🔴 A/N : Don't miss the author's note at the end 🔴

-: Rajeshri :-

The dinner table was as silent as a graveyard at night. Only the clanking of cutleries were audible in the dining room. Doctors had strictly instructed Shamrat ji to rest for 3 days and not apply any kind of pressure on his back.

Now, I was definitely guilty of what I did. It was just a silly prank I tried to play with my obnoxious husband. Who knew this would end up in such a disaster?

"Tomorrow is your reception party Shamrat. I don't want you to go anywhere and you need to give some rest to your back too." Ma instructed Shamrat ji and he nodded his head silently. Never knew this tough man could be a mama's boy.

"Rajeshri, did you do what I told you to?" Ma asked me out of nowhere and I quickly nodded. "Yes Ma, all the problems had been noted down and I will try to find out their solutions within 7 days.

Ma nodded, her eyebrows furrowed as if she was engrossed in something. "Ask me out if you need help." I quickly nodded my head and resumed eating.

*******

"Here is the Legenga I want you to wear tonight, okay Rajeshri. I have told Beila to keep the jewellery in your room. You don't have to make breakfast today. Go and take some rest, for now," Ma informed me when I climbed down the stairs early in the morning.

"But Ma, who will make the breakfas then?" I asked, as I saw few men walking inside our home from the corner of my eyes.

They all stopped in front of Ma and touched her feet, taking her blessings.

"Khush raho baccho." (Stay happy kids)

I eyed them with curiously as most of them were in their mid twenties. Their eyes shifted towards me and all of them gave me a respectful smile.

"Hello Bhabi, Nice to meet you. (Sister in law)

"Good morning, nice to meet you too," I replied with a small smile, still oblivious about their identity.

Somehow Ma might had noticed the awkwardness on my face so she quickly introduced them to me.

"Rajeshri, this is Manoj, Viraj, Sandeep, and Dipak. They are the children of our ward members, and help Shamrat in his works. They are party members."

"Ohh." I quickly threw them a genuine smile this time, and nodded my head. "Thank you for helping out my husband."

"The pleasure is all our bhabi." All of them looked like humble and good persons, but I don't want to judge someone too quickly. What if they were only maintaining a good outlook and was malicious like Shamrat ji from within?

"Rajeshri, go now. They will help with everything. You don't have to worry," Ma said and sauntered away with the boys hot on her heels.

When I entered inside my bedroom, Shamrat ji was still lying on his stomach, his muscular bare back clasped with a t-shirt lying for me to ogle. But the ugly bruise was ruining the view, as the cloth had hiked a little.

Oh God! What the hell am I saying!? How can I check out someone else shamelessly like this when I already have a man I love.

I kept the lehenga on the couch and tiptoed towards the bed, trying to make as minimum sound as possible. He hadn't even woke up today for workouts. Guess the pain was really high.

Shamrat ji wasn't talking to me since yesterday. Last night, when we entered into our room after dinner it was for the first time since I had entered into my in laws home that Shamrat ji didn't touch me or tease me. He had just went to the washroom and had fallen asleep on the bed within minutes.

I didn't know why, but I was kind of was missing our bickerings. It had only been two days it had started but I always stay on alert whenever he used to be around. And somewhere there I didn't know why it had kept me entertained, not letting me worry about the fact that my parents might be still mad at me and Daud was missing, might be even severely injured. A thin layer of tear broke out from my eyes at our old memories.

I pursued my lips and decided to wake Shamrat ji up. Its better to irritate him than worry things I couldn't do anything about. My first priority should be to irritate, annoy and disrespect Shamrat ji so much that he would automatically give me a divorce.

"Shamrar ji?" I called out gently, but got no respond. He might be deeply in sleep.

Clearing my throat I sat beside him on the bed, and called out for him once again but this time too, he didn't budge.

Okay, I might need to use my hands now.

"Shamrat ji, wake up." I gently prod his shoulder but what I didn't expect was his reaction. In a flash I was pinned to the bed with Shamrat ji straddling me, his fingers tight around neck.

I gasped out looked at him with wide opened eyes. They were red with anger and full of malicious intentions. Tears ran down my cheek as I tried to scratch his hand

"Sh ... amrat ji ... what are ... yo ... doi ...." Something flashed in his eyes and his wrathful expression changed into a shocked one as he quickly pushed himself away from me and stood up on the floor.

