Ananya

''Take care Ananya. I am going to miss you'' Raksha spoke in a muffled voice hugging me tight. My heart felt heavy yet relieved. though I am going to miss her , I am happy she will safe till all the chaos ends here. Veer is accompanying her till Delhi. He too will be gone for a day. I just wish Raksha gets all she dreams off. Wrapping my arms around mom , I comforted her. Raksha had always been family's baby, they are worried about her well being. She went and hugged Ranvijay like a baby, ''Call me in case you need something'' Raksha nodded staring at his face before breaking down. Ranvijay cuddled her like a baby speaking consoling words every now and then . He walked her to the vehicle and made her sit. Once Raksha was in he went back to the two female guards who will be staying with her. He once  again briefed them on necessary details. The girls nodded before getting into second vehicle. Mom broke down completely as the they drove off. Moving to her I held her by shoulders walking her inside. I turned once and found Ranvijay standing in the same position staring at the disappearing vehicle.He is going to miss her bad.

***

''How can you leave in Veer's absence?'' I didn't knew how to react at Deepika's declaration. Ve er has left an hour ago and here she is dropping  another bomb on me. I don't know ,I don't have a good feeling about it, ''Does Ranvijay know'' . She nodded affirmative , ''Why?'' That was the only thing I could say to her then . She lifted her tear laden eyes up and I knew things weren't as simple as the looked. She took my hands in hers, ''I never had a friend or a sister. I found both in you. If anything goes wrong promise me, you keep my loved ones safe''

''I am not making any ridiculous promises to you. You will have to wait for Veer to come back.'' With that I turned away from her. After a minute she hugged me from behind, ''I can't Ananya. I have to keep him safe. I am  putting something big on bet. This could be the last time you are seeing me''. My breath was caught in my throat. Turning around I gaped at her  all shocked. She had immense pain in her eyes. She looked tired broken and ill. ''Take this is a order from me Deepika, I want you back here in 10 days. '' Deepika smiled between her tears , ''Take care of Veer. I bought you a gift. Keep it safe''. She hugged me tight before leaving. I stood there frozen at my place , I felt a sinking feeling piercing my heart and I collapsed. I sat there completely blank, with different questions running in my head. Will I just sit and watch all this? Will these people just break my family apart? My eyes went to the ring Granny had gifted me other day. Wiping the tears on my face I made my way to Granny's suite.

When I reached her suite, for the first time I found it in dark. Moving in I called her, there was no response. I decided to check in the study, it was also in dark. I could see her silhouette on the grand chair , then why didn't she respond.My hand moved to the find the switch, but her voice halted it. ''Let be Ananya, lights won't take the darkness off  my heart." After thinking for a minute I pushed the button on. She covered her eyes, moving to her I removed her arm from her face to be left surprised, ''You have been crying. Why?''

I couldn't stand Granny in tears. I adore her strength, she had made me something I could never think off. ''Please, I can't see you like this'' She smiled sadly, ''Himmat Singh has been shot'' . My legs gave up. Himmat Kaka, granny's guard. My teacher . He is family . ''When?'' I asked.

''he had been returning after the checking the arrangements for election campaign. He wasn't driving. He was on the passenger seat of my car. They shot him near his heart.'' Granny ended the narration with a heavy voice. ''But all the vehicles are bullet proof, then how?'' I asked again. Granny nodded, ''Someone knocked on the glass and he pulled it down''. My legs gave up, I crashed on the floor. This was meant for Granny and as always Kaka took it. ''The driver is alive, without a scratch '' Granny nodded, ''He will pay with his life if I lose my best friend ." She said through clenched teeth. I don't know what Ranvijay must be going through, he had been very close to Kaka. For past few months he had been training me and I come to respect him like a father . Taking a step forward I kept my head on Granny's lap, she caressed my head, ''this should end and soon''. Granny kept quite and I understood

***

Deepika and Raksha both are gone . Ranvijay is with Kaka and intended to stay there all night. I decided to check on the NGO. I haven't been there for last 3 days. The Palace seems dead today, so many things in a day is making me lose my sanity . I felt a dire need of break. My eyes went to the drawer. There were so many things I have tell Ranvijay. But for now, I won't disturb him. Watching my reflection I smiled touching the pendant Ranvijay gave me. A and R are molded in a way that they cannot me separated, just like our souls. thought crossed my mind and intentionally left my notes on the bed.

My drive to NGO was a quite one. Balwant sat on the front seat with his teeth clenched. I know he felt helpless about the situation. Our enemies are growing close and we still are not able to get a upper hand on them. "Princess, we are being ambushed'' Balwant's voice broke my thoughts and I looked around. My and the other vehicle carrying guards was surrounded by many vehicles. ''Stay In Princess'' , Balwant stepped out so did the other guards. My hearts started beating mad. I know this is Brijesh, he chose this day purposely. Veer is gone, Deepika left the Palace and Ranvijay is with Himmat kaka. I am sure the shot taken at Kaka was on purpose. Such a coward . There was a gun shot and I rattled in fear watching one of my guards going down. No these men will not lose life for me. Closing my eyes I recalled the face I love the most and stepped out of my safe zone.

