The early morning sun streamed through the enormous glass windows of the National Badminton Training Academy. The wooden court echoed with the sharp sounds of shuttlecocks striking racquets as national-level players practiced relentlessly. Every athlete remained focused on one goal—to become better than yesterday.
Among them...
Armaan Rana.
Dressed in a black training jersey and shorts, sweat trickled down his forehead as he swiftly moved across the court. His movements were usually effortless, his reflexes unmatched, and his concentration impossible to break.
Today's practice was no different...Or at least, it should have been.
"Smash!"
His coach served the shuttlecock towards him. Armaan lifted his racquet. But before he could strike... His mind flashed back to yesterday.
"Ae... Bhai hoga apne ghar mein."
Avni's irritated face appeared before his eyes. Her folded arms. The way she had looked at him with complete disgust. And that one word...
"Chachunder."
The shuttlecock landed on the court. Point missed. Armaan blinked. He clenched his jaw before picking up another shuttlecock.
"Again!" his coach instructed.
This time, Armaan nodded confidently. The next serve came flying towards him.
Once again... His mind betrayed him.
The shuttlecock fell untouched. Another point lost. The coach frowned.
"Focus, Armaan!"
"I'm fine."
Armaan picked up his racquet again. Practice resumed. One serve. Two serves. Three serves. Each time...The same face. The same arguments.
The same irritating voice echoed inside his head. By the seventh missed shuttlecock...Even the other players had stopped practicing. They exchanged confused glances.
One of them whispered,
"Is that really Armaan Rana?"
"I've never seen him miss this many shots."
The coach finally blew his whistle loudly.
"Enough!"
The entire court fell silent. He walked towards Armaan, disappointment clearly visible on his face.
"Where is your mind today? You've missed six... no..."
He sighed.
"Seven easy returns. That is not the Armaan I trained."
Armaan lowered his gaze for a brief second. The grip on his badminton racquet tightened.
His knuckles slowly turned white. The coach continued,
"If your body is on the court but your mind is somewhere else...there's no point in practicing. Take a break."
Armaan remained silent. Inside...His frustration continued to grow.
"Why am I even thinking about that annoying girl? She was just a random stranger. Then why does her face keep appearing?"
His jaw tightened. His fingers gripped the racquet so firmly that it almost creaked.
"No...I'm not going to let this go. Not until I get my satisfaction."
A determined smirk slowly appeared on his face. Somewhere deep inside... A rivalry had already begun. Little did Armaan Rana know... The girl occupying his thoughts was, at that very moment, completely unaware that she had become the reason the national champion couldn't even return a simple shuttlecock.
Far away from the city's crowded streets... On the outskirts stood an ordinary, abandoned warehouse.
From the outside, it looked like nothing more than an old commercial building, forgotten by time.
No one passing by would ever imagine...That beneath its quiet exterior lay the most feared underground godown controlled by the Rana Syndicate.
A place where betrayals ended. A place from which very few ever walked out alive. The underground hall was dimly lit. Silence filled the air...
Broken only by the painful cries of a man tied tightly to a steel chair. His hands were bound. His clothes were torn. Fear had completely taken over his face. He screamed for mercy.
"Please... let me go! I made a mistake!"
Around him stood several armed men dressed in black. Their faces remained expressionless. In front of them...
Sat Rudra Rana. Leg crossed over the other. Dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. His posture resembled that of a king sitting upon his throne. There wasn't the slightest emotion on his face. His men waited silently for his next command. One of them stepped forward.
"Sir...He still refuses to speak."
Rudra slowly raised his eyes. A cold smile appeared on his lips.
"Enough."
The room instantly fell silent. His men stepped back.Rudra stood and walked toward the bound man with slow, measured steps. Every footstep echoed through the godown. The terrified man looked up at him with pleading eyes. Rudra bent down until they were face to face. His voice remained calm.
"What made you think....that you could betray the Rana family....and still walk away?"
The man shook his head desperately.
"I... I had no choice. They offered me money."
Rudra gave a faint, humorless laugh.
"So...You sold my information. For money."
The man lowered his eyes.
"I was helpless..."
Rudra's expression didn't change.
"I can forgive failure. I can forgive mistakes."
He paused.
"But betrayal..."
His gaze hardened.
"...is something I never forgive."