I gasped and coughed, trying to breath in as much as oxygen possible. This man was a monster, how could he do that. I was just trying to wake him up for God's sake. How could he react like this ...

"I am sorry."

My head snapped towards him at his words. His eyes were full of anguish, regret and repressed anger.

"What the hell was that?" I murmured, swinging my legs off the bed. My throat was bruised and sore as I tried to take deep breath. Sweat had broke down on my forehead within seconds.

Shamrat ji glared at the floor in front of me for a prolong time before heaving a deep exhausted sigh. What was wrong with him? He looked as if pain was swallowing him. I preferred to keep my mouth shut.

God forbid, what if he attack me again?

Without speaking a single word, he walked away from me and shut the washroom door with a thud.

What the hell!?

*******

"Rajeshri?" Ma's voice rang outside my room, so I quickly adjusted the lehenga and stood up. The beauticians had left just a few minutes ago and I was all dolled up to attain the reception party. The marks on my neck were all covered up with concealer. Some of the most influential people were coming to the party, and I was expected to attain them. But I was far more excited to meet my parents and my little Adi.

"Yes Ma?" She strode into the room, her back straight and chin held high and stalled in front of me. Her eyes raked over my figure and a smile of satisfaction gazed her face.

"Remember to keep you head high, okay?" she nudged her chin and I blinked. Yes, I would keep my chin high.

Ma left after that and Leila walked in. She was wearing a very preety silver saree matched with black earrings.

"Hey." I smiled at her. She was the only one here with whom I connected somewhat.

"Hello didi, you are looking gorgeous!" she exclaimed. A natural blush rose up my cheek at her compliment as I looked back at the mirror. Indeed I was looking stunning.

"Shamrat bhaiya won't be able to keep his eyes off you," Leila teased and my smile vanished. Shamrat ji had disappeared the moment I woke him up and I hadn't seen him since then. Not even during lunch. I was sure he was still somewhere in the haveli course Ma won't let him leave, but for some reason he was avoiding me. Was it because of today's morning incident or yesterday's incident, only God knew.

"Come on, let's go down. Everyone is waiting for you." As soon as Leila said those words, my blood froze in my veins. Shit! How was I going to face so many influential people without suttering. I was a normal girl, what if I end up embarrassing Ma or worse, Shamrat ji?

When I came down stairs with the help of a few maids along with Leila by my side, I was stunned. The backyard was decorated beautifully with fairy lights and flowers, a stage was set up and tables were set for the guests, along with buffets on further right corner. The whole place was looking inexplicably grand.

But my excitement didn't last more than a few seconds. As soon as I saw hundreds of people standing in front of me and were smiling at me all my inner confidence died down there. How the hell was I supposed to handle all of them?

"Rajeshri, come ..." Ma kept her hand on my back and nuddged me a little towards a elder couple who were standing in a group. They looked lovely together.

"Mr and Mrs Mitta), meet Rajeshri Rathore, my daughter in law," Ma introduced me with so much pride in her voice that the pressure of Rathore's reputations pushed down my shoulders.

I took a deep breath and passed the couple smile. "Namaste, pleasure to meet you both."

They smiled back at me and made small talks. This introduction session went on for almost an hour, when I was already introduced with more than 50 people and my cheeks were aching for smiling continuously. Most of the people who came had fake smiles on their faces, as some women eyed me with vile eyes. As if they couldn't bare to look at me.

But amidst all this I never saw Shamrat ji. Where was he? Wasn't this supposed to be our wedding reception? Was he busy somewhere else? Was he so much angry at me that he bailed me out at such a crucial time, when I was getting forced to look at all these people with smile on their faces and poison in their hearts?

I didn't understand why was mad at me? I admit what I did yesterday was wrong but I would have said sorry if he hadn't been acted like a maniac today morning.

"And here is Mr. Chauhan, a renowned politician from Koranjanpur, along with his daughter Urvashi Chauhan," Ma said stalling in front of an middle aged man. He was bald but was very tall. Beside him, her daughter was glaring daggers at me.

I didn't cower at her glare and smiled sweetly at them. "Nice to meet you both. I am Rajeshri Rathore."

"And Shamrat rejected me for her? Is he seriously out of his mind?" Urvashi's voice was coated with malignance, as she threw daggers at me through her eyes.

