Morning, 8 AM, Jaipur, Rajasthan.

In the very temple where Ragini's story had begun thirty years ago, another melody bloomed through the garden, its sweetness carrying the same magic that once lived in her voice.

The people visiting the place admired the girl as well as her voice. But one man, sitting on the bench behind her, looked at her with pride in his eyes.

Randheer Singh Thakur, now 62, was old with age but not in body. His aura was still as commanding as ever, still holding the title of Hukum Sa to this date. Every person passing by bowed their head, greeting to him. But Randheer hadn't moved his eyes from his daughter..

Ruhanika Ragini Pratap Singh Thakur, 25 year old with a facecard, just like her mother, Ragini..

The face structure carved too similar that even an unknown person, meeting her for the first time, can say it without any doubt that she is none other than, Ragini's daughter.

From afar, people may even get fooled that she was Ragini herself..

The same blue eyes as her mother, the same hair length, and even the same dressing as her. A Jaipuri pink suit, one hand filled with glass bangles, and on the other hand, a watch and the bracelet that was Ragini's mother's gift to her. Now resting on Ruhanika's wrist.

Ragini's chain looped around her neck, with the idol of Mata Rani, her protector, her guide, since forever...

And just like Ragini, her daughter loved those little, cute pets. Sitting on the soft grass, she happily played with the tiny puppies, gently running her fingers through their soft fur, a cute pout resting on her lips as she watched them.

And Randheer, he had been admiring her for so long. His daughter. His princess. His heart. His most precious treasure..

And over all these facts, She had his mother's name and was the literal shadow of his Ragini..

He was smiling watching his daughter's smile, untill Ruhanika's phone beside him on the bench began to ring. He looked at the caller ID and spoke.

"Rooh, beta... your phone."

Ruhanika turned her eyes to him, her blue eyes scanning her father.

She nodded, her jhumkas making a sweet sound, and as she stood up, leaving the puppies on the grass, her anklet chimed. The anklet was Randheer's mother's. He had tied it around his daughter's feet when she was small, and now, 25 years later, she had never removed it..

She walked to Randheer, and without needing a word from her, Randheer answered the call and placed it on her ear.

From the other side, a voice came, rushed yet soft.

"Rooh, kahan hai tu? Hospital aana hai bhi ki nahi? Teri shift start ho chuki hai?"

(Rooh, where are you? Do you even have to come to the hospital or not? Your shift has already started.)

"Kya?" she spoke on the call, her expression shifting as she looked at Randheer and asked, "Papa, time kya hua hai?" (What? Papa, what time is it?)

Randheer looked at his wristwatch and answered, as if the matter was so casual, "Bas 8:30."

But Rooh nearly yelled,

"Bas nahi hota woh...Aapse kaha tha na, 7:45 ko batana mujhe, ab main late ho rahi hoon hospital ke liye."

(That's not "just"....I had told you to let me know at 7:45, now I'm getting late for the hospital.)

Because Hospital and her duty mattered the most to Rooh.

Randheer opened his mouth to speak, understanding the mistake he made, "I'm sorry, beta."

Rooh gave him a husky look and spoke on her phone, "Anu di, main bas 10 min mein aayi... tab tak aap sambhal lo."

(Anu didi, I'll be there in just 10 minutes... until then, please manage.)

And just as she said this, Randheer took the phone from her ear and put it in her purse. He gave her sanitizer to clean her hands. The father and daughter had absorbed each other's habit way too better than mere words could be understood.

Ruhanika is professionally a Doctor. She understands the importance of cleanliness. Never, after touching the dogs or anything, does she touch her own things, knowing someone from the hospital might touch it, and the germs simply reach the patients.

After sanitizing her hands, Rooh hugged Randheer, both of her arms, closing around him, and her face resting on his chest,

"Bye bye... we'll meet in the evening..." And looking up, she kissed on his cheek.

Randheer smiled and caressing her head, he kissed planted a soft kiss on her forehead. Rooh smiled and got into her car.

After she left, Randheer sighed. The smile still not leaving his lips even after Rooh left.

Meanwhile, right in 15 minutes, Rooh reached the hospital. It was her grandmother's, Ruhanika's, hospital. And here, Rooh is currently pursuing her specialty in neurosurgery, a final-year resident at the age of 25, as she was promoted in her school twice, grabbing the opportunity to become youngest in her profession.

