Chapter 5
Anshika confidently led the group through the grand hallways of Rathore Mahal. As they approached Revati’s room
Anshika Rathore /FL
* pushed the door open without knocking—a habit from their childhood.*
And what did she walk into?
Revati and Arjun were standing too close.
Arjun Chauhan/ Ml's big brother
*Arjun’s hand resting on Revati’s waist*
Revati Rathore / fl's sis
*blushing*
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
.....
Khushi Chauhan/ Ml's lil sister
.....
Anshika Rathore /FL
* smirking*
AHMMMM AHMM
Revati Rathore / fl's sis
*gasped and jumped back, turning red.*
Revati Rathore / fl's sis
Anshi 😳
Arjun Chauhan/ Ml's big brother
* instead of looking embarrassed, just crossed his arms and smirked *
Arjun Chauhan/ Ml's big brother
Didn't anyone teach you how to knock?
Anshika Rathore /FL
* raised an eyebrow.*
Anshika Rathore /FL
Why do I have to knock? This is my house too!
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
* burst out laughing *
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
Bro, we just barged in on their romance!
Khushi Chauhan/ Ml's lil sister
* nudged *
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
* shook his head *
Anshika Rathore /FL
"Ek baar confirm toh kar lein ki yeh romance hi tha? Kahin business meeting toh nahi chal rahi thi?"
( Let's confirm once that this was romance? Was there a business meeting going on somewhere? )
Revati Rathore / fl's sis
* glare at her *
Revati Rathore / fl's sis
Anshi !
Arjun Chauhan/ Ml's big brother
* completely unfazed, sat down lazily on the couch. *
Arjun Chauhan/ Ml's big brother
Chalo, batao Anshika, kyun aayi ho?
(Come on, tell me Anshika, why have you come? )
Anshika Rathore /FL
* crossed her arms.*
Anshika Rathore /FL
Is everything bad with your ears ? I told you I come to meet my sister.
Arjun Chauhan/ Ml's big brother
*mock serious *
Oh really? Or did you find another excuse to irritate me?
Anshika Rathore /FL
*dramatic sigh*
Yes yes, because I have no other work to do in this world!
Khushi Chauhan/ Ml's lil sister
*giggled *
Khushi Chauhan/ Ml's lil sister
I thought Rathore and Chauhan would calm down together, but both of them are in full battleground mode!
Just then little footsteps echoing in the hallway.
Preet Rathore / Aryan & shivanshi's son
*Preet ran inside*
Preet Rathore / Aryan & shivanshi's son
*shouting happily *
Buiii!
Before Anshika could react, the eight-year-old crashed into her, hugging her tightly.
Anshika Rathore /FL
* immediately melted, hugging him back.*
Preet Rathore / Aryan & shivanshi's son
*pouting*
you have come after a two year! Do you know how much I missed you?
Anshika Rathore /FL
* kneeling to his level, guilty*
Aww, my baby! I missed you too!
Preet Rathore / Aryan & shivanshi's son
Liar ! If you missed me .you would have come quickly!
Preet Rathore / Aryan & shivanshi's son
*Glare cutely*
Anshika Rathore /FL
* held her ears in a fake apology. *
Anshika Rathore /FL
my mistake! Please forgive me, little prince !
Preet Rathore / Aryan & shivanshi's son
*giggled but then crossed his arms "
Preet Rathore / Aryan & shivanshi's son
And my gift? You always brought something with you!"
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
*whispering to Ekansh*
Brother, this little one looks quite dangerous
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
* just smirked, watching Anshika struggle to convince Preet. *
Anshika Rathore /FL
*laughing*
baby my luggage is not unpacked yet, but I have brought something for you! Promise !
Preet Rathore / Aryan & shivanshi's son
*beamed instantly.*
Preet Rathore / Aryan & shivanshi's son
It's fine, but if I don't like it then I will be angry with you!
Anshika Rathore /FL
* pulled him into another hug. *
Anshika Rathore /FL
My baby will never be angry with me !
Everyone smiled at the cute moment.
But Arjun—ever the teaser—
Arjun Chauhan/ Ml's big brother
*Leaned back against the couch and smirked. *
Arjun Chauhan/ Ml's big brother
Yes, yes, stop the drama. Your entry ruined the love-filled moment between me and Revati
Anshika Rathore /FL
* rolled her eyes. *
Please! You both were just looking at each other! Don't make it too much!
