''You are not allowed to step out till your wedding.'' Sona declared barging into Rolli's suite. She went about arranging the stuff she had bought as Rathore Princess watched her mouth wide open.

''And who made this rule.''

''The Queen herself, any issue.''

''No. Discussion ended. Can't break the rules made by mom.'' Sona nodded like a pro. Rolli smiled, the Sona she met in London was a shy scared girl, and this one was confident , happy and some what bossy.

''Tell me something about Dev that I am not aware. Something which can give me advantage over him.''

''Anna is ticklish. You don't even have to touch him, the moment you lift your fingers, he starts jumping around.'' Rolli smiled. ''That's going to help me.''

''We will miss you Rolli. Specially, your parents. I can see it in there eyes.'' Rolli sat, her knees pulled to her chest. ''I know, I am going to miss them as well. There is so much in my heart that I can't express.''

Sona rubbed her back. ''Good thing, your are just few hours away.'' Sona walked out leaving Rolli with her thoughts. The Princess went down the memory lane. Her family had bought her with lot of love. Her father hadn't slept nights just to entertain his talkative daughter, and her mother never stopped her from trying something you. When others created boundaries , Ananya pushed them away. Her uncle trusted her with everything, so much so that Vikram got punished because she complained.  

All the members had kept her like she was the most precious thing on the planet and now thought of leaving all was making her heart heavy. Wiping her wet eyes, she threw her body on the bed drowning her self in the memories. 

With a deep breath she lifted her body moving to the window which overlooked the city. She smiled, she was the the daughter of Ranvijay Rathore. In Jaigarh or out of it, she was going to leave her mark. 

***

''Your parents don't mind you drink? I mean that makes people bad.'' Anika scoffed her wine hearing the inexperienced Princess.  ''So you believe that drinking makes people bad?'' 

''Yes, everyone says so.''  Raina replied, her big eyes focused on Anika.

''A sage can be a Devil and a drunkard can be an angel. Habits can be good and bad, people can be different.  Judge them about how they behave with the ones lesser or weaker than them.'' Anika sat thoughtful, she stepped on to the lawn area smiling at the orange hue that covered the Sky. ''This is beautiful. I haven't seen something like this.''

''I disagree! You must have see the dusk but missed the beauty.'' Anika added . ''Is there anything more beautiful than this?'' Raina asked

''Dawn Princess! If Dusk relives you of the day long tiredness, dawn bring a new day of hope.'' Raina stared at Anika, she appeared to be easy going , yet was so deep. ''If I were a boy, I would fall for you.''

''And my dad would chase you away.'' Anika smiled, her eyes sparkling with adoration of her adoptive father.

''Can you wake me up, I wish to see the dawn.'' Raina's word stilled Anika, they held pain. Taking a step she held her by shoulders. ''Princess, you are your own dawn and I am going to help you find that.'' The young Ranawat Princess smiled. Their conversation was broken when a white car entered the premises of Adi's mansion. James stepped out with Anjali, his lips stretched into a big smile. ''You look so much like Adi.'' He pulled Raina's small form in a hug.

''You forgot me dad.''

''You are grounded and I made sure that guy never steps near you.'' He reprimanded Anika about her current interest. Anika stomped as Anjali refused to intervene between them. Raina watched as father daughter went about their bickering. She wondered, why didn't she argue like this with her parents. All she would do was lock her room and her wish was granted, that seemed easy but what she saw seemed beautiful. Anika placed a peck on her father's cheek as later smiled, his anger vanishing in thin air. Raina realized what being a real Princess meant.

***

''If you do with this speed, we will never be able to complete.'' Dev reprimanded the staff who had been assigned the task of his wedding arrangements. He huffed, it would have been good if he had a whole family in his support but his grandmother Vasudha refused. 

''You call this a decoration.'' His lips stretched into a big grin as her heard the voice of Neelambari echoed the hall. Dev hugged his grandmother as his father and brother watched. ''I knew you would come.'' 

''Get off, you didn't bother to call me.''

''I was going to visit you in a day.'' He replied earning a smile.  Dev greeted his father and then Sagar. ''Anna, promise me nothing will change after your wedding.''

