Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha~ Short Stories Collection

4

Author's POV

Keisha sat in her grand office, her ministers gathered around, their faces tense as they all watched the news on the large TV screen. The headline blared: "Royal Advisor O.P. Kapoor Involved in Major Corruption Scandal!" The images flashed—Kapoor being escorted by officials, accusations piling up. Keisha's heart sank, her trusted advisor now in the center of a national controversy.

As the TV flickered off, Keisha stood frozen, her mind racing. Her cousin, Aarush, the Prime Minister, appeared on the video call, his expression calm yet stern.

"Keisha," Aarush said, his voice steady, "I know this is hard, but you need to stay calm and rethink everything. This is bigger than the palace."

Keisha exhaled sharply, her fingers trembling as she gripped the remote. "Aarush, he's been with us for years. This can't be true... there must be some mistake."

Aarush's face softened slightly, understanding her emotions. "I get it, Keisha, but the evidence is overwhelming. Kapoor is involved. You can't let your emotions cloud your judgment."

Before she could respond, Raghav Deshmukh, the leader of the opposition party, spoke up, his voice sharp. "This is exactly why I've been pushing to dissolve the monarchy. Your blind loyalty has allowed corruption to flourish."

Keisha clenched her jaw, her eyes narrowing. Without a word, she turned away, dismissing the meeting with a wave of her hand. She walked out of the room, her white gown flowing behind her, her hair perfectly pinned in a bun. The weight of the crown felt heavier than ever.

Once she reached her private office, her phone rang. She picked it up, her heart sinking further with each word. "Ma'am, your husband has been appointed as the lawyer in this case... for the government's side."

Keisha collapsed into her leather chair, her hands shaking. The betrayal stung deep. How could Ishank stand against her and the palace?

Ishank returned home, the weight of the day's events heavy on his shoulders. He removed his watch and tie with a sense of exhaustion. The palace was quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos he had experienced. As he walked into the dining area, he noticed Keisha standing by the table, arranging dinner plates. Her movements were graceful yet filled with an air of solemnity.

Without a word, Ishank approached her from behind. As he wrapped his arms around her in a tender back hug, Keisha felt the warmth of his body against hers. She tilted her head slightly, planting a soft kiss on his cheek. The intimacy of the moment was palpable.

"Join me for dinner," she murmured, her voice soothing yet tinged with underlying tension. She turned to face him, her eyes reflecting a mixture of love and frustration.

Ishank sat down beside her as she dismissed the maids, leaving them alone in the dimly lit dining room. The silence between them was thick and uncomfortable. They ate their meal in quiet, the clinking of cutlery and the occasional rustle of fabric the only sounds.

Finally, Keisha broke the silence. "Why are you doing this, Ishank?" Her voice was gentle but firm, her eyes locked onto his. "You're supporting the government against one of our own."

Ishank paused mid-bite, the question hitting him like a blow. He set down his fork and looked at her, confusion and realization dawning. "Isha, it's my duty as a lawyer," he replied, trying to keep his voice steady.

Her eyes flashed with a mix of anger and pain. "And what about your duty as the crown prince? As my husband? Everything you're doing is against the palace, against us."

Ishank's frustration grew. He pushed his chair back and stood up abruptly. "I'm doing what I believe is right," he said, his voice rising. He walked over to the sink and washed his hands, trying to clear his head. The water splashed loudly, mirroring the turbulence of his emotions.