In a city where politics decided everything, two families ruled from opposite sides of the battlefield: the Suryavanshi's and the Shekhawat's. Their rivalry had lasted for decades, leaving behind broken alliances, buried secrets, and wounds that refused to heal.

For twenty years, my father had one rule.

Don't come back.

No matter how many times I asked, no matter how much I begged, the answer never changed.

And then, out of nowhere, he called.

"Come home, Vedika."

Just like that.

No explanation.

No warning.

No reason.

But something told me that wasn't why my father suddenly wanted me back after twenty years.

For twenty years, my father had hidden me from the world.

And I still didn't know why.

And unfortunately for me, I happened to be a Shekhawat.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. Returning to India after twenty years. Twenty years. I had left when I was four. Most of my memories of home came from old photographs, birthday calls, and stories other people told me. A strange knot formed in my stomach. What if things were awkward? What if Bhai and I had nothing to talk about? Twenty years was a long time. Long enough for strangers to become family. And family to become strangers. I shook my head. Stop it, Vedika. You're acting like you're going to war, not going home.

My phone buzzed sharply against the dressing table, snapping me out of my thoughts. I hurried over and checked the screen. Maa.

"Hello, maa, kaise ho?"

(Hello, Mom, How are you?)

"Main thik hu beta, tum bolo, packing hogayi?" (I'm fine, dear. Tell me, are you done packing?)

"Haan maa, sab hogaya hai, bas ek suitcase baki hai." (Yes, Mom, everything is done. Only one suitcase is left.)

"Ek suitcase, aur kehti ho sab hogaya hai? Mujhse video call karo dekhna hai mujhe." she said. (One suitcase is still left, and you're saying everything is done? Video-call me. I want to see.)

"But Maa, I'm not ready yet." My gaze swept across the room. Clothes were scattered everywhere. One suitcase was still open on the floor. And somehow, I still wasn't done packing.

Oh God.

If Maa saw this, she'd fly to Canada just to yell at me.

Think, Vedika, think, before she hits the video call button.

"Maa, main rakhti hu, Jaanvi bhi aarahi hai na mere saath, toh uski bhi thodi help kar deti hu packing karne. Chalo bye, love you." (Mom, I'm hanging up. Jaanvi is coming with me too, so I'll help her with her packing. Alright, bye. Love you.)

"Ye bahane kisi aur ke paas dikhana. Maa hu tumhari, sab jaanti hu. Aise hi lawyer nahi hu, tum jhoot bologe aur kya lagta hai main pakad nahi paungi?" (Try these excuses on someone else. I'm your mother; I know everything. I'm not a lawyer for nothing. Do you really think you can lie and I won't catch you?)

I should've known that excuse wouldn't work on her.

Honestly, lying to Maa was a complete waste of time.

"Fine, since you already know everything, I'm hanging up. I have work to do," I said quickly, hoping to escape before she started asking more questions.

"Wait a minute. Your father wants to say something."

The moment I heard Papa's voice, I smiled.

"Hello, meri jaan, kaisi ho?" (Hello, my darling. How are you?)

"I'm great, Papa. How are you?"

"Main thik hu baccha." (I'm fine, my child.)

The warmth in his voice faded slightly.

"Haan Vedika, ek baat dhayan rakhna. Khud se airport se mansion mat aana. Tumhara bhai jaake le ayega tumhe." (Vedika, keep one thing in mind. Don't come to the mansion from the airport by yourself. Your brother will come to pick you up.)

I groaned.

"But why, Papa? I am twenty-four now. I'm not a kid who needs her brother to escort her everywhere. Besides, Jaanvi is with me."

"Vedika beta, please meri baat toh suno. Situation waisa nahi hai, kahi tumhe kuch ho gaya toh main toh jeete ji mar jaunga." (Vedika, dear, please listen to me. The situation isn't that simple. If anything happens to you, I'll die while still alive.)

"Papa, you always emotional blackmail me." I scoffed, irritation flaring up. He did this every single time. Even here in Canada, he kept me surrounded by bodyguards. For god's sake, I am a grown-ass woman; I can take care of myself. But Papa always acted like I was still that vulnerable four-year-old Vedika.

"Please, Vedika."

I rolled my eyes.

"Fine. I will wait for Bhai."

"Yeh hui na baat." (That's more like it.)

