The Glided Shadows

1. Shadows of Fate

Alia Goenka (AG) Aesthetic

Vibe: Fire wrapped in silk, sharp heels on marble floors, soft vulnerability under armor.

Hoodie, loose graphic tees, jeans before formals

Loves hot or cold chocolate, big time foodie

Books with dog-eared pages and post-its

A messy bun and kohl-lined eyes

Laughter that’s rare but reckless

Leather-bound planner, lipstick stains on the rim

Driving alone at night, music too loud

Quiet tears in locked rooms, public poise always intact

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🖤 Abhimaan Singh Rajvansh (ASR) Aesthetic

Vibe: Storm behind still eyes, royalty with a temper, gentleness only for one.

Black-on-black suits, sleeves rolled up

The quiet click of a watch being adjusted

Glances that linger too long, words left unsaid

The faint smell of oud and control

Shadows on palace walls, echoes of footsteps

Arms folded, voice low, anger precise

Loyalty like steel, love like fire

A silver ring, a hidden photo in his wallet

“She’ll never have to ask — I already know what she needs”

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Neil – The charming old friend who knows both AG and ASR too well — still caught between loyalty, lingering tension, and everything left unsaid.

Batman – AG’s fiercely loyal best friend with a protective streak and unresolved feelings — the one who loved her first, but never got the girl.

Arnav Singh Rajvansh – ASR’s mischievous younger brother and AG’s chaos partner — always ready with a joke, but watching out for both of them like a hawk.

ASR’s Mom (Rani Indira Singh Rajvansh) – Regal in presence and soft in soul — the kind of mother who sees everything, says little, and loves AG like the daughter she never had.

ASR’s Dad (Raja Virendra Singh Rajvansh) – A dignified man of few words and deep wisdom — fiercely proud of his sons, but it’s AG’s fire that brings out his rare smile.

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Gurgaon, 2019

The sky above the ancient walls of Kumbhalgarh Fort glowed a burnt orange, the last rays of the sun bleeding into the sand-colored stones. Alia Goenka-AG to her friends-adjusted her sunglasses and clicked a picture of the landscape, the setting sun casting shadows like an old story waiting to be told.

"I swear this place is haunted," Neil muttered behind her, mock-shivering.

"You say that every time we visit anything remotely old," AG laughed, brushing her hair out of her eyes as the wind picked up.

"I don't trust forts older than my ancestors," Neil added, grinning.

Abhimaan Singh Rajvansh-known as ASR to his peers and feared by many for his cold demeanor-followed a few steps behind, eyes trained on AG. He didn't smile, didn't speak much, but there was a flicker in his expression-something unreadable-every time she laughed.

The group of six friends had planned this trip to Rajasthan on a whim-one last adventure before career paths diverged. AG had already left the corporate firm where they'd all worked together. Yet, she remained close to ASR and Neil, meeting up occasionally for movies or late-night coffee runs.

Kumbhalgarh was majestic. Grand. Mysterious. And as AG wandered off toward an arched corridor away from the main fort, curious about a strange sound, ASR instinctively followed.

"AG," he called, his voice low but firm. "Stay close."

She waved him off. "Relax, just checking something."

What she found was something they couldn't have prepared for-a ceremonial fire, a gathering of locals deep in an old courtyard of the fort, performing what looked like an ancient ritual.

Before AG or ASR could retreat, they were spotted.

"Shubh ghadi aayi hai," one of the elders announced. "Yeh to ishara hai. Devi aur Devta swayam padhare hain."

The next few moments were a blur. The priest and villagers insisted that fate had brought AG and ASR here-that they must be married under this rare alignment. Their refusal wasn't an option. AG panicked. ASR tried to argue. But the locals were adamant. If they left, they said, something terrible would befall them.

AG looked at ASR with disbelief. "This is ridiculous."

"I know," he muttered, jaw clenched. "But they're not letting us go unless we go through with this."

"But... marriage?" she whispered.

His eyes darkened. "We'll deal with it later. Right now, let's just... finish this and leave."

They stood, side by side, as the priest tied the sacred thread. Vows were spoken. Fire circled. Hands trembled.

No promises were exchanged between them. No love, no longing. Just necessity.

When it was over, they walked back in silence to the others.

Neil raised a brow. "What took you two so long?"

AG forced a smile. "Some... cultural thing."

"Fort people made us participate in a ritual," ASR added curtly.

AG pulled him aside later that night. "No one can know. Ever. Promise me."

His jaw ticked, but he nodded once. "No one will know."

They returned to Gurgaon as if nothing had changed.

But everything had.

Months passed.

AG buried the memory deep, focusing on work, friends, family. ASR disappeared without a word.

Please forgive me for any mistakes as its my first book and if you liked the chapter please vote or comment 😊