''How did they vanish?'' Advay asked as he drove to locate his mad brother.

''I don;t know, one minute they were dancing and next moment they were gone.'' Urvi replied worried. She had managed to lie to her parents about Leela, but a mere thought about morning was terrifying. ''Advay, what do you think, where they can be?''

''No idea. Trust me, these two are driving me mad. Just pray, I reach them before anyone else.'' They disconnected hoping to find their missing their cousins. Advay got a call from Urvi's guard.

''Did you find them?'' Advay shot

''No, your uncle did. I don't know how.'' Advay's heart sank. The drama was just about to begun

***

Maan couldn't take his eyes of the girl who danced all over the floor like breeze. He had extended his hand, and she gave in. They had danced along and then she proposed to run away with her and he agreed. They had drove along the empty roads singing along all kinds of melodies before reaching his out house. He had promised to married her next morning and she too seemed to agreed. They had decided to build a sweet little home on a hill top with 3 little kids. But now, all seemed to be a dream.Maan had no memory of what happened after that. For now, he looked in trouble, but the bigger issue was, he couldn't understand what was Leela doing there and above all, why did his dad looked that mad.

***

''You are marrying Maan in a month.'' Dhananjay declared. Leela sat, her head hung low. All her explanations and reasons were falling on deaf ears. She decided stay calm and talk to her uncle later. 

''There is nothing like what you think.'' Leela whispered stepping into dhananjay's study. He took a deep breath. ''Tell me something Leela, are extracting some kind of revenge?''

''NO! Why would I do that?''

''Because I couldn't stand for your father and my brother.'' Dhananjay looked disappointed and broken. He had been guilty for being able to give Leela her rights on time. His father had been taunting him long and now this incident had left him broken. He felt failed as her guardian. Leela shook her head. ''Bade papa, its not that. I know I made a mistake, I got drunk but I haven't done a thing to put your head in shame.''

''I know, but what about the world who saw you with him. Do you have any idea how many pictures I have received since you left with him.''

Leela nodded. ''Tell me what to do next.''

''Marry him.''

''No! If you want, I will leave this place and go away but no wedding, not with Maan.''

Dhananjay caressed her head. ''You know child, you will be found and bought back.''

''This is a punishment.''

''Leela, hear me out. I think you like that boy, even if you refused to admit, you like him a little more than anyone. Plus, Ranawats are good; they will love you and respect you. You will not have to bear insults like you do here. If he wasn't a good guy, I would have done all in my power to stop this. But he is the one for you. I won't force, but please think.'' He pecked her forehead before walking out. Leela sat there for hours, devoid of any thoughts. It was Nandini who walked Leela back to her room and stayed with her all night.

Morning, the culprits exchanged the rings and their wedding was declared in a month. Maan felt responsible and guilty for pulling Leela in this issue. He was a man, and will be forgiven but Leela will have to face the anger of the society. He was aware, it had been hard for her all along and now this incident, would have left  her at the receiving end.

''You Okay!'' Advay asked

''NO! Can I be? I am responsible for all the mess up and you too.'' Advay was taken aback. Maan never looked this angry. He decided to be silent as all this was his fault as well. If could be patient, Maan leela wouldn't have landed in the mess. ''Leave me alone Advay.'' Advay walked out. Though elder, Maan had been more of a friend but something changed in him. He looked and sounded pissed. After a minute, Maan walked out and drove away without letting anyone know. Advay huffed, things were getting complicated.

***

Vikram sat shocked as his wife went on with one game after the other defeating the men on the table. ''Who taught you cards?''

''Anna, he is awesome at it. We used to bet on money, books, television time slot.''

''But how did go this good?''

''Practice! And, Badi Ma, Mom, granny and I play cards when you all are in office.'' She replied throwing the final cards. There were multiple groans as she collected all the tokens.''My shopping money. He frowned. ''You don't need gambling to shop.'' 

''You need to learn to have fun.'' She collected all, got it cashed and walked like a queen. ''I kind of like this new Sona. She is funky, funny, brave and beautiful.'' Vikram confessed walking by her side. She smiled, ''Well, I have an amazing family who helped me becoming a big gambler.'' Vikram laughed. They walked around few clubs before heading back to the hotel, it was late and streets had turn dark ''You know, I like this walking around without security.'' She confessed.

Vikram smiled. ''I know but its different back home. Where is our vehicle?'' They had missed the lane and decided to turn back; just then, someone pulled SOna's bag. Vikram was ready to be a hero but she didn't let go. Instead, she wrapped the strap harder and kicked the man between in legs rather hard. The man collapsed groaning and Sona smashed his groin hard with her heels. ''Idiot.'' Vikram pitted the guy and his future life before catching up with his wife. ''Wow!'' 

