J A I S A L M E R 📍
Two days later-
In an old, aesthetic hotel room, the harsh sunlight was peeking through the windows.
The white curtains fluttered softly in the wind, dancing like they had a story of their own.
A wooden bed stood in the middle of the room, its frame aged but sturdy. On either side of the bed were two royal-style couches, their design rich with vintage charm. To the left, set into the wall, was a dark black-brown cupboard (almirah), its surface slightly worn but still bold in presence.
Siya was sleeping deeply, sprawled in the middle of the bed. One hand hung loosely off the edge, while the other clutched a pillow tightly to her chest.
She looked tired, pale-her body weak.
She had fallen sick two days ago.
Ahh... her low immunity always betrayed her at the worst times.
Now, the fever had taken over, leaving her drained and wrapped in a restless sleep.
It didn't even take 24 hours for her to fall sick-fever, headache, body pain, all hitting her at once.
After leaving the station, she checked into one of the hotels in Jaisalmer and booked a room for herself to stay.
She thought she'd rest for a while before starting her work...
But her body had other plans.
She opened her eyes with great effort, squinting as the harsh sunlight hit her face through the window. Every move felt heavy, but somehow, she managed to get up and drag herself toward the washroom.
Nearly 30 minutes later, she stepped out after finishing her morning routine.
She was now wearing a soft pink T-shirt paired with black cargo pants. Her face still looked tired, but there was a quiet determination in her eyes.
"Finally, I'm feeling good after wasting my two days," she said irritably, running a hand through her hair.
Bohot shauk leke aayi thi na... ho gaya sab shauk swaha~
Her subconscious mind mocked her in a teasing tone.
She rolled her eyes.
Of course, even her own mind wouldn't spare her.
After finishing her breakfast, Siya stepped out to explore the golden city of Jaisalmer. Now that she was finally feeling better, a spark of excitement lit her eyes. With her sling bag resting on her shoulder and camera tucked safely inside, she was ready to uncover the secrets the city held behind its ancient walls and vibrant streets.
"I should leave to search for that club," Siya mumbled to herself, adjusting her bag, "but... let's just go to Jaisalmer's famous Shiv Mandir first. We should always start our work-or whatever is important to us-with God's blessings."
"Dhhht! Mai mandir ja rahi hu aise?" she mumbled to herself, slapping her forehead lightly. "Ek kaam karti hu... change kar leti hu."
With a sigh, she turned around to pick a more appropriate outfit, knowing well she couldn't show up at a temple like that.
She entered her hotel room, unlocking the door with the card key. As soon as she stepped in, the lights flickered on automatically, casting a warm glow across the room. Without wasting a moment, she walked towards the bathroom, holding a light-weight Anarkali suit in her hand. Heavy dresses were never her thing - she liked comfort, and the simplicity of the outfit reflected her mood perfectly.
Five minutes later, she stepped out of the bathroom, dressed in the soft, flowy Anarkali suit that danced lightly around her ankles. She picked up the matching dupatta from the bed, draped it gracefully over her shoulders, and glanced once at the clock. Not wanting to waste another second, she grabbed her sling bag, locked her room carefully, and made her way out of the hotel, her steps light but purposeful.
_____________________
Siya stepped inside the temple, expecting to hear the usual hum of prayers and bells ringing-after all, it was Sunday, the day when temples were usually buzzing with devotees. But instead, silence greeted her. The vast courtyard was nearly empty, except for a few pigeons fluttering near the steps. A strange chill ran down her spine as she looked around.
"That's odd," she mumbled to herself, brushing the uneasiness away. Maybe I came too early... or maybe people just don't come here that much anymore.
As she entered the main hall of the Shiv Mandir, the scent of incense hit her senses. Just then, a pandit in a white dhoti and saffron shawl suddenly appeared out of nowhere, startling her.
"Arey beta, aap kaun hain?" he asked quickly, his eyes scanning her face. But before Siya could even part her lips to answer, he nodded as if confirming something and said, "Acha, aap unke saath hain. Aaiye mere sath, pooja ka time ho raha hai."
Siya blinked, confused. Unke saath? Kis ke?
But before she could ask, the pandit had already turned and started walking ahead with quick steps.
Still processing the strange encounter, she glanced around one last time-empty, quiet, too quiet-and decided to follow him anyway, her curiosity and instinct pulling her forward. Something about all this didn't sit right... and yet, she moved.
