Hello cuties,

So i know ki mai bohot time baad ye likh rahi hu , because ofc

A science student I am 😭😢

So yeah exams and mummy ke tantrums you know , uske vajah se mai todha late hi upload karugi but don't worry mai kardugi.

Please understand. And yup

Enough of my bak bak

please share it with your friends and tell them also to share with more people...

Anyways...

Here's today's chaos ✨

______________________________________

______________________________________

A week passed like a blur. They hadn't planned anything. They had time, yes; but because of that they couldn't waste it.

CHAUHAN PALACE

Three of them are sitting in Aarika's Chamber. Thinking.

Aarika sitting near the balcony, looking at the sky while thinking. Lakshita near the bed, trying to plan something and Krittika as always

Laying on bed, hair spilled over the pillow, looking ridiculous. Her face? Expression? Hilarious. Dramatic. Lips pouty, eyes wide , eyebrows shot up till her hairline.

Suddenly Aarika stood up and said, " Haa Maine kuch socha hai"

Lakshita looked at Aarika and Krittika sat up quickly, her hair now messed up.

Lakshita and Aarika rolled their eyes but said nothing. This is better than her being distant.

Krittika narrowed her eyes and said, " kya? Ese kya looks de rahe ho?"

Lakshita snorted and said, " tu kitni funny dikh rahi hai"

Krittika was confused as they laughed. She said, " Hein? Main?"

Aarika nodded and said, " koi mujhe junglii kahe, esi lag rahi hai tu"

Krittika scoffed and said, " whatever, I am the vibe" she flipped her hair dramatically.

It made them laugh more.

Aarika cleared her throat and said, " to plan sunno"

Aarika smiled devilishly.

Krittika swallowed hard and muttered to lakshita, " i don't like this smile"

Lakshita nodded and said, " ye koi acha sign nahi hai"

They both gradually nodded and Aarika started to tell them about the plan and the execution.

As she finished telling.

Krittika scooted back with wide eyes and said, " nahi nahi mai vo Vihaan ke pass ye sab nahi karugi"

Lakshita added, " Hana bhai aur mai vo Arjun ke pass nahi jaugi"

Aarika Exhaled and said, " guys , we need to distract then , come on you both can do this"

"Bhai pagal hai kya? Tu unke saath indirectly flirting karne bol rahi hai"

Lakshita nodded at her words. And added, " ha khud ka koi nahi hai to hame marvegi"

"Areee itna bhi hard todhi hai" she said.

"Bohot hard hai"

Lakshita and Krittika said with whine.

Krittika glared at her and said, " itna hi hai tu hi karle na"

" Aree ye sirf tum log kar sakte ho"

" Kyu esa kya hai tumhari?"

"Dimag"

"Aur hume?"

"Beauty " Aarika said with a grin.

"Ye compliment thi ki beizzati?" Krittika shot back.

"Dono" Aarika replied smugly.

They stared at her in disbelief and then she added fuel to the fire.

"Vese bhi vo dono tumhare boyfriend hai"

Complete Dead silence. Lakshita's jaw dropped. Krittika's eyes widened. And Aarika smirked.

But after a while? They were chasing her while screaming,

"BOYFRIEND? MATLAB KUCH BHI"

Aarika dodged her easily and said breathlessly, " a aree matlab Lakshita ka hone vala pati"

Krittika and Lakshita stopped. Aarika Stopped a few steps ahead, Krittika narrowed her eyes and said, " uska thike mera kya?"

Aarika smiled sheepishly and said, " Tera to bf na?"

Krittika grabbed the pillow and threw it on her face. Aarika bent down and was saved by the attack and said, " Aree mera Bhai hai vo"

"Vahi to dikkat hai" she muttered under her breath.

Aarika narrowed her eyes and said, " dikkat matlab? Tujhe kya lagta hai? Mai itni boring hu?"

