Dipika

The discussion with Ananya over Raksha had left me puzzled. What if Raksha did ask for Adi ? As far as I know bhai, he can go any length for his siblings. He had warned me when I had informed about my decision to leave for my native. I rubbed my palms anxiously, worried about the promise I made to Ananya. She was sure that its difficult to dissuade brothers when it came to Raksha, yet she wanted to. I don't what we are and can do about it.

''You aren't going to work today?'' Veer asked stepping out of the dresser.

''No, I am not required. Operations are moving smoothly, have to take care of some other things that mom assigned.'' He nodded . I got up and looked around, ''Where has this guy gone now?'' Vikram was getting naughtier day by day. I really wonder what would be his limit once he starts walking, if crawling keeps me on toes. Veer fixed his attire and then bursts out laughing, my eyes moved in the direction of his and widen in shock. Vikram happily sat on the floor with my brassieres on his head like bandana. He giggled watching his dad laughing heartily making me go red in embarrassment. I slapped his arm, ''Shut up, you knew he was in the dresser.''

Veer controlled his laughter, ''Where else he could be? He is in love with that mirror and you left the bottom shelf unlocked. Don't blame my son'' He turned to Vikram, ''He looks cute in that'' I stomped moving to my son, who decided to crawl off immediately. This is limit, I just don't want anyone else to see him like that. Veer grabbed him and removed the fancy hat, ''I understand guys like such things, but there is age for everything. Plus, she is not right one. Spare your mom''

''VEER!!!'' I wanted to kill him for embarrassing me more. He chuckled at my expression, giving both of us a tight hug he walked off. 

***

I watched his vehicle leave from the porch. I knew, he couldn't see me, yet the mere awareness was enough. Smiling I moved in to be shocked by a sudden thud, Vikram. I ran towards the kitchenette and found my son trying to open the fridge door. Seriously , he is one naughty guy. ''Vikram, what are you doing there.'' He turned and smiled, melting my anger away. next moment my jaw dropped, he was standing with support of refrigerator.  Switching on the camera, I clicked his pictures, made a video sending it to Veer. That will make him rush back soon. 

Lifting him up , I moved back to my room to change his clothes again. ''Hukum, Queen Mother is asking for the Prince.'' One of the staff informed. Nodding I picked Vikram up to drop him in Granny's room. 

I knocked and entered to find Granny animatedly talking to Rolli, and she kept making sounds throwing her arms and legs energetically. Walking to her pram, I knelt down at her, ''Good morning sweet heart.'' She gave a surprised expression and then smiled taking my heart away. Every time I see her, it reminds me the life of every royal Princess, bound in protocols. I just want her to be free. I came back to reality when her tiny fingers curled around my forefinger pulling it in her mouth. I smiled pecking her chubby cheek. 

As we got busy in talking, Vikram again crawled away settling  opposite to a glass cabinet and his war began. Granny immediately ordered all reflective objects to be covered, she wanted her beloved's Prince's attention on just her and she got that after some struggle. 

***

Evening, after Veer's return we sat in grand hall as a family with Vikram crawling to and fro to each member. Bhai and dad were out station for some work and were expected to be back by late evening. We shared coffee discussing about Vikram's bday party guests list, when a big squeal startled us. Vikram's giggles filled the room as he enthusiastically crawled to the door to welcome his grandfather and uncle. I smiled, its a breather to watch that he is picking every good thing of this family, I am glad he is taking the bond forward and not my father's greed. 

''I have never got such a beautiful welcome.'' Bhai said hugging Vikram close. He chuckled when Vikram pecked him in his own way.

''Looks like Ananya welcomes you with stick.'' Veer joked. Bhai just sucked his cheeks in as Ananya rolled her eyes. Bhai gently let go Vikram as he crawled back to Mom, she was feeding him fruit pulp. She kept the bowl apart, and he screamed extending his hand to grab the bowl. Mom refused keeping it at a distance, that annoyed him and he screamed loudly. Mom was trying to sooth him calmly in her loving voice, but he went on and on.Just when I was happy about Vikram being more of a Rathore, I saw a glimpse of Rana Mahendra Singh. His small brows were twisted together and he turned adamant. My nerves started cracking and I couldn't control more, ''VIKRAM ENOUGH!!''  He immediately stopped, walking to him, I warned, ''Behave, granny said no then no.'' He stared at me unblinking, his lips drooped and eyes turned glassy he immediately turned to his grand mother wailing loudly. Mom picked him up, ''Its fine Dipika he is a kid.''

''No mom, he will have to learn to behave.'' My eyes met Ananya's and she asked me to move back. I did and sat next to her, ''You have all the right to scold him, but did you just notice, you just didn't scold him , you scolded every one here. Look at their faces, seems all are ready to cry.'' My eyes moved to every face seated in the room, granny looked ready to break down watching  crying Vikram. Bhai sat next to mom rubbing his back , as he kept his face buried in his grand mother's lap wailing like a drama queen. Just when drama was getting on the top, Rolli too started her song. ''You are such a copy cat, no one scolded you.'' Ananya chided her

''I am seriously going to punish you two if you ever scold them again.'' Granny warned us both. Ananya just cleared her throat trying to hide her laughter. She lifted Rolli up cooing the little girl, who  smiled finally, ''She cried because no one was speaking to her. Such an attention seeker'' Ananya concluded

''No she cried because her brother is sad.'' Granny concluded and others nodded their head seriously. I shared a look with Ananaya, and we both decided to be quiet . ''How am I suppose to teach him good manners this way?'' I whispered

''My mom had a secret place, the bathroom. She would lock me there and punish me and no would know.'' Ananya gave me a thumbs up. I decided, from hereon if he again does something wrong I will go by Ananya advice. Come what may, I won't let another Mahendra Singh walk on this earth.

