'Neelambari's house buzzed with activity from the moment Sun lightened up the sky. The two Royal's were ready to bind their kids into an unbreakable bond.

The Rathores decided to dress in the clothes gifted by the bride's family. It was a small gesture to make Sona smile. Ranvijay still felt guilty that Vikram shot his wife.

Neelambari smiled as the family gathered in the hall. ''Thank you! Your gesture of letting things happen as per our rituals means a lot to us.''

''And your family giving Vikram another chance means a lot to us,'' Ranvijay replied. The old scion smiled. Off all the decision her granddaughter made, the best was to choose the family who valued family bonds.The two families drove to the family temple to seek the blessing of the deity.

''We call this ritual as Pandha Kaal Muhurtham. : It is a common belief that evil spells can harm the bride-to-be and groom-to-be. Thus, it is important to pray to the divine and seek his blessings for an undisturbed wedding process.'' Neelambari explained.

The two families offered their prayers, each requesting the divine to bless their kids with a beautiful marriage.

Neelambari went ahead explaining the rituals to the family. Dipika expressed her desire to be a part of it and Neelambari readily agreed.

She explained the significance of the next Ritual PAALIKAI THELLICHAL , followed by NISHCHAYATHARTHAM .

''So we do the formal engagement today?'' Ananya asked excitedly

Neelambari nodded making Ananya clap in delight. The family had dreams of doing everything for their firstborn and their prayers seemed to get answered in a beautiful way. The Rathore women got excited and questioned Neelambari in detail as the men decided to escape.

The evening turned beautiful as the two families offered the first invitation to the Lord Ganesha, the elders declared the marriage agreement once again filling the room up with cheers and applauds.

Jyoti walked Sona into the room, seating her on the dais. Dressed in an orange silk saree, Sona looked like the first ray of Sun. She kept her eyes to her locked fingers into her lap.

After a moment she felt something on her head, Sona lifted her eyes to have them locked with that of Vikram's grandmother, . ''You belong to us now, and I promise to take care of you.'' Sona blinked her happy tears.

Next was Ananya who gave Sona gifts and suggesting to never address her as an aunt. ''I officially give you the right to call me A.'' Sona chuckled, Ananya tucked the strand of hair behind her ear, ''And in Jaigarh, I am your mother hereon.'' Sona watched the lady who once scared her, lifting her arms she wrapped them around Ananya whispering thanks.

Dipika was the last one, she gave Sona a tight hug before the gifts, ''I promise to love and support you through everything.'' Sona kissed Dipika's palm

Neelambari, Aadhavan too blessed and adorned Vikram with gifts with the other elders of the estate and family.

Finally, it was the turn of siblings. Rolli walked to her sister in law with a big smile on her lips, ''I am supposed to be gifting you this doll as a ritual to welcome you in the family as my sister but I have an addition to it.'' Sona looked confused, Rolli smiled leaning closer, ''bless me with a niece as beautiful as this doll and remember, I asked for a niece.''

Sona turned beetroot hearing her sister in law's demand. Rolli laughed, pecking Sona's head she walked back to join her family.

Dev smiled watching Rolli. This was the first time she had dressed up so girly. She had chosen a bright yellow half saree with traditional jewelry and flowers in hair.

''She is beautiful.'' Jyoti broke the chain of his thoughts.

''And violent,'' Dev added, rubbing his still stinging butt. Jyoti giggled. She had said yes to the wedding but as Dev's friend she wanted him to have united with Rolli.

Rolli narrowed her eyes at the smiling couple, jealousy making her anger shoot up. She imagined all kinds off stuff she wanted to do Dev for accepting the new relation. Her eyes wandered around.

''What do you think she is searching for?'' Jyoti asked Dev

''Something to kill me in one shot,'' Dev replied face palming as Jyoti broke into the fits of laughter leaning onto Dev. Rolli's eyes went wide. As they collide with that of Dev, she shot him a warning to distance himself from Jyoti.

Dev rolled his eyes, gesturing her to cool down. She punched her one fist against her palm, ushering a silent warning to move or face the consequences. Dev gave up, he walked away on the pretext of some work he didn't want to upset the mad princess.

Rolli smiled with pride about being able to scare Dev off.

''Dev, it is your turn.'' Neelambari gestured Dev to gift Vikram. Dev hesitated. Vikram's gesture wasn't too welcoming, he debated against stepping forward but next voice left him no choice.

''Would you like to leave the ritual incomplete for your beloved sister. Would you wish bad luck.'' Ranvijay's voice did the trick, and for the first time, Dipika decided to let go all the hard feelings she held. She wanted to trust the boy whom she once wanted to bless with all the love.

Walking to Dev, she pressed a gentle palm onto his back pushing him forward.

Dev extended a doll with shaking palms. ''Vikram, I expect you to behave. Dev is your elder brother.'' Dipika's voice made Vikram accept the gift but Dev knew, he still didn't have any acceptance. 

Dev walked away a bit emotional and hurt. Nothing would wash away the sins he committed. Rolli watched him vanish all emotional, angry at Vikram for his behaviour.  

Dipika followed him out. ''Dev!''

''I want to be alone. Please.'' He pleaded. Dipika ignored and moved closer to her nephew. ''Its hurts, I know but trust me with time things will get better.''

''How do you know? ''

''I have been in your place, may be in a different way.''

''You had your in- laws, they stood by you.''

