courtesy google images. I don't own this picture. This is how I imagined Laddoo Stormy Rathore.

***

Ranvijay's feet halted hearing the commotion in the kitchen. His legs moved in the direction of the sound and found the the reason of commotion. Sona had squatted down reprimanding the little tomato thief who refused to part with the red vegetable.

He smiled when little intruder kept answering in her own language  but refused to hand over the tomato. ''Why are you scolding her?'' Ranvijay asked

''She crawled in don't know when. Then, she scattered all within her reach; stealing this tomato. And  she realized that she needs all her four limbs to escape. Hence, she decided to escape by hopping on her bum so that she can keep the tomato.'' Turning to the baby she squatted again. ''If you don't listen to me, I will put something there.'' Sona said pointing towards Vrushali's ankles. The little Princess stared at her mother's finger, her lips drooping down. There was a silence. ''hukum, you are being strict.'' A staff tried to intervene, there request in whisper to let the baby go as it was just a tomato. Sona lifted her eyes to find equally bothered Ranvijay. It seemed he had been scolded instead of the naughty Princess. 

He frowned at Sona, he wasn't sure what bothered SOna more, Laddoo messing the shelf or stealing the tomato. His eyes met that of the baby and she lifted her arms up, pleading for help. He patted Sona's head and lifted the little storm up. ''This tomato belongs to her.'' With that he walked off. Sona huffed looking around, all the help around her were glad that little Laddoo escape the scolding. While Sona studied the floor, her daughter managed to scatter the lowermost storage. With a shake of her head, she went out helping others in cleaning it off.

''You act like a brat, but a cute brat.'' Laddoo squealed showing off her loot. ''Oh Yes, we will keep it as a memento. Its your first achievement.'' 

***

Raina and Siddhant had exchanged rings in a simple ceremony and he had left for his duty. They had to bear the separation of 1 year before the wedding. Raina was ready for it, she had waited for him for long and was ready wait another year. But today wasn't about them, it was about Leela and Maan. The couple and their family was ready to welcome the new member.

Maan had left a day before to be on Leela's side. He was more worried about her than the coming child. He couldn't explain how anxious he had been all the week since the doctor gave the date.

''Maan Bhai!'' Raina said the moment her eyes fell on Maan crouched on a chair outside the delivery room. He looked up and her face paled. ''All good? You look like a ghost.''

''She is in with her aunt and Urvi. Her uncle was nervous and went for a smoke. I don't know what to do.'' Raina gave her brother an adorable hug. ''She will be fine and soon I will have a niece.

''Why are you sure.''

''I have been bribing gods since I heard the news.'' Maan cracked up. Though engaged, his sister was still nothing less than kid. He pulled Raina's cheeks moving to greet his family. He went about answering the same question to different people while his cousins gave him a pitiful look.

''I marvel your patience.'' Advay applauded

Maan took a deep breath. ''I read the concern in voices. They are as worried as I am, what's the point snapping.'' Their conversation broke when happy faces stepped out of the ward holding a small bundle. ''You have a daughter Maan.'' Nandini said, extending the little bundle. Maan smiled staring down at the sleeping baby. ''How is Leela?'' He asked

''Lucky!'' Maan frowned at his mother in law. She patted his cheek. ''Dhananjay was right, she is lucky to have you.'' Maan just nodded. He was restless but medical staff asked him to wait till his wife was shifted.

After about an hour, Leela watched her eyes wide open as Ranawat discussed security, prayers , more doctors and plans about the baby who lay in the crib unaware of the commotion she caused. ''What's all this?''

''Welcome to the Ranawat madness. Ranawats have been devoid of female child for more than 10 generations and someone in the family believed it to be a curse as none of female child survived. Our daughter will meet best doctor to ensure she is fine.'' Maan replied and Leela blinked. She was now worried that her aunt and in-laws were going to fight over taking her and baby home. She placed her head on Maan's shoulder, he smiled. ''Don't worry, I have everything sorted.''

''How did you know what I was thinking?''

''You have a very expressive face, and we are married. I should be knowing all that bothers you.'' Leela smiled looping an around his, burying her face deep into his chest.

