Ranvijay,

Today is a big day, my baby sister is going step into a new life. A life, where she will make and raise a family of her own. I am happy and sad at the same time, Raksha never grew up for me. For me she will always be the baby with brown eyes who demanded piggy back ride from me. ''I am too going to miss you bhai.'' I froze, I came to this room without telling anyone to relive the memories of my childhood, her sudden appearance left me startled. I took a moment to control my emotions when are slender arms went around my middle, as her cheek pressed against my back, ''Will you now look at me.'' She demanded

''You should be resting.''

''That's all I am doing. I wanted to spend time with you, since you were nowhere around your suite, I decided to come here.''

Removing her arms I turned to face her, ''Are you happy?''

''I am bhai. Are you?''

''Your smile matters to me sweet heart. If you are happy, so am I.''

She studied me, ''You will miss me, I know. But don't worry, soon Rolli will be grown up enough to fill the void.''

''No, she can't. Raksha we can love many in our life, but each one holds a special position and no second person can be that. Rolli can never be Raksha.'' She smiled hugging me tight. Tonight , she will become Raksha Ranawat, and the next Queen of Ranawat clan.

''Bhai, can you find someone suitable for Hansa in Ranawat estate? I would like her for my dowry.'' She demanded like she always did. In olden time, the most trusted guards and confidante went as dowry with Princess but now times have changed. I don't consider any of them as my staff, instead I feel obliged to them for protecting me . There is nothing more bigger than putting your life at stake for someone else

''Raksha, that depends on Hansa. If she is willing to get married, I have no issues.''

She understood what I said, ''I can be a spoilt brat at times. Sorry.'' I hugged her tight, my little girl will soon be gone and we will be left behind with all the remembrance.

Veer,

Its strange how most happiest day of one's life brings the tears of joy and sorrow at the same time. It's indeed the happiest day as the most beloved member of our family is entering into a new chapter. We all are set to celebrate her happiness , yet our eyes are wet. She will no longers just be our sister, she will be a wife and her priorities will change.

'My thoughts were broken by my buzzing phone, ''hey Adi!''

''Veer, what do you think Raksha would prefer, Europe tour or Mexico?'' Adi asked. I felt like banging his head, he is asking a sister's honeymoon location preference from her bother. And right now, I feel like puking even suggesting it.''

''Why don't you call her and check?''

''Its suppose to be a surprise.'' He replied serious, then added, ''Moreover, I am not allowed to speak or see her till the rituals are completed.''

''really, then whom were you talking to loitering all over the lawn at mid night?'' Yes, I saw him in the garden a day before. The smile he wore gave away everything, to me he appeared to funny with that pink shade on his masculine cheeks, but then its called love. Even a macho behaves like a love struck puppy and my friend is worst that a puppy, he is a guinea pig.

''Fine, I will check with Ananya.'' With that he disconnected. I laughed at the other end realising that I just embarrassed him.

Bhai had asked me to monitor the final decorations and safety details of the wedding dais. I was busy checking the every piece of decoration when tug on my trousers made me turn, and there stood the most beautiful girl in the world. Rolli held out a piece of chocolate to me , her face and hands smeared completely with it. I picked her up, ''For me'' She nodded, and I accepted. We have a strange love hate bond, just like I hate with Raksha. I never fail to tease her, and she never fails to surprise me with her small loving gestures.

''Where is your mommy?'' I asked pecking her nose, she looked into my eyes with her big brown ones, a finger between her teeth she giggled. ''Fine, you did something you shouldn't . Let's save you then.'' I walked out with her to find the rangoli in the veranda completely messed. ''You did this?'' I asked surprised and she hugged me. Smiling I rubbed her back, I was aware that it was a tedious job and the people who did it will be pissed but no way I am letting my Princess getting scolded for that, ''Its okay sweet heart, I will handle. But first let's get you clothes changed.'' As I carried her back to my room, I realised I was too painted in powder colours which I failed to notice while getting bribed by chocolate.

The small incident again took me back to my childhood, I don't know how many of these I have messed and got Raksha blamed for it. I was aware, if I get caught the punishment would be sever, but with Raksha all were lenient. She wouldn't talk to me for days for getting her falsely accused and I would pacify her my giving her foot massage or head massage for hours. I smiled recalling those beautiful days. Guess Karma is getting back at me, now I am going to get scolded for my niece's deed. I cuddled Rolli, she giggled again making me smile.

Dipika,

I haven't slept since the engagement. We wanted to make it special for Raksha and that required lot of hard work. He elders have left all on us, and that makes us feel more responsible.

''Dipu, please change her clothes.'' Veer said. I looked at him from top to bottom and then at Rolli, ''You again spoiled it.'' Yes, this was the second time she had done it. We had restrained anyone from entering that area, but this one finds her way. She looked at me, shook her head vigorously and pointed her finger at Veer saying something in her broken language. Veer gaped at her for getting blamed and then laughed, ''Its fine, she bribed me with melted chocolate.''

''Where is Vikram?'' I asked wiping Rolli with a warm cloth.

''He is with Granny, busy making strategies about how to tackle future enemies.'' I just rolled my eyes at him. ''Take care of her, I will be in Raksha's suite.''

''And you Princess, no more mischief.'' Don't know what she understood but she gave me a flying kiss, something she learned from Ananya. The way Rolli does it is extremely adorable, pecking her once I walked out to see Raksha..

