Author's POV
5:00 A.M.
While the entire Rathore Mansion was still asleep...
One room's lights turned on.
Akshara Sharma opened her eyes as soon as the alarm rang.
She never used the snooze button.
Discipline had become a habit long ago.
Within minutes, she was dressed in a black full-sleeve fitted workout top, black leggings, and white training shoes.
She tied her hair into a high ponytail.
Taking her water bottle and towel, she quietly stepped out of her room.
The mansion corridors were silent.
Only the soft sound of her footsteps echoed.
Akshara's POV
The mansion gym was larger than most commercial fitness centers.
Rows of machines.
Dumbbells.
Punching bags.
A boxing ring.
A small yoga section.
She looked around once.
Empty.
Good.
She preferred working out alone.
Without wasting another second, she started her warm-up.
Ten minutes later...
She began lifting weights.
Her movements were precise.
Controlled.
Not a single repetition was careless.
After strength training...
She shifted towards the punching bag.
Punch.
Punch.
Kick.
Elbow strike.
The loud thuds echoed across the empty gym.
Every punch carried years of bottled-up emotions.
Not anger.
Control.
That was how she survived.
Almost ninety minutes later...
She finally stopped
Tiny beads of sweat covered her forehead.
Her breathing was steady.
She picked up her towel and wiped her face.
Just as she turned-
The gym door opened.
Author's POV
Aryan walked inside wearing a grey tracksuit.
Behind him came Veer.
Kabir followed while checking his smartwatch.
Dev yawned dramatically.
Aarav carried his protein shaker.
The five brothers stopped in their tracks.
Akshara stood near the boxing bag.
She looked as fresh as if she had just begun her workout.
Not finished one.
For a brief second...
Nobody spoke.
Dev broke the silence.
"Lagta hai gym ka address galti se mil gaya."
Translation: Looks like she accidentally found the gym.
Kabir chuckled.
Aryan remained expressionless.
Akshara looked at them.
Then quietly picked up her towel.
Without saying a word...
She walked past them.
As if they didn't exist.
Dev frowned.
"Attitude dekha?"
Translation: Did you see that attitude?
Veer shook his head.
"Ignore karna hi better hai."
Translation: It's better to ignore her
Aryan glanced at the punching bag.
It was still swinging violently.
He frowned.
She had hit it with impressive force.
Vikram's POV
Vikram was returning from his morning walk when he saw Akshara entering the mansion from the gym.
Her face was slightly flushed from the workout.
She greeted him politely.
"Good morning, Mr. Rathore."
Vikram smiled.
"Good morning."
"You wake up very early."
Akshara nodded.
"I've followed the same routine for years."
"Every day?"
"Yes."
"No breaks?"
She thought for a moment.
"Only when I'm genuinely unwell."
Vikram nodded slowly.
"That's impressive."
She simply smiled politely.
"I'll get ready for breakfast."
As she walked upstairs...
Vikram couldn't help but admire her discipline.
She never showed off.
Never sought praise.
She simply did what she believed was right.
Meera's POV
Meera entered Akshara's room twenty minutes later.
Her daughter was already dressed in a simple sky-blue cotton kurta with white palazzos.
Her damp hair was neatly braided.
"You went to the gym again?"
Akshara smiled faintly.
"I always do."
Meera sighed.
"Did you at least drink your protein shake?"
Akshara nodded obediently.
"Yes."
"And today..."
Meera folded her arms.
"...you'll eat a proper breakfast."
Akshara looked away.
"I'm not that hungry."
Meera raised an eyebrow.
"Akshara."
There was a pause.
A tiny smile escaped Akshara's lips.
"Okay."
Meera smiled in victory.
"There you are."
"That's my good girl."
Akshara rolled her eyes playfully.
Only her mother could make her react like this.
Only with her...
Did the cold walls around her heart become a little less rigid.
Author's POV
Downstairs...
Nitya watched Meera and Akshara descend the staircase together.
She noticed something that irritated her.
Meera was smiling.
Vikram looked relieved.
Dadi was waiting eagerly for Akshara.
Slowly...
Very slowly...
The family was beginning to notice her.
And Nitya hated every second of it.
She tightened her grip on the railing.
"Yeh shuruaat hai..."
Translation: This is just
the beginning...
"Main usse kabhi is ghar ka hissa nahi banne dungi."
Translation: I'll never let her become a part of this family.
A dangerous smile spread across her face.
She had already planned her first move.
And this time...
She intended to make sure everyone blamed Akshara.
Write a comment ...