Thakur Villa

The grand Thakur Villa stood tall lighting up with the glow of countless lights. Surrounded by lushes.
Outside, a complete army of guards stood in formals,back straight watching every move outside the Villa.

A long, paved driveway cut through the lush gardens, leading to the imposing entrance of Villa.

But beneath this lighting, this glow, and loud talks of Thakur's, the dark night always remained.
A family bound by blood, yet divided by pride, anger, and secrets.

It was 11 PM, and the entire family sat in tense silence. The atmosphere was dark-both literally and metaphorically. Every gaze carried a question, every breath was laced with frustration.

“How dare he?! What does he think of himself?!” Nakul Singh Thakur’s voice thundered through the hall as he spoke furiously.

Shalini, his sister, tried to calm him. “Bhai, please-”

“Don’t tell me to calm down!” Nakul snapped, his eyes blazing. “It’s because of all of you that he’s getting out of control!”

A slow, deliberate chuckle interrupted the heated argument.

“Nakul, my grandson was born to be above all,” came the proud voice of Sulekha Singh Thakur, the matriarch of the Thakur family.

Dressed in an elegant silk saree, her wrists adorned with heavy golden kangan, she stood with the unshakable pride of a queen.

“This deal was worth billions, Masa,” Nakul countered, his voice heavy with frustration.

Sulekha ji stepped closer, her sharp gaze locking onto his. “And my grandson is worth trillions. Now, do you understand?”

Nakul’s jaw clenched. “Masa, his arrogance will be the downfall of this family-mark my words!” He turned sharply on his heel and stormed upstairs.

Sulekha ji scoffed, shaking her head. “That man whom I carried in my womb dares to lecture me? He should watch and learn—my grandson is a boon to this family, not a curse!”

But beside the killing argument a small murmer stayed alive.
“What a never-ending cycle,” Anuj whispered to Shipra. “Mama sa keeps cursing Bhai sa, and Nani sa keeps cursing him.”

Shipra shot him a glare. “Shut up.”

She turned back to Sulekha ji. “Dadi sa, should I call Bhai?”

Sulekha ji raised a brow, her lips curving into a knowing smile. “No need. My grandson doesn’t need a reminder of his responsibilities. Unlike some jobless men in this house.”

The tension in atmosphere spoke louder than taunts,and soon, one by one, everyone retired to their rooms, leaving the villa cloaked in silence once more.

.
.
.

The heavy gates of Thakur Villa creaked open as Randheer Singh Thakur returned home in the dead of night. His black BMW entered in smoothly, its engine humming low before shutting off.

Inside, the villa was silent. Darkness wrapped around the hallways, but Randheer was habitual to it. Work was his first priority.

Without paying much attention to anything else, he made his way upstairs, towards his room.

Entering his room, he loosened his tie and tossed his blazer onto a nearby chair. His room, much like himself, was dimly lit, perfectly arranged and silent.

Even a single particle of dust was hated by him. Calmness was his definition, chaos stayed far away.

He began rolling his sleeves when suddenly, his dark eyes caught something.

A shimmering metal.

A small, delicate object stuck to his blazer.

Curious, he picked it up and examined it under the soft glow of the bedside lamp.

A bracelet.

His brows furrowed. He remembered this glow,It was her bracelet.
Ragini's.

Her Image flashed through his mind,the way she had stood before his car without a second thought, her hands trembling as she held the wounded puppy, her big, innocent eyes brimming with emotion.

His fingers tightened around the bracelet.

For a moment, his mind betrayed him. He could almost feel the warmth of her soft touch against his skin, hear the delicate tremor in her voice.

His heart pounded,an unfamiliar, unwelcome sensation.
Then, suddenly a rage surged through him.

He can't let any girl enter his mind.

With a clenched jaw, he hurled the bracelet across the room. It clattered against the floor, the sound sharp in the stillness of his room.

Randheer Singh Thakur did not allow distractions.
And definitely did not allow himself to think about a woman.

Love? Devotion? Obsession?
Never his words.

His entire life was always devoid of this beliefs, he always kept himself away, detached from any thing that can over power him. Not even the money can make him loose his calm, not even the power and definitely not Love.

He knew he will never bow to Love. Not to a woman.
Can never stay bound to anyone..

He had rejected countless women—elite heiresses, powerful businesswomen, even royal princesses.

None had ever come close.
None had ever made him pause.

But Ragini Pratap Singh..she had.
She already made his heart flutter, made his calm gone, made her space in his mind without knowing and without letting him know.

It happened unknowingly.
And that-that-was unacceptable.

Randheer cleanched the bracelet with more power and uttered,
"Randheer Singh Thakur..kabhi kisi ke aaghe na jhuka hai..na jhukega...Kabhi nahi!!"

Right then,a knock at the door broke his thoughts.

The mere knock pulled him back normal. He put the bracelet in his pocket and taking a deep breath, he walked to opened it.

On his door, stood Shipra, smiling softly, holding a dinner plate. She extended the plate with grin.

Randheer sighed, taking the plate from her. He asked, “Why are you still awake?”

Shipra smirked. “Why are you still working?”

