Chapter 1 scream behind silent
Soft yellow rays shimmered across the Rajasthan desert, turning the whole state into something unreal in the morning light—golden dunes, red sandstone, and ancient forts glowing like they were alive.
Jaipur — The Royal Palace
The man stood near the balcony, both hands gripping the cool stone railing, slightly bent forward. His biceps were clearly visible beneath the fine fabric of his shirt—tall, muscular, powerful. His face was handsome but carved with shadows: a trimmed beard, deep-set eyes that looked like they could cut through anyone, and a expression that screamed he never smiles. His gaze was fixed on the rising sun, but his mind was somewhere far away—in the past, in a memory that still bruised him.
A voice came from behind, soft but teasing.
“So, Rudransh Adhiraj Singh Chauhan… still thinking about that girl?”
Rudransh turned slowly. His younger brother, Arjunveer Singh Chauhan, stood there—three years younger, yet somehow the only person who understood him better than anyone else. Arjunveer was the shadow to Rudransh’s light: charming, playful, always trying to make Rudransh smile, always making sure he never felt alone.
Rudransh sighed, staring at him for a few seconds, then turned back to the sunrise. “Leave me alone, Arjun. Why did you come here?”
Arjunveer walked closer and stood beside him, both of them looking out at the palace courtyard below. “Bhai, tell me one thing”—his voice was softer now, no teasing—“when was the last time you smiled? And for how long have you been thinking about that girl… the one who hates you for things you never did?”
Rudransh didn’t answer. He just stared outside, his jaw tight. But Arjunveer saw it—a single tear escape from Rudransh’s eye, sliding down his cheek before he wiped it away quickly. But Arjunveer had seen.
A soft laugh escaped Arjunveer’s mouth, but it wasn’t mocking. It was sad. “Crying for someone who hates you?”
This time, Rudransh’s voice broke, emotional and raw. “You never understand what I feel, Arjun. I loved her before all this happened… and I still love her. I never stopped loving her, even though she never came back. I loved her when I was fifteen, and now I’m thirty… and I still love her. My love for her never stopped.”
Arjunveer smirked, but his eyes were wet. “Love for a girl who hates you. You haven’t smiled properly for the last fourteen, fifteen years—all because of her.” His voice rose, fierce now as he stared at Rudransh. “Bhai, I don’t know… you cry for a girl who never wants to see you again. Who knows where she is now, what she’s doing. And you—the King of Jaipur, the businessman tycoon—fail to find her. Or should I say… you never tried to find her.”
Rudransh sighed, his voice heavy. “Arjun, leave all this. Tell me—how’s the business event preparation going?”
Arjunveer smirked, catching the deflection. “Of course, now you’re ignoring my words. But… the preparation is good. Everything will be complete today. Don’t worry.” He paused, thinking, then added, “By the way, tomorrow is your big day. Did you decide what you’re wearing?”
Rudransh: “I have many business suits. I’ll wear one of these.” His voice was flat, expressionless.
Arjunveer laughed slightly, looking down. “You’re so boring, and your choices are so limited. I don’t know… I already ordered a new suit for you. And you’re not going to try to stop me.”
Rudransh looked at him silently, but there was a faint softness in his eyes.
Suddenly, a woman’s voice came from outside, loud and impatient.
“Arjun! Arjun! This time you’re really in trouble, Arjun… where are you? You can’t even do a single thing!”
Arjunveer bit his lower lip, then smiled at Rudransh. “Okay, I’m going before Ma finds me and starts yelling at me. She’s already mad about the work I didn’t do yet.” He gave Rudransh a quick, warm smile and turned to leave.
Rudransh just watched him go. When Arjunveer left the room, Rudransh turned back to the balcony, looked outside again, and closed his eyes. He murmured softly, almost to himself:
“I wish you understood me… and came back one day.”
…To be continued…
