Two weeks earlier...

The conference room on the 45th floor of the Manhattan skyscraper overlooked the glittering Hudson River. Sunlight poured through the glass walls, illuminating the sleek mahogany table where two empires were about to collide willingly or not.

Rudranshi sat with perfect posture, her tailored navy blue pantsuit hugging her frame, her pendant catching the light.

Across from her, Lakshya leaned back in his chair like he owned the building, charcoal suit impeccable, that signature arrogant tilt to his jaw. Their assistants, Priya and Arjun, sat at the far end, already exchanging wary glances already aware of what was coming.

Mr. Viktor Lang, the Swiss-German client with a fortune in sustainable tech, steepled his fingers and smiled warmly.

“I must say, seeing both Rajawat Global and Suryavanshi Ventures bidding together on this green energy corridor project is…refreshing but what truly convinced me to shortlist you both is the chemistry I sense. You two fight like couples, very passionately at that”

Rudranshi's smile froze and Lakshya’s fingers tightened around his pen. Before she could deliver a cutting reply, Lakshya leaned forward, his voice smooth, “That’s because we are one, Mr. Lang. Rudranshi and I… we’ve been together for a while now. The fights that you see… it’s just how we keep things exciting”

Rudranshi's head snapped toward him so fast her neck made a crack sound.

What the-???

Mr. Lang’s eyes lit up and he beamed, “Ah! A power couple! My wife loves love stories. In my country, we believe partnerships built on personal bonds are unbreakable and if you two can merge your strengths the way you merged your lives… this deal is yours but I need to see it. Authenticity matters the most to me”

Priya and Aarav simultaneously pinched the bridge of their noses, shaking their heads slowly behind their bosses’ backs.

Rudranshi forced a smile that felt like it might crack her jaw. Under the table, her heel dug into Lakshya’s shoe as she grit out, “Of course, Mr. Lang. Lakshya’s right, we’re… a team in every way.”

Lakshya didn’t even flinch, instead he reached across the table and laced his fingers with hers, lifting their joined hands to press a kiss on her knuckles, “See? She’s the fire and I’m the fuel. We're the perfect match.”

Meanwhile Rudranshi's internal scream could have powered the entire grid.

I will kill you, Lakshya. Slowly. Painfully.

When Mr. Lang stepped out for a call, the act dropped in an instant.

She shoved him away, “Couple? Couple?! Tum pagal ho gaye ho kya? What the hell was that?”

Lakshya adjusted his cufflinks, completely unfazed, “Risk elimination, trouble. Tumne suna nahi his wife loves love stories. To ab yeh pretend karna padega ki hum couple hain jab tak deal sign nahi hojati or yeh baat tum bhi jaanti ho ki kitna bada project hai yeh”

“Pretend to be a couple?” She looked horrified at the thought of that, “Tum mere paas aaoge, mujhse pyaar se baat karoge? Mujhe to soch ke hi cringe feel ho raha hai” She added while making faces.

“Aisa sab kiye bina bhi ho sakta hai par ye sab believable lagega isliye warna mujhe koi shauk nahi hai tumhare sath ye sab karne ka samjhi!“ He argued.

“Tumhe kya pata ki asli couples kaise rehte hai, tumhari kabhi koi girlfriend jo nahi thi“ She teased with a smirk.

“Aur tumhara boyfriend tha??” He asked casually expecting a no or any other insult but what she said made him turn in an instant.

“Obviously” She shrugged but Lakshya was in no mood to joke so he cleared his throat.

“Kaun tha wo? Aur kab tha ye boyfriend?? College me to koi nahi thi fir kab??” He inquired with a serious look on his face.

She looked at him before speaking, “Tumhe kya hai?! Ab iss plan me kya karna hai yeh batao”

He stepped closer, towering over her, “Mai tumhe jis bhi naam se bulau tum sunogi or jab bhi wo aaye smile! Got it? You have to smile and look happy, you have to look at me like I'm the love of your life” he completed his instructions.

Priya cleared her throat loudly from the corner, “He is coming back guys” as she completed Aarav like a hyperactive kid signalled them to get close dramatically.

Instantly, Lakshya pulled Rudranshi towards himself as if it were the most natural thing and she stiffened at the closeness.

“Lakshya-”

“Shh, my wild flower” he cooed loudly as Mr. Lang re-entered. His hand rubbed soothing circles on her back which made Rudranshi’s face burn with half rage and half something she refused to name.

