The Destined Hearts

Chapter 2: Unlikely Encounters

In Jaipur...

Raghav had been walking through the royal corridors when he encountered Aaradhya Rathore, his younger sister. Aaradhya was a breath of fresh air in their family—independent, intelligent, and with a progressive mindset that sometimes clashed with traditional family values. But that's what made her special.

Aaradhya (playfully teasing): "Bhai, aap toh bilkul rajkumari jese lag rahe ho. Kahin ja rahe ho kya?"

Raghav (smiling but weary): "Bas thoda kaam, Aaradhya. Kuch soch raha hoon."

Aaradhya noticed the tiredness in her brother's eyes. She could tell that something was bothering him. She had always been the one to sense his moods, even when he tried to hide them.

Aaradhya: "Kuch chhupane ki zarurat nahi hai. Tumhare chehre pe likha hai sab kuch. Tumhe yeh saara rajgharana ka kaam kahan pasand aata hai, na?"

Raghav (sighing): "Kahi na kahi, humein apne farz nibhana padta hai, Aaradhya. Lekin... I don't know if I can. Yeh jo duniya hai, yeh sab... I feel like I'm living someone else's life."

Aaradhya (seriously): "Tumhe apni life jeene ka hak hai, Bhai. Humein sab kuch apni marzi se karne ki zarurat nahi hai."

Raghav smiled at her words. Aaradhya always had a way of making him feel better, even in the darkest of times. But deep inside, he knew that the pressure of his royal duties would not let him escape so easily.

In Delhi...

Aisha stood in the lobby of a posh hotel in Jaipur, feeling a little out of place. She was here for a medical conference, but her mind kept wandering back to the phone call from her brother, Arjun. He had insisted that she meet Raghav Singh Rathore, the heir to the royal Rathore family. Aisha had no interest in royalty, but Arjun had mentioned that Raghav needed her help with some medical advice regarding a family member.

Aisha (to herself): "Royal families and their drama. I'm here for work, nothing more."

She adjusted her glasses and walked toward the conference room, where she saw a tall figure standing near the entrance—Raghav. Her first impression of him was that he looked every bit the royal heir: tall, poised, and handsome. But there was something else in his eyes—a weariness that she couldn't quite place.

Aisha (smiling politely): "Excuse me, are you Mr. Rathore?"

Raghav turned around, and for a brief moment, their eyes met. There was an instant recognition in his gaze, though neither of them had met before.

Raghav (slightly surprised): "Yes, I am. And you must be Dr. Aisha Sharma, right?"

Aisha nodded. "Yes, I'm here for the conference. Your brother Arjun mentioned you needed some advice. How can I help?"

Raghav gave a slight nod, and they walked into the conference room together. The tension in the air between them was palpable. Aisha didn't know why, but she felt a strange pull toward him, as though fate had brought them together.