As Siya walked out of the mandir premises, something caught her eye-a vast, ancient ghat resting peacefully behind the temple, partially hidden by old stone archways. Drawn by its quiet beauty, she slowly made her way towards it. The ghat stretched wide, filled with clear, still water that reflected the late morning sun like glass. The steps, worn out and uneven with time, were made entirely of reddish-brown bricks that had turned smooth over centuries.
Despite the age of the place, there was a certain grandeur in its silence. Arched balconies on either side and intricate carvings along the walls whispered stories of a time long gone. It was the kind of place where history lingered in the air like incense.
Siya stood at the edge, her dupatta fluttering in the wind as she gazed into the water. For a moment, everything stilled. The noise of the world, the chaos of her mind-it all faded into that one peaceful breath she took, staring at the timeless beauty before her.
She jerked out of her thoughts when a sudden shift in the breeze pulled her attention back toward the mandir. Inside, seated gracefully before the idol, were a few women-draped in rich, expensive sarees that shimmered even in the soft morning light. Their posture was elegant, hands folded in silent prayer, eyes closed in devotion. There was an air of power around them, like they belonged to something royal, something old and untouchable.
As Siya's gaze wandered, she caught sight of a group of men not too far away-bare-chested, strong-built, with wet red dhotis clinging to their bodies. White sacred threads stretched diagonally across their torsos, sticking firmly to their damp skin. One of them looked her way for a second, but Siya immediately dropped her eyes and quietly followed the pandit ji to complete her own puja.
Once done, she walked back toward the ghat, a small leaf bowl of flowers in her hand. The women she had seen earlier were now on the far side of the ghat, doing their own ritual. Not wanting to intrude, she moved to the opposite end. She knelt down on the old stone edge and gently placed the flower bowl in the water, watching it float away as the little ripples pulled it forward.
She was lost in the calm movement of water until it happened.
A sudden splash made her blink-and then freeze.
From the very heart of the ghat, a man slowly stood up from the water.
He emerged like some mythic figure from a forgotten story-his well-sculpted body dripping, wet black hair slicked down to his brows, hands folded in front of his chest in a prayer pose. The sacred white thread hugged his skin, water trailing down the curve of his shoulders. His eyes were closed, as if still deep in his moment of devotion, unaware of the world around him.
Siya's breath caught. She stood there, unmoving.
She couldn't tear her eyes away.
There was something about him-something silent, still, but dangerous. Like the calm before a storm.
Like a man who didn't belong to this time.
A part of her whispered, "Turn away."
But she didn't.
She just stood there... admiring.
That man slowly opened his eyes-calm, composed, and hauntingly intense. His gaze scanned ahead, and as he turned to walk out of the water, his steps halted for a brief second.
There she stood.
A girl-nothing extravagant, yet something ethereal about her presence. Her chocolate-toned skin glowed under the golden sun, a pair of deep brown eyes stared at him, wide and unblinking, filled with curiosity... or maybe admiration. Her cheeks were soft and round, holding onto the last hints of innocence, lips slightly parted, caught in a moment she didn't even realize was forming.
She stood barely 5'2, dwarfed by the vastness of the ghat around her, yet she seemed to command a quiet presence.
His brows twitched slightly-not in irritation, but in surprise. Not many dared to look at him like that.
Her eyes didn't flinch.
Did she even realize she was staring?No
And just for a second, something flickered in his expression.
Something unreadable.
Something dangerous... yet drawn.
As soon as Siya realized what she was doing, her eyes widened in horror.
"Oh shit..." she whispered under her breath, her cheeks now burning brighter than the morning sun.
She instantly tore her gaze away, turning on her heels with the speed of a startled cat. Her dupatta fluttered behind her as she dashed toward the temple entrance, not daring to look back.
"Why the hell were you staring like that, Siya?!" she scolded herself, her face a furious shade of red.
Embarrassment bubbled inside her like hot lava, and all she could think about was escaping that moment before the ground decided to open and swallow her whole.
As Siya stepped out of the mandir, she inhaled deeply, finally letting herself breathe. The weight of the awkward moment inside began to lift. She pulled out her phone and quickly booked a cab, then stood silently, her eyes scanning the quiet road ahead.
But peace didn't last long.
Her eyes landed on a young girl-around 18 or 19-chasing a little puppy right into the middle of the road. Siya's heart skipped a beat. A black SUV was speeding toward the girl, and she clearly hadn't noticed.
"No! Hey-move!" Siya screamed, her instincts kicking in.
The girl didn't hear. Without a second thought, Siya sprinted, her footsteps echoing across the empty street.
She reached just in time-grabbed the girl's wrist and pushed her away with all her strength.
