Chapter 11 - 9. Forgotten

AVNI

📍Royal palace

Lucknow, india.

The sunlight filtered gently through the soft drapes of Ritvika's room, casting a golden hue over the chaotic scene that unfolded before my eyes. I leaned against the doorframe, amused as I watched Ritvika frantically attempt to shove what seemed like an impossible amount of clothes into an already overstuffed suitcase. The zipper was fighting her back, and the determined expression on her face was priceless.

Ishani, always poised and calm, sat at the edge of the bed, elegantly sipping on her coffee, a faint smile playing on her lips as she observed the spectacle. Atharv, however, was far from calm. He paced around the room with wide, exasperated gestures, as if the whole world depended on Ritvika closing that suitcase.

"Vikku!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with disbelief. "You've already packed three full-sized bags! What more could you possibly need?"

Ritvika barely glanced at him, her brow furrowed as she huffed, pushing down on the overflowing bag with all her might. "You don't understand, Atharv! This isn't just any wedding. It's my cousin's wedding. There'll be different functions, different outfits, jewelry, makeup... I have to be prepared for everything!"

Atharv groaned, throwing his hands up in the air dramatically. "Prepared? You look like you're packing for an international tour! For the love of God, you can't even zip this one up!"

I chuckled softly from my spot at the door, stepping into the room to help her. "You might want to let that poor suitcase breathe a little, Ritvika," I teased, pulling the zipper back before she could do any further damage. "At this rate, you'll need a separate car just for your luggage."

Ritvika gave me a mock glare, brushing a strand of hair out of her face as she straightened up. "Laugh all you want, Avni. When I'm the best-dressed person at this wedding, you'll all be thanking me."

Ishani, ever the voice of calm reason, took a sip of her coffee before chiming in. "Or you could just...you know, reduce the amount of clothes you're taking? It's only a three-day wedding. I'm sure you won't need your entire wardrobe."

Ritvika gasped dramatically, clutching her heart as if Ishani had personally offended her. "How dare you, Ishani? A girl must always be prepared for any situation!"

Atharv rolled his eyes, flopping onto the bed beside Ishani, who merely raised an eyebrow at him in amusement. "At this rate," he said, "you're going to make us all late for the wedding. The bags are packed, the car's ready, and we're all waiting for you, Vikku!"

Ritvika shot him a look that was half-annoyed, half-playful. "I'm almost done, okay? I just need to figure out how to close this stupid bag."

I knelt beside her, helping her push the last few items down as we tried to force the zipper to move. After a few tense moments of struggling, we finally managed to get it closed with a satisfying zip, and Ritvika let out a triumphant cheer.

"See?" she said, grinning widely. "Told you I'd get it done!"

Atharv, still sprawled across the bed, waved a dismissive hand. "Yeah, yeah. Just make sure you don't unpack half of it the minute we get to the venue."

Ishani laughed softly, shaking her head. "Oh, she will. You know she will."

Ritvika pouted, throwing one of her scarves at Ishani, who dodged it with a smirk. "You guys are so mean to me," Ritvika whined, though her eyes sparkled with amusement. "I'm just trying to be prepared!"

I smiled, watching the three of them banter back and forth. This was the essence of our group—no matter how chaotic things got, there was always this sense of familiarity, of closeness. It was these little moments, these playful arguments and shared laughter, that kept us grounded, even when everything else in life seemed to be spiraling out of control.

And as much as Ritvika's overpacking was a source of frustration for Atharv and entertainment for Ishani, I couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort in it. It was her way of coping, her way of feeling in control of a situation that could otherwise be overwhelming.

The destination wedding was just another event in a long line of responsibilities that came with being part of a royal family. But for Ritvika, it was personal—it was her cousin's big day, and she wanted everything to be perfect. And though she may have been stressing over the details, I knew that deep down, she was just as excited as the rest of us.

"Alright, alright," Atharv finally said, standing up and stretching his arms. "Enough with the packing. Let's get downstairs before Aksh Bhai sends out a search party for us."

Ritvika let out a dramatic sigh, but she followed us as we made our way out of her room and down the grand staircase. The clinking of her jewelry and the soft swish of her dress filled the air as she walked, still muttering about needing more shoes.

The banter in Ritvika's room was a whirlwind of laughter, teasing, and that typical pre-travel chaos. It wasn't just about getting our clothes together—it was about soaking in the excitement of the wedding. A wedding that wasn't just any celebration, but one that meant something personal to all of us.

But the truth was, due to our royal duties and the demands of the family business, our parents and the rest of the elders would only be attending the wedding on the big day itself. Formalities and obligations kept them tied down here until then. We, however—the youngsters—were allowed to head out early. The idea was to celebrate, to set the mood, and, in typical style, to get the party started well before the main event.

As we gathered our last-minute belongings and headed downstairs, the excitement in the air was palpable. Ishani, Atharv, Ritvika, and I were practically buzzing with the energy of what lay ahead.

The grand palace doors opened to reveal the sleek black limo waiting for us in the driveway. The engine purred softly, ready to take us to the airport and on to Mussoorie for the wedding festivities. Atharv, ever the designated driver when it came to our trips, was already pulling the car keys from his pocket, a smug grin on his face as he made his way toward the driver's seat.

But not today.

Before he could reach the door, I stepped forward with a mischievous smile and swiped the keys from his hand. "Aaj gaadi teri bhen chalayegi!" I declared, the adrenaline already coursing through me.

(Today your sister (me) gonna drive!)

Atharv's eyes widened, and he took a slow, deliberate step back, raising his hands in mock surrender. "God bless us…" he muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm, though the twitch at the corner of his mouth betrayed the smile he was trying to hold back.