She got into a cabin and removed all her accessories there, leaving them on table she stepped into washroom to change from her suit to her uniform.

After leaving the bathroom, just as she was putting on her coat, a girl came behind her and helped her. Looking at her in the mirror, Rooh smiled and turned almost immediately to hug her.

"Good morning, didu."

(Good morning, Didu.)

The girl, Ananya Mittal - Aashi and Aashish's daughter - patted her back and spoke,

"Late hain aap, doctor Rooh." (You're late, Doctor Rooh.)

Rooh pouted and spoke, "Papa hain na, bhool jaate hain unki beti doctor hai."

(It's because of Papa, he forgets his daughter is a doctor.)

Anu laughed at her words. She caressed her hair and then spoke in a very slow voice, even a little shy,

"Waise Rooh... aapke bhaiya aane wale the na..Main bas..puch rahi thi, kab tak aayenge..."

(By the way... was your brother supposed to come? I was just asking, when will he arrive...)

Her eyes lit up, blush crept over her cheeks. Rooh raised her eyebrows, and elbowing Ananya, she spoke,

"Oye hoye, koi mere bhai ka intezaar kar raha hai shaayad..." (Oh ho, seems like someone is waiting for my brother...)

"Chup, pagal. Main kyun karne lagi intezaar..." Anu tried to deny, even though her blush clearly screamed the truth.

(Quiet, crazy girl. Why would I start waiting for him...)

Rooh too didn't leave the chance to tease her,

"Haan, bhyi, kaun sa aap mere bhai ko pasand karti ho, aur kaun sa woh pasand karte hain aapko. Aa gaye kal hi ghar, par bataya aapko..."

(Yeah right, as if you like my brother, and as if he likes you. He came home just yesterday, but did I even tell you...)

Saying this, she didn't once move her eyes from her face, watching her expression shift the moment she heard Rooh's last words.

"Kya?" Her mouth fell open. "Woh kal aa gaye? Mujhe nahi bataya... main abhi aati hoon unse milkar..." Anu immediately took her bag and began to move, when Rooh caught her wrist.

(What? He came yesterday? You didn't tell me... let me go meet him right now...)

She immediately spoke,

"Arey, babe, mazak kar rahi thi. Nahi aaye hain bhai abhi. I swear." (Hey, babe, I was joking. My brother hasn't come yet. I swear.)

She even pinched her throat, proving her innocence.Anu narrowed her eyes at her,

"Jhooth kaha aapne..."

(You lied...)

The hurt was visible in her eyes. Rooh held her ears,

"Sorry, main toh bas chhed rahi thi aapko, didu. Sorry."

(Sorry, I was just teasing you, didi. Sorry.)

Saying this she leaned closer to her. Anu looked at her very innocent face and turned her back to her,

"Tum na sudhrogi nahi, Rooh." (You will never improve, Rooh.)

"Kaha na, baba, sorry." (I said sorry, come on.) Rooh spoke standing infront of her.

"Sorry nahi chahiye."

(I don't want your sorry.)

"Toh?" Asked Rooh on her reply, and then, smiling, she said,

"Theek hai, bata hi deti hoon, bhai aaj raat ko aayenge. And I'm very excited."

(Fine, I'll just tell you, brother is coming tonight. I'm very excited.)

"Raat mein?" Anu repeated after her, her face turning dull again as she spoke,

"Raat mein toh mujhe Dad ke saath party mein jaana tha, phir mana kiya toh Mumma bahut dantengi."

(Tonight? But I was supposed to go to a party with Dad tonight. If I refuse, Mumma will scold me a lot.)

Rooh let out a sigh and said,

"Arey, toh kaunsa bhai 2 minute ke liye aa rahe hain. Ab aayenge na mere bhai, main toh jaane hi nahi dungi in dono ko. Bore ho gayi yaar main akele, isliye thodi na Mumma Papa ne teen bachhe kiye the ki dono apne London mein rahein, main yahan bore hoti rahoon."

(It's not like my brother is coming for just 2 minutes. Now that my brother is coming, I won't let either of you leave. I'm so bored being alone, it's not like Mumma-Papa had three children just so both of them stay in London and I keep getting bored.)

On her words, Anu's dull expression got replaced.

"Tum na, Rooh, kaisi baatein karti rehti ho. Pagal ho bilkul." Saying this she slapped her head gently.