Screeechhhhhh-!
The violent scratch of tires against the road tore through the air. Everything else went silent.
The girl was safe. But Siya-
She was lying in a pool of her own blood.
Shock spread like wildfire. Vaniya's bodyguards-alerted by her scream-had already rushed outside. One immediately called the family inside the mandir, and chaos followed.
Akshay, hearing the commotion and Vaniya's name, ran out with a pounding heart. Relief hit him, seeing Vaniya unharmed.
Then his eyes found her-the same girl from the ghat, the one who'd unknowingly stared at him earlier.
Now lying unconscious in blood.
"GET MY CAR HERE!" Akshay roared, his voice echoing like a command from the heavens.
Without hesitation, he knelt beside her, scooping her up in his arms bridal-style. His soaked clothes clung to him, and Siya's blood spread across his chest and arms. His jaw tightened, fury and worry warring in his eyes.
Without another word, he stormed toward his car-the stranger who saved his sister.
Unknowingly, she had just stepped into the heart of the storm.
After what felt like a race against time, Akshay reached the hospital in just fifteen minutes-despite it being a full thirty-minute drive from the mandir. His hands gripped the steering wheel like steel, jaw clenched, eyes sharp with urgency. His car screeched to a halt in front of the emergency entrance.
Without wasting a second, he got out, opened the passenger door, and scooped Siya into his arms again-carefully, like she was made of porcelain.
"Doctor! Where is the doctor?!" he roared, his voice thundering through the sterile white halls.
The hospital fell silent. Everyone froze for a split second, stunned to see the King of Jaisalmer himself in their hospital, holding an unconscious, blood-soaked girl.
A couple of nurses snapped out of their shock and rushed forward with a stretcher.
Akshay placed Siya down gently, like she was something precious, fragile. His hand lingered on her arm for a moment before he looked at the doctor with blazing eyes.
"I want her to be fit and fine, doctor. Not a single scratch on her when I return. Got it?" His voice was low but laced with power and warning.
The doctor nodded quickly, understanding this was no ordinary patient-this was someone the King himself carried in.
Siya was wheeled away. And Akshay stood there, blood on his clothes, chest heaving-his heart unsure why this stranger's pain was suddenly his pain too.
After a few minutes, the echo of hurried footsteps filled the hospital corridor. The entire Suryavanshi family arrived-faces pale, breaths heavy, eyes scanning for just one person.
They spotted Akshay, standing stiffly near the emergency room doors, his shirt stained with blood, hands clenched, jaw tight.
The moment felt heavy-too heavy for words.
"Beta, what happened to that girl? Is she okay?" Manvika (his mother)asked gently, her voice trembling, heart already fearing the worst.
"No."
Akshay's reply was sharp, cold, and flat. He didn't lift his eyes, didn't look at anyone. He was boiling from within-guilt, anger, helplessness-all knotted in his chest.
Just then, a nurse approached them in haste, holding a clipboard in hand.
"Who is with the girl? We need a guardian's signature before proceeding with further treatment," she said professionally.
A wave of silence blanketed the corridor.
"We don't know-" Vedant(his brother)started to say, but his voice caught in his throat. He looked at Akshay, whose face didn't show a flicker of emotion.
"I'll sign as her guardian."
Mehul's(his father) voice broke the silence-firm, unquestioning. He stepped forward and took the clipboard from the nurse, signing without hesitation.
___________________________
After what felt like an eternity, a nurse finally rushed out of the ICU, her face laced with urgency. She hurried toward the reception and called out,
"The patient needs blood urgently! Her blood group is AB negative. Check the blood bank immediately and send it inside!"
She then quietly slipped back into the operation theater, leaving behind a tense silence in the corridor.
Another long, exhausting hour crawled by. Akshay, unable to sit still, paced the hallway while Vedant sat nearby, his eyes flicking between the wall clock and his brother.
Eventually, Akshay sent the rest of the family back home, assuring them he'd stay. Only he and Vedant remained, the weight of concern thick in the air.
Finally, the doors opened and the doctor stepped out, pulling down his mask.
"She's out of danger," he said, bringing a wave of relief to their tense faces. "But she needs complete rest and care to recover fully."
Akshay exhaled deeply, closing his eyes for a moment. For the first time in hours, his heartbeat began to calm.
"When will she wake up?" Vedant asked, his voice low but laced with concern.
The doctor gave a soft sigh and shook his head slightly.
"I'm sorry, but I can't say for sure. Her body is weak, and she lost a lot of blood. She's stable now, but when she'll gain consciousness... it depends on her will to fight and rest."
