28th May, 2024 The Rathore Groups, Jaipur.

Choice. A person always got choice. Whether to stay or leave. Whether to fight or give up. Whether to face it or escape. Whether to burn in the fire or escape resulting others to burn in it.

I chose the former. I chose to burn. So deeply so brutally that there is no running away but running away was never an option. It was cowardice and I would rather die than be a coward. That's the reason I'm what I'm.

I, Reyansh Rathore, the King of Jaipur is an inevitable force because I decided to be one. I, Reyansh Rathore, the CEO of The Rathore Groups is the best businessman in the field of industrialists because I decided to be one.

Thus, currently I'm firing this ridiculous piece of shit who dared to go behind my back thinking I wouldn't know, forgetting that I've eyes and ears every where.

"Sir, please I beg you don't do this to me. I've a wife and three kids. How am I going to feed them? Please forgive me sir," the manager pleaded.

"Well you should have thought about it before trying to reveal my company secrets. Leave before I sweep your entire existence from this planet," I said.

Shivering, he left the office.

Five minutes after he left, my office door was open. "Who do you think you are to open my office door without my permission? I-" the person cut off my sentence by saying, "Can you be a little less wrathful?"

Looking at the person, my expressionless face changed into a scowl. The person was none other than my best friend.

Short hair, broad shoulder, ribbed body, dress shirt, huge coat and smiley face. Standing in front of me was Ritwik Raghuvanshi a manipulative lawyer, known for him brain and gentleman behaviour.

"What an amazing expression to welcome your dear best friend?" said Ritwik.

"Why are you hear? Don't you have any cases to solve?" I asked.

Ritwik was a famous lawyer always sworn with cases. And he loved it. He loved the attention and fame that came with it. He loved the excitement to solve the cases. He always supported the correct people. Never bend his morals for some rich brats.

"I did. But unlike some, others know how to finish their work at time," said Ritwik.

Ritwik Raghuvanshi was no doubt gorgeous. Million of women swoon over him. He was the apple in his families eyes. He always talked to others with patience and grace but he got the brains. He will kill you with his words and you would be stunned in your place. Maybe that's the thing I like most about him. He knows what he is doing and how he is going to do it. The voice of reason in the Raghuvanshi Mansion.

"Cut it out Ritwik. Why are you hear?" I asked.

"Well aunty called me stating my dear best friend is working like a lunatic. So, I came to help you," said Ritwik.

"And how are you going to help me? You are gonna just sit in one place and irritate," I said.

"You wound me Reyansh. Both of us know you love our conversations," said Ritwik.

"Over my dead body," I said. "Spill it out."

"W-what?" asked Ritwik.

"Ritwik, I know you well enough. State what you want to say," I said.

"Well my baby sis is coming. Her results will be out in two days after that she will be at home," said Ritwik.

She is coming back. The girl that I promised myself to loathe but could never. Cariño is coming back.

"So what am I supposed to do?" I asked.

"Bro I wanted to go and pick her up but she said she wants Advik Bhai to come. Bhai is over the moon and can't stop teasing us all," said Ritwik.

Advik Raghuvanshi was a tough businessman and the king of Udaipur. The protective shield of his sister. Known to be a cold CEO, melts in his sister's presence like an ice cream.

"Well that's fair. You went a month ago to meet her," I said.

"Dude are you my best friend or Advik Bhai's?" asked Ritwik.

"Can you stop being a fussy little dick?" I said.

Ritwik rolled his eyes and dragged me out for lunch.

3:00 p.m. Infront of A restuarant

After lunch, Ritwik had to leave because he had a court hearing. Before leaving he said, "Oh by the way her coronation as the crowned princess is going to happen two days after her arrival. Dad said you all will have to come a day before. I'll meet you then." 

I went back to my office and cancelled all my meetings.

She is coming back. The alluring seductress of hell, the daughter of satan and the most gorgeous lady I have ever led eyes on. The bane of my existence. My death. The delicious punishment God could ever reward me with. My salvation. The only way I could know what heaven feels like. Radhika Raghuvanshi is coming back. 

