Chapter 12: OFF TO INDIA
[The Unexpected Proposal]
Rivaan stood frozen, his gaze locked on Aiyana as though she'd dropped from the sky. The tension in the room was palpable, broken only by the faint sizzling of food on the stove. Jilpa glanced between the two, his confusion obvious.
Jilpa: "Okay, someone better start explaining. Who is she, and why is she asking for you?"
Rivaan finally moved, exhaling sharply as he ran a hand through his hair.
Rivaan: "This is Aiyana. She's… well, let's just say she's connected to my family."
Aiyana crossed her arms, stepping forward with an air of confidence.
Aiyana: "I'm not just connected to your family, Rivaan. I'm your fiancée. Or at least, that's what your grandfather still expects me to be."
Jilpa nearly dropped the spoon he was holding.
Jilpa: "Fiancée? Rivaan? Are you serious right now?"
Rivaan groaned, rubbing his temples.
Rivaan: "It's complicated, okay? My grandfather arranged this years ago, but I… left before anything could happen."
Aiyana: "Ran away, you mean. You didn't even give him an explanation, Rivaan. Do you have any idea how much of a scandal it was?"
Jilpa raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.
Jilpa: "Wait, wait. Let me get this straight. Rivaan here is some runaway heir? What's next, he's secretly a prince?"
Aiyana sighed but smiled faintly.
Aiyana: "Not quite, but close. Rivaan's grandfather is a multi-millionaire back in India. He built an empire, and Rivaan was supposed to be a part of it. The engagement was as much about family legacy as it was tradition."
Rivaan crossed his arms, his frustration evident.
Rivaan: "And I wanted no part of it. I'm not some pawn in his games, Aiyana. That's why I left. To live my own life."
Aiyana: "I understand that, Rivaan. But your grandfather sent me here to bring you back. He's adamant about this engagement, and he won't take no for an answer."
Jilpa leaned against the counter, watching the exchange like it was a live drama.
Jilpa: "So… what's the plan? Are you going back to India to marry her and live in a mansion?"
Rivaan glared at him.
Rivaan: "No. I'm not going back, and I'm not getting married. My life is here."
Aiyana: "Your grandfather isn't going to let this go, Rivaan. And he's already set things in motion. He's planning a family gathering next month, and you're expected to attend. If you don't, he'll come here himself."
Rivaan's frustration deepened, but there was a flicker of concern in his eyes.
Rivaan: "I didn't ask for this, Aiyana. I've been trying to escape that life for years."
Aiyana's expression softened slightly.
Aiyana: "I know. But I'm not here to force you. I'm here to help you make a decision. Just… think about it, okay?"
With that, she turned to leave, pausing at the door.
Aiyana: "By the way, your cooking smells amazing. Maybe next time, invite me to dinner instead of leaving me standing in the doorway."
As she left, Jilpa burst into laughter.
Jilpa: "Rivaan, my guy, you've got some serious explaining to do. A multi-millionaire family? An arranged engagement? What else are you hiding from me?"
Rivaan shook his head, a small smile breaking through his frustration.
Rivaan: "Trust me, Jilpa. You've got the whole picture now. And it's as much a mess as it sounds."
The two fell into a comfortable silence, the weight of the unexpected visit settling in. For now, Rivaan knew he had to figure out how to deal with his past—and the choices it demanded of him.
[The Plan to Crash the Party]
The room was quiet after Aiyana's departure. Rivaan slumped into the couch, his face buried in his hands, while Jilpa leaned against the counter, arms crossed and smirking.
Jilpa: "So… what's the move, Mr. Runaway Heir? Gonna ignore your millionaire grandpa or face the music?"
Rivaan groaned, lifting his head to glare at him.
Rivaan: "I don't know, okay? I thought I left all of that behind when I came here."
Jilpa: "Well, apparently, they didn't get the memo. Honestly, though, you've got an opportunity here."
Rivaan: "Opportunity to what? Get dragged back into a life I never wanted?"
Jilpa's grin widened.
Jilpa: "No, you idiot. Opportunity to make a statement. If your grandpa wants you at this family gathering so bad, why not show up on your own terms?"
Rivaan raised an eyebrow.
Rivaan: "What do you mean?"
Jilpa pushed off the counter, pacing the room with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Jilpa: "Think about it. You're expected to attend like some obedient little heir, right? But what if you showed up not to bow down but to crash the party? Shake things up a little, make it clear you're not playing by their rules."
Rivaan leaned back, considering the idea.
