Veer,

Bhai had handed me the details on Suryagarh and had warned me about sticking to his security arrangement. The way bhai threaten me makes me feel  even smaller  than Vikram . ''What fun do you get making these bubbles ?''

Dipu lovingly scolded the little guy who had got into the habit of making bubbles out of his saliva. I watched as she gently wiped his mouth for the nth time. Dipu walked of to the wash room and I sat next to Vikram, he smiled as his eyes fell on me. Caressing his cheek, I blew his tummy making him squeal louder. ''Take care of your mom little guy, I going to be busy for some days. If she knows, she won't let me go. This is our secret, will you keep it.?'' He grinned playfully. I recalled the day of his vaccination as a chill ran down my spine, I could never thank  Ananya enough for her favour. And she kept her words, in less then 12 hrs, Netra found her son tied and locked in a storeroom with a warning for her. For few months she is going lie low, not even in her wildest thought she could have guessed Ananya taking such a step . After all, the playful Queen is famous for her kind heart.

''what are you talking about?'' Her voice froze my  movements. Taking a moment I got up walking close to her, ''I am going out of station for few days. I was asking my son to take care of my treasure.''

She laughed playfully hearing my words and I stood mesmerized watching her beautiful face. Taking a step closer, I cupped her cheek. her laughter immediately died. She stared at me wide eyed, moving my other palm to her other cheek and Leaning closer, I kissed the corner of her lips, ''take care Dipu. '' Moving my arms around her waist, I pulled her closer in my embrace. Though she didn't hug me back, she stayed in my arms without any protest, her head on my shoulder, ''When will you be back?'' She asked softly

Caressing her head, I replied , ''2-3 days''

''Will you be safe?'' Her fingers curled around the fabric of my shirt. Her concern and fear was so evident. My arms automatically tighten pulling her closer, she hummed softly burying her face in my chest, awakening the desire in me. I know I have to win her trust before taking this any further. Rubbing my face through her dark hair, I kissed her forehead, ''Come what may, I will be safe for you and Vikram. Just stay happy for me.''

''Please call me twice in a day or I will be worried'' She requested. Lifting her chin, I bought her eyes to level with mine. ''I will, now I should get going. take care and be back from the NGO early'' Hugging her tight once, I gave Vikram a loving peck before moving out. 

***

As the fleet of vehicles crossed the boundaries of Suryagarh, I could feel the change in air. Through my tinted glasses, I watched the curious eyes that followed my vehicle. Some held curiosity and many held hatred. I smirked, this is my son's inheritance. My wife risked herself for it, come what may , I am going to clean the remaining dirt. ''To the Palace first and and find Gayatri Devi's chief guard. '' Bhanu nodded and left the vehicle, I have to find that man to know what Deepika went through. He was the man who helped Sitara in finding the secret passage and then escaping. I owe him big time, last time when I was here , I was so consumed by my anger that I couldn't thank him for saving my wife and my son. We drove into the Palace drive way moving the the entrance. My guard unlocked the heavy gates, pushing them open with a creaking sound. I stepped into the dark hall way, as the one with me searched for the lights . Something about this place was so negative that it made me feel suffocated. ''Unlock all rooms, dungeons and secret passages. Dig all you can.''

Moving around the dark walls, I studied and made a mental note of everything. Seems Mahendra Singh hated light, just like his personality everything around is dark. ''Open all windows.'' I ordered

''I wouldn't do that if I were you.'' Came a strong familiar voice. My eyes took in the experienced tall silhouette that stepped towards me coming in the light. His grey hair spoke the tales and so did his scars. He bowed, ''I am Nahar Singh, Late Queen Gyatri Devi's chief guard.''

I returned his greeting with a smile, ''Why did you stop me from opening the windows. Light is necessary to end any kind of darkness.'' He didn't speak, but took a step showing me the way. With a nod, I followed as he led me through a narrow staircase, up on the tower. He pushed open the door, reviling a grand study. On the opposite wall stood a beautiful portrait. I couldn't help but  notice the striking resemblance to Dipika. ''She is our late Queen, Gyatri Devi. She wasn't just a Queen, but a very brave woman. If not by cheating and her age, Mahendra Singh would have never been able to pass her.'' I could hear the pride the old man held for the late queen.

''I am here to fix the remaining things.'' I disclosed the reason for my arrival. He stood staring at me for  a second before replying, ''I am glad, but there are those whose bread Dipika snatched by crumbling her father's empire. Suryagarh had been home to darkest souls and they won't leave easily. If not Mahendra, Netra will fuel them.''

I chucked, ''And I am Raghuveer Pratap Singh Rathore. I am extremely good with good and a monster with bad. This is my son's inheritance, either darkness leaves or I finish it.'' He smiled , I added, ''I want to know everything about Dipika, all she had to face and from the beginning.''

''Brace your heart your highness, you are about to meet another brave soul.'' 

***

With my guards I toured the whole Palace as my mind compared it with Jaigarh. Usually all Places have similar structures, but this one is dark.  It would give goose bums to any normal person, I wonder how my Dipu survived this place for long. A young girl informed me about the tea being served in the study and I made my way back. Before I could sip the tea, my guard pushed the house staff to taste it. The girl tasted it with trembling form. I guess, people here are use to fear. Have to change that.

