''Please, don't paint me yellow.'' Dev pleaded to each one who stood grinning for their chance to apply turmeric paste on him. Yet, his words fell on deaf ears as his aunts, elders and even Jyothi rubbed the paste all over his face. 

''Not you Sona.'' He pleaded and she royally ignored taking her time to paint his face and arms while all others laughed. Dipika stepped forward, she took some paste in her fingers watching Dev with adoration. If she had a normal life? If her parents were as loving as the others in the world? May be what she felt now would be different. She brushed her fingers on his cheek. ''May the universe fill your life with all possible blessings.'' Dev leaned and hugged his aunt, painting her yellow. A faint memory of a small Dev came back to her mind. She had flown back home from London, to be a part of Dev's first birthday. He had gone all naughty on his parents and created a disaster with his food all over him. As his mother exclaimed, he had quickly crawled off to Dipika for shelter, to be snatched away next moment. 

Opening her eyes, she pecked the top of his head. She was happy that she had someone in her maternal family to call her own. She knew, Suryagarh estate was once again going to be the richest one. It had a King with a heart and the queen with a mind. 

Neelambari pinched his nose as she was the last one to do the ritual. ''Remember this Dev, you are not alone. We are there, and will always be there''

He grinned wide but got scolded when tried hugging her. His aunts carried a huge vessel asking him to sit in the open area of the foyer. Dev shivered when cold water came down from his head to tow. ''Did you guys add ice to this.'' His aunts giggled patting his head when one of them responded. ''We decided to get the lake water. In olden time, the water used for the ritual came from the river or the well of the very house.''

Dev Shivered  as Neelambari covered him with a light cloth. ''Go and take bath, priest will be here for next ritual.'' He walked off quickly as his family teased him. He shook his head as Sagar argued on his behalf asking the family to back off.

***

 As Dev behaved like a good boy, Rathore family decided to take precaution during the same ritual as it involved their naughty Princess. Ananya laughed as Raina walked in all covered in a rain coat. Rolli's jaw dropped, till now she hadn't allowed any of her family or relatives to walk away without the patches of turmeric on their faces but Raina outsmarted her with her move. She had taken additional precaution by covering her face with mask and glasses.

Raina applied the paste on Rolli's cheek winking at her elder sister. ''Smart move.''

''Thank you! '' Raina battered her lashes walking way.

''Rolli, step into this tub.'' Raksha asked as the staff placed a huge brass tub. The Princess stepped in as the her family gathered around to pour the scented water on her. Rolli smiled sweetly stepping in and taking her seat. Raina hopped around to be a part of the ritual but got pulled down by her sister, as others poured water on Rolli. ''You are so mad.'' Raina chided Rolli as water came down on her.

''You shouldn't have removed the protective shield.'' Raina somehow freed her form, stomping she ran away. ''You will never change.'' Ananya twisted her ears warning her to behave

''I love to be the best mom.'' He candid Response made Ananya smile, Ranvijay's daughter. Shivangi Rathore placed a stole around her beloved grand daughter. ''Don't irritate your husband like that.''

''That's his issue, I am not changing for anyone.'' As Rolli stepped out  her male cousins dispersed as if she was some kind of evil. When it came to her, they decided to trust their own instincts. 

As evening approached, the family and friends gathered to bless the Rathore girl for her mehendi.  

''This is the right moment, now we can extract all revenges on her.Let's pull her cheeks hard once her hands are covered in Mehendi.'' Vansh suggested. Three pair of eyes looked at him as if he gave the worst idea. ''You know what she did during the Haldi? This one can never be on the vulnerable side. If you even touch her, she will make sure you have heena all over your face.'' Raina concluded

''Point.'' Vikram agreed.

''There should be some way, its our right to trouble her.'' Vansh argued

''Vansh, she won't retaliate with anger. She will smother you will her love and we all know you hate it.'' Advay explained. Before he could utter another word, Rolli decided to surprise them. Standing close to Vansh, she whispered. ''Vanshu baby, give your big sis a hug.'' Vansh jumped. He had hated that name since he could last remember. Before he could understand, she threw her arms around his neck, pecking his cheek hard. He kept on struggling but she wouldn't just leg go.

''He wanted revenge!'' Vikram just shook his head. The family and others smiled as Vansh's arms went around her. He hugged her close, dancing on the soft music. ''Are you aware about just being one single piece made in the universe.''

''I am.'' She replied confident

''And, with so many manufacturing defects which can never be repaired. She smiled and then head turned. Vansh immediately covered her mouth before she could speak a word. ''You were about to declare that I called our parents defective piece manufacturer!'' That was a statement, she nodded in affirmation. ''What will happen of Suryagarh?'' Vansh exclaimed

''What I wish for it! '' That came confident . 

Rolli took the turns to dance along with her brothers, her uncle , grandfather and at end her father. ''I know, you aren't that sweet as you look. You are tougher than any other I have known, but understand one thing, Dev is still attached to his mother and grandmother. DOn't do a thing to offend him.''

''I won't dad, but can't help if those women offend him.'' And she smiled, displaying that cute dimple. Ranvijay studied her form, those light eyes held the fire he had once seen in his grand mothers eyes. Rudrani Devi was fine to follow her husband, but the day she took the lead,  there was no turning back. His daughter was just going to do the same, she knew when and where to inflict fear.'' He pecked her forehead deep. ''I know what are you thinking.''

''You are supposed to know dad, I am your daughter.'' He pulled her to his chest. In a day, his daughter will be the queen of Suryagarh, something none of them had ever thought. ''Don't give my room to anyone.'' She mumbled making him chuckle.

