AUTHOUR POV.

8:00 PM — Rathore Palace, Udaipur

Bathed in the soft glow of the moon, Rathore Palace stood as a magnificent symbol of the family's legacy. Every carved pillar, every illuminated corridor, and every intricately designed arch reflected the Rathores' pride in their heritage and their unwavering devotion to the people of Udaipur.

Inside the palace, the atmosphere was unusually lively.

Servants moved swiftly through the grand hallways, carrying silver platters, arranging crystal glasses, and giving final touches to the lavish dining table. While preparing dinner was part of their daily routine, tonight was unlike any other.

Tonight...

Rana Sa of Udaipur was coming home for dinner.

For the first time in nearly a decade, the heir of the Rathore family would dine with his family under the same roof.

The news alone was enough to send waves of excitement throughout the entire palace.

Meanwhile...

In one of the palace's luxurious bedrooms, Viransh sat comfortably before his laptop, completely engrossed in his work. The soft clicking of the keyboard was the only sound filling the room.

Without taking his eyes off the screen, he reached for the glass of water beside him and casually took a sip.

Suddenly—

"Bhaiiiiiiiiiiiiii!"

Three voices echoed through the corridor at once.

"Pfft—"

Viransh nearly jumped out of his chair as the entire mouthful of water sprayed straight onto his laptop.

His eyes widened in horror.

"My laptop..."

Before he could recover from the shock—

Bang!

The bedroom door flew open.

Three energetic figures stormed inside.

"Vir Bhaiiii!"

Kabir, Reyansh, and Dhwani shouted together, grinning from ear to ear.

Viransh slowly lowered his gaze toward his drenched laptop before looking back at the three culprits.

A dangerous look spread across his face.

"What... the hell... was that?" he asked through clenched teeth.

The three siblings exchanged nervous glances.

"And why are you all screaming like a bunch of monkeys?" Viransh continued, pointing accusingly at the soaked laptop. "Do you have any idea what you've just done?"

Ignoring his outrage, Kabir stepped forward, barely able to contain his excitement.

"Vir Bhai, agar aapko pata chal gaya na ki aaj kya hua hai..." he said dramatically, "toh aap bhi humari tarah chillane lagenge."

Viransh folded his arms across his chest.

"Achha?" he said skeptically. "Aisa kya ho gaya hai jo tum teeno pagal ho rahe ho?"

Dhwani's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Bhai..." she said, almost bouncing on her feet.

"Aaj... Bhai aa rahe hain."

Viransh frowned in confusion.

"...Kya?"

For a brief moment, he simply stared at the three of them, unable to process what he had just heard.

His expression clearly reflected the question running through his mind—

Which Bhai?

Viransh had barely finished throwing them a warning glare when Reyansh stepped forward, gently pushing Dhwani aside.

"Arre, bhai, ye toh pagal hai. Main batata hoon aapko."

Dhwani gasped dramatically before planting herself right in front of him, arms crossed.

"Achha? Main pagal hoon? Toh aap kya ho?"

"Bas!" Kabir groaned, pressing both hands against his temples. "Will you two stop already?"

"Enough."

Viransh's deep voice sliced through their bickering.

"And all of you... get out."

The three immediately straightened like guilty schoolchildren. They exchanged helpless puppy-eyed glances before turning back toward him.

"Bhai..." Reyansh pouted. "You can't do this to us. We're here to tell you something important."

"Very important," Dhwani quickly added.

Kabir nodded enthusiastically. "Please, bhai. Stop acting like Hitler for two minutes and be our loving elder brother."

Viransh closed his eyes, silently questioning every life choice that had led to having these three as siblings.

After a long sigh, he finally opened them.

"Fine. Jaldi bolo."

That was all the permission they needed.

The trio exchanged excited grins before blurting out together,

"Bhai... Rudraksh bhai wapas aa rahe hain."

For the first time, surprise flickered across Viransh's otherwise unreadable face.

"Kya?"

His brows knitted together.

"Kisne bataya tum logon ko?"

Reyansh scratched the back of his neck before flashing an awkward grin.

