Veer,

Raksha was leaving in a day and we were quite happy with the way things turned out. When she demanded Adi, for a moment me and bhai went adamant to do all to full fill her wish. But then something happened and Raksha said she would want to test Adi first, Dipu took a deep sigh hearing that and I understood what could have been the reason, Ananya. Whatever it may be, all is well if its end well.

''No more playing baby, its time to sleep.'' Dipu cooed Vikram lovingly as he kept rolling and tumbling all over my bed giggling to self, he doesn't look in any mood to sleep soon or I should say he is conspiring to occupy my bed.

''How long is he going to continue with that mad dance of his ?'' I asked Dipu yawning, she gave me a look as if I committed a big crime calling her son mad. Moving her eyes back to him, she started playing with him. I frowned, this little guy does all kind of drama when woken up in morning and now when its time to sleep he is all in mood to play.

A knock on the door made me lift my lazy body up to greet the visitor, ''Raksha, you are still awake.''

She stepped in smiling, ''I am leaving tomorrow , was spending time with everyone.'' Nodding I led her into the bedroom, where my son still continued his drama with renewed energy. Smiling wide Raksha called him to her, he blinked once and then tumbled to his aunt like a fur ball. She hugged him, ''I am going to miss you little guy, a lot and the most. The first nephew or niece is always special, and that's you.'' He understood nothing but kept staring innocently at Raksha, she caressed his face with both her palms placing a peck on his forehead. Moving to Dipu, she hugged her tight, ''I am sorry I took time to understand the real you. Thanks for being so amazing. '' Dipu said nothing but held her lovingly

''Will you guys visit me in London?''

''We will, but why this farewell ritual now when we will see you in morning'' I asked

''Veer, I am leaving early and don't want any of you disturbed. Plus, I wanted to see the kids.'' She pulled Vikram again in her arms, cuddling him lovingly. He went about telling her a story in his own language as she started at him adorably. ''Its time you sleep''

''Anyways you are not sleeping tonight, why don't you take him along.'' I suggested and that earned me a slap on hand from Dipu

Raksha smiled, ''Nice try, instead I will teach him more tricks to be a bone in your romance. I am waiting for him to turn a year older.''

My brow went up, ''All are teaming against me.'' I made a face that earned a giggle from Vikram, as if he understood. I am dead sure he keeps making fun of me.

It was in the wee hours of morning that we bid bye to Raksha, though she looked emotional but she wasn't miserable anymore. This time Bhai had decided to see her off till Delhi, they were accompanied by Hansa, who would resume her responsibility as Raksha's chief guard. We stood at the porch till the vehicle disappeared, moving in I pulled my mother into an embrace, ''She is going to study and you are crying buckets, what will you do when she gets married.''

''You won't understand, I cried the same way when you and Ranvijay left.'' I smiled pulling her close, she suddenly broke the hug, ''Listen to me carefully, I am not sending my grandkids anywhere far, there are plenty of International Institutions and they can study staying close. Am I clear?'' All I could do was nod.

The air stayed quiet for few days after Raksha left, we missed her dearly. She would chase around Vikram all day and then crash where ever she would get place. I could see my son too missed her, he dragged me to her suite for a couple of days but couldn't figure out where his aunt was.

***

''I am planning a two day trip to Suryagarh, Vikram is going to stay with mom.'' I told Dipu while getting ready to leave for Grand Palace.

She froze, ''Is it necessary? I mean the operations are running smoothly then why do we have to visit.''

''because I want you too, its your home. A dream of the lady who bought you up , its your duty to and I don't like you fearing it.''

''I don't fear for myself Veer, its just that Vikram needs us.'' She said lowering on the couch

''And we will be there, stop thinking too much. Be ready by tomorrow morning.'' Pecking her forehead I walked out. Even if there is something to fear, we will face it together and I have full faith in my brother. If he said he will watch my back, then he will.

We left early morning , leaving sleeping Vikram with mom. Dipu kept staring at Vikram as if she wouldn't see him again. I had to push her into the vehicle, bhai came till the vehicle to see me off, ''Take care and try to be back early, Vikram will miss you guys.''

I nodded, I didn't wanted to but I said what was in my heart, ''If something wrong....'' My words died as bhai squeezed my shoulder

''No if and but, just be early.'' He pulled the door for me and I got in without any further discussion. He waved at us and then his eyes went at the back side of my vehicle. I could feel him giving few instructions to the guards accompanying us. He tapped the vehicle once signalling it to move. The drive turned out to be a silent one as Dipu just kept staring out of the window. I know she is tensed and so I am.

We drove straight to the Palace to be welcomed by Late Queen's old guards, they bowed to Dipika who in turn hugged the old guy like a child, ''I missed you''

''And I am glad to see you.'' The elderly men led us in, and next was the happiest moment of my life. Dipu gasped as soon as she stepped into the grand hall full of light, she twirled around happily watching the every corner. ''Finally we have the windows open.'' Squealing to herself she ran up the stairs and checked the rooms. Nodding to the 2 men, I followed her up making my way to her room in the Palace; I knew she would first venture that one. When I entered , I found her standing facing the wall I had decorated with pictures, her pictures which defined her beautiful memories with her granny. She has so much of her granny, looking at these pictures I secretly wished for a daughter who would exactly look like Dipu. I smiled at my thoughts, may be we can plan that later once Vikram is 3 or 4.

''Like it?'' I asked

''Thanks! This is the only beautiful thing I remember.'' She said her emotional eyes fixed on the pictures.

''Let's go, I have more to show you.'' Wrapping my arm around her shoulder I walked her through the long corridor towards the room at the end. Without a word her eyes started flowing, together we pushed the double doors to come face to face with the grand suite of late Queen. ''This was what Palace meant to me in those dark years , this was my heaven.'' She said lost in the air of the room, her fingers emotionally brushed across the objects. Taking a minute she stared at the grand portrait, it looked at if the Queen smiled at her favourite grand child, ''She must be so proud of you.'' I said rubbing her arm.

