''Hukum, you need to tame those people. They are not letting men work on our fields.'' Nahar Singh updated Dev. He was in his 80s but on Dipika's request he agreed to guide Dev to control things.''

''What is there problem?'' Dev asked annoyed. He had been looking forward to leave for Sona's wedding preparation but things at Suryagarh were holding him back

''They believe that since you are Mahendra Singh's grandson, sooner or later you would be like him. Precisely, they will have there old days back. They feel all this is temporary and their moves can bring out the real you.'' Dev fell frustrated . he wasn't use to handle operations on such bigger scale. Rathores had done amazing job with the resort area. Though, the staff was helpful they were yet not comfortable around him. The lands and factories were turning into a headache for him.

He missed his father but didn't wanted to bother Aadhavan. Dev knew one call and Aadhavn would get worried about his safety but he needed someone to guide him. Pulling out his phone he stared at a particular name in his contact list wondering if it was worth dialling the number. He thought for long, for now he needed help and he was going to look for it. He had to prove he wasn't Mahendra Singh successor but that of Late Queen Gayatri Devi.

He waited with a baited breath for his call to be answered, and when it did he turned mute. ''You didn't call me to listen to my voice boy.'' 

Dev smiled, ''I never thought you would answer.''

''I thought the same but then we all need a new beginning. Go on.'' Dev smiled and then briefed his situation.

''Listen to me Dev, when you need to defeat a group, eliminate the leader. Someone taught me that long back and I did the same by hitting my father and grandfather right on the weakest point.'' Dipika concluded 

Dev closed his eyes, ''I am sorry you had to go through all that.''

''You don't have to be. Prove me right Dev , that would be all I want from you.'' She disconnected. 

''Why did you make me answer that call Bhai?'' Dipika asked Ranvijay. All four had been seated in the garden area , a daily routine. Dev's call had turned Dipika's feature hard but on Ranvijay's insistence she answered.

''Dipika, we all made a new beginning at some point. Why deny that to him?''

''Aren't you trusting him too much?'' Ananya questioned

Ranvijay looked thoughtful, '' I still remember the eyes of toddler Dev, he smiled at me when I pecked his forehead. Oblivious to the fact that I held his mother and him hostage to save my family. He doesn't have any of Mahendra's singh in him, he has you and your grandmother.'' Their conversation was being cut short by ringing of Ananya phone, ''Vansh!'' She whispered and then answered. Whatever her son said made Ananya laugh, she quickly disconnected and checked the Video Vansh had shared . She shared with others and reactions that came were funny. Veer looked disappointed, Dipika laughed and Ranvijay just smiled. 

***

"Ithu konjam kooda sari illa Aadhavan. Ipdi kalyanam pannika pora rendu peru thaniya santhikrathu namma pazhakkame illa. Itha vida kevalam avanga rendu perum nadanthukita vitham."(This is not done Aadhavan? This isn't our culture. How can groom see his bride before wedding and...I am ashamed to even describe their behaviour.) One of the elders mentioned about their behavior and Aadhavan decided to stay quite, his native wasn't aware of the secret wedding Sona and Vikram had in London. All they knew was that their beloved Sona was studying abroad and would be home soon.

Aadhavan huffed, he gave Vikram one look who stood with his head hung low, moving then to Sona. 'Mudhala, vanthavanga oivu edukattum. Apram antha Badal veliya vidunga'(Let them rest and please set Badal free.')''Enna oiva? Ivangalukka? Athuku munnadi ivangaluku edukka vendiya paadam neraya iruku' (What rest? This boy needs some lessons.)' 

Aadhavan faced palmed. Vikram was in trouble. He locked his eyes with his son-in-law. ''You will have to deal with this. I can't help you.''

''But ...!''

''I am sorry ! I suggest you go with it or it will be hard to get you two married.'' Vikram huffed. Aadhavan smiled to himself walking off as Vikram got surrounded by the elders. He gulped, this was trouble.As his father in law walked off taking Sona along, he got surrounded by all who decided to give him some behavioural tips . 

He squeaked when a granny twisted his ear hard, 'Nee ulagathuke Rajava irunthaalum, atha pathi engaluku kavalai illa. Entha ooru Rajava irunthaalum intha ooru ku irukura pazhakkatha vazhakkatha nee mathikanum. Unaku, paadam edukka vendiya neram vanthiruchu' (I don't care if you are Prince of the world but you will abide by or rules. Its time I give you few lessons.') Vikram understood nothing as he got dragged away by the group of elders while his brother and friend watched

''What do we do?'' Advay asked

''First, we need a Tamil to English guide. And then we go around and enjoy this paradise on earth.'' Vansh suggested with a grin.

''What about him?''