Revati Rathore / fl's sis
* hid her face in her hands *
Khushi Chauhan/ Ml's lil sister
*burst out laughing*
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
* laughing*
Ekansh didn’t say anything. He just watched.
Watched how Anshika changed completely in front of her loved ones.
From silent and mysterious to confident and playful.
And for some reason, he found himself intrigued.
Anshika Rathore /FL
*After some time Anshika feels her stomach growling*
Anshika Rathore /FL
* She stand up with preet in her arm*
Anshika Rathore /FL
baby Prince want to eat something?.
* to preet *
Preet Rathore / Aryan & shivanshi's son
If you are cooking then yes 😀
Anshika Rathore /FL
Ok then let's go ☺️
Anshika Rathore /FL
* She looked at others and said *
Anshika Rathore /FL
Anyone else wants to eat, feel free to come along.
Anshika Rathore /FL
* Then she started to walk *
She didn’t wait for a reply and turned toward the corridor that led toward the backside of the palace. Her room was located there—quiet, away from the buzz. A space that felt like hers alone.
The rest of them except revati exchanged looks.
Revati Rathore / fl's sis
* Sigh looking at her *
Revati Rathore / fl's sis
I guess Again dadi sa said something to her
* mumbled herself*
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
*raising a brow*
Back side of the palace...?
Revati Rathore / fl's sis
*lightly*
That’s where her room is. Separate from the main house. But the terrace is still connected.
As they all began to follow Anshika, Revati walked beside Arjun, who seemed slightly curious.
Arjun Chauhan/ Ml's big brother
What's the matter with your family
Revati Rathore / fl's sis
* sadly chuckle*
It's complicated i myself don't know much. I know is just that my most of the family members hate her.
Every one Heard her words. Their curiosity grower to know Anshikas story
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
*surprised*
Why ?
Revati Rathore / fl's sis
* shrugged* Don't know. She never shared anything to me .
Revati Rathore / fl's sis
She has her own little house in this big palace. Not only that, but she likes to stay there whenever she comes.
Revati Rathore / fl's sis
*softly, with a trace of sadness*
It started when Dadi Sa used to insult her at the dining table... little things, subtle taunts. She never responded—but one day, she quietly stopped showing up. Since then, she just eats alone. In her own space.
Revati Rathore / fl's sis
She left India at the age of 12. She has returned to India occasionally since then.
Ekansh looked ahead. Anshika was walking with Preet in her arms, silent as always, her presence calm yet distant.
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
She must be carrying lots of pain in her heart
* looking at her *
Revati Rathore / fl's sis
*continuing*
She never said a word about it. No complaints, no drama... just quietly distanced herself. That’s how she is.
They reached the back portion of the Mahal. Her space looked like a small house—her own corner of peace. The terrace outside her room had a view of the entire palace grounds. As she opened the door, the soft scent of sandalwood drifted out. A small kitchen area was already lit. Shivanshi had slightly arranged everything in kitchen , like they always did whenever Anshika returned.
Anshika Rathore /FL
*Anshika set Preet down, and he ran to the table happily.
*
She tied her dupatta around her waist and started washing vegetables. The tap water ran softly in the background, and the gas stove clicked to life. She worked quietly, yet confidently—like someone who had done this a thousand times.
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
*half-teasing*
I expected a fancy chef from the U.S., not homely kitchen vibes!
Anshika Rathore /FL
*without looking up*
Don’t eat then.
Arjun Chauhan/ Ml's big brother
*chuckling*
Touché.
Khushi Chauhan/ Ml's lil sister
*gently*
You cook often?
Anshika Rathore /FL
*stirring a pan*
Everyday. I can't eat outside food much. I have alergy of American spices.
Ekansh leaned slightly against the doorway, just watching her. There was something unexpectedly warm about this—seeing her in a space that clearly belonged to her.
Khushi Chauhan/ Ml's lil sister
*smiling*
You’re not making everything alone. Tell me what to chop.
Anshika Rathore /FL
*surprised*
You don’t have to—
Khushi Chauhan/ Ml's lil sister
*already picking up a knife*
I want to.
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
* joined in, rolling up his sleeves.*
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
Tell me I’m not stuck with salad duty.
