''How is Sona doing now?'' Ranvijay asked Ananya as she joined him in his study. ''Nervous, Scared and worried.'' Ranvijay thought for a moment. ''Let's go and see her.''

''Its 11:00 PM.''

''I don't need time to see my kids.'' She nodded and followed him to Vikram's suite. Ranvijay knocked and it got answered in a second. ''Dipika! All good.''

Dipika shook her head as Ranvijay stepped in. He let out sigh looking at Sona's dull tired face. Stepping closer, he caressed her head. ''Hey Sona, guess you are not happy to see me.'' Sona tried stretching her lips to smile but failed. Ananya wrapped an arm around her. ''It's okay not to smile if you don't feel like.'' Sona's lips drooped as he buried herself in Ananya's arms.. Ranvijay moved to Dipika. ''Where is Vikram?''

''He just stepped out to get Sona her favorite cake.''

''He could have asked the hotel kitchen.''

''Bhai, these cravings are specific, and Sona wanted one done in a particular shop.'' He nodded. Giving one glance to Sona, he whispered. ''All fine.''

''She can raise an alarm any day.'' 

Ranvijay nodded. ''Vikram will not go to work hereon. He will stay here next to her and tomorrow morning, we put and emergency alarm next to Sona.'' Dipika smiled. Ranvijay turned around and found Sona behind him. Taking a step she hugged him. ''I wish I was Vikram and Vikram was Sona.''

''Vikram would look quite funny with your clothes and belly.'' Ananya replied making sona chuckle. There conversation broke with Vikram's entrance. He looked tense. ''All fine? SOna are you okay?''

''I am fine, where is my cake?''

''Here!''

''If you were a minute late, I would have lost my craving.'' Sona repied smiling down at the cake. Vikram rubbed his palms over the face. Ranvijay left Dipika and Ananya with Sona and walked Vikram out. ''I know you are not ready, but you will know the feeling once you hold your child in your arms.'' Vikram nodded, there were a million things he wanted to say but nothing came out. He wanted to express what he felt, his worry mixed with excitement, the fear which gripped his heart looking at dull and tired Sona, but nothing came out.  Ranvijay smiled, he understood all. Taking a step, he pulled Vikram in a hug, ''When you were young, you always welcomed me with a squeal and then a hug. I don't like this quite Vikram.'' After a minute he added. ''I can't believe I am saying this, but be the Vicky Ananya taught you to be.''

''You called him Vicky'' Ranvijay huffed when he heard his wife. ''Great, now we will call Vicky's child Ladoo.'' And Ranvijay groaned.

***

Chitra smiled hearing the door bell, she knew it was Vansh. She moved her fingers through her hair giving them volume before answering the door. She smiled stepping aside as he stepped in. CHitra took in all of him, he had changed. From a boy, he had turned into a man. He had been working out. She licked her lips 'Delicious.'

 ''Nice condo.'' 

She rolled her eyes and kicked his butt. ''You see me after three years and you praise my condo!''

 He pressed his lips but kept his back to her. His heart was pumping hard, all he wanted was to hug her but he didn't wish to rush. Vansh dumped his bag, cleared his throat but before he could put his romantic plan into action, Chitra jumped on to his back, locking her legs around his waist. Vansh lost his balance and fell flat on his face, he groaned and she giggled pecking his cheek hard. ''I can't breathe.''

''But I am not that heavy.'' She replied defensive

''Jump on you bed with same force, you will know.'' He replied in a muffled voice. Vansh tried getting up but she pressed him on the floor effortlessly. Vansh gave up, he tried taking in few breaths before letting his body flat on the floor. Chitra rolled away laughing her heart out. Vansh turned his head towards her. ''Enjoying my plight.''

''You have turned mushy.'' She taunted. Vansh leaped, pinning her onto the floor. Chitra blinked. Leaning closer to her lips he whispered. ''Mushy!''

