The conference room was silent. Everyone was waiting for only one nod from the person who was sitting on the chair middle of the room playing with his fingers.

The person beside him understood from his facial expressions that he wasn't okay with the deal. So, he stood up and thought to say what they were waiting to hear.

"Our company won't invest in this project. The meeting ends here" He said and everyone started going from there nodding their heads some with anger, some with jealousy and some with disappointment.

"Bhai"

The man none other than Aryaman Shekhawat, the most pampered person in the Shekhawat family tried to gain the attention of his elder brother whom he loved and always worshipped.

"I guess, we have to be more careful. This is the third time when you rejected the proposal. With the eyes Vanraj Chouhan was looking at you, I'm sure he is planning something big" The younger one talked about his worry.

"Let him" The man none other than, Devadriptya Shekhawat, the eldest and most responsible child of the Shekhawat family concluded just with one line and got up from the chair.

Aryamaan glanced at his elder brother who was leaving the room.

"Bhai, I wanted you to meet with someone"

Devadriptya nodded a little and again proceeded but he was stopped again.

"It's not about any clients or anything. It is about my life. I love someone" Aryamaan waited for any response. So, that he could further proceed and show his love to everyone in his family.

"I can't do anything about that, Arya. It will be everyone's decision. You know that right?" Devadriptya added giving no particular expression on his features.

"But still, if you can mend Dadi, it'll be easier for me. She will never say no to you"

"Hmm" He hummed thinking for some time.

"Bring her tomorrow at the function"

"Thank you, Bhai"

Aryamaan smiled at his elder one and they both left for their mansion.

♘♘♘

As soon as they entered the mansion, they saw everyone was sitting in the hall talking about the preparations.

"Dev, your in-laws are here" Gauri informed his son as he nodded his head.

He went towards his room to change and then join everyone.

Devadriptya removed his blazer and let it fall on the couch. He pulled the knot of the tie when two arms came from behind wrapping around his waist. With that a person hugged him and placed her head on his back with the brightest smile. He didn't make any movements and stayed in the same position letting the person hug him.

"I called you for ten times but you didn't recieve" She pouted her lips as he turned towards her.

"I was busy in an important meeting, Tanishtha" He put his point as she sighed.

"Yeah, yeah I know that. Your works, responsibilities, family and all but sometimes think about yourself and us. Sometimes, live for yourself, Dev" Tanishtha said which she used to tell him always who was quietly listening to her words not giving any expression particularly as always.

"Tomorrow is our engagement but I can't find any excitement from your side. Is this marriage forced upon you?" She talked about her worries which always made her insecure.

"We already talked about this topic a thousand times, Tanishtha. None can force me to make any decision if I'm against it" Devadriptya started removing his tie and opened the cufflinks.

"I know that but still I wanna see those love and madness for me in your eyes, Dev which I have for you"

He huffed hearing her voice and turning back stood in front of her.

"Am I not making any efforts to make this relationship work? Did you feel any negligence or ignorance from my side?"

She glanced at him as she knew there's no question in his duties and responsibilities but she also wanted those romantic and lovable moments between them. Everything was present in their relationship respect, duties, responsibilities, loyalty, understanding, compatibility but love? She herself didn't know because his moves were always mechanical.

He was always like this. After his father, Baldev Shekhawat was bed ridden in an accident everyone in the family wanted his brother, Niraj Shekhawat to take the throne but as he was devoted to his elder brother he refused to take the throne. So, everyone offered it to Devadriptya. At the age of twenty, He took all the responsibilities in his shoulders and worked his ass off for their companies, families and the outside world. He gave his all attention to become the one and the most powerful man in the world of business. He worshipped the throne and devoted his whole life to it.

She knew how much he was passionate about his works and the throne. The same passion she wanted to see in his eyes for her. The fire, the desire, the cravings which she had for him.

"I know you're doing, Dev but I can't let these thoughts go. I can feel that you're here physically and mentally but not emotionally, not by heart" Tanishtha said patting on his chest.

She still didn't know if he would be normal after their marriage or not. She had known him for the last ten years through her father, Chetan Rajput who was their family doctor. He had four hospitals all over the city on his name. Their families shared a very beautiful bond between them. That's how everything started.

She loved him for the last six years which he knew very well. She told her father about it and he immediately came with the proposal to Shekhawat family. They too were so happy about it. Gauri and Jaya always wanted Tanishtha to be their eldest daughter-in-law and when her family wanted it too, why would they deny it?

Everyone was happy with the alliance but the main problem was him. Getting a yes from Devadriptya for marriage was like moving a hill from one place to another. But surprisingly, this time he didn't say no which he was doing from the last five years whenever the topic was brought near him. What did it mean? He also wanted it, right?

For Devadriptya, his family was everything and when he saw how much they liked Tanishtha, he didn't deny it more. Even he knew Tanishtha for more than ten years. So, he didn't find any clauses to call it off.

"I love you" Tanishtha exhaled a deep breath to calm her mind and looking back at him she kissed his jawline.

Then hugged him tightly. For now, She could do that only.

"Hmm" He stayed in the same position, let her hug him once again.

As usual he didn't say those three words back but he liked the way she understood him every time.

♘♘♘

"Hey" Aryamaan marched towards the person and hugged her tightly.

"How was your day?" He asked pulling back himself and kissing on her forehead.

"Pretty good. Now come everyone is waiting for you" She giggled pulling him with her.

The person was none other than Varshini Shishodia, his love. They entered inside and sat on the couches where her parents were sitting.

"Varshini told us about you" Her father, Shankar Shishodia said while reading his newspaper not looking at them.

Varshini had a constant smile as she looked at Aryamaan and assured him while he was just a bit nervous with her father's attitude.

"We decided to tell her only but then thought to make it clear to you too" He said as they nodded.

"Varshini won't marry you. So, you can stop running behind her"

Varshini widened her eyes for a moment but Aryamaan was prepared for this. Truth to be told, he already didn't like him a bit.

"May I ask the reason for your denial?" He asked as Shankar nodded.

"I'm not marrying off my daughter to a man who is his brother's slave"

They were shocked to hear him.

"What are you saying, Baba?" Varshini asked not believing his words.

"I'm saying the truth. He walks and sits like a dog on his elder brother, Devadriptya Shekhawat's order. He doesn't have his own identity. After marriage how will he keep you happy? Don't forget, after your marriage with him his elder brother's wife will get the highest position because her husband has all the powers in his hands. The throne, the business, the palace they will get everything and you both will dance on their noses like maids. This man has no backbone and is already living the life of a slav_"

"ENOUGH" Aryamaan cut him off in the middle yelling loudly.

"Not a word against my brother. If he takes everything from me then also I won't say a word against him. No, I'm not his slave but his shadow. Throne, palace, business are far way. If he asks for my life, I won't step back to give it to him. I love your daughter that doesn't mean I'll hear a word against my brother" Saying so, he left the place angrily.

Varshini looked at her father with tears as she didn't expect this from him. Without wasting a time, she ran behind him.

"Arya, please stop!" She yelled making him stop in his position.

She went towards him and hugged him tightly.

"I'm extremely sorry, I didn't know he would do this" She apologized sobbing hard.

She knew how much he was hurt hearing those as he loved his brother so much and wouldn't take a word against him.

"It's okay, haan. Now stop crying. I love you" He said while placing soft kisses on her cheeks and wiping her tears.

"Forget all this. Tomorrow is Bhai's engagement. I told him about us and he will take care of it, hmm? Will meet tomorrow"

She nodded and kissed on his lips as he pulled her in a tight hug wishing everything to go well.

•••

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