Krittika nodded and said, " lagta nahi, tu hai hi boring , 'nonchalant' "

Aarika Scoffed and said, " Kuch bhi"

Lakshita said, " kuch bhi nahi ye sach hai"

Aarika gasped and said, " haww mere khilaaf dono ne team bana li , va ji va"

Krittika smirked and said teasingly, " awww bura laga ?"

Aarika crossed her arms over her chest and said, " nahi toh"

Krittika smirked and slung her arm around Lakshita and said, " dekho, kese muh fhula kar bhethi hai , bechari"

Lakshita chuckled. Aarika pouted and said, " aree yaar itna acha to hai ye idea"

Krittika groaned and lakshita slapped her forehead.

Finally after an eternity of arguing, groaning, complaining and threatening Aarika, they both agreed.

Aarika looked suspiciously happy about it.

"Ye smile mujhe bilkul pasand nahi aa rahi," Krittika muttered.

Lakshita nodded immediately.

"Same."

Aarika simply waved them away.

"Jao dono. Ready ho jao."

Both of them left while grumbling under their breath.

Almost an hour later...

Aarika was sitting near the balcony when the chamber door opened.

She glanced up casually.

And froze.

For a second she genuinely forgot how to breathe.

Krittika stepped inside first.

A deep red lehenga flowed around her with every step. The dupatta rested perfectly over her shoulder. Her dark hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, soft waves framing her face. A single red rose was tucked between the strands.

The kohl around her eyes made them appear even larger than usual, expressive and impossible to ignore.

She looked elegant.

And completely unaware of it.

Behind her entered Lakshita.

Blue suited her far too well.

Her lehenga shimmered softly under the evening light filtering through the windows. Her thick braid rested over one shoulder, jasmine flowers woven carefully through it.

She looked graceful without even trying.

Aarika blinked.

Then blinked again.

Then a low whistle escaped her lips.

"Hayeee..."

Both girls immediately narrowed their eyes.

"What?" Lakshita asked suspiciously.

Aarika stood up dramatically and placed a hand over her heart.

"Bas."

"Kya bas?" Krittika frowned.

"Aaj to dono Yuvraj behosh ho jayenge."

Krittika groaned loudly.

"Shuru ho gayi."

"Kisiki nazar na lage" Aarika added dramatically while taking out evil eye like their mothers would do.

Lakshita slapped her forehead.

Aarika ignored both of them.

Instead she circled around them dramatically as if inspecting artwork.

"Hmm."

She pointed at Krittika.

"Vihaan gaya."

Then pointed at Lakshita.

"Arjun bhi gaya."

"KOI KAHI NAHI GAYA!" both of them shouted together.

Aarika burst out laughing.

Krittika crossed her arms.

"I swear agar tune ek aur baar Vihaan ka naam liya na-"

"Kya kar legi?"

Krittika thought for two seconds.

Then pointed at a nearby pillow.

"Violence."

Lakshita nodded seriously.

"Main witness hu."

Aarika gasped dramatically.

"Dekho dekho! Mujhe hi dhamki de rahe hai."

Despite their complaints, a small smile tugged at the corners of both Krittika's and Lakshita's lips.

For the first time in days...

They looked happy.

And for a brief moment, before fate could interfere again...

They simply looked like three best friends enjoying each other's company.

****************************************************

While going towards Vihaan's chamber Krittika muttered under her breath, " kuch nahi hoga, calm down girl calm down"

She took a deep breath, as she reached near his chamber, the door was already ajar so she slowly went inside and she froze,

He was standing, his back was facing her,

Broad shoulders , those natural muscles , wet probably due to exercise or he had bathed? She swallowed hard and

He turned, he froze.

✨ Vihaan's Pov ✨

I just came outside after taking a long shower and then I heard someone coming inside my chambers, I got irritated

Don't these servants know manners?

And I turned to shout at them but froze

It was her. No no wait wait. Why was she so dressed up?

My throat felt dry after seeing her so dressed up,

Damn that kohl rimmed eyes, so soulful, so pure , so beautiful.

