Sona stood holding the car door, her eyes on Vikram's room window. She frowned , pouted and got into the vehicle when one of her aunts gestured her to move in. 

Velu handed her the bag she left in the hall and she gave him her best puppy look.He understood. His lips drooped. He looked up at the window and made a face. How dare he made their Princess sad. Sona made a face, cursed Vikram before she stomped her way as she was being driven off

"WHAT THE HELL? How can she leave without informing me?"  Vikram sounded mad. All seemed like villain in his life. 

Velu blinked, he felt it was his right to protect Sonakshi,  "Sona ma is sad. She there and now, you go there."

Vikram rolled his eyes , "I think I would need a lesson in English after teaching this guy.''

Badal shook his head, for some reason he liked the young boy and his loyalty towards Sonakshi. He rubbed Velu's shoulder, '' I will get Vikram.'' Velu blinked, summed up the words and finally derived the meaning, giving Badal a thankful smile he made his way door but Vikram's voice stopped him.

''Wait Velu. Where is Sona?''

"No Sona ma in house. All go outside." Velu's words made Advay scratch his head , he gave Vikram a pleading look

Vikram sighed, "Everyone went outside it seems." Velu nodded vigorously

''Where did they go?''

Velu scratched his head, looked around then grinned wider. Walking to the dresser m he took Vikram's shades and wore them watching the guys with a wide grin. When none understood he asked, ''How? Super?''

Advay pulled his hair harder, ''I am going to go mad.''

''Shopping?'' Vikram concluded and Velu did a little dance.

''These two are made for each other.'' Vansh declared. Vikram placed a peck on Velu's forehead , gifting him the shades. The young man blushed. Thanking Vikram he walked out

''Your family is waiting for you.'' Badal added after Velu left

''I am not going anywhere without meeting SOna.''

Vansh and Advay gave him an impossible look, ''Boss, the message came as a request and if you keep them waiting it will come as an order. So be a good boy and come along.'' Vikram was aware that his brothers were right. The Rathore order was something dangerous to face.

When he stepped into the room , he found his family in a happy discussion. ''There comes the groom.'' Ananya grabbed his hand dragging him down on the couch next to her. ''Sona's aunt had briefed us on the rituals and they are just beautiful. We are planning to go shopping and buy something which would help us mix up.''

He nodded lost but as words dawned he grinned wider, ''Yes....shopping!'' His brothers and friend slapped their forehead an Rolli rolled her eyes. Vikram's eyes met that of her sister and she winked making hims smile.

''Okay, get ready. We are leaving.'' Ananya declared. Vikram messaged Sona asking about her whereabouts but he got no response making him groan. Velu poked Vikram and whispered, ''Why fear, Velu here.'' Vikram grinned

''Okay people, ready to go?'' Vikram's excitement made Veer's brow go up. He understood. ''Watch out son. I don't want anyone hurt.''

''Chill dad.''

''Rolli, get ready.'' Ananya ordered 

''I will stay mom. I am little worn out with the travel. Pick something of your choice.'' The Princess replied with a smirk. She had other plans 

Vikram quickly went back to get ready, leaving his family a little curious over his over excitement. 

 "How can they go for wedding purchase without me. I am the Bridegroom for god sake. I Should be the one to select saree for Sona.  I want her to wear whatever I select" Vikram ranted as he got ready. His gang decided to ignore the mad groom as he had been throwing lot of attitude like a teenage girl since the day his wedding got fixed.

''I feel this is going to be our last day.'' Vansh declared earning a slap from Advay. The trio followed Vikram out who had dressed up as if if was the day to take the vows. 

''I feel my son has lost it.'' Veer declared but Ranvijay just smiled. If he was here to take the new queen home, he also had plans to get his daughter the love of her life.

 Vikram accompanied with his family and gang landed at the same shop with help of Velu but decided to keep out of Neelambari's eyes. For some reason he felt that the elder lady hated him.

