Aniruddh Dev Singh grinned wide as he stepped out of the cab, his feet touching the soil of Tanka Nilam, his home. At 15, he was 5' 10'' with an athletic build. Ani had a special bond with his great grandmother and his uncle Sagar. He loved these lands as it always made him feel whole.

Ani had been studying in a prestigious boys school in Ooty and, this had been his second home for past 3 years. Ani hop skipped jumped across the fields making his way to his home. Some recognized him and waved while few came forward to bless the young boy, he gladly accepted all. Requesting them to keep his arrival a secret. He jumped into a puddle laughing his heart out. Ani lifted his eyes, his smile going wider realizing that he was close to the place he called home.

***

Neelambari bowed to the deity, offering the flowers as a prayer. Age had made her made movements difficult, but she still preferred moving around and doing the most. Walking slowly to the huge wooden swing, she slowly sat , her eyes moving to the door. She could hear the workers talking outside and day seemed normal. Taking a deep breath, she leaned on the back rest closing her eyes.

Ani took off his shoes stepping onto the foyer, his eyes moving to direction of wooden swing which made a creaking sound. He smiled, tip toed and gently covered his great grandmother's eyes.

After a moment of shock, Neelambari smiled. Her fingers caressing Ani's over er eyes. ''How are you Aniruddh Singh.''

Aniruddh let go her eyes, wrapping his arms around her. ''I missed you Patti.''

''So did I.'' She replied kissing his hand. Aniruddh was busy talking to his Patti when a deafening scream made him jump. A 5-year-old girl ran straight to him throwing him off to the floor. She hugged him tight still screaming in excitement. ''Devi, enough.'' He tried calming the little girl.

Devi aka Devyani Devansh Singh, younger sister of Aniruddh. She had been named after Sona's mother and Neelambari's daughter. Devi stared at her brother, still on the floor. She hugged him again and he smiled. ''I get it, you missed me.'' 10 years younger to Ani, Devi was Dev's life. While Rolli got teased for the accidental baby. She proudly declared that she finally was able to seduce her husband for a second child.

Dev sat up, Devi still in his lap. After a moment, he blinked. ''Wait, are mom and dad here too.''

''You wanted to surprise us. Well, we thought of surprising you.'' Neelambari responded

''You knew about my arrival.''

''Your uncle is possessive about you. '' Ani shook his head; Sagar had always been overprotective about him and made sure to keep tabs on Ani.

Dev hugged his son, ''You have grown tall.'' Ani smiled hugging his mother next. Devi kept rejoicing dancing all around. ''Shut it or I will tape your mouth.'' That came from Rolli. Devi climbed onto the swing, hiding in Neelambari's arms. The elder lady stared at the young girl, her memories going back to her late daughter. ''If I am alive for next 10 years; I will find a girl for my Ani.'' And the boy blushed. Dev had finally had the peace he had been so desperate for.

''Ma..but.'' Chitra stood her head hung low as her mother Sitara vented out her frustration. ''Your kids are devils. Specially, those twins. Dare you send them together to my house.'' Chitra nodded like an obedient child. Once Sitara left, she took long steps towards her kid's room. Out of the three, Rudra was the calm one. When it came to Raghav and Riddhan, it was all about mischief.

''Chitra, what's wrong.'' Sona halted her steps.

''What's wrong? Just tell me one person who hasn't complained about my kids. I mean they never learn.''

''What did they do?''

''Irritated my parents.''

Sona held her. ''Breathe.'' Chitra followed. Sona smiled. ''Now, go and scold them but remember, they might be naughty, but they aren't bad. And leave Rudra out. He is a good boy.''

Chitra glared at Sona. ''You should be scolded for spoiling Rudra.'' Sona just laughed. Rudra had always been her favorite. Out of the 3 , he was the eldest and the calm one. The other two were too mischievous. They had used their identical looks to trouble teachers friends and the staff. But end of the day all 4 kids were one.

''I asked for Badam, Raghav wanted chocolate but this rose milk.'' The staff looked from one to other. She was new and had great difficulty recalling who asked for what.'' Before she could ask again, the boys jumped. Chitra held their ears twisting them hard. ''You get nothing. From now on, no sugar for these two. And no guitar for you Rudra.''

''Mom, it hurts.''

''Good to hear, that's what I intended.''

''Rudra, go get help.'' Riddhan screamed.

''Dare you step out Rudra Rathore. Lock the door and move to a corner.'' Rudra gulped but obliged. Next Half an hour, Chitra messed the room of triplets making they redo do it again and again. ''Listen to me boys, I more complain, I will chop your ears off.'' She warned before stepping out.

''Granny said our Nani (maternal Grandmother) was very dangerous once.'' Raghav said.

