After gravpravesh

Tanishka smirked mischievously, leaning closer to Aryan. "Let’s make this entry more memorable, what do you say?" she whispered.

Aryan immediately stiffened, shaking his head. "No, you're not doing anything reckless, Tanishka. Not today," he warned, his voice firm.

But Tanishka, with her usual boldness, winked at him. "Sorry, Mr. Rathore, but I will. Just watch!" She then turned to the others with a playful grin. "By the way, Dadasa, you never asked my full name… I mean my previous name," she said.

Pratap Singh Rathore, the elderly head of the family, looked at her with an arched brow. "I didn’t even know your recent name, girl. This whole situation is still shocking for all of us," he said, glancing pointedly at Aryan.

"It's beyond comprehension that our grandson, who didn’t even come for his own brother’s wedding, now surprises us with this. Aryan, you said you were too busy for everything, but clearly, you had time for this... marriage," he added, his tone filled with a mixture of confusion and disappointment.

Aryan stood straighter under his Dada's scrutinizing gaze, but his lips tightened in defiance. "Dadasa, I know this is unexpected. But sometimes… things happen without planning. Tanishka and I… we didn’t want to wait for anyone’s approval. This is something I had to do on my own," he said, his eyes briefly flickering toward Tanishka.

Pratap Singh Rathore let out a heavy sigh. "If you had told us you wanted to marry, we would have made the arrangements properly. But this… this behavior of doing things your way, without informing your family… It's not the Rathore way, Aryan."

Aryan exhaled deeply. "I understand, Dadasa. But some things needed to be done without too much thinking. I… I’ll explain everything. Just give me a little time."

Chandra, Aryan’s Bua, couldn’t resist adding fuel to the fire. She watched the chaos unfold with amusement, her lips curling into a smirk. The Rathore brothers had a knack for stirring things up, and this moment was no different.

With a playful glint in her eyes, Chandra leaned in slightly, addressing Tanishka, "By the way, New Bahu, you haven’t told us your full name yet, have you?" Her tone was dripping with curiosity and mischief, as if she already anticipated more drama to unfold.

Tanishka caught Aryan’s eye, a devilish smirk playing on her lips as she enjoyed every second of this moment. With a slow, deliberate pause, she finally answered, her voice filled with a playful confidence. "I’m Tanishka Balraj Raichand."

Boom!!

Another metaphorical bomb dropped on the Rathores, sending shockwaves through the room.

Chandra’s smirk froze for a second, quickly replaced by widened eyes, as the name echoed in her ears. Raichand. The entire room seemed to hold its breath. The Raichand name was no ordinary one—it carried weight, status, and a reputation that was just as powerful.

Pratap Singh Rathore blinked, his expression hardening as he exchanged a glance with Jaidev. "Raichand?" he repeated slowly, trying to wrap his head around this new revelation. "You mean… Balraj Raichand’s daughter?"

Tanishka’s smirk deepened, her eyes twinkling as if she were thoroughly enjoying the reaction. "Yes, Dadasa. That Balraj Raichand," she confirmed without a hint of hesitation, standing tall and confident beside Aryan.

Aryan tensed beside her, knowing full well the significance of her father’s name in their circles. But he also knew this was no time for regret or backpedaling. This was who Tanishka was, and he wouldn’t apologize for it.

Chandra, still recovering from the shock, let out a soft chuckle. "Well, well, Aryan, you’ve certainly outdone yourself this time. First, you marry in secret, and now you’ve married a Raichand! No wonder you kept it hidden from us. You knew the fireworks this would set off."

Aryan kept his gaze steady, but inwardly, he braced himself for the storm that was clearly brewing. The Raichands and Rathores had never seen eye to eye on many things, and this revelation would undoubtedly stir up old tensions.

Pratap Singh Rathore cleared his throat, his eyes narrowing on Aryan. "Aryan, I sincerely hope you know what you’ve done. Marrying into the Raichand family… well, let’s just say this is far from over."

Tanishka squeezed Aryan’s arm lightly, her eyes still twinkling with mischief as she whispered to him under her breath, "Told you I’d make it memorable."

The moment Tanishka uttered those words, the atmosphere in the Rathore mansion shifted. It was as if the air itself had thickened, a cold gust sweeping through the grand hall. Raichand—that name reverberated through the room like a ghost from the past, stirring memories and tensions that had long been buried.

Eyes widened. Breath hitched. The silent gasp that followed seemed to freeze time itself.

"Raichand…" The name echoed in the mansion, bouncing off the grand marble walls, lingering like a haunting whisper. It was a name with a legacy, a name that carried more weight than just status. To the Rathores, it was a name that held dark history.

