Aryan Veer Singh

Capturing her every feature, I sense my heart quickening with an intensity that echoes through the chambers of my being. As I observe the depth of hatred in her brown eyes, I'm left questioning the missteps that may have led to such animosity. The weight of uncertainty lingers, and I reflect on what actions may have soured our connection.

Certain that this is our first encounter, I can't shake the haunting familiarity of her eyes. Beneath the layers of blankness and hatred, I discern a well of pain and vulnerability that sparks an unspoken connection, leaving me both intrigued and troubled.

Approaching her, I notice a protective boy, no older than Aarav, shielding her and holding her hand. An unexpected surge of both hatred and jealousy engulfs me, I mean there's no need to touch her. It's not like I'm gonna cause her any harm, at least not intentionally. The complexity of emotions unfolds in that moment.

Scolding my mind for dwelling on her, I remind myself that I know nothing about her, not even her name. The possibility that she could be an acquaintance of the robber adds another layer of uncertainty, urging me to tread cautiously in this mysterious encounter.
The doubts surrounding her presence weigh heavily on my heart, and the inexplicable pain prompts a sense of urgency. Contemplating consulting a cardiologist, I grapple with the realization that something within me is undeniably amiss.

As Sphere-39's Commander-in-Chief addresses the crowd, everyone swiftly assembles in their electronic pads for identification. Amidst the attendance process, I notice the brown-orbed girl and the stupid boy exchanging furtive glances, sparking intrigue in the midst of the regimented proceedings.

As she approached the electronic pads of identification, the machine swiftly labeled her as Veerika, such a pretty name, a gardener in the palace. The name resonated in my mind, and I found myself quietly pronouncing it. Beside her, the boy, seemingly relieved, was recognized as a soldier with a name I didn't bother to notice.

Yet, an odd feeling crept over me - a sense that our AI system wasn't functioning as it should. The unease lingered without a clear reason.

As the entire staff was identified, Viraj's revelation aligned with the subtle hints my conscience had been signaling. A realization dawned, though I couldn't quite put my finger on what had triggered the disquiet in the first place.

"The advanced age machine, untouchable by manipulation, has identified the entire crowd," Viraj murmurs near my ears, his tone carrying a hint of concern. "Yet, curiously, it seems there are two additional members present, ones the machine hasn't accounted for."

"What secrecy is this?" Aarvendra's voice thundered through the corridor, anger seeping into his words. "Disclose the nature of your discussion now!"

"The one in power here is the crown prince, not you," Viraj countered swiftly, his voice carrying a touch of defiance. "Check your tone when addressing him."

"I don't care if our father wants you to take charge," Aarvendra bellowed even louder, his voice echoing through the sphere. "I'm in charge of sphere-39, and I won't tolerate secrecy or insubordination!"

"Yet, you couldn't thwart the robbers," Viraj snapped, frustration lacing his words. "Five robberies in a week, and your incapability is glaring. The responsibility bestowed upon you seems too heavy for a nineteen year old prince."

"Incapable as you are, the robbers managed to strike even in your presence, right within the main palace," Aarvendra retorted, a sharp edge to his words.

"Enough," I interjected in a calm yet dangerous voice that demanded respect, stepping between my commander in chief and youngest brother. The weight of authority echoed in my words, calling for an end to the dispute.

"I won't tolerate a family conflict in front of the staff," I firmly stated, my voice carrying a tone of authority.

"He is not family" Aarvendra screeched.

"I'm more of a family to him than you ever will" Viraj calmly said.

"Family or not, such conflicts from people who hold so much of authority are unacceptable" I responded sternly, maintaining composure in the face of Aarvendra's screech.

My eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for the beauty and the idiotic boy who accompanied her, but they were nowhere to be found. Unease settled in as their absence raised more questions.

I interrogated the other gardeners and soldiers about the elusive duo, but it appeared they were encountering them for the first time. The mystery deepened, leaving me with more questions than answers.

"Perhaps they are newly appointed," Aarvendra chimed in, offering a plausible explanation. The possibility lingered in the air, but the uncertainty persisted.

"Your point is valid. But being newly appointed doesn't explain their sudden absence from the corridor," I acknowledged, suspicion weaving through my thoughts.

His commander in chief, utilizing our advanced security technology, disclosed their location, pinpointing their presence in the garden. The pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place, yet more questions lingered.

Dispersing the rest of the staff for interrogation by the two chiefs, I swiftly made my way towards the garden, eager to unravel the mystery that seemed to have taken root there with Aarvendra on my tail.

Our eyes lock, my ebony ones meeting her brown orbs, and in that moment, time seems to stand still for me.

"What's your name?" I questioned, despite knowing the answer, a desperate desire to hear her voice bubbling within me for reasons I couldn't fathom.

"Not like you were peeping into the attendance pads or something," she sarcastically remarked, her voice holding a edge. "It's Veerika Verma."

"And I'm Yuvaan" the stupid monkey said. No boy, no one is talking to you here.

