"Let's begin the ritual" Ranvijay announced , addressing the family

Aadhavan nodded, stepping forward he ordered his staff  to place the huge silver plates from bride side  on the small dais arranged for the ceremony . The staff walked and arranged the stuff  consists of a bunch of bananas, betel leaves & nuts, coconut and fruits along with the gifts he bought for Rathore's family. 

Vikram sighed , he hopes of seeing Sona before the wedding crashed when she didn't appear with her family. His expressions mirrored his disappointment as he looked bored and irritated about her absence. Ananya smiled, her eyes had never left Vikram's face since the ceremony started. He looked anxious , she was sure everyone in the room could hear his madly beating heart. 

 On pretext of a conversation, she stepped closer , pinching his arm lightly she whispered a question, "What's the matter?"

 "Hero and supporting cast is present  but where is the heroine?"

Ananya scanned him from head to toe, "Bride is not allowed to visit groom's home until the wedding  Vicky."

He blinked once, his heart protested against the stupid ritual but his voice couldn't control the anguish, "WHAT?"

His sudden outburst froze all movements bringing attention to Vikram. Ananya pressed her lips moving aside while others stared  at him with confusion. Vikram gulped , turning his eyes to Ananya he begged her for the rescue, she in turn just shrugged her shoulders. 

Ranvijay followed the silent conversation finally fixing his eyes on Ananya, whose eyes went wide realising she will have to answer, "What, WHAT?"

Ananya gestured Vikram to answer Ranvijay , warning him with her big eyes. Vikram opened his mouth but nothing came out. His lips kept moving but and he stammers to tell what he asked her. Ranvijay huffed, his frowned brows moved to his wife, the gesture was clear , he needed and answer.

Aadhavan shared a smiled with Dev , they understood what Vikram was looking for. Dev nodded, Adhavan turned his eyes to his son in law.  , "Bride is not allowed to visit groom's home before marriage. It's our custom." Vikram paled , his secret was out as the room turned silent making him the center of attraction.

After a moment, the room echoed with laughter. Vikram buried his face into his palms. Ranvijay shook his head, he wanted to say million things but decided to keep it for later. Turning to Aadhavan, he politely asked,, "So, what do we do next?"

Aadhavan added, "We need to exchange these platters  as part of our marriage agreement" He requested the priest to seal the bond between the families with mantras an blessings, "Please take us forward"

The priest made both the family sit opposite to each other, beginning the ritual to bond them together through their kids.He started the ritual with chanting the pious mantras , paused and then addressed the two sides, "Are both sides ready  for this marriage?"

Aadhavan responded through his smile ,"We are very  happy, and agree for this marriage with all our heart.''

The priest now turned to Rathore family , he was about to ask the same question  but Ranvijay answered  "Without a doubt. We are blessed to have another daughter in our family. We are more than happy to have Sona in our life and we too agree for this marriage.''

, "Now, I would request the parents  of bride and groom should exchange the platters and confirm the bond.''

Ranvijay stepped aside giving space to Veer Dipika to take the rightful place. The Priest nodded but when his eyes fell on the bride side, a frown marred his forehead.

 "It will be a good sign if a husband-wife stand together for the ritual. I apologize if i said something wrong but it's a new phase in your daughter's life and if any happily married couple do this ritual, it is a great blessing for the bride"

Aadhavan swallowed the dryness, has daughter never had  mother. While her biological mother lost the battle to life, his second wife whom he married to be a mother to his kids proved to be a nemesis. 

Dev could read the thoughts of his father, stepping closer he held his father's hand offering the support. Moving his eyes to the priest he took the lead,   "We just have our father. Our mom is no more with us"

Rolli looked at Dev for the first time since the arrival, his one sentence said it all. Truth or false, his words stuck his heart. It took lot of courage for an individual to declare a living mother as dead. She wanted to comfort him but her mind reminded that Dev shot the man she loved the most.

