3 || First Meet

कितने ऐश से रहते होंगे कितने इतराते होंगे

जाने कैसे लोग वो होंगे जो उस को भाते होंग

Aradhya's POV

The sun barely peeked through the curtains when I stood in front of the mirror, tugging at the drawstring of my dupatta with one hand and fixing my kajal with the other. Dance class was the only escape that felt like mine. The rhythm, the movement-it came naturally. And teaching kids not only paid the bills but gave me a little bit of peace too.

"Aradhyaaaa dii!"

My younger sister's meher sing-song voice broke my focus.

I turned to find her at the door, holding up my old ghungroos like they were some kind of lost treasure.

"I was gonna use those today," I said, raising an eyebrow.

She smirked. "You mean try and use them without twisting your ankle again?"

"Oh please, that happened once and I was twelve!"

"Still counts."

We bickered like we always did, half-joking, half-serious, until-

"Aru!" Maa's voice echoed from downstairs. "Jaldi neeche aao!"

With a groan, I tightened my braid and rushed down the stairs. "Haan Maa, I'm coming!"

As soon as I turned the last step, I stopped short.

"What the...?"

Standing at our front door was a man in formal uniform-his posture crisp, his eyes calm. Behind him, two house staff held massive, glittering boxes wrapped in gold foil and royal red ribbon.

I blinked. "Ye kya hai?" (What is this?)

The man stepped forward. "Madam, this is from the Rajmata of Devgarh. Yesterday, you saved her life. She insisted these be delivered as a token of her gratitude."

I froze.

Maa looked from me to the man, stunned. "Aru... beta... kya hai ye sab?"

(What is all this?)

I swallowed. "Maa... kal ek dadi... I mean, I helped her cross the road, there was a car coming-"

Before I could finish, meher jumped in with the grace of a Bollywood award announcer.

"Wait-wait-wait... So you accidentally saved a queen... and now you're getting gifts?! Aru,dii jaan bachane ke deal mein tohfa bhi milta hai? Mujhe pehle kyun nahi bataya?!"

(So you accidentally saved a queen and now you're getting gifts? Why didn't you tell me saving lives comes with presents?!)

Maa, flustered then snapped, "Bas karo Meher, andar aao! Aradhya, wapas bhejo ye sab!"

"Yes, Maa." I nodded quickly, turning to the man. "sir... please. Just saving someone's life doesn't mean I deserve all this. We can't accept it. Thank the Rajmata for me, but this is too much."

He tried insisting. "Madam, it would hurt her feelings-"

But I raised a hand politely. "I understand. But please... return these with respect."

He finally nodded, signaling the staff to turn around.

And as the boxes disappeared down the street, I exhaled slowly.

Meher nudged me. "I mean... next time at least keep the smallest one. You never know-it might have been shoes."

I rolled my eyes. "And you say I am dramatic."

"Maa!" Meher threw her hands up dramatically as soon as the door shut behind the man with the gifts. "You didn't even let us see what was inside! Those were seriously expensive, you know!"

Maa calmly folded her dupatta and walked toward the kitchen, not even sparing a glance at the doorway. "Beta... jo hamara hota hai, woh hum tak khud chal kar aata hai. Ye sab hamare liye nahi tha. Bade log kisi ko bina matlab ke kuch nahi dete."

Meher frowned. "Still... maybe it wasn't a deal. What if they gave it out of genuine respect?"

Maa sighed and handed her a book. "Bas. Enough. Ab thoda padhai bhi kar le... fantasy mein rehne se zindagi nahi chalti."

I stood there, watching them for a second longer. Their voices faded into the hum of daily routine. Maa's practicality... Meher's innocence... And me?

I grabbed my dupatta and stepped outside, the morning sun sharp on my face as I walked toward the bus stop.

🌷

Author pov*

A grand royal heritage venue lit up for a cultural charity event. Aradhya is there with a group of kids she's managing for a dance performance. She's dressed simply, yet confidently. Yashvardhan has arrived unexpectedly, surrounded by a few associates.

The performance is about to begin. Kids are nervous. Aradhya is rushing to get everything perfect

Aradhya POV*

I was busy adjusting a kid's costume backstage when someone brushed past me from behind, almost knocking me over I was already nervous and then this

I turned around sharply, my eyes burning with irritation.

"Aankhen andhi hain kya aapki? Dekh ke nahi chal sakte?"

(Are you blind? Can't you watch where you're going?)

The man stopped, turned slowly, and looked right into my eyes.

For a second, I froze. His gaze-intense, eyes locked onto mine. He looked... calm. Too calm.