I could hear the relief in his voice.

"Aur batao, sab certificates le liya hai na tumne?" (And tell me, you've packed all your certificates, right?)

"Haan papa, sab le liya hai. Abhi rakhti hu, bohut sara packing baki hai." (Yes, Papa, I've packed everything. I'm hanging up now; I still have a lot of packing left.) 

I glanced toward the corner of the closet where rows of heels and shoes were displayed. Maybe I had a slight shopping problem. Okay, maybe not slight. 

"Thik hai beta, dhayan rakhna apna, aur Rajeev ko kehna mujhe ek baar call karne ke liye." (Alright, dear. Take care of yourself, and ask Rajeev to call me once.)

"Thik hai, bye papa." (Alright, bye, Dad.)I disconnected the call with a soft click.

Alright, Vedika, let's get to work.

A sudden knock sounded at the door. I walked across the room and unlocked the door to find my cousins, Jaanvi and Advait, standing in the hallway. Jaanvi was eighteen, and Advait was twelve.

"Di, meri packing ho gayi hai." (Sister, I'm done packing.) Jaanvi grinned.

"Done so quickly?" I asked, amused.

"Haan di, waise bhi meri sirf do luggage hai." (Yes, Sister. I only have two bags anyway.)

Advait stepped forward, his lower lip trembling in a pout. "Aap bohut buri ho." (You're very mean.)

"What happened, mera chota sher?" (What happened, my little lion?)

"Yeh toh aapse bhi jyada... mujhe chodkar dono ghumne ja rahe ho." (She's even worse than you... both of you are going away and leaving me behind.)

I leaned down, cupping his chubby face in my hands. "Kuch dino baad tum bhi ajaana jab tumhari summer vacation shuru ho jayegi." (You can come too in a few days, once your summer vacation begins.)I slipped my hand into my pocket and passed him some cash. "Chalo, iss mahine ka pocket money meri taraf se. Waise, bua ko mat batana, ye sirf hamari secret hai." (Here, this month's pocket money is from me. But don't tell Aunt. This is our little secret.)

"Waise, kya secret baatein ho rahi hai jo main nahi jaan sakti?" (By the way, what secret conversation are you having that I'm not allowed to know about?)

Bua walked into the room, with Phuphaji right behind her.

"Kuch khas nahi bua, hum toh bas yunhi baat kar rahe the." (Nothing special, Aunt. We were just talking.) I stepped in front of Advait, covering up before she could catch us. Jaanvi's mouth parted to spill the beans, so I quickly cut in to change the subject. "Uncle, Papa asked you to call him. He said it's urgent."

"Thik hai beta." (Alright, dear.) He checked his watch, his forehead creasing slightly. "Tumhara packing hogaya hai kya? char ghante mein flight hai." (Are you done packing? Your flight is in four hours.)

"Thoda sa baki hai, jaldi kar lungi." (A little is left. I'll finish quickly.)

"Chalo, main madad kar deti hu." (Come on, I'll help you.)

Bua was already looking through the pile of clothes before I could protest.

She was the sweetest aunt I could ever ask for. She always said I was her first daughter, even before Jaanvi was born.

"Main bhi kar deti hu, chalo di." (I'll help too. Come on, Sister.) Jaanvi stepped into the room.

I nodded gratefully.

"Main aata hu. Ho jaane par jaldi neeche ajaana, hume airport ke liye nikalna hai." (I'll be back. Come downstairs quickly once you're done. We need to leave for the airport.)

With that, Phuphaji left the room.

The four of us stepped into the massive walk-in closet. Advait stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes scanning the room. I already knew a sarcastic comment was brewing in his mind.

"Wah di, aapki closet toh kisi fish market se kam nahi lag raha hai." (Wow, Sister, your closet looks no less chaotic than a fish market.)

I glared at the mischievous brat. Was it absolutely necessary for him to humiliate me in front of everyone?

Bua laughed.

Jaanvi immediately joined her.

Wow.

The support in this family was truly inspiring.

"Chalo chalo, jaldi karte hai, time kam hai hamare paas." (Come on, let's hurry. We don't have much time.) Bua clapped her hands, pulling out a large suitcase. "Aur kya lena hai tumhe, Vedika?"

"Yeah, I'm taking them."

Jaanvi stared at me.

"All of them?"

"Obviously."