Vansh jumped when his mother and aunts squealed in delight staring at the beautiful silk attires.  The ladies forgot everyone and the younger lot took a breather. ''Thank god our fathers decided to stay  back.''

Velu guided them , and made sure that they stayed off limits of Neelambari taking then to a corner full of cartons. 

Vikram smiled when he found Sona sitting among her family with a curled lip, rejecting all they chose for her.

Sona's aunt scolded her , "Paakamaye ellathaiyum reject pandra. Ennadi aachu unaku?" (You are rejecting everything without even seeing it properly. What happened to you?)

Sona made a face, "Onnum illa. Enaku select pandra mood illa. Neengale pannunga" (Nothing like that . You all select the , I'm not in a mood to select). 

Aadhavan huffed understanding her daughter's mood, "En ipdi nadanthukura. Ithu konjam kooda sari illa" (Why are you behaving like this Sona?)

her aunt added twisting her ear,  "Kalyanam unaka, engaluka. Engala select panna solra. Ennadi prachanai unaku?" (Marriage is for you or for us? You are asking us to select. What's your problem?)

On Velu's instance , Vikram messaged Sona and her face lit up like a star .  Her eyes moved in every direction to spot him and when they did, her lips split into a wider grin. Vikram threw a kiss in her direction with a smile and quickly hid when Sona's aunt turned as well.

''Chose the best one, I will help.'' His message suddenly uplifted her mood . All excited, she pushed everyone aside, , "Thallunga, Sarees select pannanum" (Move please, have to select the Sarees)

Everyone was left shocked with her changed demure and sudden excitement  Sona looked at her aunt and said, "Chithi, en ipdi silai maathiri nikkareenga. Sarees eduthu kaaminga, trial paaka vendama" (Chithi, why are you standing like a statue . Show me the sarees, I need to try  it.) Her aunt slapped her head, the girl was turning weird.

Sona got surprise and annoyed look from her aunts as she jumped on the seller side to pull the sarres out but she ignored all.  Shepulled a saree on top of her , walking to the wall length mirror she pretended having a look but her eyes were looking for Vikram. After a minute, her eyes met that of his in the mirror. She smiled and angled, asking his suggestion . He made a face and she discarded it. The drama went on and on, annoying all around to the core. The shop owner shouldn't express his annoyance because of Neelambari but the family was seriously irritated.

"Sona, if you are not going to select the next one, we are leaving from here. How long you going to reject it. Look behind you."  Sona turned and found the rejected mountain of sareers she had created . She just roller her eyes but her aunt meant business. 

 "This will be the last one." Sona bargained trying to calm the angry brigade. She pulled out a beautiful silk saree. She loved the finer texture and the golden thread work. Throwing it over her shoulder, she shyly lifted her eyes and found his watching her with love. Vikram gave a nod and she declared, ''I like this" showing the Saree making her family take a breather.

Vansh and Advay pulled Vikram down when they spotted Neelambari walking in with a bag of dresses. 

"Ithu, Rathore family ku vaanginathu. Naa avanga ellar kitayum pesiten, mukkiyama Mr. Ranvijay Rathore kita pesiten. Antha kudumbam ellarum naama paarambariya aadai than aniya poraanga"(It's for Rathore's family. I spoke to them especially with the King Mr.Ranvijay Rathore. They are going to wear our traditional dresses in this marriage)

Sona smiled happily looking at her grandma and she hands another separate bag to Aadhavan saying, "Ithu kalyana maappillaiku. Pattu Veti, pattu sattai. Bathirama vai".(This is for the Bridegroom. Silk shirt and dhoti. Keep it safe)

Aadhavan responds her with a nod and she moves to Sona who keeps smiling at the saree. She pats her head softly and said when she looks at her, "Saree than select paniyache. Vanthavangala kilamba sollu" (Saree selection is over right. Ask them to leave.'' 

