Adi

I watched her standing across the road as she enjoyed the breeze opening her arms wide, her brown hairs dancing across her face. Since her last encounter, I have been terrible. The anger and hatred in her eyes have kept me awake for long, why couldn't she understand me for a minute. I wanted to save her from being a puppet in my mother's hands, but in all this I am the one who suffered the most. She blocked all contacts with me, I tried reaching her over the Rathore Palace but the call got answered by Dipika, who politely yet in a warning way asked me to maintain the distance from Raksha. For that moment I decided to go with her advice to give it up in a day. Its my and Raksha's life and I won't let others take a decision. Veer though was very cordial, but when it came to Raksha his voice and tone changed. He didn't allow me to explain him the circumstances. I felt hurt, but more than that I was mad at my mother for playing with my relationships. She destroyed my childhood friendship and future with Raksha. Whatever was going on, it was between us but now its between the families. Two Royal families, and when things get heated they get dirty.

I couldn't stay a minute more under the same roof as my mother. She has always been over ambitious and I had to pay for her desires with my only dream, ''Are you going to let her go?'' Dad asked as he watched me pack

''I am going to give her some time to cool down and then I will speak to her.''

''Adi, she isn't someone common, don't forget that. Ranvijay threatened us in our own house. He isn't going to make anything easy.''

''I know, but this is our life and we make the decisions.''

''What if she decides to let you go?'' Dad asked freezing my movements.

''I will compel her to come back, I am not settling down for a no.'' He just huffed and hugged me, wishing me luck. After confirming the schedule, I left for Delhi. Its good both of us are far from our families, with no interruptions, opinions and suggestions things would be easy. At least I hoped it would be.

On reaching London , I tried reaching Raksha to find she had changed her number. The wire lines too seemed have blocked me out. I wanted to be patient, but her stubbornness is making me anxious. Even when we fought, I made sure I saw her once a day , may be from a distance but I did. Now, at this stage I don't know if I am allowed in 100m radius of her.

When she was shifting to London for her masters, Ranvijay made sure he bought the property with highest and strongest wall. The mansion was more than 100 yrs and belonged to an old Lord, for few days I circled around the property to get a glimpse to fail miserably. I knew it was difficult to get a glance even she stood in her balcony or lawn. I was getting impatient, though my friends suggested to lie low but with every passing moment I felt her slipping off my life.

I was sorry for hurting her. Ranvijay was right, in way I shouldn't have put so many expectations on her. She is after all a pampered Princess, her family is too protective about her. I have already have a tasted of messing with Ranvijay and I have no intention of messing with her Granny. She is all the way more dangerous than any of them. Though retired, she won't hesitate in creating a mess of me if she finds her lovely grand daughter in tears.

''Adi, just give the girl a break, this way you will smother her.'' James said as he watched me pacing around.

''I just want to see her, once.'' I replied

''Buddy you will see her all your life but you have to be patient. Impatience my cost you bad, she is upset right now. Let her sit and ponder on all what happened, may be she realises and calls you back.''

''May be? This may be is what making me impatient'' James just shook his head. A thought struck me and I smiled making James frown, ''Please don't include me.''

''Without you I am nothing buddy. You just have to act as a courier delivery guy for me.'' I begged. James started at me, ''I am your security chief, previously I worked as a cop , a deadly one and you are turning me into a delivery guy. I hate your love story.'' James whined but gave in looking at my expression

***

We drove to a flower shop and I made the florist go mad. he asked James to take me away or he will call the cops. James then recited my sorry love story adding more than required spices. The old man melted and made the best bouquet I had ever seen. I next purchased and snow globe with a dancing couple, rapped it in a beautiful gift wrap and left for our destination. We parked at a little distance. James pulled up a cap, ''From which angle I look like a delivery guy, I am more of a wrestler. '' Well that was true. We quickly changed the jackets and I lifted the collar of my shirt up to hide my face, rest was done by the base ball cap. Walking to the main entrance I tried getting in order to deliver the parcel, but the guards refused. They too the parcel and shooed me off. I hope she gets and likes my gift, I know she will understand that its me.

I was growing anxious waiting for her to call and tell me that she like my gift. My eyes went to the vintage clock. She must be home from University by now, I was dreaming of her reactions but when I didn't hear anything from her, I decided to go and have a look. I didn't wanted James to create another issue so I decided to take my bike, dressing completely in black.

Coming back to present I smiled lifting my eyes up to the dancing figure on the terrace. Though the vision wasn't clear, I could still imagine and feel her. I know she must be smiling because I am doing the same. She turned and then froze, she saw me. She came a little forward to have a clear view. She turned and vanished, my mind went alert as my heat stared thudding. She was coming down, a part of me wanted to stay and engulf her in my arms , while the part of me was scared to face her. Pulling out a small bud and soft toy , I left it on the road and drove off to stop at a distance.