Akshay's jaw clenched slightly, his eyes fixed on the closed doors of the ICU. He didn't like uncertainties. Especially when it came to someone who had just saved his sister's life.
AFTER 2 DAYS LATER IN
SURYAVANSHI MANSION📍
S I Y A
I was sitting in the hall with a bandage in my head and plaster in my hand. For 2 days I was staying in Suryavanshi mansion.
That day when I wake up-
That day when I woke up, my head was pounding lightly, and everything around me felt unfamiliar-too much to understand what happened, why I was here, who brought me. A strange silence surrounded me, broken only by the distant beeping of machines and the faint scent of antiseptic in the air.
Then I saw the door creak open and a nurse walk in, clipboard in hand. She gave me a soft, reassuring smile. And that's when the realization hit me like a wave-
I was in a hospital room.
The white walls, the IV drip attached to my arm, the stiff sheets-everything suddenly made sense. I looked down at my hand, wrapped in a plaster cast, and slowly lifted my other hand to feel the bandage around my head. The memories were blurry, like pieces of a puzzle scattered in a storm.
"What happened to me?" I asked that nurse, my voice weak and shaky.
"You got into an accident, miss," she answered gently, checking my IV.
Suddenly, the door flung open with a bang. Two men barged into the room. I turned my head toward the door, startled-and then my eyes widened.
It was him.
Mr. Ghat wale.
The same man I saw praying in the river that morning, the one who looked like he had walked straight out of a dream. He stood tall, his face unreadable, but those deep hazel eyes held something-concern, maybe?
Beside him was another man, looking around his age, with sharper features and a more expressive face that shifted with relief upon seeing me awake.
For a moment, none of us said anything. Just silence... thick, loud silence.
And all I could think was-Why is he here?
That day, when they got to know I wasn't from here-
That I had no family in Jaisalmer, that I was just a girl from Delhi traveling alone-
They didn't leave me behind.
Mr. Ghat wale, who I later came to know as Akshay Singh Suryavanshi, the King of Jaisalmer himself, looked at me with something unreadable in his eyes. A mix of concern... something more?
"We can't leave her here alone," he had said, his voice firm, authoritative-like his word was the final one.
And just like that, I was taken to their mansion.
The Suryavanshi Mansion.
I was too weak to even protest.
Wrapped in soft shawls, tucked into the backseat of his royal SUV, the city lights of Jaisalmer fading behind us, I remember wondering-
Why do I feel like... this is not the end of something, but the beginning?
"What happened,Siya beta, are you okay?" Manvika asked in a concerned voice.
Manvika Mehul Singh Suryavanshi - mother of Akshay, wife of Mehul Singh Suryavanshi.
A humble and sweet lady with a strong and independent mindset - nothing like those narrow-minded aunties you see nowadays.
She carries herself with grace, warmth, and quiet power. A woman who built her identity beyond just being a wife or mother, yet still managed to be the backbone of her family.
She listens more than she speaks, but when she does, her words carry weight.
A queen in her own right - calm, composed, and fiercely protective of her loved ones.
My chain of thoughts broke with Manvika aunty's gentle voice.
"Ji Aunty, bas headache ho raha hai thoda," I replied, trying to smile despite the throbbing pain in my head.
"Ajao, mai daba deti hu. Aram milega thoda aapko," Aunty said, her voice laced with concern and motherly warmth.
There was something so comforting in her tone-it almost reminded me of home, of maa. Without saying another word, I quietly moved closer to her.
Then my eyes went toward a flower pot placed on the left side of a big window in the hall.
The soft rays of the afternoon sun were gently kissing the petals of the white lilies blooming inside it. For a moment, I just stared at them - calm, untouched by the chaos around. It was strange how something so small could feel so peaceful.
In these two days, I got to know that the girl I saved that day was Vaniya Singh Suryavanshi - the princess of Jaisalmer.
At first, I genuinely thought she was a child... her actions, her voice, everything about her screamed innocence. But then I found out she's just one year younger than me.
What truly broke my heart was learning the reason behind her innocence. Three years ago, she got into a tragic car accident - one that took away her ability to think and behave like an adult. Since then, she's been stuck in a world where everything is playful and pure, while the people around her carry the weight of pain and helplessness.
This family is big-no, royally big. And Mr. Ghat wale pari? Turns out, he's actually the king. Akshay Singh Suryavanshi, the King of Jaisalmer. The way everyone moves around him, respects him, listens to him-there's no doubt he rules not just with power, but with presence.