We got nice bashing from every member excluding Veer. He just kept smiling enjoying my situation. We decided to take a break before dinner, I had literally drag Vikram off, I guess this boy will need the bathroom punishment on regular basis. Walking into my room, I placed Vikram on the bed and he immediately threw his body on it turning away from me. ''Look at him, I can't even scold him. Fine, stay like that I won't speak to you.'' Stomping I walked off, I heard Veer cooing Vikram, ''Mommy is angry, you should say sorry.'' 

After a minute , he walked into the study with Vikram in his arms. I pretended busy reading turning the pages of book harshly. ''Dipu, see he is sorry.'' I ignored. Veer cleared his throat, ''You are reading an inverted book.'' 

Banging the book on the table I lifted my eyes up to look at Veer. His eyes directed me towards Vikram, who had kept his lower lip curled trying to look sweet. Veer too followed mimicking the expression making me smile. Moving to them I pecked Vikram who jumped on me next moment, ''Seriously you are a drama.''

''Dipu, our son will never be Mahendra Singh.'' I gaped at him surprised. He rubbed my arm, ''I understood your outbursts there, he was behaving in that manner because even his father is an adamant man. And if has the aggression of your father, we know where to direct it. Stop worrying .'' He explained

''I know I over reacted, but    for a moment I saw Mahendra Singh in him.'' I somehow never wanted that man to be known as my father.

''Its fine, but what made me laugh for family's reaction. They were ready to fight for him. Good Ananya stopped you or else granny would have joined him in wailing.''

''Do you think they are angry with me.''

''No, it was just a moment.'' I nodded. He cupped my cheek, ''Just wait for me.'' Moving to Vikram he lifted him up, ''Let's go to your play room.'' After few minutes he came back and locked the door, ''What?''

''I don't what that bone to crawl in again.'' With that he pulled me closer. Hugging me he let out a content sigh. ''God it had been so long I held you like this.''

''You are holding me every night.'' I countered

''Yes, with that little bone stuck to to your body.''

''That bone is your son'' 

''Yes, and this is why he keeps competing with me.'' Leaning in his arms , I closed my eyes. He scooped me up walking to the couch, crashing on it he adjusted me on his lap.  ''Veer, why can'y you just leave Suryagarh thing.''

''I can't, I don't want that place to be engulfed by my dark. I will do my best to make it beautiful.''

''What if Netra hurts you?''

''She is actually out of radar, kind of vanished in thin air. Guess she learned her lessons.'' He concluded. I decided to stay quiet. This discussion would move to an argument and I don't what it  in this moment. I know her, if she went of the radar she must be planning something big. Something which none of us can think. I just want my family safe. Veer's palm moved in my shirt, blocking all my thoughts. 

Ananya,

 I so wanted to visit my parents house, but my husband. He bought my family to Palace for a month. Abhi was so mad at me, as he was directly under Ranvijay's scrutiny. He hated being an uncle being  a kid himself and above that he had report his whereabouts to Ranvijay every now and  then, he couldn't wait to go back to the house. 

  ''Okay, now which topic should we discuss in detail. Country's economy or increasing crime rate.'' I asked my little daughter who giggled as powdered her. 

''Ananya, we would like to leave. It feels strange staying in palace.'' Mom said a little hesitantly

''And yet you married me off to a stubborn Prince, now bear the consequences.'' I replied tongue in cheek. Mom slapped my shoulder, ''Stop joking, you don't understand. We are being treated like VIPs. All this is so uncomfortable for us.'' 

''Did anyone misbehave with you?'' Our conversation was cut short by Ranvijay who stood at the door with a worried expression on his face.

''No, we just want to go home. Even Rolli is almost a month, and now Ananya can handle her.'' Mom answered

''Oh no, I need at least 10 people to talk to my daughter. Right '' and my daughter agreed giggling at me. Mom glared at me to keep quite, ''Ranvijay, its time we go back. Please understand.'' He smiled and gave in. 

After dinner I patted Aahana to sleep lost in my own world. ''What are you thinking?''

''I want to go home.'' I whined.

''Your parents stayed with us for a month and still you want to go home'' He asked confused. Sometimes I feel like sending his brain to a laboratory, he thinks keeping my parents here for a month will kill my urge to go home. He doesn't  understand what maternal home for a girl means, I just want to be Ananya for once . The same free spirit Ananya.

''Anu, where are you lost.''

''Talk to me when you are fine with me going to my parents house for atleast a month.'' With that I switched off the lights turning my face away from him. I wasn't mad, just acting hoping he might fall for it.

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