The entire room felt the chill as Tanishka stood tall, unflinching in the face of their shock. "Tanishka Balraj Raichand," she repeated, her voice steady, but her eyes gleaming with a dangerous glint. "The sole heir of Raichand Group of Industries, daughter of Balraj Raichand."

Another heavy silence followed her declaration, only to be broken by the sound of gasps and murmurs.

Pratap Singh Rathore’s face darkened, his hand clutching the armrest of his chair a little tighter. Jaidev stood motionless, his eyes narrowing at Aryan, who was still standing by Tanishka’s side. Even Amrita, who had always maintained her composure, seemed shaken. The name carried too much weight. Too much history.

Chandra’s smirk disappeared as well, her expression turning unreadable. "Raichand…" she whispered under her breath, as if testing the name on her tongue, her mind already working through the implications.

This wasn’t just about Aryan’s sudden marriage anymore. No, this was about a union with the Raichands— the family that had unsettled history with them.

Tanishka’s lips curled into a subtle smirk, knowing well the bombshell she had just dropped. "The only person who can stand against the Rathore family," she added, her words hanging ominously in the air. Each syllable was like a slap from the past, a reminder of the rivalry, the untold stories, the animosity that had never quite disappeared.

Aryan’s jaw clenched. He could feel the weight of the room’s collective gaze on him. He had expected a reaction, but this… this was something far more intense. The shock wasn’t just from him marrying without permission—it was from the fact that he had married a Raichand, the daughter of Balraj Raichand, no less.

Pratap Singh Rathore’s voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried the authority of a man who had seen more than his fair share of battles. "Balraj Raichand’s daughter…" His words echoed like the distant toll of a bell, filled with memories that refused to stay buried.

Amrita shot a worried glance at Jaidev, who seemed equally perturbed. "How… how could this happen without us knowing?" she muttered, as if trying to grasp how Aryan could have gotten so involved with the Raichands without anyone suspecting a thing.

Aryan, though standing tall, could feel the chill creeping up his spine. The past was creeping up on them, and the tension was thick enough to cut through. Tanishka, on the other hand, looked as though she thrived in the chaos. Her eyes scanned the room, fully aware of the storm she had just unleashed.

The past. The Raichands. That name wasn’t just a name. It was a symbol of an unfinished story, one that held secrets, grudges, and wounds that had never truly healed. For years, the Rathores and the Raichands had lived in a silent truce, but this—this marriage—threatened to bring old battles back to life.

Chandra finally broke the heavy silence, her voice icy, yet tinged with curiosity. "Balraj Raichand’s daughter, huh?" She narrowed her eyes at Tanishka. "I should’ve guessed you were more than just some random girl Aryan picked up. So, what now? You’re here to claim your throne, alongside our Aryan? What game are you playing, girl?"

Tanishka’s smirk didn’t waver. She glanced at Aryan, then back at Chandra, her confidence unshakable. "No games, Chandra Bua," she said smoothly. "I’m here as Aryan’s wife.

Pratap Singh Rathore stood abruptly, his commanding presence demanding silence. " Jaidev and Siddharth both of you… in my study. Now," he ordered, his voice cold as ice. There would be no more public spectacle. He wanted answers. And he wanted them now.

As jaidev and Siddharth followed Pratap toward the study, the rest of the family remained frozen, the shock of the Raichand name still echoing in their minds like a warning bell. The past had just come knocking, and none of them were ready for what was about to unfold.

Aryan nearly dragged Tanishka out of the hall, ignoring the barrage of questions from his family, their shocked faces fading behind them as he pulled her toward his room with a storm of emotions swirling in his chest. The moment they entered his room, Aryan slammed the door shut and spun around to face her, his eyes blazing with frustration.

"Can't you just keep your mouth fucking shut for a few good minutes?" he growled, his tone low but laced with anger.

Tanishka, completely unfazed, crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a smirk. "Nope. Never, Mr. Rathore. Since you’ve married a talkative woman, you’ll just have to deal with it. And if you don’t like it, you can always divorce me. Easy."

The word divorce seemed to ignite something volatile in Aryan. The anger he had been trying so hard to control snapped. In a flash, he had her pinned against the wall, his hand gripping her neck—not too tightly, but enough to make her feel caged. His body pressed against hers, trapping her in place. His voice was a low, dangerous whisper.

"Listen, Tanishka," he spat out her name with venom, his eyes burning into hers, "Aryan Singh Rathore would rather kill you than give you a divorce. Because I don’t like it when someone touches what’s mine." His grip on her neck loosened slightly, but he didn’t move away. "You’re not fucking Tanishka Raichand anymore. You’re Tanishka Aryan Singh Rathore now. And that means you're mine."