(Honestly, Rooh, the things you say. You're totally crazy.)

But that offended Rooh,

"Oh madam, sab kehte hain Mumma ke jaisi hoon, pagal wagal nahi bolna, Mumma ki tarah ho bolna."

Proud flickered in her eyes as as she said this.

(Oh madam, everyone says I'm just like Mumma, don't call it crazy, call it "like Mumma.")

Anu truly lost infront of this girl, she folded her hands and said,

"Theek hai, mata, ab jao. Patients bhi dekh lo, ya bas yahin mujhse baatein karte rehna hai."

(Alright, ma'am, now go. Go see your patients too, or do you plan to just keep chatting with me here.)

"Oh, main toh bhool hi gayi thi..." (Oh, I had completely forgotten...) saying this, she stood up and walked toward the door, but stopping there, she spoke,

"B-bye, didu. Urf, hone wali bhabhi sa..."

And before Anu even reacted, Rooh ran into the corridor. But hearing Bhabhi sa Ananya's face turned red like a tomato. She smiled and looked at her phone.

Her wallpaper displayed the man she loved, dressed in his signature black three-piece suit. His expression remained unreadable, yet to her, he was everything.

Ranvijay Singh Thakur.

.

.

London, United Kingdom.

At three in the morning, Ranvijay was still buried in work, the glow of his laptop falling across his face. It carved the sharp line of his jaw, caught the faint moustache above his lip, and lit the dark eyes he had inherited from his father.

Perhaps he had inherited more than just his features. The relentless way he worked, the habit of pushing through exhaustion and carrying every burden in silence, belonged to his father as much as those black eyes did.

For Ranvijay, family came first and work next; everything else could be ignored without a second thought.

For hours he had been working like a machine without any disturbance, until his phone rang. His phone was always on silent, but it rang only for his family: his twin brother, his sister, his father, and Ananya.

And today, it was his brother, Ranveer Singh Thakur.

He picked up the call, and before he could say a word, the voice came from the other side, hurried and panick laced into it.

"Mata Rani ki kasam, sau nariyal tujhe chadhaunga. Bacha le, bhai."

(I swear on Mata Rani, I'll offer you a hundred coconuts. Save me, brother.)

"Veer, hua kya?" (Veer, what happened?) Ranvijay asked hurrily panick rising in his chest.

From the other side came the full explanation. Ranvijay sighed and immediately left his office. He drove through the city of London to reach the most famous pub in the city.

And there, the moment police were about to grab Ranveer's arm, Ranvijay stepped in between. His towering figure protecting his two minutes younger sibling.

With his eyes turning dark, he spoke, his voice as dangerous as his eyes looked.

"Do you know, officer, whose brother you're even trying to touch?"

From his back, the guy in a plain white shirt, unbuttoned to his chest, hair tousled, jawline sharp, abs perfect, and eyes, his blue eyes, so charming and gleaming in the night.

With a smirk, he placed a hand on Ranvijay's shoulder and spoke.

"Ranvijay Singh Thakur. If he wishes, he can't just buy you but this entire city. Understood?"

He was none other than Ranveer Singh Thakur — Ragini and Randheer's second son, the middle one between Ranvijay and Ruhanika, and undoubtedly the most different soul in the family..

While Randheer and Ranvijay ruled the business world, Ruhanika dedicated herself to medicine, and Ragini devoted her life to social work, Ranveer chose a path no one had ever expected.

Acting and modelling.

And that very profession dragged him to places like this almost every day—places that could be raided at any moment and reduce his entire career to ashes.

Till this day, Ranveer had managed to keep it hidden from Randheer. And every single time, it was Ranvijay who stood to protect his younger brother. Two minute younger..

And with Ranvijay being the most powerful man in London, everyone feared going against his word.

The officer gulped a hard stroke,

"But sir, we have to answer to our heads as well, this is the third time in a row-" before the officer could even finish, Ranveer hopped between them, placing a hand on Ranvijay's shoulder, and spoke,

"Bhai, teri kasam, agli baar nahi hoga, pakka." (Brother, I swear, it won't happen again, promise.)

Ranvijay glared at him for a moment longer, and then, with a sigh, he pulled out a bundle of dollars and handed it to the officers. Looking into his eyes, he spoke,

"Tell your heads, everyone ran before you reached. No one is getting arrested today."