The uncomfortable priest turned silent but he clearly looked uncomfortable about absence of female figure. He was Aadhavan's family priest and knew he had taken a second wife. The silence turned uncomfortable and Ranvijay  decided to intervene.  His eyes met that of his wife and she understood the silent request. With the nod, she stood beside Ranvijay and  two quickly changed the sides, moving to join Aadhavan , ''here on,  we are the parents of Sonakshi and we will exchange the gifts  on behalf of bride's family. If you are fine Mr. Aadhavan?"

Aadhavan couldn't ask for more. In that moment he applauded his daughter's choice. The family loved one and other, he was now contended that his daughter will be taken care off. He blinked to get rid of tears. With a smile , he wiped the corner of his eyes nodding at the rathore couple.

The old Priest grinned wide, his condition being fulfilled and gesturing the families to complete the ritual

Veer and Dipika took the pllater to exchange it with  Ranvijay & Ananya. While doing so, Ranvijay took Aadhavan's hands and kept it under the silver plate, making Aadhavan all the way more emotional.  

The priest announced the ritual complete taking his leave. The family sat together to discuss certain basic things. Ranvijay had arranged a grand feast in honour of Aadhavan. Sagar kept whispering in Dev's ear who in turn kept refusing him in a low voice.

''May I help you with something?'' Ranvijay asked the young boy. He had noticed Sagar's curious eyes looking all around the place.

''Can I have a tour of your Palace?'' 

''Sagar!'' Aadhavan voice came strong. But Ranvijay smiled, ''Why not?'' He thought and then turned his eyes, ''Rolli, will you give Sagar a tour.'' Veer wanted to interrupt but Dipika held his arm, ''We can't make it obvious.'' He nodded they both forgot that Ranvijay always had a reason behind every step. Rolli walked out with Sagar in tow. Dev's eyes followed her steps till she was out of his view. He just prayed that Sagar kept his mouth shut.

***

It was in early evening that Aadhavan decided to take his leave, he thanked the family and informed that he would get back to them after consulting the priest. Once the guests left, Ranvijay's eyes turned to his youngest born, ''You have to answer my questions Vansh.''

The family looked at each other confused,  so was Vansh. He could feel the tension in air but he had no escape. He waited for his father to proceed. Ranvijay took a step , towering over  his youngest born, ''What is going on between you and Chitra?''

Dipika shut her eyes. Ranvijay didn't seemed to be in a mood to step back. Vansh was initially shocked but having no away to turn around, he decided to stand up for his feelings, ''I love her. I always have and I always will.''

''Vansh, she is  too young to get involved , she isn't even an adult.'' Ranvijay reprimanded. ''Listen to me Vansh, hereon you will keep your distance.''

''I would have if this had been a secret but why now, when everyone knows of it.'' 

''Mind your tongue Vansh.'' Ananya warned. After a beautiful day she wasn't expecting a shock. Above all, the way Vansh answered back made her angrier.

''Why should I mom? Why is it always me? Why isn't your daughter ever wrong?''

''That's enough" Vikram warned, he knew where it was going.

''I will answer that, because my girl never let me down.'' Ranvijay answered, ''Listen to me Vansh, hereon you will keep your distance. I don't want anything wrong to happen.''

The young Prince smirked, locking his eyes with his father he answered, ''She is 18, and I assure you I haven't kissed once till she was a minor.'' That earned him a slap. Vansh fell on the floor, he shook his head to get rid of the impact. 

''This was to remind you whom you were speaking too.'' Ranvijay warned, ''And you will do as said or else I will do what should be done.''

Vansh rubbed his cheek, ''I wonder if you would have punished Rolli the same way.''

''Shut up Vansh.'' Ananya warned

''I won't. If I am wrong, she committed a crime by falling in love with a man who shot dad. Rolli shut her eyes as Veer engulfed her in a hug. There was a silence, Ranvijay took a step closer , ''She didn't knew who he was and she stepped back the moment she knew about it, even when her heart bleeds.'' His words bought another round of silence.

