The golden rays of the morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains of the Rajput mansion, but inside the master bedroom, a different kind of battle was unfolding.
Natasha Singh Rajput was lost in a world of spice and aroma. In her dream, she was sitting in front of a giant, butter-dripping Aloo Paratha. Just as she took a large, enthusiastic bite—
"AHHH! UNGLI CHHOD MERI! (Leave my finger!)"
A blood-curdling scream shattered the peace. Natasha sat up with a jolt, her eyes wide and hair a tangled mess. She blinked, seeing her older brother, Naksh, cradling his hand as if he’d just escaped a shark attack.
"Bhai? What happened?" she asked, still half-dazed.
"What happened? You tried to eat me, Natasha!" Naksh exclaimed dramatically, showing his teeth-marked hand. "I came to wake you up, and you treated my finger like a snack! Main tera bhai hoon, koi paratha nahi! (I am your brother, not some paratha!)"
Natasha suppressed a giggle, looking sheepish. "Sorry, Bhai. It looked really delicious in my dream."
Naksh rolled his eyes, his dramatic flair softening. "Forget the hunger, look at the clock, Princess. You’re late. Again."
Natasha glanced at the bedside table. 8:15 AM. "Oh no! Surgery at nine!" She scrambled out of bed, nearly tripping over her rug. "Out, out, out!"
Twenty minutes later, Natasha hurried down the grand staircase, looking fresh in a mustard yellow kurta though she was still struggling with her earring. The Rajput dining table was a scene of domestic warmth.
"Good morning, my sunshine," Manoj, her father, stood up to kiss her forehead.
"Good morning, Papa!"
Tanya, looking sharp in her CEO power suit, pulled Natasha into a side hug. "Easy there, sleepyhead. I had Naksh check on you; I see you two already had a 'bonding' moment."
"More like a biting moment," Naksh muttered, sitting down while Mahima, their mother, walked in with a tray of fresh breakfast.
Mahima’s face was set in a firm pout. "Don’t 'Good Morning' us, Natasha. Look at the time! Roz ka yahi drama hai. (This is an everyday drama.)"
"Jaan, please, she was studying late," Manoj defended immediately.
"Exactly, Ma. She’s a doctor, she needs her rest," Tanya added with a wink.
Mahima threw her hands up in exasperation. "See? This is why she’s spoiled. Tum teeno ne ise sar par chadha rakha hai. (The three of you have spoiled her rotten.)"
As Natasha sat down, Mahima’s expression shifted to concern. "By the way, where is Aarushi? She hasn't visited in days. Sab theek toh hai na? (Is everything alright?)"
Natasha sipped a bit of orange juice. "She’s fine, Ma. She’s just buried under a massive corporate fraud case. You know her—once she’s in 'Lawyer Mode,' she forgets the world. She’ll be free by tomorrow."
Natasha grabbed an apple and stood up. "Okay, I have to go!"
"Wait!" Manoj yelled. "You haven't eaten anything!"
"Just a juice and an apple? Beta, tu khud doctor hai, apni sehat ka toh khayal rakh! (Child, you are a doctor yourself, at least take care of your own health!)" Mahima scolded, pointing at the parathas.
"I’ll eat in the hospital canteen, I promise! Love you, bye!" Natasha shouted as she ran toward the door.
"I’m leaving too, I’ll drop her!" Tanya called out, grabbing her purse. "Don't worry, Ma, I’ll make sure she eats!"
In Tanya’s sleek luxury car, the atmosphere was lighter. Tanya drove with a confident grace, glancing at Natasha.
"So," Tanya started playfully. "When is the Great Dr. Natasha going to find a partner? Someone who can handle her morning paratha-dreams?"
Natasha groaned, looking out the window. "Not this again, Bhabhi. I don’t have time for a partner. My patients are my priority. Mujhe in sab lafdo mein nahi padna. (I don't want to get into all this mess.)"
Tanya’s voice turned gentle and serious. "I’m serious, Tashu. Don't you ever think about what kind of man you’d want? Someone powerful? Or someone soft?"
Natasha went quiet for a moment, her gaze drifting. "I haven't thought about it, honestly. But if I do... he has to be someone who understands the silence as much as the chaos. But forget it, that man doesn't exist."
Tanya smiled understanding. " You’ll get the best man in the world, just watch.
They pulled up to the Rajput Hospital. Natasha stepped out, waving a final goodbye to Tanya. As she walked through the sliding glass doors, her aura changed. The playful girl disappeared, replaced by the Senior Surgeon.
Despite being the daughter of the owners, Natasha worked under her middle name. She wanted her skills, not her father’s wealth, to define her.
"Good morning, Dr. Natasha!" the receptionist, Priya, beamed.
"Morning, Priya. Did the reports from Room 402 come in?" Natasha asked, walking with purpose.
"On your desk, Doctor!"
As she reached the surgical wing, her two assistants, Neha and Rahul, caught up with her.
"Ma'am! You're here!" Neha said, handing her a tablet. "The bypass patient is prepped. We were worried you’d be late after that late-night emergency yesterday."
Rahul grinned, "Ma'am is never late for her patients, Neha. Ma'am toh machine hain! (Ma'am is a machine!)"
Natasha laughed, patting Rahul’s shoulder. "Not a machine, Rahul, just hungry. Did you guys get coffee?"
"We have your black coffee and a sandwich waiting in the lounge, Ma'am," Neha said warmly. "We know you skip breakfast."
"You two are lifesavers," Natasha smiled. Everyone in the hospital adored her—not because of her surname, which they didn't know, but because she treated the janitor and the board members with the same respect.
She stepped into her cabin, donning her white coat.