He has a younger brother, Vedant Singh Suryavanshi, who's just a year older than me. Kind-hearted, always smiling, and especially gentle with Vaniya. You can see the love these brothers share for their sister-it's warm and genuine, like a shield wrapped around her.
And the rest of the family?
His father, Mehul Singh Suryavanshi, and his mother, Manvika Singh Suryavanshi, have treated me with nothing but kindness.
His uncle Mayank Singh Suryavanshi, and aunt Manya Singh Suryavanshi, are warm and welcoming.
And his grandmother, Sariyah Singh Suryavanshi, has that peaceful aura around her, like someone who's seen storms and still prays with calm.
They all try to make me feel comfortable, safe even.
But...
There are two people in the family I haven't shared a single word with.
His bua, Vaisa Singhaniya, and his grandfather, Jitendra Singh Suryavanshi.
Something about them feels off. Cold. Like their silence carries a weight I shouldn't dare disturb.
Then a manly voice broke my chain of thoughts.
“Maa, I am leaving,” Akshay said in his usual calm, unemotional tone.
I turned my head toward the voice and there he stood—Akshay Singh Suryavanshi, dressed in a navy blue suit that hugged his tall, powerful frame perfectly. Underneath, a crisp white shirt and a sleek black tie. But what caught my eyes wasn’t just the outfit—it was the elegant handcuff with a lion delicately crafted on it. A symbol of who he is.
He looked like he belonged to a different era. Royal. Timeless. Eternal.
And there I was, shamelessly staring at him like some kind of creep.
But it’s not my fault, I told myself. It’s his.
He’s too eternal to be ignored…
…or forgotten.
He left for the office with Vedant bhai, Mehul uncle, and Mayank uncle. All of them—busy people, constantly juggling meetings, decisions, and responsibilities that seem way too heavy for any normal human being.
Ufff... this house might be full of people, but today it feels a little too quiet.
Even Dadi ji left last evening for Jaipur for some NGO work. I miss her gentle voice and warm energy already.
I slowly stood up from the soft couch and walked toward the backyard, hoping the fresh air would clear my mind a bit. The house was beautiful, but the silence was starting to stretch into loneliness.
Everyone seemed occupied—Manvika aunty and Manya aunty were running around taking care of something.
Only Vaniya might be free right now
Let’s go find her…
__________________________
Evening time~~⁶
I spent the whole day with Vaniya, and honestly, I didn’t even realize how the hours slipped away. Her laughter, her silly little tantrums, her way of looking at the world with such pure, unfiltered joy—it’s like being around a little sunshine.
She’s just... so sweet and innocent.
It breaks my heart a little, knowing everything she’s been through. And yet, she still smiles like she’s never been hurt.
“Didi you know about Aksh bhai fear cat's,” Vaniya whispered like she was revealing the country’s top secret, her eyes wide and serious.
I blinked at her for a second—and then burst out laughing.
“Hahahaha… Are you serious?!”
I was literally holding my stomach. “Bro, that dinosaur fears cats? Muhahahahahahaha… I can’t—this is gold!”
Vaniya giggled along with me, nodding proudly like she just won a trophy for exposing the greatest weakness of the mighty King Akshay Singh Suryavanshi.
Then Vaniya suddenly stopped giggling. Her expression changed completely as she stared wide-eyed at something—or someone—behind me.
Still laughing like a maniac, I turned around to see what made her freeze.
And my laughter died instantly.
There he was.
Akshay Singh Suryavanshi.
Standing like a dark storm with a face so cold it could freeze fire.
“Kya chal raha hai yahan?” he asked in that low, terrifying voice.
Before I could even blink, Vaniya screamed,
“Main innocent hoon bhaiyaaaa!”
and ran away like a traitor leaving me to face my death alone.
I just stood there—frozen, confused, betrayed.
Then he started walking toward me.
Each step he took felt like a heartbeat I was skipping.
I gulped. Hard.
I took a step back—
And tripped on the edge of the couch.
Boom. I fell flat onto it, wide-eyed and helpless.
And before I could even sit back up,
he caged me in with his arms on either side.
My breath caught in my throat.
Why does the air feel so thick?
Why is my heart beating like it’s trying to escape my chest?
And why the hell does he smell so good?
“Bahut hasi aa rahi thi na sweetheart” he said with a smirk.
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Here’s your chapter!
I know things might feel a bit slow right now—it's a slow burn story after all—but trust the process, the fire is building!
Please don’t forget to vote and drop a comment, it means the world to me and keeps me motivated!
Sorry for mistakes.
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