''Hemant Kaka decided to teach me a few moves. I wasn't interested but then A intervened, she said this isn't for my safety as I have you, but to beat you if we fight.'' Vikram's jaw dropped. ''Only A can do that.'' Sona pulled his cheek pecking it lovingly. ''Don't worry, I have a different move for you.'' His brow went up, she winked before getting into the vehicle. He just smiled with a shake of his head. The Sona he married was quite, scared and shy, but the one with him now was confident and chirpy. He watched her as she chatted with the chauffeur in french. He realized his wife was multi-linguistic , just like her grandmother . He leaned against the headrest and watched her with adoration. His Sona was perfect.

***

''So, you seemed to have cool down.'' Siddhant gave a bored look to his room mate and went back to food. His friend smiled, it was high time his friend realized his real feelings. ''Can I ask you the reason for the bad mood? Is it Rolli or Raina?''

''Will you shut up?'' Siddhant snapped

''No, because someone has to show you the mirror, and I am not scared. You know it Siddhant, you have known it for long; it's Raina Ranawat. You moved on from Rolli long back, you just pretended to hold on to her; refusing what your heart desired. Tell me, it is Raina right?''

Siddhant sat lost, his eyes on his food but they saw her, her dark hair, her small face, dark eyes and child like smile. Shutting his eyes he got up with lot of force. Few head turned to notice the one disturbed the perfect silence of defense canteen. ''Its just a phase, I will get over it.'' 

His friend smiled. ''We will see about that.'' Siddhant walked off all the way more irritated. He was hell bent on erasing her of his mind. The more he tried, the deeper she went. He never realized when Raina Ranawat penetrated his heart with her silly infatuation and then her anger. He never realized he enjoyed her attention and her stalking him. Now , he missed everything. He wanted to hear her voice and tell her that he would forget her but he knew, Raina Ranawat was not going to leave his heart any time soon. Her avoidance was making it all the way difficult for him to forget her. Siddhant decided to deviate his mind, he needed a break.

***

''So you are the Queen, why are being called here. Be fast, I don't have time.'' Rolli gave a side glance to the man. He was the one trying to instigate her estate people against Dev and her. She narrowed her eyes, he was a fool. 

''Since you don't have much time, I'll come to the point. You will not contest election from Suryagarh. Withdraw your candidature.''

He laughed. ''You will order and I will follow, who told you that?'' He mocked. Rolli took her chair. The man was about to sit but she forbid him. ''No, don't sit; you don't have time. Now, listen to me carefully, you will withdraw because I say so. Even if they vote for you, you won't be able to do a thing; I won't let you. I won't even let you breathe the air in here. So, be a sensible man and walk out when you have legs.''

''You don't know my reach.'' Rest of the words died as he heard the growling behind him; four hounds stood ready to ponce on him. ''Sit!'' Commanded the queen and they followed

''You will regret Aahana.'' And rest of his words died as he received a tight punch. ''My wife is used to getting what she wants. If she says you withdraw, then you do.'' Dev intervened. He had got the news of the man's arrival and decided to be on his wife's side. he couldn't stand when the man dared to threaten his wife.

''What if I don't?''

''Then you finish your career, because I will contest against you.'' Rolli replied .Dev stared at his wife shocked, this came unexpected

''You will lose.'' he challenged 

Rolli chuckled. ''You don't understand, it doesn't matter that people like me or hate me. I give them roof and food, they will follow me if they wish to stay here and so will you. Now, before I change my mind about not feeding you to my dogs, leave.''

''before the day ends, you will regret this. He warned stepping back. The Queen smiled. ''before the day ends, you will beg for forgiveness.'' 

''Are you serious about the election thing?'' Dev asked

She nodded. ''yes, do you mind?''

''What if you lose?''

''I won't Dev, we need this control to move things smoothly. About this idiot, his own party will chuck him out in next few minutes.''

Dev stared at his wife. ''You are something.''

''I am just your wife.'' Dev smiled pulling her closer. Rolli knew the one trying to gain the power; but she wasn't going to let it happen. 

***

''You cheated! You both are cheating!'' Veer smashed the cards hard on floor blaming his wife and Ananya for cheating in the game. ''Bhai, say something.''

Ranvijay huffed. ''What's the point? These two have been cheating for years.''

''Wow! Since you both fail to win, we are cheaters.'' Ananya replied as Dipika hid her face behind the her cards. For years they all would fight and Ananya would refuse to confess that they cheated and if had always been hard for Dipika to keep a straight face.

''You both cheated, Dipika's face says it all.'' Ranvijay said pointing at Dipika.

''How? Does her face has another mouth which says it all? Ananya argued. Dipika pressed her lips to hide her smile.

''Ananya Rathore, you are the biggest cheater. You cheat in cards, ludo , chess and all the games.'' Ranvijay taunted

''Aww! The King failed to win against his queen and this makes him a cry baby.'' She taunted back. Ranvijay opened and closed his mouth. Veer moved next to his wife. ''This is better than the game.'' Dipika pushed him. ''I know all your tricks, you just want to peek at my cards. Such a cheater. Let's go Ananya, we will never play with them.'' The two women walked out, once alone they both shared a laugh. For years, they would swear not to share a game with their husbands but would end up doing it again.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maan marries Leela! Urvi revolts. Rolli gives Vasudha a final warning.