As Hriday gently unwrapped the bandage from her swollen wrist, his heart clenched with concern at the sight of her injury. The skin around her wrist was red and inflamed, a stark contrast to the delicate porcelain of her skin.
"Mishti, what happened?"
he asked, his voice tinged with worry as he inspected the injury.
"I... I just told you and now-,"
Anjana replied softly, her eyes downcast as she avoided his gaze.
He sighed heavily, his concern mingling with frustration at her apparent clumsiness.
"You need to be more careful, wife,"
He scolded gently, his fingers tracing the edges of the swollen wrist.
"You could have seriously hurt yourself."
She nodded silently, feeling a pang of guilt at causing him to worry. Despite their strained relationship, his concern for her well-being was undeniable, and she couldn't help but feel a flicker of gratitude for his care.
With practiced efficiency, he cleaned the wound and applied a fresh bandage, his touch gentle yet firm as he tended to her injury. As he worked, she couldn't help but notice the way his hands moved with practiced precision, a testament to his skill and care.
Once he had finished, he gave her wrist a reassuring pat before helping her to her feet.
"There, all done,"
he said, a hint of relief in his voice.
"Just try to be more careful in the future, okay?"
She again nodded, her heart swelling with gratitude for his kindness. Despite their differences, he had once again proven himself to be a pillar of support in her time of need, and for that, she was truly grateful.
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As the morning sun filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over the grand halls of the mansion, the household bustled with activity. Hriday and all family members went about their usual morning routine, the clinking of dishes and the murmur of conversation filling the air as they prepared for the day ahead.
But their peaceful morning was shattered by the sudden entrance of the maid, her face pale and eyes wide with shock.
"Hukum, Rani Sa,"
(King, queen)
She stammered, her voice trembling with urgency.
"There's been a commotion of some media and people gathered and keep chanting about some accident."
Hriday and his family members exchanged worried glances, Anjana was in the kitchen with Siya so they were not aware of this but hearing some loud shouts they both looked at each other and went outside. Their hearts pounding with fear as they awaited the maid's next words.
"It's... it's about badi bahurani,"
the maid continued her voice barely above a whisper.
"She... she was fighting with some goons in the video which they are showing on their channels right now. It's getting more hype and became... today's breaking."
A collective gasp filled the room as Hriday and his family members absorbed the shocking news. Anjana, their estranged daughter-in-law, fought with some strangers.
Without a moment's hesitation, Hriday sprang into action, his mind racing with concern for her well-being.
"Get me that video footage immediately,"
He commanded his voice firm with resolve.
"And order our security team to get active around the palace, especially the entrance and backyard."
The family members rushed to the living room where the video was being played, a sense of urgency filled the air, mingled with a deep sense of awkwardness and confusion and concern for her act of bravery or whatever to be called as per their perspective.
And as they waited anxiously for news of her condition, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of thought that perhaps, despite their differences, there was still a chance for reconciliation and redemption but that too got crushed as he got reminded that her wrist injury was not due to the reason she stated to him.
The whole living room went silent for a moment. Advait stood up and frustratingly ran his hand in his locks. He walked to his brother who was thinking something deep about the ongoing situation.
"Bhai, we should do something. Media will define not leave this matter easily."
Hearing him, Shekhar also joined him and said,
"Yes and especially tell those people about my daughter's relationship with you. Then after deleting the video from all the sites. My daughter is not their topic for some mere entertainment or any breaking news."
The moment he completed his sentence, Hriday laughed out loud and started clapping like a madman. Seeing him like this, Gauri got frightened and started crying in her mother's arms. Veena felt somewhat weird about her but she chose to stay silent as this was not the time for their discussion.
Jankee frowned and also stood by her husband then said,
"Are you mad? What is this behavior?"
"Yess maa am mad. And if not mad then am becoming mad that too very insanely. This man your husband-
Jankee glared at him making him stop. Hriday sighed seeing his mother and nodded and continued,
"Fine, Dad you're still taking her side knowing her reality very well. Still, you're saying my daughter my daughter. Tsk! Here your daughter is no less. She destroyed me and us and am telling you she's getting success in whatever mission she's. "
Anjana looked down, and bite her lower lip with her teeth in trying to not cry. She felt immense pain and loneliness among the people around her right now. She prayed to god to bring her father back right now because no matter what her father would never judge her.
She was trembling like a leaf, standing far from everyone on the threshold between living and dining. Sweat beads were forming on her head, and she was on the verge of getting a panick attack but she still stood straight successfully hiding tears and the situation from her family.
