A few you have commented on Adi taking Raksha as a score or a challenge. Well. that's wrongly perceived.

Through the whole update Adi's POV (in absence of Raksha ) shows his thoughts clouded only by her, then how can someone so deep in love fall to such level . The line where he declares scoring on Ranvijay was pun intended, he had been warned to keep distance yet he decided to win Raksha. His thoughts were directed to the mighty Rathore whom he takes as a villain (again in a funny way). He constantly had been reminded how good Ranvijay is when compared to him. Adi is not a casanova, he is madly in love with Raksha, but being a human he too commits mistakes

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Raksha,

My heart did a tango of happiness, though he didn't kiss me the way it should have been. But that small peck spoke a million emotions. Frankly, when I found him in my room that night, I was both angry and excited. I never expected him to act like that, then his non-stop messages. Frankly by the time he came in as a lecturer, my annoyance had started melting away. I huffed, so much for my pledge to stay away from the guy I madly love.

I was greeted by a smirking Hansa as I approached my vehicle blushing to myself. She pulled the door open for me, ''What? " I asked blushing hard

''Did I say something?'' She replied

''I understand that smile of yours, you are teasing me.''

''AM I? You are mistaken princess, I was happy about the view''

''What view?'' I asked

''A couple kissing against the back drop of setting Sun , so picturesque. '' She replied going all poetic

''See you are teasing me'' I pouted

''Í am just happy for you, but please no more drama. And ask your hero to give me a chance to beat the bad guys, I feel rusted here.''

''Please don't tell anything to bhai.'' I requested

She shook her head, ''Do you really think he is against you and Adi? No, he is just testing you guys. Mind you, I have a feeling he is going to throw a googly at you soon.''

''Why are you so sure?''

"I work for him. He has trained me too.'' She replied with a smile as we drove back to the mansion.

***

Hansa smiled, squatted and picked Rolli up as the girl welcomed us crawling to the door. '' She is so loving'' I caressed her head

''She just got bored of me and Ranvijay, nothing about loving and all and Hansa always takes her out, that's the reason of the excitement. This girl is smart.''

I rolled my eyes at Ananya's words. She wouldn't even spare her baby. Hansa informed taking Rolli for a ride, and I took the place next to Ananya. Giving her an arm hug, I pecked her cheek. She gave me a side glance with a raised brow, ''You met Adi! Did he kiss you?''

Quickly moving back I turned my eyes away, ''Nothing like that, and how would you know.''

''I smell him on you.'' She replied with confidence. I tried smelling my clothes and she laughed, ''Seriously Raksha you are too innocent for your own good, how am I supposed to know how he smells?''

I punched her lightly, ''You are so mean''

''But I know you met him, your smile says it all.'' She hugged me, ''Happy for you.''

''Will bhai be fine?'' I asked her, though Hansa had assured me I still wanted an assurance from someone who knew bhai in and out.

She stared at me for a second, ''Let me be honest, after the stunt what Queen Anuradha pulled it's not going to be easy. Not because they hate Adi but because they love you, until they are convinced you not being used by Adi's mother any way there will be no approval. ''

My face fell, she lifted my chin up, ''One meeting and you are dreaming about the wedding. This time, test the waters Raksha and understand him with an open head. No presumptions , just see understand without judging. Be like a white board.''

''You should have been a psychiatrist.'' I complemented her

Her lips twisted into a naughty smile, ''believe me to be one, I have a mad husband and an equally cynical daughter.''

''Don't say like that, Rolli is sweet.''

''You are calling my husband mad?'' She shot back. I opened and closed my mouth like a fish. She is so good at turning the words. She chuckled and then patted my arm, ''This is what I want to tell you, think of every word. '' I nodded

''Hey Raksha, good you are home.'' Our discussion was interrupted by bhai. He entered the room, a wide smile . I greeted him with a hug when my eyes felon Ananya, her expression looked menacing eyes focused on bhai. He smiled and pulled me down next to him on the couch, ''We have a party to attend this weekend, so keep yourself free on Saturday.''

''Where?'' I was curious

''A friend's place. We studied the masters together, he is one of the richest in UK.''

''Who?'' My mind was now giving me all kinds of wrong signals. What's that silently flowing between my brother and my friend , I have a strong feeling its related to me and this party. Wish I knew more about the details

''You will know'', he patted my cheek turning the focus back on his wife. Their stare war was broken as Hansa bought in a very happy and excited Rolli, her squeals defined her happiness, as expected she refused to come to any of us Hansa being her favorite now. 

***

While getting ready for my college, I received a message from Adi. He said he would come to see me during the lunch break, as my brother is too smart in spoiling his plans. I giggled , though its true. Bhai surprises me at times by picking me up instead of Hansa. I am not looking for any complications for now. 

During the breakfast bhai again reminded me about the Saturday party. I nodded with a smile my eyes again turning to my best friend, she kept her eyes focused feeding  the fussy princess who refused to eat her baby food, instead she had her eyes focused on her mother's plate.

''Bye Ananya!'' That was intentional. Ananya cannot hide or mask things when it comes to me. Her reaction confirmed it, she took good 2 minutes to respond. Throwing a  kiss at me she gave a silent assurance with a blink of her eyes. I love my best friend.

