ARANYA : THE HIDDEN THING

Chapter - 3

NEXT DAY-

The sun crept over the horizon like it always did golden, quiet, indifferent. By 5 a.m. sharp, Atharva’s eyes Opened like always. Maybe it wasn't just a habit of his. He was also suffering from insomnia.

Without making any noise, he rose from the silk sheets and made his way to the adjoining room of his private gym, built just steps away from his bedroom or we can say attached to his bedroom. Atharva wasn’t fond of unnecessary interaction.

After two intense hours in the gym, Atharva finally headed back to his room. His shirt clung to his skin, soaked with sweat, muscles still pulsing from the burn of his last set weighted pull-ups, chest presses, and those slow, deliberate push-ups that made every vein in his arms pop.

He stepped into the shower, letting the cold water run down his body, cooling the heat that still lingered in his bones. Moments later, he changed into a sharp, tailored business suit.

At 8 a.m., he walked downstairs, composed and unreadable as ever. Three people were already waiting for him, their eyes snapping to him the second his footsteps echoed across the marble floor.

Kunal Singhania was reading the newspaper as always. Simran Singhania was preparing some gifts and Aaditya Singhania was yawning because his mom waked him early.

"Mom I want to sleep" Aditya yawned

"Stay here Aadi" Simran said glaring at him. Aaditya nodded like a little puppy. Simran eyes fell on Atharva who was coming downstairs. "Atharva you are already ready let's go we are going to Sinha Palace".

Atharva didn't said anything and just raised his one eyebrow. Aaditya went towards him and stood beside Atharva. "We are going to meet my would be sister in law and your would be wife" .

"I'm not going anywhere" Atharva said coldly going towards the exit.

"Aranya's Grandmother said she will give you 70-30 partnership in an upcoming project" Kunal said sipping his tea. Atharva looked at his father. Aaditya suppressed his laugh.

"Let’s go," Simran said curtly, stepping outside without waiting for a response. Aaditya and Kunal exchanged a quick glance before silently following her.

Atharva let out a low sigh, rubbing his temples as if trying to ease the storm brewing inside his head. Without a word, he followed them out.

Simran, Aaditya, and Kunal got into one sleek black car, while Atharva chose another, preferring his own space as always. Behind them trailed two luxury SUVs packed with carefully wrapped gifts, followed by five other cars, each loaded with trained bodyguards, eyes scanning every corner.

SINHA PALACE ....

A Huge Palace built in 50 acres of area surrounded by gardens. Protected by more than 200 bodyguards. The garden was beautifully spread in 20 acres of area from each side.

The Singhania's car glided smoothly into the palace garden, tires whispering over the gravel path. Moments later, it came to a halt right in front of the grand entrance gate — tall, intricately carved, and glowing under the soft morning light.

A line of maids stood poised at the doorway, dressed in coordinated sarees, heads slightly bowed in respect. As the car doors opened and everyone stepped out, the head maid stepped forward with a graceful smile, greeting them with folded hands.

Simran glanced at the line of gift-laden SUVs and with a flick of her hand, instructed the bodyguards, "Take the gifts out. Handle them carefully."

The head maid stepped aside respectfully, gesturing the Singhania family to follow her as she led them through the grand double doors of the palace.

Inside, the air was thick with elegance and quiet authority. Seated on a regal, velvet-lined sofa in the center of the hall was an older woman, likely in her 60s her posture straight, eyes sharp, and presence commanding. She didn’t need to speak for her power to be felt; it was in the way the room seemed to still be around her.

She looked up, gaze sweeping across the family like a silent scan. “I hope you all didn’t face any trouble getting here,” she said, her voice calm but laced with an authority that demanded respect.

Simran smiled warmly. "Yeah, we didn’t face any problem, Mrs. Sinha," she replied politely.

Aaditya and Atharva stepped forward, offering a formal greeting with a slight bow of their heads. Mrs. Mahima Sinha’s gaze, however, lingered on Atharva a moment longer. Her eyes, sharp and unreadable, softened just slightly as she spoke.

