Hi lovely readers, so here is the first chapter I hope you enjoy it.
AUTHOR'S POV 🖋🖋🖋
The house had never been this quiet.
Not during Diwali when the lights flickered through every window, not during weddings when laughter spilled into the streets. Today, the same walls that once echoed with joy held only the low murmur of prayers and the soft sound of muffled sobs.
White sheets covered the furniture. Incense smoke curled slowly toward the ceiling, carrying the scent of sandalwood through every corner. Relatives filled the small living room, sitting cross-legged on the floor, whispering condolences that sounded the same after a while.
In the center of it all, beneath a garland of marigolds and FIVE framed photographs that smiled too brightly for the day, lay the truth no one was ready to accept.
And in the doorway stood KAVYA, watching the world she knew quietly fall apart.
Those people were her parents, grandparents and uncle (chachu).
Today was the 13th day of their death, the final rituals were done. Kavya hasn't spoken the whole day; she stood with Vanya and Vriddhi her anchors.
Soon everything was over and people started to leave. Kavya stood alone in the empty house. Only one person was left, her family lawyer Vijay Sharma.
"Kavya I want to talk to you about the will." He said with a serious expression but his eyes carried pain and worry for the girl in front of him.
"Yeah uncle let's go to the living room." That was the first time she spoke in the entire day.
As they settled down in the living room, Kavya sat in her white kurta while Vijay sat in his white shirt.
"Kavya you are still underage and in class 12. According to the will you will be shifting to an apartment leaving this villa." He said explaining to her calmly.
"Leave this penthouse! Are you sure uncle?" Kavya said shocked by her family's demand.
"Yes, and you will be getting all the assets. The jewellery shop will be named after you once you turn 18. Till then you can still use all the money and everything." As he continued Kavya sat silently taking on the information that would be changing her life.
"I will talk with your school once it starts as the session will be starting after two weeks. I'll get you an independent out pass so you would be able to enter and exit without any parents. I'll also manage all the shifting and all. And the most important thing is that I am your legal guardian until you are 18." He said.
"What they make you my legal guardian!" She said, already troubled with all the information.
" Kavya as a lawyer I am suggesting that you should move out. The car accident wasn't something accidental, it was planned. The people are after the land where this villa is. You are in danger, they will be after you." He said and that was something she couldn't process.
She fainted with all the day's fatigue and the pressure.
She woke up after hours to find herself in her bed. Vriddhi and Vanya beside her.
Seeing her waking Vriddhi started " Kavya you know your new apartment is in the same society as mine. We will be together and also the school is just 5 mins far."
"Yes and Vijay uncle called us to help you shift and settle so we will be staying with you for a week." Vanya said trying to ease down Kavya's tension
"Ok let start. I'll call the packers and movers; I don't want to delay anything." Kavya said he mind full of every possibility and over thinking.
As said by Vijay the people after the property came to threaten Kavya. She made them go by assuring that she will empty it soon.
On the other side of the city, a boy was doing pushups early in the morning.
He's in a plank position on the floor, palms pressed firmly beneath his shoulders, body straight from head to heels. As he lowers himself into a push-up, the muscles in his arms and shoulders tighten with controlled strength. His upper body is uncovered, showing a naturally toned build that reflects consistent workouts rather than exaggeration.
A faint sheen of sweat glows under soft light from a nearby window, highlighting the effort he's putting in. His jaw is set in concentration, lips slightly parted as he breathes steadily through each repetition. His hair falls slightly over his forehead, a bit messy from movement.
There's a quiet intensity about him — not just because of how he looks, but because of the focus and discipline in every push-up he completes. He is Aaron.
In between his morning workout he got a call from Brijesh, his best friend who lives in the same society.
"Come to the basketball court.". Brijesh cut the call without any further questions frustrating Aaron because of his habit.
Soon he went down to be grabbed by Vansh the clown of the trio.
Vansh: Okay guys, today I'm dropping 30 points. NBA scouts are probably hiding behind that scooty.
Aaron: The only thing dropping is your self-respect when you air ball again.
Brijesh: Please play properly. If Mrs. Sharma aunty complains again, my mom will ban me from "outdoor character development."
Vansh: Excuses already? The game hasn't even started.
Aaron: Shut up and check the ball.
(Vansh shoots. Misses badly. Ball hits the society gate.)
Brijesh: WOW. What a powerful pass... to absolutely no one.
Aaron: Even the gate rejected you.
Vansh: It slipped. The wind calculation was off.
Brijesh: There is no wind. It's 5 pm. Even the trees are judging you.
(Aaron steals the ball and scores.)
Aaron: And THAT, gentlemen, is how it's done.
Vansh: Foul! You distracted me.
Aaron: By being better?
Brijesh: Guys focus. First to 10 wins. Losers buy cold coffee.
Vansh: Done. Start saving money.
(Brijesh attempts a fancy dribble, trips over his own foot.)
Aaron: BRO. Who crossed you? Your imagination?
Vansh: Man tried to break ankles and broke his own dignity.
Brijesh (lying on the ground): I meant to do that. It's called an advanced strategy.
Aaron: Yeah, strategy to make us lose.
(The ball flies toward the parked car. All freeze.)
All three together: DON'T HIT THE CAR.
(Ball misses by inches.)
Brijesh: Okay from now on, no powerful shots. My dad just got that car polished.
Aaron: Relax. If we break it, Vansh is selling his "NBA contract."
Vansh: Very funny. Just wait till I score.
(He finally scores once.)
Vansh: YES! Did you see that form?
Aaron: Yes. Accidental but inspiring.
Brijesh: Fine, fine. The score is 9–9. Last point decides everything.
(After chaotic scrambling, Aaron scores again.)
Aaron: GAME. OVER.
Brijesh: Vansh, congratulations. You're officially our cold coffee sponsor
Vansh: Rematch tomorrow.
Aaron: Sure. Bring better aim.
(Mrs. Sharma aunty from balcony): Stop shouting and play quietly!
Brijesh (whispers): NBA scouts just left.
Aaron: Yeah. They signed the gate instead.
As they returned towards their house suddenly Vansh chirped in, "Do you know a girl is shifting opposite to Aaron's apartment. She is from our school also in class twelve, but she is in science so we might not know her. After all we are the commerce kings."
"Opposite to me?" Aaron questioned.
"Yes I got to know from Vriddhi she is her best friend. Her family recently died." Brijesh answered.
As they heard about their family a sudden silence took over.
"Ok guys let's head home after all the great prince of Jodhpur has to complete his gym of the day" Vansh teased Aaron.
Aaron is the Prince of Jodhpur who has been living like a commoner since class 8. He has been living alone as there is a rule in the royal family the future king school know how to survive without family and royal powers.
A few hours later Aaron's doorbell rang. As he opened it there stood Kavya.
"Umm, hi I am your new neighbor actually, I was thinking if I could get a bottle of water. We are still shifting and I can't find the bottle we bought with us." She blurted out of nervousness.
"Sure come in I'll grab a few bottles." He replied opening the door further for her to enter.
She sat on the sofa, as he returned with the bottles his leg slipped and he fell on top of her. His weight pressing on her squeezing the life out of her.
As he raised his eyes he went spellbound by her stare.
"Do you mind getting up?" She whispered clearly flushed out of nervousness. Red hue paining her cheeks.
"Ah yes sorry for making you awkward." He stammered.
"It's ok, just be careful next time. I'll be leaving there's a lot to handle." She said and dashed towards the door.
As she left Aaron couldn't help but laugh out of embarrassment and of her reaction.
Hey guys, did you enjoy it?
I hope you did.
1.5k words for the first time.
And I request all of you to like the chapters .
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