Chitra stood in one corner, her eyes on Dev's feet  while Raina took a stroll to examine the surrounding and the defense party. Raina pressed her lips, Dev's cousins and formed a fortress with SOna being the chief guard. She gave Chitra a no before walking away

Raina barged into Rolli's room, her cheeks puffed. ''What?''

''Your husband has bought an army to save his shoes. Now, its your duty to help us get them.''

''Hello, its my wedding. I am suppose to be be shy , look pretty and not conspire.''

Raina stood looming over her cousin. ''Keep that for my mother, you need to help me or I will come as a dowry. And you know how nasty I can get.''

''That's not fair.'' Rolli pouted.

''It is. Common, Rathores can never lose.'' Raina knew she hit the right chord. With a smile, she stepped out; confident that her cousin will come up with something good.

***

As a welcome ritual, Dev refused the foot washing ceremony as he felt it was not the right thing to expect parents of his wife to wash his feet. Ananya stared at him, ''I always feared of you being like Netra. You are not, you are just like my Dipika and that relaxes me a bit.''

Siddhant stared at the man his love chose to be with. His mind looking for one bad thing about Dev. He knew , he was late but one bad thing about Dev would make him feel better. It would give him hope that she would compare them, but his mind knew he was wrong. Dev sat calm, smiling at each one who spoke to him. He even made sure the kids of his family and cousins felt at home.

He shook his head, he was here to forget her and move on but it seemed difficult. 

''Ready dear brother in law., the priest has requested your presence.'' Raina held out her hand to Dev, twirling sweetly. ''You can hold my hand , Rolli won't mind. After all, I am her sister and your sister in law.'' Siddhant narrowed his eyes at Raina, as she flirted with Dev. Rolli taking a back seat in his head. He failed to realize that he had long gotten over her. For now, his eyes hadn't left Raina even for a minute. The young snobbish Princess has been turned into a polished diamond. 

''You won't let me flirt.'' Raina said

''You are too young to flirt, and sister in law has a sister in it.'' Dev's reply made her brothers tease her. She just glared at them following Dev to the marriage dais. Raina's eyes moved to Chitra and she mouthed, now.

Before Dev could pull his feet completely out, Chitra Raina jumped on his shoes. While the groom's party tried to save it , none caring that they just uprooted the poor groom. He staggered as Ranvijay held him. ''You are suppose to steal. That's not stealing.'' Sagar chided

''We decided to rob.'' The girls danced their way out to make a list of their demands. 

''I hope you are fine?'' Ranvijay asked Dev.

''Yeah, but they almost gave me a heart attack.'' The elders face palmed as the kids fought over shoes. ''Poor Dev.'' Shivangi Rathore shook her head.

''You might just have to go without shoes if their demands aren't met.''

''I am fine, but must say they shocked me.'' 

''Get use to it, and that was my daughter's idea. There is no way these two would have played against rules. Only she can do that. Think again.''

Dev smiled. ''I am game for it.'' Ranvijay led him towards the mandap as priest started the rituals. It was finally the time for the bride and she came dancing along with her bridesmaids. Ranvijay Ananya smiled, she had dressed up like every other bride , the only difference was, she looked into the eyes of all who came across. She wasn't the shy one and made it clear without inhibitions. Roll's eyes met that of Dev, she was counting the steps. A few more and they will be one with the blessings. She smiled, and he returned it. They had fought, lost hope and then fought again to be together. Dev was thankful she never gave up. He took in a deep breath, his father rubbed his back. ''Finally, its happening.''

He nodded and then looked into the eyes of his father. ''I love you Appa.'' Aadhavan smiled, he pecked the forehead on his eldest child wishing him all the happiness

Veer smiled, the little girl who would just lift her arms to him when wanted to escape had now grown up in to a strong young women. He walked and extended his hand. In return he got an adorable hug , just like she would as a kid. ''I will miss you, more than anyone here.'' He confessed

''Just a call Chachu, and I will be here.'' Veer stared at his loving niece for a minute. Pecking her forehead, he wrapped an arm around Rolli's shoulder walking her down the aisle. Leading her to her would be partner, Veer gently pressed her shoulder pushing her down to her place. The priest started with the rituals as the proud parents watched their daughter taking her vows.  

Dev extended his hand and Rolli grabbed it, they shared a smile as they took the seven vows around the holy fire. The guests showered flower petals as priest declared them man and wife.

The couple took blessings of their elders, starting with grand parents. Neelambari caressed their faces. ''The ritual will complete when you visit us back home.''

''We will Patti and soon.'' Rolli promised. Ranvijay hugged his girl tight, it seemed better to be silent then let words do the jobs. His heart felt heavy yet happy. ''Don't know what to tell you right now?''

''You don't have to dad, I understand. And, I am still the Rathore Princess.'' Ranvijay caressed her face as slow as he could, taking in his most beloved child. ''How should I prepare myself to let you go.''

''Then, I will keep him here. Forcefully.'' Dev chuckled while Ananya  glared at her daughter. Stepping closer, she rubbed Ranvijay's back. ''Dev, take care of my girl. She is the most precious thing for me.'' Dev nodded promising the Queen.

Rolli hugged her mother. ''Will you show me how emotional you are?'' Ananya just smiled. ''I wish words could do the justice to my feelings. I wish you were a Prince and stayed with me for life.'' Rolli hugged her mother. Her first teacher, her critic and her best friend. ''I will never let you down mom. Irrespective of where I am.'' 

