Raksha,

I couldn't take his harsh words. Its me who is every time keeping the pride aside and taking the first step, and every time he crushes my heart as if it was a waste paper. How easily he blamed me for something I never was part off, his mom did suggest a plan but I refused. My conscious didn't allow me to play a foul game with Adi. 

I tried to mingle with guests, but my heart had started giving up. I felt it would stop any moment.  Every thing, all hopes and dreams seemed to have shattered in one go. I looked around, Dipika and Veer looked so happy together and Bhai, whatever corner he would be, his eyes would just be on Ananya. Like them , I too wished for such kind of love but my luck. Whatever I do, he just takes it the other way. I don't know what to do to make him understand that I care for him, more than he would ever understand. I tried mingling with people but wherever my eyes went there were couples lost in each other.Why fate  had to be so harsh on me. When I couldn't hold more, I decided to embrace the solitude. At least no one will watch me breaking down. I slowly took steps and then ran towards the private elevator . Moving to my suite , I threw my body on the bed .Burying my face the pillow, I allowed myself to break down completely. I love him, but I am scared.. I am sacred after what happened with Pavan. I am scared to be jinxed again. Now its just me and my bad luck. The hollowness of my heart seemed to be choking me. I felt like falling into a black hole.

''Raksha! What's wrong why are you crying'' Ananya's voice penetrated through the hollowness. I buried myself more into the sheets, scared to face her. But she had been my soul sister and my defences go weak in her presence. My wails grew louder. She pulled me up, ''Will you calm down and tell me what's wrong.''

Hugging her close, I cried louder. His harsh words kept resonating my ears slashing my heart again and again. Ananya's grip tighten, she repeatedly kept placing small pecks on my forehead calming me down. ''Will you please talk to me.''

''He thinks I am mean, a bad person but I am not'' I sobbed She rubbed my back, ''that's his misconception. Now stop crying and tell me the whole thing.'' She made me sit and wiped my tears, she gave me a glass of water. I gulped it all in one go between hiccups . Ananya wrapped her arm around my shoulder rubbing it continuously, ''Now tell me, what exactly happened.''

''I just wanted him to keep Anjali away from us. I never wanted him to break the friendship, but he took it all wrong. He has the right to be jealous if I attend a random party and try to kiss someone. But I don't have the right to be insecure, WHY?''

''Raksha, what transpired between you and Queen Anuradha . Don't hide anything , I want to know all. With a nod, I decided to tell her everything. With every word, Ananya's expressions started turning grave. ''That witch! All she wants is you in Adi's bed and us in her feet . She wanted us to beg her to get you married to her son.''

''No, all she wants is me and Adi united. She knows we love each other . She suggested this so that Adi has no escape.'' I reasoned

''Really? Its not Adi who would be trapped, its you. Its us, our family. And why not, she is trying to fulfill her political greed through us. The powerful Rathores. She knows what power Granny holds and Dad too won the elections. Such a vile female she is.'' Ananya's words were not making any sense to me or I should say I wasn't listening . Adi's mother had been good to me, she had understood my pain. In fact I felt she was putting her son's image at stake. I myself notice how Anjali was using sympathy card.

''Ananya, you are taking her all wrong.'' She turned to me and then closed her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she stood opposite to me. Taking my hands in hers she politely said, ''Raksha, promise me that you will no more follow Mrs. Ranawat's ideas. Please, trust us and not an outsider.''

''But I won't relent this time. He will have to throw Anjali out'' I added in a firm voice

''That's were you are going wrong. A man believes in owning but he expects his woman to be the giving one. If you want to own him, you will have to make him believe that you are dancing on his tunes but it should be your songs.'' He words went over my head

''So you agree there is somthing wrong between him and Anjali?'' I asked

''No, Adi is not that  kind. If you love him, try to understand him.'' She said

''Then what about his tune and my song theory?''

Ananya opened then closed her mouth, she took a deep breath, ''Raksha I will explain that to you later for now just stay away from that lady.'' I nodded. She wiped my cheeks, ''Raksha, love needs lot of patience. Give me some time , I will solve this. Okay?''

I nodded. Though I am not sure how, but for now I want to follow Ananya's advice. She had always helped me out of despair in past, I am sure she will help me out some way. She waited till I changed and then kept talking random things till I slept.

***

I woke up with a heavy head, the last nights breakdown had turned my head heavy. Pushing my body up I leaned against the pillow, with this face I definitely can't face my family. It wouldn't take them a minute to guess that something is wrong. Picking the intercom, I ordered my breakfast and tea in my room. Pushing myself out of the bed , I freshened up with lot of effort trying erase the pain from my face. 