I had spent years collecting those heels. There was no way I was leaving them behind. I picked up a sleek stiletto, placing it gently into the divider.

"Thik hai, Vedika, tum ready ho jao. Main pack kar deti hu." (Alright, Vedika, you go and get ready. I'll pack this.)

Before I could argue, Bua had already started arranging the clothes inside the suitcase.

"Thank you, Bua." I grabbed the co-ord set I had set aside for the travel.

Bua turned to jaanvi. "Aur, tumhe change nahi karni hai kya? Tum bhi jao." (Don't you need to change too? You should go as well.)

"Jaa rahi hu, maa." (I'm going, Mom.) Jaanvi walked out, and I headed into the changing space to get ready.

I looked at the mirror one last time, adjusting my collar before unlocking the door. Stepping out, I noticed the heavy luggage was gone—already taken downstairs.

I grabbed my phone from the table, closed the door behind me, and walked quickly down the long hallway.

"Vedika, jaldi aao beta, time ho gaya hai." (Vedika, come quickly, dear. It's time.)

Phuphaji's voice echoed through the house.

My steps quickened. Passing through the grand entrance of the house, I saw Jaanvi wrapping her arms tightly around Bua.

I walked over to them. As Bua pulled away from Jaanvi, she immediately pulled me into a warm embrace, pressing a soft kiss against my forehead. Bua had raised me. She was the one who packed my school lunches, scolded me when I got into trouble, and stayed awake whenever I was sick. For twenty years, she had never once made me feel like I wasn't her daughter. And now I was leaving her behind.

"Khayal rakhna apna," (Take care of yourself,) she whispered.

"You too."

I stepped back and noticed Advait standing a few feet away, his head hung low. He was taking the departure hard. Reaching into my jacket pocket, I pulled out a brand-new gaming card and waved it in front of his face.

His eyes instantly lit up. "Di, yeh mere liye hai?" (Sister, is this for me?)

"Yeah, who else would it be for?"

"Thank you di, love you." He lunged forward, locking his arms around my waist.

"Love you more." I patted his back gently.

"Chalo beta." (Come on, dear.) Uncle opened the car door.

I nodded, taking one final look at the house that had been my only real sanctuary. I climbed into the vehicle and pulled the door shut. Sliding the window glass down, I waved a final goodbye. Bua's eyes glossed over with tears, though she quickly looked away, trying to keep her composure. I knew her too well.

"Vedika, flight mein kisi anjan vyakti se baat mat karna," (Vedika, don't speak to any strangers on the flight,) Uncle instructed, as he turned back to look at me.

"But why, Uncle?"

"Bas itna samajhlo tumhari bhalayi hi chahi hai maine, toh please meri ek aur baat maanlo." (Just understand that I only want what's best for you, so please listen to me one more time.)

I turned my gaze toward the passing trees outside the window. "Fine." A heavy sigh escaped my lips. The constant restrictions were irritating, but I knew they only came from a place of deep worry.

After a short drive, the car pulled up at Terminal 1. We got down as the bodyguards began unloading the heavy suitcases onto a trolley.

"Beta, time hogaya hai, khayal rakhna apna," (Dear, it's time. Take care of yourself,) Uncle said, patting my shoulder.

"Yes Uncle, you too."

He turned his stern gaze toward my sister. "Aur Jaanvi, udhar jakar behave karna." (And Jaanvi, behave yourself once you get there.)

Jaanvi gave her father a look.

"Papa, main ab choti bachi nahi hu, please." (Papa, I'm not a little girl anymore, please.)

"Haan haan, thik hai." (Yes, yes, alright.) He chuckled.

I gripped the handle of the trolley, pushing it forward through the security checkpoint. Once the tedious baggage drop and security screening were done, we walked into the terminal. We sat in the waiting area for what felt like an eternity until the boarding announcement finally echoed through the speakers.

"Di, jaldi chalo." (Sister, hurry up.) Jaanvi grabbed her cabin bag, pulling me along toward the boarding gate.

We walked down the jet bridge and stepped into the aircraft, making our way to the business class cabin. Thankfully, the spacious seats meant I could stretch out. Our seats were separated by a single aisle.

Jaanvi settled into her seat and offered a small wave. "Bye, Di."

"Bye, see you soon."

