Dipika and Sona were welcomed in a different Suryagarh. The Palace chirped with voices. Dipika smiled, not in ears she felt such positivism around her home Palace. She asked Sona to carry on as her steps moved in the direction of the squeals, Dipika moved to the open foyer which looked over a huge mad made lake. The view made her smile, a bunch of kids chased Dev as he ran around the foyer with a toddler in his arms. The little guy looked scared and excited at the same time.  Her smile grew wider, Dev looked happy, really happy and she was glad for that. She decided to walk away when he called.

''Bua (aunt)! Okay, all of you back to the room.'' He ordered as the little gang dispersed.''I was playing for him, isn't he cute.'' He asked pecking the little boy

''He is.'' Dev wrapped as arm around his aunt, a surprising gesture for her as he walked along the stairs towards her room. He introduced her to every one who crossed his path, briefing her that all her adoptive family was here to be a part of his happiness.

  ''This room!'' Dipika spoke a little emotional. It was her grandmother's room. Dev nodded. ''This will forever remain yours. I don't think she would want anyone else here.'' Dipika cupped his face, her eyes going emotional. ''No one other than her ever welcomed me the way you did. Than you.''

He gave her a hug. ''You will always have respect and love here. This is your maternal home.'' Dipika allowed her form to relax in her nephew's embrace. ''Where is your Patti?''

''Scolding the staff.'' He replied with a chuckle. Dipika realized that all Dev wanted was a loving family. He looked so happy. She made her way to Neelambari's room and stepped in after a knock.

The older lady welcomed her with a smile, her hands working on a beautiful flower garland. ''I want to thank you for what you are doing for Dev.''

Neelambari smiled. ''You don't have to. The people you see in this Palace consider him as their own, just like me. We are Dev's family and we are going to make it grand for him. As I am aware of all the rituals, all I would know is how would you want to start.''

Dipika nodded. ''With a Pooja of  family deity, the temple is in the fort.'' Neelambari nodded. Dipika took a moment. ''How do you know all the customs?''

The older lady smiled. ''long ago, it didn't matter what region or languages we belonged. Royals got married with Royals. One of my Royal ancestors got married here.''

Dipika thought. ''That was my great -great-  grandmother , or my Grandmother's granny.'' Dipika turned quite as she slowly rose to her full height, her eyes locked with Neelambari. ''You know all of us.''

''I always have. I knew all and hated all for what happened here. If I had known of Netra, I would have killed her much before she steeped into Aadhavan's life. I was late and  then I met Dev, he  was different. He went straight into our hearts. So, never again thank me for being a part of his life. The people you see here, came for him. Dev belongs to lands of Tanka Nilam more than he belongs here.'' Dipika couldn't agree more. ''Then I follow your command.'' She hugged the older lady tight. Neelambari reminded her so much about grandmother. 

***

Rolli answered the phone but there was silence for one long minute. She huffed. ''Raina, I know its you.''

''I wanted to apologize. For everything.'' Her voice came low

Rolli smiled. ''I don't remember anything. I am cool.'' Raina smiled on the other side. Rolli has always been like this, easy to get mad and first one to cool down. ''Why do you have to leave for London just before my wedding?''

''I can afford to come back, and I will be there before the ritual starts.'' She promised. Rolli smiled. ''So what course are you opting there?''

''I don't know. I want to make a difference.'' Raina's innocence made Rolli chuckle. ''When you want to make a difference, it won't come with a course. It comes with you. Think, and you will find your way.''  After a moment of silence Rolli added, ''I will be waiting for my younger sister.''

''I know, and I am curious to know how would you look in female attire.'' That made the sisters laugh.

***

Leela and Maan sat in silence watching their gloomy siblings. ''Will both of you talk or sit like this as if its the end of world.'' Leela ended the silence 

''You won't understand, you are not in love.'' Urvi replied gloomy as Leela huffed and Maan rolled his eyes.

''The only problem is that both your mothers are against this, but see the brighter part you dads are in favor.''

''How long?'' Advay interjected. The couple was under complete lock-down with Raksha opting for emotional blackmail and Nandini with strictness. Maan thought. ''Advay, Rolli is getting married. You have the perfect time to speak to your Uncles, they will actually make your mom understand.'' Advya had his eyes on Urvi, she looked dull. He moved next to her pushing Maan towards Leela. ''Hey, look at me.'' She did, her beautiful eyes full of fear. Advay pulled her closer. ''Urvi, its just going to us or we revolt.'' The other two groaned irritated at the dramatic display of emotions.

''Guys, nothing of that sort is going to happen. Just relax.'' Maan tried to dissuade the tension but the couple sat lost ignoring the other two. Leela shook her head and ordered 2 cold coffee, they needed something to dissuade the couple. The two sat sipping the coffee waiting for the couple to speak.

Maan blew air through the straw into the empty glass earning the glare from Leela. He immediately kept the glass aside going into good boy mode. ''You guys sit here, we need some alone time.'' Advay declared helping Urvi up, they quickly moved out leaving their siblings behind. 