Once we were alone, Nahar Singh started the story, ''Mahendra Singh left the Palace in anger on hearing of Dipika's birth. Some astrologer had claimed the baby to be unlucky, he came back after 2 days with an intention to kill the new born.''  A chill ran down my spine hearing the cruelty  of a father towards his own child. He added, ''It was past midnight, Queen Gyathri had summoned me to her study regarding an important issue. A big commotion took her attention and next moment she was on her feet chasing the noise with me following her trail. The view that greeted us was horrifying, Mahendra held the baby ready to bang her on the hard floor. Before any of us could react her hurled the little bundle and my reflexes came into action. I grabbed her before she could touch the floor. When my eyes fell on the baby, she squealed happily , oblivious to the danger that clouded her, Dipika's mother kept whimpering but did nothing to save her child. That is when Queen decided to take Dipika under her protective wing.'' He swallowed the dryness of his throat and then added, ''Though, her life was saved that day and Queen bargained it for a chunk of her wealth, Dipika faced hell in this Palace. The father son took all their frustration out on the poor girl. And then Brijesh, his advances were making difficult for her to breathe. That's when she was send off to London, after that you know.''

My heart constricted in pain, this was an incident she would never recall, but what about those which are still imprinted on her soul. For now , I decided to conclude the discussion, but I will have to know things in detail. ''You mentioned the favourites of Mahendra Singh, now brief me on all the dark deeds.''

The old man closed his eyes in pain , ''Everything your brain can think off, what could be the limit of the man who bargained his own child for wealth.'' That bought silence in the room.

''Tell me about the current situation.'' I took a diversion. I need to know where to start from and how hard it is to deal with people and put my plan into action. He narrated how a chunk of people hated us as they would no more be free to conduct ill practices like before . Also, about the danger they posed to my life. I smirked, have they ever heard of Rathores, if not then its time I will show them what we are made of.

''Hukum, you must come with me.'' A guard entered the room little frantic. I had assigned them the job to find every possible hidden rooms and passages in this enormous building. Nodding I followed the guard down the dark steep stairs, it led us to a dungeon bringing back the painful memory. It was here , I found my love nearly dead. I am still scared to think what would have happened, if we wouldn't have found her. ''In here Hukum.'' Shaking my head, I moved forward until I reached a small door, squatting I made my way in to be welcomed with a foul smell, ''What the hell?''

''it's the place where Mahendra Singh tortured his enemies and left them to die. Their remains would slowly decompose turning into dust.'' Nahar Singh explained

''How come no one was aware of it?''

''The door is camouflaged as a wall, plus its completely sound proof. Only family knew of these dungeons, he made this one without the knowledge of the Queen. He locked Dipika here for 3 days when 2 dead bodies when she bought her friend home without his permission, she was just 10 then. '' My heart constricted, I could imagine little Dipika cowered in a corner with fear. If possible I would bring him back from dead and rip that heartless man with bare hands. He was a sadist, good he shot himself because had I got my hands on him, his end would have been a painful one.

''Get this mess cleaned, and rest of the Palace too.'' Moving out I scrolled on to her number, after hearing so much I have to hear her voice once. She picked up after few seconds, ''Are you home?" I asked

''My car broke down, it's getting repaired will leave after that.'' Came her soft voice. I checked time , it was half past 8. I am sure she must have missed time buried in her work, I wanted to scold but being aware of her vulnerable state of mind, I gave up the idea.

''Why didn't you call Bhai or asked for another vehicle, its late.'' There was a silence, after a minute she replied, ''it just didn't come to my mind.'' I closed my eyes, I couldn't believe she is the same girl who would sneak out of her secured home to see me in London, tampering cameras and dodging the guards . Disconnecting, I ordered my men to leave immediatly.

''I thought you would stay, and its late.'' Nahar Singh expressed his thoughts.

''I wanted to and I will be back soon. For now, Dipika needs me.'' Without waiting for any further formality, I ran to my vehicle. It would be 3 hrs or more, but I will be home to her.

***

A smiled stretched on to my lips as I entered my suite, Dipika slept with her arm on my active son. Moving to bed I lifted him up, ''You had your mommy for whole day, now my turn. You will have to settle down with the crib for now.'' In reply he made a funny sound, letting of few bubbles. Chuckling, I placed him in the crib and wiped his face. Its doesn't seem he would sleep anytime soon. Changing into pair of tracks, I moved quickly on to my side pulling Deepika in my arms. She hummed, ''Veer!''

''Yes, I am here.''

She stared into my eyes for a moment, a little confusion on her face, ''You said you will be out of 2-3 days.''

''Yes, but guess I am not able to stay away from my wife.'' She stared at me unblinking, as her eyes started watering. I am clueless about my involvement in bringing tears to her eyes or of the thoughts running in her head. ''Did I say something wrong?'' I asked worried

''No, I am just wondering how long is this going to stay.'' Her words came broken. Wrapping an arm around her waist and moving the other under her head, I pulled her in the cocoon of my arms. Her leg moved between mine wrapping them around each other. I rocked her gently, ''Its going to stay, till I breathe. I promise.''

''Kiss me'' she demanded and I obliged.

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