Anshika Rathore /FL
*faint smile*
Cut the onions. No crying allowed.
Arjun Chauhan/ Ml's big brother
*grinning*
I’ll make rotis—just don’t blame me if they look like maps.
Revati Rathore / fl's sis
* laughed and opened the spice drawer like she’d done it a hundred times.*
Revati Rathore / fl's sis
Let’s make the kitchen noisy today.
As everyone got to work, there was laughter, a little chaos, some teasing. Anshika, though quiet, wasn’t alone anymore.
Anshika Rathore /FL
*She was rolling out the dough when she reached for the container of flour—too high for her.*
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
*Without a word, stepped in, pulling it down for her.*
Anshika Rathore /FL
* feeling someone presence, turned back to see
Their eyes met—just for a moment.
No smile. No words. Just a stillness.
And in that pause
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
*He noticed something*
—a tiny photo, stuck behind a spice jar. A faded image of two people… and a little girl.
Anshika Rathore /FL
* quickly turned the jar , hiding it again*
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
* didn't ask anything but also didn't stop looking either*
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
*gently*
Do you always do this alone?
Anshika Rathore /FL
*Glanced at him.*
Anshika Rathore /FL
Alone is easier. Less noise.
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
* quietly*
But silence gets heavy after a while.
Anshika Rathore /FL
* didn't answer but didn't deny it either*
As Anshika stirred the sabzi in the pan, the aroma filled the cozy kitchen space. Preet stood beside her, impatiently shifting from one foot to the other.
Everyone was busy with their own work. Ekansh simply leaned on the counter beside Anshika
Preet Rathore / Aryan & shivanshi's son
*tugging her kurta*
Buiii, how much longer? I’m super hungry!
Anshika Rathore /FL
*smiling softly without looking down*
Five minutes, baby. You want to help?
Preet Rathore / Aryan & shivanshi's son
With… him? *He pointed toward Ekansh, who stood near the counter, arms folded, silently observing.*
Anshika Rathore /FL
*half-teasing *
Hmm… why not? He seems jobless enough right now.
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
* didn’t react immediately. Then, with a faint tilt of his head, he spoke in his low, calm voice *
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
What do you want me to do?
Everyone in the room turned slightly, surprised.
Khushi Chauhan/ Ml's lil sister
*to Arjun, whispering *
He actually offered to help? That’s new.
Arjun Chauhan/ Ml's big brother
*grinning*
Maybe miracles do happen
Anshika Rathore /FL
*dryly*
Plates. From the upper shelf. And careful… they’re not bulletproof.
Ekansh walked over without a word, fetched the plates with perfect precision, and set them down—neat, aligned, silent.
Khushi Chauhan/ Ml's lil sister
* to Raksh , murmuring *
Why does he even look intimidating while setting plates?
Raksh Sethi/ ml's bff
*smirking*
Because he’s built like a CEO who can fire you for breathing wrong.
Khushi Chauhan/ Ml's lil sister
*giggles quietly*
Still helped though. For her.
Anshika Rathore /FL
* didn’t look up but clearly heard them. She stayed focused on the food. *
Anshika Rathore /FL
*breaking the silence , normal voice*
Alright, food’s ready. Whoever’s hungry—grab a plate.
Preet Rathore / Aryan & shivanshi's son
Yay 😀
Preet Rathore / Aryan & shivanshi's son
I am first!
Arjun Chauhan/ Ml's big brother
* mock offended*
What about me? I’m the eldest
Anshika Rathore /FL
*smirking*
And the most dramatic
Arjun Chauhan/ Ml's big brother
ohh hello respect ok ! I am your brother in law
* acting in attitude*
Anshika Rathore /FL
Ohh really then go and seat between your in laws . Why are you here ?
* mocking tone*
Arjun Chauhan/ Ml's big brother
...
Arjun Chauhan/ Ml's big brother
Okay, I surrender. Just don’t send me to the boring zone, please.
Anshika Rathore /FL
*Smiles*
Raksh, Revati, Khushi started laughing at arjun situation
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
* chuckle looking at Anshika smiling face*
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
* in mind *
I bet this is not her real smile. She is good at controlling emotions. Hiding it very well from everyone.
Ekansh Chauhan/ML
But still she is looking beautiful in this smile.
* thinking about Anshika he smiles *
Author
Thank you for reading ❤️
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