Natasha’s POV
The last stitch was in place. I stepped out of the O.R., peeling off my surgical mask and taking a deep breath. The surgery was a success, and surprisingly, I was ahead of schedule. As I entered my cabin to drop off my stethoscope, my phone buzzed with a rhythmic chime.
It was a text from Aarushi.
“Hey Doc, free yet? Check your hospital gate.”
I grinned instantly, my fatigue vanishing. “Just finished. Coming down!” I typed back.
I hadn’t seen her in four days. In our world, four days felt like four years. I grabbed my bag, said a quick goodbye to Neha and Rahul, and practically ran toward the hospital entrance. There she was—leaning against her car, looking sharp even after a long day in court.
"Aaru!" I squealed, throwing my arms around her. We hugged like we hadn't seen each other in decades.
"Easy, tiger! Log dekhenge toh sochenge Doctor sahiba pagal ho gayi hain! (If people see us, they’ll think the Doctor has gone mad!)" Aarushi laughed, squeezing me back just as tight.
"I don't care," I pulled back, beaming. "How are you here so early? I thought that fraud case was going to take all week."
Aarushi flipped her hair playfully. "The opposition lawyer was a joke, Tashu I wrapped it up early because tujhse mile bina chain nahi aa raha tha. (I couldn't rest without meeting you.)"
"Liar! You just missed Ma's cooking," I teased. "But listen, you're coming home for dinner. Everyone was asking about you this morning."
"Try and stop me," she grinned.
"And guess what? I’m cooking tonight!" I said excitedly as we got into her car.
Aarushi gasped dramatically. "Wait, really? Oh man, tera hone wala pati kitna naseeb wala hoga! (Your future husband is going to be so lucky!) An elite surgeon and an amazing cook? You're a jackpot, Tashu."
I rolled my eyes, feeling that familiar heat in my cheeks. "Done with your drama? You know I’m not interested in all that. Focus on the road, Lawyer Sahiba."
Author POV
When the girls reached the Rajput mansion, the silence of the evening was instantly shattered.
"I'm home! And look who I found!" Natasha shouted.
Manoj and Mahima rushed to the foyer. Before Natasha could even step forward, her mother pushed past her to hug Aarushi. "Aaru! Beta, kitne din ho gaye! (Child, it’s been so many days!) Look at you, you've lost weight. Don't you eat?"
"Ma, I'm standing right here," Natasha muttered, watching her father also pat Aarushi’s head affectionately.
"Welcome back, kiddo," Naksh said, walking down the stairs. "The house was too quiet without your constant arguing."
"Missed you too, Naksh Bhai," Aarushi chirped.
Natasha folded her arms, looking at her family. "Wow. Apno ne hi saath chhod diya. (My own people have betrayed me.) I’m the daughter of this house, remember?"
Manoj laughed, pulling Natasha into a side hug. "Stop being a drama queen, tashu. You, we see every day. Aaru has come after 4 days.."
"Arey tashu don't worry I am on your side" said Tanya and came to Natasha side.
"Yes! that like my Bhabhi" Natasha exclaimed.
Aarushi seeing her bestfriend giggled,
"Actually, Uncle," Aarushi announced with a mischievous glint in her eyes, "Natasha is so happy to see me that she’s cooking dinner tonight!"
The room fell silent for a second before a collective cheer went up. "Now that is a celebration!" Naksh exclaimed.
Natasha laughed and headed upstairs to change into comfortable clothes. When she returned, she disappeared into the kitchen, the rhythmic sound of chopping and the aroma of spices soon filling the air.
In the living room, Aarushi sat on the rug near Mahima’s feet and leaned her head on Mahima’s lap. "I'm so sorry I didn't call, Aunty. The case was just... sir dard tha pura. (It was a total headache.)"
"It's okay, beta," Mahima stroked her hair. "We just worry. You and Natasha are the same—work, work, and no rest."
"So, Naksh Bhai," Aarushi looked up, "How’s the empire? I heard the Rajput-Rajvansh will collaborate soon in a major project."
Naksh said, leaning back. "It’s a tough market, Aaru. The Rajvansh and us together will go to heights. But let’s not talk about this. Tell me about your latest victory in court."
For the next hour, the house was alive with gossip, laughter, and stories. Finally, Natasha emerged, wiping her hands on her apron. "Dinner is served! Chalo sab, varna thanda ho jayega. (Come on everyone, otherwise it'll get cold.)"
The dinner table was a chaotic, happy affair. They talked about everything from Tanya’s new fashion line to Natasha's crazy paratha dream this morning. The Rajputs treated Aarushi not as a guest, but as their second daughter.
After the meal, Aarushi announced she was staying over. "I'm too tired to drive, and plus, I need to gossip with tashu."
"Goodnight, kids! Sojao ab, kal kaam pe jaana hai. (Go to sleep now, you have to go to work tomorrow,)" Manoj called out as the girls headed upstairs.
Natasha’s Room - 11:30 PM
The two best friends were tucked under a heavy duvet, the moonlight spilling across the floor.
"So," Natasha whispered, nudging Aarushi. "Since you’re the 'Star Lawyer,' tell me... when am I getting a Jiju (brother-in-law)? Who’s the mystery man?"
Aarushi snorted, throwing a pillow at her. "Please! My life is all files and courtrooms. But what about you? Tujhe toh koi Rajkumar hi chahiye hoga. (You’ll probably need a Prince Charming.) Someone who can handle your chaos."
Natasha’s smile faded slightly into a thoughtful expression. "I don't need a prince, Aaru. Just someone who sees me... the real me."
"He's out there," Aarushi said softly, her voice getting sleepy. "Somewhere in this city. And when you meet him, dhamaaka hoga. (It’ll be an explosion.)"
Natasha laughed softly. "Go to sleep, crazy."
As the silence of the night took over, Natasha closed her eyes, unaware that fate had already started weaving her life with the man the world feared most.
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