The man continued begging.
"Please... give me one chance. I'll never do it again."
Rudra looked at one of his guards.
"Who hired him?"
No one answered. But then.
Rudra sits across from the man and takes a cutter from one of his own men. He positions the man's little finger under the blade and stares into his eyes, waiting for him to speak; when the man remains silent, he severs the finger with the cutter.
Consequently, man finally broke and reveals everything. He revealed every name, Every meeting. Every detail.
"I had been briefed about the Rana family beforehand—specifically, that there was a Chief Minister among them who was the target."
"However, I didn't know that you were that Chief Minister. I also learned that you are a mafia boss—a fact known only to your brothers and your inner circle. I intended to pass that information on to the other side, as I stood to gain 12 crores for doing so; that is why I got involved with the Rana family."
" I made a mistake—please forgive me. It won't happen again."
A faint smirk appeared on Rudra's face.
"So...That's all I wanted to know."
He straightened his coat. Then, without hesitation, he took the pistol offered by one of his men.
The room became completely still. A single gunshot echoed through the underground hall.
Silence followed. Rudra calmly handed the pistol back. Not a single emotion crossed his face. One of his men immediately stepped forward.
Rudra picked up a clean white handkerchief and slowly wiped his hands before speaking in his usual composed tone.
"Clean this place."
His men nodded.
"Yes, Boss."
Rudra looked once at the now-empty chair.
"Prepare this room. The man who wanted my information....will be sitting in that same chair very soon."
Without another word, he turned around. A cigarette rested between his fingers. He lit it effortlessly before walking toward the exit.
The heavy metal door closed behind him. Leaving only silence...And a reminder that in Rudra Rana's world...
Betrayal was never answered with forgiveness. It was answered with consequences.
The atmosphere inside the Rana Mansion was completely different from the darkness hidden beneath the city.
The grand dining hall echoed with cheerful conversations as the entire family gathered around the long dining table for breakfast. Freshly prepared dishes covered the table while the servants quietly served everyone.
The only source of endless chatter...Was four-year-old Ayaan Rana. Sitting beside his grandmother, his bandaged leg swung back and forth as he excitedly narrated yesterday's incident.
"Dadi!"
He called with sparkling eyes.
"Yesterday, when Papa took me to the hospital...There was one story wali didi!"
Everyone smiled at his excitement.
"She carried me like this..."
He stretched his tiny arms, trying to demonstrate.
"And then she told me a lion story. I forgot all about my pain!"
He grinned proudly.
"And doctor uncle treated my leg without me even crying."
The family chuckled.
Only one person listened with complete interest. Rajeshwari Devi Rana. She rested her chin on her hand and smiled warmly.
"Oh? So this story wali didi was a doctor too?"
Ayaan nodded enthusiastically.
"Yesss! She was very nice. She even kissed my forehead. And she said I'm a brave boy."
Rajeshwari's smile widened. She glanced towards Advik, who was silently having his breakfast.
"Was she really a doctor?"
Without looking up from his plate, Advik simply nodded once.
"Hmm."
That was enough for Rajeshwari. She turned back towards Ayaan.
"So... My little prince's birthday is coming soon. What gift do you want this year?"
Ayaan immediately placed his finger on his chin and pretended to think very seriously. Everyone watched him with amusement.
After a few seconds...His face suddenly lit up.
"I know! I want a Mumma!"
The spoon in Mahendra's hand stopped midway. Nandini looked at Meera. Vikram cleared his throat awkwardly. The dining hall fell completely silent. Ayaan continued innocently,
"Like all my friends have. I also want someone who loves me...Who cares for me...And who hugs me.I want a Mumma."
Every pair of eyes slowly shifted towards Advik. His face remained unreadable. Without reacting, he quietly placed his napkin beside his plate and stood up. He looked at Ayaan.
"Finish your breakfast. We'll leave for school in ten minutes."
His tone was calm. Emotionless. Without waiting for a reply...He walked out of the dining hall. Ayaan looked down quietly before continuing to eat.
After a few moments of silence... Rajeshwari looked at her grandson with affection.
"If that's what my Ayaan wants..."
She smiled knowingly.
"Then that's exactly what he'll get."
Everyone looked at her. She lovingly caressed Ayaan's hair.
"Before your next birthday...I'll bring someone into this house...whom you'll proudly call Mumma."
