''Now be a good boy and give this to Sona, and then I will teach you more new words.'' Velu grinned happily running off. 

''We were supposed to be on a bachelor trip and here we are on a pre-wedding trip. How long are we going to be here?'' Advay asked irritated.

''Just a night more, I have to see her before I leave. Tell her that I love her.'' The other three guys groaned falling on their backs hearing the love saga for the nth time.

***

Sona smiled reading the letter, he had requested her to meet him at the same place where they had been caught by her people. She huffed, only Vikram could dare to propose such thing.

She quickly checked her appearance in the mirror. She still had few hours and decided to pamper herself. Sona had missed Vikram's caring side, her smile flattered. She still shivered recalling his angry form, closing her eyes she wished never to see his dark side ever again . Taking a deep breath she decided to stay positive.

***

Dev stepped out of the vehicle smiling at the huge house. He had not stepped in here for last 5 years. He recalled the first time he had visited this place as a teenager with his father. Sona's grandmother had refused to accept his mother and him as a part of her family.  He was scared then, he had never met a strong woman like Neelambari. Her eyes emitted fire, she was possessive about Sona and Sagar.  That was the only common thing between her and Neelambari.  He then had a habit of visiting the plave during vacations with his step sibilings, it was then the Neelambari had started warming up.

He had last  visited when Sona was leaving for UK, he had kept his distance but it was then Neelambari who addressed him as her eldest grand child. He respected her but maintained a boundary and he felt guilty of his mother's deeds. 

Velu screamed in delight spotting Sagar and Dev walking in. He lifted Sagar up making the young lad groan. Dev smiled walking ahead, bending he touched the his father's feet and then Neelambari's. He straighten his back, keeping his eyes on the floor. 

''How are you?'' he asked, not sure if she would preferred to be addressed as granny ! Neelambari looked straight towards Dev. She pushed aside the flower plate and came to her height making Dev step back. ''What are you hiding Dev?''

He said nothing, he was ashamed of his mother's deeds. Neelambari grabbed his wrist and dragged him along. Before leaving she warned Sagar, ''Your turn next about skipping your classes.'' Sagar's jaw dropped and that moment Velu too dropped him of the floor scared getting scolded.

''Patti, its nothing. Just don't know how to show my face after what my family did with yours.'' Dev replied recalling his mother using Sona as a weapon.

Neelambari took a step, with a finger she lifted Dev's chin up, ''I am not talking about the ones who means nothing to me. I am talking about my eldest grandson, what are you hiding Dev.''

''N..nothing.''

''Who is the girl?''

''What?...There is no girl.'' He tried to look amused but failed miserably. She wasn't someone to be bluffed. ''She was...there is nothing left.''

''Do I know her.''

''Patti, drop it.''

''She is Vikram's sister, the Princess of Jaigarh, Ahana Ranvijay Rathore .'' Sagar pitched in. Neelambari eyes moved from Sagar to Dev, ''then what is the issue.''

Dev's glare halted Sagar's words but he couldn't make the old scion give up, ''If you think I don't know a thing , you are wrong. If Vikram gets to marry Sona again after taking a shot at her the why not you? Dev blinked then shook his head. 

''Dev, I am a Royal too. When Sona didn't turn up for yearly vacations , I had my doubts. I got things investigated and discovered she married the Rathore boy without letting her family know of it. I just wanted to throw her out of my life and reprimand your father for hiding things but then I thought of people in our estate. It wasn't just about Sona, its about all of them. When Aadhavan mentioned about re-marriage , I decided to bury things off. '' Facing Dev she questioned, ''When we can leave the past why can't they.''

''Patti, Vikramnever intended to kill Sona but I wanted Ranvijay dead.''

''You are repenting'' She reasoned

''Pati, the females of that clan are exceptionally proud. I hate that Princess for hurting Anna.'' Sagar added

Dev covered his face, ''Can we talk about something else.'' Neelambari held his hand, ''I am not your own but do you have any emotion for me.''

''I love you. You are my family.''

She smiled, ''then you will do as I say.'' Dev nodded kissing both her hands. Neelambari smiled, she had a welcome present ready for the Rathore Princess. She had hated and will keep hating Netra but Dev made his place in heart long back. She had studied the boy and is unconditional love for her grand kids, she knew he was the good one. Over the years, she had made a strong bond with Dev. He was being respected in the clan the way Aadhavan was and what made different was Dev's adaptable nature. He never had any airs about his status. He mingled with locals easily and that made him their favourite.

''I will freshen up and then help you with preparations.'' Dev took his leaving pecking Neelambari's forehead. She watched him walk away, someone needed a lesson on equality.

***

Sona tip toed into Dev's room. It was half past night and all had retired to their rooms after dinner. She poked him gently, ''What are you doing here?'' He asked throwing his covers off

''I am going to the river to meet Vikram.''

''Are you nuts? You should be happy that Patti still is going ahead with this wedding.'' He warned. Sona curled her lip, she knew he could never say no to say that face. He huffed, ''Fine, follow me but ask your man to behave like human. I don't want...'' He couldn't just utter the rest feeling embarrassed. 

''Fine, just lets go.''

Vikram leaned against the old tree, his eyes closed as he enjoyed the breeze. His allies sat at a distance hidden in the bushes. ''If he gets caught doing anything he shouldn't, I am disowning him.'' Vansh declared.

Vikram opened his eyes when he felt her around him. He smiled wide when she stepped into the sphere oh his vision looking like an angle from the moon. ''Hi!'' She whispered

Vikram held her by arms, ''I knew you would come.''