After 5 whole years, she is coming back. For her crown. For her family. For her business. For her career. For her people. But not for me. Never for me. Why would she come back for me? Who was I to her? Just someone who fought with her. We were never a thing. Then why would she come for me. Who the fuck am I?

I am, Reyansh Rathore, a man with so deep emotions for the princess of Udaipur. Do I know what these emotions are? No. I only know that 5 years without seeing her was a complete hell.

6:00 p.m. Living Room, Rathore Mansion.

Thinking about her, I left for home. Reaching home, I saw everyone sitting in the living room. "My goodness how are you home so early today?" asked maa.

"First you want him to be home early and when he comes early you ask him questions like that," said papa shaking his head.

"Shanta, bring some water for him. Come on Reyansh we got something to discuss," said Chachi.

"Chachi, I'll freshen up and be right back," I said.

"Reyansh, it won't take much time. Sit over there and listen, beta. It's important," said Chachu.

"Reyansh, Radhika is coming back. She-," I cut papa off saying "I know papa."

"How?" asked ma curiously "Are you still in touch?"

"No maa. Ritwik came to the office today," I said.

"What? You didn't bring him home. Where are your manners Reyansh? Why didn't you bring my child home?" said Maa.

Well Maa loved Ritwik like her own son. He was an important part of our family. The only one who could get away by irritating me. But to a limit and he never crossed it. Without Ritwik, I would have turned into a robot in the previous five years. Although I'm grateful to him, he is never going to know it. Asshole brags too much.

"Maa he had some court hearings and you know him na if he didn't have any work he would have come even if I have not invited him," I said rolling my eyes.

"Alright I will talk to him myself. But next time he comes bring him home," said Maa.

"Okay. Kabhi kabhi lagta hai mein nahin Ritwik apka beta hai," I said. (Sometimes I think Ritwik is your son not me)

"Kya bola badmash," said Maa (What did you say?)

"Nothing maa. Nothing," this resulted everyone to start laughing.

"Radhika is coming after two days and Sourabh has invited us all. So we will be going a day after her arrival," said papa.

"I don't think I can come. I have too much work," I said not wanting to see her.

"Then finish it before we leave because we are going. All of us even if anyone likes it or not. Whatever issues you and Radhika have sort it out  Reyansh. We have seen Radhika's departure affecting you even if you are too good at hiding it," said Chachi.

"Where are the Chipmunks? Why aren't they visible? Today is there holiday, right?" I asked trying to change the subject.

Getting my sign, Chachu stated, "They all are in Kritika's room. Go and see for yourself."

Getting up, I went towards Kritika's room. These hyperactive monkeys were jumping around. Adarsh was already packing his bags. Kyra was jumping around in glee. Karthik was making list of everything he needs to take and Kritika is now dancing with Kyra.

All of them were excited to visit the Raghuvanshi's. They loved Radhika. She was like a baby to them. Shaking my head, I moved towards my room. Taking a long shower, I walked towards the balcony.

The sky looked dark with the full moon shinning brightly in between. I was the sky, so dark, so empty and the moon to my sky was Radhika. She never knew it. She didn't have to. She shone bright without her knowledge. The centre of everyone's attention. She had too much love around her and radiating out of her. But still she dragged me into every festival.

I never understood the sky but she did. She understands the sky and loves it. She understood it's darkness, it's silence and it's thunder. She is so different from others. She found her best friend in the sky. So different yet so intriguing. She is like a mystery. Hiding herself from the world but she was always herself in front of me and I loved it.

She was never scared to talk back to me. She never worked according to me. Goodness she would even slap me at my mistakes and I always obeyed. I obeyed like a little baby. I, the king of Jaipur, obeyed that little girl like a puppy and I'm not ashamed. It annoys me that I agree to everything she says but I can't help but agree.

The reason behind my smile. The reason behind my wait for 5 years. The reason behind my existence. A single word escape my mouth in a whisper, "Cariño."

I moved towards the bed thinking about her and didn't know when sleep engulfed me. I have waited for 5 years and I could wait for 3 more days for her. For my cariño.

___________________________Word Count- 1707

How was this chapter? What do you think about Ritwik Raghuvanshi? Oh and share your point of view about

Reyansh and his cariño. Well the meaning of cariño........that you will have to search for yourself. Have a great day ahead.