The day at university went out smoothly except for few snide remarks by Jordon. He didn't take my refusal nicely and has been taunting me since then. Well, I can't be kiddish like him. I have decided to ignore him completely, that annoys him all the way more. Frankly I feel like laughing on his attention grabbing tactics. 

During the lunch hour, I walked out after receiving the message from Adi. As expected, he stood leaning on his vehicle on the other side of the road. Crossing the road, I stood opposite to him not sure if I should  hug him. He returned my smile, straightened up and pulled me to his chest with his arm wrapped around my waist, ''Hi there lovely Rathore.''

''Lovely Rathore? Wow no one called me that before.''

''Yeah, no one ever had to face the bitter Rathore.''

''He is my bro, have some respect.'' I punched him lightly

''Baby, that man is giving me nightmares. I will respect him if you pity me.'' He pouted making me chuckle.

He stroked my cheek and pulled the door open for me. We drove to near by place. Like a gentleman he offered me the chair before taking his. Without wasting a minute he placed the order  as I had classes. I enjoyed his attention , I was free for rest of the day as for today classes were just for the first half. I didn't disclose the same to bhai or he would have arrived to pick me by now.

''Did you just call me to have food?'' I asked

He smiled, ''I don't want you stay hungry because of me , and you have classes too.''

''I don't, I am free till 5''

He frowned, ''What are doing after 5?''

''My bro or Hansa will be here to pick me.'' He made  a face on the mention of my bro making me slap him lightly.

He took my hand in his, gently caressing the back with his thumb. Gently lifting it up he filled the gaps of my fingers, ''I missed you.''

''Then why did you fight me. You ignored me for so many months Adi, it was unfair on your part.''

''I am sorry.'' He gave no justification just a simple apology silencing me that moment. Our lunch was being severed and I realized I loved food more that Adi. My fork went deep into the food as I relished the aroma. We didn't talk till we were half way through, ''Dessert?'' He asked and I nodded vigorously.

 Our plates were being taken away and he grabbed my hand again. ''So planning to work in London after the degree.''

''No, I am going back home. I will work with bhai or Veer.''

He studied me for a minute, ''That's an easy choice'''

The old Rakhsa would have been agitated, but I am different now, ''Yes, for me it is. But don't you think its better I leave the job for someone more suitable and ambitious. I don't need a job, yet I wanted to learn and no one can teach me the way my brothers can.''

''I hate them.'' He said scratching his nose

''Don't worry, you will soon love them.'' He stared at me for a minute, ''You have changed.''

''For good.'' I replied sipping the juice. Adi leaned to kiss me and I moved back, ''Adi, not now''

''Why?'' he looked upset

''Because this time I want to be sure before taking a plunge. Adi, last time there were too many issues, I don't the same this time. I want you tell and re-introduce me to the people important to you and why. You can't expect me to accept everything without knowing a bit about it.''

He was quite for a moment, ''From where should I start.''

''Anywhere you like, be prepared to answer my questions.'' he nodded. After clearing the bill we walked out and drove to a near by park. He led me to a old wooden bench and took the place next to me. We sat in silence for very long before he apologised for his mother's doings.

''But why would she do that?'' I asked. She wasn't someone living in menial circumstances and wanted to change her life overnight.

he stayed quite for a minute then smiled, ''Why do you think I decided to stay so far from my family? Its her, she has this notion of being right all the time which I hate. You know, all my childhood I never understood what mother's love is until I stepped out of those Palace walls. She always considered self above the rest. She took pride in being a royal, that's not wrong, but her hunger for power was. She never failed to show her status, but after meeting your granny things changed. She realized how powerful Rudrani Devi was, she wanted the same status . Rest you know. ''

''You are her son.'' I reasoned, as the explanation never made sense to me. We do have rules protocols, but family is above all.

''Yes, and she an explanation for that too. Royals don't care for stupid emotions. That makes them stand out from others.''

''Don't mind but you Mom needs a reality check.'' I couldn't help but comment

''She does, and Ranvijay gave her that few months back. I am sorry I refused to marry you then, that time it would was about my Dad's reputation. This wedding would have been a one man show with Ranvijay being the string bearer of Ranawat puppets.''

''He never came there with the intention to get me married. he just wanted me to show what I was asking for. I am glad he did.''

''And made me a villain in your eyes. I hate him''

I chuckled at his continuous hate ranking about my brother, ''Do you realize he tested you too? You could have handled it a little better, your sentence about making my life hell turned him angry.''

He huffed, ''I know, but I couldn't think of anything that moment. He stood in my Palace threatening me and my family.'' 

''Well what can I say about that, that's one of the Rathore traits.'' He stared at me as if I had grown horns. I couldn't hold and laughed, he tickled me making me run. Following me to a distance he pulled me behind a huge tree, his fingers caressed my cheek making me blush. Just when the sky was getting soaked in the colour of love, my phone vibrated. It was a message from Hansa, 'I am outside the park. Its time we should leave'

''I hate her too.'' he pouted. Placing a peck on his cheek, I made my way out of the garden with smile on my face and relief in my heart.

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