The lengha was hugging her curves perfectly, she looked so so good , like a goddess in front of me, divine.

That hair , thick, following down like a waterfall. So soft, silky.

I swallowed hard, and instinctively took a step forward, she took a step backward.

My lips twitched.

I knew it, yes she has come for something but am i gonna let her do it easily? No , not really.

(Pov ends)

He spoke, " Kya hua Rajkumari?" his voice , a little husky.

She Shivered slightly and said, " k kuch nahi , ese hi Milne aaye hai"

Vihaan chuckled and said, " ese tyaar ho kar?"

Krittika nodded.

Yaar ye aarika ki bachi kitna time lagega yaar

He crossed his arms over his chest.

She couldn't meet his gaze, instead she was looking at the wall as if it was interesting.

He raised his eyebrows , she looked so adorable when she was nervous. But he shook his head and wondered why she was dressed up.

Krittika looked at him and smiled sheepishly while saying, " vo hame ye lengha pehna tha to pehn liya"

While twirling dramatically.

Vihaan shook his head in disbelief. And nodded at her drama and said, " acha to ap hame ye dikhane aayi hai?"

She narrowed her eyes dramatically and said, " aree ab ham kya milne bhi nahi aa sakte?"

Vihaan's eyes widened dramatically and he said , " kya bola apne? Hame yakeen hi nahi ho raha hai"

"Ap ye jaan much kar rahe hai"

" Ha to ap kya bohot hi sahreef hai?"

"Ha hai ham"

" Dikh raha hai vo"

"Kya matlab dikh raha hai?"

" Kitni nautanki hai ap"

Krittika gasped dramatically and said, " kyaa??? Apne hame nautanki kaha? To ap kya hai?"

"Ham? Yodha hai" he said while flexing his bicep.

She scoffed and said, " nahi ap na vo gadha hai"

Vihaan's jaw dropped at her audacity and said, " ap hame gadha bol rahi hai?"

She nodded. He added again, " ap Yuvraj Vihaan Chauhan ko gadha bol rahi hai?"

"Ha to bol rahe hai" she said smugly.

He glared at her and she met his glare with her own glare.

" AP-"

"Ha ham" he replied smugly.

She scoffed and muttered, " nackhde kahi ke"

He narrowed his eyes and said, " kya kaha apne? Hamare muh pe bolke dikake boliye , darpok hai kya?"

" Ham darpok nahi hai" she shot back.

"Ha to boliye kya khus pusa rahi thi khud ke saath?" He asked.

"Vo - vo kuch nahi hehehe" she said sheepishly.

He shook his head in disbelief.

Meanwhile....

✨ Arjun's POV ✨

I was sitting normally, thinking about something.

I heard the chamber door open.

I looked up casually.

And froze.

Lakshita.

For a second, I genuinely thought I was imagining things.

Because she was standing in my chamber.

Voluntarily.

That alone was shocking enough.

But then I actually looked at her.

And forgot whatever I was thinking before.

Why was she so dressed up?

The blue lehenga made her look beautiful.

No.

Beautiful was an understatement.

She looked elegant.

Almost unreal.

The jasmine flowers woven into her braid moved slightly as she shifted nervously.

And that was when I noticed something else.

She wouldn't look at me.

Again.

Her gaze was fixed everywhere except me.

The floor.

The curtains.

The wall.

Anything but my face.

A smile threatened to appear on my lips.

Some things never changed.

No matter how much time passed, Lakshita still became nervous around me.

And strangely...

I didn't dislike that.

Not one bit.

I leaned back against my chair and crossed my arms.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Because if she had come here on her own...

Then she definitely wanted something.

(POV ends)

Arjun spoke while breaking the silence, " boliye? Kese aana hua?"

Lakshita looked down while saying, " k kya ab ham milne bhi nahi aa sakte?"

Arjun smirked at her shyness.

And said, " acha to ap hamse milne aaye hai?"

She nodded. He chuckled at her shyness.