I leaned my head against the window and closed my eyes. In a few hours, I'd finally be home. The thought should have made me happy. Instead, it made me nervous.

Shekhawat Mansion

Indira had been uneasy ever since Viraj made that call.

"Aapne Vedika ko kis liye bulaya hai use pata nahi hai. Agar use pata chalegi toh kya sochegi woh—humne jhoot kaha use, ki hume uski bohut yaad aarahi thi." (Vedika doesn't know why you've called her back. What will she think when she learns the truth? We lied and told her that we missed her terribly.)

Viraj looked at her.

"Toh main aur kya kehta? Ki main uski shaadi karwane ke liye bula raha hu?" (What else was I supposed to say? That I was calling her back to get her married?)

Veeranshu stopped in the doorway.

"Kya? Aapne Vedika ki shaadi fix kar di? Use bina bataye?" (What? You fixed Vedika's marriage without even telling her?)

The warmth completely vanished from Viraj's face.

"Veeranshu, jo jaante nahi ho us bare mein kuch mat kaho. Uski bhalayi ke liye kiya hai maine." (Veeranshu, don't speak about matters you know nothing about. I did this for her own good.)

Veeranshu couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Toh ab Viraj Shekhawat ko apni hi beti ko ghar bulane ke liye jhoot bolna pad raha hai?" (So now Viraj Shekhawat has to lie just to bring his own daughter home?)

A bitter smile crossed his face.

"Aur dhoke se uski shaadi bhi karwa doge?" (And you'll trick her into getting married too?)

Viraj looked at him.

"Awaaz neeche rakho! Bhulo mat kiske samne khade ho tum!" (Lower your voice! Don't forget who you're standing in front of!)

Veeranshu met his father's gaze.

"Toh aapko bhi soch samajhkar baatein karna chahiye. Main hargiz Vedika ke saath yeh nahi hone dunga." (Then you should think before you speak too. I will never let this happen to Vedika.)

Viraj didn't seem affected by the threat.

"Tum kuch nahi karoge." (You won't do anything.)

"Woh toh waqt batayega, Mr. Viraj Shekhawat." (Time will tell, Mr. Viraj Shekhawat.)

He walked out.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Viraj was quiet for a moment.

"Dekha Indira, kaise baat ki tumhare bete ne mujhse?" (Did you see how your son spoke to me, Indira?)

Indira sighed.

"Toh Veer galat bhi toh nahi keh raha tha." (But Veer wasn't wrong either.)

Viraj walked over to the window.

For a few seconds, he said nothing.

"Ek na ek din sabko pata chal hi jayega." (Sooner or later, everyone will find out.)

He was quiet for a moment.

"Main Vedika ko zyada din tak chhupa nahi paunga." (I won't be able to keep Vedika hidden for much longer.)

"Toh ab kisi ko pata nahi chalega kya? Ki woh hamari beti hai? Aapne kabhi use wapas nahi aane diya... bees saal beet gaye." (So no one will know even now that she is our daughter? You never allowed her to come back... twenty years have passed.)

For the first time that evening, Viraj looked tired.

"Tum bhi jaanti ho main bebas tha, aur aaj bhi hu." (You know I was helpless, and I still am.)

"Par hume kabhi maaf nahi karegi Vedika, jab use sach ka pata lagega." (But Vedika will never forgive us when she learns the truth.)

"Woh main sambhal lunga, tum tension mat karo." (I'll handle that. Don't worry.)

Viraj moved back towards the desk.

"Jab tak uski shaadi na ho jaye, duniya ko pata nahi chalega ki woh hamari beti hai." (Until she is married, the world will not know that she is our daughter.)

"Mere dushmano ki kami nahi hai. Sab mauke ki talaash mein rehte hain." (I have no shortage of enemies. They're all waiting for an opportunity.)

Viraj's voice hardened.

"Aur Suryavanshi toh intezaar mein baithe hain." (And the Suryavanshis are already waiting.)

Indira couldn't shake off the uneasiness settling in her chest.

"Mujhe kyun ghabrahat si ho rahi hai?" (Why do I feel so uneasy?)

Viraj walked over to her.

"Itna mat socho, kuch nahi hoga." (Don't overthink it. Nothing will happen.)

"Vedika Shekhawat is back."

The room fell silent.

Twenty years had changed a lot.

Apparently, not enough.

This time, he had no intention of letting her go.