Chapter 2
Anshika Rathore /FL
*calling someone *
Revati Rathore / fl's sis
hello baby
Anshika Rathore /FL
📞 Hello jijisa tell your soon-to-be husband to call his brother and tell him to send someone to take me
Revati Rathore / fl's sis
📞 ohh ok I will tell him
Revati Rathore / fl's sis
📞 You could just call him yourself, you know?
Anshika Rathore /FL
📞 *flatly* I could, but I don’t want to.
Revati Rathore / fl's sis
📞*laughing* Fine, fine. Hold on.
Anshika Rathore /FL
*Hung up the call *
On the other end, Revati walks into the restaurant corner table where Arjun is.
Revati Rathore / fl's sis
*teasing* Your darling sali sahiba (sis in law) is at the airport and wants you to call Ekansh to pick her up.
Arjun Chauhan/ Ml's big brother
*raising an eyebrow* Why can’t she go there by herself. Why the pickup. Service.
Revati Rathore / fl's sis
* raised an eyebrow* did she know where they are ?
Arjun Chauhan/ Ml's big brother
* sigh, shaking his head* This ....girl can't let me enjoy with you little.
Revati Rathore / fl's sis
* chuckle and slap his arm * Shut up and call him
Arjun dials Ekansh’s number, and within a few rings, Ekansh picks up.
Arjun Chauhan/ Ml's big brother
📞Ekansh, pick up Anshika from outside the airport. She just reached.
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
she can walk inside
Arjun Chauhan/ Ml's big brother
📞 *firmly* I said, go pick her up.
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
📞 *huffs* Fine.
Call ends. Ekansh, still sitting inside the private lounge at the airport with Raksh, leans back in his seat, rubbing his temple.
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
*smirking* Looks like your job just turned into a chauffeur service.
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
Shut up, and you are the one whose job turned into Chauffeur service. * said sternly*
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
Now go and pick her up.
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
Heartless person 😒
* after saying that he exists from there *
Raksh stepped out of the airport lounge, scanning the area for Anshika. His eyes landed on a girl standing near the entrance, phone in hand, looking around casually. His brows lifted slightly in surprise.
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
* in mind *
Just hours ago, i had seen her in an oversized hoodie and pajama pants, looking like she had just rolled out of bed. But now… this was a complete transformation.
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
*walking up to her, smirking*
Damn, are you sure you're the same girl we met earlier? Or did I pick up the wrong person?
Anshika Rathore /FL
*Glancing up, raising an eyebrow*
Do you always greet people like that?
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
* grinning*. Only when the transformation is this shocking. From sleepyhead to… well, a whole boss lady vibe. Impressive.
Anshika Rathore /FL
* shrugging* Work demands it.
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
Speaking of which, what kind of work makes you change avatars like this?
Anshika Rathore /FL
* casually* what do you think ?
Raksh already liked her attitude—it was calm, direct, and unfazed by his teasing.
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
* chuckle* Alright, little girl, let’s go. Ekansh is waiting.
He took her luggage and led her inside to the private waiting lounge. As they walked, Raksh couldn't help but notice how many eyes turned in her direction. She was effortlessly grabbing attention, but she acted like she didn't even notice.
Inside the Private Lounge
Ekansh was sitting on a leather couch, scrolling through his phone when he heard approaching footsteps. He looked up, and for a brief second, his eyes froze
The girl walking in with Raksh was the same Anshika Rathore they had met earlier… right? But she looked completely different. The lazy, sleepy girl from before was gone. Now, she carried herself with effortless confidence, dressed sharply, her fitted skirt and jacket unknowingly giving her a powerful aura.
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
* Ekansh narrowed his eyes slightly, observing her.*
* In mind *
Something about her didn’t sit right—like switching between personalities as per need. I had seen many people do that in my line of work, but this… this was different.
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
*grinning*
Surprise, surprise. Our messy designer it also seems like bossy businesswoman
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
* leaning back, arms crossed*
Seems like it.
Anshika Rathore /FL
* ignored their comments and took a seat, completely unfazed *
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
Did you have dinner?
Anshika Rathore /FL
*glancing at him *
yes I had.
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
* gave a small nod, observing her again. She wasn’t chatty like most girls he had met. Interesting. *
9:00 PM – Inside the Private Jet
The jet was luxurious, with leather seats, dim lighting, and a fully stocked bar. Anshika took her seat near the window, while Ekansh sat across from her. Raksh made himself comfortable on the couch, stretching his arms.
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
Alright, long flight ahead. Let’s see how this trip goes.
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
Hey Anshi , make yourself comfortable ok ( he said will leaning on the seat )
Anshika Rathore /FL
hmm, * looking outside of window *
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
* stretching* Alright, let’s talk about sleeping arrangements. The jet has two rooms, so we’ll have to share.
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
* leaning back* I’ll take one. You two figure out the rest.
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
Oh wow, how generous of you, business tycoon and Hukum Sa of jaisalmer. (mocking tone) And what about Anshika?