***

''Aren't you scared of me Princess'' . brijesh asked as we drove to the unknown place. I kept my eyes on the passing trees. Taking a deep breath I turned my face to look into his eyes. ''Are You. Of Ranvijay.'' He was quite, I smiled, ''Yes you are. '' I answered for him.I kept my eyes on his clenched muscles . His fists were shaking. He was both angry and scared. ''Why didn't you take my offer to escape Ranvijay before the wedding''

''Known enemy is better than unknown friend'' I replied with a smile turning my eyes away. ''Are you trying to bluff me Princess.'' Throwing my head back I laughed, ''I know you used the tunnel in the Palace quite a few times. You visited us secrectly ,though for others your suite had been sealed.'' He eyes went wide in surprise. ''Had I been bluffing with you, you wouldn't be alive by now. You left too many proofs in that room''. He rubbed his face with his palms, ''If that is the case why didn't you accept my proposition when I came to see you at NGO''

''You really think you can defeat Ranvijay? WHat a silly question was that. He tracks my movements . Every wall in that place are his ears. And Mr.. Brijesh Singh came there with handful of men. You should be thankful I saved your butt.'' He turned quite I could feel him going tense.

"You seemed all in love with him'' He questioned . Shaking my head I replied, ''In love with my freedom. Had I been all adamant. I would have never got the freedom and position I have today'' Hope he believes it.

Confusion was evident on his face. My eyes moved to my finger , I smiled looking at the ring granny gave me during my training.

''Do you know the significance of this ring Ananya? In olden days Queens use to carry poison in it to save their honor than falling into enemy hands. But this is the old story. Before thinking of taking your own life think about taking of the one who doesn't deserve to live''.

My eyes turned to to Brijesh again, ''Do have a place where he cannot find us''

''Is there a us?'' He asked raising a brow. I kept staring into his eyes and then smirked, ''He defeated the man I was suppose to marry. So if you really are looking at us, you better be prepared to face him''. I warned turning away

''He will never find us''. I laughed again and then wiped the tear from the the corner of my eye. "It isn't about you its about me. He will burn the world down to find me'' Brijesh went tense again, ''Actually, in simple words you invited your own end''

He was infuriated by words, ''I can kill you at once and send your body to him. That's enough to destroy him. Or I can leave you tainted'' . he smirked as a fear ran down my spine, leaning closer I looked into his eyes confidently, ''But you won't do any of it. You know Why? I will answer that for you, till I am alive and with you , your life is safe. The moment you put your finger on me , you know your end will be painful . He will rip all your parts, but won't let you die''. I teased him

''The moment he knows of your deception he will let you die''. He tried scaring me . I just shook my head, ''Even in that case he will find me. To kill me with his own hands.'' He didn't respond and I was glad for that. My aim was to play the game of deception and confusion. I know till he is confused about which side I am, I am safe. Leaning back I smiled, the one he is taking is not the naive Ananya, he is taking with him Princess Ananya.

My thoughts went back to events that happened an hour back. When I stepped out, Balwant was wailing in pain. He was shot in his shoulder, I guess The one who shot must be a poor shooter and I am glad he was. Running to him I leaned to help him, ''Hukum, go back to the vehicle. You will be safe''. I could see he was in pain. He wasn't just my guard , he was a friend. He had a family and I too own a responsibility towards the people who trusts me. ''Kill them all'' I heard Brijesh

'''Let them go and I will come with you. " I offered, he laughed. ''You don't stand in a position to bargain''. Picking Brijesh's gun I placed it on my head, ''A dead Ananya is of no use Brijesh. '' He was visibly shocked and then he gestured all his men to move back. I helped Balwant in the car , ''Tell Ranvijay, I will be waiting''. For the first time in months I saw tears in Balwant eyes, I kept the gun intact on my head till the vehicles disappeared . ''Ditch your phone princess'' and I did taking calculated steps to him. He pulled the door of car for me and I got in without any hitch.

''We are here''. I heard his voice and stepped out looking at the surroundings. It took us 5 hrs to reach. I smiled ,Ranvijay will take half of it. ''What makes you smile''

''I am impressed with your choice of hiding place'' . It was actually a dangerous location, no one can escape from here on foot. Its all sand all around. It appears scary and dead. Brijesh led the way and I followed, ''Take Ananya to the guest room''

''Princess Ananya Ranvijay Rathore, I am still that until you defeat him.'' There was a silence and I could see the nervousness on the faces of the people. I know they feared him and my intentions was to scare them . They should that their master brought their destruction home. Brijesh looked around and then at me. A maid quickly approached me requesting me to accompany her. She led me through the corridors and then to a huge room. She lifted her eyes to meet mine, ''Please don't mess with him. He is an animal''. She turned to the door and then halted turning to me again. Lifting her veil off she smiled and whispered, ''we are ready Hukum''. I replied with a nod as she walked out locking the door. My eyes moved around the room and then I found a mirror. He could be watching me , I should appear relaxed. I decided to mask my emotions completely. Moving the the mirror I pretended checking my look, in reality I was staring at the pendant. Brijesh is such a fool, it isn't my phone which has the tracker its the pendant. Ranvijay had forced it on to me before our wedding , it was his way of keeping me close and safe. This idiot thinks its his plan. No, it isn't its the plan of the lady who kept the clan safe. Queen Mother Rudrani Devi. She saw this coming and we decided to end it.

Smiling I took the largewooden rocking chair, leaning I closed my eyes. Waiting for that door to burstopen and see my man once again

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Next- Ranvijay smashed whatever came his way. ''I knew she was a gold digger,she never loved you'' Rajshri purred. He just stayed quite. All he wanted was to see her gain. just Once.

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