The Royal Tatvas

Chapter 3

ADITI'S APARTMENT (6:00 pm)

Vidhi threw a box on the bed with a dramatic sigh and dusted her hands like she'd conquered the world.

"Done! Everything's set. I've officially earned the Neighbour of the Year award!" she declared proudly.

Aditi, sitting on the couch, smirked and tossed a folded cloth straight at her face. "The storeroom's still left. We'll clean it tomorrow morning. Now go get ready—you have a date with that monkey."

Vidhi gasped and marched over, grabbing Aditi by the shoulders with mock seriousness. "Same to you, Miss Late Realization."

Aditi frowned, confused. "What?"

Vidhi rolled her eyes. "Uff, Aditi—I'm dragging you with me. You're coming. End of discussion. Now get up and get dressed."

Siya, who had been quietly watching from the corner, stiffened. Her worry was subtle, but Aditi noticed it.

Vidhi caught that glance too. She walked over to Siya and gently held her hand.

"Aunty, don't worry. No one will recognize her, and no one will even dare to doubt her. I promise." Her voice was soft but firm.

Siya hesitated, her fingers tightening around Vidhi's for a second. Then, slowly, she nodded. After all, one day or another... Aditi would have to face them. This was her fate.

Vidhi, meanwhile, was thinking something else entirely. I'm sorry, Aunty... but she has to face this truth now. If we let her stay hidden, these Prataps will destroy her. This... is for her own good.

After a good hour of back-and-forth arguments (featuring Vidhi's master-level emotional blackmail), Aditi finally caved.

She stomped into her room, muttering under her breath. Vidhi followed her like a happy child and flung open the wardrobe. "We're NOT doing your fashion today. Your dressing sense is a crime in seven countries."

Aditi rolled her eyes and sat on the bed, letting Vidhi take charge.

After a while, Aditi stepped out wearing a soft yet regal Anarkali suit. The pastel hue complimented her complexion like a dream. Her long jet-black hair flowed down her back, catching the golden rays of the setting sun from the balcony.

She looked... breathtaking.

Vidhi turned and gasped as if she'd seen a celebrity.

"LOOK at this beauty, ladies and gentlemen!" she announced dramatically. "Your Highness, an antique piece from a rare collection! Shall we replace my octopus-like half-sister Angel—whose name is the only angelic thing about her—with this masterpiece?"

Aditi narrowed her eyes and walked forward slowly.

Vidhi stepped back, hands in the air like she was surrendering. "Okay okay, don't throw me out the window! Jeez."

But she couldn't help smiling.

Neither could Siya.

And somewhere, in the air thick with unsaid truths and distant dangers... a storm was slowly moving in.

PRATAP MANSION – EVENING

The grand lawn buzzed with preparations. Strings of fairy lights wrapped the trees, and the scent of fresh flowers danced in the breeze.

At the entrance, Pooja and Ajay stood gracefully, welcoming the guests. Nearby, Asha was busy instructing the servants, her tone crisp and firm. Arun stood with a group of businessmen, laughing and discussing market shares as if they were appetizers.

Just then, the Rajputs arrived.

Viren, tall and proud, walked in with his elegant wife Sonali, and trailing behind like a diva on a red carpet, was Angel.

Sonali moved forward and hugged Pooja warmly.
"Hi Aunty, how are you?" she asked sweetly.

Pooja smiled, ever warm and graceful. "Hello beta, I'm fine. And you?"

Meanwhile, Ajay turned to Viren with a polite nod. "Where's Vidhi?"

Viren's smile twitched, then faded.
"She'll be here soon... had some urgent work."

Before anyone could respond, Vivaan chimed in with a smirk,
"At least my fiancée works. She's not living off her daddy's money like some people."

He turned smoothly.
"Oh! Hi Angel."

His sarcasm was sharper than any sword. Everyone caught it—especially Angel, who rolled her eyes and flipped her hair in annoyance.

Just then, Vidhi walked in—graceful, confident, radiant.

Behind her, Aditi strolled in casually, eyes glued to her phone, giggling at a YouTube short. She only looked up when she reached the group and slipped her phone into her purse like it was part of a routine.

Vivaan's face lit up.

He rushed to Vidhi and hugged her.
"Look! My fiancée is finally here. And damn—how gorgeous you look!"

Then his eyes shifted to Aditi, and a mischievous grin appeared.
"And who is this pretty lady? Is this the 'friend' you promised to bring?"

Aditi offered a brief, polite smile—cool and calculated. That was all it took.

Vivaan decided in that moment—she's the target of his flirt game for the rest of the party.

UPSTAIRS – YUG'S ROOM

The door opened slowly as Yug stepped out, dressed in a navy-blue three-piece suit that hugged his tall frame perfectly. His expression was unreadable—calm, serious, almost distant.

As he reached the hallway, Angel rushed to him like a bolt and wrapped her arms around his. She hugged him tightly.

He didn't move.

Not a flicker of emotion. His hands stayed at his sides, cold as stone.

But in that still moment, his eyes accidentally met another pair—across the lawn, through the golden string lights, half-hidden behind Vidhi.

Big, deep, beautiful eyes.

The light wasn't bright, but something in those eyes... they glowed on their own.

A sudden jolt ran through him. His heartbeat picked up pace. His breath hitched.

He blinked.

What was that?

Pooja's voice snapped him back.

"Yug! Why are you standing like a statue? Come down—it's your success party. And smile a little!"

She walked off before he could reply, called away by Asha.

He stood frozen for a moment longer, hand moving to his chest.

"What just happened? Why was I standing like a maniac? And... who was she?"

He clenched his fist slightly, trying to still the chaos inside his heart.

Whom did Yug had a eye contact with? What truth was Vidhi talking about?

To know keep reading The Royal Tatvas