Name That Sparks Fire
The silence of the evening was shattered by a single name—Sheela.
Sanjana's heart skipped a beat, her eyes widened with disbelief, and her emotions flared like wildfire. Her voice trembled with restrained rage as she snapped at Jai over the phone,
"Oh! Then go back to Sheela's youth, to her charm and beauty! Why are you even calling me then?"
Her hand was already on the disconnect button when Jai's urgent voice pulled her back.
"I was just kidding, Sanjana! You took it too seriously!"
There was a pause—a silence that carried guilt, hurt, and longing. Jai, now serious, took a breath and asked softly,
"Sanjana… will you marry me?"
There was no teasing in his voice, only sincerity. Sanjana's cheeks turned pink, her anger melting into a nervous warmth. She whispered,
"Yes, Jai… I'm ready."
Jai chuckled, his voice filled with joy, "Then tomorrow… I've got a surprise for you."
"A surprise?" she asked playfully, trying to sound casual but her heart raced.
"That's for tomorrow," Jai said mischievously, and ended the call.
Sanjana stared at the screen, her mind spinning in a thousand directions. What surprise could Jai be planning? A ring? A proposal party?
These thoughts danced through her mind until slowly, sleep took over.
The Unexpected Guests in Shimla
The next morning in Shimla, birds chirped, and sun rays filtered through the royal curtains of the Thakur estate. This wasn't an ordinary home—it belonged to the aristocratic Thakur Family, once rulers of a princely state, now powerful industrialists.
Sanjana had hidden this part of her life from everyone in Delhi. At university, she was just another girl—smart, simple, and independent. But here, in Shimla, she was Princess Sanjana Thakur, daughter of Romil Thakur, owner of Thakur Pharmaceuticals and a respected name across India.
That morning, a soft knock at the grand wooden door startled the maid. Opening it, she found Aman, Jai's friend, and Mr. Digvijay Singhania, Jai's father—one of the country's top industrialists. With due respect, she brought them inside.
In the drawing room, Romil Thakur glanced up from his newspaper. At the sight of his guests, he stood up, startled.
"Mr. Singhania? You here?"
Digvijay Ji smiled and extended his hand.
"Thakur Sahab, I've come for something precious. I've come with a marriage proposal—my son Jai wishes to marry your daughter Sanjana."
Romil blinked. "Marriage?"
Aman stepped in and explained Jai and Sanjana's love story—how they met, how their bond blossomed in Delhi, and how Jai was deeply in love with Sanjana.
Romil sat silently for a moment, then slowly smiled.
"So… my Sanjana has already chosen."
With pride in his heart, he nodded in agreement. The alliance was accepted, sweets were exchanged, and blessings were offered.
The Truth Revealed
That evening, Sanjana received the biggest shock of her life. She discovered that Jai Singh was none other than Jai Singhania—the billionaire heir of the Singhania empire.
She felt betrayed. Why didn't he tell me?
Her phone rang—Jai was calling. But she didn't pick up.
Her mother, Jhankana Ji, noticed and picked it up instead.
"Hello, beta. I'm Sanjana's mother."
"Namaste, Aunty. I mean… Namaste Mom," Jai stammered on the other side.
The sincerity in his voice melted Jhankana Ji's heart. This boy had respect in his tone, and love in his words. She silently approved of him.
Jai asked, "Where's Sanjana?"
"She's in the washroom," she replied, handing the phone over as Sanjana stepped out.
"Hello," she answered coldly.
"Sanjana, is it true? Are you really Jai Singhania?" she asked.
"Yes… I am," he replied calmly.
Tears welled up in her eyes. "Then there's nothing more to talk about." She was about to hang up when Jai said loudly,
"Please, Sanjana! Just listen once. I'm sorry for hiding the truth, but you also never told me you belong to a royal family."
Sanjana choked up, her voice quivering,
"I had a reason…"
"What reason?" Jai asked gently.
After much insistence, she whispered,
"Do you know Ranjana Thakur?"
"The name sounds familiar…" Jai said, trying to recall.
"She was my aunt. A successful model. I wanted to become like her. I hid my identity because I didn't want the royal tag to make it easy for me. I wanted to earn my success, not inherit it."
Jai smiled through the phone, feeling proud.
"So, you were afraid I wouldn't let you chase your dreams?"
Sanjana nodded silently.
"Sanjana… after marriage, you can follow any dream you want. You have my full support."
Her lips curled into a smile. "Really?"
"Really."
The Sacred Promise
There was a pause, then Sanjana said something unexpected.
"Jai, can we delay the wedding by three months?"
Jai was surprised. "Why?"
"I have final exams. I want to focus on them completely."
He respected her decision and agreed.
The Wedding Day – A Royal Affair
Three months later—8th July.
The streets of Delhi were flooded with lights, flowers, and banners. The news of Jai Singhania and Princess Sanjana Thakur's wedding was the buzz across media and society.
The mandap was set like a dream—marigold garlands, silk drapes, and chanting mantras echoing through the air.
Jai stood tall in a regal sherwani, while Sanjana looked divine in a crimson lehenga embroidered with ancestral goldwork.
As the priest chanted the sacred verses, they circled the holy fire, hand in hand. With each round, they vowed love, trust, equality, and commitment.
Then came the moment of the mangalsutra and sindoor.
Jai gently tied the sacred necklace around her neck. The priest signaled to apply sindoor in her hair parting.
Jai reached for the red powder—but just then, Sanjana raised her hand.
"Wait a moment, Pandit Ji…"
Everyone froze.
(To be continued…)