***

The wedding possession was ready to leave for Jaigarh, the family was busy to make sure the groom looked his best. Dipika smiled at the enthusiasm , but felt angry that her mother didn't have the courtesy to wish Dev.

''You will always chose dark, even if light has been offered to you free.'' Dipika taunted switching on the lights.

''Why are you here?''

''To understand how can a woman be so heartless to the only living member of her family.''

''I am glad you consider yourself dead.'' Vasudha taunted

Dipika laughed, ''No, I consider you dead.'' Taking a step she stood an arm distance , her arms crossed over her chest. ''You should have wished him, if you couldn't bless him.''

''Why bless when its not going to last?'' Vasudha threatened . DIpika smiled with a shake of her head. ''If you think you can harm any of them, you are wrong. I will kill you before you act.''

''By then , your precious princess will be gone.'' 

''Your husband couldn't touch a hair on my head when Rudrani Devi was alive. You and I both know, had I decided to talk to her to about all of you instead of coming here, she would have done something drastic. She would have burned all of you to dust.'' There was a silence as Vasudha turned her face away. The old Rathore scion was the most feared one all her life.  Dipika forcefully turned her mother's chin towards her. ''Aahana Ranvijay Rathore is her great grand daughter. She will kill you and you wouldn't know. So, I would suggest, stay away from my Princess.'' Dipika was aware Vasudha wasn't brave or resourceful enough to harm Rolli. Instead, she feared for the old woman. The Rathore Princess loved Dev but hated Netra and Vasudha with all her might 

Neelambari performed aarti as Dev was ready to bring his bride home. Aadhavan walked his son to the vehicle pulling the door open for him. ''You don't have to do this Appa.''

''I should, its your day.'' He smile, gesturing his son to step into the vehicle. Sagar hopped around and decided to be on his brother's side as a best man. The groom family got into the fleet of vehicles as they all cheered for the blushing groom.

***

''I will wear that.'' Rolli pointed towards the armlet. Ananya shook her head. ''Rolli, all are yours but that doesn't mean you have to wear all in one day.''

''But this is the day mom.'' She reasoned. Ananya knew her daughter was trying to mess for no reason. With a shake of her head, she pecked Rolli's forehead. ''My Drama queen, I am going to miss all these little moments.''

''DOn't worry mom, I will call you right at the time you and dad would be busy in romance.'' While Ananya gaped, the staff cleared their throat. The mother daughter smiled at one another. Ananya stepped out, her eyes admiring her lovely daughter. It was painful, but her happiness mattered more.

***

Shivangi Rathore welcomed the Groom and his family with all the rituals. The bride's brother were suppose to carry groom in but he refused to be carried by anyone. Ranvijay asked his boys to step aside as they went on teasing the shy groom. Ranvijay led Neelambari and other elders to the place where his parents were seated, accompanying Aadhavan with Veer and rest of the family. 

As the guests started moving into the grand Palace, Sona stood opposite to her husband, her arms crossed. ''What?''

''I am groom's sister. You need to welcome me.''

He smiled looked around and lifted her up as his peers cheered. ''Since groom refused to be lifted, I am kidnapping his sister.'' The fun died as Dipika glared at her son. ''Later!'' he nodded following his mother like a good boy.

''I understand you are happy, but you are supposed to be shy and not over excited. This is your wedding and YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DANCE.'' Raksha adviced her niece, who curled her lip.

''This is not fair.''

''Absolutely fair. DO you have any idea what would have happened if Granny was here.''

''She would have danced with me.'' Rolli replied candid as Raksha adjusted her stole. Raksha smiled, ''Yes, but had there been someone else in your place, she would have shot the bullet through their heart. Rathore name mattered to her.''

''It matters to me as well Bua, more than anything.'' Raksha locked her eyes with Rolli, the Princess lips stretched. Raksha patted her cheek with a smile, the little girl she had loved as baby has always shown her adamant side as a kid. Now was displaying all qualities of a leader. ''You know Rolli, I always wondered what if I was the eldest one. Would my family think of making me the leader, like bhai.''

Rolli rubbed her aunt's back. ''For that, we will have to wait for Vikram's child. But I know one thing, our family would never differentiate.''

''You had a different mom and conditions.'' She huffed. ''Any ways, wait till you are asked for and behave like a bride.'' Rolli nodded , pretending going all shy. Raksha rolled her eyes. ''Ananya's daughter.''

***

Advay smiled at Urvi, she sat at a distance with Leela holding her hand tight. Her face laden with worry. When their eyes met, he blinked once assuring her and she returned with a smile.

Vansh greeted Leela and Chitra didn't miss it. Once he moved away, she glared at him. ''What? That's Leela , she is a good girl.''

''Great, now be a good boy or you are in trouble.'' She walked off , her forehead deeply frowned and Vansh confused

Raina noticed Siddhant walking in with his parents, she greeted his parents but walked away without giving him a glance. A sudden shock for Siddhant. He shook his head and decided to join Vikram.

''Just a friendly advice for you Dev.'' Vikram said as they waited for the rituals to begin. ''Buy a crate of best Shampoo, My sister loves to give an oil massage when she feels like showering her love and never allow her in kitchen, that can be dangerous for the complete estate.''

Dev smiled. ''Then we will help each other whenever required.'' That earned him an applaud as he received teasing smiles from all.

''Do you have a brother?'' Raina asked. Siddhant's head snapped

''I do, but he is still a kid. And looks scared about getting married.'' Dev replied as Sagar hid behind him. 

Raina punched a message. 'The moment he takes his shoes off, pounce on them. We cannot lose.'

Chitra replied. 'But its Sona Hukum.'

'No, she is groom's sister. Enemy side, focus.' Chitra replied with a thumbs up, marching to spy on Dev's shoes.

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Happy Weekend Friends. . . ..