Happy reading....

Abhimanyu woke early the next morning and headed to the gym. Despite his activated memories of this modern era, he couldn't help but marvel at the equipment and surroundings. The changes in lifestyle over centuries seemed bizarre to him. In his era, princes maintained their physique through activities like horse riding and swordsmanship, not treadmills and weights.

He removed his tank top and stepped onto the treadmill, lost in thought about the evening event. The rhythmic sound of his footsteps was interrupted when Shourya entered the gym, dressed in jogging attire and carrying a water bottle. He noticed Abhimanyu on the treadmill and hesitated, considering greeting him before deciding against it. Shourya discarded his own top and moved towards the weights.

Abhimanyu glanced over at him, his eyes falling on Shourya's back, where he noticed a scar. It looked like stitches. Concerned, Abhimanyu stopped the treadmill and approached his brother. Shourya looked perplexed as Abhimanyu reached out, gently spinning him around to inspect the scar.

"What the hell is this?" Abhimanyu demanded, tracing the scar with his finger. Shourya swallowed nervously, wondering why Abhimanyu suddenly cared about what happened to him. Just yesterday, he had shown little interest in their relationship.

"It's nothing," Shourya replied weakly, but Abhimanyu's expression turned stern.

"How careless and childish of you to get into fights," Abhimanyu scolded, surprising Shourya. "You're not in your puberty anymore to be fooling around like this."

Shourya stared at him, mouth agape. "How did you... how do you know about this?"

Abhimanyu folded his arms across his chest, looking Shourya in the eyes. "I can see it in your eyes, in your stance. You've been through something. Tell me."

Reluctantly, Shourya explained, "It's from a boxing match, not a street fight. I didn't have a choice. It was a business deal, and Dad entrusted me with it. The opponent proposed that whoever won the match would secure the project."

Abhimanyu was taken aback by this revelation. He hadn't realized that his younger brother, whom he often dismissed as irresponsible, understood the weight of responsibilities. He felt a pang of guilt for underestimating him.

"I'm sorry, Shourya," Abhimanyu said quietly, his anger dissipating. He turned away, unsure of what else to say.

Shourya watched him go, feeling a mix of frustration and relief. He hadn't expected Abhimanyu to care, let alone apologize. As he continued his workout, he pondered their complicated relationship and the possibility of bridging the gap between them.

*****

The event started with a flurry of preparations at the Mehrotra mansion. Abhimanyu and Shourya, despite their differences and recent confrontations, managed to set aside their personal issues to focus on the event their father had organized weeks ago.

The sprawling mansion was adorned with elegant decorations, and volunteers bustled about, putting final touches to the arrangements. Kavita, their stepmother, oversaw the kitchen staff preparing a lavish spread for the guests. The atmosphere hummed with a sense of purpose and anticipation.

Abhimanyu, dressed in a tailored suit that Raina had helped him select, greeted the arriving guests with a polite smile. He was surprised by how effortlessly he slipped into the role of a gracious host. His upbringing in royalty seemed to have prepared him well for such occasions, despite the vast difference in time and customs.

Shourya, equally impeccably dressed, assisted in coordinating the logistics of the event. He moved through the crowd, ensuring everything ran smoothly, just as his father would have done. There was a noticeable sense of pride in his demeanor as he greeted guests and addressed any last-minute concerns.

The charity event itself was a success. Guests mingled, enjoying the delicious food and engaging in lively conversations. Abhimanyu found himself engaged in discussions about the charity's mission and impact, genuinely interested in contributing to the cause. His charm and eloquence impressed many, who were unaware of his background in ancient royalty.

As the evening progressed, Abhimanyu noticed his father, Rajesh, looking on with a mixture of pride and relief. Despite his recent health scare, Rajesh managed to make an appearance, supported by Kavita by his side. The sight of his family coming together for a noble cause brought a bittersweet warmth to Abhimanyu's heart.

Towards the end of the evening, when the last guests were bidding their farewells, Abhimanyu and Shourya found themselves alone for a brief moment. They exchanged a glance, silently acknowledging the unspoken understanding that had developed between them throughout the day.

"I guess we make a good team," Shourya remarked with a small smile.

Abhimanyu nodded, returning the smile. "Yeah, I guess we do."

Their conversation was interrupted by the approach of Kavita, who smiled warmly at both of them. "You both did wonderfully tonight. Your father is proud of you."

Abhimanyu felt a lump in his throat at the mention of his father. He nodded gratefully, feeling a sense of closure and reconciliation that he hadn't expected to find so soon after returning home.

As they began to tidy up and wind down from the event, Abhimanyu couldn't help but reflect on how much had changed since he first arrived in this unfamiliar world. He had not only rediscovered his family but also found a sense of purpose in contributing to causes greater than himself.