Tears welled up in Tanishka’s eyes for a brief moment, but she blinked them away before Aryan could notice. She wasn't about to let him see her break. Not him. Masking her emotions, she smirked defiantly, tilting her head up just slightly, meeting his gaze with unyielding fire.

"Listen, Mr. Rathore," she hissed, her voice sharp and cutting, "I’m not your fucking puppet. Make it clear in that arrogant mind of yours—I fucking hate you."

Aryan chuckled darkly, the sound cold and mocking. "Good," he sneered, his lips brushing dangerously close to her ear, "because I fucking hate you too, stellina " He emphasized the nickname with a twisted grin. "Hating each other is mutual. And I hate you so much right now, I’m going to make sure you never forget who’s in control."

Tanishka’s eyes widened as she saw him step back, his expression suddenly calculating. Without another word, Aryan walked over to his wardrobe and pulled out a length of chain. He turned back to her, smirking wickedly as he approached.

Her defiance flickered, but she quickly tried to mask it. "You can’t be serious," she snapped, trying to sound confident.

"I can," he said with a predatory gleam in his eyes. "And I am."

Before she could protest, Aryan had wrapped the chain around her wrists and tied her to the bedpost, securing it tightly enough that she couldn't move. His face hovered inches from hers, his breath hot against her skin as he leaned in and whispered, "Now, stay the fuck quiet here until I return. Got it?"

Tanishka glared at him, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a response. Inside, her heart was pounding with a mix of anger, fear, and something else—something she didn’t want to acknowledge.

Aryan smirked, satisfied with her silence. He ran a finger along her jawline before pulling away completely, leaving her chained to the bed, powerless but burning with fury. WithWith one last look, he turned and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Tanishka stared after him, her mind racing. She wasn’t the type to back down. Not to Aryan. Not to anyone. As she struggled against the chains, her hatred for Aryan only grew. But behind that hatred, deep down where she refused to look, something darker was beginning to stir.

Aryan stood before his family, his expression hard and unyielding. “Listen carefully,” he began, his voice sharp and laced with intensity. “Nobody is allowed to enter my room. If I say nobody, then I mean nobody. Not to check on her, not for lunch, not for dinner—nothing. Understood?”

His gaze swept over everyone in the room, daring anyone to question him. “And I don’t want to hear a word about it. No concerns, no interference. I’ll handle her myself.”

He took a step forward, his eyes darkening with a hint of warning. “Is that clear? Do I need to say it again?” His tone was biting, challenging each person to defy him.

Jaidev raised an eyebrow, sensing Aryan’s uncharacteristic aggression. “Aryan,” he started cautiously, but Aryan cut him off.

“I don’t want any arguments. I’ll be back soon, and I expect my words to be respected,” Aryan said firmly, his voice brooking no argument. With that, he turned and stormed out, leaving behind a silence heavy with tension and unanswered questions.

Aryan Rathore was a mystery even to his own family. No one knew what went on in his mind, why he did the things he did, or what drove him so fiercely. He moved with purpose, yet his intentions remained hidden, cloaked in shadows only he seemed to understand. His presence carried a quiet, almost dangerous intensity that warned people not to pry too deeply.

Privacy was sacred to him, an unspoken rule everyone knew better than to break. Aryan never tolerated anyone invading his space, just as he despised anyone laying a hand on anything—or anyone—that belonged to him. His silence was unnerving, his gaze sharp enough to cut through questions before they were even asked. He protected what was his with an unwavering possessiveness, leaving no room for interference or doubts.

---------------------------
Meera pov

And then, his voice breaks through the silence-a low, husky sound that sends a chill down my spine. "Breathe, princess." His tone is almost soothing, but the undertone in his voice betrays his real intentions. "Breathe. I don't want the kingdom to lose their queen this early... not before making you suffer."

My blood runs cold. He knows. He knows I'm awake. What should I do? What will he do to me now? I bite my lip to keep the sobs from escaping, tears welling up uncontrollably. Please... please don't hurt me.

I feel his hand move, slowly pulling the blanket away from my face. My heart skips a beat as his eyes meet mine. His gaze is intense, dark, and utterly mesmerizing, holding me captive in the moment. For a second, neither of us moves. I'm too afraid to speak, too afraid to breathe. His stare is cold, yet there's something unreadable in it, something I can't quite place.