Rivaan: "You're saying we go to India, not to accept the engagement, but to… disrupt it?"
Jilpa: "Exactly. And not just disrupt it—turn it into something they'll never forget. You've got power now, Rivaan, literally and figuratively. Use it."
Rivaan smirked, the idea starting to take root.
Rivaan: "You're insane, you know that?"
Jilpa: "Hey, insanity is just another word for creativity. Besides, wouldn't it feel good to walk into that mansion and let them know you're not some puppet?"
Rivaan stood, the energy in the room shifting as he made up his mind.
Rivaan: "Fine. Let's do it. But we need a plan. If we're going to crash the party, we do it right."
Jilpa clapped his hands together, his excitement barely contained.
Jilpa: "Now you're talking! Let's make this the most chaotic family reunion they've ever seen."
The two spent the evening strategizing. They'd need to blend in initially, gather information, and find the perfect moment to make their move. Jilpa suggested using their powers sparingly—just enough to make a point without causing outright chaos.
As the night went on, Rivaan began to feel a sense of anticipation. For the first time, he wasn't running away. He was facing his past head-on—but on his own terms.
The next morning, they booked their tickets to India. Their mission wasn't just to crash the party but to reclaim Rivaan's autonomy. They were ready to shake the foundation of the life Rivaan had left behind.
This wasn't about acceptance. It was about defiance. And Rivaan wasn't going alone. Jilpa, ever the troublemaker, was more than happy to be his partner in crime.
[The Days Before India]
The decision to drop out wasn't easy, but it wasn't surprising either. Rivaan and Jilpa had spent countless hours debating their next steps after agreeing to crash the engagement party. School seemed like an afterthought in the grand scheme of their lives now.
On the first day after their decision, Rivaan met Jilpa at the diner where they usually plotted their adventures. Over a plate of noodles and dumplings, they finalized the paperwork to withdraw from school.
Rivaan: "Well, that's it. No more school. I guess we're officially rebels now."
Jilpa: "Rebels? Try legends in the making, bro. We're about to take this story international."
Rivaan chuckled, but the weight of what they were about to do lingered in the back of his mind.
Day Two: Packing and Prepping
Rivaan's small apartment was a whirlwind of activity as the two packed for the trip. Jilpa stuffed his bag with essentials—clothes, toiletries, and an alarming amount of snacks—while Rivaan carefully packed the spiritual books they'd been using for training.
Jilpa: "You really think we'll need those books in India?"
Rivaan: "You never know. If we're going to crash the party, we might as well be prepared for anything."
As they packed, Aiyana stopped by, curious about their plans.
Aiyana: "You two really are something else. Most people would just avoid the drama, but no—you're running straight into it."
Jilpa: "That's because we're not 'most people.' We're Rivaan and Jilpa. Drama doesn't scare us—it fuels us."
Aiyana smirked but couldn't hide her concern.
Aiyana: "Just… be careful, okay? Rivaan, your family doesn't play around."
Rivaan: "Don't worry. We've got this."
Day Three: The Last Training Session
They spent the day at the temple, honing their powers one last time before the trip. Rivaan practiced controlling the intensity of his light heat, determined to avoid another accident like the one at school. Jilpa worked on manifesting his slave chains more quickly, focusing on precision and control.
Their teacher, an old ghost who had taken an interest in their powers, gave them parting advice.
ghost: "Remember, power without purpose is chaos. Use what you've learned wisely. The path ahead will test more than just your abilities—it will test your character."
The words stuck with them as they left the temple that evening, the weight of their mission sinking in.
Day Four: Farewells
The next day was spent saying goodbye to the people they cared about. Rivaan visited the graves of his parents and siblings, leaving flowers and promising to return stronger. Jilpa spent the day at his mother's grave, silently vowing to honor her memory by living life on his terms.
Day Five: The Calm Before the Storm
The day before their flight, they treated themselves to one last day of fun in the city. They went to the arcade, devoured street food, and even caught a late-night movie.
As they sat on a park bench overlooking the city, Rivaan turned to Jilpa.
Rivaan: "You nervous?"
Jilpa: "Not even a little. You?"
Rivaan: "A little. But it's not going to stop me."
Jilpa: "Good. Because tomorrow, we take the first step toward changing everything."
They bumped fists, the weight of their mission tempered by their unwavering bond. The next day, they would board a plane to India—not as students, but as young men ready to challenge the world.
THANK YOU FOR READING
TO BE CONTINUED