Ayaan's eyes sparkled.
"Really, Dadi?"
She nodded.
"Promise."
The little boy smiled happily and resumed eating. Soon the conversation shifted to other family matters. But Rajeshwari...
Had already made another decision in her heart.
"First Rudra...Then Advik."
She recalled Ayaan's words.
"Story wali didi..."
A thoughtful smile appeared on her face.
"First... I'll find out who that doctor is."
Just then, she looked around the dining table before speaking firmly,
"Everyone...The meeting with the Mehra family is today. At exactly seven o'clock in the evening. So everyone should be ready on time."
By now, Advik had already left for Ayaan's school preparation. Neither he nor Rudra was present to hear the discussion.
Only the elders remained seated. Nandini looked worried.
"But Maa...What if Rudra refuses again? He has clearly said he doesn't want to marry."
Rajeshwari immediately interrupted her.
"No one is going to tell him anything."
Her voice carried the authority every member of the family respected.
"This meeting is happening. And Rudra will attend."
She smiled confidently.
"He may believe the decision is his...but this time...the final decision will be mine."
No one argued. Because everyone in the Rana family knew one thing. When Rajeshwari Devi Rana made a decision... Even the mighty Rudra Rana found it difficult to change it.
The elegant atmosphere of Mehra Couture Studio stood in complete contrast to the intensity of the Rana world.
Soft instrumental music played throughout the boutique as mannequins dressed in exquisite bridal outfits decorated the spacious showroom. Rolls of luxurious fabrics, delicate embroidery, and colourful sketches reflected the creativity that filled every corner.
In the centre of it all stood Anika Mehra. A measuring tape rested around her neck while a sketchbook remained tucked beneath her arm. With a warm smile, she carefully adjusted the dupatta of a nervous bride standing before the mirror.
The bride looked at her reflection anxiously.
"Ms. Anika... what if the lehenga doesn't look good on me?"
Anika smiled reassuringly before standing beside her. She gently held the bride's hands.
"First of all..."
She spoke softly.
"You are the bride. So half the beauty already belongs to you."
The bride couldn't help but smile.
Anika continued,
"And secondly...You don't have to worry about your outfit. I'll complete the final design today itself. I'll personally send you pictures of the lehenga before we begin the stitching. If you want any changes...We'll make them."
"It's your day. So everything should be exactly the way you've dreamed."
The bride's nervousness slowly disappeared.
"Thank you so much. I was really worried."
Anika smiled brightly.
"My job isn't just to design dresses. It's to make every bride smile."
The bride thanked her once again before leaving the studio happily. As the door closed behind her...Silence returned to the office. Anika walked into her cabin and settled into her chair.
Her gaze unconsciously fell on the bridal sketch lying on her desk. For a moment..A small smile appeared on her lips. She absent-mindedly traced the outline of the bridal veil with her fingertips.
"I wonder..."
She whispered to herself.
"What kind of bride will I look like someday?"
Her imagination immediately began running wild. A beautiful lehenga.. A decorated mandap...A loving husband waiting with a smile...She rested her chin on her hand, completely lost in her own little world.
Until...
Her eyes suddenly widened.
"Oh God!"
She quickly looked at the clock.
"Seven o'clock...The meeting!"
She leaned back in her chair and sighed dramatically
"The Rana family...They're coming home today."
She didn't know much about them. She had never met any member of the family. Nor had she ever seen the man chosen for her. But one thing was absolutely clear in her mind.
She folded her arms confidently.
"If she don't like him...She'll reject the proposal. It doesn't matter who he is."
A determined smile appeared on her face.
"I'll say no politely..and that'll be the end of it."
Completely unaware..That destiny had already written a different ending. The man she had decided to reject without hesitation...Was none other than Rudra Rana—
The youngest Chief Minister. The uncrowned king of the underworld. And the one man...Who would soon become her husband under circumstances neither of them had ever imagined.
The soothing sound of raindrops echoed throughout the Sharma Residence. The cool breeze carried the fresh fragrance of wet soil through the open balcony, making the evening feel peaceful and refreshing.
Unlike the busy hospital where she spent most of her day saving lives...Home was Saanvi's comfort.
