PROLOGUE: PART 1
~ ISHIKA ~
The day had been as ordinary as it could be for Ishika, who was waiting for her friends in a coffee shop. She had no adventures in her life, never had a boyfriend, or done anything out of bounds that could be considered daring. God forbid, she was not the type of person who you'll find in the midst of a commotion.
As Ishika sipped her latte, she watched the world outside the window. It was a typical day in the city, filled with the usual hustle and bustle. Her expressive almond-shaped, chocolate-brown eyes, framed by a pair of stylish purple-rimmed glasses, returned to the novel she was reading.
Her long, flowing black hair cascaded around her shoulders, framing her delicate heart-shaped face. A hint of a smile played on her lips, revealing a set of pearly white teeth. Her nose was straight and sharp, adding a touch of elegance to her features.
Just as Ishika reached a particularly suspenseful moment in the novel Her Perfect Revenge by Anna Mara, the café door flew open.
Ishika's three best friends—Mehak Gupta, Saanvi Agrawal, and Aanika Ahuja—burst into the coffee shop, effectively murdering the silence.
They rushed over to Ishika's table, faces flushed with excitement, looking like they had just won the lottery.
Mehak, usually the quiet and sarcastic one of the group, was the first to speak. "Guess what?" she whispered, though the excitement in her voice was loud enough. Mehak adjusted her stylish cat-eye sunglasses, her large eyes sparkling against her fair skin. "Tu sunegi toh pagal ho jayegi. (You'll go crazy when you hear this.)"
Saanvi, outgoing and bold, couldn't contain herself. She slammed her hands on the table. "It's going to be huge, Ishika! A royal party! Ekdum grand level ka scene hai! (It's a grand level scene!)"
Saanvi's short brown hair bounced as she spoke, her hazel eyes wide with a mix of anticipation and glee.
Aanika grinned mischievously, flipping her shoulder-length dark hair. "And guess who's planning it?"
Aanika had that look on her round, expressive face—the one that spelled trouble. Her deep brown eyes sparkled, and her famous dimple popped on her left cheek.
Ishika raised an eyebrow, already suspicious. "Who?"
"Me!" Aanika exclaimed proudly. Now, it was clear as day to Ishika that this was yet another one of Aanika's crazy ideas, and the other two airheads were following the leader of the airheads without any thought as usual. "I'm organising the birthday party for Princess Janvi Singh Rathore."
Ishika's heart skipped a beat. The book in her hand felt heavy suddenly.
Rathore.
The Rathores were not only one of the most powerful families in Rajasthan, but they were the rulers of the state, and their parties were legendary. Ishika and all present also knew that Rathores had a long-standing feud with her family, a fact that was well-known throughout Rajasthan.
Ishika's face paled. "No way," she said firmly. "I'm not going. You guys know everything, don't you? I doubt there is anyone in Jodhpur who doesn't."
Her tone was sharp, and her eyes were filled with fear and anger. Her friends were trying to convince her to do something that was outside of her comfort zone, knowing everything. She knew that attending the Rathore party was a bad idea.
Aanika pouted. "Come on, Ishika. It'll be fun."
"Fun?" Ishika scoffed. "Attending a Rathore party is the least fun thing I can think of."
Saanvi and Mehak exchanged worried glances. They knew convincing Ishika was going to be tough, but were they going down without a fight? Hell no.
"Please, Ishika," Saanvi pleaded. "We'll be there with you."
Ishika became increasingly agitated by the discussion. "You know perfectly well that that's not the concern here," she said in a very dull tone.
"But it's such a great opportunity to watch our little Aanika doing such a great job on her own," said Saanvi, acting like a mother hen taking Aanika under her wing. All of them looked at Ishika as if she were the most insensitive person on earth.
"Nahi main nahi aa sakti (No, I'm not coming.)" Ishika stood her ground, knowing full well that winning against them would probably cost her an arm and a leg, but in the end, she would be going with them even if they had to carry her there limping.
"Par kyu? Aisi party pata nhi phir kab hogi, chal na! (But Why? No one knows when such a party will happen again. Come please!)" Aanika asked, trying to persuade Ishika.
Aanika's business was thriving. A royal party at the Palace of Jodhpur, where the royal family lived? She was incredibly lucky to land such a job. This was a very big break for her. Perhaps success had gone to her head, causing her to do bizarre things like cause trouble at her own party.
"Just because this party is at the Rathore Palace doesn't mean everybody wants to be there," Ishika's voice was firm. Mehak gave her a side-eye, while Aanika and Saanvi sighed in exasperation.
"Kaisi baatein kar rahi hai, tujhe chalna hi padega, Mehak, Saanvi. Kuch bolona isse. (Why are you talking like this? You have to come. Mehak, Saanvi. Tell her something.)" Aanika pleaded.
"Haan, haan, thik hai, look how it's done, Ishu tu chal rahi hai, and that's final. (Yeah, yeah, alright, look how it's done, Ishu, you are coming, and that's final.)" Saanvi said.
Ishika shook her head, half-amused, and half-terrified.
"You have to come, Ishu, or no one is going." Mehak looked at Ishika intensely, her eyes boring into hers.
"Tum logo ka dimaag toh thik hai na? (Are you all out of your minds?)" Ishika whispered, leaning in. "Ek toh invitation nahi hai, aur upar se tumhe pata toh hai ki mere Dadaji aur Suryapratap Singh Rathore ka chatees ka ankda hai! (Not only do we not have invitations, but you know my Grandfather and Suryapratap Singh Rathore are sworn enemies!) Baba Sa ko pata chala ki mein waha gai thi toh jaan le lenge. (If Dad finds out I went there, he will kill me.)"
Aanika winked, looking far too pleased with herself. "Invitation ki chinta mat kar. (Don't worry about the invitation.) I'm the organizer. You guys are going to enter as my 'Special Coordination Team'. VVIP access, baby."
Ishika wanted to go along with whatever crazy ideas her friends were cooking up—she loved them, after all—but the knot of dread in her stomach told her this was a terrible, terrible idea.
To Be Continued...