Shaurya entered his room without a word. The dim lights reflected against the sharp angles of his face as he walked toward the table near the bed. In his hand was the velvet box Arjun had brought.
Slowly, he opened it.
His fingers picked up the jhumka carefully far too carefully for a man whose hands were more familiar with guns than jewelry.
For a moment, he simply looked at it then gently placed it inside the box like it was something fragile.Something important.Closing the lid, he kept the box on the table before turning toward the balcony.
The balcony itself looked less like part of a house and more like a private VIP room. One side held a sleek black pool reflecting the night sky, while the other had expensive couches and a glass table overlooking the city lights below.
Shaurya walked there slowly and sat down like a king claiming his throne one leg crossed over the other and his one arm resting lazily on the back of the couch.
His posture relaxed, his hazel-blue eyes stayed fixed on the trees swaying under the night wind.
Yet all he could see was just that shadow behind the curtain and that smell.
Fu€k!!!!
That scent had gotten stuck in his head like poison in his bloodstream Sweet. Calm. addictive .
Ironically cause the same thing disturbing his peace... was also the only thing keeping him sane .
Footsteps approached.
Arjun entered the balcony and casually dropped onto the couch opposite him.
"Sir-"
"Agar tujhe formality hi nibhani hai toh nikal ja," Shaurya cut him off coldly, finally shifting his gaze toward him.
("If you're here just to act formal, then leave.")
Arjun immediately relaxed and shrugged. "Accha thik hai na," he muttered before smirking slightly. "Par bhai hua kya hai apko ? Aap ek jhumke ke liye personalized box manga rahe ho."
("But what happened, brother? You're ordering a personalized box for a jhumka.")
Shaurya leaned his head back against the couch, eyes drifting toward the dark sky again.
"Shi samay aane pe sab bataunga," he said quietly. "Pehle mujhe khud toh samajhne de ki hua kya hai."
("I'll tell everything when the time is right. First let me understand myself what's happening.")
For the first time in years Arjun looked genuinely shocked Because Shaurya Rathore never admitted confusion.
"Magar bhai-"
( but brother-)
Shaurya opened one eye slowly and looked straight at him.
"Agar magar kuch nahi," he said flatly. "Pehle jo kaam de raha hoon woh karo."
Straightening slightly, he rested his elbows on his thighs, fingers interlocked. "Take out all the CCTV footage from that orphanage where we went with Dadi Saa," he ordered. pause. before continue"Especially the kids' play room."
His husky voice carried a unusual curiosity.
Arjun noticed it instantly. "Samjho kaam ho gaya, bhai," he replied with a nod.
( Consider it done, brother.)
Right then, a servant entered quietly carrying an expensive bottle of alcohol, ice, and two glasses already prepared.
The servant carefully placed everything on the table, bowed his head, and left immediately without daring to stay longer than necessary.
Shaurya picked up his glass , Arjun did the same.
"Waise bhai," Arjun spoke while swirling the drink lightly, "hume Banaras bhi jaana hoga. Woh hospital wahi hai. Location 110% confirmed hai... BHU ke paas."
( btw brother We'll have to go to Banaras too. That hospital is there. The location is 110% confirmed... near Bhu.")
Shaurya listened carefully before nodding once.
"Hm. Thik hai," he said calmly. "Chalte hain phir." with a pause he continued .
( ok let's go then).
"Waise bhi rally wala kaam bhi kar lenge university mein..." his eyes darkened slightly, "...aur Dena se bhi milna hai mujhe."
( Anyway, we will do the rally work in the university and I have to meet Dena too.)
Arjun poured more alcohol into their glasses.
"Haan," he agreed. "Youth ko influence mein bhi rakhna hai. Aur waise bhi... sab already aapke side mein hi hain."
( You also have to keep the youth under influence. And anyway... everyone is already on your side.)
Shaurya lifted the glass again, the amber liquid reflecting against his cold hazel-blue eyes.
But before the drink could touch his lips That damn shadow behind the curtain and the smell returned.
Blackberries.
Soft roses.
Something musky beneath it all.
