Raksha

Even after my stern attitude Adi didn't give up, he kept sending me gifts cards and flowers for past 2 months. Now, when I need some time he is dancing on my head. Where was he for 3 months after our first fight. Dumping the card in the bin, I stepped out of my room. I have been holed up for straight 18 hrs, working on assignments eating and taking short naps. My muscles felt stiff and I decided to take a walk around the mansion. I was hungry and wanted to eat something spicy. I was grateful to bhai for arranging a cook from back home, otherwise I don't know what I would have done.

Walking towards the staircase, I halted hearing the faint sounds coming from the hall down. I frowned, I wasn't aware about having a visitor any time soon then who it could be. I took quick and curious steps down the stairs making my way to the hall. A staff crossed my path wheeling a trolley loaded with assorted snacks and a kettle. My brow went up looking at the small baby bottle kept majestically on the trolley. My feet picked up the pace as I ran to be welcomed by a little crawling intruder, Rolli stared at my feet which had blocked her expedition and then she looked up, she blinked trying to recognise me turning away next moment. Before She could crawl off, I picked her up, ''Hi!'' I hugged her not caring of her wriggling. My eyes went to my brother and my best friend. I smiled , I made him promise and he is here, in 2 months.

I hugged Ananya tight, ''I am so happy to have you here.'' She rubbed my back, ''me too'' Rolli screamed close to my ear, making me jump, ''Put her down, she is excited about the new place.'' Ananya suggested

Nodding once I let her go gently on the carpet, London is far chillier than Jaigarh and I don't want her falling sick. Walking to bhai I held his eyes emotionally with mine, he opened his arms and I jumped in them. ''Thank you!''

''Any day sweet heart, Did you like the house?''

''House? It's a Mansion and why wouldn't I like it. It's just as I wanted.'' Last words were emotional. He nodded, ''You guys surprised me.'' I added

''We wanted too, Hansa knew and helped us keeping all things under wraps.'' My eyes went to Hansa who kept dancing on the door to the lawn to stop Rolli from crawling out. I smiled, she is an amazing friend. Initially I wasn't happy about her joining me knowing of her abilities but now I am thankful to bhai that he chose her.

''Lock the door Hansa, this girl won't budge.'' Ananya said. She nodded, squatted down and picked the Princess up. Moving back she closed the door, pushing the latch up. Rolli was beyond mad now, it looked as if she was on an expedition to discover new universe which got hindered by us. Hansa handed Rolli to Ananya taking her leave, Ananya glared at her daughter raising her forefinger and the baby went quite.

''Wow! You just terrorised my little niece.'' I complained

''Had too, she keeps terrorizing the whole Palace having Granny on her side. Now my turn, she has no one around.''

I cleared my throat and Ananya rolled her eyes. Turning to bhai I spoke excited, ''I will take you around in London.'' Next moment I face palmed, he too chuckled . He has spend his teens here and here I am telling him about the city.

Bhai checked on my course and progress, he hinted indirectly towards Adi but I ignore that part. I am in a happy space and I want to be that way without getting distracted. I had plans to do something in analytics and this why had gone for major in Economics and Statistics

During dinner, I decided to have my niece to myself. She looked more comfortable as I allowed her to explore my room without any hindrance. ''Can I keep her for night?''

''If you don't want to sleep. She has slept throughout the journey and now looks ready to mess with everyone.'' Bhai warned

I smiled, I fed her a spoon fool of her baby food. She ate but then pointed to my plate, ''No, you are not getting that.'' I said with a peck on her cheek. She giggled , ready to attack my plate

''Raksha, give her to me if you want to finish your dinner.''

''No, I am not giving her, she will stay with me tonight. Its Saturday anyways tomorrow.'' I said cuddling my cute chubby niece. . After dinner I joined Ananya for a walk in the lawn and handed Rolli to bhai for time being. It was cold outside and we decided not to take her out in open air. I strolled silently with Ananya. I studied her form, though we are of same age but she always had been the matured one. I still remember about her dreams, she wanted to work but Bhai's madness changed everything.

''You too had a plan of doing masters and working. Don't you regret not being able to do that?'' I asked

She smiled, ''No, if you are asking about present. Yes, if you are referring to past.''

''Ananya, you can tell me. '' I felt she was covering up. She smiled and then pointed towards the porch. Bhai kept pacing to and froth with Rolli, talking to her animated gestures. I couldn't stop the giggle that escaped my mouth, Ranvijay Rathore acting all animated was far from my thoughts.

''They are my priority now. I don't regret a single thing Raksha, neither marrying Ranvijay nor not completing my masters. Even if I would have, I would either be working for this mad brother of yours or some boss. But look now, I am the boss of all my work. Once I opened my mind and heart, all started falling in place. You just have to find the best in things around you.''

''You have changed.'' I said.

