12 YEARS LATER-

A 20 years old girl is running here and there in a white salwar kameez and pink dupatta and her hair disturbing her because of air.

She hurriedly dried her hair with towel and went in front of the photo frame hanging on the wall. She lit the diya (earthen lamp) in front of the frame with tears in her eyes.

A- You shouldn't have left your Ani alone in this world, Maa. I miss you so much.

Suddenly her phone rang. She picked up the call. It was a maid's call who works in Oberoi Mansion along with Anika.

A- Hello Sheela Aunty.

Sh- Anika beta, where are you? Ranisa is asking for you.

A- I'll be there in few minutes.

Sh- Ok.

Anika disconnected the call and wiped her tears. She looked at her mother's photo and smiled.

A- He's coming back, Maa. But I don't know if he'll even recognize me or not. He might have met some english girl who will be much beautiful than me. I won't be surprised if he doesn't recognize me. After all, I'm just a maid.

She chuckled bitterly and a lone tear escaped from her eyes while she clutched her 'S' pendent.

She immediately wore her torn slippers and rushed to the Oberoi Mansion.

As soon as she entered, Pinky called her loudly.

P- ANIKA!

Anika immediately went towards her.

A- Yes RaniSa.

P- I already told you that my heera son Shivaay is coming after 12 years, I want everything perfect otherwise you remember what I did to you last time.

Pinky said looking at burnt marks on Anika's wrist and smirked while Anika shivered.

P- And don't forget, if I see you near my Shivaay, I'll cut your throat.

Anika's eyes brimmed with tears and she nodded her head.

P- Good. Now get back to work.

Anika nodded her head and went to kitchen to cook the special dishes.

After an hour, a car's horn honked in front of the mansion. Pinky squealed in joy.

P- My son is here. Sheela, bring the aarti thaal.

Sheela looked at Anika and Anika immediately rushed towards the kitchen window to take a glance of her long lost friend, Shivaay.

She saw a 22 year old handsome man stepping down from the lavish car, dressed in a White shirt, black pants and black and brown jacket.

As soon as he entered the territory of the palace, his eyes started searching the garden area but he didn't find anyone.

He entered the palace and Pinky did Shivaay's aarti and cupped his cheek.

P- I missed you so much, beta.

Shivaay just smiled at her.

P- You know, I was waiting for you so much. I've prepared your favorite food also.

Shivaay looked at her and rolled his eyes because he knows his mom has never ever seen the kitchen.

S- Mom, I'm tired. I'm going to my room.

P- Shivaay, you can't stay in your room. Actually Daksh has renovated that room into his room. So you can take one of the guest room and make it your own room.

Shivaay looked at her and chuckled bitterly.

S- By the way, where is he?

P- Oh! He's gone to Thailand with some friends, after all this is the only age to have fun.

Shivaay just rolled his eyes. He looked here and there but he didn't find his Kamla Maa.

S- I'm going to my room.

Shivaay took his luggage and went to a guest room which will be his room now.

He kept his luggage on the bed and took out his clothes and freshened up.

As soon as Shivaay went to freshen up, Anika sneaked up in his room and kept the tray of food on the table and left from there.

After freshening up, Shivaay came out of the washroom and saw the food.

S- Kamla Maa must have kept the food. She can never see me hungry and  I'm sure that she was busy in the kitchen since morning and preparing food for me.

A smile covered his lips.

He sat on the couch and made a morsel of chapati and curry.

As soon as he took the first bite, he closed his eyes in bliss, relishing the taste.

S- This food tastes a bit different from Kamla Maa's food but it's as tasty as Kamla Maa's food.

He ate the lunch and cleaned his hands.

S- But where is Kamla Maa and Princess? Kamla Maa promised me that when I'll come back, she'll be there to welcome me but she broke her promise. Now I've to meet my Princess.

Shivaay said while clutching his 'A' pendant.

S- I'm coming to you, Princess.

Shivaay smiled and headed towards the garden.

Here Anika was getting restless to meet Shivaay. She wanted to meet him but after Pinky's warning, she was scared.

She immediately completed her work and headed towards the garden, which was Shivika's usual meeting point in childhood. She used to sit under the tree and reminisce their moments.

As soon as she reached the garden, she was shocked to see Shivaay sitting there, under the tree.

She immediately hid her locket with her dupatta and headed towards Shivaay.

Shivaay looked at her and stood up.

A- Kunwar sa, what are you doing here? I'm here to clean the garden.

Shivaay smiled and went towards her and cupped her cheeks. Tears were flowing from his eyes.

S- Princess.

Tears escaped from Anika's eyes as well.

Shivaay hugged her tightly and Anika hugged him back.

After some time, they broke the hug.

A- Shiv.. How did you recognize me?

Shivaay chuckled with tears in his eyes and tapped her forehead.

S- Pagli, how did you even think that I'll ever forget you? You always lived here.

He said pointing towards his heart. Anika smiled widely while tears were continuously flowing from her eyes.

A- I thought that you must have got new friends and would have forgotten me.

Anika burst into crying. Shivaay cupped her cheeks and wiped her tears.

S- How can a prince forget his princess? You were always there in my heart. And I've spent all these 12 years with your memories.

Anika smiled nd hugged him.

They sat under the tree. Like this👇.

S- You know I missed you so much.

A- I missed you too.

S- Princess, where is Kamla Maa?

Anika's eyes filled with tears. Shivaay noticed it and made her face him.

S- What happened, Princess?

A- Maa... Sh... She's... no.... not in the world anymore.

Anika burst out crying. Shivaay hugged her tightly as some tears escaped from his eyes.

S- H... How?

A- 10 years ago, she was very ill. I don't know what happened to her but her health started getting worse and she passed away. She left me alone in this world. Rajasa was about to throw me out of the servant quarters but Ranisa stopped him and said that I'll continue my mother's works and will work as a maid.

Shivaay's eyes widened in horror. His princess was working as a maid in his own house.

S- You mean you were working here since you were 10.

Anika nodded her head and hid her face in the crook of his neck.

A- I don't like it here, Shiv. I don't want to live here.

S- Shh.. Princess. Now I'm here so everything will be fine.

Shivaay said caressing her hair. After sometime, Anika drifted into sleep. She was finally sleeping peacefully after 10 years.

Shivaay kissed her forehead and took her to the servant quarters because he knew if he took her to the mansion then Pinky will definitely create a scene. But he won't let his princess work as a maid. She was his Princess and she deserved the lavish and comfortable life. He thought of something and smiled.

He made her lye down on the bed and covered her with blanket.

He then saw Kamla Maa's photo on the wall. He went towards the photo.

S- Kamla Maa, how can you do this? You left us alone in this cruel world. You promised me that you'll welcome me after I come back but you aren't even here. Anika suffered all these years but I won't let her suffer anymore, I promise. She's my princess and I'll make her my princess.

Some tears slipped from his eyes and he wiped them.

He himself lied down beside Anika and pecked her forehead.

Hello everyone. 🤗🤗

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