CROWNED WITH LOVE : A JOURNEY OF TRADITION AND TEMPTATION

CHAPTER 13 : Heartbroken

HAPPY READING

It had been a month since Vihanna last set foot in Raghuvanshi Palace. Since that fateful night, she had heard nothing from either the Raghuvanshis or Ajeet.

Instead, she had thrown herself into her work, immersing herself in her business endeavors. Currently, she was engrossed in a project—a microfinance initiative aimed at providing small loans to women entrepreneurs. Her goal was to empower these women, enabling them to kickstart or expand their own businesses and achieve financial independence. Witnessing the potential within the women of the city and nearby villages, she was determined to lend them a helping hand.

For the past three weeks, she had been tirelessly working to organize workshops to raise awareness about the initiative. However, she encountered a roadblock when she learned that the District Magistrate was opposed to the idea of hosting the workshops. Her manager informed her that there was only one person who could potentially sway the DM—Prince Aadhyant Raghuvanshi.

Initially, she hesitated to approach him, weighed down by the obvious reasons that had kept her away. However, the determined faces of the women who had eagerly agreed to attend the workshops flashed through her mind. They had placed their trust in her promise to support them in building their businesses. It wasn't just her dream anymore; it was theirs too, and she couldn't bear to let their hopes be dashed.

With resolve hardening in her heart, she made the decision to set aside her apprehensions and seek his assistance. She was determined to obtain his signatures, knowing that it was a crucial step in ensuring the success of their collective endeavor.

In the grand halls of Raghuvanshi mansion, Ajeet stands proudly beside his newly-wedded wife, Sunaina. The atmosphere crackles with surprise, for Ajeet had kept his marriage a secret, blindsiding everyone with this sudden union. Seeking blessings from his stunned family, Ajeet's actions initially met with reluctance, but gradually, they accepted the reality, recognizing that both Ajeet and Sunaina were adults capable of making their own decisions.

However, amidst the facade of acceptance, Aadhyant harbors a deep understanding of Ajeet's motives. He knows all too well the reason behind this hasty marriage – Ajeet's desperate bid to ascend the throne. According to royal tradition, the king must be wed before the coronation, and with Ajeet's impending 28th birthday next month, he becomes eligible to claim the throne. But Aadhyant cannot afford to let such a responsibility fall into Ajeet's hands, not out of a personal desire for power, but rather out of a firm belief that Ajeet lacks the qualities necessary for rulership.

He came to the conclusion that he had to marry within a month if he wanted to ascend to the throne. And when it came to marriage, there was no other woman occupying his thoughts or affections except her. The only lingering question: how would he make it happen?

ONE MONTH AGO

After Vihanna's departure, Arjun entered Aadhyant's room to find a scene of chaos. Vases lay shattered on the floor, their delicate fragments scattered like fallen leaves. Mirrors, once reflecting light and laughter, now fractured into a mosaic of broken dreams. Empty whiskey bottles littered the space, silent witnesses to a storm of emotions. Amidst the wreckage, Aadhyant sat, a solitary figure on the floor, his weary eyes fixed on a flickering flame as he took another drag from his cigarette.

"Aadhyant, what's happened here?" Arjun's voice cut through the heavy air, tinged with disappointment and concern. "What have you done to this room? And since when did you start smoking and drinking? You were the one who used to scold me for these habits, remember? You'd snatch away my cigarette box and lighter, hiding them in your cupboard as if they were forbidden treasures."

Disregarding his friend's chatter, Aadhyant muttered, "Leave me alone, Arjun." Irritation brimming, Arjun snapped back, "Are you going to tell me what's wrong with you, or should I gather the entire family here?" Aadhyant met his gaze, tears welling in his eyes as he softly confessed, "I've lost her forever." Arjun, settling onto the bed, watched Aadhyant closely, a dawning realization etched on his face. He said slowly, "Bhai, you've completely fallen for her."

Realizing that Aadhyant was completely unaware of Ajeet's rejection by Vihanna, Arjun decided to fill him in on the whole story. As the truth unfolded before Aadhyant's eyes, a wave of happiness washed over him. In that moment, he understood the depth of his feelings for her. With newfound determination, Aadhyant felt an urgent need to express his love to Vihanna.

Without hesitation, Aadhyant reached for his phone, fingers trembling with anticipation, and dialed Vihanna's number. But his excitement quickly turned to disappointment as the call went unanswered. He tried again, this time from Arjun's phone, only to be met with the same result – a disconnected line. Unable to contain his eagerness any longer, Aadhyant grabbed his car keys and set off for her home.

Behind the wheel, his heart raced with a mix of excitement and nervousness. He couldn't wait to pour out his feelings to her, to calm her anger and make her understand. Each passing moment felt like an eternity as he drove towards her house, his mind consumed with thoughts of how to win her over.

Arriving at her doorstep, Aadhyant rang the bell impatiently. After a few moments, the gate creaked open, revealing Vihanna standing there, her expression a mix of surprise and apprehension. Her eyes scanned Aadhyant's disheveled appearance – shirt untucked, hair in disarray, and eyes swollen from tears. He looked nothing like his usual self.

As Vihanna hesitated, considering whether to shut the door in his face, Aadhyant's voice broke through the silence. "Vihanna, please listen to me just once," he pleaded, his words hanging in the air. "I'm sorry for what happened earlier at my place..."

Before he could continue, Vihanna interrupted sharply, her tone firm yet weary. " "Look, Aadhyant, whatever happened was wrong, and we cannot do anything to change that. But right now, I am really exhausted, and I don't have the energy to deal with you."

Aadhyant's heart sank at her words, but he pressed on, "Can I come tomorrow, then?"

Vihanna shook her head, her resolve evident. "No, Aadhyant. I don't want to see you anymore. And you're not going to contact me until I decide otherwise."

His chest tightening with pain, Aadhyant nodded slowly, his determination flickering in his eyes. "I'll wait for you," he said softly, "and you will come to me."

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