''Yes, that must be before our mother was born. I guess she transferred all her ferocity into our mum.'' That came from Riddhan.

''Look, I get screwed because of you two. Now, I do my thing, you do yours.'' Rudra declared putting his jacket on.

''How did you stay with us for 9months. Such a traitor.'' Raghav went dramatic. Rudra just smiled stepping out.

''If you leave us, we will tell mom about the girlfriends.''

Rudra froze. ''There are no girlfriends.''

''So what? We can create.'' Raghav replied. Rudra rolled his eyes

He was fond of books, colors, and music. Ranvijay had noticed this and had decided that Rudra will explore his hobbies. Rudra stepped out of the elevator coming face to face with his elder sister.

''Hey!''

''Hi!'' Vrushali replied dull. Rudra thought and decided to follow his sister. Vrushali stepped out with her archery kit. Hemant smiled at her as the Princess got into the vehicle, she didn't notice that with Rudra the twins too followed.

''Why are you guys in the car?'' Hemant asked.

''We want to watch her perform''

''Not today guys. You will make me nervous.'' Hemant thought something and drove off. ''Laddoo!'' Hemant called her out when the Princess refused to get down.

''What's wrong?'' That came from her brothers

Hemant huffed. ''I never taught you to give up and I won't allow.'' Vrushali nodded getting down. Her brothers. While the 3 brothers took the seat in the audience area, Vrushali got onto the range to being her practice.

She missed her target and her coach asked her to focus. ''Begin influential doesn't guaranty success. You have reached this far using your name, but you are going no where after this.'' Her contender taunted.

Vrushali shut her eyes but Hemant's calm touch made her relax. ''Its okay, focus on your target.''

''Listen to your servant.'' And that was it. Vrushali's palm made a hard contact with the girl's cheek. ''First, he is my dadu, no one insults him. Second, I haven't used my name till now. Third, stay away.''

''I will see to it that you don't get to participate.''

Vrushali smiled. ''lastly, go try your luck, my name will shut you up. No one can stop me from participating. No one.'' Her trans broke when her brothers celebrated doing a cheer leader dance. They made dramatic gestures like actors when getting slapped making the girl stomp off. Hemant gave 13 year old Princess a side hug. ''You make me proud.'' She just smiled calling out the day.

''What wrong?'' Ananya asked finding the young Princess lost in her own world in the garden area.

''I am being picked for who I am. No one sees how hard I work or how good I am at the sport. They believe that I got to participate in this inter school sport event because I am a Jaigarh Rathore.''

Ananya cupped her cheeks. ''I named you Laddoo Stormy Rathore. Well, Laddoo was to irritate Ranvijay, but stormy was because we wanted you to as strong as a storm.''

''I am but it hurts A.''

''Are you ashamed about being a Royal?'' That came from Dipika.

''No!''

''Then why does it matter?'' Ananya added

''You guys won't understand.''

They pulled her down. ''Even if you were someone simple and good, you would have been picked on. Laddoo, people try too bringing the competition down anyway they can. You just stay focused. You are a Rathore and you will win.''

She smiled releasing she was worried for no reason. ''One more thing, I slapped a girl. My coach might call dad.'' Vrushali gave her grandmother's a puppy look. They assured her that it would be taken care off.

''Now why are you rubbing your head.'' Dipika asked Ananya

''Raghav burst a cracker at school loo. The school was in jiffy thinking something worse had happened, and the boy says he was just trying to do social service by giving students breather from teachers. Need to solve this or Chitra will go mad.''

Dipika huffed, ''I can't believe these boys are 10.''

''Only Rudra is sensible.'' Ananya huffed

''But our house feels so alive because of Raghav and Riddhan.'' Dipika added smiling wide and just then they heard Chitra screaming on boys. ''Let her punish, we will join later.''

***

''Listen to me young lady, I hear one more complain, and you will be shipped off to boarding.'' Leela warned Manasvi. The girl stood her head hung low. Though, as parents Maan Leela tried all to keep their daughter grounded but rest of the family made her fly.

Advay and Urvi had a son and he was turning 5 in few months. For all these years, Manasvi had been the only child in the family and deeply adored her.

Manasvi stared at her dad to be rescued. ''No, you did wrong and disappointed me. Your mom is right, you do one more mistake and we send you off.'' Leela and Maan also had a second child, a 7 year old daughter who was equally adored but no one stood as dear as Manasvi for Ranawats.

Raina and Siddhant waited for few years allowing their relationship going deep. They were blessed with a son and then a daughter, both of age 7 and 5.

***

It was finally the day of finale of Archery and she was determined to win. She knew her family was watching her, but she chose to forget all. She stood at the range with another contender, her bow stretched, ready to shoot the arrow.

