The Forbidden Marriage ✔

51•एकपञ्चाशत्

In the cozy studio apartment, the air was filled with the scent of freshly baked pizza as Minakshi and Maya lounged on the floor, clad in pajamas and loose t-shirts. Their hair was a delightful mess, evidence of a carefree evening. With plates of pizza and glasses of cola in hand, they were engrossed in the glow of Minakshi's smartphone.

Damru, perched on a chair at the table, his eyes glued to the colorful cartoons flickering on the TV screen.

As they scrolled through social media, Minakshi and Maya exchanged excited whispers, their eyes darting between the screen and each other. They had just finished setting up Minakshi's secret account, and now they were delving into the world of the royal families, following every significant member, including the esteemed families of Shivaay Kul and Durga Kul.

Amid giggles and bites of pizza, their conversation turned to Princess Kavya of Saraswati Kul. With a daring move, the princess had traded her cascading, hip-length locks for a chic pixie cut, sending shockwaves through the royal circles.

"Can you imagine the reactions?" Maya exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement.

Minakshi nodded, her lips curling into a mischievous grin. "I bet the palace is buzzing with gossip right now."

Damru, his small hands clutching a tiny cup, toddled over to Minakshi, his eyes wide with innocence as he held out the cup before her.

"Mumma, more cola please," he pleaded in his sweet, childlike voice, his words tinged with adorable sincerity.

Minakshi glanced down at him, a hint of amusement tugging at the corners of her lips, but her expression quickly turned firm as she shook her head.

"No! You have had enough," she replied sternly, her attention already returning to the screen of her smartphone.

With a disappointed pout, Damru turned away, his gaze shifting back to the TV where his favorite cartoon characters danced across the screen.

Then they came across a post of Ishaan with a horse, Ishaan stood tall and confident, his sleek black riding attire accentuating his athletic physique. His jet-black hair was styled with effortless perfection, framing his chiseled features and intense gaze. With a subtle smile playing on his lips, he exuded an air of quiet strength and elegance.

Maya's eyes sparkled with excitement as she gazed at the photo of the Crown Prince of Shivaay Kul.

"Oh my God! Ishaan! My crush," she exclaimed, her voice filled with admiration. Turning to Minakshi, she couldn't contain her enthusiasm. "Do you have any idea how hot your brother is! Ishaan is so good looking," she gushed, her words tinged with the infatuation of a love-struck admirer.

Minakshi's hand trembled slightly as she took the phone from Maya, her heart wrenching with a mix of emotions. As she gazed at her brother's picture, a flood of memories washed over her, threatening to drown her in sorrow. It had been five long years since she last saw him, since the day their lives had been torn apart.

Tears welled up in Minakshi's eyes, blurring her vision as she struggled to contain the overwhelming surge of emotions within her. She longed to reach out to her brother, to tell him how much she missed him, but the weight of their shared past held her back like invisible chains.

The thought of returning to that life, to the trauma and pain they had endured, filled Minakshi with dread. She knew that reaching out to Ishaan would only reopen old wounds, threatening to unravel the fragile peace she had worked so hard to build.

Returning now, amidst the chaos she had unwittingly stirred up, would only thrust her into the spotlight as a subject of scandal and speculation. She had worked hard to carve out a semblance of normalcy in her life, away from the suffocating confines of palace walls and the judgmental eyes of society.