Veer,

The celebrations lasted post midnight. I couldn't be happier, my son is a lucky guy. He will grow up under the influence of such strong people, specially females. Ananya, a woman who uses her brain in even worse of conditions . Dipika, I have never seen or met someone so empathetic and sacrificing . Mom and Granny, two females who stood strong in worse and at the end Sitara, the girl all of us are indebted for life, I know she will make him a man stronger than any of us. I am aware why bhai appointed her as his guard, she can teach him things which none of us can. I smiled watching Sitara hugging him, I guess Vikram is the only male she smiles at. He turned and locked his eyes with mine, I smiled and he started walking to me. Coming close he lifted his arms, I scooped him up. He rubbed his eyes laying his head on my shoulder, ''Okay you are sleepy, lets find your mom.'' He just rubbed his face once on jacket before settling down. My eyes looked around for Dipu, I could neither find Dipu nor Ananya. Now where did they vanish,  before I could move to look around for them , I found my lovely wife walking towards me with Rolli in her arms, ''Where were you?'' I asked

''Just here . I think we should put them to sleep.'' She said pecking Rolli, who looked no where in mood to sleep. Tempted, I pinched her cheeks , she squealed annoyed and that made me pinch again. Dipu slapped my hand, ''Stop it, she doesn't like it.''

''How do you know.'' I asked

''Look at that tiny royal frown, its the sign for you to back off.'' I smiled looking at my tiny niece who had her fists clutched around Dipu's dress and her light eyes focused on me as if keeping a watch if I was going to repeat my audacity. I wanted to laugh at her, but true her royal highness Princess Aahana looked pissed. Leaning I pecked her forehead, ''Where is Ananya?''

''With Raksah, I thought why not let them have some friends time.'' She replied but her eyes didn't meet mine. I realized , it was quite some time I didn't see Raksha as well. I felt something was not right, before I could ask, Adi's voice distracted me, ''Veer, we are leaving. Just wanted to  thank you for the lovely party.'' Smiling I hugged my friend, it was a pleasure to have him around. He caressed Vikram's head and then turned to Dipu, ''Good night Dipika.'' She just nodded, looking miffed. Adi caressed the back of Rolli's head and I felt Dipu stepping back,that was little disturbing . For now I ignored, but decided to speak about it later. 

''I will give her back to Ananya.'' Dipika said walking off. Guess she read the doubt on my face. After last of the guests left , we gradually retired to our rooms. Vikram had dozed off as evening left him tired . I watched as Dipu removed her ornaments. ''Did Adi do something to hurt you.''

Her movements immediately stopped, confirming my doubts. After a second she replied, ''Nothing like that.'' 

''Then why do you look shocked?''

'' I was just surprised at your question.'' Quickly changing her attire, she placed her head on my shoulder, ''I feel exhausted.'' She must be, we all have been busy for quite sometime. Pulling her close , i switched of the lights

***

''Bhai what are these?'' I asked reading the legal papers bhai handed over to me.

''My gift to my Vikram.'' He  replied 

''Bhai, this property is the one you asked me get renovated for a high end resort.'' he nodded, ''to gift it to Vikram?'' He nodded again.

''Wow! its me who did that hard work and its him enjoying it. Not fair.'' I whined he frowned at me. ''Stop being jealous.''  He said giving me a playful punch. But I was jealous, I worked too hard on to it. Bhai had handed me the responsibility  when Dipu was away. It was a sandstone building lying deserted for years. The owners wanted to wash their hands off it as it was difficult to maintain the 100 yr old structure. I fell in love with it, and now it goes to my son. Not fair.

''May I come in.'' Ananya interrupted. I smiled watching bhai's expression turning soft, I suddenly disappeared for him. He nodded and she stepped in, ''I am planning a girl's day out with Raksha and Dipika. I would need the access to your summer Palace.''

Bhai nodded , ''When''

''In next few hours'' He narrowed his eyes and then patted her cheek, ''Fine, I will make arrangements and also brief your security.'' She smiled and leaned on him, ''take care of Rolli. For now she is with mom.'' 

I cleared my throat, ''I will check on Dipika.''

''You could have done that without disturbing us.'' Ananya winked at me. Shaking my head I walked out.

Dipika looked escatic. I have never seen her so hyper, she kept pulling out the clothes from the closet and discarding them. ''What are you up to love?''