Anshika Rathore /FL
* calmly* I’m not sleeping.
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
* raising an eyebrow* Huh? Why?
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
* observing her* Not sleepy?
Anshika Rathore /FL
* shrugging* I have work.
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
*dramatic sigh*
Oh ho, come on! You’re telling me you’ll stay awake the whole 16-hour flight?
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
And what exactly is so important that you’re sacrificing sleep?
Anshika Rathore /FL
* smile slightly* Surviving. 🙂
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
* blinking* what ?
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
*Expression unreadable* ....
Anshika Rathore /FL
* Nonchalantly* I mean ....work. , deadlines, designs, meeting, life........ surviving all that .
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
* groaning* ugh, you sound like Ekansh now. Work, work, work .
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
* raising an eyebrow* that's why I am successful.
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
*. Mocking*
Yeah, yeah, business tycoon, future Hokum Sa of Jailer—blah blah ... But you know what? Normal people sleep.
Anshika Rathore /FL
* smirks*
And yet, I’m awake.
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
*pretends to cry*
Two workaholics in one jet. I’m doomed!
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
* finally gives up and stands up*
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
Fine! I’m going to sleep. If you two want to compete on who can stay awake longer, be my guest.
He dramatically walks off to the room, leaving Anshika and Ekansh alone. Ekansh remains silent for a few seconds before speaking
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
*calmly* You really don’t sleep, or was that just an excuse?
Anshika Rathore /FL
* looks at him but doesn’t answer. She simply picks up her notebook and starts scribbling something, avoiding his gaze.*
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
* watches her carefully. Something was off, but he doesn’t push. Instead, he leans back, closing his eyes, but keeping her in his peripheral vision. The mystery of Anshika was just beginning to unfold.*
After a few minutes of silence, Ekansh stands up
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
Fine. If you don’t want to sleep, that’s your choice. But at least take one of the rooms
Anshika Rathore /FL
* without looking up* I’m fine here.
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
* sighs* I’ll sleep with Raksh. The second room is empty. Take it.
Anshika Rathore /FL
* glancing at him* I don’t need it.
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
* crossing arms*
Why? You have some problem sleeping in a room alone?
Anshika Rathore /FL
*calmly*
No. I just don’t sleep much.
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
* raising an eyebrow*
Weirder than I expected.
Anshika Rathore /FL
*smirks*
Says the most mysterious man.
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
Fair enough.
*takes a seat across from her, watching her scribble in her notebook*
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
So, how do you know about Arjun and Revati?
Anshika Rathore /FL
*raises an eyebrow*
She’s my sister.
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
*blinks*
Wait—what?
Anshika Rathore /FL
You didn’t know? *chuckles* Revati is my older sister. And Arjun jija sa is my soon-to-be brother-in-law.
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
*shaking his head*
I didn’t see that coming.
Anshika Rathore /FL
Well, you’ll see a lot of unexpected things in Jodhpur.
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
*Leaning back* So, this whole meeting between families… it's just an act? They already love each other?
Anshika Rathore /FL
Exactly. They’ve been together for two years, but if the family finds out, they won’t agree to the marriage.
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
And you’re helping them?
A brief pause. Ekansh notices how tired Anshika looks.
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
You haven’t slept, have you?
Anshika Rathore /FL
*shrugs* I don’t sleep at night much.
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
Insomnia?
Anshika Rathore /FL
Not exactly. It’s called Hypervigilant Sleep Disorder.
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
* frowning* What’s that?
Anshika Rathore /FL
I can only sleep properly if I feel safe. Otherwise, my body stays alert. So, I sleep lightly during the day instead.
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
*watching her closely*
That… doesn’t sound easy.
Anshika Rathore /FL
*Soft chuckle*
You get used to it.
Ekansh doesn’t say anything, but for the first time, he realizes that Anshika isn’t just reserved—there’s something deeper she’s not showing.
For a moment, a comfortable silence settled between them. Ekansh glanced at her, noticing how her face looked calm, yet her eyes carried a depth of sadness he couldn’t quite understand.
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
*standing up*
Alright, I’m heading to bed. Take care.
Anshika Rathore /FL
* softly* you too.
As Ekansh disappeared into the room, Anshika turned towards the window. The vast sky stretched endlessly, mirroring the emptiness she often felt.
Anshika Rathore /FL
* She hugged her knees, resting her chin on them. Her vision blurred as unshed tears filled her eyes. *
Her real parents. Their faces were still clear in her mind—the last moment she saw them alive. The sound of their desperate cries, the sight of their blood-stained hands reaching for her. The night she lost everything.
Anshika Rathore /FL
(to herself) I miss you both so much… Why did you leave me here? Why did you go so far away?
Anshika Rathore /FL
*Tear rolls down her cheek, but she quickly wipes it away. She takes a deep breath, closing her eyes for a second before opening them again. The night sky outside feels endless, just like the emptiness in her heart.*
Anshika Rathore /FL
(softly) If you were here… would I be able to sleep peacefully?
Author
Thank you for reading ❤️
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