The Rathores Morning

Author’s POV

It was a bright morning at the Rathore Mansion. After many years, the daughter of the house was finally coming home after completing her studies. Everyone was buzzing with excitement, eagerly awaiting her arrival.

Reshma, the mother of the house, had woken up early at 7:00 AM. After finishing her morning prayers (puja), she instructed the servants to prepare all of her daughter's favorite dishes.

Reshma (to the head chef):

"Arey suno Maharaj-ji! Aaj meri beti aa rahi hai, toh aap uski pasand ka saara khana banayega. Bas meetha chhod ke, woh main banaungi meri bachi ke liye..."

(English: "Listen, Chef! My daughter is coming home today, so please prepare all of her favorite dishes. Except for the sweets—I will make those myself for my little girl.")

After speaking with the chef, Reshma went upstairs to her eldest son’s room to see what he was doing, as it was already 8:00 AM. When she opened the door, she found the bed empty.

"Ab Avi kahan hai?" she murmured to herself. (English: "Now, where is Avi?")

She figured he must be in the gym. She often worried about the young men of the house; she didn't even know what time they had returned home the previous night. She wanted to wait up for them, but her sons had strictly forbidden it.

"Maa, aap mera wait mat kiya kijiye. Mujhe bilkul bhi accha nahi lagta ki aap mere liye itni raat tak jaagti hain," they would tell her.

(English: "Mom, please don't wait up for me. I don't like it at all when you stay awake so late into the night for my sake.")

Thinking of this, she headed toward the mansion’s gym. There, she found her two "eyes' stars" (her beloved sons).

One was on the inclined treadmill, wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt, drenched in sweat. This was the younger son, Akhil Rathore. He is 27 years old and works as a junior doctor at Times Hospital. He is the funniest member of the family, always making everyone laugh.

The other one was doing push-ups. He wore only sweatpants, his upper body bare, flexing his eight-pack abs and a muscular physique built through years of discipline and hard work. This was none other than Avinash Dev Rathore, the eldest son.

Reshma approached them and said:

"Abhi tak tum dono ka exercise khatam nahi hua? Bahut hua! Ab tum dono ki choti behen aa rahi hai, jaldi jao aur taiyar ho jao."

(English: "Haven't you two finished your workout yet? That's enough! Your younger sister is arriving soon; go quickly and get ready.")

Hearing their mother's voice, both brothers looked up. Akhil, the younger one, nodded and headed to his room. Reshma then walked over to Avinash.

"Kal kab aaye ghar?" she asked. (English: "What time did you get home last night?")

Avinash: "Ma, 10:30 ko ek urgent meeting thi, toh late ho gaya. Okay Ma, main jata hoon nahane. Choti bhi aa rahi hai, toh aaj jaldi aaunga office se."

(English: "Mom, there was an urgent meeting at 10:30, so I got delayed. Okay Mom, I'm going to shower now. Since my little sister is coming, I'll make sure to come home early from the office today.")

Reshma: "Jaa, jaldi aana dining table par." (English: "Go on, but come to the dining table quickly.")

He headed to his room, and she went downstairs to check if breakfast was ready.

Avinash’s POV...

I stepped into the cold shower, letting the water wash away the sweat from my morning workout. My mind, however, was already at the office. There were deals to sign and people to manage.

"Choti is coming home," I muttered to myself as I adjusted the towel around my waist.

A small smile tugged at my lips—the only one she ever managed to get out of me. In this mansion, I was the pillar of strength, the one who didn't break, the one who controlled everything. But for my sister, I was just her Bhaiya.

I walked into my walk-in closet and picked out a crisp, black charcoal suit. As I fastened my watch, my phone buzzed on the mahogany table. It was a message from my assistant.

The smile vanished instantly. My jaw tightened as I read the name on the screen.

In business, I always get what I want. And soon, life was going to demand a different kind of deal from me—one that wouldn't be settled in a boardroom.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror. People call me heartless, and maybe I am. But they haven't seen anything yet.

I headed downstairs. The smell of the breakfast Maa was making filled the air, but my mind was already miles away, thinking about the one thing I couldn't yet control.

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I’m so nervous because this is my first story! Did you guys like the bond between Reshma and her sons? And who’s excited to meet the sister? 🙋‍♀️

So, what are your first impressions of Avinash Dev Rathore? Is he the 'Strict Businessman' type or is there a soft side hidden under those 8-pack abs? 👀"

A) Total Red Flag (but we love it!)

B) Secretly a softie for his family.

C) I'm scared of him already!!

Byy lovies see you soon 💓

Words: 4200

Please vote and comment if you enjoyed it—it really motivates me to keep writing and bring you the next part of Avinash and Ananya’s story!