The next morning was brighter than anyone the Rathore family had in past. The family looked excited about being the part of a wedding. Vikram sat as his mother and aunt warded evil eye of him.

Ananya pulled his cheeks, ''My Vicky grew up so fast.'' He smiled lowering his eyes .

''for heaven sake , address him as Vikram today.'' Ranvijay begged

''It will always be Vicky for me. My little Vicky.'' She stared at Vikram and he nodded confirming her right on him. Dipika smiled at her son. Her friend and the one who witnessed , heard and felt her dark days. She shook her head to get rid of the thoughts. Fixing his collar she advised, ''Last time you made a mistake of not understanding her side of story. I hope, you won't repeat that.''

''I won't mom.'' He promised, Ranvijay smiled and whispered, ''We will see that.''

''What do you mean?'' Ananya asked

''our kids still need lot of growing up and as elders we should hep them.'' Ananya frowned, blinked and then shook her head. Ranvijay Rathore was going to test the couple. She thought he had given up on the idea but looking at his expression she knew Vikram-Sona will have to learn a lot still.

Dipika nodded stepping away, giving the floor to her mother in law. SHivangi Rathore did the necessary rituals as it was time for groom to step out of the house

***

''Where is Dev? Its time we leave for temple.'' Neelambari asked Jyoti who was busy helping Sona. Jyoti pressed her lips, it took her mountain size control do hide her laughter. How could she tell Neelambari that her beloved grandson had been punished bad by the scorned Princes.

''Jyoti, answer me.'' Neelambari commanded. Just when Jyoti was about to respond, Dev walked in. He tried his level best to look normal but anyone could make out that so he was too pretentious. ''what's wrong with you?'' Neelambari asked

''Nothing...I overslept.''

''And that is making you walk weirdly''

Dev thought, ''I slipped in the bathroom.'' Jyoti giggled. Neelambari looked from one to other but she had no time to go into the details. ''Whatever! We are getting late. Go and check if everything is ready.'' Dev nodded. He was about to walk off but then his eyes fell on his sister. Moving forward he cupped her face , smiling down at her with love. ''Stay happy my little Sona.''

Dev pecked her forehead and SOna was back to being 6 year old girl whom he shielded all day. Coming to her feet, she hugged her brother. There were million things she wanted to say but nothing came out of her mouth. Dev rubbed her back, ''Don't spoil the makeup or you might scare Vikram away.'' Sona sobbed harder, she unconsciously pressed his back making him groan.

''Anna are you hurt?'' Sona asked worried, Jyoti pressed her lips and Dev gave her a warning glare.

''I stepped on the soap and fell really bad.'' He explained and Jyoti gave him a stink eye. Dev moved back and quickly left the room. He took a breather when he was out of the prying eyes. ''Aww..!' he groaned as his muscles ached. The events of last night danced inform of his eyes. He was still in shock the way his lady love had behaved.

''Think again, Jyoti is good choice. If you marry the Rathore Princess, these bruises will be your future.'' warned his mind and he grinned. It would be fun to deal with her anger every day. She was cute fiery and brave. Her temper was bad but she was everything he wanted and now he was going to ask for it.

''Congratulations On your engagement Devansh Singh.'' She hasd stepped into his room past mind, dressed in her tracks. His eyes had gone wide, when she kicked the door shut behind her.

''You shouldn't be here at this hour.''

''OH is it? Or you wanted your fiance to be here.''

''We will talk later.'' He tried to calm her but his words made her lips twitch. She had her hands locked behind the whole time as he took steps to him. ''You need to go back. You are not....'' The words died as her punch landed on her face. ''What the hell?''

''Yes...what the hell? How dare you get engaged to someone who isn't me.'' She kicked him hard on chest making him fall on his back.

''That's enough.'' The Royal blood in his veins roared. Coming to his feet he blocked her throwing her off to the hard floor. She crooked her neck to stare at him, he was huffing like a bull. She jumped to her feet and he immediately took a defensive pose, ''I don't want what this!''

''You are not brave enough to ask for what you want.'' She taunted throwing a kick. He grabbed her ankle, lifted her body up and threw her on the bed. Before she could attack again, he locked her under him. ''Rolli, stop this madness.''

''Madness! This is just a glimpse. When I will leave this room, I promise you will be scared to step out of this room.'' She warned

He wanted to smile but before he could, she freed her hand punching him again. Dev have had enough, he knew if not restrained she would leave him with broken bones. Pushing her down on to the bed and tied her hands to the head board. Dev took a breather.

''Untie me you coward.'' He just rolled his eyes.

''Dev, I will break the bed and the room. Untie me.'' He took his time to gulp down water, while she kept cursing him. From the corner of his eyes he watched as her focus shifting to her tied hands. He watched in admiration as she used her lower body and rolled her body up. Now, sitting on the head board. Her eyes locked with his, she smirked as she undid the ties.

''Its not your day Devash Singh.'' He groaned. She lunged at him but this time he was ready, locking her arms behind her, he pulled her to his chest, ''Calm down Princess.''

''I will! Once I break all your bones.''

''Rolli, this is for our best.'' He tried to reason

''Speak for yourself not me. I know what's best for me.''

