Veil of Lost Love - 𝓣𝓱𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝓭𝓮𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓷𝔂 [18+]

prologue ‐ Vihaan ranaveer rawal

R A N A V E E R

"There's Mr. Mittal" Arjun, my best friend and business partner, said guiding me towards him. "Hello!
Mr. Mittal" I said, buttoning my blazer.

"Ranaveer, it's a pleasure meeting you here" he greeted, as the room around us fell into a sudden silence. The moment I entered, people parted like the sea, making way for me wherever I walked.

"Ranaveer!" Karan, my best friend, called from behind. I turned, surprised to see him here in Udaipur, as he lived in Jaipur. "What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I came with my close relatives" he said, pointing toward a group nearby. My eyes followed his hand, and then I saw her; a girl in a pale blue frock . For a moment, it felt like my breath stopped.

She was the only girl who had ever made my heart race, the only one who could make me feel the fear of losing sight of her. Her pale blue gown shimmered, and for a moment, she was the only thing I could see, like a sight I'd waited years for.

"Will you stop eating my sister with your eyes" karan said bringing me back to land

"My meal had been waiting for years, let me have it with my eyes for now" I joked still staring at her with a smirk.
"You asshole" he muttered hitting me slightly

"Kaveri" Karan said, heading in her direction, pulling me out of my trance. I created an Instagram account on the spot, just for her. I found her account through Karan's list.

*Will she accept my request?* I asked myself, not hesitating any longer. I hit *send*-and moments later, she accepted it. She was already on her phone.

Before I could get more on it, Aryaan's voice broke in. "Bhai, we're getting late."

"I'm coming" I said, walking with him toward my private room, five floors above the party.

"Vihaan!!" a sharp voice from behind called. It was Mr. Ranawat's daughter. I turned in disbelief, no one called me Vihaan, not even my family.

"How are you?" She tried to get close, but I held up my hand, stopping her. "It's been a long time. Do you remember? We used to be in the same class, friends in college." The way she crossed boundaries is making me more furious.

"We were in the same class, but never friends" I replied, my voice colder than before.

"Whatever, we can be friends now, right?" She dared to place her hand on my shoulder. I felt my blood boil. "Our fathers are friends, and we'll be family soon." she added

"Stop this nonsense" I yelled, pushing her hand away. She had no sense of decency, especially in public.

"Bhai!" Aryaan stepped in, sensing my rising anger.

"First of all, address him as Ranaveer" Aryaan said, his eyes locking with hers. She shifted uncomfortably.

"And you think you can tell me what to do?" she shot back, her tone irritating me alot.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" I roared, stepping towards her. "And how did you even imagine that Vihaan Ranaveer Rawal would marry you?" I could see fear flash in her eyes, though she masked it with her attitude.

"Vihaan, you're crossing the line" she stammered, her so called bravery cracking.

"You already crossed it" I said, stepping away. I had no time for this nonsense.

"How did she even get here?" I asked Aryaan as we walked toward the elevator.

"Papa said..." Aryaan began hesitantly.

I didn't bother replying. I couldn't care less. I was done letting people cross lines with me. My father had taken everything from me, things that meant the world to me. Now, I would make sure no one-not even him would control my life.

It had been five years since I had a proper conversation with my mother. The wounds between us were deep, and though they are from my father's actions, they remained raw.

"Ranaveer" my mother called as I walked into the room where my father and Mr.Mittal were deep in conversation.

"She will be my wife" I said, pointing out the window toward Kaveri. My father was shocked by my sudden gesture.

"Aggarwal's family?" My father's eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Your wife will be Tara Ranawat" he declared, as if his word would decide my life.

"No," I said firmly, my hands in my pockets. "My wife will be Kaveri Aggarwal."

"This marriage will be a permanent step in our competition with Shekhar Ranawat" he said, still thinking only in terms of business.

"This marriage is a permanent step for my reasons" I replied, walking straight toward him. "It's my life, not your business deal."

"Do you think her brother will agree, knowing about you?" he asked, smirking.

"You're his only enemy because of the mess you created three years ago-"

I cut him off. "That's beacuse what you did...Kaveri Aggarwal will be my wife. That's the only thing that matters."

Mr. Mittal, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. "Mr.Rawal, let it be. If this is about business, you can make a deal with them. Collaborate Ranaveer's company with their textile department. They've been in financial trouble for the past three years. They won't be able to deny your offer."

"Now, that's a great idea" I said before my father could utter another word.
*This marriage is the only way I can make up for my past mistakes.* I thought where my eyes are still stuck on her.

By the time I returned to the party, I saw Kaveri dancing joyfully with everyone. How could I miss this opportunity?

Without a second thought, I grabbed a mask and slipped into the group, just in time to take her hand before she could reach for someone else's.

Now she's in my arms.*If wish this moment could last forever* The spark in her eyes is driving me wild, and her smile; it's enough to steal my breath away.

"Your brooch" she murmured, reaching up to adjust it.

Though she’s with me for only a few seconds, her perfume lingers in the air, and the warmth of her touch is all I can feel. It’s like she's completely taken over my senses.

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