Chitra took him by surprise,  wrapping her limbs around him, pulling him hard against her. Chitra placed her lips over his taking him by surprise. Vansh's eyes went wide before dropping close. ''I missed you Vansh Rathore.''

''Really? I thought you replaced me.''

Chitra narrowed her eyes, ''Really? You are accusing me? What about you? You were in states for 2 weeks last year, yet you never dropped by to see me once.''

''I didn't want you disturbed or distracted.''

''Nice excuse.'' She replied sitting up. Vansh watched her face, a smile stretched onto his lips. ''You have changed.''

''No! You just want me to agree with you.'' She replied moving to the kitchen and he followed. ''What made you angry?''

Chitra huffed. ''Why are you twisting words, replaced, disturbed, distracted. Come out clean.'' 

''I was just teasing you.'' He explained. She just made a face banging the pan hard. Vansh turned her around. ''I am sorry , I didn't mean to hurt you.'' She watched him for a moment and smile. ''Good, learn to say sorry as its good for every marriage for husband to apologize every time we fight.''

Vansh blinked. ''have you started taking training from my mom.'' She laughed, wrapped her arms around his neck. ''Are you scared of me being trained by her.''

''Doesn't matter until its you.'' He replied hugging his girl tight. ''I missed you Chitra.''

''I missed you Vansh.''

''Let's get married. Can I propose.''

''You need to propose my mom first.'' Chitra replied. Vansh pressed his lips. ''I know its going to be tough.'' Chitra lifted his chin. ''We will fight, but for now its just us.'' He nodded hugging her close. 

***

Raina threw the end of sari over her shoulder. She turned around to check her look before tying a pearl necklace around her neck. Raina stepped down to join her family, she smiled lowering her eyes. However she dressed, her family found her beautiful . Old Raina would have puffed up with pride but this Raina felt lucky to be loved.

''Leela, wear this.'' Raksha said extending a box to Leela. She stared down at the necklace and then at her aunt in law. ''I don't prefer jewelry.'' Raksha huffed, moving her eyes to Maan, she ordered. ''Put it around her neck.'' and he froze. Other exchanged the smiles as Maan rubbed his palms over his clothes and then picked up the necklace. He carefully bought it around Leela's neck, making sure his fingers didn't touch her. Leela lowered her eyes, Ranawat family was hell bent on putting some romance in the couple. If only they understood, that their love was silent and soothing.

''You won't die if your finger touches me.'' Leela whispered

''Do you have any idea about your body voltage? I don't wish to die.'' He replied trying to lock the necklace. Leela slowly pressed her heel on his toe  in response. Maan was a champion in talking nonsense. Maan moved infornt of her, his eyes on necklace and then her face. He smiled, stroked her cheek ''You look beautiful.'' WHile his family cheered, Leela's eyes widen as family teased her. She was going to get back at him.

Raina got compliments for her growing business and her looks as she mingled in the party. For past one year, she had been the one of the most talked about Royal maiden. She had got proposals but no one seemed good enough to her grandfather. Raina had decided to go by her family's wish, she had seen what hers had been like and now she wasn't ready to risk again.

Om Raghuvanshi came face to face with Aditya and latter's eyes narrowed on Siddhant. Adi could never let go the behavior Siddhant displayed towards his daughter. Adhiraj held his brother. ''Hello!'' Om greeted

Adi answered with a nod. ''Wouldn't it be nice if we let go the three year old grudge.''

Adhiraj smirked. ''It wasn't just a grudge, Ranawat princess was manhandled. I think you should be thankful to here now despite what happened then.'' The message was clear. Ranawats were ready to go any length for the precious Princess. Leela quickly moved next to Raina. ''Just don't step away from me.''

''I won't.''

''So, did you like anyone?'' Leela asked about the number of bachelors she had been introduced to, from royals to politicians and business men.

''I would let Family deiced.''

''You are never getting married then.'' Leela teased. Raina picked up soft drink offering one to leela. 