''Its his mess, plus I don't wish to be pulled around by ear.'' Vansh concluded. For a change, Badal decided to give up his role of guard and enjoy the land of nature.

As they decided to chalk their plan, Sona blocked their path, ''How can you leave him alone?'' She asked her eyes moving from one to other and then staying on Badal, who again was filled with guilt. 

Vansh shook his head, ''Dear sister, you and him had the fun then why should we bear the consequences. I am going enjoy the beauty around.'' Sona glared at Vansh but he was least affected. Advay and Badal followed Vansh , saving their butt from ire of the new queen.

Sona knew, Vansh will be reprimanded and will be made to apologise. She feared the elders might take him to the temple so that he could repent for his sins of breaking the ritual which was a sin in the eyes of elders. She didn't wanted Vikram to go through tough prashit (repenting ritual) thing. 

That would definitely make him lose his mind. Sona rubbed her palms, she had seen Vikram's anger. He wan't a patient man and she didn't wanted things to take a bad turn. Taking a deep breath she dialled Dipika but Veer answered, ''Dad, I need help'' She narrated all apologising profusely.Veer smiled, ''If he loves you truly, then he will bear all with a smile.''

''What if he can't.''

''Then its your call.'' Veer disconnected with a smile. It was Ranvijay's suggestion that they kids to test. It was time to strength the bonds of next generation. Sona chewed of her fingers and then she realised there was still one whose words would matter to the elders , Dev. In no time she picked her phone and poured her heart out. Dev was silent, ''I will there by tomorrow.'' 

***

Vikram's eyes kept moving around trying to figure out what attacks the grannies were planning next . They circled him like a predator and Vikram felt like a sacrificial lamb. One of the granny ask another one loudly, "Naamma pesrathu ivanuku puriala, ivan pesrathu nammakku puriala. Epdi nama solrathu ivanuku puria vaikrathu?" (Whatever we speak, he doesn't understand and whatever he speak we don't understand. So, now how do we make him understand what we are saying?" Sona's maternal granny smirked at Vikram.

"Athuku than namma kita Velu irukaane. Avana koopidu. Avan ivanuku puriya vaipan" (For that only, we have our Velu right? Call him) Everyone agreed and a messenger was sent to call for Velu as Vikram was left to wonder if what was about to happen next. Vikram felt like a trapped bird left in a den of tigresses, may be the old ones but they looked ready to tear him apart. 

"Paattimaa, Koopiteengala" (Grandma, you called me?) a man in his 20s entered the gathering , his palms joined in respect and head bend low . Velu's eyes didn't miss Vikram who stood in a corner like a lost child. 

"Ivara than vachu senjutu irukuraangala intha kelavinga?" (Is he the man all these oldies are playing with?)Sona's grandmother left her high chair walking to Velu, after giving one dismissing look to Vikram she commanded , 

"Ivan than Velu, Naanga unkita solla porathu ellam, ivan than unaku unoda baashaila solluvan" (He is Velu, he will translate you whatever we are going to tell you)

Vikram blinked again of not understanding a thing. All he felt was nervousness about getting thrashed by hands of the females who surrounded him. He then met the eyes of Velu who grinned wide, "Velu, I am English, you, I will tell what these paattis (grannies) tel.l" he kept grinning at Vikram feeling confident 

Vikram rolled his eyes , slapped his forehead as he whispered under the breath, "Oh god, what have gotten myself into.''

Velu moved closer , "Head pain?"

Vikram jerked moving back, "No....aahhhh. Can you please save me from these grannies?"

Velu blinked not being able to understand what Vikram said but slowly he got to know what he meant and said, "Ohh, Save?" Vikram nods Velu continues, "you?" Vikram again nods and Velu continued, "from grannies?" Vikram nods, his head a little slow this time . Velu's eyes went wide, he shook his head vigorously in a strong NO. He raised his finger pointing it to the sky, "God, Pray" 

Velu turned his attention to the government in power, "Ippa sollunga? Enna sollanum avar kita?" (Now what I need to tell him.)

One of the granny made him stand on front to Vikram and said, "Mudhala, avan kita sollu, intha oorula naanga solrathu than sattam" (First tell him that, whatever we say that will be the rules in this village) 

Velu in his broken English conveyed the message, "What Paatties say, that is the village rules." With that he turned to the village elders.

Granny added, "Naanga enna solramo, atha than ivanum kekanum. Ethirthu pesa koodathu" (Whatever we say, he will have to listen to it without opposing.)Velu now scratched his head a little flustered. His eyes moving to Vikram who was staring back at him curiously . Velu conveyed the message, "You listen paatimaas, don't say" . Velu stopped not sure how to frame the sentence any further. 

Vikram was getting irritated with all this, he barked at Velu, "WHAT?" Velu jerked back and shouted, "No. don't say No for paattis"

Vikram smirked at him and then at grannies, "What if I say No to all of them ? What they will do?" 