I moved out when I heard a knock. "Hey there pretty face , how are you this morning,?" Ananya greeted me with a smile. The help rolled in the food trolley and left after greeting us. " I have made a plan from girls day out" she chirped

" I don't feel like  going anywhere today" I replied

" it has been a year since you have been out of Jaigarh and it has been more than a year since we have spend time like before. Come on, does Adi is all that matters?  Am I nothing to you"

Her face looked as if she was ready to cry. God Ananya and her emotional blackmail. Nodding I gave in. She clapped happily, " okay choose the best outfit , keep a funky one as a spare and also a swimming costume. I will let Dipika know we are leaving in 30 min"

''Is she joining us? I thought its just us. Ananya I don't know her that much''

''Then try to know her. You made a mistake when it came to Adi, you ignored him when he was around you and now you know what you have lost.  Start giving others few chances.'' She replied. Her words did make sense, I smiled with a nod. She gave me the time I had to get ready. With that she jumped off my bed running away. Who would say she is  mother of a kid.

But it proved to be a good distraction, I was excited about the day out. I packed according to Ananya's instructions and moved down to join her in the parking. She stood dressed in funky jeans and t-shirt with pink shades on. I couldn't help but smile, she will do all in her power to bring smile on my face. Beside her was Dipika , she kept it simple . We got into the vehicle as Bhai briefed the security. Once we were ready to go, Ananya chirped, ''3 cheers of us. Hip-hip Hurray'' we repeated after her joining the laughter. She instructed us to be driven to Bhai's summer Palace. Though the ride began as a silent one, my darling friend pushed us to sing along as she sang some stupid songs.  After an hour we reached the Summer Palace and I smiled when Dipika gasped, ''Its beautiful.''

''It is. Lets go, I have too many things planned for today.Can't waste a minute.'' Ananya led us inside and then requested the staff to take us ahead while she briefed them on her plan. We were led to the main seating area and my jaw dropped. On the opposite side stood a wall size painting for Ananya with Rolli in her arms, ''Wow! Its so beautiful.''

Dipika , who was admiring the view through the large balcony immediately turned and joined me. ''Bhai definitely loves her more than anything, he got her portrait done. I really want to meet the artist.''

''That's a personal artist. His services are just available for me.'' We blinked as Ananya approached us with a knowing smile, ''Ranvijay made it'' That bought collective gasps from both of us and Ananya chuckled. ''Okay girls, we have refreshments and leave to the city to have fun. Dress your best, today we are just Ananya, Dipika and Raksha. No Royals and no rules.'' That did infuse energy in us, after hogging on our favourite refreshments we quickly changed to be driven to the city. Ananya had planned a small pool party later in the evening. We first ventured to the famous mall, I loved shopping here but some how I found everything dull. After picking some random things we decided to move to the local and street market. Some of my friends at London had requested me get the handicrafts from my place. For guys, It picked up few showpieces and girls I decided to pick embroidered stoles. ''Lets go there, my mouth is watering.'' Ananya rubbed her palms and licked her lips walking to a local street food shop. She ordered herself all possible in the menu and asked us to take care of our needs. I won't deny that I enjoyed this random outing like anything, we had changed in a way to mingle with crowd. The security was close by but it didn't hover over us.  This freedom was addicting, I couldn't help but thank Ananya for bringing me here. I got a chance to know Dipika better, initially I felt she is little withdrawn but after conversing with her I realised she was some what reserved and shy. She took time and had her own inhibitions, may be because of her past experience. When it started turning hot, we decided to leave for Summer Palace. I was excited about the pool party. Ananya dialled the security, letting them know of our next plans. We followed as she spoke over the phone. I kept talking to Dipika when she suddenly yelped. My eyes went wide when a lady in her late forties held her by hairs shoving her to the nearest shop. She had few men around who kept crowd at bay, ''MOM!'' Dipika's words made me freeze, how can a mother insult her own child. I tried to intervene , but one of the bulky men blocked my path. The lady pulled a gun from her guards hand, ''You are the reason my son is dead, my family is no more. You are the reason my grandson had to leave his own house . I should have allowed you father to kill you when you were born. You deserve to die.'' Ananya was on her toes, the security was closing down slowly . Crowd panicked and ran for their life, while few stood at safe distance to watch the drama unfold. Dipika's eyes moved to Ananya, I don't know what they conversed but Dipika died voice came to life, ''Its not me , its you. You could never be a mother who could teach her kids good. You failed to protect me, its you who is responsible.'' The lady was agitated, she screamed on Dipika hurling curses at her, from the corner of my eyes I saw Balwant behind her and the moment she fired, Balwant lifted her hand in air. I closed my ears to prevent them from the impact of gunshot .She was shocked to find herself surrounded by our guards while hers stood on their knees. ''Are you fine?'' I asked Dipika worried about her state. It must be shocking and hurting to be hated by your own parent, specially mother. ''What do you want to do with her?'' Ananya asked

''Let her go and live another defeat.]] Dipika replied and then turned to her mother , '' Why don't your understand Mrs Mahendra Singh that its not my destiny to die of your hands. This is your last chance. Today is the last time I am sparing you, next time we see each other will not be as mother and daughter. Just as foes.'' Ananya ordered the lady to be  handed to the police. We knew, she would be out in no time but for now she needed it and we too wanted no more disruptions. The drive back to Summer Palace was dead silent. Dipika had her head leaned against the head rest and her eyes closed. Ananya held her hand tightly assuring her silent support and all I could do was hail my luck to be blessed with such an amazing family.

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