𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠'𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐢𝐰𝐢

"13. Royalty in Shadows"

"Itni masoom hai ki
Seene se lagane ka jee karta hai
Itni niswarth hai ki
Uske liye swarthi banne ka jee karta hai"

-Fictionflare_

"Swagat nahi karoge humara"
(Won’t you welcome me?)

A voice echoed from behind, breaking the calm at the table. Rudraksh and Ruhanika turned their heads in unison, while Rishwik, seated opposite Ruhanika, merely tilted his head with mild curiosity. Rudraksh immediately rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed as he recognized the source—Ashvik, standing there with a few shopping bags in hand and wearing his trademark grin. Meanwhile, Ruhanika took one look at Ashvik and promptly turned her attention back to Rudraksh, not bothering to acknowledge him any further. Even Rishwik, who had briefly glanced over, resumed his meal, unfazed by the interruption. Ashvik frowned, feeling a bit annoyed that no one was giving him any attention. Despite his attempts to get noticed, his brothers and Ruhanika seemed uninterested, leaving him standing there, feeling ignored and unimportant.

Ashvik: "Hadd hoti hai batameezi ki bhi, sare pagal hai yaha, Ye Malhotra surname ka hi issue hai tabhi teddy bhi aisi ho gayi, huhhh."
(This is the limit of rudeness! Everyone here is crazy. It must be a problem with the Malhotra surname, that's why even Teddy turned out like this. Huh!)

Ashvik huffed in frustration and walked over to them. Without saying a word, he dropped two or three shopping bags onto Ruhanika’s lap. Rudraksh, Rishwik, and Ruhanika all looked at him with confused expressions, unsure of what he was doing. Ashvik stood there with his usual grin, clearly enjoying their puzzled reactions.

Rudraksh: "Subah subah kya hai ye??"
(What’s all this early in the morning?)

Ashvik: "Tere liye nahi hai toh tu chup kar."
(It’s not for you, so stay quiet.)

Rudraksh shot Ashvik an intense glare, his eyes narrowing in irritation. It was clear from Rudraksh’s expression that he wasn’t in the mood for Ashvik’s antics. Ashvik, however, seemed unfazed, still grinning as if nothing had happened.

Rishwik: "Par ye hai kya Ashvik Bhai?? Aur aap Angel ko kyu de rahe ho???"
(But what is this, Ashvik Bhai? And why are you giving it to Angel?)

Ashvik: "Kyuki ye teddy ke liye hi hai."
(Because it's for Teddy.)

Ruhanika: "Humare liya?? Par humne toh kuch nahi manga aapse inke dost."
(For me? But I didn't ask you for anything, his friend.)

Ashvik chuckled softly at Ruhanika's endearment for him and reached over to pat her gently on the head.

Ashvik: "Tumne manga nahi hai, par main le aaya. Kuch kapde hai tumhare liye, akhir kab tak is giant ke kapdo me ghumti rahogi tum??"
(You didn’t ask, but I brought it anyway. Some clothes for you. After all, how long are you going to keep wandering around in this giant’s clothes?)

Rudraksh: "Aur akhir kab tak mere ghar me ghumta rahega tu??? Permanent solution nikalu kuch??"
(And how long will you keep wandering around my house? Should I come up with a permanent solution?)

Ashvik made a few playful faces, then sauntered over to sit beside Rishwik. Ruhanika, her dimples shining brightly, gave Ashvik a warm smile in acknowledgment of his gesture. Ashvik's smile widened in response, mirroring her joy. Meanwhile, Rudraksh's gaze lingered on Ruhanika, a hint of jealousy flickering in his eyes as he watched her smile so effortlessly at Ashvik.

Rudraksh: "Ahhh Yellow ab dekho toh kya leke aaya hai ye gadha."
(Ahh, Yellow, look at what this idiot has brought.)

Ashvik: "Jo bhi hai tujhse behtar hai."
(Whatever it is, it’s better than you.)