Ranvijay smiled, this time to all, ''Why surprised? I am her father, I know what she can and what she can't''

''You are aware?'' Veer asked

''I am supposed to be aware. That is a part of my job.'' He answered, moving his eyes to Vansh he warned again, ''Don't make me do something which you won't be able to take. Before you do anything reckless, just know that I am still Ranvijay Rathore.'' Vansh knew it was best to stay quite.

Ranvijay moved his eyes to his daughter, ''Come here.'' With a sob, the princess jumped into her father's arms, ''you really thought I wouldn't dig in to know what took your smile.'' His eyes moved to Veer who currently felt stupid. So much for all the planning. 

Ranvijay kept holding Rolli against his chest, turning to Vansh once he walked out with his daughter . She needed him more than anyone right now. Vansh got disappointed glares from his family.

''Not you chachi!'' He held Dipika's wrist.

''Not me! Didn't I I ask you to take it slow? Didn't I promise you my support on right time but now, the way you behaved with your sister makes me change my decision. If you can't respect her, I doubt you would ever be able to respect Chitra.''

***

 Chitra trembled like a leaf as her mother shot daggers at her , her body shaking in anger. ''Didn't I warn you a million times.'' Sitara's voice came dangerous. Chitra wanted to justify but mother's presence made her go mute.  She knew, even if her put her point Sitara won't listen. Sitara grabbed her daughter's tender jaw, ''If I see you anywhere close to Palace, I swear I will skin you myself.'' Chitra collapsed on floor in fear. She knew, her words no longer mattered to her parents.

***

''I am sorry dad'' Rolli sobbed

''What for? Falling in love ! If that was the case, I would have spent my  life apologising.'' He caressed her head, ''I know you from the day you first opened those light eyes at me. How could I not see your pain my Princess! You are my pride and you always will be Ranvijay Rathore's first born. Her Highness Princess Aahana Ranvijay Rathore. You can't imagine the how proud I feel when I look at you. You don't have to prove yourself.''

''But I don't know why Vansh hates me.''

''he doesn't! Its just my crooked genes. There was a time I had some hard feeling towards Veer but he proved to be the one with bigger heart. I would advice you to do the same.'' Rolli nodded. Ranvijay pulled his daughter to his chest, ''let me pat you to sleep tonight, just like when you were a baby.'' She smiled burying herself into her father's embrace. 

***

''I am worried about Chitra!'' Dipika paced her room worried. 

''When did Vansh go so far? I am just shocked.''

Dipika crashed on the couch next to him, ''I can't see my kids like that. What should we do?'' Veer leaned back, ''First handle Vansh.'' Dipika nodded. Veer noticed her dull expression and decided to change the topic. 

''Dipu, I hope Rani had settled.'' Dipika cleared her throat, ''I am yet to send her.'' Veer stared at his wife, ''My dear wife, The Ranvijay Rathore is back, do something  Before he discovers about that lioness and send us both with it.'' She just nodded.

***

Dev stared at the darkness from the porch of his room, his mind again going back to Rolli. He had wanted to have a moment with her and he did get one when he went to look for Sagar. She had been smiling at his younger sibling but her expression changed the moment her eyes fell on him. 

Sagar had smiled at him and vanished gesturing him to make the use of the moment. 

He recalled how he stopped her from leaving, ''Please!''

''You sound amazing begging me.''

''Rolli, I wish I could change the past.''

''You can't and you will never be able to. So just forget it.''

he grabbed her arm pulling her close, ''tell me how to forget because I can't.'' She didn't answer, ''You are like the first rain that takes away the pain of blazing earth.'' He voice held the pain of his heart

''And you are land that deserves to die in thirst.'' She replied with anger. He stared into her light eyes taking as much as he could. She hated him, and now he will have to live with it. He smiled, ''So be it then. Stay happy love.'' Dev stepped back, walking backwards he kept his eyes on her face. 

Dev huffed coming to present, the night seemed darker than before.She wanted him gone and he was going to do the same, he would stay till his sister got married.

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I have joined a new job and its little hectic so update might get delayed. Happy weekend friends.