''Maan, calm down.'' Leela tried dissuading her husband. They had invited Advay and Urvi over, a plan to celebrate their getting back together.  ''Calm down! You are saying this. These are the reason of all confusion in our life. We were declared couple because of them , we got married without our consent because of them and now, we are pregnant. If we don't counter this , I tell you, these crazy Ranawats will lock us till we are pregnant.'' Leela pressed her lips. However the things had been, she was happy that life bought Maan to her. 

Stepping closer, she held his had. ''I would rather thank them for bringing us together.'' She wanted to add that she was ready to start their family but sudden shyness caught her. Taking a deep breath , she decided to speak her mind but got interrupted by the arrival of Urvi and Advay. She stepped back a little disappointed. Urvi hugged her sister, while Advay jumped on Maan. ''How have been brother. I must thank you for thrashing me . If not for you, we wouldn't be together.'' He gave Urvi a lovey dovey look. Maan watched the exchanged before throwing his brother harshly on the floor. ''What Maan?''

''Just shut up! You two are the reason of all our issues. Now, because of you, we are pregnant.'' 

''That's such a wonderful news.'' Urvi jumped on her sister. ''Let me inform mom.'' Leela snatched her phone. ''Urvi, you don't understand. We got married because a misunderstanding and now, they think I am pregnant which is not true.''

''The crazy ranawats have the  list read of baby names and guests they would invite to celebrate the new member, and I am not sure if Leela or me would be forced to carry the pregnancy.'' Maan added.

The other couple turned mute. They were the reason Maan-Leela got sacrificed. Their siblings could have easily escaped the ordeal but they made they never bought trouble upon them. ''I am sorry.'' Advay said hugging his brother.

''Don't sorry me. Go and explain this to the family who is ready to throw a party for the arrival of the non-existent  baby. Above all, they are wishing for a Princess and you know why.'' Maan replied agitated. Advay huffed. ''I will solve this.''

''If you don't, I will chop you into pieces.'' Maan  replied grabbing his partner's hand. ''Leela, let's go.''

''That's Urvi's hand.''

Maan jumped. ''I was wondering why it felt hard.'' That got him a flat stared. ''What? Leela's hands are soft like muslin.'' And Leela blushed. She slapped his arm. Maan smiled, ''Though I am mad at you , but I want to thank you for bringing my love to me.'' There was a silence. ''Yes, I love Leela. You can blush more now.''

***

The Ranawats sat a room in silence. Maan stood in the center glaring at all. ''Now, when you have all from Advay, I need to hear your voice just like the way it was before my wedding.''

Adhiraj and Adi stared at one another, the young Ranawat Prince was acting pricey. Though they were apologetic about how things turned and the duo got tangled, they were still happy to have a girl like Leela as a part of their family. Maan went about his ranting as this was his chance to let his family how unjust they had been. The family exchanged looks before his mother decided to shut him up. ''Look Maan, we apologies for the discomfort caused to you and Leela.'' He stared back his mother, unsure for her very formal words. She smiled. ''Having said that, with all the ranting we just realised that if would be unfair for both of you to continue in this love less relationship.'' Maan realized he was getting into trouble but before he could utter another word, his mother added. ''I know you are worried about Leela's future, so are we. But I have a solution. A distant relative of mine happened to meet Leela at Rathore Party last month. He wasn't aware that Leela is married to you. He really like her for his son, I am sure he won't have a problem once we tell the sob story how you two got together. '' Maan stared at his mother, while Leela hid her face into her palms. He expected his family to pacify him but now they were turing tables on him. Raksha controlled her laughter, ''Maan, don't take this as a joke. Though we love Leela to death, we will never compromise with her happiness.''

''What about my happiness?'' He suddenly forgot his drama with the mere thought of losing Leela to someone else.

''You love to sacrifice, do it again.'' His mother answered. He looked from one to other, his family sat there with a blank expression. Only Raina seemed worried. ''I am sorry Mom, but for such a small misunderstanding you can't separate Leela and Maan bhai.''

''Speak when asked. Yes Maan go on!''

''She is my wife and is very happy with me, so am I. This was just to make you feel guilty about the past mistakes.'' He replied in a single breath. Leela wanted to disappear. Her husband was one of a kind, and the looks she got from her in laws were now embarrassing her. Despite of all the drama she felt loved, Maan and Raina went about arguing with their mothers while Advay gave her a teasing smile. She was suddenly pulled up by Maan. ''She is going nowhere, we will soon plan a baby.''

Leela shut her eyes tight, she decided to beat Maan once they were alone. After a moment of silence, Ranawat family shared a good laugh. Adi patted his nephew's cheek. ''Maan, plan a baby when you both are ready. Not when all around you want it. Its your life, and it should be on your terms. Moreover, I can't give maternity leave to my finance manager.''  Leela just shook her head, her finance degree meant nothing to her grandfather , but Ranawat Head Naren decided Leela wasn't just going to sit at home and she was thankful for that. 