Fresh after a shower, Saanvi Sharma sat comfortably on the living room sofa, dressed in simple cotton clothes. A warm cup of coffee rested in her hands as she enjoyed the pleasant weather outside.
Her father, Dr. Rajesh Sharma, sat nearby reading the newspaper. Her mother, Dr. Kavita Sharma, was serving hot pakoras with tea.
Everything felt calm. Just then...
Her elder brother, Dr. Yash Sharma, walked into the living room with a mischievous smile. He casually sat beside Saanvi.
"What happened? Why are you smiling like that?" she asked suspiciously.
Yash laughed.
"Nothing...I was just thinking...I should get married."
Saanvi looked at him.
"Then do it."
"But before that..."
He grinned.
"I think your marriage should happen first."
Saanvi almost choked on her coffee.
"What?"
Rajesh looked over his newspaper and smiled knowingly. Kavita tried hard not to laugh. Yash took out his phone.
"I have a friend. He's one of the best doctors in our hospital. Very intelligent. Very handsome. And I think he'll be perfect for you."
Saanvi immediately made an unimpressed face before turning towards her father.
"Papa...I don't want to get married right now."
Rajesh looked at his daughter and nodded gently.
"That's completely fine."
Before anyone could continue...Kavita became curious.
"At least show me the boy's picture."
Yash happily moved beside his mother and opened the photograph.
"See...This is him. He has his own reputation. He's polite, responsible and an excellent doctor."
Kavita smiled while looking at the picture.
"He does seem like a nice boy."
Saanvi sighed dramatically before shifting closer to her father.
"Papa... Please save me."
Rajesh couldn't help but chuckle.
"What exactly is the problem?"
Saanvi folded her arms.
"Mujhe kisi doctor se shaadi nahi karni."
Everyone looked at her in surprise.
Yash frowned.
"Why?What's wrong with doctors?"
She looked at all three of them before answering with complete seriousness.
"Imagine someone asking me after marriage...tumhari family kya karti hain? What am I supposed to say?"
She started counting on her fingers.
"My father is a doctor. My mother is a doctor. My brother is a doctor. And..."
She pointed towards herself.
"I'm a doctor too."
She shook her head dramatically.
"Our entire family sounds like one big hospital."
For a second...The room remained silent. Then everyone burst into laughter. Even Rajesh removed his glasses while laughing. Yash shook his head.
"You're impossible."
Saanvi smiled proudly.
"I know."
After the laughter settled...
Rajesh looked at his daughter with affection.
"But beta...One day, you will have to get married."
Saanvi nodded.
"I know, Papa.And I will."
She smiled softly before adding,
"Pr kisi doctor voctor se nahi. I want someone whose world is completely different from mine. Someone who'll give me stories beyond hospital walls."
Rajesh smiled.
"If that's what you want...We'll look for someone. But only one condition. If we find someone suitable...You'll meet him."
Saanvi thought quietly for a few moments.
Finally...
She smiled.
"Deal."
"But only if I like him. If I don't...I'm saying no."
Rajesh nodded without hesitation.
"Your decision will always matter."
Saanvi leaned against her father's shoulder with a content smile.
"Thank you, Papa."
Soon the conversation drifted towards lighter topics, laughter once again filling the house. None of them knew...
That destiny had already chosen someone for Saanvi. A man who wasn't a doctor. A businessman. A father. And someone whose little son had already found comfort in her lap long before their hearts would ever meet.
✦ Author's Note ✦
And with this... Chapter 3 comes to an end. 🤍
The introduction arc of The Rana Legacy is slowly unfolding, and every chapter is revealing a new face behind each character. Some are ruled by power, some by dreams, some by responsibilities, and some by love they haven't even found yet.
But now... The story is about to take a completely different turn. The upcoming 2–3 chapters will mainly revolve around Rudra Rana and Anika Mehra. Their first meeting, their completely opposite personalities, and the beginning of a journey that neither of them ever wanted.
One believes marriage is nothing but a responsibility. The other dreams of marrying only for love. What happens when destiny ties together two hearts that both wanted to say "No"?
You'll find out very soon...
Thank you so much for reading The Rana Legacy. Every vote, comment, and review motivates me to write the next chapter with even more passion.
If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to:
🤍 Vote for the chapter.
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See you in Chapter 4... where destiny finally brings the Rana and Mehra families face to face. 🖤✨
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