"I'm a good driver, okay?" I shot back, my hands on my hips, daring him to challenge me. Ishani and Ritvika burst into laughter, their faces lighting up with amusement.

"You heard her," Ishani teased, nudging Atharv. "We're in good hands."

Atharv shook his head dramatically, as if already mourning the state of the limo by the end of our drive. "If we survive this, I'm writing a memoir. 'Surviving Avni's Driving: A Tale of Miracles.'"

"Oh please," I huffed, opening the driver's door and sliding into the plush leather seat. "I've driven us places before, and we're still alive, aren't we?"

"You mean that time you scraped the side mirror in Jaipur?" Atharv quipped, getting into the passenger seat beside me, while the girls took their spots in the back.

"Details," I said with a wave of my hand, starting the engine. The deep hum of the limo roared to life under my control, and I couldn't help the thrill that ran through me.

Soon enough, we were on the road, the wind tousling my hair as I navigated through the winding streets leading toward the airport. The usual bickering and laughter filled the car as Atharv gave a running commentary on my driving ("Did we just miss a turn?" "Watch that speed bump!"), while Ritvika and Ishani flipped through their playlists, trying to find the perfect road trip anthem.

"Are you really going to critique my driving the entire way?" I asked, throwing Atharv a playful glare.

He smirked, crossing his arms. "Only until we reach the airport in one piece. If we do, I'll even give you a glowing review."

Ritvika leaned forward from the backseat, laughing. "You know what, Atharv? You complain, but I think you secretly enjoy Avni's driving chaos. It's the thrill you never admit you need."

Atharv snorted. "Sure. That, or I just enjoy staying alive."

The road stretched out ahead of us, winding through the city as I held onto the steering wheel with practiced ease. The exhilaration of driving still pulsed through me, and despite Atharv's constant commentary from the passenger seat, I felt in control. The sun glinted off the limo's sleek black hood, and for a moment, everything was perfect—just the four of us on an adventure, heading toward the freedom of the mountains.

Suddenly, a flash of red streaked past us—a Corvette, speeding by like a comet on the highway. Before I could even react, the car swerved in front of us, coming to a halt and blocking the road entirely.

"What the—!" I yanked the steering wheel to the left, my heart leaping into my throat as I slammed on the brakes. The tires screeched against the asphalt, and the limo came to a jolting stop just a few feet away from the Corvette.

Panic surged through me, but it was quickly replaced by irritation.

"Who does this rich daddy's baddie think he is?" I muttered, throwing the car into park and hopping out, ready to confront whoever thought it was a good idea to pull this stunt.

The doors of the Corvette swung open, and two men stepped out. For a split second, I didn't recognize them—but then the familiar forms of Aksh Bhai and Rudra emerged, walking toward us with that unmistakable swagger.

"Wait... what?" I blinked, confused. "Aksh Bhai? And... Rudra?" I turned, glancing back at the limo. "Hold on... didn't Rudra come with us?"

A sinking feeling hit me as I realized the truth. "Wait. Does that mean... I forgot Rudra at home!?"

By this point, the rest of the gang had spilled out of the limo. Atharv, Ishani, and Ritvika stood beside me, equally baffled. Aksh Bhai smirked as he approached, shaking his head like an exasperated parent catching their kid sneaking out past curfew.

"She just left Rudra at home," Aksh Bhai explained, throwing a glance at my bodyguard. "So he had to hitch a ride with me. And because of security, you know how it goes—he's gotta be with you."

I groaned internally, feeling the heat of embarrassment rising in my cheeks. The entire time, I had been so caught up in the thrill of driving that I hadn't even noticed Rudra wasn't in the car. How could I forget my own bodyguard? My eyes darted to Rudra, standing in front of me with his arms crossed, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

He stepped closer, lowering himself to my eye level. His presence was imposing, yet there was an ease in the way he carried himself—a quiet confidence. "Forgetting your own bodyguard at home, Princess? I'm not even that small, am I?"

His voice was smooth, laced with a teasing undertone, but there was something else there too—a gentle warning. His gaze never wavered from mine, and I could feel the challenge in his words. "Who would've protected you when you forgot your own bodyguard? Don't make that mistake again."

I swallowed, but I wasn't going to let him have the last word. My lips curled into a grin, defiance bubbling up inside me. "It wasn't a mistake," I shot back, lifting my chin. "I told you I wasn't going to make it easy for you. Be ready, dear bodyguard."

The smirk on his face deepened, and for a brief moment, we stood there, locked in a silent exchange. The tension between us was undeniable, but there was something almost thrilling about it. I could tell Rudra wasn't fazed by my challenge—if anything, he seemed to welcome it.

"I love challenges," he said, his voice low and steady. "Go ahead, Princess."

Ritvika broke the tension by clapping her hands together. "Alright, alright, we get it—now can we please just get to the airport without any more drama?" She rolled her eyes, though her lips were curved in amusement.

I turned back to the limo, but before I could make my way to the driver's seat, Ritvika stopped me. "You've had your fun, Avni. I'm switching cars."

With a playful shove, she made her way to Aksh Bhai's Corvette, leaving the rest of us to pile back into the limo.

Atharv took over the driver's seat this time, with Ishani beside him, while I slid into the backseat with Rudra. He sat close enough that I could feel the quiet intensity radiating off him, but he didn't say anything more. We both knew the game had only just begun. The music begun and we started enjoying the Ride.

And you know what the truth is?

I left him back in the palace Intentionally.

Yes, intentionally.

As the limo pulled back onto the road, heading toward the airport, I leaned back against the leather seat and let out a small breath. Mussoorie was next. And with Rudra watching my every move, things were about to get a whole lot more interesting.

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Next stop: Mussoorie.

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