I watched as she looked around and then said something to the guard who had followed her out. She then nodded ready to go in when her feet halted, she walked on to the other side of the road and squatted near my gift. I watched with anticipation, waiting for her to pick it up. But she didn't instead she left without giving it a second glance, crushing my hopes. Fine Raksha, I accept your anger but I am not going to give up.

''It would be better if you leave her alone.'' The voice made me turn

Hansa stood with her arms crossed over her chest. Where did she come from? She took a step to me, ''Its my job to keep my eyes open. ''

''Do you even know who am I?'' I warned she replied it with a smirk

''I don't care, I just know that Raksha is my priority.'' She said her eyes boring into me. My eyes went to her hands, she held the gift and flowers I had left earlier, ''She asked me to get rid of them.'' Hansa said reading my expression. ''I guess it would be better you take them back.'' Shoving them into my hands she turned to leave, ''I don't want you messing with us.'' I warned

''US? there is no us. Raksha said no, and its her no I care for. Your opinion never matters''

''Stay out Hansa, I don't want you hurt.''

''Stay alert Prince if you don't want yourself hurt. For me your warnings means nothing, there is only one who holds the right to command me and that's Hukum Ranvijay, rest don't exist.'' She left without a backward glance. 

I couldn't help but smile, no wonder Rathores are one of the most powerful clans, they have people like her , Sitara and many more.  I know this girl is dangerous. She survived Brijesh's den for months without getting scratched, she saved Raksha from undue advances of Jordon in the party single handily, and  owe that to her. But if she thinks she can stop me, she needs to be reminded that I am also a blue blooded Royal.

***

After thinking for a week, I realised it was difficult to see Raksha this way. I had to chalk a plan and meet her. By hook or my crook, she will have to hear my side of story. Staring at the sky , I pleaded the almighty to give me one chance to see her, without any filters and barriers. Guess it was heartfelt, because I got lucky in a day and met her at one of the gatherings by our common family friends.

The party was a fund raising event , thrown by one like us. Tej came from Royals of Gujarat and had been settled in London for years. The family had been known to me and Rathores for years, I am sure Raksha was attending it for her family.

My heart danced, rejoiced finding her at the event. Dressed in yellow sari , she looked like sunshine. Her bright smile illuminated the surroundings. She was busy interacting with the family of host who kept introducing her to other guests. I was jealous of the proximity Tej shared with Raksha, he is married for heaven shake and should remember that.

She greeted someone with a million dollar smile flipping her hair back and my heart lurched in my mouth. I cursed myself a million times for creating the chaos, even I am responsible for what happened between us. I should have tried to understand her. May be, I too took her for granted. She was alone here and emotionally vulnerable. She wanted me around her, but was scared. I didn't bother to care about it, shaking my head. I lifted my eyes up again to lock with her, she immediately turned hers away . Great ! Now she doesn't even want to see me. I looked around to know the presence of her mad guard, it was a breather not to find Hansa around.

My eyes moved with Raksha, she did all to escape my gaze and I made sure she could not escape it. I watched her excusing herself and stepping out of the door opening into the huge lawn. It was a sunny day and Tej's hate for sun would made sure that the party was indoors. Escaping the eyes I made my way out to grab the chance life had thrown at me.

I found her seated on one of the benches, lost in her own world. I took my time walking around the bench and halt right opposite to her. Lifting her eyes, she met mine with a surprise blink, faint blush covering her cheeks. ''How are you Raksha?''

''At my best'' The reply came curt

''I have been wanting to talk to you for long.''

''OH! That's sad, because I am not interested in any kind of dialogue with you.'' She replied narrowing her eyes

''Don't be stubborn, you can't just break up over a petty issue.'' I reasoned

Her brown eyes met mine, ''Break up? I don't remember committing myself to you.'' That came as a slap. I recalled I said the same to her few days back

''Give me a chance to explain''

She smirked, with a shake of her head she got up to her full height, ''It's not about giving you a chance. It's about giving myself a fair chance, farewell Aditya Ranawat.'' She turned to leave , but I grabbed her wrist. Her eyes went to my hand that held hers and then met mine, '' I am no more the same one you know. I will have no qualms about putting a dent in your reputation right away.''

Shocked, I stepped back. She took one forward, ''Rathores don't play with respect, but if someone tried to harm theirs, they don't back out.'' For the first time in my life I felt I didn't know her, the one with me wasn't my sweet emotional Raksha, but Ranvijay's sister. I am in soup.

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I might get slow in updating here on as this is my B'day week. I will try and update, but if not you will find next updates in coming weeks.

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