''I had to but will have to leave soon.'' She replied looking around a little scared. Vikram cupped her face bring the focus of her eyes back to him, ''For now, its just us and this beauty around us.''

Taking her hand into his, he walked her into the waters.''

''Is he planning to do hanky panky in the river?'' Badal asked as the other two slapped his head.

Vikram made Sona sit on the smooth rock, kneeling opposite to her he gently lifted her leg placing it on his knee. ''I made many mistakes and hurt you many time. Sona, I wanted to apologise for all that gave pain to you. I promised to protect you yet, I was the one to hurt you. Before we take this new step, I want to make a new promise.'' 

She stared at him with love. Her eyes blinked when she felt something clod around her ankles. She smiled watching him putting a beautiful silver anklet around it. ''I promise to hear you before reaching any conclusion. I promise to respect all my vows and your views. I hear by promise my life and belief to you.''

Sona jumped up splashing the water around her. Throwing her arms around his neck, she hugged him close. ''I love you Vikram.''

''So do I and always will.'' He cupped her angelic face, ''I am leaving tomorrow for my trip and will be back to make you mine in next ten days.''

''We will never hurt each other. do you promise?'' She asked

''I do.'' 

***

Dev watched them from distance with a smiled, he was happy for Sona. He wished all good for his baby sister. Vikram and Sona's moments suddenly made him feel lonely. He missed her again, and terribly but he was aware that nothing could be done. He wasn't the blessed one.

Dev's phone vibrated and so did his heart staring at the flashing name, ''Patti.''

''Get her home now. I don't like my orders being defied.'' Dev gulped. Pushing his phone into his pocket he groaned. He felt bad about breaking the moment for the couple but he had to. Stepping out, he called Sona back, ''Patti knows.''

''OMG! I must go back.''

''Stay!'' Vikram pleaded.  She too wanted but just couldn't. She was  aware what rules meant for her granny. Kissing Vikram once she quickly moved to Dev. 

Vikram found his eyes locked with that of Dev. Come what may, he could never come to like the guy. Even if for Sona he meant the world. Dev gave him a nod before taking Sona along . 

The three who had been watching the movie all along took a breather collapsing  on the earth, ''I am happy no accidents happened.''

''And I am glad we will finally have our trip.

***

Jaigarh, 

The priest performed the pooja  marking the beginning of the wedding rituals . Vikram had come back from his bachelor trip and the family was suppose to leave for Sona's place. Though, the Rathores were elated , there were two who looked worried.

Ananya, about having Dev around her daughter and Rolli about not being able to control her feelings.

''Is everything ready?'' Ranvijay asked. He wanted to make things perfect for the new Princess who had been hurt in his absence. 

''Yes, and I hope everything stays clam once we reach there.''

''Ananya, you need to rethink on Dev.'' Ranvijay suggested.''

''There is nothing to think, it will always be a no.'' With that she walked away . He huffed, he understood her mind but his daughter's gloomy face had been giving him sleepless nights, He had promised to change things an he was determined to do that with or without the support of his wife and family.

Ranvijay knew it was difficult to reason with Ananya, but he couldn't ignore his daughter's gloomy eyes. Since her return from Surygarh, Rolli had not been herself. She pretended being strong but Ranvijay was aware that she was hurting bad.

Ranvijay had tried gaining support in Dipika and Veer but the couple had turned furious on him. Dipika wasn't I favour of letting Rolli be a part of family which had females like Netra and her mother Vasudha. Ranvijay smiled, they underestimated his first born. Rolli was capable of handling all. It should be Netra who should be worried about Rolli stepping in their life. Moreover, he had strange faith on Dev. He had seen the same madness in Dev's eyes for Rolli as he had for Ananya. Dev wasn't selfish, he loved his step siblings so dearly that Ranvijay knew he was the best choice for his daughter.

''Hukum, every one is waiting for you.'' His thoughts broke with the arrival of a staff. H nodded, before leaving he had one more task to complete. If Vansh thought it was impossible to control him, he was wrong. Ranvijay had his ways.

He walked out and went straight to staff apartments. ''Can I see Chitra and alone.'' Sitara nodded stepping out.

Ranvijay took a step to shaking girl, cupping her cheeks he lifted her face up, ''How are you child.''

''You hate me , don't you Hukum?'' She questioned, her heart heavy with the guilt of betraying his trust.

''You were and always will be my favourite girl but everything has a time child and now its not right. I loved you for having a dream then just being a Royal staff but now I don't see that in you.''

Chitra lowered her head, he was right. Since she got involved with Vansh she had stopped caring about her studies . All she cared was about her time with Vansh.

''I am sorry.''

''Don't be. Love isn't a crime but forgetting all that you loved your complete life for a newfound one is wrong. Your parents have expectations so do I. Don't break them.''

She nodded. Ranvijay pulled her in a hug, ''I am not against your love Chitra, I am against the rebel in Vansh. I must pin it down or he will do something which might hurt all, and I can't do it without your help. Will you help me?'' Ranvijay was aware that Chitra wouldn't deny his request, he was the GOD in her eyes and she did exactly what he had expected.

Pecking her forehead, he added, ''Start the preparations to welcome your sister in law, I want you to work on the reception menu the moment we leave. Share it with me when its ready.'' The young girl grinned feeling proud of her life.

Ranvijay walked out giving Sitara a nod. If Vansh thought he had things in control, he forgot it was his father who had all the control.

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

Neelambari fixes Dev's engagement. Rolli thrashes Dev

Happy reading