"My granddaughter holds too much importance to me." Her tone was gentle, but the weight behind it was unmistakable a warning wrapped in affection.

Atharva didn’t respond with words. He simply gave a brief nod, his expression unreadable, as always.

Mahima looked at the maid. "Go bring Aranya" she ordered. The maid went upstairs.

ARANYA'S ROOM

"Aranya baby, stay still for a minute," the nanny said softly, gently combing through her silky, slightly tangled hair.

"But I don’t wanna comb them today," Aranya replied in a soft, innocent voice, her small fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dress.

"I'll give you a big chocolate if you let me comb your hair," the nanny tried her usual trick.

Aranya looked up with wide eyes and a serious little face. "I’m a big girl now, Nanny... I don’t eat chocolates anymore," she said, trying to sound grown-up, though her tone still held that unmistakable childlike sweetness.

The nanny chuckled at her little drama just as a knock came at the door. She walked over and opened it. A maid stood outside, head slightly bowed. "Madam is calling for the princess," she said politely.

Aranya burst out of the room like a fluttering breeze, her laughter echoing through the marble corridors of the palace. "Aranya baby, don’t run! You’ll fall!" the nanny called out, chasing after her with worry in her voice and a half-smile on her lips.

But Aranya didn’t stop. She giggled, her footsteps light as feathers against the polished floor, the morning sunlight catching in her hair like strands of gold.

Everyone turned at the sound the maids paused mid-task, guards softened their gaze but one pair of eyes didn’t just look… they stayed.

She wore a soft light pink gown, simple in design but almost magical the way it clung to her grace. A pair of delicate pearl earrings dangled gently as she moved, and there was a blue pendant around her neck.

As she ran down the grand staircase, her hair danced with the wind, falling into her face again and again.Whenever she smiled her eyes got closed. Her Hazel eyes were pulling two grey eyes towards her.

And that smile... That one, innocent smile was enough to make the world pause and steal the breath of the man. Atharva kept staring and before he could stop himself, a word slipped past his lips, barely a whisper, yet heavy with awe.

"Beautiful."

"Aranya, what is this behaviour?" Mrs. Mahima's voice cut through the air like a blade, sharp and disapproving as her eyes bore into the girl.

Aranya lowered her head instantly, the playfulness in her expression vanishing like mist. Her voice came out small, almost childlike.

"Sorry, Grandma."

Atharva didn't like the way that smile vanished from her face. That innocent curve of her lips had stirred something in him, and now, its absence left an ache. His gaze stayed on her, steady and unreadable.

Aranya, trying to recover, glanced around awkwardly. Her eyes landed on the people sitting beside her grandmother. Unfamiliar. She managed a polite smile and folded her hands in greeting.

"Namaste," she said softly, her tone respectful, though her eyes gave away the confusion behind the gesture.

For a fleeting second, their eyes met. "Sit," Mrs. Mahima instructed, her voice firm but composed.

There was an empty spot beside Aaditya. Without a word, Aranya walked toward it and sat down gracefully. Aaditya turned to her with a warm smile, clearly pleased by her presence.

But the moment didn’t last.

A sudden chill swept over him as if someone had turned down the temperature in the room. Aaditya’s smile faltered. He slowly turned his head... and there he was.

Atharva. His jaw clenched, eyes dark, locked onto Aaditya like a warning shot. He wasn’t just looking he was glaring, hard and unapologetic. Aaditya straightened up, uneasy now, caught in the silent war of glances.

Aaditya took his phone '"I have an important call to receive". Atharva stood from his place staring his. He too went outside. "I want this marriage to take place this week" Mahima said leaving the Singhania couple in shock.

Atharva and Aaditya came back together.

Atharva sat beside Aranya and Aaditya went to Atharva's seat.

"I think we should talk to Atharva about it" Kunal said looking at Atharva.

"What happened"

"Mrs Sinha wants this marriage in this week" Kunal said his eyes stayed on Atharva's each action.

"Fine" Atharva said nonchalantly leaving Mr and Mrs Singhania in shock.