My eyes widened at her words and I looked at Ma whose face was looking gloomy. Beside Urvashi, her father's face was also in a scowl. Okay, what the hell? Why would even Shamrat ji reject her for me? She was far more prettier, graceful and poised than me, and there was no doubt she was more educated.

"Urvashi darling, his marriage was already fixed by the time you daddy approached Shamrat." Ma said, passing the father daughter a sweet smile.

"Bullshit! Daddy approached Shamrat months ago." My eyes widened at her ill behaviour. How dare was she causing in front of elders!

I gazed back at Ma and now her eyes were in slits. "You weren't even an adult at that time Urvashi. My son surely can't marry an underage girl," she gritted as I licked my lips standing in between these three very powerful people who were having a silent war.

"And what is she? She barely looks old enough to marry Shamrat. Atleast I was a far better choice compared to this peasant. I mean, just look at her! She has no sense of elegancy," Urvashi mocked me and my throat tightened with emotions. My nose pricked as I tried to gulp down a painful lump down my throat.

"You might have been a better choice, but Rajeshri is the best choice for me, Miss Urvashi." Out of nowhere Shamrat ji's voice reach my ears and I felt his hand on my waist. His scent engulfed me and my stomach fluttered as soon as he said I was best.

My eyes flew towards him as his beard grazed my forehead. His musky scent wafted in my nose and I swooned at it. With a tailor made suit as dark as his eyes, he was downright the most gorgeous man tonight.

"Shamrat, how are doing?" Urvashi's vile tone turned sweet as soon as she saw Shamrat ji. She tried to lean into him, but her father hold her back.

"Good, before I saw you." Shamrat ji gave her a lopsided smile and his eyes darted at Mr. Chauhan.

"Shamrat, you are too young driven my emotions. If only you would have been wiser, Urvashi would have been a far better choice for you. I mean look at her, what quality doesn't she possess? She is absolutely perfect to be your wife," Mr Chauhan said in a tone that I found really weird. As if there was an underlying threat.

"Mr. Chauhan, why don't you just accept that you trying to create a mutual bond between the Rathores and Chauhans by marrying her off to me won't ever be successful." Shamrat ji scoffed and I took a deep breath. There was too much tension in the air to take.

Mr. Chauhan's eyes turned dark as he leaned into Shamrat ji and spatted at him, "You will regret your every word and action." Saying this he kept away the glass of bear on a nearby table and clutched his daughter's hand to walk away. But just before turning away he looked at me and I shivered at the intensity of his glare.

"I want my party member back, safe and sound," he demanded, gazing at Shamrat ji with angry eyes. As soon as Shamrat ji heard the words his relaxed features turned hard and he glared back at Mr.Chauhan.

"I don't know what you are you talking about," Shamrat ji snipped.

"I think you know very well whom I am talking about, Shamrat Rathore. Send Daud back to me or you don't have any idea how badly I will fuck you up," he jeered and sauntered away with his daughter.

Daud? Did he mean ... my Daud. As soon as I heard his name my eyes whirled towards Shamrat ji but my tongue felt heavy at his expression. It was ferocious and lethal, ready to kill anyone at spot.

No sooner was Mr. Chauhan out of the gates, Shamrat ji walked away from me but my eyes followed him all thorughout the night. I watched in wonder how he mingled with everyone with a charming smile and laughed heartily. My stomach would flutter everytime he would catch me staring him and I would quickly look away.

"Rajeshri beta?" A familiar masculine voice rang behind me and my head whirled towards the man who was standing in front of me. His face was radiatin happiness and before I could decipher what I was doing, I engulfed my arms around him.

"Baba!?" I cried out, hiding my face in his chest. His familiar smell engulfed me as I sink into his fatherly embrace. I missed Baba terribly for the last two days.

"How are you meri bacchi?" Baba asked, as he patted the back of my head, his voice cracking slightly in happiness as I looked up at him. Happy tears were sliding down his cheeks.

"I am fine Baba, how are you? How is Ma? And where is Adi? Did he come?" I was so excited to see him that I didn't even notice the guests anymore. No one was more important to me than my family, and I didn't care if I didn't looked poised anymore embracing my father and crying.

"Didi!" Adi squealed out and my eyes glided towards him. Shamrat ji was standing there with Adi in his arms as he was clapping his hands with delight. Shamrat ji was also smiling looking at the small bundle of joy.

