Ananya watched as Rolli and Sona pampered Dev with emotions flowing through their eyes. She huffed, emotions were right but being completely involved in them was wrong. Stepping into the room, she took her seat write opposite to the bed where Dev rested. 

He cleared his throat making her presence known. She smiled, moving her eyes to the two females she asked a question Rudrani Devi had asked her years back. ''Can you both answer a question? What do you understand by the word Queen?''

There was a long silence, Ananya shook her head. ''You don't have to marry a King to be a Queen. A queen is a woman who doesn't sit and cry, she fights. She isn't just pretty, she is bold, brave and ready to face anything. I expect that from both of you.''

She took a moment before adding further. ''This something Granny taught me. Had she given up then, none of us would be here discussing this. Its time I give this lesson to my daughters. Every woman should be the Queen of their own life and not just that of a king.''

Rolli stayed still, her eyes on her and Dev's tangled fingers. Ananya stood up. ''You should have let her fight Dev. She isn't made of roses.''

He smiled. ''I know but she is the most precious one for me.'' Rolli smiled with tears in her eyes. Ananya decided to let them be, they were struck by love bomb and nothing would effect them. Turning her focus to Sona, she said. ''Sona, the same applies to you. Its time you learn being one.'' Sona stared at Ananya's extended palm, while Dev held her other wrist. She was aware her brother always be worried about her but her trust on Ananya was too strong. Extending her hand, she grabbed that of Ananya. ''I trust you with everything Badi Ma.''  Ananya knew what Sona was going to witness was would be a shock but she had to get used to certain things.

She smiled at the address, Sona had decided to make her own path, not just in relationships but life too.  Her eyes moved to her long time friend, Dipika nodded once. They were like shadow of one and other, silence was understood just as the words. She watched Ananya guiding Sona towards the lobby.

Walking the young girl through the narrow lobbies of the Palace, Ananya gradually led her to the basements. ''These look dangerous.''

''Only for the ones who hurt us. Don't be scared, I am with you.'' Sona wasn't scared, she was just curious. But fear started creeping in when her eyes fell on a very different Ranvijay. Since she stepped in, he greeted her and Rolli the same way. There wasn't a day when he didn't smiled or inquired about her well being  but today, he didn't bother to give her single glance. His eyes were focused on someone else. Sona covered her mouth in order to stop her stomach from throwing up. A bloodied man lay on the floor as Ranvijay remained seated on his high chair. She gripped Ananya's arm hard. ''I can't...all this...its too... ''

''This man attacked your brother. His intention was to give Dev a painful slow death. Think and then tell me, does his condition bother you.'' Ananya had hit the right cord. Dev meant world to Sona, she stared at the man. Her fears turning into hate and then anger. ''I just wish he rots in hell.''

''That would be later. First, he will burn in Jaigarh.'' Ananya patted her hand. ''Go, Dev must be worried.'' Sona nodded, she was a non-violent but the idea of killing the man seemed right. The mere thought of her brother being harmed was more than she could endured. Her mind immediately agreed, the man was getting what he deserved. Ananya watched her walking away, she then turned towards Ranvijay. ''Where is  he?''

Ananya followed Ranvijay's eyes to the man handing upside down, he was unconscious. When Ananya entered the dungeon, she was surprised at unknown man but continued for Sona's sake. Sona needed fire to fight and she decided to teach her a little different way. Their life was different. Hence, it had to be handled differently  

''How long?''

''Till all get the message about who is the Boss here.'' His words made her smirk. Ranvijay walked and stood beside her. ''He says I am not playing fair.''

''We never promised a fair game.''

''Yes, but he will get what he thinks is fair.''

 ''Think again, you are old.' She teased. He crooked his head. ''This makes it all the way more necessary for me to prove now.'' She smiled, and he fell for her again.

***

''What?'' Ananya grabbed Dipika's arm, who seemed to be in a rush. ''Dipika speak up!''

''Vasudha Mahendra Singh is here and I can't stand her.''

''Then why did you allow her in here.''

''She was worried about Dev and ...''

Ananya rubbed Dipika's arm. ''That's fine, she can do nothing. '' Dipika nodded walking away and Ananya decided to check on Dev. Her intention was to check on  Vasudha's intentions. 

Ananya rolled her eyes at Vasudha's loud drama.  She rolled her eyes and then gestured Rolli and Sona to leave, they did after a little resistance.

''I always knew your real face. This care and concern is a drama. You planned this attack to kill my grandson. You don't know what I can do with your daughter...'' That was enough, Ananya's fingers curled around Vasudha's neck. 

''Never ever dare to threaten my kids. And about Dev, he belongs to us.'' Pulling Vasudha closer she warned. ''Thank Dipika for your life, or I would have ended your miserable life now.'' Stepping away she called out the name which would scare Vasudha to death. 

''Sitara, make her feel at home.'' Vasudha gulped as Sitara walked in. Time had shown the effect on her but her light eyes still held the held the fierceness which shook Suryagarh to the core. Sitara smirk spoke a million things. ''Have no doubt Vasudha Mahendra Singh, I still carry the same knife, I  pierced your husband and son with.'' Vasudha stepped back, her eyes met that Ananya's over Sitara's shoulder. The message was clear,  it was Ananya Rathore's way or no way.