Sona moved to her family to convey the message but Neelambari pulled her back, pointing to the corner,   "Not them but the ones   hiding from my sight." 

Sona's eyes went wide. She shut them tight hoping for all to vanish. Neelambari waited patiently for her granddaughter to open her eyes, when she did. The elder lady asked her to convey the message.

"Grandma asked you all to leave.'' Velu fainted when he discovered his mistress knew of their presence while the others tumbled one on the other running for their lives, leaving Vikram alone to carry his unconscious friend. 

***

Dev took two steps a time walking to his room. He had been assigned all the responsibilities to make his sisters wedding a memorable affair. He was doing all for that but he also took care of small issues the estate had. He considered everyone here as his own.

Dev pushed open door and froze. ''What are you doing here?''

''Waiting for you.'' Rolli replied, walking to him slowly with her arms behind her back.

''We shouldn't be seen together.''

Rolli froze, narrowed her eyes and took a step, ''Or you don't want be seen with me but someone else.''

Dev blinked, walked past her. ''I think you should leave ...'' His words remained incomplete when a sudden kick made him fall flat on his back, ''What ? Why?''

Rolli pulled up a cane and spanked his butt, ''How dare you move on so soon?'' Dev jumped on the other side. The Rathore girl was mad and now he believed himself to be the bigger crazy to fall for her.

''Rolli, you need to calm down.'' He tried to calm her

''I will, once I stuff you with hay.'' SHe chased him around the bed and he looked for one chance to escape but the Princess seemed determined to break him into two. His life got saved when Rolli heard her father calling out her name.

''I will be back and turn you into a dust.'' Dev crashed on the floor, still not able to comprehend his fault. ''Man, I loved a crazy woman.''

***

 Dev ordered the maids to get the bags as he greeted his grandmother, trying his best not to limp. His butt still burned,   "Paatti, Ungaluku oru surprise" (Paatti, you have a surprise)

Neelambari pulled his cheek, "Ethuvum enna surprise pannathu" (Nothing can surprise me)

Dev challenged , "Apdiya. Ippa paakalam" (Is it? Let's see) Turning around he said, "Vara sollu" (Call them)

The room was filled with the beautiful jingles of anklets as a young girl ran and hugge Neelambari. "Paatti, Enna vara solitu enga poneenga" (Paatti, you called me here and left somewhere without me)

Dev stared at them surprised. Neelambari added, "Sonene, ethuvum enna surprise pannathu. Ithu unakaana surprise" (I told you right, Nothing can surprise me. This surprise is for you)S

The girl greeted everyone in her family and then was formally introduced to Rathores, minus the groom over the dinner. Vikram had decided to keep off after the stunt he pulled. 

''She is Jyothi, SOna's Cousin and soon to be sister in law.'' Aadhavan was the first one to break the silence, ''Sagar is too young.''

Neelambari gave him  bored look, ''I am talking about Dev.'' The silence of the room broke with the dropping of a china tumbler. Rolli glared at Dev excusing herself the next minute.

Dev stood frozen ,too shocked to react. It wasn't just him but Rathores too were left speechless. Ranvijay smiled, the game he wanted to played was now triggered by someone else. Sona knew what Rolli meant to Dev and how impossible it was for him to love someone else.  She watched as he stood like a stone sculpture not uttering a single word. Sona decided to talk to Jyothi and then to Neelambari.

"Aadhavan, I want Dev and Jyoti to get engaged before Sona's marriage.''

''Dev, are you fine with this alliance.'' Aadhavan asked

''He is , he promised me.'' Neelambari answered for Dev who decided to stay quite. He didn't know why was he chosen by the destiny to be hit by an avalanche at every step.

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I know I am taking time but I can't do early due to my schedule.  I work more than 14 hrs a day and at times weekends get to busy as well. I don't like making the readers wait and hence  I am planning to finish this one so that I just have one to write. 

Next -the wedding