8: Journey to Jodhpur

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🦋 SITARA'S POV

Sitara woke to the soft light of dawn filtering through her window, a thrill of excitement running through her. Today was the day-their much-anticipated trip to Jodhpur. Dressing in a comfortable yet stylish outfit, she headed downstairs, where the house buzzed with activity.

 Dressing in a comfortable yet stylish outfit, she headed downstairs, where the house buzzed with activity

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Her ootd

"Sitara, beta, tumhara bag ready hai?" her mother, Shivani, asked while handing out breakfast to the family.

"Haan, Maa, sab kuch pack kar liya hai," Sitara replied, smiling at the flurry of movement around her. Her brother, Abhiman, was busy helping their grandparents with their luggage, while her father, Abhimanyu, gave the driver precise instructions.

"Baba, aapko sab kuch teen baar check karne ki zarurat nahi hai," Sitara teased lightly, drawing a laugh from her father.

"Safety pe koi compromise nahi, beta," Abhimanyu replied with a playful wink.

Soon, the Rajput family set off to the meeting point where the Rajvansh family was waiting. As they arrived, Sitara's eyes instinctively sought out Rudraksh. Despite her best efforts, she couldn't help but feel a jolt of awareness when she finally spotted him standing tall with his family, his presence commanding even in silence.

"Namaste, Dadu! Namaste, Dadi!" Sitara greeted the Rajvansh elders with a respectful smile, folding her hands in a traditional gesture. They blessed her warmly, with Dadi saying, "Khush raho, beta. Tumhari wajah se toh yeh safar aur bhi khaas ho gaya hai."

Moving on to the younger members, Sitara hugged Shravya and teased Agastya, who dodged her playfully. "Arey, mujhe hug nahi chahiye, mujhe chocolate chahiye!" he joked, making everyone laugh.

As she continued to greet everyone, her eyes locked with Rudraksh's. In that brief moment, the world seemed to fade. His gaze was intense, almost unreadable, yet magnetic, and for a heartbeat, it felt like he could see right through her. Her pulse quickened, a warm flush creeping up her cheeks. Without a word, he gave her a slight nod, his face impassive, but there was something in his eyes-a flicker of something deeper-that made her heartbeat race even faster.

Needing a distraction, Sitara wandered to a nearby shop, her attention caught by her favorite chocolates on display. She bought a handful, her face lighting up at the simple pleasure. Spotting a group of children nearby, she smiled and asked, "Kya tumhe chocolate chahiye?"

Their eager nods were met with her laughter as she handed them the treats, saying, "Ek shart par! Mujhe ek pyara sa kiss milega na?" The kids giggled, planting quick pecks on her cheeks, making her laugh in delight. From a distance, Rudraksh watched the scene unfold, his expression as stoic as ever, yet there was a subtle softness in his eyes, a hint of something even he didn't seem to understand.

The families gathered around the luxury van that Rudraksh had arranged for the journey. As everyone settled into their seats, Sitara found herself in the last row, only to realize Rudraksh had chosen the seat directly opposite hers. His silence was louder than words, the air around them thick with unspoken tension.

Agastya broke the silence with his usual enthusiasm, "Chalo, antakshari shuru karte hain! Yeh road trip yaadon mein tab tak nahi ghoomega jab tak hum gaana waali jung na lad lein!"

The group split into two teams-Team 1 and Team 2. Sitara found herself on Team 1, while Rudraksh, maintaining his composed demeanor, ended up in Team 2.

Agastya kickstarted the game with a dramatic rendition of, "Mere Khwabo Mein Jo Aaye," making everyone laugh with his over-the-top expressions.

Sitara, determined to up the ante, responded with a playful energy, singing a modern tune, "Ek Ek Kari Kyu Tare Gene...". Her confident voice lifted the mood inside the van, drawing cheers from her team.

Not to be outdone, Shravya from Team 2 sang a peppy number, "Abhi toh party shuru hui hai!" Her spirited performance had everyone clapping along, while the elders shook their heads, amused.

Raghav's soulful rendition of a classic, "Chaudhvin ka chand ho," shifted the mood to nostalgia. Sitara took on the challenge, her voice soft and melodic as she sang, "Lag jaa gale..." Even Rudraksh seemed momentarily captivated, his gaze lingering on her a second longer than necessary.

As the game continued, the laughter and playful banter flowed freely. Unexpectedly, Rudraksh joined in, his voice smooth and controlled as he sang, "khwaabon bina nigahen meri ji raheen thi... tum mile to jeenaa aa gaya tum mili to maine paayaa hai khuda...." His deep tone wrapped around the words, drawing surprised glances from everyone.

As Rudraksh finished his soulful song, there was a moment of stunned silence before the van erupted into applause. The usually reserved and stoic Rudraksh had just surprised everyone, and Sitara's eyes were wide with admiration. She never expected to see this side of him, and it left her heart fluttering.

Amidst the clapping and cheering, Abhiman Singh Rajput and Prithviraj Singh Rajvansh exchanged a knowing glance. Abhiman's lips curled into a sly smile as he nudged Prithviraj gently with his elbow. In response, Prithviraj's eyes twinkled with mischief, and he gave Abhiman a playful wink.

Their silent exchange spoke volumes, as if saying, "Dekha? Our plan is working." Both Dadajis could see the subtle shift in Rudraksh's demeanor, his guarded exterior cracking just a little in Sitara's presence. They were more than pleased to witness the beginnings of what they had hoped for all along.

With another quick wink and a whispered comment, "I told you, old friend, this would work," they turned their attention back to the crowd, their hearts light with the joy of seeing the seeds of their plan beginning to take root. For them, it wasn't just about Rudraksh and Sitara coming together-it was about family, legacy, and the fulfillment of their fondest wishes.

Agastya couldn't resist teasing, "Wah, Rudra bhai! Itni romance bhari line toh kisi aur se expect nahi thi!"

Rudraksh's lips curved in the faintest of smiles. "Mujhe bas jeetna pasand hai," he replied, his tone calm but his eyes flickering with an intensity that was hard to read.

The antakshari carried on, a blend of classic and contemporary hits, filling the van with laughter and camaraderie. The elders joined in, singing old favorites, and the younger ones countered with new-age tunes. The lively session brought the families closer, setting a joyful tone for their journey.

At one point, the van hit a bump, and Sitara instinctively reached out, her hand landing on Rudraksh's arm. His muscles tensed under her touch, but he didn't pull away. His eyes met hers, darker than ever, holding her gaze for a moment longer than necessary.

"Careful," he said in a low, controlled voice, his tone holding a hint of something deeper.

Sitara quickly withdrew her hand, her cheeks flushed. "Thanks," she murmured, trying to cover her embarrassment.

Atharv, ever the joker, noticed the moment and quipped, "Arre wah, yeh toh filmy scene ho gaya! Bhai, sambhalte raho!"

The van erupted in laughter, while Rudraksh's gaze remained fixed on Sitara, his eyes still unreadable.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, they arrived in Jodhpur, the city's warmth embracing them. For Sitara, the journey had been more than just a road trip-it was a step closer to unraveling the mystery that was Rudraksh Singh Rajvansh.

Sorry for late update..
Will update next chapter tomorrow itself.

Do let me know your thoughts on this..

100+likes please..❤️

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