Velu's eyes went wide, , "Paattis will break, leg...hands...body."

Sona's maternal grandma said, "Enga kudumbathukunu oru mariyathai iruku. Paarambariyama, atha naanga paadhukaathitu varom. Enga veetla porantha ella kuzhanthaigalukkum atha solli kuduthu than valarthirukom. Veliya irunthu vantha nee atha kedukka naanga yaarum anumathikka maatom" (Our family has a reputation here. For generations we have maintained that reputation and we taught the same to our children. We don't allow an outsider like you to spoil the reputation we have). For a moment Vikram saw the fire in Sona's grandmother's eyes. 

Velu turned serious, he wanted to put some weight on his words."Our family has respect. Children also respect. Out person, you like, no spoil"Vikram laughed at Velu's english but still he understood what was being conveyed to him.Grandma locked her eyes with Vikram, 

"Kalyanathuku munnadi thaniya paakrathu, pesrathu ithellam inga vendam. Kalyanathula Thaali kaati mudichu agniya valam varum pothu than nee Sona oda viralaiye pudikanum. Athu varaikum ava irukura pakkam kooda thirumba koodathu. Meeri ethachum muyarchi pannuna, adutha nimishame inga thangrathuku anumathi illa" (Before Marriage, you are not allowed to meet her or talk to her in private. You are allowed to hold her finger only when you take seven vows around the holy fire. Until then don't try to meet or talk to her. If you do so, the next minute you will not be allowed to stay here .)

Velu gulped, Granny looked mad and translating so many words meant a big task . Nevertheless , he took a deep breath , stood opposite to Vikram to part the warning, "Before Marriage, no meeting, no talking. After Thaali only (he sign him for tying the knot) you touch her finger, for rounding the Agni. No try, meeting her, talking her. If no, they no allow you, stay her."

Grandma added, "Ithu Zameen kudumbam, enga Zameen oda sethu innum 18 Zameen enga kooda uravula irukaanga. Avanga ellam kalyanathuku rendu naal munnadiye inga vanthiduvaanga. Avanga munnadi ethaavathu thappu nadanthichu, apram naan yaaru ennalam paaka maaten. Aadhavan enna nenaipan, illa Sona enna nenaipa, atha pathi ellam naa kavala pada maten. Intha veetla irukura varai, olunga mariyathaiya nadanthukanum, inga irukura pazhakaangala neeyum mathikanum" (This is a Zameen Family. Along with ours, we do have a relationships with another 18 Zameen families in and around. All will be here two days before the marriage. I don't want any mistakes to happen when they are here. If anything goes wrong or any illegal things happen here, then I don't care who you are and where you are from. My punishment will be severe and I won't mind what Aadhavan will think or how Sona will feel. I want you to behave properly and abide the rules what we follow here)

Velu sighed wondering how to translate all in one go. But he was given aj ob and he had to do it, turning to Vikram he was about to convey the message when Vikram stopped him, "I understand" 

His eyes locked with the leader of his tormentors. The old scion smirked. The boy was over confident. 

Velu scratched his head too exhausted with all the translation. Vikram let out a breath he didn't knew he was holding, "Sona, I never thought my desire to see you will land me in this trouble. But i will face everything for you. Just for you"

.Velu couldn't decipher the context of self talking Vikram did but he heard Sona, he quickly ran back to warn Vikram, "Sona ma, No meeting" he shook his head vigorously trying to make Vikram realise the danger he was inviting. 

Vikram who kept laughing at his young friend, pulled Velu in a hug, scaring the young man to the core. Vikram had actually found his dictionary cum messenger. He had plans to put his feelings in open and Velu was going to help him.

***

Vikram stood in balcony of his room of the beautiful Palace staring at the waters illuminated by the full moon night. ''I hope we weren't much a trouble to you Vikramjeet Singh Rathore.''

Vikram frowned, he turned to face the visitor but his eyes went wide when they met that of Sona's grand mother, ''You can converse in english.''

''I can converse in many languages proud Prince but what I did was necessary to show you that I respect my people and culture more than anyone, even my own. Don't take my visit as a truce, Its a warning against doing anything stupid.''

''My feelings are true.'' Vikram reasoned . She smiled, ''Vikram Rathore, I know more than you can think. If you want to prove yourself, do it in actions not in words.'

'-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The rituals being. Rolli and Dev's longing, hate and anger.

A big thank to my Sathya @Satz18 for writing the Tamil part. Its because of her I am able to post today  or else it would have been on saturday

I know I am taking lot of time but its like 13-14 hours at work and travel and this why I am not being able to update regularly. I will be finishing manmarziyan and just write two story and slowly come down to one.