“I asked first.” Randheer raised his brows.

“And I learned from the best-to answer a question with another question..- From my Bhai” she teased, walking towards him and hugging him like a little girl.

Randheer smiled, caressing her hairs he asked. “Seems like he forget to teach you manners?”

Shipra looked up, pointing fingers at him she spoke, "Hey.. don't you dare speak a word against my Bhai.. understood.."

Both the siblings chuckled.

Just like Ragini is the most precious to her brothers,the last gift from their parents in the same way, Shipra was for Randheer.

After their parents death,Randheer has raised his sister with utmost love and care. Accomplishing her every demand, standing with her every decision like a loving and supporting brother.

And the same way Shipra loves her brother, she tries her best to fullfill his life, that seems devoid of life itself. She knows how badly the trauma of their parents death hit him. Especially their mother, Randheer was closest to her. And even after growing up, almost in his mid thirties he still urges the only love,only presence- his mother's.

Shipra hugged him tightly like a tiny cat afraid to move out of her shelter. “Bhai...I’m just worried about you.” she uttered softly.

Randheer’s expression softened. Placing a gentle hand on her head, he kissed her forehead.

“Wait..who’s older here..you or me? Miss Thakur..” he gently pinched her nose.

She smiled but suddenly frowned when her eyes landed on his reddened hands.
“Bhai, what happened? Did you eat something you’re allergic to?”

Randheer glanced at his hand and flexed his fingers. “No. Actually..I picked up a puppy.”

Shipra’s jaw dropped. “Are you serious Bhai..You know you are allergic to them.."

She showed her concern pulling him inside his room with her, she made him sit in the bed and begsn searching for a first aid.

Randheer sighed, rubbing the redish mark he explained.

“A silly girl ran in front of my car to save it. So..I had to handle the situation..taking the puppy...”

Shipra blinked. Sitting beside him she applied ointment, with a slow smile spreading across her lips.
“Wow...A girl..Am I getting Bhabhi?”

Randheer narrowed his eyes gently tapping on her head.
"She was just a silly girl.. Understood.."

Shipra chuckled, shaking her head. She spread ointment on his hand and then taking a sigh she spoke.

“Bhai you know..she is Truly silly! The Thakur who is more into taking lives took a wounded puppy to the doctor...Just for her..."

She lifted her gaze looking in his eyes.
"Did she change Thakur in just one meeting?”

“I’m not changed, I just—”

“I know, I know,” Shipra cut him off sarcastically. “You just forgave that puppy and the girl at the same moment, for interrupting you...I know. I know you very well...”

Randheer’s sharp gaze darkened, but before he could respond, Shipra’s expression suddenly shifted. A thought crossed her mind, and she asked hesitantly,

“Bhai... why don’t you get married?”

Randheer sighed, running a hand through his thick hair. “Not before you,” he stated, his voice softer this time.
Shipra turned her back to him, Randheer began to massage her hairs gently and asked, “Shipra, why do you always refuse to marry Baccha?? Do you like someone?”

His voice soft as cotton.

“No, Bhai!” Shipra immediately exclaimed, a little too quickly. She turned to him.
“I just want to focus on my career for now. Whenever I feel ready, I’ll tell you.”

Randheer studied her, but simply nodded. “Alright. Now go and sleep..You got college tomorrow right.”

Shipra smiled faintly, nodding and told him to take his medicine before heading back to her room.

Randheer nodded and went to take shower after she left.

Meanwhile, Shipra cane back to her room. Her room was perfectly arranged too, the siblings obsessed with neatness to the same intensity.

But her heart,her heart was a complete chaos. She walked to her window, to breath in what felt struck to her heart.
Standing by the window, she let the cold breeze hit her flesh.

She sighed, and even in her breath a soft sound echoed in her ears.
"My cherry.."

Her heart raced, remembering this call. The voice behind this name. She shut her eyes tightly and she whispered to herself,

“Why couldn't you even fight for your own love? That's what I meant to you Siddharth... Nothing!”

A tear drop fell of her eyes, she opened her eyes wiping off the thought of soft girl who once loved someone. She gripped tightly at her side.

Looking at the dark clouds hovering over the sky, she murmured,

“No… it can’t be love. It was just me-falling and breaking alone. It was just teenage hormones..
We were never meant to be together. But still… still, I’ll wait. I’ll wait till the day you get married. I'll wait for you Siddharth Pratap Singh...”

Pratap Mansion, 1 AM

Siddharth's breath hitched, an invisible yet known presence felt surrounding him. He looked everywhere around in his room, messy and dark.

But finding no one,he settled back beside his window. The cold breeze brushing against his face. His dark eyes stared at the stormy clouds above, lost in thought.

His lips parted, his voice barely above a whisper,

“I’ll never get married… if it’s not you. Even if I have to live like this forever, I still love you the same, Shipra.”

His fingers tightened into a fist as he exhaled deeply.

“But I can’t tell you… I can’t drag you into my life. My chaos..where you'll only suffer..where you'll urge the love you deserve..and I? I will be able to give you just pain and the memories you are trying to forget..”