The charity event had been a whirlwind of activity, and Abhimanyu felt mentally and physically drained by the time it concluded. He longed for a quiet moment to himself, to process the emotions and experiences of the evening. However, Raina had other plans.

"Come on, Abhi," Raina insisted, his tone persuasive. "You can't go home yet. We deserve a celebration after pulling off such a successful event."

Abhimanyu hesitated, glancing around the opulent surroundings of the Mehrotra mansion's grand foyer, now cleared of guests and decorations. His gaze fell on Shourya, who was still busy coordinating the last of the clean-up with the staff. Despite their newfound understanding, Abhimanyu wasn't sure if he was ready to socialize in a setting as unfamiliar as a high-profile pub.

Raina sensed his hesitation and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Trust me, Abhi. It's just what you need right now. A chance to unwind."

Reluctantly, Abhimanyu agreed, allowing Raina to lead him out of the mansion and into the waiting car. They drove through the city, the streets lit up with neon lights and bustling with nightlife. The pub Raina had in mind was a well-known haunt for celebrities and high-profile individuals, tucked away in an upscale part of town.

As they entered the pub, Abhimanyu couldn't help but feel a wave of unease wash over him. The atmosphere was a stark contrast to the quiet elegance of the charity event. The place was dimly lit, with pulsating music thumping through the air and a lively crowd of people mingling and enjoying themselves.

Raina navigated through the crowd with ease, greeting familiar faces and exchanging nods with acquaintances. Abhimanyu followed, feeling like an outsider in this glamorous world. He noticed the plush seating areas filled with groups of people laughing and chatting, the bartenders expertly mixing cocktails behind the polished bar counter, and the subtle glances and whispers that followed their entrance.

Raina observed Abhimanyu's discomfort. "What's wrong with you, man? Usually, you're the one dragging me to these places. And you're not even touching alcohol tonight."

Abhimanyu shrugged, feeling out of place. "I'm just exhausted, Raina."

Raina chuckled and nudged Abhimanyu to look at a particular corner where a group of models were trying to get his attention. "Look over there. Seems like you're quite the attraction tonight."

Abhimanyu's eyes widened in shock at the models' revealing clothes. He couldn't fathom how women could wear such outfits in public. But then he reminded himself that this was the norm in this new era.

"I'm not interested today," he declined, feeling out of his depth.

"For the first time in my life, you say you're not interested in women?" Raina teased.

He leaned in closer and whispered, "Are you by any chance interested in men now?"

Abhimanyu choked on his drink, snapping, "What the hell is that dirty mind of yours thinking?"

Raina burst out laughing. "Usually, you're either busy with work or with beautiful women. What's changed?"

Abhimanyu's eyes widened as memories of him spending time with numerous women reeled in his head. He stood up in disbelief. "Why was I like that in the past?"

Raina patted his shoulder reassuringly. "It's okay, Abhi. You're a handsome, young, and rich guy. Women approach you, so it's natural to be tempted."

Abhimanyu, however, felt annoyed and violated.

I'm a virgin, for God's sake! I've never touched any other woman except for Meera. And even then, we never went beyond a kiss.

Before Raina could respond, a model named Neha approached Abhimanyu seductively. He immediately remembered she had been hitting on him for a month, but he had never been interested in her.

"Hey, Abhi," Neha purred, leaning in closer. "I've been waiting for you to notice me."

Abhimanyu forced a polite smile, stepping back slightly. "I'm sorry, Neha. I'm just not in the mood tonight."

Raina, sensing the awkwardness, stepped in. "Neha, how about a drink on me? Abhi's had a long day."

Neha pouted but accepted Raina's offer, giving Abhimanyu a longing look before leaving with Raina.

Abhimanyu sighed in relief. "Thanks, Raina. I really need to go home and sleep."

Just then, their attention was drawn to a noise coming from the swimming pool area. Curious, everyone began gathering there, and Raina dragged Abhimanyu along.

By the pool, a young woman in a black sleeveless dress, revealing her long legs and shiny back, was facing away from them. She was cursing and pushing someone into the pool, making the person cough from the freezing cold water. The crowd started whispering about her, calling her rich and spoiled.

Abhimanyu asked Raina, "Who is she?"

Raina rolled his eyes and sighed. "That's the devil of a woman. You do not want to mess with her. She's ruthless and merciless. But I'll admit, she's one of the most gorgeous women I've ever seen."

Abhimanyu mumbled, "Not more than my Meera," under his breath.

Just then, the woman turned around, revealing her face. Abhimanyu felt like the earth slipped from under his feet. He stared in shock and disbelief, his voice barely a whisper. "Meera?"

His heart pounded in his chest as he locked eyes with the woman who was the spitting image of his lost love.

*****
Their reactions 👇
Meera. : 😏
Abhimanyu  : 🤯
Raina : 🥵
Me : 😂 😭🤣 Ijboling hard.

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Allah hafiz ✨