She added, " kyu aa nahi sakte kya? Ap h hamare home vale pati hai"

She froze on what she said, and he raised his eyebrows at her sudden claim. He leaned forward, his hands on his knees and chin on his palms and looked at her.

She couldn't meet his gaze. He added, " oo ap aa sakti haina yuvrani"

Her eyes widened at the word and she stammered, " y yuvrani?"

He nodded and stood up, his hand behind his back and said, " ha to? Ham yuvraj aur ap home vali yuvrani"

Her jaw dropped

Ye to kitna flirt kar raha hai, bhai Aarika jaldi kar

He tried not to laugh at her shock expression.

" A aree, ap to bohot besharam hai" she said.

He smiled mischievously and said, " ha to hamri hisse ki sharam ap rakh lijiye , ham besharam hi kafi hai"

She looked away, blush crept on her cheeks. He was affecting her and he knew it.

She cleared her throat and said, " accha vo ham lengha dikhane aaye the"

He chuckled and said, " ap lengha dikhane aayi?" He paused and then added, " hame laga yaad aarhi thi isliye aaye"

She froze. Oo no shit

Her face was burning. He put his hand over his mouth to stop laughing.

"Aree-"

"Ha ha pata hai , hone vali patni ji"

Back there.....

The Plan Was Working.

At least that was what Aarika hoped.

The moment Lakshita and Krittika had left to distract Arjun and Vihaan, Aarika didn't waste a second.

The smile vanished from her face.

The playful expression disappeared.

And determination settled in her eyes.

"Bas thoda sa time chahiye..." she muttered.

Without waiting another second she hurried towards Raj Granthagaar.

The massive doors opened with a familiar creak.

The smell of old parchment immediately greeted her.

Ancient books.

Dust.

Knowledge.

Secrets.

Thousands and thousands of secrets.

Most people found the library comforting.

Today?

It felt suffocating.

Because every passing day reminded her of one thing.

They were running out of answers.

Aarika walked between the towering shelves.

Her fingers brushed against old book spines.

History.

Politics.

Wars.

Royal Bloodlines.

Ancient Treaties.

Nothing.

Nothing.

Nothing.

Nothing.

She pulled another book out.

Flipped through pages.

Nothing.

She shoved it back.

Another.

Nothing.

Another.

Nothing.

"Ugh!"

She slammed it shut.

Her frustration echoed through the empty library.

The silence swallowed the sound immediately.

For a moment she closed her eyes.

Thinking.

Remembering.

Trying to recall every clue they had found so far.

Letters.

Symbols.

Pages.

Bloodlines.

Missing information.

Everything felt connected.

Yet nothing made sense.

Aarika sat down heavily on a chair.

Her head fell back.

She stared at the ceiling.

"Think..."

She whispered.

"Come on Aarika."

Her fingers tapped against the wooden table.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

And suddenly—

Her eyes widened.

Wait.

The old map.

The symbol.

The corner.

The symbol wasn't on the Bloodline Page.

It was on the border.

Her heart skipped.

She immediately jumped to her feet.

"No way."

She rushed toward another section.

Books nearly fell as she searched.

Her braid swung wildly behind her.

A librarian would've probably fainted seeing her behavior.

But Aarika didn't care.

Not today.

Not now.

Finally—

She found it.

A thick book.

Covered in dust.

Ancient Kingdom Symbols.

Her pulse quickened.

Slowly she opened it.

Page after page.

Her eyes scanned every illustration.

Every symbol.

Every mark.

Every kingdom seal.

Then—

She froze.

Her breathing stopped.

There it was.

The exact same symbol.

The one hidden in the corner.

The one they thought was meaningless.

Her hands trembled.

She quickly read underneath.

And the colour drained from her face.

"No..."

The whisper escaped before she could stop it.

Because if this book was right...

Then everything they believed till now...

Was wrong.

Completely wrong.

The symbol wasn't connected to protection.

It wasn't connected to royal lineage.