Siddhant watched her from a distance. She looked beautiful and grown up. He smiled when Raina greeted an old lady with a smile on her face. She looked beautiful in sari with,  her heels made her look taller than she was. 'She would match mine perfectly.'  He thought and immediately turned away to let the thought go. Siddhant never agreed but couldn't deny that that he was attracted to Ranawat Princess. Three years had polished her into a diamond, she was altogether a different person. He had seen how ladies flocked her to introduce to their sons. It made him jealous and frustrated.

''Thinking won't lead you anywhere.'' His friend leaned against the wall, sipping the drink and following SIddhant's eyes. ''She is beautiful. What made you reject her love.''

''Because I never had feelings for her.''

''You are one proud and silly man. Fine, agreed you have no feelings for her. Tell me, will you introduce me to her. I may not be a Royal, but I am one of the richest bachelor in the country. My family has a great reputation and I am sure Ranawats wouldn't decline....'' The rest of the words died and SIddhant 's hand gripped his friend's collar. ''Shut up!''

''Siddhant Raghuvanshi, this is going to be the future if you don't act. Raina Ranawat will be gone before you blink and the man who gets her might not handle your behavior the way I did.'' Jerking Siddhant's  hand his friend walked off. SIddhant gulped his drink and took long steps towards the Ranawat girl. ''We need to talk.''

Raina gave him a flat stare.''No.''

''Raina, don't test my patience.'' He whispered a warning.

''Talking or not talking to someone is my right, my will. Siddhant Raghuvanshi, I am not the same same Raina you manhandled three years ago.'' That came strong. Siddhant stared into her eyes, she had changed at lot. She tried to step away but he blocked her path. ''We have to talk and we are going to talk. If not today, then some other day but we will talk. And, nothing can scare me nor you, neither your family.'' He smirked once at her approaching brothers before walking away. Raina just frowned, her eyes kept boring hole into his retreating back. She was sure Siddhant was going to do something stupid and she will have to be prepared for that.

***

Aadhavan's eyes watered at the way little Anirudh clung to him crying his heart out. ''Ani, its fine Thatha will come and visit us.'' Dev tried to visit his little boy but he seemed not ready to let go.

Aadhavn wiped Anirudh's small face. ''Ani, I promise I will come soon, and no one scolds my Ani or your two will have it from me.'' Rolli nodded like a good girl. When it came to Ani, she and Dev had been scolded and punished a lot. They had convinced Neelambari to accompany them and Aadhavan promised to visit after few days. Neelmabari took Ani and little boy accused his parents of forcefully taking him away. Ani was sure his mom did this so that she could scold and punish him. He kept his tiny frown staring at his parents angrily all through the ride to airport and then to Suryagarh. He slept only when Neelmabari convinced him about punishing his parents.

''He is acting too smart.'' Rolli whispered

''Please, don't start now or Patti will break me into two.'' Dev pleaded and she chuckled. Rolli leaned on to his shoulder locking her arm around his. Three years had changed there life. Netra had passed away in her sleep and for some reason Dev opened up more after that. Vasudha, had been blaming Rolli since then of Netra's murder and stayed locked in her room scared of the Queen. 

''You are worried about Sona.''

''Yes, I just want her and baby to be fine.'' He whispered. Rolli rubbed his arm giving her support. She leaned against the head rest closing her eyes. Inflicting fear on Netra and Vasudha was important, and she did this by visiting Netra daily on pretext care. SHe would just stare at her mother in low with a smirk, and one day Netra's fear one. Her brain and body gave up extremely traumatize by glaring light eyes and smirk of Ranvijay's daughter. Aahana Ranvijay Rathore did what she wanted to. She had promised her father that she would bring the wrong ones on the right path and she did. Only the meaning of right path for her meant elimination. 

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''You don't leave my mind my dreams and my reality. Accept its, you wanted me this way.'' Siddhant accused the princess. Raina stared at him and then smirked.