The Royal Tatvas

Chapter 5

A while later, Aditi was strolling through the garden, the soft breeze brushing past her when a voice—deep and mocking—cut through the stillness.

"Beautiful girls shouldn't be out this late... and all alone," said a young man, stepping out from the shadows.

His eyes scanned her with a disgusting smirk curling on his lips. Aditi instantly grew alert, her body stiffening as her instincts kicked in.

"Come with me, pretty lady," he added, stepping closer, reaching out with the intention of grabbing her hand. "I'll make you comfortable."

But before his fingers could touch her, Aditi sidestepped and caught his wrist with precision. In one swift move, she twisted his hand behind his back, her expression dark and unflinching.

"What do you take me for?" she hissed. "A damsel in disguise?"

Her glare could cut through steel.

"You'd better remember your limits."

With that, she shoved him hard—he stumbled and crashed onto the ground, groaning in pain. Without sparing him another glance, she turned on her heel and walked away, her spine straight, her pace unshaken.

The man gritted his teeth, rage flaring in his eyes.

"This bitch... She has no idea who Ishaan Sharma is. She'll regret this," he muttered, venom lacing every word.

From a distance, Abhay, who had been speaking to a business associate near the mansion's side entrance, witnessed the entire scene unfold. His lips curved into a faint, knowing smirk.

As Aditi stepped back into the Rajput mansion, Vidhi met her at the entrance.

"Aditi," she sighed, crossing her arms. "Do you *have* to get into a fight wherever you go?"

Then she leaned closer and whispered with a proud grin, "But honestly... well done. That guy's a filthy bastard. You know, he's known to prey on women—and there are even rumors that he's raped a few. But because of his powerful connections, nothing's ever been proven. His record's clean."

Hearing this, a wave of revulsion washed over Aditi. Hatred, raw and intense, settled in her heart.

Just then, Vivaan approached the girls with a cheerful tone.

"Come on, you two. Let's go have dinner."

Inside the mansion, Vivaan and Vidhi introduced Aditi to Pooja and Asha. Pooja took an instant liking to her. The more she spoke to Aditi, the more she admired her composure, grace, and clarity of thought.

"She's so well-mannered and grounded," Pooja thought. "If only she could be my Yug's wife instead of Nidhi..."

She sighed, brushing the thought away, knowing too well it could never happen.

After dinner, Aditi and Vidhi took their leave. Vivaan insisted on walking them to the car, ensuring they got in safely before bidding them goodnight.

Next Morning — 7:00 AM

Aditi left early for her first day at her new job. She had been selected during her previous visit to the city, receiving the confirmation just a day before her departure from Mumbai.

PRATAP INDUSTRIES

Aditi hurried into the towering office building, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. She approached the reception desk, slightly out of breath.

"Excuse me, can you tell me where the HR department is?"

The receptionist gave her quick directions, and Aditi rushed toward the lift.

Meanwhile, in a sleek, high-floor office, Yug sat in his chair, absentmindedly spinning a pen between his fingers. His mind, however, wasn't in the room—it was back in that corridor, back with her.

"Those eyes..." he thought, frowning. "Those blue orbs... they were so familiar."

Just then, his personal assistant Nikhil burst into the room, panting as if he'd run all the way from the ground floor.

"Nikhil? What is it?" Yug asked, setting the pen aside.

"Sir... she's one of our new employees. Her name is Aditi Rathore."

Yug stilled. His expression darkened.

"Rathore...?" he echoed, almost in a whisper. His eyes shifted to the wall of his cabin as childhood voices echoed in his mind.

"Yug, you cheater! I swear I'll kill you—come back here, brat!"

"Catch me if you can, Miss Trisha Rathore!"

A smile tugged at his lips... but it faded just as quickly.

No. It couldn't be her.

"It's just a coincidence," he told himself, lying with a straight face as his heartbeat climbed uncontrollably. "It can't be her."

He waved Nikhil off with a dismissive hand, trying to steady his thoughts—but something inside him refused to settle.

Not this time.

How is Aditi linked with Trisha Rathore? What will Ishaan do?

To know keep reading The Royal Tatvas.