Sweet enough to calm a storm and seductive enough to start one.
His grip around the glass tightened.
Ahhh damn...
His jaw clenched internally.
This is going to kill me for sure. For the first time in years, Shaurya Rathore felt something he couldn't explain and that irritated him more than those bloody basterd ever could.
'What the fuck is this feeling?
And why can't I even define it?'
His jaw tightened visibly across from him, Arjun noticed it "Kya hua, bhai?" he asked carefully.
(what happened)
Shaurya didn't answer, he placed the untouched drink back on the table with controlled force before leaning back against the couch.
"Arjun," he said calmly "Call Rudra."
Arjun frowned slightly. "Abhi?"
(now)
Shaurya's eyes shifted toward him that was enough answer Arjun immediately took out his phone.
"And tell him," Shaurya continued slowly, "to bring every female perfume brand available in market from Cheap to expensive with the notes of blackberries," he said quietly.
"Rose... and musk."
Arjun blinked once then twice with the look of ' iss insaan ka pura wala mala kahi gir gaya h pakka '
"Bhai..." he said slowly, trying very hard not to laugh, "aapko kya perfume ki dukaan kholni h ?"
( Do you want to open a perfume shop?)
Shaurya's cold and deadly gaze landed on him instantly " I'll bury you in this balcony."
Call connected "Rudra," Arjun spoke seriously now, "bhai ka order hai. Saare female perfumes arrange karo. Blackberry, rose aur musky notes wale aur haan... saare."
( brother's order. All female perfumes are available. Blackberry, rose, and musky notes, and yes... all of them.)
From the other side, even Rudra went silent for a second then "bhai ko hua kya hai?"
(what happened)
Arjun looked at Shaurya, who was now staring into the darkness beyond the balcony like a man being hunted by his own thoughts.
"No idea," Arjun muttered honestly then added quietly, " kyuki bhai ko bhi nahi pata h kya hua h unhe toh mujhe kya khak pata hoga." Shaurya ignored both of them.
( Because even brother doesn't know what happened how would i know about it?)
Within fifteen minutes after call ends the balcony looked less like the sitting area of a mafia king and more like the luxury section of a perfume .
Dozens of perfume bottles covered the glass table. From world-famous designer brands to cheap local bottles bought from random stores-Rudra had brought everything.
Blackberry.
Rose.
Musk.
Every possible variation.
Arjun stood leaning against the railing with folded arms, watching the scene in complete disbelief.
Meanwhile-
Shaurya Rathore was testing perfumes.
The same man who could order executions without blinking... was spraying perfume strips one after another with dangerous seriousness.
He was constantly doing spray. Smell. Reject and throw them again process repeat this process is going from last 20 minutes.
Now the floor around the couch was already covered with rejected scent sheets and expensive bottles lying sideways .
His irritation only grew. "Not this one," he muttered coldly before tossing another strip away.
Some where too sweet or too sharp.
' Bhench*d ye Saala ek perfume nhi mil Raha it's god damn frustrating because I get everything in the blink of an eye and here i m not able to find a mere perfume ohh yeah not even the owner .'
His frustration darkened visibly.
Arjun finally shook his head slowly, trying not to laugh at the absurdity of the situation.
"Imagine," he said dramatically, "if people found out what their honorable Chief Minister is doing right now."
Shaurya ignored him completely and sprayed another tester.
Arjun continued anyway.
"And forget the public," he smirked, "what if the dark world finds out? Mafia king Shaurya Singh Rathore... sitting in his balcony at midnight searching for a girl's perfume."
Shaurya's eyes lifted slowly toward him for a second, silence settled again.
'iski jagah koi aur hota toh pakka goli se uda diya hota madarch*do ko '
Then Shaurya suddenly picked up another bottle-sleek black glass, not too expensive it's cost around 700-800 .
He sprayed it once onto the sheet the scent hit the air.
Blackberries.
Soft roses.
Warm musk.
Suddenly his movements stopped he stared at the tester strip silently.
That's same smell ,the scent that had wrapped around him in the orphanage corridor.