***

Vansh stood on the deck his eyes on the dancing violent waves, his thoughts going back to Chitra. The dance of water reminded him of Chitra's feel spirited laughter. The horizon where water met the sky, reminded him of his desire for her.  Just like the horizon, she seemed close yet far.

Vansh wiped the corner of his eyes. He tried all his might to understand the reason of this distance and her pushing him away. He laughed at his own life. He loved her and so did she, yet she refused to respect his feelings. 

''Stay away or I will ruin you.'' A male voice interrupted his thoughts. Vansh turned and frowned, a guy who had his back to her held Leela's arm in a firm grip, threatening her about something. His eyes moved to leela, the girl was still smiling, unaffected by his threats. Vansh noticed that little commotion had started attracting the crowd. 

Vansh took a deep breath and decided to intervene. Taking long steps to them, he pulled away the guy from Leela. ''Easy.''

''And who hell are you.'' The man growled

''Someone who has more brain than you. And just to warn you, he has broken many bones before this day. If you don't stop messing around, he will throw you to sharks.'' Vansh stared at Leela, his eyes wide open as she answered for him. Breaking bones was the last thing he had done, he wasn't even properly trained. 

''Then lets have a match.'' The guy challenged

''Done!'' Leela accepted on Vansh's behalf

''I will see in the gym at 8:00 tonight.'' The guy walked off.

''What the hell? I am not fighting that idiot.''

''Then don't. No one is pushing you.'' Leela replied with a shrug of her shoulders. He just couldn't believe his ears. ''You just lied, how could you.''

''I just used my brain and I can because I have one.'' Leela still was smiling, she couldn't understand why Vansh was picking us fight with her on such a trivial matter but Vansh felt triggered. He felt the world was unjust to him, his parents , family and even the love of his life failed to understand him. The pent up frustration came out on Leela who had no idea what wrong she did.

''your words make no sense. Do you have any idea who are you dealing with? Do you know who I am ? This little act can land you in a big trouble.'' He warned

Leela frowned on the threat. She crossed her arms, "I am curious now, who are you and what harm can you do to me?''

Vansh took a step. "I know this confidence is just because of Urvi...'' The rest remained in his head as Leela stopped the flow of words. ''Leave me, what is your confidence all about? Let me answer that, the surname Rathore. You are nothing without that surname.''

''Are you jealous you don't have such a powerful name.''

''I don't need a name. As I can be Leela confidently; without using the name I hadn't earned for myself.'' She stepped away but then the next words shook Vansh to the core. ''I think you should drop that name Vansh officially from records as all you need is RATHORE.'' The smirk she wore said a million words.  She reminded him for Chitra's words. Leela didn't give him a chance to speak walking away but he was determined to teach her a lesson.

***

Urvi kept her clutch aside leaning on to the railing of the deck that overlooked the waves. Her father had made sure she got finest of the rooms as she loved oceans. She smiled as her eyes a pod of dolphins leaping out of water and then taking a dive again. She chuckled, focusing her phone camera on them but her hands could either support her body holding the railing or the camera. With a sigh she was about to give up when a pair of arms went around her lean waist supporting her weight. Advay placed his chin on her shoulder, ''Go for it now.''

She smiled, her heart beating a violent streak. Focusing her camera back on the dolphins; she touched on the click button and just the, Advay placed a peck on her cheek. Their eyes met and stayed locked for a minute. It felt so right , perfect, she forgot her imperfection being with him.  Urvi felt complete around him and just when she was feeling lucky , the sound of her clutch hitting the ground bought her back to reality.

''Hey what's wrong?'' Advay asked noticing the change in her expression.

''Who are we kidding Advay, your mom will never agree for us. No mother would want an imperfect girl for her perfect son.'' Advya knew what Urvi said was the truth but his mind was made up. Lifting Urvi bridal style he took her by surprise . ''Advay , put me down. This is awkward.''

''Really? Get use to it.'' He carried her as she kept scolding him in whispers. He carried her to his room; placed her on the bed in a sitting position, steeling opposite to her on the floor . ''Now, answer my questions and then you can go about scolding me.'' She made a stern face

''How did this happen Urvi?'' Advay asked caressing her leg.

She took a deep breath; recalling the fateful incident. ''I was a professional photographer; the best one. I have worked in different short term project when wildlife photography took my interest. It gave me opportunity to travel and this connect with nature was so beautiful.'' She took a moment. ''I was shooting was a magazine in Africa, I had to be on a tree stand to shoot a big herd being attacked by carnivores. I was excited about that shoot.''

''Then!''

''I don't know. One minute I was busy with my camera and another minute I was on earth, unconscious. The tree stand was on a height, when it broke no had enough time to save me. I fell on hard earth and before I could get a up, a vehicle from our unit ran over leg.''

''Weren't they looking.''

''It was nobody's fault. The driver was backing the vehicle, before he could hit the brakes, it went over my leg. Doctors said my ankle bone was badly crushed to be healed completely.'' There was along silence. 

''You love photography.''

''Yes...but.''

He placed a finger on her lips. ''This will not stop you here on.'' Leaning further, Advay placed feathery kisses on her foot. ''About my mother, leave her on me. Do you trust me Urvi?''

''Does it matter, I love you and that all I have.'' He smiled placing a kiss on her forehead. Taking her hand into his he declared. ''I Advaya Ranawat, here on take you as my better half for life.'' The sincerity in his voice strengthen her belief. Life   had test for them but they were ready.

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Thanks for bearing with me. Here is the update. Let me know how was it.