A huge palace stood in all its glory, the nameplate of "Sheesh Mahal" shining on the wall beside the entrance gate.

"Vimla, why did you bring me here, in front of Sheesh Mahal... I'm asking you about your daughter's sasuraal! Are you trying to give me a tour of this village? What did you think, I went to my mother's village for 15 days, so I must've forgotten the routes here?"

"Arrey Shikha, first listen to me. You will forget everything else," Vimla sounded happy.

"Why? Does your son-in-law work in this palace? Even that's impossible. All workers here have been appointed from the city. As far as I know, no villager works here!"

"Worker? My son-in-law is the owner of this palace. Prince Arnav Singh Raizada! Oh, Shikha! This is my daughter's future sasuraal," Vimla said with a greedy smile.

"Are you daydreaming, Vimla? I can't believe this!" Shikha said with a frown.

"Rani Maa was searching for a bride for her son from this village and she gave this responsibility to Munim ji. And guess what, Munim ji saw my daughter in the temple, he instantly saw her horoscope and became happy. Now, Munim ji is going to take my daughter's proposal to the palace."

"Oh! But do you think they will agree?" Shikha was doubtful.

"Who can refuse my daughter, Shikha? She's the most beautiful one in our village. Don't worry, you will also get to see the palace from inside. I'll take you in once the alliance is fixed."

No! This can't happen. Her daughter is the most cruel girl I've ever seen. I'll have to talk with Munim ji about this and let's see then how Vimla is able to make a relationship with the Royals!

-------------------------------

"Come fast..."

"Arrey... you too come."

"What happened? Why are you all running? Has something happened?" Shikha stopped one of the men who was running with the others and asked.

"You don't know, sister? The elder prince has married and is coming towards Sheesh Mahal. Purohit ji called and informed the pandit. There's a whole lot of commotion about it. No one knows who the girl is. Everyone's just rushing to see her!"

Wow. Now that's news! This Vimla was so angry when she heard from Munim ji that her daughter's horoscope was a mismatch, still she was faking the relationship and showcasing her status to all the neighbors. Now it will be fun to see her face.

"How did all this happen, Vimla? Who's the girl?" Shikha faked her concern to an angry Vimla, who was just another lady standing with the people and pushing guards to see the new bride.

"I'm also eager to see that girl, Shikha," Vimla said in a venomous tone.

Suddenly silence fell over the place as the royal car stopped in front of the gates. Guards surrounded the car, leaving enough space towards the entrance and trying to stop the people from coming forth.

Everyone gasped as the handsome prince stepped out of the car as soon as a guard opened the door for him. Next followed a beautiful girl in a red lehenga, her back facing the people.

Both of them were directed towards the palace by Rani Saheba, who had come out, maybe to welcome her son and daughter-in-law. As they stepped towards the gate, the bride turned sideways and stepped her first on the palace, and to everyone's disappointment, her face was covered with a long ghungat, so they couldn't see her face.

But it was not long before the storm hit her with full force and her ghungat flew away, revealing her face. Everyone was astonished with just one glance at her beauty.

Everyone but Shikha! She was sure she had seen this girl somewhere. But where, she couldn't remember.

On hearing the loud voices of the people, Rani Saheba turned back, holding the bride and said, "Stay calm everyone. Tomorrow we will organize a Mu-dikhai. You all will get to meet our Bahu. We will also tell you all the reason for the sudden marriage. For now, all I can say is, she's Khushi Singh Raizada, our daughter-in-law."

Everyone cheered for the Royals whereas Shikha still stood thinking.

"I think I've seen her before! Arrey haan, I've seen her in my mother's village recently! So beautiful girl," Shikha said, as if trying to remember more, where exactly in the village she saw the girl.

"Village girl? She's from that low-class place? I thought her to be a princess, but no, that village doesn't have any royal people. That bitch snatched my daughter's luck! Bloody low-class girl!"

"Lower your voice, Vimla. Now she belongs to the royal family. If they hear you, you won't be able to say the next word."

"What's so special in that Khushi? My daughter is more beautiful. And we are the next richest to the royal family."

"Vimla! This is the limit. The royal family is a million times richer than you. We can't even compare with them."

"Huh! We can't compare ourselves? But that low-class girl can rule the palace?"

"Relax, Vimla. We can't change destiny!"

"Whatever! I hope she never stays in peace," Vimla showed her anger and went away from there.

Well, what can we do, Vimla? God has made everyone in pairs. They were destined to be together. Arnav and Khushi... nice!

Khushi?

I've heard this name too... but where?

Shikha forced her mind to think where she had seen the royal bride.

But after remembering, she was shocked to the core. She started sweating profusely.

No! How can this happen?

I'm sure she was the one... ya, I had even praised her beauty that time!

She rushed towards her husband and dragged him to a corner.

"What happened, Shikha? Why are you looking scared?"

"That... that girl... she's... she..."

"The bride? What about her?"

"Yes... she... I... I told you... I visited one of my far relatives! There I saw her photo!"

"You mean she's your far relative? That's good, Shikha!"

"No, that's not what I mean. Her... her photo was adorned with a garland. She's... she's dead, Punit. Then, how can she return back?"

"Are you crazy, Shikha? Don't say this to anyone or they will think you are mad!"

"I'm saying the truth. You can go and check."

"Her parents told me she died young and they also mentioned her as Khushi."

"Calm down. You just need to relax. Nothing much," he said and went away when one of his friends called him.

Just when Shikha thought all the past, the photo to be her imagination, and was wiping the sweat, she saw the bride smirking evilly towards her.

Someone kept a hand on her shoulder, startling her. "Listen, the bride is calling you," it was one of the guards who came to inform her.

The bride... she... she wants to meet me?

Shikha started shivering with fear, the photo still fresh in her mind.

"Namaste. Wo, I have seen you in my village!" Khushi spoke in her sweet voice, which shook Shikha.

She has seen me?!

"I've heard you sing beautifully in the temple. That's why I asked Rani Maa so that I could invite you personally for Mu-dikhai," when Khushi uttered this with such a sweet smile, all Shikha could do was nod her head in agreement.

She was terrified when Khushi stepped towards her and whispered in her ear, "So? You came to know about me?" A shocked Shikha looked into her eyes and something changed in them. She was no more the same Khushi. She stared at Shikha and warned her, "Do not forget... if you can see the picture, then the picture too can see you. It's better if this secret stays within you. If you open your mouth, like you just did now to your husband, it won't be good for your family!"

"What happened, Bahu?" It was Rani Maa's voice.

"Nothing, Rani Maa. I was just saying where and when I saw her," Khushi again smiled sweetly.

"Let's go then. You both must be tired." Rani Maa took both the bride and groom inside while the intensity of the storm was just getting heavier.

Shikha closed her mouth with her palm and ran away.

Khushi stood near the entrance door, thinking to herself evilly, "And now the story begins!"

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With Love❤
Uzma.