''I want to look good. Its my first girls' day out. I am so excited.'' She indeed was was very happy. Who would believe that a Princess had been deprived of small things like making friends. I watched her, she looked so happy. Her long tresses danced as she hopped between the piles of clothes. ''It would be fun right. I don't know what people do when they go out with friends.'' She suddenly turned quiet and turned to me, ''You must be thinking I have lost my head. But I never got a chance to fly Veer. I never expected Ananya to invite me too, after all why should she. Its Raksha whose her friend not me.''

''Hey...calm down. Why wouldn't she invite you. She considers you as her friend cum sister, you have no idea the way she pestered bhai to find the mole so we can get you back. The way she kept throwing glares at me for being as ass to you. And you are someone to be loved.'' She smiled with a nod

''For the first time I agree with you and sorry for interrupting your moment.'' Ananya stepped in making us pull apart. She turned to Dipu, ''We leave in 15 minutes, its going to be fun and Mr Dipika Rathore, don't you dare disturb us.'' I blinked at the endearment. Next 15 minutes , I helped my beloved wife to chose the dress she wanted to wear and one spare one as per Ananya's instructions. Bhai briefed the security and we waved at the girls as they left the Palace giggling and excited.

We moved in and I decided to utilise the day to teach my son something new. Moving to the stable, I chose my horse and mounted it making Vikram sit at the front of me. ''Ready?''

He repeated, ''ady'' Chuckling I pulled the reins lightly and the horse started galloping slowly within the yard. Bhai stood at the fence watching us and applauding Vikram. He giggled enjoying the ride as I took him around for numerous laps. After getting down, I made him pat the horse. He should learn to make a bond. To my surprise, he leaned and pecked it. We moved inside and I let go him to mom. I joined Bhai in the hotel area, we decided to check on it as we hardly spend time in the home Palace hotel.

''Veer, did you find something odd about Raksha. She suddenly left the party yesterday and didn't come back. Today morning also, she stayed in her room. I feel she is hiding something.'' Bhai's words made me go back into the events of last night. Dipu looked miffed with Adi, and all 3 had vanished almost at the same time.

''I think its something related to Adi.'' I added

''I have the same feeling. Let Raksha come back, I will ask her upfront.''

After inspecting the operations and interacting with some random guests , we made our way back to the Palace through the connecting doors. It was after days we were sharing lunch with family on a weekday. When we entered, Dad was busy taking Vikram 's tantrums with all his patience and our little Princess lay on her tummy , surrounded my numerous pillows. Bhai lifted her up, ''So you got trapped in pillow jail.''

''She throws her limbs too much and she abruptly turned. I just didn't wanted to take a chance.'' Mom responded feeding Vikram. I don't why , whenever she is around I get tempted to pinch her cheeks. My fingers automatically went to her cheeks, and with a squeal she leaped at me. Bhai balanced her head in time, ''Wow some temper you have .''

''Wait for her to walk. I am sure it would be hard to catch hold of her.'' Mom concluded. I kept teasing her and she kept throwing her baby anger at me. ''With this speed, you will be at her radar Veer.'' Dad joked

''I would be honoured too. Even if she is pissed, I will not stop pinching her cheeks.'' I did it again, this time taking her from bhai. She attacked my cheek, chewing it with her toothless gums making me laugh. ''You are a fighter, and I love that.''

Her light eyes stayed focused on me, as if challenging to repeat the deed and she would punish me bad. Pulling her to my chest, I hugged her. She made a small sound accepting my hug. Such a adorable darling she is.

''When? Fine I am on my way'' Bhai's conversation over the phone alerted me. His eyes moved to me and he gestured me to move out. Placing Rolli in Mom's lap, I quickly followed bhai out, ''All good.''

''There has been an attack. Though, all of them are fine but it shook Dipika to the core. We will have to leave for Summer Palace Immediately.''

We left without wasting a second. My heart thudded thinking about Dipu, it took her so long to discard the shell of fear. She was so happy and excited about the outing , I fear this incident might scar her confidence bad.

We rushed to the common room to find Raksha leaning on the balcony , Ananya pacing around and Dipika on the swing with her head in her palms, ''Are you guys hurt?'' Bhai asked and they immediately turned

''No, it wasn't planned. It was a coincidence that we were at the same place.'' Ananya replied

''Who was it?'' He asked

''My mother.'' Came Dipika's voice.

