Hey, fellas! So I'm back and I'm so sorry about the sudden MIA. I had a whole lot of stuff happening recently, with my finals and stuff, I didn't have the time to update, or even just be on Wattpad.
I hope you guys understand, and thanks a ton for supporting this book so long.
Do enjoy this chapter. Got some really exciting ones coming up.

Arvindha Bhatia's POV

Finishing my work, Svasthi, Juhi and I sat in the hall just talking about stuff, when Vijayanthi ma came with our evening snacks.

" You'll have to start preparing for your public speech Arvindha, we only have a week more and there's so much to do." Juhi said.

" Sure I have actually seen the speech Dhananjay ajja gave, it's quite long and professional. I'll be prepared by another three days" I told her.

" Our dress fitting is today at 7pm so I suggest you get freshened up before the stylists show up." Juhi informed me.

" Ok then let me go and get ready, I'll see you guys later."

" Arvi I'll come to your room, after I freshen up so leave it unlocked okay." Svasthi said.

Going up to my room, I couldn't help but wonder how my life had changed. I remember how I was reading about doppelgangers in a book of human genetics after my finals, but who knew I was so close to meeting my very own doppelganger? But now I was here in Medhinapur for rural medical camp service and I somehow ended up meeting someone who looked exactly like me, and now because of circumstances I was portraying a princess and I didn't have the slightest clue of Royal ethics.

To say I was nervous would be an understatement.

But it was happening and there was nothing I could do to change that.  Plus I was happy to be of help, especially after all that they've done to protect me, and knowing what Juhi had to go through.

I stripped myself as I entered the bathroom to take a shower before I would meet the stylists Juhi had appointed.

I was almost done and was wrapping a towel around me, when I heard a knock. Svasthi told she would come over and I had left the door unlocked for her, thinking it was her, " Come in." I said.

Stepping out of the washroom I was looking for another towel to wrap around my hair, " Svasthi can you pass the other towel on my bed?" I asked.

Getting no reply, I turned around and I was shocked to see Dhruv standing there instead. He himself looked petrified at the situation.

I could feel myself getting hot, and with startled realization I realised I was only in a towel, " Arrgh what are you looking at, get out." I screamed while trying to pull down the towel as discreetly as possible, and that seemed to pull him out of whatever trance he was, cause he then  turned around immediately, muttering " I'm sorry I didn't know you were in the shower. But you told me to enter, so I did. " he said.

I knew he was right but I couldn't help the blush and the embarrassment I felt, " I thought it was Svasthi." I mumbled out.

I heard him groan,  " You must be more careful, there are many people in this palace, don't be careless." he said almost like a warning, his voice strained.

" Yeah now if you could please leave. " I said as I can't stand here any longer with him in only a towel.

" You're phone I'll leave it here." He said placing a box on my bed, and swiftly walked out of the room, without looking back.

I immediately rushed to lock the door and leaned against it to calm my racing heart.

Omg!!! What just happened, the guy I've fallen for just saw me almost naked. How stupid was I to not lock the door, arrgh but Svasthi is to blame for all of this.

But now how am I going to face him?  What does he even think of me now?

Sighing I gave up pondering over stuff I couldn't control.  It had already happened and there was nothing I could do to change it.  I got dressed and came back to my bed, when there was a knock and I heard Svasthi.

Opening the door I let her in, and she immediately plopped onto the bed.

" Arrgh I'm so done with Sandeep, he's always breathing down my neck and he flirts like there's no tomorrow. " she exclaimed and I had to hold in my laughter.

" Well atleast you know you have an admirer here!" I teased and I ended up getting hit by a pillow thrown by her. " Oh shut it! If anything it's more like Vikramaditya and the Bethal." She said referring to an old Indian classic tale and I could'nt help but laugh at her comparisons. That's why she's my bestfriend!