It wasn't connected to history.

It was connected to something far more dangerous.

Something that had been erased from records centuries ago.

Aarika's stomach dropped.

Her eyes moved across the page again.

Reading.

Rereading.

Trying to convince herself she was mistaken.

But the words remained unchanged.

The same.

Every single time.

And suddenly—

A loud thud echoed somewhere behind her.

Aarika jumped.

The book slipped from her hands.

Her heart hammered.

She turned around.

Nothing.

Just silence.

Yet for some reason...

She couldn't shake off the feeling.

Like someone had been watching her.

The entire time.

She quickly grabbed the book.

Closed it.

And left.

Fast.

Very fast.

Because right now?

She needed Lakshita.

And Krittika.

Immediately.

Something was terribly wrong.

****************************************

Krittika and Lakshita were already back in the chamber, laughing while sharing the incidents.

Krittika said, " kya bee? Hmm jijaji to bade hi romantic hai"

Lakshita's eyes widened in horror and she said, " Kya bol rahi hai pagal"

" Aree sach to bol rahi hu, hayee kitne cute ho tum dono"

" Ha aur tum dono? Bhai flirting ke alawa baaki sab kiya tune"

Krittika pouted and Lakshita laughed.

Krittika exhaled and said, " bhai ab mai kya karu? Vo vesa hai to, pta hai? Tarif bhi nahi ki"

" awww, bechari" lakshita cooed and Krittika glared at her.

Aarika didn't stop running until she reached her chamber.

Her heartbeat hammered against her ribs.

The ancient book was clutched tightly against her chest.

The corridors blurred around her.

Servants greeted her.

She didn't hear them.

Guards bowed.

She didn't notice.

Her mind was stuck on one thing.

One symbol.

One page.

One horrifying possibility.

No.

No.

There had to be some mistake.

There had to be.

Because what she had just read was true...

Then everything they knew was wrong.

Completely wrong.

The chamber doors opened with a loud bang.

Aarika stepped inside.

And immediately froze.

The scene in front of her was ridiculous.

Absolutely ridiculous.

Lakshita was sitting near the bed.

Trying very hard to look normal.

Failing miserably.

Meanwhile Krittika was sprawled across the bed dramatically.

One arm hanging off the side.

Hair everywhere.

Looking like she had personally fought ten wars and lost all of them.

The moment she saw Aarika enter, Krittika sat up.

"Oh finally!"

She pointed dramatically.

"Ye dekho."

Lakshita groaned.

"No."

"YES."

"NO."

"YES."

Aarika blinked.

Neither of them noticed the expression on her face.

Krittika immediately stood up.

"He called me nautanki."

Lakshita rolled her eyes.

"Because you are."

"TRAITOR."

"I am telling the truth."

"TRAITOR."

Lakshita looked offended.

Aarika remained silent.

Something felt wrong.

Very wrong.

Krittika slowly stopped talking.

Because Aarika wasn't responding.

Not even once.

No sarcastic remark.

No eye roll.

Nothing.

Silence.

The smile slowly disappeared from Krittika's face.

Lakshita noticed it too.

Both exchanged a glance.

Then, looked at Aarika.

She was pale.

Too pale.

Her hands were gripping the book tightly.

Like she was afraid it would disappear.

The room suddenly felt colder.

"What happened?"

Lakshita asked quietly.

Aarika looked at her.

Then at Krittika.

For a moment she didn't speak.

She didn't know how.

How was she supposed to tell them?

How was she supposed to explain this?

Finally she walked towards the table.

Placed the book down.

Neither Krittika nor Lakshita joked anymore.

Something was wrong.

They could feel it.

Aarika took a deep breath.

Then another.

And another.

Finally she spoke.

"We were looking at the wrong thing."

Silence.

Krittika frowned.

"What?"

Aarika opened the book.

Flipped through several pages.

Stopped.

And turned it towards them.

The symbol stared back.

Dark.

Ancient.

Familiar.

Krittika immediately recognised it.

