After the tedious meeting with his father, Veer felt suffocated. The same conversation had played out again—his father insisting that he should start taking business matters more seriously, and Veer, as always, refusing to let go of his medical dreams.
"Tu samajhta kyun nahi, Veer? Business sambhalna tera farz hai."
(Why don't you understand, Veer? Handling the business is your responsibility.)
Veer clenched his jaw, trying to hold back his frustration. "Mujhe samajhna nahi hai, Papa. Mera sapna alag hai."
(I don't want to understand, Papa. My dream is different.)
His father exhaled sharply, shaking his head in disappointment. "Maharaja ho tum is rajya ke, doctor nahi."
(You are the prince of this kingdom, not a doctor.)
Without responding further, Veer excused himself and walked out of the palace. His head was filled with conflicting thoughts, but there was something else too—an image that kept resurfacing in his mind: Aaradhya's eyes. The way they had met at the fort, the way she admired the puppet show, and the way her gaze lingered on the tanpura player. There was something about her—something innocent yet captivating.
He needed a distraction, and there was only one person who could help with that—Aakarsh.
Veer called his best friend, "Market chalna hai. Milta hoon wahin."
(Let's go to the market. I'll meet you there.)
Aakarsh, always up for anything, readily agreed. They met at their usual spot near Johari Bazaar, a place bustling with life, colors, and the smell of delicious street food.
Aakarsh smirked as he noticed the annoyed expression on Veer's face. "Phir se wohi purani baat?" (Again, the same old conversation?)
Veer sighed. "Haan yaar. Kabhi nahi maanenge ki mujhe business nahi karna."
(Yeah, man. They'll never accept that I don't want to do business.)
Aakarsh chuckled, "Aur tu kabhi nahi maanega ki tujhe karna chahiye."
(And you'll never accept that you should do it.)
Veer rolled his eyes. "Chal, kuch khate hain."
(Let's go eat something.)
As they navigated through the busy market, Veer's eyes unconsciously scanned the crowd. And then he saw them—the same family from Amer Fort. His heartbeat quickened as he searched for her. And then he saw her, walking with a young boy, probably her brother, carrying plates to their family's table.
Aakarsh noticed his distraction and nudged him. "Kisse dhoond raha hai?"
(Who are you looking for?)
Veer quickly masked his emotions and shrugged. "Bas aise hi laga jaise koi jaana-pehchana dikha."
(Just felt like I saw someone familiar.)
But Aakarsh was no fool. He followed Veer's gaze and smirked. "Oh ho, toh yeh baat hai."
(Oh ho, so this is the matter.)
Veer scowled at him. "Kuch bhi mat soch."
(Don't think anything stupid.)
Ignoring Veer's attempt to dismiss the subject, Aakarsh smirked even more. "Jo tu us taraf dekh raha hai, usse toh kuch aur hi lag raha hai."
(From the way you're looking over there, it seems like something else entirely.)
Veer shook his head but didn't respond. Instead, he focused on Aaradhya. There was something mesmerizing about the way she cared for her family, the way she made sure everyone had their food first before sitting down herself. He suddenly wanted to experience what it felt like to be cared for like that.
A few moments later, Aaradhya got up again to buy something from a nearby stall. Veer didn't miss a beat—he made an excuse and walked in the same direction.
Aakarsh crossed his arms and grinned. "Bhaag toh aise raha hai jaise kuch kaam hai, jab ki sirf uske peeche jaa raha hai."
(You're running off as if you have some work when you're just following her.)
Veer ignored him and reached the stall where she was. She was buying flavored candies for her family. Without thinking, he bought the exact same flavors she did. Aaradhya didn't notice him, too engrossed in selecting the best ones. Veer smiled to himself as he walked back to Aakarsh, who was now waiting with an all-knowing look.
"Bhai, tu toh gaya."
(Bro, you're done for.)
Veer frowned. "Kya matlab?"
(What do you mean?)
Aakarsh laughed. "Matlab ye ki tujhe ab officially yeh ladki pasand aa chuki hai."
(It means that you officially like this girl now.)
Veer scoffed. "Bas aise hi... interesting lagi."
(Just found her... interesting.)
Aakarsh raised a brow. "Aur ye 'interesting' ladki tourist hai. Kuch din mein chali jayegi."
(And this 'interesting' girl is a tourist. She'll leave in a few days.)
Veer's expression hardened slightly. He hadn't thought about that. She was here temporarily—he didn't even know where she was from.
Seeing the serious look on Veer's face, Aakarsh smirked. "Par ek idea hai."
(But I have an idea.)
Veer looked at him warily. "Kya?"
(What?)
Aakarsh leaned in. "Tu uske aas paas rahne ka koi tareeka dhoond."
(Find a way to stay around her.)
Veer frowned. "Par kaise?"
(But how?)
Aakarsh tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Hotel ka pata lagana mushkil nahi hoga. Fir dekh, uske plans kya hain. Pata kar le ki agla din wo kaha ja rahi hai."
(Finding her hotel won't be difficult. Then see what her plans are. Find out where she's going next.)
Veer exhaled, realizing how absurd this all sounded. But something inside him was drawn to her. Maybe it was foolish, maybe it was reckless—but he wanted to know more about her.
That night, Veer and Aakarsh followed her back to her hotel. Veer wasn't sure what he was expecting, but as he saw her walk inside, laughing with her family, he felt something unfamiliar—something warm.
Aakarsh nudged him. "Pehli baar kisi ladki ke liye itna effort daal raha hai."
(For the first time, you're putting in so much effort for a girl.)
Veer smirked but didn't reply. He wasn't sure what this was yet, but one thing was certain—he wasn't ready to let go of this feeling just yet.