''No, you say it first.'' I smiled hearing the conversation. They are not supposed to talk yet there phones have been busy for last 24 hrs. Ananya had even said that these two won't abide by the no talking clause, when I didn't agree she started dialling either of them one by one and then it became a kind of fun. We took turns to disturb the couple and in turn missed our sleep too. I tip toed into her room , placing her wedding dress on the table I made myself comfortable on the bed.

''Muhaaah!!'' Raksha kissed Adi through the phone and it took me all not to laugh. ''Now your turn'' She said and I waited the words to go more intense. Eavesdropping on a romantic conversation can be so much fun, I realised it now.

They talked about wedding night, honeymoon and even kids. I did all to suppress my laugh but couldn't. A low scoff made Raksha turned, she turned beet root and I started rolling on the bed, now free to have my laughter. She disconnected and stood opposite to me with her arms folded to chest, lip curled, ''I never expected this from you.''

Instead of apologising I laughed harder. She sat beside, pinched my waist making me yelp, ''Ananya is spoiling you Dipika.''

''No! She is just showing me the new ways of living life. One of them is to eavesdrop a romantic conversation. By the way I you planning do all that you mentioned to Adi?'' Raksha covered her face being all shy, I pulled her into my arms. Each and every member of this family has given me beautiful memories, and I am grateful them for that. ''Its just few hours left, go freshen up the beautician will here in an hour and no more phone conversations.'' Before I could leave, she held my hand, ''I never thanked you''

''For what''

''For being so beautiful at heart. I know, I was cold initially thinking you have taken my place in Ananya's life. I was wrong, instead I got an amazing friend in you who is a good listener. Had it been Ananya, she would have recorded the conversation and blackmailed me for life, but you are just like a temple. You bring peace to everyone's heart.''

Her words overwhelmed me, hugging her once I walked out. Feeling delightful that I was finally the reason for someone's peace.

Raksha,

My heart raced as I waited with baited breath for the moment when  I would stand next to the man I am going spend my life with. I was getting live commentary from my younger cousins who looked excited about my wedding. My palms caressed my dress, I smiled. My brothers got me most exquisite bridal wear. I don't know how many designers got rejected. Since I had worn granny's dress for the engagement, my family wanted to give something equivalent to it. 

My jewellery was not some designer collection, it was rare royal jewellery. It has been in our family for generations, and today it made me feel like a queen. ''Its time!'' Ananya smiled at me through the mirror I sat opposite to. My 2 sister-in-laws looked beautifully in Royal attire. Today, they had chosen the complete traditional look. They held my arm from either side, giving me the required support. As I walked through the long corridor, my heart rate picked up with each step I took closer to the wedding platform.     

Dipika pulled the transparent long veil over my face, we walked in and I lifted my eyes up, curious to know how he looked. Dressed in ivory sherwani and red colour turban, which was being dawned with diamond broach. he had worn a multilayered pearl necklace embellished with  beautiful emeralds . He lifted his eyes up to meet mine, and that moment I lowered mine. My two amazing SILs made me sit next to him walking away. The dais was beautifully decorated with lights and flowers, the background has a LED which continuously displayed a waterfall bringing the surroundings alive. The priest started the rituals and we followed his instructions. My dad gave my hand into Adi's ,caressing my head lovingly. He patted Adi's shoulder silently asking me to take care of me. We took our seven vows, in words and in heart. The priest announced us man and wife , we took the blessings of the gods and then our elders. My story was finally complete.  I am officially, Raksha Aditya Ranawt .

''Take care of her and forgive her if she makes a mistake.'' Dad said hugging me tight

''I will, I promise.'' He said with a smile. 

Vikram offered us a small bouquet shyly and Adi gave him a hug,''Thanks son!'' Next was Rolli, and there was no shyness. After a minute she asked the bouquet back, making us all laugh. Granny handed a beautifully wrapped folder to us, ''What's this Granny?''

''Something I decided to give you when you first time opened your eyes in my arms.'' Curious I opened the folder and gasped, ''granny I can't take this.'' Adi said, those were the papers of one of the most beautiful Palace of Rathore. Fondly known as Rani Mahal (Queen's Palace) in olden times, it was famous for its gardens and fountains.

''You cam, I got this from my father and I had decided to give to my grand daughter the day she was born. This will remind us of you.'' I couldn't hold more and hugged my grandmother emotionally. ''I will miss you.''

''Me too my child, there will no one now who would fight and revolt against me.'' She said rubbing my back. The emotional chapter continued for sometime as each of my family member blessed the baby member. 

We walked to Adi's parents. Dad welcomed me like a father welcomes his daughter but his mother stayed formal. I just smiled, ''mom, we have to stay together. Let's just bury the past.''

''You think its that easy to forget what your brother did? Don't expect anything from me.'' She sounded cold

I understood, she will not understand politeness, ''Fine then, as you wish. Just remember that now I am Adi's wife. If you try something like you tried before, I won't hesitate in involving my family.'' She gaped at me shocked. I felt an arm around me, ''All good'' Veer asked

I smiled, ''Yes, my mother in law was blessing me.'' he nodded and walked off after giving Queen Anuradha one final look.

''Hey, you aren't going far its just few hours.'' Adi said squeezing my hand. ''I know, and trust me I am not sad, just emotional.''

''So, what's the gift you want from me.'' he asked with a smile. I took his hand into mine, ''Just be my Adi for life.'' He understood what I said and that was all that mattered. We were one, and I was determined to keep my life and relationship beautiful for life.

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Last will be the Epilogue. I decided to include the short POV of all the important characters of Royal love series . Hope you like it.