She retaliated by looping her arms around his neck, “My very strong, handsome partner!!” she purred and then muttered, “I hate you so much right now”

He caressed her cheek, “Feeling is mutual, baby”

Time Skip…

The “couple act” began immediately.

First test: the coffee break.

Mr. Lang insisted they all step out to the private lounge for informal bonding.

Lakshya slid his arm around Rudranshi's waist as they walked, pulling her close as palm burned through the fabric of her suit. “Smile, jaan” he whispered in her ear, voice dripping with extra sweetness, “He is watching”

Rudranshi turned, batting her lashes in exaggerated adoration while her nails dug into his side, “Oh, baby, you’re so thoughtful. You always know what I need.”

Her voice was sugary poison as she added looking at Mr. Lang, “He brings me coffee exactly the way I like it. Strong and zero sugar just like his ego”

Lakshya chuckled, the sound low and annoyingly attractive before he leaned down, brushing his lips against her temple, “And she nags me about health like a typical wife. Last week she threw out my protein bars because they had ‘too many additives.’ Can you believe it, Mr. Lang?”

Rudranshi laughed, a bright, tinkling sound that made Priya choke on her water. Internally, she was counting ways to dispose of his body in the East River.

“Only because I care, Lakshya. What would I do without my arrogant, overbearing boyfriend who thinks he is the smartest?”

Mr. Lang beamed with happiness, “Beautiful! This is exactly the synergy we need for the project.”

Aarav whispered to Priya, “Agar ye chup nahi hua to dono milke kahi iska hi khoon na karde. Mai to kehta hu apni will ready karlo, yeh drama khatam hote hote ya to wo bachenge ya hum.”

Priya sighed, “Wahi to. Ek baar chuha billi ek dusre ke sath reh lenge par ye dono ek sath? Impossible.”

The next few hours were a masterclass in controlled chaos.

During the strategy presentation, Lakshya insisted on “demonstrating partnership.” He pulled Rudranshi’s chair closer to his until their thighs brushed. Every time she spoke about market expansion, he nodded along, playing with a strand of her hair, “My girl has the sharpest business mind in New York,” he declared with eyes locked on her face, “I’d be lost without her.”

She wanted to gag but instead, she rested her head on his shoulder for a second, inhaling his infuriatingly expensive cologne. “And Lakshya’s vision is unmatched. He’s the only one who can keep up with me.” She turned her face slightly and whispered against his neck, “Touch my hair again and I’ll snap your fingers. Hath tod dungi tumhara!”

He smirked, voice barely audible, “Try it, trouble. Phir dekhna kya hota hai.”

Second test: Lunch was another battlefield.

Mr. Lang and his wife wanted “couple stories“ so they invented them on the spot.

Lakshya fed her a bite of salad, eyes soft for the audience, “Our first date was a disaster. She argued with me the entire time about who had the better pitch deck in college.”

Rudranshii leaned in, wiping an imaginary crumb from his lip with her thumb, a move that made Aarav stare at the ceiling in despair.

“But he kept coming back like a persistent headache I can’t get rid of. Now look at us, building empires together.”

Under the table, their feet tangled in a silent war. She kicked his shin and he trapped her ankle between his.

Mrs. Lang clapped and her husband said, “Inspiring! I see no reason why we can’t move to final terms”

By the time the contracts were laid out, both Rudranshi and Lakshya were exhausted from the performance and their assistants looked traumatized.

One last act: the celebration

As pens hit paper and the deal was sealed, Rajawat Global and Suryavanshi Ventures would co-lead the $2.4 billion project. Lakshya pulled Rudranshi into his arms, lifting her slightly off the ground in a spin that looked joyful.

“Partner,” he whispered against her ear, voice laced with real respect and admiration, “Mission successful”

She hugged him back tightly, equally happy, “Partners in business only, Lakshya but it's ok. We did it!”

Mrs Lang looked at them in awe, “True love!”

Priya and Aarav exchanged defeated head shakes one final time.

Evening fell over New York. The deal was done and they were now forced partners for the next 18 months.

Rudranshi stood on the Brooklyn Bridge, wind whipping her hair as she leaned against the railing, staring at the lights of the city. She had changed into a simple cream sweater and denim skirt. Lakshya found her there and walked towards her with his hands in his pockets.

He didn’t speak at first. Just stood beside her, the silence surprisingly comfortable after so much of madness.

“I’m going back soon,” Rudranshi said quietly after a moment of silence.

“I'm going back too” He told her and when he got no response, “Kuch kehna hai?” He asked looking at her face as something felt off.

“Why do you think so?” She asked studying his face properly for the first time.

