Ten years.
Ten years of breathing foreign air that felt like ash in my lungs. But the moment my boots hit the sand of my kingdom, the restlessness that had clawed at my soul for a decade finally went silent. I was home. The air here didn't just feel fresh—it felt like it belonged to *me* and I belong here.
I stepped off the private jet, looking out at the beautiful sight of my nation Everything is beautiful and mine here. Everything looked the same, yet entirely different. People were already lined up, waiting for my arrival just as they had a decade ago. Their loyalty was unwavering, but my heart was no longer the innocent one that had left.
A sleek Rolls-Royce waited at the edge of the runway.
"Khamma Ghani, Chhota Rana Saa," a familiar, respectful voice greeted me. I looked up to see Arun Sharma, my father's most trusted hand.
"Ghani Khamma, Sharma-ji," I replied, my voice smooth, masking the cold fire burning in my chest. A familiar face popping in my mind for whom I am back and Arun uncle made sure after his presence that I could never forget him. He smiled, signaling the driver to head toward The Mahal.
Our Mahal was more than a palace; it was a fortress, a legacy carved in stone by ancestors who ruled with iron fists. In this part of the world, we were beyond politics. We were the law.
As we approached the gates, a massive crowd erupted in cheers. Folk music blared, and people danced in the dust, celebrating the return of their future King. I stepped out of the car, waving with a practiced, benevolent smile. I bowed my head slightly, joining my hands in a show of humility. They loved their Crown Prince—and I loved the power their love gave me.
At the entrance, my family stood like a portrait of royalty. My mother, **Maasa**, held an Aarti plate. She was radiant, her black hair pinned back, looking every bit the Queen she was. Beside her stood my father, **Babasa**. He was a mountain of a man, his presence so commanding it could stop a heart.
I walked up to her and touched her feet Khamma Ghani, Maasa."
"Ghani Ghani Khamma, beta," she whispered, her eyes shimmering as she applied a heavy tilak of vermillion to my forehead. "May Goddess Kali always be with you."
I moved to my father, touching his feet as well. "Khamma Ghani, Babasa."
"Ghani Khamma,"He replied in his deep, commanding voice which could send shivers down anyone's spine. He didn't say he missed me—men like him didn't use such words— but the heavy hand he placed on my shoulder said enough. A tough man, he is.
For the last time I turned back to see the crowd still cheering loudly. I smiled and entered.
After entering, the first thing I did was ask about the other members of the family. "Where is everyone else—grandfather, grandmother, Chote Papa, Choti Maa, and those monkeys?"
I asked, making my mother chuckle at my choice of words. "Dadi Saa and Dada Saa are waiting for you on the terrace, and the others are off to work."
"I missed you, you bastard."
A strong, familiar voice came from the side. I turned to see my brother, **Rajveer**. He was 6'1", broad-shouldered, and handsome—though not as handsome as I was. I laughed, pulling him into a tight, bone-crushing hug.
"I didn't miss you at all," I lied, grinning as he shoved me back. "Fucker."
Quick catch up :-
Rudra Pratap Shekhawat (19): The "Devil" of the house. He possessed a strikingly fair complexion, almost like pale marble, which made his dark, intense eyes look even more piercing. His features were sharp, refined, and carried the heavy weight of his royal heritage. Even when he laughed, there was an air of "Rana Saa" authority about him that commanded the room.
(Soon turning 20)
Rajveer Pratap Shekhawat (19): Standing a bit taller than Rudra, Rajveer was the steady anchor of the duo. He had a rich, sun-kissed olive skin tone that spoke of hours spent outdoors, contrasting sharply with Rudra's fairness. His build was broader, his presence more grounded, and his eyes—though currently fixed on a certain someone—carried a protective flame that only ignited for his family.
(Soon turning 20)
Our interaction was broken by my mother. "Don't make them wait; they've waited enough for your arrival." I shook my head slightly, and we both walked upstairs, Rajveer and I. We're like friends, but more like real brothers. We never behaved like cousins. And I hope we never do because blood stains never washes off specially of own blood.
"So, how's your little one doing?" I smirked, and he rolled his eyes. "A four-year age gap isn't much, by the way. It can work if you want."
He looked at me and sighed like he had some battle going on. "I know, but she's still young. She's just entered her 10th class, and I don't want her to get distracted by such things at this age. We have our whole life ahead. Right?"
I looked at him. "Are you telling me or comforting yourself? But whatever it is, you're right; she's still young. And do keep in check that she's single, and you're the only one for her. Otherwise, you'll keep saying this, and she'll already be in a relationship. Nowadays, it's common for 15-year-olds to date, don't you think?"
Rajveer replied, "Don't worry; she'll be mine only. I won't let anyone close to her." I nodded. "What about Kartik? He's in her class, right? Don't you think they're a good match? You know what I'm saying; he can steal her." I was trying to add fuel to the fire; his expression changed, and I smirked, thinking it worked. But, unfortunately, "I make her tie a rakhi to him every year." He gave me a dumb expression; I should have known.
"By the way, now you can at least tell me her name, bro. You've told me everything except her name." He smiled and continued walking. "Aditi, Aditi Sharma." I gave him a confused look; I've heard this name before. I didn't get time to focus on where I'd heard it, as we reached the terrace.
It was an open area where my grandparents, the love birds, were seated. They adore each other immensely, refusing to leave each other's side for even a second. After each other, they love us kids the most. And I want the same love as them unbreakable, unstoppable and without care of anything.