***

''I can't believe she refused. I requested her to reconsider but she refused ON MY FACE.'' Dipika sounded agitated. She was sure about being able to convince Sitara about Chitra and Vansh, but latter refused. 

Ananya calmed her friend. ''Chill, I still have the trump card.''

''Bhai!''

''No, I will help them elope. It would be fun with all the drama and anxiety. Our Vansh will make headlines.''

Dipika watched Ananya for a good one minute. ''This is serious. Sitara might find a groom before we act. What if she forces Chitra?''

''Old Chitra yes, this one will fight and we would know. Nothing can be a secret inside the premises of Rathore Palace.'' 

Dipika sat thoughtful. ''Hmmm...may be you are right.''

''Even if I am not, we will get them married. It has been long since we had some adventure.'' Ananya's words made her smile. ''You can never be serious.''

''Why should we be? When you and I both know Ranvijay won't let his son's love fail.''

''So what do we do?''

''We begin with preparations. We need to buy good stuff for our selves and laddoo.''

''What about others?''

''Let Sona do it.'' Dipika just rolled her eyes. Ananya Rathore was one of a kind. She was kind funny, sweet and dangerous. But above all, she was an amazing friend. She held Ananya's hand between hers. ''If god has planned next birth for me, I would won't to be born as your sister.'' Ananya smiled. ''I think we are are only ones who who aren't wishing for the same life partner but sisters.'' 

''They should be doing it, they won't find something better than us.'' Dipika concluded as they shared a laugh.

***

Raina huffed recalling the drama earlier, her family was crazy in their own way. She hoped things could settle soon for Advay and Urvi as well. Raksha had informed that the families were soon planning to meet but it was going to be a surprise for the couple. Raina hoped it didn't occur in another misunderstanding.

She went through the weekly sales report when her phone pinged with a message notification. She frowned at the number, it wasn't one of her contacts. Curious, she tapped on the message.

'I met her and you as kid, I fell in love with her. She never did. I waited for her to realize I was better but she went for the best, I know he is the best.'  Raina's heart started thudding mad. She knew this was Siddhant. She pressed her chest once to calm the rapid beating. She pushed the phone aside with a decision not to pay any heed to it but her heart waited for more. She kept stealing glances as if it was Siddhant in person but there was nothing for long. She called of day when her assistant updated about the arrival of her vehicle.

Leaning against the head rest, she took in a deep breath. His sudden message had turned her gloomy again. How much ever she tried, he always had her heart. She felt parched, pulling out her bottle she sipped in a little water when her phone pinged again. This time there were many messages.

'I wanted to erase her off my memory, I tried. You said you loved me, she said you did and I ignored as you were a kid. You chased me, I hated it but I liked it.'  Raina was now completely attentive. She quickly swiped onto next. 'like all, I too wanted to hold on to my feelings. I wanted to believe that my love for her was true and pure, I couldn't. I met you again, you changed. You didn't care about me, you ignored me and that hurt.'

'I wanted to believe you were faking it and that you are bad. I wanted to hurt you the way I felt it but it felt so wrong. I tried...believe me I did. I wanted to erase , ignore and forget all of you. I wanted to start afresh but then my eyes found you again. I hated when you smiled to others but ignored me. I hated when you asked me to leave as my head wanted to but heart refused to. I hated how your eyes controlled my heart and I couldn't step away. I hated how i wanted to to be around you and leave you at the same time.' 

'I reminded my heart of my first love. I chided it for breaking the Universal rule of never forgetting the first love, but it mocked me. I wanted to be miserable in her love but I turned mad in your thoughts.'

'I blamed you yet I wanted you. You made me feel like I have never felt before, it was difficult then and its difficult now to explain. I tried going away from you , yet my eyes wanted you. I wanted to forget how you looked yet it was you in all my thoughts. I screamed , you didn't matter...never will, but I know you did and you do. I wished you would chose someone else, yet I hated if someone got close to you. '

'I hated myself then and I hate myself now but its difficult to hold anymore. I tried all I could, but I lost to you. You make me fall and rise, you make me cry and scream. You make me powerless. I think , you now know that I love you Raina...like I have loved no one.'

''Stop the car.'' Raina jumped out. She needed air, lots and lots of air. Her chest walls seemed to be constricting  around her heart. ''Hukum, are you fine?'' Her chauffeur got worried but Raina couldn't answer. She felt the all her strength leaving her body. Her chauffeur helped her into the car. Raina drank as mush water as she could. She felt losing her senses. From the distance she her her chauffeur speaking to her grandfather.