Raina stayed glued to the crib, her lips permanently stretched. ''Leave the baby alone.'' Advay tried pulling her away

''No! She is my niece.'' Turning to baby she whispered. ''I will call you Manasvi, my Manu.''

''Since Raina named the baby, we will go with it.'' Naren Ranawat declared. After all, Raina was the one to break the curse.  Maan looked at his wife, ''Do you like the name.''

''Its beautiful. But I like Manu more.'' Advay grabbed on his sister. ''Leave them alone, they have been away for more than 6 months.''

''He visited her every week. '' Raina argued but all fell on deaf ears as she was being dragged away. Maan stretched his legs on the bed next to wife, she still had her arm looped around his. ''Wow!''

''Maan, what was that.''

''Our life is on a fast forward mode.'' She just giggled. ''I love it.'' He pressed his lips on the top of her head. ''And I love you and our Manu.''

***

Rolli watched her son enjoying his time with his grand father. Aadhavan's presence had bought immense change in Ani. He was learning new things and was ready to do all to get a pat from his beloved appa.

''Why are you smiling?'' Deva asked

''Our son looks happy.'' She answered

''So am I. By the, our little Handicraft unit got the the  nomination in government award for promoting our culture. We can go big.'' Rolli could see the pride in his eyes. Dev had worked really hard to undo the damage of years. He had not just bought the estate members jobs, he had done all to undo the scars.

''I am proud of you.''

''Thank You! By the way, I decided to member animal welfare committee.  No poaching allowed in the animal reserve near us.''

''It was never allowed.''

''I will be lending our staff. I will pay them.'' She nodded. ''You are so much like CHachi.''

''That I should be proud off, she has been my inspiration.'' He replied recalling his aunt's calm face. Dipika, who at first would appear to be like calm river had proven herself to be a storm. Dev knew why his great grandmother chose her as the hire. He smiled recalling her happy voice when he shared how he had been working in upbringing the broken people. Dev huffed, he could never justify the actions of of his father and grandfather, but he wished that his redemption would lessen the crimes of his departed family.

***

Rathores decided to let the next generation do the honors of visiting the new Ranawat Princess. They had the experience of being scanned, sanitize when they happed to visit Raina. This time, they decided it just 2 people at a time. 

''How was the trip?'' Veer asked

''Crazy. The baby is cute but the family is chaotic. Manu has already had 3 check ups.'' Vikram replied.

''Its less.'' That came from Ranvijay. ''With Raina, they had a daily stand up call with all possible doctors.'' Vikram nodded and then his eyes went wide. ''No!'' He said leaping to catch his little girl. She tried rolling of the couch but got stuck mid way. ''You are better on floor, and stay here.''

''What's up with you both? Always restricting our little girl.'' That came from Vansh

''Everyone else is letting her fly so there should be someone to restrict.''  Vikram replied

Vansh frowned. ''Vikram Rathore, did any of us ever restrict you?''

''You couldn't because you were born after me.'' Vikram replied but he got slapped on head again and this time by his A. ''Leave Laddoo alone. Its her days to get pampered. When required, she will be restricted too, just like all 3 of you.''

Vrushali Rathore let out a scream when Chitra held her soft toy high. ''Scream, I am not scared.'' Laddoo tried some more time and then her eyes turned towards her great grandfather. Chitra had to let go.

****

3 Years later

''Why did you beat him?'' Hemannt asked the little Rathore girl who sat in his car, her clothes and face muddy. ''He pulled my hair, next time I will beat more.'' hemant shook his head, he had been her first teacher just like his grandfather Himmat singh was that of Ranvijay. He thought and drove in the direction of Grand Palace. He lifted the little Princess up taking straight to Ranvijay. ''She would have been punished by her mother if Sona Hukum knew of another fight.''

The little tornado smiled at her grandfathers as both huffed and started the cleaning process. They asked the laundry service to do a quick job while they entertained their lovely grand daughter.

''One more thing, a new teacher asked her name and she replied Laddoo Stormy Rathore.'' Ranvijajy groaned.

''Bhai, she is one and we are running around. Chitra is expecting triplets. I guess we are dead.''

Ranvijay Rathore wanted to add but Vrushali's hug made him forget the world.

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Next- Ridhaan, Raghav and the light Eyes Rudra Vansh Rathore