Finally, my lips part, my voice shaky and weak. "Ra... Rana sa... woh... hum... hum sach... me nahi jante... yaha kaise aye... I... I'm sorry... hume sach me nahi pata..." My words tumble out in a rush, desperate and trembling.

But before I can say anything more, his expression hardens. His voice cuts through the air like a whip, harsh and sharp.

"If you're already awake, then get the fuck off my bed." His words hit me like a blow, and I flinch, scrambling to sit up, my body moving on instinct as I stumble off the bed, my legs weak beneath me.

He glares at me with an intensity that makes my skin crawl. "Hear your task," he snaps. "Clean this room before nightfall. I want everything spotless. And don't you dare think of asking any of the servants for help. I hate when people touch my things, so as my wife, you will fucking clean this room yourself."

I stand there, frozen, as he continues, his voice dripping with contempt. "And don't even think about messing with my stuff. Last time, I threw you onto the balcony. Next time, you'll sleep in the garden. Got it?"

I nod quickly, my throat too tight to form any words. But he isn't satisfied. "I need words," he growls. "Say it."

"Ji... Rana sa," I stammer, my voice barely a whisper.

Without another word, he turns on his heel, heading toward the door, muttering something under his breath. I can't quite make out the words, but the sharpness in his tone leaves no doubt about his frustration.

The moment he leaves, my legs give way, and I sink to the floor, trembling. Tears I had been holding back flow freely now. What have I done to deserve this? I don't even know how I ended up in this mess of a life, but one thing is clear-I'm trapped in it.

I got up, shaking off the lingering fear and confusion. Now is not the time for this, I told myself, trying to steady my thoughts. Glancing at the clock, my eyes widened in panic. It’s almost noon! How could I have slept for so long? I felt a wave of dread wash over me. What am I going to say to Maa? And worse, Dadisa—she’s going to eat me alive with those sharp words of hers.

Please, God, spare me from the scolding today, I silently prayed, but my nerves refused to calm down. As if on cue, there was a soft knock on the door. My heart skipped a beat, but I quickly opened it to find a servant standing there, holding a beautifully folded red saree.

"Amrita Mam sent this for you," she said, offering the saree with a smile.

I took it, and my arms almost buckled under its weight. The material was rich, embroidered heavily with gold thread and intricate details. I have to wear this all day? I sighed inwardly, but there was no time to complain. It’s fine, I told myself. Just get through this day.

I rushed to freshen up, and after a quick bath, I cautiously opened the bathroom door, peeking into the room. Is he still here? Thankfully, the room was empty. I let out a breath of relief and hurriedly draped the heavy saree around me. My fingers fumbled with the pleats as I tried to make it look somewhat presentable.

I glanced at the vanity—so many makeup products, brushes, and powders scattered everywhere, most of which I didn’t even know how to use. A little touch-up will have to do, I thought, keeping it simple. The saree was enough of a statement on its own.

I took the vermillion box in my hand, feeling its cool metal surface against my fingers. I wish... I hesitated, my heart sinking with the thought. I wish he could apply it, I whispered to myself. But then again, some wishes are meant to be left incomplete.

Slowly, I took a pinch of sindur between my fingers and carefully placed it in my partition, my hands trembling slightly. The memory of yesterday flashed in my mind, clear and vivid—how he cut his thumb and, in a sudden, intense moment, filled my partition with his blood. The image sent goosebumps across my skin, making me shiver.

His words from that moment still lingered in my mind, haunting me. They weren’t spoken with love, but with something far darker. You’re mine now, whether you like it or not. I could still hear that voice, low and sharp.

I shrugged off the thought, trying to shake off the weight it carried.

But now came the hardest part—facing everyone downstairs. How am I going to explain why I slept so long? What if they all scold me? No, Meera, you have to be strong, I told myself, mentally bracing for what was to come. I couldn’t hide up here forever.

With a deep breath, I stepped out of the room and made my way downstairs. Each step felt heavier as my anxiety grew. I could already imagine their looks of disapproval, the sharp comments, the subtle taunts. But when I reached the bottom of the stairs, the expressions on their faces weren’t quite what I expected.

They looked... shocked. Not just shocked—irritated, too. I felt my throat tighten. Why are they all staring at me like this? My heart began to race, and I swallowed hard, trying to keep calm. What now?

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I know you want more scenes with Yudhveer and Meera, but with Aryan also entering the mansion, I need to include his scenes as well—I can’t neglect them. And have you missed Anjali and Ranvijay? I showed them a lot in the earlier chapters, so now it’s time to highlight the other couples, okay? And what about Ishani and Vikram?🤧did you miss my Vikram baby?😂

(Angels❤)