The morning sun bathed the streets of Jaipur in a golden glow as Veer prepared to leave for college. He adjusted his wristwatch and stepped out of the haveli, but something—someone—caught his eye.
There she was. Aaradhya.
She stood just outside the ticket counter, her family gathered under the shade of an old banyan tree. Her younger brother was waiting in line to purchase tickets while she chatted with the rest of her family, a soft smile playing on her lips. Today, she was dressed in a black skirt and a white kurta, her silver bangles gleaming as they caught the sunlight. A delicate black bindi adorned her forehead, accentuating the sharpness of her features.
She looks like an angel, Veer thought, his breath hitching. An angel who has descended from heaven just for me.
But then, his sharp eyes noticed something—they had only bought the pass for the outer part of the haveli, not the inner chambers. A sudden restlessness settled within him. He wanted—no, he needed—her to step inside his home, to walk through the corridors that carried centuries of his family's history. Without a second thought, he dialed the ticket counter.
"Give them full access to the haveli," he ordered. "Tell them they are the 50th customers of the day and have won a special tour."
A staff member immediately rushed toward Aaradhya's family, relaying the fabricated reason. Initially, they hesitated, but after some convincing, they accepted the offer. Veer smirked in satisfaction.
He was supposed to leave for college, but how could he? Now that he knew she would be inside his home, how could he possibly turn away? He turned back toward the haveli, changing into more comfortable clothes before heading to his balcony. With binoculars in hand, he watched her every move.
She had stopped at the Four Gates—each representing a season: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. He saw her clicking pictures, but then her gaze lingered on the handmade bags displayed by the local artisans. She wants one, he realized. I want to give her all of them.
Just then, the tour guide pointed toward the haveli. She looked up. Through his binoculars, their eyes met.
A jolt of electricity ran through Veer. Her eyes... Light caramel brown, like the first touch of autumn. He could drown in them and never complain. Then she turned away, following her family inside the haveli.
Veer didn't hesitate. He rushed downstairs, slipping into the ground floor before they arrived. From the shadows, he observed as Aaradhya stepped into his home. Mangal Aangman.
(Mangal Aangman: an auspicious entrance, usually signifying prosperity and new beginnings.)
She had unknowingly entered with her right foot first, a gesture symbolic of a new bride stepping into her husband's home. A wild thought crossed Veer's mind—he wished he could have placed Alta plate there so that she could have entrance and come in his life.
He trailed them silently, careful to keep out of sight. His eyes were drawn to her every gesture—the way she tilted her head curiously at paintings, how her fingers brushed the stone walls as if trying to absorb their stories. Then, someone accidentally bumped into her, causing the book she had been holding to fall.
Veer moved instinctively, bending down at the same time as she did. Their hands brushed.
A spark ignited in his veins. A sensation so unfamiliar, so exhilarating. He looked up, and for a moment, the world stood still.
Their eyes locked once more. His pulse thundered in his ears. This is madness, he thought, but he didn't want it to end.
Before he could say anything, a commotion broke out in the main hall. Veer turned to see an older man clutching his chest, a young girl by his side, tears streaming down her face. Without a second thought, Veer rushed forward. He knew exactly what to do.
"Give him space!" he ordered, pulling out a small emergency medicine box he always carried. His sharp eyes darted toward the servants—an unspoken command for them to stay back. He never wanted people to know who he truly was.
The little girl tugged at his sleeve. "Will my grandpa be okay?" she whispered, fear evident in her voice.
Veer crouched to her level, his voice gentle. "Yes. He just needs some medicine and rest. The doctors will take care of him."
An ambulance arrived swiftly, taking the man away. As Veer turned back, he found Aaradhya watching him.
No. Staring at him.
A shiver ran down his spine.
The tour continued, but as they reached the second floor, Aaradhya paused. "What's on the third floor?" she asked the guide.
"The private quarters of the royal family," the guide replied. "Access is restricted."
Disappointment flickered across her face, but before Veer could process it, her brother tugged at her hand, dragging her toward the staircase. No.
Veer's stomach clenched. If someone caught them, there would be trouble. He followed swiftly, his steps silent.
A few steps up, she got separated from her brother. And then—
"Hey! Where are you going?" A guard's voice rang out.
Panic flashed in her eyes.
Veer reacted instantly. He reached for her wrist and pulled her into his room, pressing the door shut behind them.
The air in the room grew thick.
She was too close.
Veer could smell her—a delicate, intoxicating fragrance of fresh jasmine and vanilla. He could hear her rapid breathing, mirroring his own. His fingers still tingled where they had touched her skin. This is dangerous.
She looked at him with curiosity in her eyes as if asking how he knew she was here.
"I saw you heading to the third floor," he finally said, his voice huskier than he intended. "I was curious, so I followed you. But you were about to get caught, so I hid you here."
Aaradhya hummed, nodding slowly. "That man earlier... will he be okay?"
Veer's lips parted in surprise. Of all things, she was worried about that?
"He'll be fine," he reassured her.
"How did you know what medicine to give him?"
"I'm a medical student," he admitted. A lie, but not entirely false.
She asked, "You know this place?"
He instinctively replied, "No, just grabbed you in any room which was near to us."
They were standing close, and this proximity was something he was carving and was sure he would never be able to let go. Once, she has entered his world, he would make sure that she stays here for the lifetime. Then he notices that she was feeling uncomfortable from their closeness and takes few steps back.
She was noticing the details of the room, his room. Now, he wanted to ask her what all she likes in the room and change whatever she doesn't like. And Oh God, how was he supposed to hide all these feelings inside without being seen by anyone else.
She nodded again. "Can you help me get back to my family?"
Reluctantly, he led her to the staircase. When she saw her family, she turned back to him. "Thank you," she said softly before walking away.
Veer remained rooted in place. The warmth of her presence lingered around him.
That night, Veer sat in his room with Aakarsh, recounting the events of the day.
"So let me get this straight," Aakarsh smirked. "You planned for her to enter your haveli, stalked her, saved her from getting caught, and now you want me to dig up information on her?"
Veer leaned back in his chair. "Yes."
Aakarsh burst into laughter. "Veer, my man, you're doomed."
Veer ran a hand through his hair, his mind replaying every glance, every touch, every moment.
Doomed? Perhaps. But if this was what obsession felt like, he didn't want to be saved.