''I Know.'' She walked the newly wed couple to the hall where family sat surrounding the new couple to have some fun.

''Raina, Chitra please return the shoes. Our groom cannot be bare footed for long.''  Shubhagi requested

''First, our demands to be met then talk about the shoes.'' Raina replied

''Fine, what would you want as a gift.'' Dev asked softly. Raina held her heart at his politeness. It was a rare thing in Royal crowd. ''If only you could find someone like you for me.'' Dev just smiled while Siddhant smirked, irritated. Raina pulled out a paper roll; giving it a tug, she unfolded the roll as everyone gasped.

''Hey, my husband is not giving any of you so much. He has to take care of me.'' Dev gaped at his new wife as others laughed and  her sisters glared. ''You are supposed to be shy, so do that.'' Raina warned.

''That's doesn't mean I will allow any of you to rob him off.'' Rolli replied, Dev rubbed his forehead. ''I will handle, you calm down.'' She did , he shook his head and stood facing Raina with a smile. ''Please go on.''

''yes, Mr Brother in law. The first demand is that you find me someone like you. Second, keep my sister happy, and third, think about a gift which can help you win your shoes back.''

Dev thought, after a minute he pulled out a big box. ''This my gift for you, if you like it then please give my shoes back.''

Raina smiled. ''If you go on being that sweet, I might just return the shoes for free.'' Siddhant rolled his eyes Raina placed the shoes near his feet as a part of respect. She was about to make him wear when Dev held her hands. ''Even if this is a ritual, never do that. You don't have to, no one has to.''

 ''You made the best choice sister, and I am jealous.'' Raina gave Rolli a tight hug, a little guilty about misunderstanding her. Dev got up, walking to Chitra he handed her another box. ''This to thank you for taking care of my sister.'' Chitra was little hesitant. She knew what she meant for the family but she avoided in presence of others like her. She bowed but did not take the gift. 

Dipika moved forward. ''I will hand it to her later.'' Dev nodded

***

The elders decided to move away as the young teased the couple. Dev just facepalmed, his wife was enough for an army. She replied to all on his behalf. ''Dev, are you sure you are in love with our little tornado?'' Vikram teased

Dev smiled. ''Please don't call her a little tornado, she is one hell of a storm.'' and all laughed

''This might be our first fight husband.'' She warned making him chuckle. Siddhant excused himself stepping out. Everything around was painful. He stepped out into the foyer to get rid of the clutter of his head when a laughter took his attention. Raina waved at someone walking towards the hall. His eyes narrowed over her, waiting for her to look at him, but she didn't.

Raina was aware of his presence but it no longer bothered him. ''You seemed to be having lot of fun.'' Raina ignored. ''Flirting with brother in law, its not a trait of a Princess.''

''Meddling with my affairs doesn't suit you either, Prince Siddhant.'' She replied with a taunting smile. 

''You are same as before, snobbish and childish.''

'' And how is it your concern anyway? You wanted me out , I am out.'' She took a pause. Siddhant straitened his back , taking a step he stood closer looming over the young girl. ''I know what you were trying to do in there.''

''And what that might be.''

''You always have crave for attention and you were begging in there for it.'' He taunted

''I didn't beg you, and what I do is not your concern. You are pretending as if you will have to suffer my childishness or I am a disgrace to you in some way. I suggest, you don't bother your already tired mind.'' Siddhant stared down at her. he hated the fact she was right and he couldn't do a thing about it. There was something which had changed. Raina was no longer the same girl he had known for so long. He has known her since she was a child and then as a teenager who looked at him all stary eyed. The one who stood opposite to him was a young blooming rose. He could feel the scent of her freshness around him and other bachelors who attended the wedding. She got a lot of attention. Not because she was Rathore plus Ranawat but because she had bloomed into something very beautiful

Siddhant  stepped back, his mind clouded with thoughts he felt outrageous. He scoffed. ''So, you have grown claws.''

''No, I have stopped begging...you for love. Find some one else to share your frustration. I am done.'' As Raina turned away, he grabbed her wrist halting her movements. ''You don't have that right and never dare that again.'' She warned

''Let go off her.'' Advay warned. he had heard her voice and stepped out to check on her. Siddhant let go turning away. ''Raina, don't roam around alone.''

Raina pressed her lips. ''This is my mamu's palace. I can go where I want, the guests should know there limits. '' Her words came strong. Stepping away , she walked back into the room where the new couple sat interacting with the guests.  

Vikram noticed a very pissed Raina followed by Advay. He quickly moved to them. ''All good.''

''Ask her not to roam around to gain his attention.'' Raina stared at her brother. Advay was about to start when Vikram held his arm. ''Its not her, you need to get your head in place, and stop blaming her for your worries.''

Advay just walked away, answering back Vikram was out of question. Vikram pulled Raina in a side hug. ''hey, its okay.''

''No. When I am trying to change, no one  is ready to accept.'' Vikram pulled her cheeks. ''Doesn't matter. You do what you feel is right. Now, just relax and smile.'' Raina did, she still had many more questions for her sweet brother in law.

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Happy reading and enjoy the weekend

The shoe snatching incident is from my cousin's wedding. The only difference was we were the groom party and saved his shoes. He had come back to hotel without shoes as the bride party has challenged us. Poor them