CROWNED WITH LOVE : A JOURNEY OF TRADITION AND TEMPTATION

CHAPTER 1 : The Lift

HAPPY READING.

Vihanna sat nervously in the cab, her heart fluttering with anticipation and anxiety. She adjusted her sari, feeling out of place yet oddly excited about attending the grand function at the palace in Adhyaynagar .

It was some prince's birthday celebration, she has never met. Her business aspirations demanded she expand her social circle to secure connections for her dream project. The palace was a good distance away from her place, and the deserted road she was traveling on only added to her unease.

Nerves fluttered within her as she imagined the encounter with royalty. She'd only seen such figures in movies or books, making the prospect daunting. As she chattered away with the cab driver about random topics, they came across a stranded stranger whose car had broken down. The man waved his hands desperately, signaling for a lift. Vihanna's heart skipped a beat at the sight, torn between fear and the innate desire to help someone in need.

The cab driver glanced at Vihanna through the rearview mirror, seeking her approval. "Should I stop, madam?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

Vihanna hesitated for a moment, her mind racing with thoughts of potential danger. But then she remembered the golden rule her mother always emphasized: "Always help those in need, beta."

Taking a deep breath, Vihanna nodded to the driver. "Yes, please stop. Let's see if he needs any help."

As the cab slowed to a halt, the stranger approached the passenger side, knocking on the window. The driver rolled down the windshield, his brow furrowed with curiosity. "What seems to be the trouble, sir?"

The stranger stepped closer, his face obscured by the darkness of the evening. All Vihanna could discern was his silhouette—a tall, muscular figure clad in a shirt and pants. Despite the lack of light, she couldn't help but notice the way his broad shoulders filled out his shirt, giving him an air of strength and confidence.

"My car broke down, and I need to reach somewhere urgently," the stranger explained, his voice tinged with urgency.

The driver glanced at Vihanna once again, silently seeking her approval to offer the stranger a lift. She nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. "Yes, please. We're also heading in the same direction."

With a grateful nod, the stranger climbed into the backseat of the cab, his presence filling the car with a subtle aura of masculinity. As he settled in, a tantalizing scent of cologne wafted through the air, causing Vihanna to inhale deeply.

She closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the fragrance, before the driver's voice broke through her reverie. "Where to, sir?"

The stranger hesitated for a moment, his attention momentarily diverted by Vihanna's captivating presence. "Raghuvanshi Palace," he finally replied, his voice tinged with authority.

Vihanna's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, we're also going to Raghuvanshi Palace," she exclaimed, her voice tinged with excitement.

The stranger turned slightly in his seat, his gaze lingering on Vihanna for a moment longer than necessary. She caught a glimpse of his features—a strong jawline, piercing eyes, and a hint of stubble framing his lips—before he turned away, his attention drawn by the ringing of his phone.

"Yes, Maa, I'm on my way," the stranger murmured into the phone, his tone softening with familiarity.

As the journey continued in silence, both Vihanna and the stranger stole glances at each other through the mirror, their curiosity piqued by the other's presence. Vihanna couldn't shake the feeling of being drawn to this mysterious stranger, despite knowing nothing about him.

As they approached the palace, the stranger requested to be dropped off at the back door—a request that puzzled Vihanna. She couldn't help but wonder about his intentions, but before she could voice her thoughts, they arrived at their destination.

The stranger thanked the driver and prepared to leave, but Vihanna realized she had some time to kill before her colleagues arrived. With a sudden burst of courage, she decided to seize the opportunity to ask the stranger for keeping her company,until her friends arrive.

However, her impulsive action nearly resulted in a collision as she opened the car door without warning, causing the stranger to step back in surprise. He stared at her for a moment, his gaze softening as he took in her innocent and guilty expression.

"You nearly hit me there," he remarked, his tone teasing yet tinged with amusement. "Careful, miss."

Vihanna blushed, feeling slightly embarrassed by her own recklessness. "I-I'm sorry," she stammered, feeling a rush of heat to her cheeks. "I didn't mean to."

The stranger's lips curved into a crooked smile, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "No harm done," he replied, his voice warm and reassuring. "But next time, watch where you're going."

With that, he bid her farewell and disappeared into the darkness, leaving Vihanna with a lingering sense of curiosity and intrigue. Little did she know, this chance encounter would mark the beginning of an unexpected journey—one filled with twists, turns, and perhaps even a hint of romance.

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE CHAPTER. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS.