SONG OF THE CHAPTER: EK DIL HAIN (ALBUM: PADMAVAT)HAPPY READING :)_________________Unusual rain pelted down on Jaipur, creating a cold, unwelcome contrast to the otherwise vibrant chaos of the city. Icy rivulets snaked their way down the makeshift tarpaulins of the market. The rhythmic drumming provided a counterpoint to the desperate cries of the vendors as they scrambled to protect their wares.The air was heavy with the metallic smell of rain and the earthy scent of freshly turned mud. To Sonica, the rain was a reflection of the storm brewing inside her. It was both a crushing assault and a welcome distraction that momentarily drowned out the incessant questions echoing in her head. Just what she needed!"Even the universe is amazingly tricky!" Sonica groaned as the moisture seeped through her thin cotton shirt and sent a shiver down her spine.Her gaze swept over the kaleidoscope of colors and faces, a chaotic scene that seemed miles away from the turmoil inside and the gloomy grey of the sky."Why did I come here?" She sighed, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings.Sunday in Jaipur was pleasantly chaotic. Unlike the safe, familiar embrace of her life in Delhi. Sharing a bowl of snacks and watching a mindless movie was how her usual Sundays went. Weekends were for feeling good, not for hiding in the shadow of a man who seemed to have become a stranger, even a monster, in a matter of months.Just a day and a half had passed since the court had dropped the bombshell: living with Rudransh for the time being. And he had already sucked every spark out of her spirit. The thought of it ignited a spark of defiance deep inside her."And if I don't?" The question, the first vocal rebellion against the stifling order, had tumbled out as soon as they'd left the courtroom.Nihrika had sighed. Her usually sharp features were etched with weary frustration. "There would be consequences, Sonica. Unpleasant." The words lacked their usual bite, replaced by a hint of shared helplessness.Contempt of Court. Enforcement of the Order. Damage to Reputation. The weight of each term pressed down on Sonica, a suffocating mantra that echoed throughout the ride home. A bitter silence had choked the air all evening as she sleepwalked through packing. Carefully chosen fragment of her life being tossed into a bag, it felt like a piece of her was surrendering."Am I giving up?" Overwhelmed and desperate, she had stood staring at her reflection till her vision blurred.Less than twenty minutes. That's all it took to condense her life into two meager suitcases while she tried digesting Rudransh's forced entry into her world. Or, as the interim decree of the court went, hers in his!"Nope. I wouldn't have breathed in his direction if the court hadn't told me so." It was her conscience defending. And to say she was mystified would be an understatement.A whirlwind of emotions danced within Sonica – a nervous flutter intertwining with a thrill of anticipation. Moving in with Rudransh had been a cherished dream during their short-lived romance. Back then, she'd imagined his world a dazzling kaleidoscope waiting to be woven with the threads of her own life. She couldn't wait to explore the nooks and crannies of his existence, to seamlessly blend her routines into their shared melody.But now the most delightful dream had become an unbearable nightmare. A knock on the door shattered the chilling quiet.Next, an army of thirteen helpers descended upon her doorstep. Leading the charge was Rishabh Saxena."Good evening, Mrs. Shenoy." The self-proclaimed general of Rudransh's army bowed. He leaned nonchalantly against a gleaming, limited-edition Maybach as his minions efficiently collected her essentials and deposited them in the trunk."Is that all?" His gaze, cold and assessing, remained fixed on her as she nodded."Very well then." Rishabh held the back door open in an unspoken invitation."To the penthouse," he announced curtly, his voice devoid of warmth."Not the mansion?" Sonica hurriedly asked. She realized it was the first time she had spoken since her conversation with Niharika."Sir wants to start a new with total privacy." He tilted his head, impatiently tapping his foot, waiting for her to step inside. His dark eyes held the familiar mockery within but Sonica was way too engrossed in her world to take notice.Privacy. Penthouse. The words sent a tremor through her. Not the sprawling mansion—the primary residence of Shenoy, a place she had truly known, but a secluded nest high above the city. Her throat tightened at the premonition of something unknown and unsettling.A bitter laugh escaped Sonica's lips. The penthouse. Not the haven she'd envisioned for their new life together. The memory of Rudransh's whispered promise, spoken in the boardroom, twisted like a knife in her gut."Where shall we consummate our marriage, Wifey?" Rudransh's voice had been a husky murmur, laced with raw possessiveness. "Oh, never mind, I already know the perfect place!"A gentle kiss on her forehead, a playful peck