The officer glanced at the bundle before quietly taking it.

"Leave them," he instructed his team.

Then, turning to Ranvijay, he lowered his head slightly.

"We'll take our leave now, sir."

Ranvijay gave a curt nod.

The moment the officers walked away, Ranveer collapsed into Ranvijay's arms, hugging him tightly leaving no space to breath.

"You are the greatest, mere bhai! Kya maal banaya hai mere Mummy Papa ne. I love you." (What a masterpiece my Mummy Papa have made!)

But Ranvijay pushed him slightly away and spoke,

"Chup chaap se chal raha hai ghar, ya ghaseet kar le jaun?" (Are you walking home quietly, or should I drag you there?)

Ranveer gave a small smile and said,

"Ye bhi Hindi mein bolne ke liye, thank you."

(Thank you for saying even this in Hindi.)

And then, looking at the crowd behind Ranvijay, he spoke,

"Bye, guys. I gotta go. Bye, ladies." He sent a flying kiss.

Ranvijay's eyes darkened at him. He turned and walked out toward his car. Ranveer followed him too, and leaning against the car, he spoke.

"Ho gaya na, bhai, aakhri baar tha. Teri kasam, aaj se nahi hoga."

(It's done, brother, that was the last time. I swear, it won't happen from today.)

Ranvijay pushed open the door beside him for Ranveer to sit and said,

"Itna shauk hai marne ka toh gala daba le, jhoothi kasmein mat khaya kar. Apni devi maiya ka khauf kar le."

(If you're this eager to die, just strangle yourself, don't take false oaths. Have some fear of your goddess.)

Saying this, he started the car at full speed. Ranveer bowed his head, and Ranvijay kept lecturing him, like any elder brother, though he was just two minutes older.

"Agli baar teri koi ulta patta harkat, mera marna tay ho na ho, tujhe suli par zaroor tangwaunga. Papa ko pata chala na..." Ranvijay spoke with finality.

(Next time you pull any nonsense like this, whether I die or not, I'll definitely have you hanged. If Papa finds out...)

At the mere mention of Papa, Ranveer touched Ranvijay's leg and said,

"Tu apne haathon se maar lena, bas Yamraj ko mat batana. Kutton ki tarah marenge, unhe pata chal gaya toh."

(Kill me with your own hands if you must, just don't tell Yamraj. If he finds out, we'll die like dogs.)

"Tu na, deserve bhi karta hai..." (Honestly, you deserve it...) Ranvijay answered. And soon, as they reached their house in London, Ranvijay said,

"Apna huliya sudhaar lena. Kal subah nikalna hai, Papa ne bulaya hai."

(Clean yourself up. We leave tomorrow morning, Papa has called us.)

Ranveer nodded, despite hating the idea of going back to India. He went into his room, and standing in front of the mirror, he ripped off the rest of his shirt and looked at his abs and biceps. He wiped the corner of his mouth and smiled at himself.

"Jo bhi kaho, Mumma ka ye product... hot toh hai." (Say whatever you want, but this product of Mumma's... is hot.) And then he bit his own lip.

This guy was completely obsessed with himself, and the complete opposite of his brother Ranvijay.

The way Ranvijay loved to work, Ranveer loved to party and enjoy. Ranvijay stayed away from girls and alcohol; Ranveer chilled with cold alcohol and hot girls. The twins who had stayed together even before being born, in the womb, in the house, in school, in college, even raised by the same parents at the same time, were poles apart..

And so their mindsets differed. Ranvijay's aim in life was to take his father's empire to every height possible; whatever Randheer had done in his time, Ranvijay was simply following in his footsteps.

And Ranveer's idea of life stayed different. He wanted to explore the heights of life, live it, not just spend it. And under any condition, he wanted to stay away from the business-related chaos that his father and brother had mastered.

As much as Ranvijay loved his country, India, his birthplace, Jaipur, Rajasthan. Ranveer hated it. He never wanted to return there. But both brothers' weakness stayed there..

Just as Ranveer was admiring himself, his phone rang. The caller ID read, "Mumma ka Chhota Product."

He immediately picked up and, throwing himself on the bed, spoke,

"Bol, chhoti, itni raat gaye kya bala aayi..."

(Speak, little one, what's the matter this late at night...)

"Raat hogi aapke wahan, yahan toh subah hai." Rooh's voice came from the other side.