Advay helped Urvi to his car's passenger seat getting on the other side. The moment his eyes met hers, tears came down her cheeks. Advay cupped her faces sealing his lips with hers, trying to calm her. After few minutes, she calmed. Advay  reclined the seats a bit more pulling her to his chest. ''I know , all looks very difficult but no one can do a thing if we are together.''

''You don't understand, you will be off to your cousin's wedding and my mom gets lot of time in between that. You don't my family, they can be really rogue. I don't want anyone else.'' Advay understood the unsaid words. He thought for a moment. ''Urvi, your family will attend the wedding. Till this wedding is over , lay low. AFter that, I bring all these folks back to senses.'' He pulled her in a tight hug . Advay was beyond irritated with the way his mother was acting. She had turned deaf to Adi or anyone who tried to reason with her. But Advay's mind was made up, he was going to marry Urvi come what may.

A knock on the window broke them apart. ''We are done with our sugar quota for a year. Now, can we move.'' Maan asked

Advay shook his head. He stepped out of his car facing his cousin. ''You good have opted for green tea instead of cold coffee.''

Maan smiled. ''Sugar curbs anxiety.''

''What made you anxious?'' Maan rolled his head in every direction, halting it towards Leela. Who had her eyes narrowed at him. Advay sucked in his cheeks. ''Don't mess with her.'' He nodded like a puppet agreeing with his cousin.

***

The Rathore Palace came alive as celebrations started for the Rathore Princess. Ananya welcomed her childhood friend with a big hug. ''Good you are here , now help me with everything.'' Raksha smiled but Ananya didn't miss the glare she gave to Adi.

''All good.''

''I will go and see Veer.'' Adi escaped not wanting to start a conversation which wouldn't end. 

''Hey dear brother in law!'' Veer greeted his friend with a hug. ''Well I would prefer just being your friend for now.''

''What's wrong?'' Veer sensed his anger

''Advay -Urvi and your sister.'' Veer understood all as Adi had addressed Raksha as his sister and not wife. He had been aware of everything for long and was expecting his sister to go mad at the thought of letting Urvi be the part of Advay's life.

''The bigger problem is Nandini, she won't agree either. When Advay walked out on Urvi and family the first time, that woman took it as an insult. '' Veer concluded. After a minute he added. ''Adi, talk to Dhananjay. He needs to keep an eye on his wife. If pushed, Advay might do something he shouldn't. About Raksha, leave it one me.''

''Okay, that sounds good because if I deal with her, we might just divorce.'' Veer gave him a flat stare.  

Rolli sat dressed in bright colors as priest conduct the pooja, inviting the gods to bless the would be bride. She smiled at her family who sat watching her with adoration. The priest instructed her to to offer flowers and the Princess followed.

''I never knew our Rolli was a girl.'' Raksh joked. What she recalled from the past, the light eyed Princess had always been little on the fiercer side. She just didn't take her great grandmother's eyes, she also took her fiery nature.

''Are you convinced about her safety?'' Raksha asked her friend. Ananya hid nothing, she just looked into her old friend's eyes and Raksha had the answer. ''I just know one thing, a scratch on her and I kill all.''

''Don't worry. She is different from all the Princess of this land. She has your brains and Bhai's arrogance. Perfect mix.'' 

When Priest concluded the pooja, Rolli got up and took the blessings of everyone, keeping her brothers and cousins for the last. ''Go ahead, touch my feet and I will bless you.'' Vikram teased

''Or kick you under the belt.'' She replied with a smile. He pulled her in a hug. ''One suggestion, please act like a woman with your husband or he would be running back to Jaigarh blaming us for hiding  the facts.'' He went on teasing her as she pinched his stomach.

Finally , she moved to Chitra. Since the day Chitra was born, she had been sister to Vikram and Rolli. ''What wish do your have for me?''

''Just be on my side when your groom refuses to pay for his shoes.'' Chitra replied firm. Rolli hugged the little girl. ''Once you become a Rathore, make sure you take a good care of my parents.''

Chitra smiled, ''I would do that anyway. They are my Gods.'' Rolli nodded, her eyes going to her parents. She was going to miss them the most. Ranvijay just blinked once assuring his Princess that everything was and will be fine. She nodded but in her heart she was replaying all the moments she had with her family. Ranvijay asked her to meet and take blessings of each and every staff, and it started with Hemant. He just caressed her head , little emotional about letting their Princess go. Sitara gave a thousands instruction and even suggested to go with her for few months. Rolli knew, if Sitara accompanied her Netra and Vasudha would die after a minute of her arrival.

The evening attended with lots of suggestions being rejected and many came for reconsideration as Princess modeled the different outfits. ''Why can't I wear what I like?''

''Shut up! Its better you stay quite and do as instructed.'' Raksha handed her another set asking her change and come back. Rolli obliged, she was sure she would lose weight wearing all that stuff which her family had decided for her.

''After this marriage, I am not wearing any of this.'' She made a decision stepping into the changing room. ''Well, can wear sometimes if this can charm him.'' She replied to her reflection in the mirror.

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next- the wedding