. And the stepsister? She's a—"

"—Bitch. Yeah, I know," Aditi finished for her as both burst out laughing.

"Ram Ram Ram!" Siya gasped, placing a hand over her heart. "Shame on you two! No manners, no filter! I'm sitting right here!"

They both went silent instantly, eyes wide like scolded schoolgirls. Then, unable to help themselves, they giggled again like rebels caught in the act.

RAJPUT MANSION

Pooja was busy orchestrating the arrangements, directing servants left and right. Gifts were getting packed, flowers were being arranged, and the house buzzed with activity—the Rajputs were visiting today.

In the middle of all this chaos, Vivaan barged in like a hyper puppy. He ran straight to Pooja and back-hugged her.

"Hi Badi Maa!" he chirped. "Why are you marrying me off so soon? How can you sacrifice such a handsome boy to that boring girl, huh?"

Pooja chuckled, turning around to face him. "She's not boring, Vivaan. And you are getting married next year. So relax, Mr. Bollywood hero."

Vivaan made a dramatic pout, giving her the cutest puppy eyes he could muster.

Pooja rolled her eyes fondly and placed her hand gently on his head.

Just then, Asha entered, arms folded, eyebrows raised.

She came up behind Vivaan and pulled his ear. "Stop irritating Bhabhi and go do your work! And dare bring up the marriage topic again!"

"Ow, ow, ow! Maa!" he yelped, rubbing his ear as she let go. He threw her a fake glare and walked off, muttering under his breath and giving her a comical side-eye.

And right on cue—BAM—he collided into a wall of muscle.

Correction: Yug.

Vivaan rubbed his forehead and groaned. "Watch where you're going, idiot!"

Yug shot him a deadly stare. "I'm not the one bouncing around like a toddler."

"Hey! I'm not a toddler—why are you back so soon anyway?"

Yug, as always, ignored him and walked straight past.

When he reached Pooja, he bowed down respectfully and touched her feet. She smiled, placing a hand on his head, blessing him.

Yug asked quietly, "Mom... why so early?"

Pooja sighed. "I know, beta. I asked your dad too. He said—'This is the right time. You're 26, she's 25. Perfect match.'"

She cupped his cheek. "Don't worry. Your dad always thinks about your good. And by the time you two actually get married, you'll be 27."

Yug offered a half-smile and nodded, then quietly walked away.

He entered his room, shut the door behind him, and threw his coat on the chair. He loosened his tie and walked over to the wardrobe. Sliding the closet door aside, he pulled out a small, dust-covered box.

His fingers paused on it.

He opened it gently, like it held his entire world—and maybe it did.

Inside was a picture.

A girl.

His expression shifted. That cold exterior melted into something heartbreakingly soft. A smile spread on his face—painful, broken.

He whispered, barely audible:

"Why did you leave me, Trisha? I would've set everything right... We were supposed to be forever."

Who is Trisha? What kind of vision did Aditi have?

To know keep reading The Royal Tatva.