(It might be night there, but here it's morning.)

Ranveer sighed,

"Haan, haan, miss sunshine. Chal bta kya hua?" he spoke, but then, lowering his voice, he said,

"Ek second, kahin tere aas paas Papa toh nahi, aur tu mujhse baat kar mere secrets break karna chahti ho. Sach bol, Mumma ka chhota product, tune team up kar liya na Papa ke saath, sirf hazaar rupay ki pocket money increment ke liye."

(Yeah, yeah, miss sunshine. So tell me, what happened? One second, is Papa around you, and you're talking to me trying to break my secrets. Tell the truth, Mumma's little product, you've teamed up with Papa, haven't you, just for a thousand rupee increase in your pocket money.)

Rooh laughed from the other side, "Bhai, Devi Maiya ki kasam, aap sa funny puri duniya mein koi nahi hai."

(Brother, I swear on Devi Maiya, no one in the whole world is as funny as you.)

But sitting upright Ranveer narrowed his eyes and spoke,

"Mujhe shak hai tujh par." (I'm suspicious of you.)

"Arey nahi, baba, hospital mein hoon, aur rahi baat pocket money ki, mere is birthday par pura hospital mera hoga, main profits mein baat karungi, pocket money mein nahi." Rooh replied.

(No, come on, I'm at the hospital, and as for pocket money, on this birthday of mine the whole hospital will be mine, I'll be talking in profits, not pocket money.)

"Flex kar rahi hai beti." Ranveer teased.(Showing off, are you, girl.)

Rooh only chuckled softly and asked,

"Arey nahi bhai, mujhe toh poochna tha, aap log kab aaoge, Anu di ne poochh poochh kar pareshan kar diya hai."

(No, brother, I just wanted to ask, when are you all coming, Anu di has driven me crazy asking again and again.)

"Anu kaun?" Ranveer forced himself to think and then suddenly his mind lit up, "Achha, woh gilhari. Use kya karna mere aane se, kahin usne apne waale ko chhod mujhse toh dil nahi laga liya." He dramatically placed his hand on his forehead and spoke, "Hey Devi Maiya, duniya mein sabse mushkil yeh pyaar mohabbat ishq hi hota hai, meri raksha karna."

(Anu who? Oh, that squirrel. What does she care about my coming, has she left the guy she likes and fallen for me instead? Hey Devi Maiya, love and romance are the hardest things in the world, protect me.)

Rooh sighed,

"Very funny, pagal hain kya aap. Woh bechari apne waale se kaise pooch le kab aaoge, aur main kaise unke waale se poochh loon. Office mein baithe honge abhi tak."

(Very funny, are you crazy. How can that poor girl ask the guy she likes when you're coming, and how can I ask him myself. He must still be sitting in the office.)

"Haan, abhi ghar aaye dono. Bhai ne kaha, kal subah nikalna hai, toh wahan ke time mein raat ho jaayegi."

(Yeah, we just got home. Bhai said we're leaving tomorrow morning, so by your time zone it'll be night.)

Ranveer's reply, made Rooh excited,

"Wow! Chalo theek hai, main Mami se kachoriyan banwa kar rakhungi, hum teeno bhai behen mil kar party karenge." (Wow! Okay then, I'll get Mami to make kachoris, the three of us siblings will party together.)

"Okay, boss. Ja ab apne patients dekh." (Okay, boss. Go see your patients now.)

"Haan, bye bhai, love you," and with that she hung up the call.

Ranveer too smiled and looked at his phone for a moment. On his wallpaper was a picture of their family. When Rooh was 5, on Ragini's lap, Randheer standing behind her, and the two brothers on either side. Their last photo together..

The photo that stayed not just in his phone but in his heart. The same photo, framed and enlarged to fill a wall, hung on the main wall of Thakur Villa.

The way this one picture made Ranveer's eyes well up, it did the same to Randheer, standing in Thakur Villa..

In truth, this father-son duo were different in every aspect, except when it came to emotions, the memories that mattered most to both of them.

"I miss you, Mumma," said Ranveer, lying on his bed, looking at the photo. And-

"I miss you, Jaan," said Randheer, standing in the center of Thakur Villa, tears rolling down his left eye..

From this picture, 20 years ago, Randheer had had everything in life: his son, his daughter, his empire, his name and fame. Everything, except his jaan.

His Ragini...