''You are a Rathore, live to it.'' Heman't words echoed her years. Vrushali let out a breath letting go the arrow hitting the bull's eye. Her school cheered while Ranvijay smiled proudly . He too wanted to dance but there was a way of behavior expected out of him. He stood up clapping with full vigor . Vrushali smiled as she was declared a winner. Turning to her competition she said. ''I am Vrushali Rathore, remember that.'' After the prize distribution, she took a flight to her family receiving hugs from all. ''Did you see your brothers.'' Vansh asked hugging his niece.

And they got an answer when they heard the someone threw ink on the girl who bothered Vrushali. Vansh huffed. ''Will deal with you guys at home.''

''We did nothing. You can't just imagine and blame us for everything.'' Vrushali moved to Rudra . ''Why?''

He smiled. ''We can irritate you, trouble you but no one else has the right. Will do this again.'' He whispered back making his sister smile.

''vrushali, lets go home.'' Ananya called out. The princess hopped around her. ''I would prefer Laddoo Stormy Rathore from you.'' Ranvijay smiled as he and Ananya  placed their hands on Princess head, the next leader of their clan.

***

"Did you speak to Vicky about Diya?'' Rolli asked her husband. Dev just smiled, earning a scowl. She couldn't understand how Dev and Vikram could agree on something. Above all, no one else supported these two.

Diya Rathore came in their lives around 3 years back. Sona and Vikram had taken up a cause to educate underprivileged females and now their project and become a national news. While expanding his hotels Vikram visited another state and happened to visit a child-care unit. He was a regular donor there for years. There, he found Diya, the girl no one wanted. She had been dumped in garbage, bitten by dogs and was recused by morning walkers. It was easy to conclude why was baby left to die.

His heart constricted realizing how his mother would have felt all those years living among the one who never wanted her. The baby's pain hits the chords of his heart deep. He heard his mother's pain in that voice. And the decision was made. He and Sona had been travelling for almost 6 months with no public appearance on Sona's part. She managed the paperwork for the cause for years. Even if they go back with a baby, no one will doubt. The baby no one wanted became Diya Vikram Rathore.

The Rathore family took time but accepted the little girl. Last to accept was Veer, he had no words left when Dipika taunted him about not accepting Vikram years back. He gave up. Little Diya was heart of her siblings but life of her father. Vikram wouldn't let her out of his sight and that worried others. Other than Rathores, only Dev and Rolli knew about Diya. While Rolli disagreed with Vikram's obsessive parenting, Dev understood it. He thought it was fine.

''Fine, if you don't, I will speak to Vicky.''

''Rolli, Diya is very small. Let her enjoy the attention.''

''Dev, we don't want Diya to be like Raksha Bua. That's what dad his worried about.''

Dev held his wife by her shoulders. ''Diya, has a Stormy elder sister and crazy brothers. Even if she grows to be nothing like them, trust me, she will always be protected.'' Rolli opened her mouth but their discussion ender with a call from very excited Ani. ''Mom, Laddoo won a gold. She Shared the video with me.''

Rolli jumped in excitement, Ani winked at his dad, saving him from his mother and Dev took a breather

***

''Dadu, I made this.'' Diya stood opposite to Veer , her eyes fixed on him, waiting for him to acknowledge her art. He smiled, ''what did you make here?''

''Riddhan.'' She answered proudly. While Rudra had a very strong bond with Vrushali, Diya was mad about her twin brothers and they loved her a little too much. Veer wanted to laugh. The picture looked as if someone had crushed a can in a crusher. But his grand daughter stood opposite to him her eyes full of pride. He pulled her closer. Veer gently rubbed a scar on her forehead, a reminder of the fateful day before she became a Rathore. ''It's beautiful like you.'' She smiled and he lifted her on to his lap.

''Don't tell daddy I am here.'' Veer just rubbed her small head. He had to do something. Vikram, was too possessive about Diya and that was somewhere hampering her growth. Veer decided to take matter in his own hands. He knew what their over protectiveness did to Raksha, and he didn't want that for his little girl.

''Come.'' Vrushalli extended her arms and Diya climbed into them.

''Leave her with us.'' Dipika said

''I can't Sleep without her Dadi.''

''Just one day.'' Dipika made a face and Vrishali gave up. ''All are becoming like A.'' That made Veer chuckle. ''What do we do?'' Veer asked

''Send Vikram out on a project. He has stayed in Jaigarh for too long.'' Dipika smiled and Veer understood. 15 days was enough for them to make Vikram understand that Diya needed more exposure. Vikram had been home schooling her while others were hell bent on her sending her to a kindergarten.

***

''Where is Diya? She should be in bed.''

