Vikram checked his phone for the nth time, he had been messaging Sona all day long but she refused to answer. He had even requested her friend to pass on his message but she refused to see his face. Vikram tried speaking to her after school but she walked off as if he was a stranger. His patience ran out. He decided do things his way.

Taking her friend Rachel in confidence, he planned a girls outing for both and decided to corner Sona. If she was stubborn, he was mad.

Sona entered the lavish café with Rachel, a tiny frown marred her brows, ''I thought this place was famous.'' She commented looking around at the empty place.

When she received no response , she turned to her friend but found herself alone in the beautiful place.

''You left me no choice!'' Vikram's calm voice echoed the room and stilled Sona. She understood it was his plan, she mentally made a not to give Rachel an earful. Rachel was die hard romantic and to her it felt like fairy tale for a guy like Vikram to go nuts on Sona.

Sona quickly made her way to the door to be blocked by Vikram, ''Can you please give me a moment.''

She crooked her neck to look up, he was looking down at her with tender expression, looming over her. Her heart leaped but she controlled as she recalled the tears she had shed for all the days he didn't even to bother to check on her With his 6' 1'' height, her 5' 4'' looked dwarf. His personality gave away a kind of dominance which she wasn't ready to accept. , ''Out of my way.''

''Sona, hear me out.''

''Did you? When I pleaded ! No, you blocked my number. Now, when I am done with you , why should I consider your request.''

''You can never be done with me.'' He replied leaning closer

''I can and I have. I have no interest in you, as you said we aren't compatible. Go and find someone of your age.''

''I am sorry!''

''I said the same, few months back but you didn't care. Now, I don't.'' She tried pushing him aside to make way but he stood unfazed, as if made of steel, ''You will hear me out.''

''I won't'' She screamed angry.

Vikram rubbed his ear patiently, smiling down at her caressed her cheek, ''I won't let you go until you hear me out.''

''I hope you haven't forgotten my brother's punch.'' She threatened

Something devilish passed through Vikram's eyes for a second before he controlled it, ''Hope you haven't forgotten the fight I picked for you. If I didn't reply, it doesn't make me weak.''

''I don't care for your strength, All I know is that my brother can tear the world down for me.''

He stared at her for long before taking a step, she stepped back. Vikram kept moving forward as she retreated, locking her to a table he leaned dangerously close, ''I am not here to talk about him. Its about us, and I can tear anyone to reach you. Now, be a good girl and give some ear to my words.''

''I don't want to Vikram. Leave me alone.''

''I won't. Because I want to be with you.''

''I don't , you can't scare me. I am not afraid.''

He smiled, ''You should be then because my patience is running out. Hear me out and then you can leave.''

She gulped, ''Fine, but you won't touch me.'' He agreed, steeping back he moved to a table gesturing her to take the chair on the opposite side.

''Sona, I apologise for that day and these months. I know I have hurt you but I too have suffered. I was angry and worried when I couldn't reach you. All worst things came to my head, I was worried about Simone or his allies getting their hands on you. And you not reply drove me to the verge of insanity. I even thrashed few of Simone's folks that day. You could have responded with a single emoticon and I would have backed off but you decided to tease.''

''I wasn't teasing. I just was enjoying the attention, like every girl does. After years someone had made me centre of their life and I wanted to be happy but you proved that I deserved none of it.'' She didn't wanted to recite her childhood sorry story. She took a deep breath, gave him a glance and walked to leave.

Vikram grabbed her small wrist pulling her on to his lap, his palm cupped her cheek, ''You are my world, and I want you for life.''

She looked at him with tear filled eyes, ''Trusting you is difficult.''

''Then don't...now but give a try. I won't disappoint you.'' She stayed silent for long. Though, she was very young to understand many things, her difficult childhood had given her an a sharp predictive skill.

''I will but I know one day, you will break me into million pieces.'' She said holding on to his shoulders.

''Its that so then I will break myself too, to be with you.'' He replied caressing her cheek. Sona snuggled closer, not having more strength to fight the man she desperately wanted to be with. Vikram's affection had filled the void created by her mother's demise but somewhere deep down in a corner of her heart she felt she was accepting the invite to walk on fire. She knew, one day it would him who would break her down completely. She was right, the future was evil.

***

''They are coming to Suryagarh! That's the news I wanted to hear for years. Listen, get me their details. I want to know how they look and if possible kill that heir so that my son claims his right.'' Netra smirked disconnecting the call. For years , Rathores had managed to hide the identities of their kids as did Netra but she kept tabs on them , secretly letting her people in the Jaigarh.

She was done waiting, she wanted Suryagarh back but was scared to face Ranvijay head on. The King of Jaigarh was dangerous and she didn't wanted her son hurt at any cost.

Moreover, Dev's calm and patient attitude worried her. He was so much like Dipika and his great Grandmother. She feared what would happen if he learns the real truth, he would be disgusted about being one of them. Hence, she decided to play her game. Not aware that she was set to meet the younger version of her late father-in-law.

