part 1

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Ahmedabad

Tall and broad-shouldered, 27-year-old Daren Sajwan was a well-liked, handsome, and talented young man. He wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth but a golden one. While he himself drew a hefty paycheck as a technical expert in the Delhi office of a multinational corporate house, his father, Ramesh Sajwan, was a well-known stockbroker in Ahmedabad, who had made a fortune in the stock market with his sharp and strategic mind.

Due to his job, Daren was based in Delhi, while his father ran his office in Ahmedabad. Although Daren's corporate job was highly lucrative, his father disapproved of it. He wanted his son to eventually join him in his business.

But the ambitious son wasn't ready for that—at least not yet.

Daren lived in Delhi and would visit Ahmedabad once every fifteen or twenty days when called upon.

Today was one such visit, but this time, it was special. Daren was attending a party hosted by a business house in Ahmedabad to celebrate the arrival of the New Year.

As Ramesh Sajwan's only child, Daren was expected to bring honor to the family name. His father had sky-high expectations from him—"Mera naam karega roshan, jag mein mera raj dulāra". And while Daren had already achieved many accolades in life, one of his most prized possessions, thanks to his hefty salary, was Neeta—his stunning, fiercely independent, live-in girlfriend in Delhi. His parents in Ahmedabad had no clue about her existence.

Daren had met Neeta the previous year in Delhi, and within months, she had completely taken over his mind. She was an addiction, a craving that only intensified no matter how much he indulged.

Many times, he thought about leaving her. But he only thought about it—never once could he muster the courage to act on it.

That was until he saw Saya.

Saya Nagnayal was the elder daughter of K.S. Nagnayal, a Surat-based diamond tycoon. Her father was a dominant figure in the diamond trade, importing raw diamonds from Botswana, refining them, and supplying them to multinational companies like De Beers. His empire was so vast that the media often referred to him as the Diamond King, Monarch, or Mughal of the industry.

Saya first saw Daren at that very party, the one held at her farmhouse. He had attended as a distinguished guest alongside his parents.

She saw him—and fell for him instantly.

For her, Daren was the prince charming she had been waiting for all her life. Soon enough, his gaze met hers. It was a classic love-at-first-sight moment.

And Neeta?

Who was Neeta?

A hungry man doesn't care for taste, and a cunning man doesn't bother with morals.

Following that party, Daren and Saya met again—several times.

Then a few more times.

Sometimes over lunch at a restaurant, sometimes on a shopping spree at a mall.

After a month of intense, whirlwind meetings, Daren finally went down on one knee and proposed to Saya, the daughter of the Dazzling Diamond Monarch, with a 24-carat diamond ring. Saya, overjoyed and in love, accepted with pure delight.

Then more meetings.

Now, often alone.

Away from the crowd.

Their passionate love story accelerated when both families approved of the relationship and set a wedding date.

Then came the wedding.

Marriage is like a peanut—you only know what's inside once you crack the shell.

Then the honeymoon.

Cape Town calling.

Cape Town, South Africa.

"Listen," Saya said, lying beside her prince charming—her husband—on the bed. "I don't want any kids for at least two years."

After arriving in South Africa, they had first spent four luxurious days at the Imbali Safari Lodge in Kruger National Park. Late that night, they had reached Cape Town and checked into their pre-booked suite at the five-star Cape Grace Hotel, where they had been lost in each other ever since.

"I don't want to become a father right now either," Daren replied, pulling his newlywed wife into his arms, holding her tightly.

"Let go," Saya struggled playfully to free herself. "I don't understand if your heart will ever be satisfied or not."

"It will," Daren smirked. "Only when you let it."

"That's enough now," Saya protested.

"Why?"

"I'm exhausted."

"How can you be tired? You barely did anything," Daren teased. "All the hard work was mine."

"Oh really?" Saya chuckled, still trying to escape. "Your relentless efforts have left my entire body sore."

"Oh?" Daren smirked mischievously. "Let me check."

"No!" Saya giggled, pulling away. "Please, not now."

"That's unfair," Daren pouted.

"What's unfair?"

"We're on our honeymoon."

"So?"

"Who gets tired on their honeymoon?"

"People do."

"No, they don't."

"No, Daren, seriously, I'm exhausted," Saya's tone changed, as if she was pleading now.

"Oh, come on," Daren was relentless.

"Let me take a shower first," Saya changed the subject, pulling the sheets up to her chin. "You order breakfast."

"Breakfast?" Daren glanced at the wall clock and tried to tug the sheets away from her. "It's already eleven, madam."

"Oh God!" Saya gasped. "Let me go!"