Sona glared at Vikram. ''She is with Mom. Now, just change and go to sleep.''

''Why are you mad now.''

''If you don't stop your madness, I will get worse. Diya is going to school starting next week.'' Vikram opened his mouth but Sona was ready. ''She is mine as well, and I know what's best for her. You have had enough of your way. Either you listen to me or get out of our house.'

''Hello, I am the Rathore here.''

''Hi! I am the wife and mom here.'' She replied in the same tone, threw her body on the bed, and slept off. Vikram huffed. Only if all of them understood, his mother's parents failed her, but he would never fail Diya.

***

Chitra held the hand of Rudra's friend who tried caressing Diya's cheek. She was adorable and it was normal for people to get enchanted by her. ''Diya , go to Dadi." Turning to boy she said.'' You should have waited in the guest room.'' The boy fidgeted under Chitra's eyes.

She gestured a staff to escort the guest and took long steps towards the common room. ''Chitra, Diya is complaining.'' Ananya said with a smile

''About What?''

''About you scolding Ridhaan .''

''She fought with me twice since morning for her brother. But he is beyond repair.'' Chitra pulled Diya in her lap. ''You should not talk to people you don't know.'' Diya stayed focused on her toy unaware of what her aunt was trying to say. Chitra huffed. ''Mom, I think we should go back to old rules. Guests should not be allowed beyond the visitors room.''

''Ranvijay's daughter in law.'' Ananya teased

''No mom, I think we should go back to old ways. Boys are growing so are their friends, and we have 2 precious girls at home. '' She pecked Diya's forehead. And next moment Diya was running out, Raghav stood at the door calling out his baby sister and she jumped on his back for her evening ride.

Vikram watched as Raghav entertained his sister twirling her around. ''You need to calm down. She is a Rathore Princess, all she would be devoid off his fear.'' Sona explained her husband. Diya ran into the open arms of her mother. Sona pecked her chubby cheek. ''you fought with your chachi.''

''No, I was helping Ridhaan.'' She replied sweetly.

''Call him bhai. He is elder.''

''so many bhai.'' Diya tried to explain her confusion about 3 brothers. And addressing all with a single name.

Vrushali, stepped out to escort her friends out. ''Your sister is going to be a stunner.'' One of her guy friends said. His eyes on squealing girl. ''And you will be of her grandfather's age by then.'' Vrushali replied, a smirk plastered on her face.

''Hey, don't be mean.''

''Then learn to adore a child like a child. Even if she grows into a stunner, guys like you will not be allowed in and around of 1000m of hers.''

The boy stared at Vrushali. ''You are too proud for your own good.''

''Well, that's in my genes. Take this as a suggestion, keep your teenage hormones in check.'' She waved at them making a note not to allow the guy ever in her house. She had begun to understand minds of teenage boys and at times she hated it. Once inside, she squealed joining her sister's game.

Ranvijay sat next to Rudra as he went about sketching the forms of his siblings. HE was still novice when came to facial features and finesse but with every moving day, he was improving. ''Rudra, promise me, you will take care of your sisters.'' Rudra kept his hand on Ranvjiay's which in turn got covered by two additional hands. "We all will take care of each other.'' He grinned wide. And the there was a silence. ''Boys, who messed up my shoes.'' Vansh looked mad

The 2 boys looked at each other and then Raghav said. ''Mom declared a prize for whoever gets rid of your brown dirty sneakers.''

''AND!''

''We just used the glue.'' Ridhaan added

''What glue?''

''Super Glue.'' That came from Rudra.

''Are you even a bit scared of me?'' Vansh asked, his favorite pair had turn into a trash

''Yes, but mom is scarier and even you fear mom. We pondered and decided to choose less fearful person to punish us.'' Vansh was ready to explode. Ranvijay huffed, He picked the youngest one, held Vrushalli's hand and said. ''These boys are Ananya into 3.''

By that time, he had messaged Ananya and she appeared like a bolt of lightning. ''Why are you blaming them. Theses 3 are getting crushed between you 2. Its Chitra's idea.'' After calming Vansh she looked at the 3, ''There is a limit of mischief.''

''A, dad and mom had been quarreling over those shoes. Moreover, the shoes have lost the grip. Dad injured his back during his last game with friends but still not ready to give up stating that they are lucky. We love him.''

''But now he is mad that you spoiled his lucky shoes.''

''Then we pull out the laces and give it to chachu for his new pair. He will have some luck.'' Ananya's eyes met that of the Vrushalli. She stood smiling behind her brothers. ''A, they are naughty, but they care about all of us.'' Ananya pulled the 4 in circle of her arms. Her husband stood at a distance, putting the youngest princess to sleep. The winds remained clam, the bliss now looked eternal .

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