He placed his hand on his chest, "Forgive me if you can cherry.. Forget me if you want.. but I'll always love you! I'll always love you my cherry.."

Closing his eyes, he let the wind carry away his unspoken words. As if they can transport his words exactly where it was needed to be heard..

To his cherry..
To Shipra..

.
.
.
.

Next Morning - Thakur Villa

The morning sun bathed Thakur Villa in golden hues as the family gathered for breakfast. Silverware clinked against fine porcelain, but the air was anything but peaceful.

Shipra’s phone buzzed, interrupting the quiet meal. She answered briefly, said yes, and continued eating.

Across the table, Neeta, her Chachi sa, watched her with disapproval. A smirk curved her lips as she taunted,

“How long will you remain a burden on everyone? Get married and settle down.”

Shipra stiffened at the words, but before she could respond, a sharp voice cut through the air.

“Who asked you to take my child’s burden?”

All heads turned toward Sulekha Singh Thakur, the formidable matriarch. Her piercing gaze was locked on Neeta.

“Whether pride or burden, remember—they belong to me. You should worry about your own child. I mean,have a look he isn't worthy of anything..At his age,My Randheer was already Hukum Sa?”

Neeta's face paled.
"Masa.. What's your problem..You always take their side,Vyom is in USA he is studying.."

But Nakul set a sharp glare on her and said, "Neeta..Do. Not. Argue.."

"But.."

"I already said No." He declared like a final line for this debate of years.

At that moment, Randheer walked downstairs, ready to leave.

Sulekha ji noticed and called out, “Randheer beta, come have breakfast.”

Randheer looked at everyone but then complied, walking to the table. Bending down, he touched his grandmother’s feet and greeted, “Good morning, Dadi Sa.”

Sulekha ji smiled proudly, placing a hand on his head. “Stay blessed, my Sher,” she said. “How’s your work going?”

“Good,” Randheer answered shortly, taking a seat beside her.

Across the table, Nakul, his uncle, leaned forward and asked,

“Would you like to clarify your views on canceling the project with the Prataps?”

Randheer barely spared him a glance. “It wasn’t of my interest.”

Dadi Sa turned to Nakul with a sharp glare. “Did you hear properly, or does he need to repeat?”

Nakul gritted his teeth but remained silent.

Sulekha ji smirked. “I believe my grandson.”

Randheer finally spoke again, his voice calm but firm.

“Dadi Sa, I thought Naveen could handle it better, so I stepped back.”

“And what about the loss we’ll have to face?” Nakul shot back. “We already don’t have good relations with the Sehrawat.”

Sulekha ji sipped her tea before replying, her tone laced with sarcasm, “And we are not saving relation with them, also we don’t have good relations with the Pratap's either. You should focus on your puris, Nakul.”

Randheer sighed slightly at his grandmother’s words, then stood up. “Dadi Sa, I’m leaving now.”

She simply nodded in approval.

As Randheer was about to walk out, Shipra’s voice stopped him.

“Bhai, will you drop me at college?”

Randheer nodded. “Sure.”
And he walked out, taking her bag and files Shipra followed him to his car. Randheer pulled the car door open for his sister, a gesture to get in.

Shipra settled in, And Randheer came to driving seat. On their way, they gossiped about the family, about Shipra's colleagues and more that the siblings felt free to share.

After their parents death, Randheer had tried his best to give his sister the love and support, she deserved and expected from her parents.

Shipra too,never hesitated sharing herself, her with him. Except that one person, Siddharth.

After half an hour of drive, Randheer pulled up in front of Shipra’s college. She stepped out, but instead of going in, she remained standing outside. She waved Randheer to leave even when he insisted her to get in first. But like always Shipra won,and sent him first excusing about some colleague.

But her eyes kept darting to her wristwatch, as if waiting for someone.
Just then, a sleek black car came to a halt before her.

The door opened, and Ragini stepped out, her soft eyes brightening when she saw Shipra.

“Good morning, ma’am,” Ragini greeted with a cheerful smile.

“Good morning,” Shipra replied, but her gaze was elsewhere.

Her eyes had already found him.

Siddharth.

He stood on the other side of the car, his expression unreadable—yet his eyes spoke volumes. A small, genuine smile tugged at his lips as he watched her.

For a fleeting moment, their eyes met. The world around them faded into nothingness.

Ragini’s voice pulled Shipra back to reality.

“Were you waiting for someone?”

Shipra blinked, quickly shaking her head. “No, no… I was just,My Bhaiya..he just dropped me here—let’s go inside.”

Without another word, she grabbed Ragini’s hand and walked into the college.

But behind her, Siddharth remained still.

Sitting inside his car, he let out a slow breath, his fingers tightening around the steering wheel.

This had become his daily routine—dropping Ragini off at college just for that one stolen glimpse of Shipra.

Would their parted hearts ever meet?

What is the real reason behind the enmity between the Thakurs and the Pratap's?

What turn will Randheer and Ragini’s fates take?

To know, continue reading
HER DEVOTION, HIS OBSESSION…

VOTE COMMENT & FOLLOW!!