Deepika

My eyes opened to the chirping birds some where around dawn, as I stayed comfortably cocooned in Veer's arms. I could see the yellow orange hue covering the sky from the open porch door. Veer left it open as he didn't wanted Vikram to get habitual to artificial air conditioning. My eyes moved to His face, there was a serene calmness. Something which calmed my whole being, moving his arms away I tried stepping out but he pulled me back, ''Sleep Dipu, it's still time.''

''I am ready to be up. I feel fresh.'' I replied softly

''May be you are, I am not yet ready to leave you. So just stay.'' He said pushing my back on the bed and pressing half of me down with his weight. I heard a content sigh as he buried his face in my neck. My eyes welled up, it has been a year since he held me this way. It had been days since I slept this way. But how long is this going to last, he will again be mad about something and push me away. I felt my heart shattering again with fear of rejection, I tried controlling but a small sob escaped my lips. He stiffened and the towered me with a worried expression, ''What's wrong?''

''let me go.'' I sniffed

''You are crying because I asked you stay for some more time?'' He questioned with a raised brow. I sniffed simply nodding, clueless what to reply. He chuckled slowly lowering himself on me, crushing me slowly with his weight, ''Cry more.'' With that he rolled over pulling me in his arms. I struggled , ''Let me go Veer.''

''Never.'' He said staring into my eyes. I know it is childish, but the anger in me wanted to do all opposite of what Veer wanted. Struggling vigorously, I did all I could to free myself of his clutches, ''I don't appreciate being pushed Veer.''

''Aren't my arms comfortable or you have started loathing me to an extent that my touch bothers you?'' His words froze my body. I stared into his eyes, he smiled softly cupping my cheek , he wiped off the wetness of my face, ''Don't push me away Dipu. It will only give you pain.''

''What's the surety that you won't hurt me again?'' my voice was accusing. He watched me intently trying to study my mind. I quickly turned my eyes away, scared that he would see all that is running in crooked head of min. Veer turned my face towards him, '' some where around 2 yrs back, I met a girl who drove a car with big pink L. She banged my vehicle with hers just because she wanted a chance to know me. She loved me, she took all kinds of dangers to see me just once I a day. I married her. For my selfish reasons. I had promised myself to take care of her, and then the unthinkable happened. I fell for her, hard and fast. She refused to believe on my love and then I kidnapped her and took her to my summer palace, bearing my heart to her and you know what she chose to believe me. Now, she is the mother of my son and I am requesting her to believe me once more. Can she or should I ask will she.''

My eyes were pouring as he narrated our past. Can I trust him? Yes, I loved him then when he just considered me his friend. Yes, I loved him then when he married me to get his hands on Brijesh. I loved him when I took the decision to walk away. I loved him when he hated me and called me slut. Yet, I just wanted him. But when he risked my baby, I couldn't love and trust him anymore. ''That girl is gone, lost in dark, never to be found.'' I said hoping he would forget about old Dipika

''Then I will bring her back and lock her down. Will you help me.'' He asked with a smile. I opened my mouth to protest but his lips came down to stop all flow of words. He kissed me deep and passionately, soothing my bruised soul. My arms started loosening up as they slowly went around his neck. Partying my lips, I gave him more, I was hungry as him, for his love for his affection. He was my anchor and only his thought kept me alive.

Breathless, Veer pulled apart rolling over he pulled me closer, ''If I ever behave like a jerk again, just thrash me.''

''It's difficult to trust the same way Veer.'' I confessed

''So what just happened?'' He asked

''Its called need Prince, I had, and I fulfilled it. I guess you too enjoyed it.'' I repeated what he had said when after our passionate love making at his summer Palace after my return. The moment he made me feel like a slut and not his wife. A part of mine wanted to wound him the way he wounded me.

For a moment his body stiffened hearing my words, but then came a small chuckle, ''I did, can we do this regularly.'' I just stayed quiet in his arms. Breathing deep, I pushed him gently, ''It's 6, Vikram is already up. '' It was true, I could hear his little squeals

Veer let me go, ''I will be late in the evening Dipu. I am taking up a new project.'' He informed.

Though I wanted to probe but was scared to ask more. Our relation was no more the same, we had immense physical attraction, but trust is tinted. I am not sure if he would like my probing. I nodded, moving to Vikram's crib I lifted my baby up. He is growing fast, running in his sixth month he is a very active baby. I felt a peck on my shoulder and then he blew Vikram's tummy softly, which got answered with a sneeze. ''Is he unwell?''

''No, your hair pricked his nose.'' I answered. Veer chuckled pulling Vikram's cheek , he screamed annoyed. ''Take an off Dipu''

''Why? Are you planning to lock me up again?'' That came at bullet speed

He stared at me for a second then smiled, ''No. Doctor will be here to vaccinate him. He might turn cranky. I want you home so that this little guy doesn't get doctors and other staff murdered.'' I frowned not able to understand his words. ''His single wail will make Sitara eliminate the reason. I don't trust that woman.''