" What's this? " Svasthi asked and I noticed the box, Dhruv had left me. Thinking about it I couldn't meet her eyes and I walked towards her snatching the box " Dhruv gave it to me,  said he found my phone yesterday and got it repaired." I said leaving out the embarrassing encounter we just had, but I couldn't help the blush that was creeping up onto my neck and cheeks.

" What's wrong with you?  Why are you blushing and looking down? " Svasthi demanded and lifted my chin up. Before she could go full detective on me, there was another knock and when I asked them to enter it was Juhi with the stylists and I noticed that there was no Sandeep this time with her, instead Juhi was using the electronic mood to move around.

" Arvindha this is your stylist Mrs.Ranjana and her staff, and this is Arvindha." Juhi said giving the introduction.

They all looked surprised and puzzled upon seeing me.  Who wouldn't when you see two look alike people in the same room, nonetheless someone like their princess.

" It's a pleasure to be working with you, you can just call me Ranjana." She replied coolly. Even if she was confused she didn't express her views and I was grateful for that as I didn't really need an interrogation right now.

" Thank you for your help, you can just call me Arvi." I said shaking her outstretched hand.

She instructed her team to get all the stuff ready in the walk-in closet and we followed them.

Juhi had totally gone overboard with the stylists, there were so many lehenghas to choose from and I was confused cause never before did I have so many options nor did I really like shopping.

But thank God for Juhi and Svasthi who made it their mission to pick out a perfect dress for me. They had me try out over 20 lehengas and I was so done.

Finally we decided on pink and orange faded lehenga for me, while Juhi choose an orange lehenga and Svasthi went with an all pink traditional half-saree. Though Juhi wouldn't be present for the press conference, it was the same day Juhi would be crowned as the Crown Princess officially with only very close people, who knew the truth. Later  we were having a private photoshoot in the palace, so all of us needed to look presentable for that purpose.

Arvindha's Outfit

Juhi's Outit

Svasthi's Outfit

Once we had chosen our outfits and jewelry, the stylists left and just when we thought we could relax, Vijayanthi ma entered the room followed by Sandeep, Rishab and Dhruv.

Looking at him after what had just transpired few hours ago was honestly a task, so instead I choose to ignore him. I could feel his eyes on me and that had me at the ends of my sanity.

Vijayanthi ma told us that there were some ceremonial jewels that Juhi would have to wear for the official crowning ceremony which would be held post the press conference.

And she showed us the late queens crown and her nose ring, which was a must to be worn on the day of the ceremony. Each one of them looked beautiful and the crown was so beautiful and elegant. The crown was made up of white diamonds and a single pink diamond in the center adding to its royal look.

The Royal Crown

" This crown has been passed down since the Mitra dynasty was established and the queen would've been so proud to see you wear this. " Vijayanthi ma said patting Juhi's head.

Juhi's eyes held tears she was trying to hold back but a touch from Dhruv had her breaking down in front of us. It hurt to see the princess cry with such grief and I could totally understand her pain. Seeing Dhruv trying to comfort gave rise to a sudden pang in my heart but I suppressed it knowing, they both were like siblings. But that did little to pacify the burning in my chest.

I didn't know how deeply I had stated to like him but now that I clearly knew the realization startled me.
I turned from them as they were seeking comfort in each others presence and faced Svasthi who seemed to have her eyes fixed on Sunny.

" Ok ok no more crying now, Princess Juhi will now officially be crowned and it's not something to cry about." Rishab said trying to ease the emotional atmosphere of the room and thankfully it worked cause everyone returned to their places as Vijayanthi ma told us the importance of the nose ring, " Nose rings are worn as they're a sign of balance, as they remind the queen of her duty in every breath she takes. Also it is believed by tradition that, wearing a nose ring will reduce the familial feelings a women has and increase her sense of duty towards the people around her. So this will have to be worn when the crowning ceremony takes place.", she said showing us all an elegant nose ring studded with diamonds, emeralds and rubies along with a few pearls adding to its ethereal beauty.

As we all nodded our head in understanding and awe at the meaning behind the traditions, " Then why do married women also wear nose rings in our tradition?" Sunny asked.

