VANI

CHAPTER 12

Will update other books as soon as I get time and as many chapters as I probably can publish ❤️

The morning sunlight filtered through the grand Rathore mansion, its golden glow filling the rooms with warmth. Downstairs, Prithviraj Rathore sat at the breakfast table, savoring his tea. Opposite him sat Vani, calm and composed, a stark contrast to the chaos that had unfolded the previous night.

"Beta, you should eat something," Prithviraj said, gesturing to the untouched plate of breakfast in front of her.

"I'm fine, Dadu," Vani replied with a small smile, sipping her tea. "Tea is enough for now."

Just then, heavy footsteps echoed down the marble staircase. Both of them turned to see Rudra, dressed in a sweat shirt and sweatpants, his hair slightly disheveled from sleep, entering the dining area. He yawned, rubbing his neck as he walked toward the table.

His brow furrowed. The laughter was unmistakably his grandfather's, but the softer chuckle that followed—no, it couldn't be.

As he turned the corner, his jaw tightened. There, sitting at the dining table, sipping tea as if nothing had happened, was Vani. She looked calm and composed, a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside him.

For a moment, he blinked, convinced it was a hallucination. Maybe he hadn't slept enough.

But no. She was real.

He strode over, his presence looming as he stood before them. "What the hell is going on here?"

"Having tea. You want some?" Prithviraj asked.

"Vani?" Rudra instead spoke, his voice sharp and disbelieving. "What are you doing here? How—how did you get out of your room? I locked it!"

Vani set her teacup down with a deliberate clink. "Oh, you mean the room where you decided to imprison me like some damsel in distress? Windows, Rudra. Ever heard of them?"

Rudra's jaw dropped, his expression teetering between frustration and astonishment. "You jumped out of the window?"

She shrugged, her expression cool. "Desperate times.Desperate measures."

Prithviraj chuckled, clearly entertained. "She called me right after. Smart girl."

"Smart? Dadu, She could've hurt herself !" he snapped, stepping closer.

"And whose fault would that have been?" Vani shot back, standing up from her seat.

Prithviraj's amused chuckle broke through the tension. "She's got a point, Rudra. You locked her in a room. What did you expect her to do? Knit? And what were you even thinking, Rudra? Do you plan on running a marriage or a prison?"

"This is none of your business,Dadu, please stay out of this" Rudra snapped, but Prithviraj wasn't fazed.

"Of course, it is," he replied. "She's family now. And since you clearly have no idea how to treat your wife-to-be, I've decided to step in."

Vani's lips twitched, fighting back a grin as she watched Rudra's frustration grow.

"Step in how?" Rudra asked cautiously.

"By teaching you on how to be a good husband," Prithviraj replied, leaning back in his chair. "You clearly have no idea how to handle a woman like her. Someone has to step in before you turn her into your worst enemy."

"Too late for that," Vani muttered under her breath, earning a snort of laughter from Prithviraj.

Rudra turned his attention back to Vani, his voice dropping an octave. "You think this is funny? Do you have any idea what you've done? Climbing out of windows—what if something happened to you?"

"Nothing happened to me," Vani said, crossing her arms. "But something will if you keep trying to control my life. I've worked hard to get where I am, Rudra, and I'm not going to let you or anyone else take that away from me."

"You don't need to work," Rudra said, his voice firm. "I can give you everything you'll ever need."

"And what about what I want?" Vani challenged, taking a step closer. "You think your money and power can replace my dreams? Newsflash, Rudra: I'm not for sale."

Prithviraj raised his eyebrows, clearly impressed. "Well said, beta."

"Dadu," Rudra growled, his patience wearing thin.

Prithviraj smirked, sipping his tea. "Carry on. This is better than any courtroom drama."

Rudra pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling sharply. "Vani, this isn't up for discussion. You're staying here, and that's final."

"Try and stop me," Vani said, her eyes flashing with defiance.

Before Rudra could reply, Prithviraj cleared his throat. "Rudra, a relationship goes both ways. And as her life partner it's your responsibility to take care of all of her wishes. So, no one would dare to say anything to my grand-daughter in law. End of discussion."

Both Vani and Rudra turned to him in unison, their reactions polar opposites.

"What?" Rudra asked, his voice incredulous.

"Really?" Vani said, her tone filled with surprise and excitement.

Prithviraj nodded, setting his teacup down. "Yes. Also, you're taking her by road. No jet, no chauffeur. Just the two of you."

"But it's 17 hours by road!" This time Vani protested but Rudra grinned.

"Exactly," Prithviraj said with a knowing smile. "Plenty of time for you two to...bond."

Vani frowned "but dadu? He can just book a flight as a comp off for making me miss my flight. What if he locked me somewhere again"

Before Prithviraj could assure her Rudra jumped in.

"I guess that sounds perfect. Dadu. Let me change and come" Rudra smirks

Vani glared at him. "Don't get too comfortable. You'll regret it halfway through."

"Not as much as you will," he shot back.

Prithviraj stood, clapping his hands. "That's settled then. Rudra, get the car ready. Vani, already has her bags. You leave in an hour."

As Vani walked past Rudra, she paused and turned to him, her expression teasing. "Better buckle up, Chief Minister. It's going to be a long ride."

Rudra's jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides.

Prithviraj patted his grandson on the shoulder, a sly grin on his face. "Good luck, beta. Something tells me you're going to need it."

As Vani watched Rudra disappear up the stairs, she muttered to himself, "Seventeen hours. How am I even going to handle him"

Prithviraj chuckled, his voice full of amusement. "You can call me anytime bachhe." Vani smiled. The only good thing that happened with Rudra's entrance in her life was his grandfather. She never saw her own grandfather but now having him as her grandfather she felt utterly blessed.

What do you think about Prithviraj??

About Rudra and Vani ??

Hope you liked this update ❤️