"What are you two doing? I assume the orders were strict and clear, stay in the corridor," I questioned, choosing to ignore the monkey called Bejubaan and focusing on Veerika's response.

"I wasn't interested in a family feud anyway. Some people have actual work and duties to perform, unlike you, interrogating newcomers and pausing the flow of work," Veerika responded, her tone carrying a mix of annoyance and sincerity.

"I like her," Aarvendra admitted with a laugh, breaking the tension, and for the first time in years, a genuine smile crossed his face.

I like her too.

"What did I ever do to earn such a sheer amount of anger from you, Princess?" I asked, my tone carrying a mix of curiosity and frustration.

"Anger?" she scoffed, "Oh, you have no idea." The weight of unspoken grievances lingered in her words, leaving room for a deeper, untold story.

Confusion clouded my thoughts as her answer left me perplexed. I couldn't recall any instance of offending her, and the mystery of our strained relationship deepened.

Yet, what plunged even deeper was the nagging doubt of her potential connection to the robbers. The shadows of suspicion lengthened, casting a darker hue on the unfolding mystery.

"I see you're dedicated to the job you got today," I observed. "You left the interesting gossip about the sons of the king and their fights. I must say, I'm impressed by your sincerity towards your work." I mocked.

Confusion and questions masked her once blank face, but she remained silent, as if sensing that I wasn't finished yet.

"I believe I lack any gardener in my sphere to decorate the very few remaining flowers of the vegetation," I admitted, realizing the absence of a gardener to tend to the remaining beauty in my surroundings but we both know that's not the only thing.

Realization dawned upon her, understanding the implications of my words, and a hint of dread shadowed her expression as she anticipated my next words.

"I order you, Veerika Verma, to pack up. You'll be leaving with me for Sphere 87 this evening," I declared, "I grant you a couple of hours to bid farewell to your dear friend, who inexplicably always seemed to hold your hands." The words carried a tinge of jealousy as I observed the moron holding her right arm.

"You can't do this, you can't appear out of nowhere, order us around, and take my Veerika so many miles away from her home," Bejubaan monkey objected, his voice indignant. The air crackled with tension as the challenge was laid bare.

She is not yours, you fool.

"He's right. You can't shift her miles out of nowhere. She may have a family and an abode here," my useless brother decided it was the best moment to intervene, his words dripping with disdain. The family conflict threatened to resurface once again.

"None of you are in any position to defy me," I stated clear but firmly. Adding, "I see the one in question doesn't have to say anything," my desperation to hear her voice was evident. The authority in my words hung heavy in the air, challenging any opposition.

"I'll be here by 5 in evening" To my surprise, she agreed so easily that now I doubt I'll need to consult not just a ENT specialist but an entire team of them along with a cardiologist, maybe even a psychiatrist. I mused, the unexpected compliance raising suspicions and leaving room for skepticism.

But the Bejubaan monkey had to interrupt again, declaring, "You'll do no such thing." The tension escalated, and the clash of wills became more pronounced.

With those words, he dragged her along with him outside the palace gates. A last glance was thrown my way as she moved towards the exit, security tests awaiting her. The unfolding events left me with a sense of unease, and the mystery seemed to deepen further not about the robberies this time but about their relationship, I hope I'm not separating two lovers. Oh no! They don't even look the same age, he must be her uncle or something.

Oh! and you are the same age as her, right.

"You like her." It's not a question, but a statement, as Aarvendra asserted, his words hanging in the air. The unspoken acknowledgment of my feelings for her added another layer to the complex dynamics unfolding.

Ignoring his question, I turned towards him and placed my hand on his shoulder, causing him to startle at the unexpected gesture. My eyes conveyed adoration as I stared at him, a silent acknowledgment of the bond that surpassed the complexities of the moment.

"You are my little brother, Aarav, and I understand that you aspire to prove yourself just as capable to our father and I see where the insecurity comes from," I said in a very soft tone, attempting to bridge the gap and offer understanding. "But I want you to know I'm no competition to you, and I wouldn't have intervened if not for father's orders. I'm going back without solving it, to prove my trust in you, that you can sort it out on your own," I added, hoping to for some of his trust in us.

He unexpectedly hugged me, causing me to take a few steps back in surprise. Eventually, I reciprocated, the unexpected embrace conveying a silent understanding between us.

He pulled back and said, "Thank you," the gratitude in his eyes reflecting a newfound understanding. The tension that once hung heavy in the air seemed to dissipate, leaving room for reconciliation. " I'll not let you down, I promise."

Exactly at 5, I saw her entering the palace with a duffel bag, the Bejubaan monkey following closely with a bag of his own. The peculiar duo's return marked the beginning of a new chapter. "What is he doing here?" I questioned, a hint of confusion in my tone as I observed the Bejubaan monkey's unexpected presence.

"If you want me to come, Yuvaan will also tag along," Veerika stated.

As much as I hated the monkey, I wanted her to be comfortable in Sphere-87 so I just nodded, and unlike the cold welcome I received this morning, Aarvendra saw us off happily, with a tint of teasing in his tone. The departure was marked by a sense of tentative understanding and a new beginning.