"Adi!" I quickly scooped him out of Shamrat ji's arms and kissed my little brother's face. He was so tiny and I loved him beyond everything.

"Urgh, Didi. Stop embarrassing me!" Adi said looking at the small girls in the party and wiping his face as I smooched several kisses on his face, All of the girls were giggling and I chuckled out at his embarrassment.

"I am so happy to see you Didi, and so glad that Buddy kept his promise," he shrieked and I sat on my haunches and embraced him, looking up at Shamrat Ji. He was smiling down at me, but there was something in his eyes which was restraining his happiness.

"I am so glad both of you came." It was Ma who welcomed both Adi and Baba inside the party, and took them towards the food section.

As soon as they were gone, Shamrat ji was ready to walk away again from me, but I grabbed his hand and pulled him towards a secluded corner. His face was emotionless again with no sign of mirth or playfulness.

"Are you mad at me?" I asked, fiddling with my fingers as I peered up at him. I was ready to say sorry, if he was angry cause I knew what I did was wrong. I never meant to hurt him and his ignorance was really disturbing me.

"No."

"Then why are you avoiding me?" I bit my lip to control my frustration.

"When did I avoid you?" he quipped.

"I am sorry about yesterday morning. I didn't mean to hurt you like that," I apologized and kept my head down in shame. Regret was a strong emotion and I was truly ashamed of how badly I hunted him.

He hummed and walked away, as tears welled up in my eyes. What did he want me to do? He had hurt me too here and there, grabbing my cheeks and bruising my neck and throat. When did I ever avoid him like that?

The evening passed away quickly as the clock striked 12 am and more than nine five percent of the guests left. Before departing, Baba came and kissed my forehead promising me to convince Ma next time to come. Adi kissed my check and Shamrar ji's too before Shamrat ji's car drove them back.

It was only me, Ma and Leila now who were sitting in the drawing room inside the haveli. Shamrat ji was attending a call. All of us were dead tired, specially me as my calf muscles started aching. Leila was sleepy too and her eyes were almost close, she was waiting for Arnav ji, who had gone away for some job.

Heaving a tired sigh, I stood up from the sofa and decided to retire for the night.

"Ma can I go to sleep?" I asked, stifling a yawn. Ma looked at me and nodded. But before she can say something a honk echoed in the silent of the night and Shamrat ji quickly stood up from the sofa.

"I will get it." He swiftly walked out of the drawing room and Leila also stood up stretching her arms.

"Rajeshri, go and get some sleep. It has been a long day," Ma said and went out of the room too. I sighed in relief as I grabbed the Lehenga and strolled out of the room, fatigue making my movements slothful.

But as soon as I stepped on the foyer all the fatigue vanished from my body and my sleep deprived eyes widened in the shape of saucers.

"Shamrat!" A gorgeous girl with the most beautiful smile yelped out and hugged Shamrat ji as he was grinned widely. His arms had engulfed the petite figure of the girl completely.

What the hell! How dare he hug another woman!?

●~~~~~~~< ☆ >~~~~~~~●

Welcome back lovelies!! 😀😄

I know it's been veryyyy long since I updated the story .... but, I am sorry about that 🥺

A lot had been going on in my life right now and I had been super busy. My mother's arm got fractured recently 😔 and my father had a tiny accident 💔 So I was really busy tending to both of them and doing the chores. On the top of that, my final year exams had been declared out of blue, a few days ago too. It's in 2 weeks. So I am really tensed and agitated right now.

I am not sure whether you guys will get any more updates before 15th October, cause I would be preoccupied with my studies and other works, for the upcoming 1 month.

Please have some patience and bare with me ❤

Anyway, back to the story ....

● Any idea why Shamrat reacted that way with Shri, when she tried to wake him up?

● What's your idea on how Rajeshri would turn out as a leader's wife, based on this chapter?

● Who was the woman Shamrat was hugging ?

● Any comment on Urvashi Chauhan and her father? (PS : You will get her more in future 😉)

Here are some new covers that had been made by Sahi7777 😍❤

I absolutely love them sweetie. Thanks a lot 💗💖🥰

◇ Random Question Time ◇

Your favorite cuisine? 😋

&

Do you have oily skin, dry skin or blessed with normal skin?  😇

If you like the chapter please dont forget to

VOTE🌟 and COMMENT💬

Love you all dearies. Take care ❤😘

Babye 😉🙋‍♀️