It had been a full week since Sakshi returned to Delhi. Slowly… very slowly… the terrifying memory from Rajasthan had started fading away.
The scream, the gunshot, the man's lifeless body—everything had begun to blur like some horrible nightmare. Ishu and Pihu had agreed silently never to bring it up again. And Sakshi forced herself to believe it was over… that whoever that man was, he would never know who she was.
Life had started settling again—college, classes, Aarav's teasing, her mother's scolding every morning. Things felt normal.
Then one evening, as her father opened the front door, he called out loudly,
"Sakshi! We got a wedding invitation."
Her mother emerged from the kitchen, drying her hands. "Whose wedding?"
Her father handed the envelope over. "Your chachi's niece. Big wedding. Her family became quite influential these days… political connections, wealth… the invitation card itself looks expensive."
Sakshi opened the envelope, revealing a heavy golden card decorated with intricate designs. Even the name embossing looked rich.
Her mother shook her head. "They used to be normal people. Now look… they've become political powerhouses. I'm sure the wedding will be grand."
Her father laughed. "Grand? People like us will look like strangers there. Middle-class among all the rich businessmen and ministers."
Her mother nudged him lightly. "Still, we have to attend. She's family."
Sakshi smiled faintly, admiring the card. "It'll be fun na? We haven't been to a big wedding in years."
"Yes, but behave properly," her mother warned gently. "They're influential people now. We can't afford any embarrassment."
Sakshi nodded, unaware… absolutely unaware… that attending this wedding would twist her fate.
A week later, bags were packed, gifts were wrapped, and Sakshi's family left for Rajasthan—this time not for a vacation, but for a wedding anniversary celebration hosted by their wealthy political relatives.
The event was in Jaipur, far from Udaipur… far from the nightmare Sakshi wanted to forget.
The journey was long, but the moment they reached the grand hotel late at night, they were welcomed warmly. The place was beautifully decorated—lights, flowers, music, and luxury everywhere.
Within minutes, Sakshi found her cousins.
Laughter, teasing, and chaos filled the suite. She blended in effortlessly, her earlier fear long gone. Hours passed, and it felt like old times—stories, jokes, and unlimited gossip.
The next morning… the day of the grand celebration.
Sakshi stood in front of the mirror, draping a black saree her mother had kept aside for a "special day."
But today, she didn't look like the normal girl who woke up late and watched cartoons.
She looked… breathtaking.
The black saree hugged her curves perfectly.
The soft smoky makeup made her eyes look deeper, more expressive.
Her hair, slightly curled at the ends, fell over her shoulders.
Her waist gleamed with a hint of shimmer.
She looked sexy and stunning in a way she had never seen herself.
Even her cousins stopped talking when she walked out.
"Sakshi… damn," one of them whispered.
"Girl, you look so hot!" another gasped.
Sakshi flushed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Bas yaar, don't tease."
Her mother looked at her with pride. "Nazar na lag jaye."
"Mumma , do you know who is she ?? She is not my sister " aarav said teasing her
Sakshi smiled shyly.
At the same time, in a private palace nearby, a convoy was being prepared.
The political family hosting the celebration had requested Riyansh Singh Rathore's presence weeks ago. Normally, he ignored such invitations… but this time, for reasons even he didn't understand, he agreed.
And the wedding day arrived.
The venue was grand—lights sparkling, music playing softly, guests laughing, children running around. But all of that changed in a single moment.
As six black SUVs rolled to a halt at the entrance, a wave of silence spread like a storm.
Guards in black stepped out first, their movements sharp and intimidating. Then the door of the central SUV opened…
And His Highness descended.
Tall. Cold. Dominant.
Every step he took was enough to make the ground itself bow.
People froze. Ministers adjusted their coats nervously. Businessmen straightened their posture. Women gasped softly behind their veils.
Whispers rose like trembling leaves—
"He's here…"
"Your Highness has arrived…"
"Someone inform the family—quick—quick!"
"Don't look into his eyes!"
The hosts rushed to the entrance, their foreheads already sweating. The moment they saw him, they folded their hands deeply.
"Your Highness, welcome… please, this way…"
He gave a slight nod, and even that felt like power crashing through the hall.
But on the other side of the massive resort—
Sakshi and her cousins were laughing, taking pictures near the pool, completely unaware that the same man she saw killing someone… the same man whose face haunted her nightmares… had just entered this very venue.
Music continued for them.
Laughter continued.
Her world stayed bright and warm.
Meanwhile, inside the main hall, Riyansh walked through the crowd—his bodyguards following, the entire room stiff with tension.
The ceremony began.
Lights dimmed.
The couple walked forward.
People smiled nervously, glancing at His Highness every few seconds just to check his expression
After the rituals, one of the senior ministers stepped forward nervously.
"Your Highness… please allow us to escort you to the dining area. A special table has been arranged."
Riyansh gave a silent nod.
Immediately, two bodyguards walked ahead, clearing the path. A long line of officials, businessmen, and security followed behind him like shadows. The entire corridor stiffened as he walked through—no one dared to speak, even breathe loudly.
But the moment he reached the open dining area…
Something unusual happened.
His steps slowed.
His attention… drifted.
Because tucked near the corner of the buffet section, he saw a silhouette.
A girl…
in a black saree.
Her back was turned, her hair falling beautifully over her shoulder. She was holding a paper plate in front of her face to cool the hot food, accidentally hiding herself.
But even with her face covered…
Her figure.
Her grace.
Her presence.
It caught his eye instantly.
The crowd behind him kept talking—"Your Highness, this way, please"—but his focus had already shifted.
Who is she?
Why does her presence… pull me like this?
He didn't even realize he had stopped walking until his manager whispered, trembling,
"Your Highness… is everything okay?"
Then… she lowered the plate.
And he finally saw her face.
The lights, the noise, the movement… everything blurred into nothing.
She turned slightly, laughing softly at something her cousin said. And in that moment, her beauty hit him like a force.
Her eyes sparkled.
Her lips curved gently.
Her black saree hugged her figure like it was made only for her.
She looked like a goddess descending from the night sky.
Riyansh Singh Rathore—
the man who silenced rooms,
who made ministers tremble,
who ruled an entire state—
stood still.
Amazed.
Intrigued.
Something he had never felt before flickered in his eyes.
He didn't recognize her from that night yet.
He was too stunned by her beauty to connect the memory.
But destiny wasn't done.
Because the moment Sakshi turned fully, her eyes shifted toward him…
And her smile disappeared instantly.
Her breath caught.
Her hands went cold.
Her body froze.
It was him.
The man she saw in Rajasthan.
The man she screamed at.
The man whose presence she never wanted to face again.