He opens his mouth to speak, calmly.

"Hum bas-"

But I didn't stop.

"Aap jaise bade log samajhte hain ki poori duniya aapke pairon ke neeche hai. Lekin maaf kijiye, yahan sab log aapke naukar nahi hain."

(People like you think the whole world is beneath your feet. But sorry, not everyone here is your servant.)

He still didn't say a word. Just... stared.

Was he amused? Offended? Or just confused?

"Kya hua? Zabaan kat gayi? Ya pehli baar kisi ne aapko aapki aukaat yaad dila di?"

(What happened? Cat got your tongue? Or is it the first time someone reminded you of your limits?)

Whispers spread around. His staff looked stunned But he didn't say a word.

I gave him one last glare and walked away.

My heart was pounding so loud, I wondered if the audience could hear it too.

The children had done brilliantly. Their little faces glowing with pride and joy was enough to calm half my nerves.

But now... it was my turn.

I stood backstage, dressed in a soft ivory lehenga adorned with tiny mirrors, ghungroos tied tight around my ankles. The scent of fresh jasmine from my hair lingered in the air.

As the curtain slowly rose, I stepped into the light.

I couldn't see anyone past the spotlight-just a blur of shadows, whispers.

The music began-soft notes of the sitar weaving into the rhythm of the tabla.

And with my first step, the world melted away.

Hands moving with poise, eyes following every beat, my body spoke the language I had grown up with. Kathak wasn't just dance

-it was expression, discipline, and freedom, all at once.

Every spin I took was like shedding a layer of fear Every rhythm I struck against the floor was louder than my doubts.

And when I looked up mid-performance-just for a second-I caught sight of him.

Seated tall. Watching.

When the final beat dropped and I struck my last pose, the hall was still for a breath.

Then came the applause. Loud. Echoing. Standing I bow and stepped back.

Yashvardhan's POV

I had attended countless cultural programs before-formal, rehearsed, predictable.

But this one... this was different And it had nothing to do with the event.

It was her.

She walked onto the stage like she didn't belong to the world I lived in.

And yet, something about her-her confidence, her fire-commanded every eye in that hall.

"Who is she?" I leaned slightly toward the event coordinator beside me,

He looked at me, surprised. "Sir, she's the dance instructor here. She teaches classical to the children in this NGO."

Dance instructor?

Just that?

I couldn't believe it. Her presence... it wasn't ordinary Her expressions, the way her hands moved with the taal, the precision of her every turn-it wasn't just talent, it was art. Pure, raw, unfiltered.

And those eyes...The same eyes that had fiercely scolded me earlier, without knowing who I was The same eyes that now reflected poise, passion... purpose.

She wasn't just dancing. She was telling a story And for some reason...I couldn't stop listening.

I forgot the applause, the crowd, the flashing cameras All I could see... was her.

Then, as suddenly as she had appeared, she was gone Curtain down. Lights dimmed.

"A middle-class dance teacher... who just stole the attention of a Yuvraj... without even trying."

And now I was curious.

The event had concluded, and the atmosphere buzzed with excitement.

Then, came the announcement. My name echoed through the hall. I wasn't here for applause. I was here because the invitation had been extended.

But what came next took me by surprise.

"Now, we have an award ceremony. The children from Aradhya's class will be honored today."

I heard the name... Aradhya.

I couldn't stop the instinctive turn of my head I saw her-her nervous stance, the hesitant way she stood in the corner.

Her eyes were trained on the floor, avoiding any recognition. She knew I was there Then, I saw her step forward, hesitantly, toward the stage, the same stage where I stood as the Chief Guest.

As the children received their awards, she stood quietly at the side. But as soon as she heard my name announced, she froze.

I could see her hands trembling slightly, her breath halting. She wasn't expecting this.

Her heart raced. I saw it in her eyes, the shift. She hadn't prepared for this moment.

And I couldn't help but wonder-why?

When it was her turn, I handed her the award, and her hands brushed against mine She looked at me, eyes wide with confusion,

"Good job, Aradhya," I whispered softly as I passed her the award. "You've earned this."

For a moment, I saw her flinch, her cheeks flushing in embarrassment She tried to hide it, but I knew.

She was the same fiery spirit who had once dared to challenge me, to speak without hesitation Yet now, she seemed so fragile in front of me.

I leaned in closer as I handed her the award, and before she could react,

I whispered again-

"I never thought you would be the type to shy away. I thought you were bolder than this..."

Her e

yes flickered And before I knew it, she snatched the award quickly, her hands shaking, and rushed off the stage, avoiding my gaze entirely.

She didn't respond

____________________

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