***

''Are all arrangements done?'' Ranvijay asked Ananya busy checking his attire in the mirror.

''No, Why should I do all the work? They are your kids too. I have been busy making the arrangements to welcome them and all you did is worry about your beauty. Its your daughter and nephew who is visiting, not some girl friend from past.''

Ranvijay preferred to stay silent. Over the years , he had grown fond and used to his beloved wife's long and funny taunts. That's what he had fallen for. Waking to her, he lifted her chin up, ''I have to worry about my beauty because you are eternal beautiful. What if tomorrow, you decide to find someone else?''

Ananya smiled at another flowery sentence, she held his hand, '' That's never going to happen, no one can make me look eternal the way you do. '' She pulled his nose walking out of the suite to welcome her kids.

Rolli jumped out of the vehicle dumping her hand bag on Vikram. Though, there were help around but she always threw it on him and he seemed ever ready to catch it.

''DAD!'' Rolli screamed as she leaped on to Ranvijay, he gathered his precious girl in his arms as she kept jumping all excited. Vikram waited for his turn patiently as his sister suddenly forget all kind of punctuation.

''God she is so Loud.'' Vansh groaned hugging Vikram, latter just patted his back whispering in his ear, ''If you wish to have a comfortable life during her stay, refrain from commenting. She has gone worse over the years in troubling people.''

''Are you two discussing me?'' The brothers jumped hearing her so close. They quickly shooh head in refusal and next moment she was on Vansh, ''Vanshuuuuu...my baby!'' Vansh freed himself running inside, his sister defiantly knew how to get an upper hand.

After greeting his parents Vikram walked to Ranvijay greeting him with respect. Ranvijay held his successor by shoulders, giving him a proud approving look before pulling him into a hug, ''How are you?''

''I am good Uncle, how are you?'' Ranvijay nodded leading him in. Vikram got a loving welcome by the staff as well. His smile turned into a wide grin as his eyes fell on his teacher, Sitara. She bowed as a mark of respect and Vikram replied by touching her feet, showing his ardent respect to his teacher.

Though Sitara was very fond of all the kids, Vikram held a special place in her heart He mattered more than anyone, even her own daughter. The family looked excited to know how their kids had been doing but Vikram never got a chance, Rolli started and then went on and on.

''Rolli, rest stories after dinner.'' Ananya interrupted her talkative daughter

''What about lunch?'' She asked confused

''You will get the food only if you stay quiet and we promise to hear your stories after dinner.'' Ananya bargained

''After we doze off.'' Vansh completed making everyone chuckle.

''very funny!'' She rolled her eyes and jumped next to Veer, ''Fine, I will only tell Chachu.''

Veer pulled her closer giving her all the attention, but he could read her. He knew she was changing.

''How are you mom?'' Vikram asked Dipika when they were alone. She smiled looking at her son affectionately. He was her support and motivation in those difficult times. Somewhere, they shared a deep bond as if he felt all she had endured.

''Vikram, are you gathering details on Suryagarh? Dipika asked worried

He stared at his mother's worried expression but there was no way he could lie to her, ''I am and will go deep.''

She closed her eyes once feeling weak. Grabbing his hand in hers she replied, ''Vikra, I have no intention to keep Suryagarh. I want to hand it back to Netra's son , only if he is capable. I want to end this danger looming over us. I know Vansh has told you everything and as legal heir to Suryagarh, only you hold the rights of transfer.''

Vikram studied his mother, ''I have objection but then, conditions apply. I will see how capable is that guy and then take a decision. Is that fine with you?'' Dipika had no option but to agree. She wasn't aware that her son was planning to visit the lands she dreaded till date.

***

Rolli made her way to the suite of her Great Grand Mother. She loved spending time there, it was the only place where she enjoyed silence.

She switched on the lights, smiled looking around and then walked to the chair of the old scion. Acquiring her place she leaned back closing her eyes, her arms rested on the arm rest and legs crossed. She thought all about Vansh and Vikram's conversation, something he never told her but she knew. She had always been alert around her elder brother, that was her job.

Rolli opened her eyes, she stared at the huge book shelf opposite to her. She smiled shaking her head, only if Vansh knew how keep things properly at their places. Moving forward, she pulled out the books and journals arranged oddly. She was aware Vansh had a habit of folding the corners of pages as a book mark and she didn't had to work hard to pull the details out. 'You are not ready Vikram. We can't take the risk.'

''But you are.'' Rolli turned to meet her mother's smiling eyes.

''You are aware what Vansh and Vicky are upto?'' She asked

Ananya smiled, ''I am supposed to know and I know that you know how to put a check. Remember Princess, you are no less.''

Rolli smiled hugging her mother. Ananya's eyes met the proud ones of Late Queen Rudrani Devi. She had bought up her daughter to be an exact replica of her teacher. Ananya wasn't scared, she knew her kids were ready.

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Next-Suryagarh gets the first glimpse of Vikram's dark side

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