It's not exactly the same scent that had followed him into his thoughts cause ofcourse that smell is different because it was mix with her odor.
'Fu€k mil gaya mil gaya bhai mil gaya aaj main uppar asamaa nichi aaj main aage jamana h piche ahhhh nhi i mil mehnat lagi na no i m not dancing like a teen boy in love no one of you think that clear '.
'I m not pookie I m devil himself in the form of human'.
His his lips curve into a small smirk "Finally found it," he murmured.
I was sleeping peacefully when some loud voices pulled me out of sleep.
My brows furrowed slightly as I slowly sat up on the bed, rubbing my eyes lazily. For a moment, I thought maybe I was dreaming.
But then-
another sharp voice echoed through the house.
I sighed softly " aare yaar"
not again khana ji please.....
I pushed the blanket away and stepped out of my room quietly. The hall light was on, casting a pale yellow glow across the living room.
Mumma was sitting on the chair.Papa's voice was still coming from the phone lying on speaker beside her. He wasn't talking.
He was blaming.
"Har baar paise khatam ho jaate hain!" his angry voice echoed through the room. "Pata nahi itna kharcha karti kaha ho tum tumhe kya lagta h main kaam dhanha nhi karta !"
("Money finishes every time! I don't even know where all the expenses go!")
Mumma tried to explain something softly, but he didn't even let her speak as always and then the call disconnected.
Mumma just sat there... crying quietly my chest tightened painfully at the sight.
Honestly... I loved my father but i hate him too I hate the way he treated her I mean cant he be clam and ask peacfully softly what he want to ask but no he always blame mumma ,taunt her because over use of i mean as bro as if groceries, electricity, medicines, household expenses... all happened magically.
Mumma never spent on herself believe me never. like you in her prime era she tell me that she was the most faishonable but since i see her i never see her like that maybe that's why people say that how a man is treating his wife can be judged by how the women was living before marraige and how she live after marriage .
bro believe me or not but at this point i m also done with money like nhi chahiye vo bhi bahi ,what i need is peace and a happy family rather than trust issue and blame game . I know Iknow ghar ghar ki kahani h but i dont like this kahani and i know neither u all .
My eyes burned slightly as I slowly walked toward her.
The moment she looked at me something inside me cracked ,her eyes were red. Wet. Tired and suddenly I wanted to cry too but I couldn't elder daughter things u know I had to stay strong.
The funny thing?
brooooo !!!!!! I dont know how to console my own mother, ahhh i dont know how to console anyone I never know what to say ,I am so bad at this.
But bro try ke aage jeet h mountain dew ahhh wth are u saying Vidhi okay still, I tried.
"Mumma..." I whispered softly.
Before I could complete my sentence, she broke down again."Tumhare papa hamesha aisa hi karte hain," she cried. "Har baar mujhe hi blame karte hain... jaise main chor hoon..."
("Your father always does this. Every time he blames me... as if I'm a thief...")
Tears kept falling from her eyes. "Har baar insult kar dete hain... jaise meri koi izzat hi nahi..."
("He insults me every time... as if I have no self-respect...")
And I just listened quietly Because sometimes... people don't need solutions.They just need someone who stays and listen them So I sat beside her on the floor and held her hand silently while she cried.
And deep inside I hated how helpless I felt. kanha ji make everthing fine please u take my all merits but make everything fine i cant see mumma like this .
Time skip
I stood in front of Banaras Hindu University, staring at the huge gates for a moment before taking a deep breath and walking inside.
Honestly?
Coming here alone itself was a huge achievement for me.
I literally cried, begged, argued, pleaded in front of Papa for days and weeks just so he would allow me to study here.
And somehow I made it yeah, I don't live in Banaras permanently. I came here to study... but maybe also to breathe.
To stay away from the constant fights.
The shouting.
The toxic atmosphere back home that slowly drains every good emotion out of you.
When your house never feels peaceful, your mind never learns how to stay calm either.
At least Mumma understands me.
She's here with me for one month, and honestly, I don't know what I'd do without her. She loves me so much more than my younger sibling and honestly I m only comfortable with her .