''Yes, so have you. You are no more the Raksha who believed things blindly, you think analyse and then decide. May be we all are growing up.'' I nodded.

''Show me the complete garden area.'' She demanded

''Its 9:00 PM and cold. We will explore in morning.'' I suggested. Her lips drooped, well I won't fall for the drama. She was about to blackmail me but we got interrupted by a thud. When we turned we found Bhai on the hard floor and the little girl in his arms squealing for some reason. We ran to him

''How did you slip?''

He shook his head, ''I don't know what she saw, she suddenly leaped taking me by surprise and I slipped.'' He replied with a shake of his head. Ananya took Rolli and helped bhai up, the baby still was so happy staring up.

''Look at her, such a sadist, she is laughing after throwing my husband on the floor'' Ananya joked But Rolli stayed unaffected , I realised she had her focus on fairy lights in the front yard. I have always been in love with lights, bhai got my mansion done with beautiful lightening arrangements. The ones in garden and front porch give the appearance of fire flies. I smiled, like me my niece too loves lights.

We sat there for sometime and then I took Rolli with me. I wanted Bhai and Ananya to have good rest, plus I missed being tortured by my niece. When I bought her to my room, she squealed loudly being placed on my fluffy bed. Ananya had already changed her and given me her required stuff for night. I kept talking her all the time and then placed her on my tummy, she watched me  keenly talking to me in her language. I don't know why, but watching her tiny fingers curling around my clothes or anything she could reach filled me with a strange motherly love. I now understand why Ananya's priorities change. May be mine toowill change once I and Adi have kids. 

What am I thinking? I had commanded my brain not to think about him or any life with him and here I am dreaming of having kids with him. Heat surged through my veins with mere thought of mothering his kids. Rolli made a sound bringing me back, she was in mood to play so was I. After all , its sheer luck that the haughty Princess enjoys your company. 

We slept around 4, I was worn out and the baby seemed sleepy. After putting her to sleep I watched her with a smile before dozing off.

***

''Did you guys sleep well.'' I asked Ananya when she knocked my door in the morning

''We did, you can keep her for all the nights till we are here''

''Is this only about sleep or romance.?'' I teased

''have a baby and you will know sleep is much important than romance. The moment we hit the bed we dozed off. We were desperate to catch the sleep as much as we could, scared you might not be able to handle and bring her back.'' 

I blinked and then laughed, making sure not to awake the baby. Rolli was still in deep slumber and we decided to let her sleep. Ananya left after asking me  to come down for breakfast.

''These came in the morning'' She gestured towards the huge bouquet of flowers that lay near the bin.

''Has bhai seen it?''

''No, I was out in the back yard for my morning stroll when I found them near the gate. How can someone drop them inside the premises?''

All hair on the back of my neck stood up, inside but how. Adi is going to land me trouble . With bhai around, I really don't want any trouble.

''Speak to him.''

''What?'' I felt disoriented. Ananya smiled and made me sit, ''Speak to Adi.'' 

''How do you know?''

''Who else would dare to send flowers to you? It has to be a road romeo or a Prince.'' Her words made me roll my eyes

''Now when I don't want him around, he is persistent.''

''Talk and sort it out''

''You were against my wedding and now you are asking me to talk to same man?''

She cupped my face, ''I was never against Adi, but had you married him by force it would have stayed with you guys for life.  Even during small confrontations it would have come up. Raksha talk to him, if this came inside he can too.''

I gulped. She was right. Our meeting got over with bhai's arrival, being a Saturday he decided to take us around. It was Ananya's first visit and she looked excited whereas I just wanted to spend time with my family.

We were busy having breakfast when my mobile pinged, a layer of sweat covered by body reading it, 'Did you get my flowers?' I decided not to respond

'Ignoring won't help Raksha, I need an answer' Nerve of him

'Leave me alone'  I replied

'Can't because you don't leave me for a second. I haven't slept for months Raksha.'

Rolling my eyes at phone I decided to switch it off. I didn't wanted to get into any kind of argument with him. For now I have my family and I wanted to enjoy with them. I thought switching off the phone would help, on the contrary it made me more restless. I was curious to know about his future messages. The fight between head and heart turned intense with one in favour while other against him

Bhai Ananya left the table asking me to be ready in half an hour. With battered breath, wildly beating heart and shaking fingers I turned my phone on. I was restless as it booted up, suddenly there were many pop ups and I ignore all moving to the message part. There were a chain of messages

'You switched off your phone?'

'Not fair'

'You think that would stop me?'

'Fine let me see how long you keep it off. I know you will switch it on after few minutes curious to know about my words'

'Yes...I know you have switched it on and reading all of them...you better reply one.''

Though I wanted to bang his head, instead I laughed my heart out and blushed a little, but I didn't respond. I am still not ready.

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