I agreed, he was right with Sitara anything is possible. She takes orders only from Bhai, and he has ordered her to protect the crown Prince. She doesn't trust anyone, not even Veer. The other day I had to intervene to stop the fight between her and Jagjit, the latter just wanted to play with his Prince and Sitara misunderstanding his intentions kept knife on his throat.

''Umm...we are working on a ecommerce site to promote the handicrafts of women in NGO. I needed someone who could help.'' I shared my project in brief.

''Done, I will ask my IT head to get in touch with you and soon.'' With that he quickly made his way to freshen up. I took my baby to his nursery to get him ready for his day

****

I was seated in main hall with Vikarm in my arms, the doctor was busy getting the vaccine ready. He and his staff underwent a through search before they could enter the premises. He smiled at me but his hands halted with Ananya entered the hall. " where is Dr. Chandel and who are you" Ananya stood between the doctor and Vikram her guards guiding the exit. " l am his assistant,  He is out for a seminar." Ananya narrowed her eyes and then moved them to Sitara.  With a nod Sitara took a step forward , snatching the syringe she she pulled up doctor's arm as Balwant held him down forcefully. "Inject him." Came the voice of queen. The man wailed pleaded , tried all to free himself but couldn't free himself then he begged, Ananya raised her palm to stop the torture , "I have a message for your mistress. Tell her, next time she tries to harm my Prince , her son will lose his life in the hostel of Panchagani where he studies"

Her eyes moved to Sitara,  " make sure he gets his lesson before leaving the premises. " The man was being dragged out by the guards leaving me in a shocked state with Ananya. Her demure changed , she was suddenly back to her playful self. "Vicky, missed me"

Vikram squealed happily but my body was frozen. Ananya made me sit , " How did you know" I asked

"I am supposed to know. And vaccine had already reached Palace a night before. I expected Netra to act stupidly. She will get the reply in exactly 12 hrs." Ananya said with her eyes at the watch.

"How long will we be able to protect him like this" I was scared

"Till he is ready to protect us. Now, it's time for real vaccine.  Prepare him" Dr. Chandel walked in and injected Vikram who turned upset after that. The Dr. Thanked Ananya for saving his family and she thanked him kerping the trust. I couldn't thank almighty enough for blessing me with this family. " he is cranky , you too take some rest "

" Ananya , if I ever could do a thing for you. " I was overwhelmed. She patted my cheek, " Just help me with nappies of my kid. That would be a big favour" I helped her up as she found little difficult with her growing bump.  " 2 more months."

"I don't think she is going to wait that long " she said with a smile. I walked her to her suite and decided to spend with her. She changed my mood with her words and even deviated Vikram with her blabbering.  

***

"Dipu!" Veer' s worried voice echoed my suite. He dashed in pulling me in his arms . " I heard what happened,  I should have been here. I am sorry." I stayed silently in his arms taking his strength 

" Veer , how long will this continue." He cupped my face, " don't know but that doesn't  mean we give up. " I just nodded not convinced by his words. " it would be better if I had died years back when my father tried to throttle me. Nothing what happened now would have happened. Why did granny save me , dragging me and my innocent son  into it. " 

Veer's grip tighten. Relaxing, I sighed deep, " all these years all I wanted was just one person who would love me unconditionally. I had granny but after few years she too send me far, for my own good but it made me lonely. " He rubbed my back without uttering a word. " you know, he tried smothering me when I was 6 months.Granny saved me then. My mom had told me once when he tried go kill me me again. Some astrologer predicted me to be a bad luck and dad hated me for that. He felt I was an obligation a liability.  He felt I can only bring him worry  and pain. He never thought a little love could even change things around. Had he trusted me the way he trusted his son, I too would have made him proud." A son escaped my lips as I buried my face in his chest. Veer held me close and allowed me to pour till I was done.

"We can order dinner in our suite, if you don't feel like going down" he suggested. Moving away , I wiped my face. Shaking my head I replied, " No, I don't  want to miss family time. Let's go." He quickly changed and joined us. 

In dine-in room there was just one celebrity, Vikram and he enjoyed it completely. He sat in dad's lap enjoying attention and love of his grandparents and great grandmother. Dad made him taste the dessert being prepared for our dinner and he turned adamant for more, making all of us chuckle. 

''Dipika, I like your idea of taking handicrafts to online market.'' Granny complimented me. I felt like a winner. I have always been a meritorious student, but my success was never being celebrated the way my brother's success was. And here, in Rathore Palace my family never fails to appreciate every small thing. The staff bought in the trolley , bhai gestured him to first serve me. My eyes shined in happiness, it was fruit custard , my favourite. He smiled, ''In occasion of your brilliant business expansion. May you come up with more. '' Every one clapped and I could hold the happy tears. Veer gripped my hand squeezing it gently. A cracking sound took our attention, Vikram had hit dad's bowl annoyed not being offered. I got up, but dad gestured me to be seated. He tickled , cooed Vikram distracting him easily. 

Later, Veer updated me that Palace  security had been tighten further. The passage between guest and family area now has been sealed. I smiled, come what may Vikram will be safe. He has an amazing family who loves him to the core.

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Next-Veer steps into cursed lands of Suryagarh. He feels, lives her pain.