We all looked at him surprised but Vijayanthi ma surprised us more with her answer, " Usually there is no compulsion to wear a nose ring, but here in Medhinapur there is a ritual where the husband makes the wife wear the nose ring after marriage as a sign of loyalty and trust. Also it is said, that wearing a nose ring will inccrese a women's affection towards her new home and will help in easy bonding with her husband and family members."

Nose Ring

" Oh! Then I need to get a nose ring soon." Sunny said while looking at Svasthi. Svasthi refused to meet his gaze, while Vijayanthi ma was confused the rest of us knew what he meant and Rishsab and I exchanged knowing smiles. Dhruv and Juhi seemed amused at the whole situation.

" Ok enough enough with all this discussion it's already pretty late, let's go I'm sleepy." Svasthi suddenly announced dragging Rishab along with her. Sandeep followed behind them, while the rest of us shook our heads at their behaviour. If I didn't know Svasthi better I would've thought she was shy, but knowing her she would've been embarrassed and probably is giving Sandeep an earful now.

Vijayanthi ma and Juhi also left, deciding to meet in the medical camp tomorrow. However to my horror and surprise Dhruv stayed back. I took the phone box which he had given me and opened it to find my old phone but with a new screen guard and cover. Somehow he had managed to find a similar patterned cover like the one I had and I smiled at his thoughtfulness.

" Thank you so much for getting back this phone. It was given to me by my grandfather and I was upset that  I had lost it, but thanks to you I got it back in good shape." I said sincerely.

He got up from the chair and walked towards me, I moved back unconsciously till I bumped into a chair behind me and fell into it. But Dhruv still kept advancing towards me and I had no where to go. When he was close enough he bent down till he was directly in front of me and whispered so lightly " The pleasure was all mine Arvindha." I was afraid I had made it up in my head if not for that smirk and a glint of some kind in his brown orbs. For all I knew that statement definitely didn't mean anything innocent.

My breathing was out of control and I was worried I would give away my feelings.

Suddenly he moved back and walked towards the door, " Sleep tight. See you tomorrow." Saying this he walked out, while leaving me as a hot mess on the chair. I was pretty sure I was flushed.

I silently moved towards my bed, with a million things running in my head. Why did he have to act like that?  Did he like me too? Geez no way, he always thinks I'm only causing problems for him. I didn't know and I didn't wanna make assumptions, which would only hurt me.

Looking at the phone in my hand I realised I had failed to call Veer ajja even today.  Promising myself to do that tomorrow morning I retired to bed.

Dhruv Meghdha's POV

Lying on my bed in my room, I couldn't help but recall the flustered look Arvindha had when she saw me in her room.  Honestly I wasn't expecting her to  only  be in a towel and to my utter horror she tells me she had left the door unlocked for Svasthi.

How careless could she get? The thought of someone else entering her room and seeing her like that had me at my wits end and I ended up warning her not to repeat it.  Her skin looked pale and soft, and her blush was only adding to her beauty. There was no doubt I was attracted to her, she was stubborn and always had something to say back to me, but today just before I left her room few minutes back I had made her speechless and I was happy with the result.

She looked so cute trying to defy me, but eventually gave in.  Her eyes always looked like they were hiding a thousand secrets and I wanted to know what she was always thinking about in that mind of hers.

It's hard for me to admit this, but that day when I rescued her from the fire and after seeing her come back from the brink of death, I realized I couldn't have been able to forgive myself if something happened to her.

I was confused in the beginning about why it was so hard to be around her and I thought it was because I could'nt handle someone who looked like Juhi.

But instead it turned out to be because I had started to like her. My reluctance to put her in harm's way and my willingness to save her without hesitation is not something I've done in the past.  There was always a reason when I did stuff, but ever since she came into my life, I've been doing things which are questionable and I have no excuses to make.

Realizing I'll have to do something about my new found feelings, I decided to talk to her tomorrow.

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