''You have your grandmother, your dad and your siblings. They love you a lot.'' Dipika reasoned but Dev stayed silent. Moving closer, she rubbed his back, ''I think before suggesting you something, I should be doing it. I am sorry ...for everything and I forgive you for everything. Can we make a new beginning son.''

Dev smiled at his aunt, and hers followed. ''You have the same eyes as mine. I guess that makes you like me.'' She said, a drop of tear slipping down her cheek. Moving forward, he hugged her, ''I am sorry Dev. I once used you as my shield. I allowed the knife at your neck.''

''Yet you left me alive. We are even.'' He replied wiping his happy tears.

''Now go inside, its your sister's biggest day.'' Dipika said pecking his cheek. Dev smiled, not sure if he should ask what ran into his head. Dipika understood, she caressed his head, ''it ins't about you, its about your mother and grandmother. They can't risk Rolli with them around.''

''You think she needs protection?'' He mocked recalling the thrashing he received

Dipika smiled, ''No, but  we can't risk her.'' He smiled with nod, understanding his aunt's point. Dipika grabbed his arm walking him back inside. The two were welcomed with silence and worried faces. Dipika blinked, ''What? Can't a nephew and aunt have word in private.'' Her sentence bought immediate sigh from all as everyone went back to celebration.  Dev walked to his grandmother and Father giving them a hug. ''Are you fine son?'' Aadhavan asked

''Never been better.''

Jyoti pulled Vikram along as it was time for performances, making Rolli go into flames.. The folk singers performed blessing the couples and enchanting the audience. Before the next could begin, Neelambari decided to give a brief introduction, ''I am sure you are aware of different kinds of martial arts, this is one  is an ancient art which was founded in the era of great epics. Its called Silambam. I am sure you would have seen the same form in different parts of the country with different moves and modification . Today, we made it a little musical. Its a fight between two loves.

The two players took the stage, each holding a staff . As the music started they came into the attack position. The interesting part was that the two players were if different genders and both wore a mask. The man was seen with another woman when his partner is seen dancing in rage.

Rolli blinked, her eyes went to Dev who was saying something to Jyoti leaning closer to her ear. She felt like the woman betrayed. With each attack the woman player made, her anger shoot up. She wanted to thrash Dev mercilessly. As audience applauded the show, Rolli could only hear the sound the staff made.  Her stance broke when room was filled with applauds.

''Can we have a little twist to this.'' Asked the angry Rathore Princess. Ranvijay shook his head but before he could understand , she was already up there. ''I have practiced this art for years and I love it, Let's make it a fun game, bride side vs the groom side. A new wedding game.''

Their was a silence and then the bride side started poking Dev, he refused but he was being pushed inside the battle field. Rolli smirked and whispered , ''I knew you were best at this one. Your friend Velu told me.'' 

Dev gave Velu a stare who in turn grinned wider giving him a thumbs up. Dev shook his head, if he was the best, the Rathore Princess was no less. He had seen her practicing with staff before and not to forget the anger in her eyes.

Neelambari smiled, her planned worked. The Princess was ready to fight and the day wasn't far enough when she would fight for her love. The fight started with friendly attacks but grew intense as Dev did all to protect his bones and Rolli used all her moves to break them.

At one point the two staff were locked, ''Calm down, this is just a game.'' Dev whispered

''For you it would be one, for me its a war and will end with doubling the number of bones in your body.''

''Okay, lets discuss this privately .''

''Forget it. '' With that she untangle her shaft, walked back and came again with full force.

''Stop her.'' Ananya nudged Ranvijay

''If I can't stop you from breaking her heart, I can't stop her either from breaking his bones.'' He replied with a shrug of his shoulders, his eyes on Dev. The guy never attacked, all his moves were in his defence. Ranvijaysmiled, Dev loved Rolli the most.''

''You will regret Ananya if she loses him.''

''What about his mother and grandmother? I won;t risk my child.''

''Then have a look at your child. She doesn't need any of us. She is capable enough. I bet, Rolli will fight for her love.''

The fight ended with Dev accepting the defeat. ''So Princess, since the groom side won what would be the punishment for the bride side.''

Rolli smiled, ''A request. Throw my brother in mud if he ever hurts Sona.'' Velu translated for her making all smile.

As all retired for the night, Rolli decided to give Dev another lesson. As she walked toward his room, she heard the female voice again. Her eyes watered watching Jyoti tending the small bruise she gave him. ''You are dead Dev Singh.''

***

Later in the night the family gathered for another pre-wedding ritual ,  ''This ritual is called as NALUNGU - The Cleansing Ritual.'' Neelambari explained

''Just like we have haldi.'' Anaya added making Neelambari nod.

While the family was gentle with Sona, Vikram had the most rough ritual any groom could ever had. None of his family members went light of him and worst came from his sister who turned him into a turmeric ghost, ''Rolli enough. I will look like a yellow ghost.''

''If you ever insult Dev again, I will turn you into a ghost.'' She whispered a warning freezing him.

''This'' He said pointing to her, ''Is wrong.'' he concluded

''You were wrong as well, to Sona. You got a chance without repenting, so he definitely deserves one.'' With that she rubbed another layer of turmeric on his face before walking away. Her lips stretched into a smile. She was going to fight for her love. She was Ranvijay's daughter and was going to snatch the one she love, just like her dad did.

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 Done. 

Next- The wedding and Rolli's determination to get Dev back.