I approached them from behind, covering their eyes with my hands, "Guess who?" My grandfather, Dada Saa, replied, "A donkey." I rolled my eyes at his remark, and my grandmother, Maa Saa, chuckled.
I stood before them and touched their feet for blessings, "Khamma Ghani, Maa Saa, Dada Saa." Both patted my shoulder and replied together, "Ghani Khamma." I hugged them while they were still seated, "How are you both?" I asked, grabbing a seat beside grandma.
Grandpa replied, "Alive" Oh, so they're angry with me. I held grandma's hand and soon took her into a warm hug "why so angry beautiful wanna go on a date with me?" I asked wiggling my eyebrow and trying my best to break the ice.
She too caged me in her arms tightly as if I will vanish into thin air if she will let me go "I missed you" I whispered into her ear while breaking the hug.
Rajveer laughed lightly, drawing their attention to him. "Aree, there are two donkeys; I thought there was only one," grandpa said while side eyeing him. Rajveer laughed a little and sat beside grandpa, as there were four chairs available.
Dadi Saa looked at me sarcastically. "Oh, don't lie to us, Rudra. If you actually remembered us, you wouldn't have stayed away for ten whole years without even one visit."
I laughed at her dramatic remark "I'm sorry, my cutie," I said, taking her hand. "I'm back now. And I'm never leaving again. Promise."
"A real promise?" she asked.
"A real one."
A real one promise to not leave even if the whole damn world stand against me this time. I am here to take back what's mine. And continue the game which I left ten years ago.
I calmed my inner self masking my emotions.
I looked at grandpa after I backed off, "Grandpa, please forgive me too."
" When my wife forgave you, so did I" grandpa said while leaning towards grandma again I smiled at his devotion. Rajveer snorted from the side, "Whipped oldie." Teasing the old couple.
We were caught in light chatter when the world suddenly stopped.
"Khamma Ghani, Dada Saa, Dadi Saa."
That voice. The voice that had haunted my dreams in a cold, foreign bed for a decade. I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. I had memorized the frequency of that tone before I could even walk.
I stood up, turning slowly. There he was. Arav.
He stood in formal white attire that seemed specifically designed to torture me. The fabric stretched over his broad shoulders, hinting at the lean, powerful muscle beneath. His chest was firm, his posture elegant—a warrior disguised as a gentleman.
My eyes raked over him, hungry and unchecked. His fluffy cheeks, those elf-like ears, and then—those emerald eyes. They met mine, and the world dissolved. He was my obsession long before I understood the word. I had left this kingdom to tame the devil inside me, to stop myself from devouring him too soon. But now, the devil was hungry
I forgot to breathe. My face flushed a violent red.
"Breathe, Rudra!" Dadi Saa cried out, panicked. "What happened? Someone call a doctor!"
" What... what happened, Dadi Saa? Are you okay? Why do you need a doctor?" I gasped, shaking my head as the oxygen finally hit my lungs.
"Your face was red! You stopped breathing!" Dadi Saa exclaimed.
I rolled my eyes, and Arav let out a tiny, almost imperceptible smile. I was paralyzed by it. The ten years of bleeding finally felt like healing just by his one smile.
Dadi saa finally noticed him standing " Aru you came early" her voice turned soft and more smoothing.
"I'm here, Dadi Saa," Arav said, his voice smooth as silk. "Rani Saa told me you called for me, so I came straight from the school."
(Rani saa - Queen )
"Khamma Ghani, Bhaiya," Rajveer greeted him.
"Ghani Khamma, Raj," Arav replied. A sharp, stinging needle of jealousy poked at my heart. I hated that he spoke to Rajveer with such ease. I hated that anyone else got to hear that voice.
Dadi Saa looked at me, "Do you remember this gentleman, or have you forgotten in these ten years?" She pointed at me. I shyly looked at him waiting for his answer.
Arav looked at me, a teasing glint in his emerald eyes. "I've thrown his dirty diapers in the dustbin, Dadi Saa. How could I forget this little one?"
The terrace erupted in laughter. I stood there, the Crown Prince of the Shekhawats, dying of sheer embarrassment because of his heartbeat choice of words .
Arav's face paled slightly as he saw my expression. "Sorry, Chhota Rana Saa... I shouldn't have said that. Please don't take offense."
"Earlier you called him Ru-Ru," Dadi Saa teased Arav. "Now you're calling him Prince?"
Arav's gaze returned to mine. He was looking at ME. Only me. A satisfying, dark warmth spread through my veins. "He was small then," Arav whispered. "He wasn't the Crown Prince yet."
"No," I interrupted, my voice leaving my throat before I could stop it. "I am still Ruu for you."
The air between us thickened. Arav's expression softened, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Rajveer giving me a very suspicious, sly look.
And I got the message I don't want to ruin the game before it even starts I have waited long- long enough to not ruin something I have been waiting for since my birth, so even one word that could lead me to do something I don't want to do not for now.
"I mean..." I cleared my throat, trying to regain my princely mask. "I'm still the same kid to all of you. Please, from today onwards, no one in my family and FRIENDS calls me Crown Prince."
The thought of Arav calling me by a formal title felt like a knife to my chest. I wanted his intimacy, not his respect. He nodded, a soft smile returning to his lips.
"Anyway, Dadi Saa, why did you call me?" Arav asked. "I need you to take me shopping," she said, standing up. "I don't trust anyone's choice but yours, Arav beta."
I reached out to help my grandmother, but Arav was faster. He took her hand, guiding her away with a gentle grace. I stood there, rooted to the spot, watching him walk away.
I was home. And my hunt had finally begun.
After seeing him I can assure this time I will have Him even by hook or crook.