The information was like a bitter pill, hard to swallow and digest. My mind was reeling, and I felt paralyzed, unsure of what to do next. My thoughts were a jumbled mess, and I couldn't think straight. But then, a nagging doubt crept in, refusing to be silenced. Was this information really reliable? I thought I had my answer, but the more I thought about it, the more uncertain I became. Maybe, just maybe, there was something wrong with the information.

This unsettling thought hit me like a ton of bricks, and I knew I needed answers. I quickly called Riva into my cabin, my heart racing with anticipation.

"What's going on?" she questioned, her brow furrowed with concern, as she sat down in the chair.

I took a deep breath and voiced my doubts. "Are you sure this information is reliable?" My eyes searching hers for reassurance.

Riva paused, her expression solemn, as she delved deep into thought. The silence was palpable, and I could sense her weighing her words carefully. Finally, she countered with a question, her eyes locked intensely on mine.

"What do you think?" Her voice measured, as she leaned back in the chair, her gaze piercing through mine.

I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and rubbed my temples, hoping to clear my mind. Maybe the answers would come to me then.
"I don't know, but I have my own doubts about this," I said, opening my eyes. "You mentioned that the information came from unknown sources. Maybe someone is intentionally manipulating us."I blurted out my thoughts, and Riva nodded thoughtfully.

"Hmm... it's possible," she agreed. "We've been searching for this information for a long time, but got nothing. And then, suddenly, we have all this information. Don't you think it's too good to be true?"

She paused, her eyes narrowing as she connected the dots. "And the fact that you're related to the Randhawa's now, and this information reveals a past between the Randhawa's and Basu's... it's definitely suspicious. It's too much to be a coincidence."

I let her words sink in, and I had to admit, she made a compelling point. Maybe we were being played, and this information was just a pawn in a larger game.

"Why don't you do a DNA test to clarify this?" a third person suggested, taking a seat in the guest chair next to Riva.

Riva's eyes lit up with excitement as she turned to Atulya. "Atulya di! How are you? Where have you been? And when did you get back?" she probed, her questions tumbling out in rapid succession.

Atulya smiled calmly, unfazed by Riva's barrage of questions. "I'm doing well, as you can see," she replied. "I was held up with some work, and when I heard about Ava, I rushed back."

"So, tell me about your unexpected arrival," Atulya interrogated, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she leaned forward, her hands on the table. "I thought you'd be busy dealing with the aftermath of your uncle's death."

I took a deep breath and recounted the entire story, leaving out no details. Atulya's hands flew to her mouth, her eyes wide with surprise.

'It's not a big deal...' I thought 'It is.' my conscience voiced.

Atulya's golden eyes snapped open, her voice full of excitement. "Damn girl, you got married and didn't even tell us!"

I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah, like I planned it."

Atulya nodded, her expression serious. "Yeah!"

"By the way, Ava di, don't you think it's weird that you got unconscious from a simple drug?" Riva affirmed, her brow furrowed in concern. "This isn't the first time someone has tried to harm you in the last few years. You've taken precautions to ensure no medicine can harm you. So, how is this possible?"

Atulya finished Riva's sentence, her eyes locked on mine. "Until they knew which medicine could actually affect you!"

I nodded, a shiver running down my spine. Atulya was right. To the outside world, I was just a simple wedding planner at that time, not the heiress to the York Corporation. They should have used a common medicine, and I wouldn't have been affected so easily. But somehow, they knew exactly what to use. The thought sent a chill down my spine.

"You're right," I agreed. "That medicine was definitely not common. It didn't even give me a chance to react. Someone must have known about me." I narrowed my eyes, suspicion growing. "Looks like the Malhotras aren't as innocent as they pretend to be."

Riva waved her hand dismissively. "Forget about this for now. Let's have lunch together, we haven't seen each other in ages!" Both Atulya and I nodded in agreement.

"Let me order," Atulya offered, pulling out her phone from her jeans pocket. "What do you want to eat?" she quired, looking at us with a questioning gaze, her eyes shifting between Riva and me.