''Why should it change? You are my bother and you will remain my brother.'' Neelambari's eyes went to the huge wall size portrait of Late Queen Gayatri Devi. She smiled, the Rathore Princess had started acting.

 ''You need to rest Dev, we will manage the rest.'' Aadhvan patted his son's back. Dev nodded, grabbed his grandmother's hand walking her with him. Aadhvan smiled but he felt disappointed that Sona didn't bother to check on her brother's wedding preparations. 

***

''How long are you going to follow me Hukum?'' Chitra asked Vansh battling her lashes at him. He smiled wide. ''I wasn't, its just my feet who seem to have their own will.'' She smiled sucking her cheeks in, and pushed a box in his arms. ''Since you legs are anyways following me, why not make use of them.'' 

He blinked but followed her around. She pressed her lips irritated, the idea was to get rid of him as there were too many people around but the young Rathore was deaf to all what she said. While Chitra made herself busy with the check list in her hand, Vansh stood at a distance watching her with smile on his face. He followed her every movement, the way she checked on the things in the store room with a check list in her hand. SHe would frown, then press her lips, muttering few curses about the missing stuff.

''If you stare at one thing for a long time, your eyes will be blurry. Your nerves will feel stressed and with time you might lose your eyes.'' She said in one breath, her eyes on Vansh and arms crossed over her chest.

''Where did you move to Life science.''

''Its common sense.'' She replied snatching the box. Vansh smiled, moved behind her and started arranging the stuff from the box in the shelves, with her between her arms. He went about helping her, occasionally rubbing his cheek against her. ''So, according to your common sense, which nerves will get further damaged.'' He whispered as she kept a straight face. Vansh pecked her cheek. ''I like this Chitra who gives back.''

''It was necessary, you see I have a suitor who had left his brain in the cupboard.'' She teased Vansh pulled her nose. She couldn't help but notice that he had changed a lot, the old Vansh would have forced his choice on her but this Vansh was different. ''I know I have behaved like an idiot with you and everyone, but I am trying. We will take this slow, as you said.''

''That sounds like a great plan.'' She turned but he stopped her holding her wrist. ''I might be taking this slow but that doesn't give you the right to look for other options.'' She smiled as they stood watching on an other without blinking.

Chitra covered the distance. ''Same applies to you, if I see any more pictures over your social media, you will lose all your teeth.'' He grinned wide. ''Point taken.''

''Now, since you have understood all terms and conditions you better get going.'' Vansh placed a peck on her forehead before walking out. Chitra stood unaffected, and did a little dance once he was out of sight.

***

''Bhai, you asked for me.'' Dipika asked stepping into Ranvijay's office. He smiled asking her to take the seat. After a minute, Sona stepped in greeting them.

''I want both you to leave for Suryagarh. There should be someone with Dev, he doing everything alone.''

''Patti and Appa are there to help him.'' Sona added

Ranvijay smiled. ''Your brother forgot all is revenge the moment he felt danger around you. Its his big day and you should be there. '' Turning to Dipika he added. ''He is the only one like you in that family, you should go.''

Dipika thought. ''I want to be here too. For Rolli.''

''I am not asking you guys to settle down, make arrangements and let him know that you are there for him.'' Dipika nodded. ''Good, you leave in few hours, make arrangements.'' The two women looked at one another and the at smiling Ranvijay. Sona was first to step out but Dipika didn't move.

''You have something to say.''

''Yes. Thank you Bhai'' He just smiled. Dipika had so many things to say but silence seemed better. She nodded stepping out.

***

''You were amazing Siddhant. We need more officers like you.'' Siddhant gave a handsome salute to his officer before stepping out. He had been carrying Rolli's wedding card for weeks. Moving to his quarter, he threw his tired form on the bed staring at the ceiling.  She was getting married in 3 weeks and he knew she was never going to be his. His heart was bleeding as he wondered where was he at the miss that she never returned his feelings.

''You know you should go and attend the wedding, it will help you to get over her.'' His room mate suggested.

''If you think if this is going to be that easy, just fall in love.'' Siddhant replied

''Siddhant, love has many shades and not all are blessed to get the one they love but life doesn't stop. She never gave you a hope, she was clear. You should go and give your feelings a closure.''

''I will never love anyone.''

''Never say never.''

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I am not well so couldn't write more. Hope you like this one.