Adi,

''Who asked you to take my proposal for Raksha?'' I was mad at my mother.

''I don't have to ask anyone Aditya'' She replied calm stressing on my name, and indication of warning.

''You have to and you will. Because it's about my life, I decide where , when and whom I am going to marry. So please stay out of it.''

''Are you mad that my visit bought your and Raksha's hidden fun to a halt. I wasn't aware Rathore Princess was this bold. I was anyways doing a favour on them if anyone knows of her illicit relationship with you , she will have to stay single her life.'' She commented non-chalantly, as if it was nothing.

''Have you lost it your highness, she is a Rathore Princess. Do anything other than messing with them.'' I warned

''Are you scared? We are no less.'' She challenged.

''You know I am not scared of anyone, it's just that my father taught me to respect females. I would suggested mend your ways, or dad will have to deal with you.'' I disconnected before she could respond. Her one proud and wrong step can spoil my friendship with Veer, and who isn't aware of Rudrani Devi. The old scion is more powerful than anyone could comprehend; even when she had retired she can bring the world down for her family.

''Adi, you need to sign these papers for the project approval.'' Anjali walked in placing a set of papers on my table. Twirling my chair around I picked my pen, ''Why did you tell my mother about Raksha's stay over at my place.'' I asked without looking at her, as I flipped pages going through them, waiting for to answer.

There was no response for long, my eyes went to her. She stood across the table watching me with stoned eyes, ''If that what you believe. I have no explanation to give.'' She picked the file and left my room. In half an hour there was a resignation mail from her stating she wouldn't be reporting any further and had briefed the team on everything. I groaned covering my eyes with my hand, I should have gone in detail before questioning her. I am aware she had read accusation in Raksha's eyes the other morning when she left my house in hurry. Picking my phone I dialled James, ''Stop Anjali from leaving the Mansion.''

He stayed quiet for a moment, ''Adi, I think it's the right thing to do.''

''Have you lost it, think about Anika. It isn't safe for them. Shaan is out on bail.''

''if she stays, she would be questioned either by you or your mom. I know, I am stepping my boundaries but that's the truth. I 'll take care of them.'' He disconnected before I could utter a word.

Just great , I lost 2 best people in a day. My thoughts went to Anika, she was born and raised infront of me. I was emotionally attached to her, she reminded me of my sister whom I lost when she 3. Things changed in my family since then. Picking my keys I ran to the parking to amend the damage done in anger. I ordered my driver to move out of the passage seat getting in driver seat myself. My security rushed to their vehicles as I drove without them rashly. I kept cursing myself for doubting my best friend, a friend who stood by me like rock. It was her who helped me in growing this business. Yes, there was a time when I offered to marry her out of sympathy. Even in that battered and bruised state she refused to be pitied.

***

''I don't want to go to new house. I love this one, I love Adi.'' The words left Anika's mouth as she sobbed watching her mother frantically packing. ''I won't go'' Anika screamed stubbornly not getting any response from her mother. What happened next was something I never expected; Anjali slapped the four year old. ''You will go where I will take you. Do you get it?''

''How could you?'' I snarled pulling Anika to me. The child was so traumatised that she didn't even cry, her body trembling in fear. I rubbed her back holding my little friend to my chest. The way her tiny fingers held my jacket gave away her state of shock. ''Have you lost it Anjali''

She turned away, stuffing her bag. I watched as she zipped it pulling it down the bed. She walked to me and without a word pulled Anika away. The little girl held my jacket now crying vigorously, ''She is getting hurt Anajali.''

''Good, that will save her from future pain.''

''I am sorry.''

''Doesn't matter now.'' She walked out dragging her suitcase with one and Anika with other. I couldn't stop her, I had no rights to. Tears made their way down my eyes as I watched Anika's extended arm, pleading me as her mother dragged her away. I don't know how long I sat there, lost in my thoughts.

A sudden brightness blinded me as I covered my eyes to escape it. I felt the mattress next to me sinking, ''She is at my other appartment. Stop worrying'' James said patting my back.

''She hit Anika, because of me.'' James stayed quiet , ''You knew she was never interested in you. You were aware she never answered or spoke to your mother as the lady is downright insulting. She stayed here because she respected your friendship, even when her daughter was being called bastard by your staff. Right on her face, your mother offered her money to leave you. She still stayed put, she read the doubt in Raksha's eyes that, yet she was sure you knew her. Sorry to say, you too let her down.''

I covered my face, I didn't knew so much was happening behind my back.'' James just patted my back leaving me alone with misery. Anjali took care of me like a mother, scolded me like a sister and stood by me like a true friend. And what did I do? I let her down.

The house seemed haunted to me without the little squeals of the girl I loved so much. I didn't had the courage to stay and decided to go out. I drove till long, when my hands automatically took a familiar road. I drove in the drive way of Raksha's mansion.

''I will call the Princess down.'' Hansa greeted me turning away to leave.