"Uhmm, I want Paneer Butter Masala and Garlic Naan," Riva ordered.

"Then I'm going with Kadhai Chicken and Butter Naan," Atulya spoke up.

"I'll take Biryani," I added.

"The order is placed, and it will take at least 30 minutes to arrive. See you guys later, I have an urgent work to attend to," Riva chimed, standing up from her chair and leaving the two of us alone.

"Atulya," I voiced, gaining the attention of the woman sitting in front of me.

"Yeah?" she replied, looking into my eyes, her gaze piercing and curious.

"I need information about the Rajvansh Family, specifically their current heir, Vihaan Singh Rajvansh," I told Atulya, my eyes locked on hers.

Atulya raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Okay," she responded calmly.

"I want you to handle this personally," I emphasized. "I need every single detail about his life, in detail. Leave no stone unturned."

Atulya nodded calmly, her expression unreadable. "Consider it done," she exclaimed, her voice low and even.

....................

I glanced at my wristwatch as I entered the palace, noting the time: 7:30. I had plenty of time to spare before dinner at 9. I headed to my room, deciding to take a refreshing bath. After getting freshened up and changing into a comfortable kurta and pants, I threw myself onto the comforter, only to be met with a loud groan.

I realized, with a start, that I had just crushed something - or someone - beneath my body.

"Ahh!! What the hell!" The groan was so loud that I was sure the entire palace had heard it. I sat up with a jolt and that's when I saw Adwait's disheveled form, rubbing his sore back.

"When did you get back?" Adwait questioned, his voice weak and strained.

I looked at his usually radiant face, now pale and clammy. His hands were rubbing his temples, a sign of discomfort. "Are you okay?" I asked, crouching down beside him on the bed, my brows shoot up together.

I placed my hand on his forehead, and he felt like he was on fire. "Damn, you're burning up! Let me get a thermometer," I exclaimed, quickly getting up to retrieve one from the bathroom.

"Open your mouth," I instructed, returning with the thermometer. Adwait hesitated, looking sheepish.

"I don't have that high of a fever," he grumbled, raking a hand through his hair.

"Oh, yeah! That's why you fainted, right?" Janav objected, his voice laced with concern.

I turned to look at the young man standing at the door, his eyes fixed on Adwait.

"He what?" I phrased, my brow furrowed in surprise.

"He fainted," Janav explained. "When his secretary saw him like this, he called me, and I tried to take him to the hospital, but he refused to go."

I turned back to Adwait, my voice firm. "What the hell, man? How did you faint, and what's the problem with going to the hospital?"

Adwait shrugged, his face pale. "It's nothing serious, just a viral fever."

I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "Nothing serious, huh? It's so serious that you fainted!"

"Believe me, I'm fine. Just let me rest for a few moments, and I'll be better," Adwait nagged, his voice weak but stubborn.

"No way! We should go to the doctor," I insisted, furrowing my brows together.

Adwait grunted, pulling the comforter over his head and he laid again . "Please, guys, I'm not in the mood to quarrel with you both."

I looked up at Janav, who was still standing at the doorsteps, holding a paper bag with a drugstore logo on it. It probably contained some medicine.

"You should rest, I'll take care of him," I assured Janav, and he hesitated but still nodded in agreement. He handed me the packet of medicine and left, closing the door behind him.

"At least let me check your temperature, so I can decide which medicine to give," I claimed, trying to reason with Adwait.

He reluctantly popped his head out from under the comforter, and I placed the thermometer in his mouth. After a few moments, I checked the reading and was alarmed. "Seriously, you have a fever of 104°F and you don't want to see a doctor?"

Adwait quoted, his voice muffled by the comforter, "Please, Ayla, I can't talk!"

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. He was being a stubborn, childish man. "Forget it! I can't give you any medicine with a fever this high," I commented, exasperated, and left the room to head to the kitchen.

"Bahurani, kuch chahiye kya aapko?"
one of the staff members asked as I entered the kitchen.