on her cheek. "It would be in our penthouse," he had continued, his voice husky with desire, "in the stargazing room under the millions of stars."Back then, Sonica had dismissed it as a lover's fantasy. Now, the memory felt tainted, a chilling promise of deeds she was sure he'd commit.Even the prospect of sharing a room with him left a bitter taste in her mouth. Somewhere deep down, a flicker of defiance refused to be extinguished. She would not walk out with them, not yet."My belongings can be collected. I'll handle my commitments and arrive when I can. No further discussion needed."Next, Sonica had wrangled a concession from her exasperated manager, Chirta. Covering a random story in Jaipur wasn't ideal, but anything to escape the suffocating web Rudransh had woven around her was a godsend.Now, huddled beneath the makeshift awning, the cacophony of the market provided a thin veil of privacy as she scrolled through her phone, desperately searching for a story lead.Just then, a notification pinged – a text message. Her heart lurched as she saw the name:Nich:Running away again, Shreematiji?Fury bubbled in her chest."The audacity of this bitch!" She exhaled sharply and stared heavenwards. "Shreematiji? What does—ugh!"Sonica ignored the title of mock respect and focused on her breath instead.She glanced around, surprised to see she wasn't alone. A group of foreign tourists, their faces alight with childlike wonder, were huddled nearby. Their enthusiastic chatter provided a momentary comfort.One young woman, her eyes sparkling with joy, threw her arms open and shrieked, "I LOVE INDIAAAAA!" Her laughter was infectious, and soon, her companion joined her, both of them jogging out into the downpour.Sonica watched them enviously. A flicker of yearning tugged at her heart. Their carefree joy felt like a forgotten language, a distant memory from a life that seemed to be slipping away.Another text from Rudransh arrived, shattering the fragile peace. This time, it was a picture – a picture of the penthouse. The luxurious view of the rain-soaked city stretched out before a luxurious, stargazing room. A cold shiver ran down her spine.Nich:Even the stars are waiting for you, my love. Do you remember the first time we met?Sonica's fingers tightened around her phone. Ignoring the tremor in her hand, she opened the camera app and started snapping photos of the tourists, capturing their uninhibited joy.This was not the life she wanted. This was not the love she desired. A spark of defiance ignited within her, fueled by the memory of the carefree woman she used to be and the image of the tourists embracing the unexpected rain.With a newfound resolve, Sonica began formulating a plan. Escape. She wouldn't be a prisoner in her own marriage, not anymore. She would fight for her freedom, one step, one carefully crafted story at a time. The rain continued to pour, relentless and cleansing, mirroring the determination washing over Sonica.Shreematiji:Of course But was His Highness even paying attention the first time?The rhythmic thrumming of the engine lulled him into a comfortable reverie. He scrolled through his phone, a satisfied smile playing on his lips as he reread Sonica's last text. The playful jab reminded him of her firecracker spirit, the very quality that had captivated him all those years ago but had vanished as the consequence of his recklessness.Glancing out the window, he noticed the familiar ochre hues of Jaipur's ancient buildings flit past. They were nearing Amer Fort, a majestic structure that held a special place in his memories. He reached for his phone again, his fingers flying across the screen as he composed a reply.Rudransh:How could I ever forget, firefly? Every detail.Shreematiji:Ah, so the great Rudransh Shenoy actually remembers? Then tell this lowly commoner the story of your undying, unrequited love.Rudransh:What's the fun in telling when we can relive it, wouldn't you agree?Sonica frowned, sat perched on a weathered stone wall overlooking the sprawling Amer Fort. The ancient structure, bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun, emanated a timeless beauty that took her breath away. A gentle breeze ruffled her hair as she reread Rudransh's cryptic text.His words stirred butterflies in her stomach, a mixture of apprehension and a flicker of something...hopeful?The weight of his earlier court order pressed down on her, a constant reminder of the circumstances that had brought her to Jaipur, was still ringing in the back of her mind.Yet, this unexpected exchange with Rudransh stirred a pot of long-dormant emotions. What did he mean by "Relive"? Was he planning some grand gesture, or was this just another ploy in his elaborate game?Lost in thought, Sonica didn't hear the approaching footsteps on the gravel path. A shadow fell over her, momentarily blocking the raindrops. She turned slowly, her breath catching in her throat. Standing before her, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, was the last person she expected to see here.