Chapter 3: Shadows and Stubborn Hearts
The night wraps Dubai in a warm, quiet blanket, a soft breeze carrying the scent of Rajasthan’s deserts. Inside a simple home, diyas (small oil lamps) flicker, casting golden light on walls painted with phad (Rajasthani folk art) designs. The air smells of ghevar (a sweet, honeycomb-like Rajasthani dessert) and dal baati (a hearty Rajasthani dish of lentils and baked wheat balls), a nod to Jodhpur and Jaipur roots. Viraa Rajwanshi sits, her bandhani (tie-dye Rajasthani fabric) dupatta slipping, jhumkas (traditional earrings) swaying, her heart full of anger from a rude clash with a stranger and her family’s push for a shaadi (wedding). Across from her, Arjun Vardhman grips the table, his kurta neat, kada (metal bracelet) shining, his mind boiling with dislike and family demands. They just learned they’re to marry each other, and hate burns strong. A rudraksha (sacred seed) note—“Sign, or end”—slipped under the door, and danger feels near. A slow, dark bond twists tighter! 😱
Viraa Rajwanshi(FL)
Fiddling with jhumkas, texting Yaar, Tara, yeh kaisa jhamela hai! 😢 Mera dil bol raha hai, run away, but Auntie aur Rohan beg kar rahe hain. This rude man, haan, I hate his face! Yeh shaadi kyun karun main? thinking in mind He’s all ego, no heart—mujhe yeh ladka bilkul pasand nahi! 😤
Tara: texting back Haan, Viraa, yeh dil ko chhodne wala drama hai! 😔 Family ka pressure bada hai, par tu strong hai, meri Jodhpuri rani! That note under door—koi badmash (troublemaker) khel raha hai! Main aati hoon, thodi himmat rakh, haan! 😘
Viraa Rajwanshi(FL)
Texting, hands shaky Arre, Tara, dil dhadak raha hai! That rudraksha note scares me—Maa Durga, meri raksha karo! thinking in mind Yeh stranger ka gussa, uff, but his eyes… kyun dil thoda sa hilta hai? No, Viraa, band kar yeh soch! 😳
Author
The room hums with tension, diyas glowing on a carved bajot (low Rajasthani wooden table), a faint whiff of chandan (sandalwood) from a recent pooja (prayer ritual) lingering. Viraa’s auntie sobs, her odhni (Rajasthani headscarf) wet with tears, while Rohan, her brother, hangs his head. Arjun’s parents, in traditional pagdi (Rajasthani turban) and kurta, speak of honor, their voices firm. Outside, a shadow flickers past a window, silent and sneaky, the rudraksha note heavy in Arjun’s hand. Hate fills the air, but a strange pull hides deep.
Arjun Vardhman(ML)
Staring at note, texting Bhai, Vikram, yeh kaisa chakkar hai! 😤 Parents bol rahe hain, shaadi karo, family ka naam bacha lo. This girl, haan, her fiery tongue—mujhe bilkul nafrat hai! thinking in mind Yeh chhori (Rajasthani for girl) snaps like a storm, par kyun her jhumkas dil ko chhoo rahe hain? Arjun, yeh dil ka jhol band kar!
Vikram Rathore (ML Bff)
Texting, chuckling Arre, bhai, yeh toh Rajasthan ka tamasha hai! 😆 Family ka dabao, haan, par thodi masti rakh! That note—koi dushman (enemy) laga hai. Main dekhta hoon, tu dil se himmat le, theek hai?
Arjun Vardhman(ML)
Texting, jaw tight Haan, Vikram, dil bol raha hai, fight this! Yeh badmash note mujhe dara raha hai. thinking in mind She glares like a rani (queen), but nafrat hi sahi hai—koi chance nahi pyaar ka abhi! 😡
Author
Viraa sits, her bandhani dupatta catching the diya light, her fingers tracing a mehndi (henna) pattern from a recent pooja, her eyes shooting daggers at Arjun. He leans back, his kada clinking, his broad shoulders tense, glaring back. Auntie’s sobs grow loud, Rohan’s pleas echo, and Arjun’s parents press harder. A creak sounds outside—a door? A footstep? The note’s threat hangs heavy, and a tiny, unwanted spark flickers in their angry hearts.
Auntie
Wiping tears with odhni Haan, Viraa, beta, meri baat suno! 😢 Rohan ne bajri (Rajasthani for mess) kiya—two crore ka debt! Yeh shaadi humari Jodhpur ki izzat bacha legi. Maa Durga ke liye, haan bol do, meri rani!
Rohan
Kneeling, voice breaking Di, maine dil se galti ki! Goons ghar le lenge—yeh ladka hume bacha sakta hai. Viraa, mujhe maaf karo, shaadi kar lo! 😭
Viraa Rajwanshi(FL)
Eyes wet, voice loud Arre, Auntie, Rohan, yeh dil ko kyun dabao! 😤 I hate this ladka—gussa wala, no respect! Kyun main yeh bandhan sahoon? thinking in mind Maa Durga, dil bol raha hai no, par family ka dukh—ab kya karun main? 😢
Arjun’s Mother
Adjusting pagdi, soft Haan, Arjun, beta, Jaipur ka naam rakh lo! Debt aur izzat ka sawaal hai. Yeh chhori teri jodi hai, dil se maan lo! 😔
Arjun’s Father
Voice strong Arre, Arjun, Rajasthan ki shaan hai yeh! Two crore ka bojh—shaadi hi rasta hai. Haan bol, beta, himmat dikhao!
Arjun Vardhman(ML)
Glaring at Viraa Uff, Maa, Papa, yeh dil ko jala raha hai! 😡 This chhori fights like a bichhoo (Rajasthani for scorpion)! thinking in mind Her eyes burn, par thodi si masti wali hai—argh, nafrat rakh, Arjun! Theek hai, family ke liye haan!
Viraa Rajwanshi(FL)
Hands shaking Haan, Auntie, Rohan, dil ro raha hai! 😭 I can’t stand this man, par tum log ke liye—okay, theek hai! thinking in mind Yeh gussa wala, Maa Durga, kyun thoda dil chhoo raha hai? No, Viraa, bas nafrat!
Author
Their glares lock, hate thick like a desert storm, but a faint heat hums—her jhumkas catch his eye, his kada stirs her. A loud creak echoes outside, a shadow darts past, the rudraksha note’s threat alive. Rohan trips, a ghevar plate wobbles, and Viraa laughs—a quick, bright sound—easing the gloom. But a phone buzzes—a hiss says, “Time’s short.” Who hunts this bond? 😱
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