He shrugged, “You look like you need to share some things“

As soon as he completed she smiled, “I don't know if I should tell you or not but just listen to me ok, don't judge me!”

“My family, Bui… they all miss me. The trio keep sending memes about how the house is too quiet without me. Bui wants me to take over more of the legal side of the empire but going back means facing all the expectations again. Sab chahte hai ki mai Bui ki tarah banu but I know that no one can be Ira Rajawat ever. She is the only one you know, isliye darr lagta hai” She let out everything that was on her mind.

Lakshya listened, really listened for once and then said, “Then be like Rudranshi Rajawat” he added after while, “Family expectations rakhti hi hai, but your family doesn't want you to become like your Bui, they just want you to continue her legacy and create your own identity along the way.”

“Tumhari family ko bhi tumse expectations hongi na? How do you deal with your emotions?” She questioned looking at him.

“Bohot expectations hai. Meri Dadisa… she thinks I’m her perfect soldier. No attachments and no weaknesses. Wo chahti hai ki mai unki har ek baat manu but you know what I don't want to. Vivaan bhaiya went against everyone for Mahika bhabhi and I admire that, but I know the cost. Isliye mujhe family matters me padna achha lagta hi nahi hai”

“You really are different, Lakshya Suryavanshi” She chuckled.

Then suddenly she turned to him, eyes glistening when a single tear escaped, “Lakshya, it's just… I just want to make them proud without losing myself. Bui trusts me so much… what if I let her down?”

Lakshya’s hand moved before he could stop it as he brushed the tear away with his thumb, the touch surprisingly gentle. Then the tease returned in his voice to cut the heaviness.

“Arre waah, Rudranshi Rajawat emotional ho rahi hai? Meri wo college wali sherni jo mujhe har debate me hara deti thi, ab yahan aise roye achha nahi lagta. Chalo, main tumhe ice cream khilata hu, Cookies and creams wali, exactly how the ‘perfect’ princess likes it.”

She laughed through the tears, shoving his shoulder “Shut up, idiot. Tum kabhi serious nahi reh sakte na?”

“Serious rehne se zindagi asli mayne me jee nahi paate, trouble.” He smirked, but his eyes were soft as he added, “Airport pe milte hain kal. Don’t be late warna mujhe plane rukwana pad jayega meri jaan ke liye”

She rolled her eyes, but a small smile played on her lips, “Dream on, Lakshya. Partners in business and nothing personal”

“Whatever you say, jaan” he winked, using the fake endearment one last time.

They stood side by side for a few more minutes, the city humming beneath them, the bridge lights reflecting in the water. The rivalry was still there but something else, something fragile and unnamed had cracked open.

Udaipur

In the Suryavanshi Palace, the evening lamps cast a golden glow in the private family sitting room. Kalyani Devi sat on her ornate chair like a queen on her throne and her sons sat on her each sides while the daughters-in-law sat infront of her with pallus respectfully adjusted. Her grandsons and grand daughter-in-laws sat a little away.

“Lakshya kab aa raha hai ye baat final karo” Kalyani Devi declared, her voice leaving no place for argument, “Woh New York mein bahut samay barbaad kar chuka hai, ab uski shaadi ka samay aa gaya hai.”

Raghavendra frowned slightly. “Maa, let him focus on the new project first. He’s doing well.”

Kalyani Devi waved a hand, “Project wagera baad me. Mai uske liye ladki dekh rahi hu. Aisi ladki jo hamare niyam or humari sanskriti ko samjhe. Mai Lakshya ko achhe se janti hu, wo kabhi mujhe na nahi kahega”

Nandini remained quiet, eyes downcast. Vibha nodded enthusiastically, agreeing with every word, “Han maa sa. Lakshya aapki bahut izzat karta hai aakhir kar aapki hi to parvarish hai”

Vivaan dared to speak. “Dadisa, ek baar usse puchh lete hai kya pata koi pasand– ”

“Bas” Kalyani Devi’s eyes flashed. “Love marriage? Tum gaye the humare khilaaf par Lakshya aisa nahi karega. Tumhare jaisa nahi hai wo, usise shaadi karega jisse hum kahenge”

The room fell into tense silence. Aadhya and Sneha exchanged subtle glances. Mahika kept her face neutral, though her grip on Vivaan’s hand tightened. Ritvik and Samarth tried lightening the mood by diverting the topic but Dadisa's sharp words still lingered in the air.

Somewhere across the world, her perfect grandson had just wiped away a tear from the enemy’s daughter’s cheek.

The wheels of fate were turning faster than anyone realized.