(Ma'am, do you need anything?)

"Yes, can I get a bowl of chilled water?" I requested.

"Sure!" he responded and quickly got me a big bowl, emptying a chilled bottle of water into it.

"Add some ice in it too, and another bowl of normal water," I instructed.

They handed me the tray with the bowls, and I left, thanking them. I chose a cotton handkerchief from Adwait's clothes and sat on the edge of the bed.

I soaked the handkerchief in the cold water, wrung it out, and gently removed the cover from Adwait's head. He didn't respond, his body limp and unresponsive. I placed my hands on his head, and it felt like it was burning even more than before. I repeated the process of soaking and applying the handkerchief to his forehead, trying to bring down his fever.

"Adwait!" I called out to him, but he didn't stir.

Just then, I heard a knock on the door. I opened it to find Maa standing there, concern etched on her face. "Is he fine?" she questioned, her voice soft.

"No, he has a really high fever," I replied, stepping aside to let her in.

I noticed a servant standing behind her, carrying a tray of food. He entered the room, placed the tray on the glass table, and left after completing his task. Maa's eyes went to Adwait's prone form, and her expression turned worried.

Maa went to the bed and checked Adwait's body temperature, her face etched with concern. "If you need any help, we're awake," she told me, her voice soft and reassuring. She patted my shoulder and left the room, adding, "And don't starve yourself, eat something."

I nodded, grateful for her support. After replacing the handkerchief on Adwait's forehead for what felt like the hundredth time, I checked his temperature again. To my relief, it had dropped to a better level. I glanced at the clock; it showed 4:00 AM.

"What happened?" I heard Adwait's low and shaky voice, his eyes fluttering open.

"Nothing, are you hungry?" I asked, supporting him as he sat up, leaning against the headboard.

"No..." he replied weakly.

"It doesn't matter, you need to eat something before taking the medicine," I insisted, trying to coax him into eating.

"But I don't want to eat..." he whispered, his voice still shaky.

I nodded, understanding. " Still, I'll get you something sweet. Maybe some fruit or juice?" I suggested, trying to find something that would appeal to him in his weakened state.

"Okay, just rest here, I'll be back soon!" I said, leaving Adwait's room with the tray of food.

I headed to the kitchen, but struggled to find what I needed, as I was unfamiliar with the layout.

After a few minutes of searching, I finally found the fruits and juice. I poured a glass of fruit juice and started cutting some fruits while sitting on the small table and chair present in the kitchen.

Just then, I heard the sound of footsteps and turned to see Ariv's back as he opened the fridge door. He turned around, and his eyes widened in surprise. "Ahh!!" he screamed, his hands flying to his chest, and his eyes popping out in shock.

I couldn't help but burst out laughing at the terrified posture of the boy. His reaction was so exaggerated that it made me laugh even harder. Ariv stared at me for a whole two minutes, trying to catch his rapid heartbeat, before finally joining me in my laughter.

We both laughed for a long time, until my stomach started to hurt.

"Bhabhi, do you need something?" Ariv probed, still chuckling.

"No, I was just here to get some fruits and juice for Adwait," I narrated, wiping tears from my eyes.

"Can I help?" he offered, his smile still visible.

"Thank you for asking, but I'm fine," I denied, smiling back. "I think you should go back to sleep, though. It's only 4:30 in the morning, and you have college too!" I reminded him.

Ariv nodded, yawning, and I could see the sleepiness taking over again. As I looked at him, all the information I had gathered yesterday started swirling in my head. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and pushed those thoughts to the back of my mind. It wasn't the right time to dwell on them. I needed to be sure before I decided on a course of action.

"Good night!" Ariv mumbled, still half asleep.

"Good morning!" I chuckled, correcting him.

He left the kitchen, still laughing, and I couldn't help but smile as I finished preparing the fruit and juice for Adwait.

I returned to Adwait's room, but he was still fast asleep. I tried to wake him up, saying, "Wake up and eat this, and then take your medicine!"

