Devraj Varma, a billionaire CEO, hails from a royal lineage bound by ancient traditions. Every decade, he returns to his ancestral village, Shiva Ganga, to perform a sacred puja. This year, fate intervenes as he encounters Anika, a simple village be...
The morning sun painted the village in hues of gold. Devraj, unlike his usual city routine, was clad in traditional attire, a stark white kurta-pyjama adorned with subtle gold embroidery. Around his neck, a Rudraksha mala and a Kadiyam, a sacred thread, accentuated his spiritual aura.
His day began with a solemn puja at the Shiva temple. As the incense filled the air, Devraj's mind found solace in the rhythmic chanting. It was here, in the heart of his ancestral land, that he felt a connection to something greater than himself.
Kneeling before the deity, Devraj's voice rose in a powerful chant. His words were a plea, a demand, a conversation with the divine. "Shiva, grant me clarity. Illuminate the path before me. Let my heart find its true north," he prayed, his voice echoing through the hallowed space.
As the final mantra faded, a sense of tranquility washed over him. Closing his eyes, he surrendered to the moment, allowing the divine energy to envelop him.
A sudden splash disrupted his meditation. His senses heightened, he opened his eyes. A strange sound, like water rushing, emanated from the temple backyard. Intrigued, he rose and moved towards the source of the noise.
As he approached the pond, his heart sank. There, floating lifelessly on the water, was Anika. Panic surged through him. Without a second thought, he dived into the water, his mind focused solely on saving her.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
He pulled her out, her body limp in his arms. Fear gnawed at him as he laid her on the grass. Desperation fueled his actions as he began CPR, his voice echoing in the still morning, "Come on, Anika, please come back. You can't leave me like this."
Anika's eyes fluttered open, her vision blurred and disoriented. She was lying on a soft, grassy patch, the sky a brilliant blue above her. A figure loomed over her, his face etched with concern. It was Devraj, his eyes filled with relief.
Her body ached, and she felt a chill creeping in. She looked down and realized her wet clothes clung to her body, revealing more than she wanted. Devraj's gaze averted, his face flushing a deep crimson. The realization of her predicament hit her like a cold shower.
With a swift movement, he removed the shawl around his neck and draped it over her shivering form. The soft fabric offered a semblance of warmth and privacy.
"Are you alright?" His voice, deep and resonant, cut through the silence.
She nodded weakly, her voice a mere whisper, "I think so."
"You nearly drowned," he said, his voice laced with concern.
A wave of gratitude washed over her. "Thank you," she managed to say.
Their eyes met, a silent conversation passing between them. In that moment, the world seemed to stand still. The pristine beauty of the temple, the soft caress of the morning sun, and the shared experience of life and death created an intimacy that transcended words.
But the tranquility was shattered by the sound of distant voices. Anika's face paled. "I have to go," she said, her voice trembling.
Devraj's heart sank. "Why?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
"A family is coming to my home for an alliance. My Parents might be searching for me and will get worried if i am not at home at this time," she explained, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and determination.
Devraj felt a sharp pang of disappointment and said "Then what are you doing here?". She responded fearfully because of the tone he used " I.. I am sorry. I just came to offer prayer to lord siva. I am sorry that I troubled you". This was their moment, a connection forged in the crucible of life and death. And now, it was slipping through his fingers.
"I understand," he said, his voice masking the turmoil within. "Be careful."
She nodded, her eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions. With one last look at him, she turned and disappeared into the morning mist.
Devraj stood alone, the weight of the world pressing down on him. He had saved her life, only to lose her to another. As he watched her disappear into the distance, he realized that this was just the beginning of his journey, a journey filled with hope, heartbreak, and the unyielding pursuit of love.
Meanwhile, back at the temple, a frantic search was underway. Yuvraj, along with a group of guards, was combing every corner, their voices echoing through the hallowed space. "Where could he have gone?" Yuvraj muttered, his concern growing with every passing minute.
As they rounded the corner to the backyard, they were met with an unexpected sight. There stood Devraj, his clothes drenched, his hair dripping. A look of amusement crossed Yuvraj's face.
"Well, well, if it isn't the mighty Devraj Varma, taking an impromptu swim," Yuvraj teased, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Devraj shot him a glare, his annoyance evident. "It's not funny, Yuvraj," he replied, his voice gruff.
"Oh, come on, Dev," Yuvraj persisted, "didn't you have a bath at home? Or did you forget how to use a shower?"
Devraj rolled his eyes, ignoring his brother's teasing. He was still reeling from the encounter with Anika, his mind a whirlwind of emotions.
Yuvraj, sensing his brother's mood, decided to change the subject. "So, what's the story? Did you find a treasure chest at the bottom of the pond?"
Devraj's gaze hardened. "It's not funny, Yuvraj," he repeated, his voice laced with irritation.
Yuvraj raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, I'm quiet," he said, his teasing tone replaced by a genuine concern. "Are you okay?"
Devraj nodded, his mind still on Anika. He had to find a way to see her again, to understand what she meant to him.
