BOUND BY FATE

Remember -"No emoji or Asking about next update or update soon will be counted as comment"

I need genuine comments that are related with story.......please vote and Comment...one word comments are confusing...give a proper POV...it's a request

AARADHYA'S POV:
I stepped back into the room, feeling refreshed after a warm breakfast with the family. Mahima maa had insisted that I take a break, as there were no pressing tasks to attend to...she would call me if needed... The Rathore men had already left for the office, eager to tackle a crucial meeting that Kartik had described as a make-or-break moment for their business. According to Kartik, Rudransh had poured his heart and soul into the project, but in a surprising twist, Shivaansh had been handed the reins at the last minute. I couldn't help but feel perplexed by this decision, and the dynamics between the Rathore brothers remained a mystery to me.

As I settled back into the room, my thoughts drifted to Rudransh, who had been a constant enigma since his return. Despite being part of the same family, he seemed to maintain a deliberate distance from his parents and brother. I had witnessed this firsthand, as he rarely spoke to me either, our relationship limited to being roommates. But what struck me as odd was that he didn't seem to share a bond with his own family, except for Dadu, with whom he shared a deep and loving connection. His eyes would light up when talking to Dadu, and it was clear that he adored him. Similarly, the way he looked at Aarushi's photos, his eyes filled with love and longing, made it evident that he had truly cared for her. I, on the other hand, felt like an outsider, someone who would never experience the warmth of his love.

Rudransh's words, spoken during a conversation with Dadu, echoed in my mind: "It's better no one expect anything from me. At the end, what they'll get in return is just disappointment." Though they seemed to be directed at Dadu, I couldn't shake off the feeling that they were actually meant for me. The words stung, leaving me with a sense of sadness and isolation.

I shook off the lingering thoughts and decided to surrender to the exhaustion, letting the softness of the couch envelop me. Before I knew it, sleep had claimed me, and the next time I opened my eyes, the room was bathed in the warm, golden light of evening. I sat up with a start, disoriented and groggy, wondering how much time had passed. The sleep had been deep and restorative, but it had also left me feeling a bit disheveled.

I quickly got out of couch and made my way to the bathroom, where I splashed some water on my face to wash away the remnants of sleep. Feeling a bit more refreshed, I decided to head downstairs to join the others. I had almost forgotten about the gifts I had bought for everyone, and I was eager to distribute them. The pain in my ankle had subsided significantly, and I was grateful for that.

As I walked towards my closet, I retrieved the bag filled with gifts and began to make my way downstairs. However, as I reached the ground floor, I realized that the house was eerily quiet. I asked one of the house workers where everyone was, and she informed me that they were all in the garden area, enjoying evening tea. I felt a slight pang of embarrassment, wondering what they would think of me, the bahu of the house, sleeping the day away. But I pushed the thought aside, reminding myself that the exhaustion and pain had been overwhelming.

As Kartik approached me, his eyes sparkled with curiosity, and he asked, "Ye kya hai?" I smiled, holding up the bag filled with gifts, and replied, "Aap sbhi ke liye manali se kuch gifts laayi hu...wahi hai ye." Kartik's face lit up with excitement, and he jumped up, his hands clasped together in anticipation. "Mera do sbse pehle!" he exclaimed, extending his hand, and I chuckled, shaking my head.

"Sbke pass chalo pehle...wahi dungi," I teased, and Kartik pouted, his lower lip jutting out in a comical expression. However, he quickly recovered, taking the bags from me to alleviate the strain on my legs. He then gently grasped my hand, his touch warm and reassuring. "Aaram se chalo," he said, his voice soft with concern, and I smiled, nodding in appreciation.