There was a silence, I walked to her and sat opposite to her on the floor, ''It's okay , nothing happened.'' She didn't respond. That scared me, I don't want her to sink into darkness again.

''Say something Dipika'' Bhai urged.

''I am sorry. I am sorry that all of you have to go through this danger again and again because of me.''

We took a deep sigh of relief. Ananya sat next to her and bhai stood near the swing with a palm on her head. ''Stop blaming yourself, it wasn't your fault.'' He consoled

''But she killed all of her in me today. If she ever comes in front of me, or pose any danger to my family. I will shoot her.'' Dipika's voice came firm. Ananya squeezed her hand, ''We Know''

She smiled at me and then got up, ''Bhai , you never told us about your artistic side.'' That bought attention to bhai, who looked everywhere but us. Dipu pointed towards the opposite wall, there stood a majestic painting of Ananya holding Rolli. It was breath taking, he had captured the emotions of a mother so well, the baby was so captivating having her eyes fixed on her mother. He even captured her cute dimple.

''Can I have a portrait of mine.'' That came from raksha and then we all started demanding one each for us. Bhai sat there trapped as we all demanded an individual portrait done by him. My eyes met Dipu's. I knew she did in intentionally to change the tensed atmosphere. She smiled, assuring me she was good.

We reached the main Palace later in the night and shared the dinner with elders as if nothing happened. We didn't want them bothered.

Next morning I woke up with a fear. The other side was empty, Dipu was nowhere. My eyes went to the crib and I found Vikram in a sound sleep. I tried her mobile, but it was there next to the bed Picking the intercom, I dialled Raksha, ''Can you watch Vikram for few minutes.'' She agreed and I ran out as soon as she stepped into my suite. I went around the Palace frantically searching for her. I checked the gym, kitchen and garden area. She isn't a runner like Ananya so there is no chance of her being on drive way area. My heart paced as fowl thoughts started clouding my mind, did she leave thinking herself to be a danger for us. No, this can't be. How will I live without her? What if I will never be able to find her? Shaking my head I decided to be positive, I looked around still clueless and then caught hold of a passing staff, ''She is near the stable, riding Blaze.'' The hair on my head stood up, BLAZE. That is the toughest horse. I ran towards the stable area. As I approached the galloping of Blaze turned stronger.

My eyes widen at the sight, she rode the Blaze with an intensity that I now pitied the horse. The morning sun illuminated her ferocious form. I watched with my mouth wide open as she galloped towards me leaving a cloud of dust behind. ''UP'' She commanded and Blaze jumped over the fence galloping towards the open area behind the Palace. I stood there like a dumb thinking what to do next. I was still thinking when I heard her riding back towards the stable, she rode directly towards me and pulled the reins making Blaze's forelegs go up. She patted him lovingly and then jumped off it, she smiled staring at my dumb found expression, ''I am also a Princess. Though not openly, but I was being trained secretly.''

''What made you suddenly go for a ride?''

She huffed, ''Yesterday's incident shook me to the core. After everything, I still cared and worried about my mother. But her act made me angry, very angry. She doesn't know what she awakened yesterday, in a way its good. I am no more attached or worried about her. My anger didn't allow me to sleep, so I decided to vent it out like this.''

''Riding Blaze?''

''Yes, he was amazing'' She stared at my expression and then smiled, ''I am fine Veer. Better than I have ever been, I am glad she killed the last of her daughter in me. Now, I am free. I am no more scared of anything.'' She held my hands in hers, ''Here on, I will live my life without a trace of fear or worry. Because I am stronger than her.'' Blaze neighed , she smiled and rubbed him placing her forehead against his, ''You were amazing. Thank you.''

We walked back to our suite, Raksha's jaw dropped finding Dipika in a riding suit. ''Sorry for bothering you this early.''

Raksha brushed off the concern, ''No, I love spending time with him. And I am glad to see you smiling. '' She left after patting Dipika's cheek.

''Don't you dare scare me that way again and no riding on Blaze.'' I warned

She smiled, ''May be you won't believe, but I am a better rider than many of best you know and I will only ride Blaze.'' That came with a different confidence. I guess , her mother's act did unleash her fearless side. She smiled once at me moving to the crib where Vikram stretched his body lifting his arm to be carried. I watched her as she moved around cuddling him, there was no sign of yesterday's incident. I am glad about that, but scared too, what if she is hiding her pain deep in her heart.

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Weekend begins. Hope you like this one. I am planning to finish  this one in 10 updates

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