''I have hurt you. I am scared I might do it again.'' His words halted all the fighting.

''I have forgiven you. So did dad.''

''But not others.'' He leaned his forehead against hers. She stayed still and then banged her head against his making him groan. ''The others you mentioned are my family. If I can fight, why can't you?''

Dev rubbed his forehead. ''You are being unreasonable.'' She pushed him hard and he pushed her back. She lunged at him but he was ready, he pulled her closer placing his lips on hers. If he was desperate, she was wild. She bit him, ''You are wild.'' He said touching his bleeding lips. She smirked. Walking closer, she pulled him closer by collar, ''Devansh Singh, it will be or no on else. If you don't , I will fight and you know I am enough to fight on both our behalf.'' Walking closer, she went on her toes she pressed her lips on to his, ''I love you and I am not losing you.'' He smiled.

''I have a question? After all the throwing we did, why isn't someone here.''

''This is an old summer Palace but its walls are still strong enough to hold the any sound, and my room is in the corner. You should leave. I shouldn't be seen with me.''

''I am thinking of seducing you and getting pregnant.'' Her words made his cheek heat up. ''Go Rolli.''

''I will but with a warning. If you failed to stand up tomorrow, I will marry you at gunpoint and keep you in Jaigarh.''

''I am the man here.'' He replied gaping at her threat

''But I am the Rathore here, and it doesn't matter man or woman, Rathore always will have an upper hand.'' She left his room with a wining smile and he muttered, ''Arrogant Rathore.''

Dev came back to present smiling to self. His body ached at places she had kidded him, but it felt sweet. He knew she meant every word she uttered, if h didn't fight, she would break few more bones.

***

''Vikram, hurry up or we will be late.''

''Where is Rolli?'' He asked. The family looked around but couldn't find her. Before they could send Vansh for her, she made her appearance dressed in a beautiful ethnic silk saree with traditional jewellery and lot of flowers in her hair. There was silence, she stood opposite to Vikram smiling ear to ear. He touched her forehead, ''Did you hit your head somewhere.''

She slapped his hand, ''This is not the first time I am wearing ethnic.''

''But this is too much for any of us.'' He joked earning a light punch. Vikram hugged her, ''You were leaving without me.'' She complained

''I can leave anything but not you.'' He replied

Rolli pulled out a gold bracelet and wrapped it around his wrist, ''My wishes will always be with you.'' Vikram pulled her in a bear hug, his mind cursing him for not supporting her sister. He shut his eyes once, pecked her forehead and whispered, ''I will stand by you.'' She watched him, Vikram smiled, ''I don't want to be a jerk.'' She smiled and hugged him tight.

''Okay, enough you two. Vikram we must leave and now.'' Dipika commanded

***

''Everything would be as per your instructions Hukum.'' Sitara responded

''Is Chitra around?'' Ranvijay asked

''She is at her college. I will ask her to call you once she is back.'' Ranvijay disconnected after a brief chat but his mind knew that Sitara would do anything to keep Chitra away from Vansh. He wanted the same but for different reasons. He felt they were young and needed time.

The giggles bought his attention back to the couple waiting to be wed. He huffed, if given a choice he would have even suggested the same for Sona. She was naïve , gullible and too sweet for rough Vikram. She needed growing up. He shook his head.

''Stop worrying.'' Veer rubbed his brother's back

''She is too young and Vikram isn't as soft as he looks.'' Ranvijay voiced his thoughts

''They will learn.''

''How?''

''Bhai, Ananya learned and rose as a strong leader. Dipika learned to fight for her. Its our affection which would teach them.''

''I hope you are right.'' Ranvijay sighed. His eyes then went to his daughter. Rolli stood watching her brother teasing him every now then. Ranvijay's eyes then moved to Dev. He stood at a distance admiring Rolli. When their eyes met , she winked.

''Looks like her thrashing set his brain right.'' Veer followed his gaze

''Bhai, NO.''

''We made our choices when granny was against it. What right do we have to stop them.''

''Its Suryagarh.''

''You are married to Suryagarh's Princess and she is an amazing person. Dev is just the same. If he was anything like his mother, he wouldn't be here as Sona's family.''

''Are you bribing me.'' Veer asked

''No, making my stance clear. My mind is made up, my girl will have what she desires.''

''Ananya won't agree.'' Veer reasoned.

''it would be fun facing her again.'' Just then Ananya turned, he smiled but she shook her head in a no. He grinned wider. She knew him, and he knew her. Ranvijay was sure he would turn her decision around.

Vansh was happy for Vikram but his chest constricted with a dreadful feeling. He hadn't heard from Chitra since they left Jaigarh and he felt he wouldn't see her again. He was desperate to reach her but had no means. Sitara wouldn't allow and none of the guards would defy his father.

Vansh glared at Ranvijay, he felt it was unjust to let Rolli have her love and deny him the one he loved. His fist clenched, if his father wasn't going to budge he would rebel then. Nothing and no one would stop him from having Chitra in his life.

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

Wedding Rituals. Jaigarh welcomes the new Princess and The Rebel Ahana Rathore.