About Papa we never really had that father-daughter bond people write emotional posts about. Whenever we talk, it somehow turns into an argument.
And my mouth?
God.
I speak too much when I'm angry.
Then comes the scolding and
Sometimes things almost get worse like I was about to get slap or slipper etc by my father.
But thankfully, by God's grace, I get save by mumma .
I shook my head slightly.
Whatever guys no point ruining my morning over old thoughts.
Just then, I spotted two familiar idiots walking toward me.
Nandani and Riya.
A smile instantly appeared on my face as I raised my hand and waved dramatically.
"Helloooo!" I called out while walking toward them.
Nandani immediately narrowed her eyes at me.
"Why do you look emotionally damaged this early in the morning?"
I gasped. "Good morning to you too."
Riya laughed softly before pulling me into a side hug.
"Family drama again?" she asked gently.
I sighed dramatically. "At this point, my house should start charging Netflix-level subscription fees."
Both of them burst out laughing.
We started walking through the campus together, bags hanging lazily on our shoulders while the morning breeze moved softly through the trees.
Students were everywhere - some rushing toward classes, some pretending to study while gossiping, and some already looking dead inside even though the day had barely started.
Typical college life.
Nandani suddenly groaned dramatically. "Please tell me today's psychopathology lecture got cancelled."
I immediately looked at her in horror.
"Don't even joke about that. I completed the entire assignment at 2 a.m."
Riya blinked innocently. "You guys did the assignment?"
Nandani and I stopped walking both of us looked at Riya like she had committed a crime.
"Riya," I said slowly, "submission is today."
Her eyes widened. "WHAT?"
Nandani burst out laughing so hard she nearly dropped her phone.
"I thought it was next week!" Riya whisper-shouted, panicking instantly.
I folded my arms dramatically. "Congratulations. You're about to experience public humiliation in front of the entire class."
"Vidhi shut up!" she cried. "Send me pictures right now."
I smirked proudly. "No."
"VIDHI."
"Fine," I laughed finally, taking out my phone. "But coffee treat after class."
"Done. Anything. Just save my degree babes ."
As we climbed the stairs toward our department building, Nandani smirked mischievously.
"By the way, Vidhi..."
I narrowed my eyes instantly. "What?"
"You're glowing today."
I frowned. " Wha bae raat ke 3 baaje so ke kiska konsa glow up h bhen"
("I literally slept at 3 a.m.")
"Still glowing."
Riya joined immediately. "True"
I looked between them in disbelief.
"Oh my God," I deadpanned. "Can't you both see my dark circle bro i m it's do tells i only use phone "
Nandani gasped dramatically. "What u see in your phone."
"Maybe there's a secret boyfriend," Riya whispered loudly.
I nearly choked.
"With my luck?" I scoffed. "Please. The only men in my life are fictional man."
Nandani clutched her chest laughing.
"Fair enough."
Riya suddenly sighed dramatically and held the railing like life had personally betrayed her.
"Seriously," she groaned, "kisne bola tha hume apne pair pe khud kulhadi maarne ko by choosing B.Com with Psychology?"
("Seriously, who told us to chop our own legs by choosing B.com with Psychology ?")
Nandani instantly pointed at me.
"VIDHI."
I gasped loudly. "Excuse me? I motivated you. Force thodi kiya tha."
("I motivated you. I didn't force you.")
Riya narrowed her eyes. "Motivate? You literally said and I quote- 'It'll be fun, yaar.'"
I tried not to laugh.
"Well..." I coughed. "At that time I was also innocent."
Nandani looked offended.
"Innocent? Ma'am, we study human behavior all day and still can't understand our own lives."
"Exactly!" Riya added dramatically. "Imagine if we become a psychiatrist then Patients ko advice denge communicate your feelings aur ham khud ghar pe argument ke baad room band karke rote hain."
("We'll advise patients to communicate their feelings... while we ourselves cry in locked rooms after arguments at home.")
Nandani suddenly smirked "Still better than accounting class."
All three of us groaned together at the thought.
______________________________________
Hope you all enjoy this Chapter
That's it for today
Thanks for reading 🎀
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