''No need, I will see her in her room.'' I replied without caring for her answer. I saw a flash of anger in her eyes. I cared less today.

''Adi what's wrong?'' Raksha rubbed my back and I pulled her in my arms without any formality of greetings. I had my arms tightly wrapped around her and my face buried in her neck. I felt like a lost boy. ''You are scaring me, please tell me what happened.''

I narrated the happenings of the day. She heard all, without a single word. She broke the hug wiped my tears and pecked my lips softly, ''Here, just sit and relax till I get you something to drink.''

She walked out for sometime and came back with staff pushing a huge trolley. She dismissed the staff and extended a glass of juice to me. I sipped it and kept it back, I felt miserable and I was here so that she could tell me something. But she looked unaffected instead, she looked happy.

  ''Aren't you going to say something.'' I asked.

''What ? and Why? I think its good for all that she moved out. A guy and a girl living together are bound to receive such remarks.'' I stepped back. I came here to find solace, thinking this girl would understand my pain and here she is commenting on the other girl , herself being one.

''How can you be so mean?'' I asked

''This isn't mean Adi. This is truth'' She walked closer to me , wrapping her arms around my neck she made herself comfortable on my lap. She pecked my cheek, ''Adi, you love me and I too like you. And having her in between was creating lot of confusion. Its for good accept it.'' I pushed her away, ''What confusions.''

She picked her phone and showed me a series of pictures. In few, Anjali was talking to a guy who had his back to camera and in new set of pictures, the face was visible. It was me, ''Can't you see, she is in love with you.''

I don't remember any time where we had been like this, the man has my body structure but its not me, ''Those are fake.'' I said

''Chose Adi, me or her. '' She turned adamant

''Where is the choice dammit, I love you and she is my friend. My best friend , like Veer. She can never be my love. Then why choice when no comparison.''

''She can never be Veer too, because she is a female. Between a man and a woman attraction is bound to happen. She is trying to trap you. You will have to chose, if you care so much give her some financial security but ask her to leave.'' For the first time I saw a splitting image of my mother in Raksha. A cold heartless Royal female.

''I chose her'' Her face paled and then fumed with anger

''I am glad I turned you down'' Raksha's voice came stern. I laughed "I am glad too princess , otherwise I would have never realized that I was running behind something fake''

''You will regret Adi''

''I won't, I wanted a girl who had a heart and I thought you had because Veer had one. But you turned out to be something else. You have such a mean thinking, a man and a woman can't be friends. God! How did miss your shallow heart. Thanks for making me realize that.''

Her eyes started watering, ''You will leave me for her''

''She was never in between and you will never understand the meaning of being in love. Its loving everything about the other one. You are not one, I am glad I am up from my dream land.

''So its true, you are the father of that girl.'' I said nothing. She shoved a paper on my face, ''I didn't even believe this, but now its all clear. You want me so you can have a Royal bride, and her for your real fun. If I am mean, you are a pervert.''

"Believe what you want to. I am done.'' We stared at each other, before I turned my eyes away and left. I heard the smashing of few plates, that wouldn't stop me.

''Hukum, please she is just like a kid.'' Hansa tried to reason

''Then let her grow up.'' I  drove off from that place without turning back. I knew the address of the James' other apartment. He used to live there before shifting in with me. Parking my vehicle, I ran up the stairs. I can't lose the ones who trusted and stood by me after all. I impatiently pressed the door bell and knocked the door, after a minute it got answered and came a loving voice , ''Adi'' I stood numb looking a Anika, who answered the door climbing a stool. I picked her up, hugging her tight, ''baby how many time I have told you not to answer the door alone and what were you doing.''

''I was coming to you.'' She innocently replied. Carrying her in I locked the door and asked for Anjali. ''She is with J, he said he wanted to be my dad. Will he be a good daddy?'' I nodded smiling down at her, ''Okay , then I will let him.''

''But for now let it be a secret.''She agreed. I wanted to resolve Shaan's issue first.I got up and moved to the other rooms, from the last bedroom I could hear some voices. When I peeped in, I found Anjali in James arms as he lovingly consoled her. I was happy, they were perfect together. I thought to stepping out , but then changed my mined and entered clearing my throat, ''Adi you are a pain in the ass.'' James cursed.

''I am here to take all of you back. If you refuse, I too will  squeeze in here and you can't romance.'' Anjali turned her face away, going on my knees I held my ears, ''I can't lose you, we are family. Please !'' She had always behaved as the matured one between us and today too she forgave me and made million promises not goofing up again.

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Finally a part of prologue is here. Many would call raksha mean and stupid. But as a writer I find her a normal girl, who isn't ready to share. She has her own imperfections. She is insecure, scared but not bad. She needs to matured, which will slowly start

A glimpse of future  ''Just tell me once raksha, what do you want.'' Ranvijay asked his baby sister who had been inconsolable since she came back

''I want Adi'' She replied, looking straight into the eyes of her brother who would get her anything she desired.

Please do vote comment and share, and ignore my mistakes