"Bhai leave this, this is not the right time now. You've to confront them now or else the situation will get worse and remember we have a conference tomorrow. "
Advait said hurriedly walking to him after coming from the backyard as he went to examine the situation secretly from the media.
"Yes, they're getting doubt about yours and Bhabhi Maa's relationship. Some of your pictures from a few months back are leaked and they're concluding you both as married or something like having a fling."
Hearing him, everyone flinched except Shekhar and Advait when Hriday's voice boomed through the halls, his tone commanding as he issued orders to his second secretary in command.
"Prepare a statement for the media,"
He instructed, his jaw set with determination.
"Tell them that Mrs. Rajvansh's actions were reckless and irresponsible and that she will be dealt with accordingly."
As he hurried off to carry out his orders, his mind somewhere raced with concern for her safety and frustration at the unfolding situation. The last thing he needed was a media frenzy outside his palace gates, probing into his personal affairs and demanding answers about Anjana's relationship with him.
Sure enough, within moments, the courtyard was swarming with reporters, their cameras flashing as they clamored for information. He stepped forward, his posture rigid with authority as he addressed the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen,"
He began, his voice carrying over the din of the crowd.
"I am aware of the incident involving Mrs. Das, and rest assured, it is being handled appropriately. She is merely an employee of my company and nothing more."
But the reporters were relentless, firing off questions about her relationship with him and her status within the family. He felt a surge of frustration rise within him, but he maintained his composure, his words measured and controlled.
"Mrs. Das's presence here is purely professional,"
he stated firmly, his gaze unwavering as he met the reporters' probing stares.
"Any further inquiries into her personal life are not up for discussion."
As the reporters continued to press for answers, he felt a sense of unease settle over him. Despite his best efforts to control the situation, it seemed that her actions had thrust them both into the spotlight, and there was no telling what consequences lay ahead.
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Back in the living room,
During the family gathering, Hriday's voice sliced through the air like a knife, his tone sharp with accusation as he confronted his wife in front of their startled family members.
"Where were you yesterday?"
He demanded, his eyes boring into hers with an intensity that made her flinch.
Anjana felt a wave of unease wash over her as all eyes turned to her, the weight of his scrutiny bearing down on her like a heavy burden. She could sense the tension thickening in the air, the apprehension palpable among their family members as they waited for her response.
But before she could gather her thoughts to reply, Gauri, stepped forward, her voice trembling with fear as she tried to intercede.
"Bhai, please,"
She pleaded, her eyes darting nervously between her brother and Bhabhi maa.
But Anjana's hand shot out, gesturing for Gauri to stop, her eyes silently urging her to remain silent. She knew that revealing the truth would only escalate the situation further, and she was determined to protect Gauri from any potential fallout.
Hriday's eyes narrowed at his wife's silence, his frustration mounting as he awaited her answer.
"Well?"
He demanded, his voice growing louder with each passing moment.
Anjana swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest as she met Hriday's gaze head-on.
"I... I was... out,"
She stammered her voice barely above a whisper.
But even as the words left her lips, she knew that he would see right through her feeble attempt at evasion.
"Thanks for the info Mrs. Rajvansh but we already know that you were out. I want accurate answers. ONLY"
As the silence stretched between them, she braced herself for the inevitable backlash that was sure to follow.
His accusatory tone reverberated through the room, his words laced with venom as he leveled his accusations against her.
"You've tainted the royal name,"
He spat, his voice dripping with disdain as he glared at her.
Anjana felt a surge of guilt and frustration welling up inside her, knowing that her actions had inadvertently dragged his prestigious reputation through the mud. She had never intended for things to spiral out of control like this, but now the damage was done, and there was no turning back.
"I had no choice at that time. The situation was-,"
She protested weakly, her voice barely a whisper as she met Hriday's furious gaze.
"I was only trying to help..."
But he cut her off with a dismissive wave of his hand, his anger simmering beneath the surface as he refused to listen to her excuses.
"You know what, I don't want to hear it now as I know you'll only give me excuses,"
He snapped, his voice cold and unforgiving.
"You've disgraced this family, and I won't stand for it."
She wilted under his harsh words, she couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for the mess she had unwittingly created. But even as she hung her head in shame, she knew that she would do whatever it took to make things right again, even if it meant facing his wrath head-on.
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As the media conference unfolded, tension hung thick in the air like a suffocating fog. From out of nowhere, a group of commoners surged forward, their faces contorted,
"Nooooo..."
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📖❤️🩹✨️
जब मे कोई महंगा तोहफा मांगू ,
तो ढेर सारा विश्वास और वक्त लेकर आना।
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("If I ever asked something costly from you,
Then just bring more trust and time only.")
📖❤️🩹✨️
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