"So?"

Aarika swallowed.

"So this symbol isn't what we thought it was."

Lakshita stepped closer.

"What do you mean?"

Aarika looked up.

Her voice , barely above a whisper.

"It isn't a protection symbol."

The room fell silent.

Krittika blinked.

"What?"

"It isn't connected to royal bloodlines either."

"No."

Aarika nodded slowly.

"That's what I thought too."

Krittika shook her head immediately.

"No. Impossible."

"It was on the pages."

"I know."

"It was hidden everywhere."

"I know."

"So how can it not mean what we thought?"

Aarika looked away.

Because she didn't have a comforting answer.

She only had a terrifying one.

Slowly she pointed at the page.

"Read."

Lakshita leaned closer first.

Her eyes moved over the ancient text.

One line.

Then another.

Then another.

Suddenly—

She froze.

The colour drained from her face.

Krittika immediately noticed.

"What?"

No answer.

"Lakshita."

Still no answer.

"Lakshita!"

She finally looked up.

And for the first time in days...

There was genuine fear in her eyes.

Krittika's stomach dropped.

Without another word she grabbed the book.

Started reading.

The first paragraph confused her.

The second made her frown.

The third—

Made her heart stop.

"No."

The word escaped instantly.

Aarika closed her eyes.

Exactly.

That had been her reaction too.

The text spoke about something that history had erased.

A group.

Ancient.

Powerful.

Dangerous.

So dangerous that kingdoms had united against them.

Their names were erased.

Their records were destroyed.

Their existence is buried.

Yet somehow...

The symbol survived.

Hidden.

Scattered.

Waiting.

Krittika looked up.

"No."

Aarika remained silent.

"This has to be wrong."

Aarika remained silent.

"This doesn't make sense."

Still silent.

"Dude say something!"

Aarika laughed.

A humourless laugh.

"That's the problem."

"What?"

"It makes too much sense."

The room became quiet again.

Painfully quiet.

Outside the sun was setting.

Orange light filtered through the curtains.

The room should have looked warm.

Comforting.

Instead it felt suffocating.

Krittika sat down slowly.

The book rested in her lap.

Her mind racing.

Letters.

Symbols.

Pages.

Bloodlines.

Missing information.

Suddenly every missing piece felt deliberate.

Not accidental.

Deliberate.

Someone had hidden the truth.

Someone wanted it buried.

The realization sent chills down her spine.

Lakshita looked toward the window.

Thinking.

Connecting.

Analysing.

Then suddenly—

Her eyes widened.

"Aarika."

Aarika looked up.

Lakshita pointed at the page.

"This date."

Aarika froze.

Krittika frowned.

"What about it?"

Neither answered immediately.

Because they had both noticed the same thing.

The date matched.

Exactly.

Matched one of the records they had found earlier.

A record they thought was meaningless.

A record they had ignored.

Aarika felt her stomach twist.

"No."

Lakshita nodded slowly.

"Yes."

Krittika looked between them.

"What?"

Aarika whispered.

"I think..."

Her throat felt dry.

"I think we missed something huge."

The room seemed to grow colder.

Outside the last rays of sunlight disappeared behind the horizon.

Darkness slowly crept across the kingdom.

And for the first time since arriving here...

None of them felt safe.

Because a horrible possibility had finally taken shape.

They had spent weeks believing someone was preventing them from going home.

But now...

Now another question stood before them.

A much worse one.

What if nobody was trying to keep them here?

What if...

They had been brought here on purpose?

And if that was true...

Then who brought them?

And why?

Silence settled between the three friends.

Heavy.

Uncomfortable.

Terrifying.

The game they thought they understood...

Had only just begun.

________________________________________

___________________________________

_____

How's the chapter? Tell your favourite moments of the chapter. And please share it with your friends and tell them also to share it. Ha Bhai kar rahi mai sponsorship type ki baate but please? Kardoo....

And do follow my Instagram account for more updates...

Lots of love 💕