''She was the only mother I knew, she was my world.'' Taking a step she rested her head against the picture as if hugging her grandmother, ''I love you granny'' Whispering she pecked the bottom of the picture stepping back.

''Thanks Veer! This looks like home now.'' Shaking my head, I grabbed her arm, ''There is more, come along. Walking down I took the corridor connecting to south end of the Palace, holding the huge glass door I counted, ''One ...two...and go!'' Dipika's eyes widen, ''You turned it into a resort, Veer it can be dangerous for tourists .''

''NO! I will tell you how. The dungeons of the Palace are being handed over to the government security agency, we won't have any access to them till the agreement continues, which around a 50 yrs. Second , this area has been converted into a resort for people eager to visit nearby Bird Sanctuary, again Government keeps the eye on the security and we too. ''

''WOW! You did this alone? I doubt'' She said and walked off with a smile, taking a feel of the new resort

''Yes I did, you don't believe me?'' She shook her head, clearing my throat I added, ''Okay, resort was Bhai's idea but rest is mine.'' She abruptly stopped and then turned giving me flat stare, ''Fine, involving Government came from Granny. But they just suggested and I implemented.'' She laughed looking at my expression, taking a step she pulled my cheeks lovingly dragging me along, I briefed her more about the resort and next day we decided to explore the interiors of this city.

When I woke up next day, the other side of the bed was empty. I could hear faint sounds coming from the adjoining room. Throwing the robe over my body, I walked out and greeted the people in discussion with Dipu. One of them was her family lawyer I recalled from the last visits, "your going down town can be dangerous, there are still few who sell their soul for money"

Dipu who had been signing some documents froze, she lifted her eyes and then smiled, ''In a way it is all the way more necessary, they should know who is the master her.'' She extended the file back and got up, ''Let's get ready , I don't want to be late in reaching home.'' Nodding once I moved back in to get ready. 

We were ready to go after breakfast, Dipu for a change had dressed in denims and a white shirt, she had completed her look with a light scarf around her neck. We drove to nearby areas where the farmers working on Suryagarh land resided, she met few who were glad to see her. We visited the schools and Colleges who received aids from the Royal family. The lands which were once like desert have now started blooming. Dipu took a step to hand over all the government lands which her father had encroached bribing the officials. She just wanted to take care of lands and property that belonged to her family, she had taken steps to take care of families who had been part of estate for years. She made sure to meet all.

''Hukum, any plans to go to Jagat's house.'' Nahar Singh asked and she froze. 

''First, you can call me Dipika and second yes, as they say keep your friends close and enemy closer.'' I smiled, the woman who was scared about coming here a day before now looked ready to face her enemy. Jagat was one of the allies of her father whose throat Sitara had slit in one go, the family had lived a life of luxury tormenting the people in name of Mahendra Singh. When he died, his son decided to revolt when I started handling the affairs of this estate, to his bad luck I bought Sitara again and she decided to leave all on the hounds. 

We were driven to a lonely corner of the village. Dipu stepped out and Nahar Singh jumped to cover her, ''baba I am fine.'' She knocked the door which was being answered by a 16-17 yr old boy. Dipu stepped in, ''Wow! you guys look happy.'' She taunted 

An middle aged lady walked in and stood opposite to her, ''You must be happy after making our life hell, but one day the wheel will turn and you will be at the bottom when our prince returns. he will kill your son.....'' The words died and Dipu's hand clutched the lady's throat, ''Not a word against my son. Those days are over when you warmed my dad's bed to get your family all kinds of favours and about the return of your prince, pray to lord he is nothing like Mahendra Singh or I won't spare him.''

She jerked the woman harshly, ''Baba make sure this family stays here and bears the burn from every member of the estate. I want them to rot the way I did for years.'' With that she stepped out, ''You don't look scared anymore''

''I am not, bhai was right she committed enough mistakes to repeat then for few years. It was good to be back and Thanks Veer.'' Kissing her knuckles, I took her back to the vehicle. After giving some more instructions we left for Jaigarh. When we came here, Dipu was lost and on are way back she looked all chirpy.

The trip proved more fruitful when Vikram ran to us with his arms open wide, the faces of each member lit up with smiles. Dipu planted numerous kisses on his face pulling him tightly in her arms, there was one more who seemed equally excited. Rolli kept throwing her arms squealing happily in mom's arms . Yes I too missed her, 2 days I couldn't irritate her so decided to pay no attention to her to get her riled up. After few minutes she went quite placing her head on mom's shoulder, ''Veer, that's bad, she greeted you so lovingly.'' Mom chided me, with a smiled I took my little girl who squealed attacking me with excitement. It felt amazing to be back

2 days Ago

''What do you want Rathore, leave us alone'' Netra growled as Ranvijay sat opposite to her with her son in his lap.

''Nothing, just want to remind you that you can't touch my own till I breathe.''

''How long you are going to keep us her?''

''Till my family reaches back home, safe''

''How long? It would be my time some day'' She challenged 

''Yes, every dog has a day only if its dealing with dog. You are in Lion's den. '' he smiled and pecked the forehead of 3 yr old , ''Don't spoil his innocence with your greed and hatred because the day I see another Mahendra Singh, there will be no more words.'' After a minute he received a message , he smiled. Netra and her son were then blindfolded and left from where they have been picked. Just because Ranvijay once promised his  nephew to keep his parents safe.

Netra was all the way more determined, Ranvijay did spoil her plans to attack Dipika and Veer but she decided to come back, turning her son into a weapon. 

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