"Kisi ne nahi... bas... humne Dadaji aur Bade Papa ki baat sun li."

Viransh's expression darkened instantly.

"What the hell, Reyansh? Chori-chhipe unki baatein sun rahe the tum log?"

The cheerful smiles on the trio's faces disappeared at once.

All three exchanged nervous glances.

They knew exactly what was coming—a long lecture.

"Tum logon ko pata bhi hai agar unhe pata chal gaya toh—"

"Bale Papa wapas aa rahe hain? Sachchi?"

The tiny voice instantly melted the tension.

Everyone turned toward five-year-old Anaya, who stood at the doorway with sparkling eyes and a smile bright enough to light the room.

The three siblings looked at each other before silently thanking God.

Their little angel had arrived just in time.

Viransh would never scold them in front of his daughter.

Anaya waddled inside on her tiny feet and walked straight to her father.

Viransh looked at his daughter...

...then at the three troublemakers standing behind her.

A helpless smile tugged at his lips.

Shaking his head, he bent down and lifted Anaya into his arms before placing a gentle kiss on her chubby cheek.

"Bataiye na, Papa..." she asked hopefully. "Kya Bade Papa sach mein ghar aa rahe hain?"

Before Viransh could answer, Dhwani spoke first.

"Haan, Ayu baby. Tumhare Bade Papa aaj ghar aa rahe hain."

"Yay!"

Anaya clapped happily, her laughter filling the room.

Viransh watched her innocent excitement with a mixture of warmth and worry.

What if Rudraksh didn't return today?

The little girl adored her Bade Papa.

If he failed to come... she would be heartbroken.

His gaze shifted from Anaya's glowing face to the three smiling culprits standing behind her.

"Dinner ka time ho gaya hai," he said quietly. "Sab neeche chalo."

Without another word, he carried Anaya in his arms and walked out of the room, while the other three hurried after him

Dining Hall – Rathore Palace

The grand dining hall, usually filled with laughter and conversation, was wrapped in an unsettling silence.

Every member of the Rathore family sat in their designated seat.

The long dining table was adorned with an extravagant feast, yet not a single dish had been served. No one seemed interested in food.

Everyone's attention remained fixed on the palace's main entrance.

Time felt painfully slow.

Seated together, Reyansh, Kabir, and Dhwani exchanged anxious glances.

Leaning slightly toward his siblings, Reyansh whispered,

"Lagta hai... bhai aayenge?"

Kabir bit back a smile before replying just as quietly,

"Kamre mein toh Dadu bade confidence se keh rahe the ki aaj Rudraksh bhai ghar zaroor aayenge..."

He glanced toward the elders seated at the head of the table.

"...lekin ab unke chehre dekh. Ekdum serious."

Reyansh and Dhwani quickly pressed their lips together, desperately trying not to laugh.

Their amusement, however, disappeared the moment little Anaya's innocent voice echoed through the hall.

"Papa..."

She tugged gently at Viransh's sleeve, her tiny lips forming an adorable pout.

"Bade Papa kab aayenge?"

Viransh looked down at his daughter but remained silent.

Before he could answer, Avyaan finally broke the suffocating silence.

"Bas."

He looked around the table before speaking in a calm yet firm voice.

"Hamare bhookhe rehne se woh jaldi nahi aa jayega."

Silence returned.

Then...

Dadaji slowly lifted his gaze toward the palace gate.

His weathered eyes remained fixed on the entrance, unwavering.

"Woh aayega."

His voice was calm.

Certain.

"Usse aana hi hoga... aaj."

For a moment, no one dared say a word.

Until...

Dhwani leaned toward Reyansh and whispered,

"Dadu bhi na... kitni filmy entry maarte hain."

Reyansh instantly lowered his head while Kabir pressed a hand over his mouth, both struggling to suppress their laughter.

Viransh shot the three of them a warning glare.

That was enough.

All three immediately straightened, trying their best to look innocent.

And then—

Honk!

The sharp sound of a car horn shattered the heavy silence surrounding Rathore Palace.

Every head turned toward the entrance.

Every heartbeat seemed to stop.

He was here.

This was for today guysss...

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