Adwait made some groggy faces, but eventually sat up, leaning against the table. I pushed the plate in front of him, trying to entice him to eat. He rubbed his eyes, still looking disoriented, but slowly began to focus on the food in front of him.

"Here, finish this," I encouraged, watching as Adwait took a bite of the apple slice, then slowly moved on to the other fruits.

As I gazed at him, I couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between his usual demeanor and his current state. Gone was the calm, composed, and aloof CEO, replaced by a cute, vulnerable kid. His usually immaculate hair was a mess, resembling a bird's nest, and his glowing skin had paled, with dark circles under his eyes. The intensity in his eyes, which could normally pierce through others, was missing.

I gently reshuffled the strands that were disturbing his eyes, and he looked up at me with a hint of gratitude. "Thanks," he rasped, his voice still weak.

I tried my luck again, asking, "Can you tell me why you didn't want to meet a doctor?"

But Adwait was stubborn, spouting a firm "No!"

I decided to tease him, saying, "But why? Just look at yourself! You look more like a beggar than a CEO!" I stated, trying to coax a smile out of him.

Adwait's eyes narrowed slightly, but I could see a hint of amusement in them, and I knew I was getting through to him.

Adwait glanced at himself, then checked his reflection through his phone's camera, and I could see the realization dawn on him that I was telling the truth. He looked a mess, and he knew it.

"I will take care of it! No need to worry!" he phrased, trying to reassure me, but I could hear the stubbornness in his tone.

I huffed, frustrated that he wouldn't listen to me. "I don't know what your reasons are, but risking your health is never good!" I glared at him, trying to drive the point home.

With that, I left the room to freshen up, still worrying about him. Why couldn't he just listen to me and take care of himself?

I chose a beautiful chikankari green kurta with matching pants, got refreshed, and came back to check on Adwait.

Adwait was sitting there, leaning against the headboard, looking like he was ready to take on the day. I was still fuming from our earlier conversation.

"At least rest for today!" I exclaimed, trying to reason with him.

But he just smiled and questioned, "Why are you in such a fierce mood, and where are you going all dressed up?"

I spat out my response, clenching my teeth in frustration. "Why did I have to ask you to go anywhere? You never listen to me, not even once!"

Adwait started coughing, and I immediately felt a pang of guilt. "Damn! Did you take the medicines I left on the table?" I quired him, already knowing the answer.

He shook his head, and I couldn't believe it. Gosh, this man.

I picked up the water glass from the table and handed it to him.

"Here, drink this,"I uttered, trying to calm him down. "And take your medicines, now."

After drinking some water, Adwait's coughing subsided, and he took the medicines I handed him.

Then, he quired, "Are you hungry by any chance?"

I pondered for a moment and shook my head, saying no. Adwait let out a chuckle, and I felt a twinge of offense. "What's so funny?" I objected, my tone slightly sharp.

He patted the place next to him on the bed, saying, "Come here, sit!" I didn't say anything but followed his instruction, curious about what he was up to.

As I sat down, he interrogated, "What's wrong?" I shook my head, still feeling a bit miffed.

Then, he picked up a bowl from the side table and, with a swift motion, scooped up some food from it and extended it towards me. "Eat!" he commanded.

I hesitated, asking, "What's in it?" The smell was unfamiliar, and I wasn't sure I wanted to try it.

Adwait just smiled and said, "Just eat it, trust me."

"Come on, eat! You're hungry, I promise it will suit your taste," Adwait pleaded, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

I hesitated for a moment, but then opened my mouth, and he quickly stuffed a spoonful of the food into it. It was upma, and to my surprise, it was really tasty.

"Here, eat it!" He handed me the bowl, and I took it from him, finishing the rest of the upma. It was delicious, and I felt a sense of satisfaction wash over me.

"Are you okay now?" Adwait asked, looking at me with concerned.

"Yeah, thanks!" I replied, feeling a bit better.

"You're welcome!" He chuckled, looking relieved.

"You should rest," I said, nodding towards him trying to hide my embarassment.