Author Pov
"The attack on Karan 8 months ago was done by my mafia rival as he heard his plan to kill me." Abheer said making Rajputs gasp in horror as they all were unaware of Karan's accident being an attack coz Karan didn't tell them.
"What are you saying Jawaisa? Attack on Karan? It was just an accident right?" Nitya asked shocked.
"No, kakisa. He himself told me that some people tried to kill him in the accident when he heard their plan. It was true the same day an attack on me was planned. I'm sorry. Unknowingly becoz of me, you people had to suffer." Abheer said genuinely being sorry.
"Laado, were you aware about Jawaisa being in mafia?" Sushma asked.
"Um....yes dadisa. He told me some days ago." Ruhanika said eyeing Abheer.
"And yet you don't have problem with it?" Janaki asked in disbelief. Rathore frown at her tone.
"He does not go on kiiling spree just because he is in mafia Janaki! Mind your tone about whom you are speaking." Niharika spated angrily defending her favourite child.
Meera calmed her while Nitya, Sushma and Mahesh glared at Janaki shutting her mouth.
"I'm sorry on her behalf. She didn't mean it like that." Mahesh said apologetically.
"It's alright." Vikrant said.
"I'm really sorry for saying this..."Nikhil said eyeing at Rathores before going and standing in front of Ruhanika.
"...but laado, do you really want to do this?" He asked making her frown.
"Do what babasa?"
"This marriage. Knowing that your life will be in continuous risk and danger, even Jawaisa's and Abhaya's too, do you wish to take this decision of marriage?" He asked making her and Rathores stunned.
Why was he saying like that? Being in mafia is not all the time blood and deaths! Is Ruhanika gonna back off now?
These were the Rathores thoughts.
But they heaved a sigh of relief hearing Ruhanika.
"Yes babasa. I've already thought 1000 times about consequences of my decision. And I would be glad if he is with me in this path of life. Plus, I know he is enough to protect me and Abhaya for our life time." She said smiling at Abheer who nodded with a small smile.
"Well, then. We shouldn't have any say in this. Our child's happiness matters the most!" Nikhil said patting her head. Rajputs too relied on Nikhil's decision and accepted the fact as it is.
"Then we shall go have lunch. I'm really hungry." Reyan said making others laugh. They headed to the dining table. Men sat first and women were serving them.
"Reyan aapke liye khaas gatte ki sabzi banayi hai. Pasand hai na aapko?" Nitya said serving him.
"Are wah! Ab toh raha nahi jaraha chakhe bager." Reyan immediately tore roti tasting the curry. He moaned with the burst of amazing flavours in his mouth.
"Kakisa idhar aaiye aap." Nitya came towards him after serving Ayaan.
"Ha bolo." Reyan kissed her knuckles,
"Jaadoo hai aapke hatho mein. Kya sabzi banayi hai! Maza agaya." He said dramatically making others laugh. Nitya giggled and kissed his forehead telling him to enjoy his meal.
Where someone was smiling seeing this from behind the curtains. Sakshi came in with rice and stood aside as others were almost done serving.
(Reyan gatte ki sabzi is made specially for you! You like it right?)
(Amazing. Now I can't wait to taste it.)
(Kakisa come here.)
(Yes beta.)
(You have magic in your hands. How tasty you have made it! It's just delicious!)
"You have made so much things, Nitya bete!" Adhiraj stated amused once everything is served.
"It's not that much bade hukum. Please enjoy!" She said politely.
Everyone literally started devouring. The main topic of discussion was business and government. Typical men topics. After them ladies ate their food.
Soon after ladies were done and elders went to garden for spending some leisure time. Children were on terrace, chatting and laughing. Hridhaan had woken up and after him meal is sitting with chachu and Ayaan.
Ruhanika heard Abhaya crying. She knew that she must be hungry as it is already past her meal time. So she took her and went to her room. Abheer seeing her going out pretended to be receiving a call and followed her out. Everyone noticing this, when Abheer was out of sight burst out laughing.
"He is totally whipped man. Mera yarr sudhar gaya." Karan said wiping his fake tears making others laugh again.
Abheer saw Ruhanika entering a room. He knocked on the door before entering. Ruhanika covered herself when she heard a knock and looked up to see Abheer coming inside. He locked the door while a shy smile covered her face making her look down. Abheer smirk seeing her red face.
"Congratulations soon to be Mrs. Rathore or should I my Ranisa Hukum?" Abheer said sitting beside her. She looked up at him with wide eyes making him laugh.
"Don't tease me Abheer ji. Others are doing their job just fine, now please not you." She whined making him chuckle.
Hr kissed her forehead and knuckles making her smile cutely at him.
"I'm so happy today." He expressed smiling.
"Yeah. Today turned out just perfect." She said.
"You are looking really beautiful Abheer ji." She complimented him shyly.
"Yeah, I know. Beautiful!" He said making her shake her head at his taunt.
"Do you have problem with being called beautiful?" She asked squinting her eyes at him.
"Not at all jaan. Why would I have problem with a compliment?" He immediately said making her nod her head giving him a side eyes.
Both of them then looked at each other and burst out laughing.
"You are such a drama queen jaan." He said in betweeen his laugh.
She giggled,"I know."
Ruhanika gently pulled out Abhaya when she felt she stopped sucking.
"Hey there princess!" Abheer said looking at Abhaya. Abhaya smiled at him and Ruhanika forwarded her to Abheer. Abheer started patting her back to burp her while Ruhanika buttoned up her blouse.
Once she was burped Abheer held her in front of him.
"Did my princess miss me? Coz baba missed you alot!" He said kissing her forehead and cheeks making her giggle.
She held onto his face with her chubby hands and patted his cheeks babbling. She started to babble alot these days.
"I guess your princess is really eager to talk with babasa, right baby?" Ruhanika said leaning on his shoulder. Abhaya giggled as if agreeing to her making the couple chuckle.
"Let her take all her time. No hurries to start talking soon. If it was in my control, I would keep her like this for whole my life. She has so much grown up." Abheer said with a sad smile.
"Aww. Don't be sad. Let her grow and become a pretty princess of her babasa. Otherwise how would she get to ride Claire with you?" Ruhanika said rubbing his back with a smile.
"That's true." Abheer said.
"After being a princess of baba, she will be queen of someone who will love her like the same way her baba does to her maa, right baby?" Ruhanika cooed kissing her knuckles making the baby giggle. While her sentence earned a total different reaction from Abheer.
"NO! My princess is going to be with me till I die! She is never going to marry." Abheer said hugging Abhaya closer giving a stern look to Ruhanika. Ruhanika giggled and said teasingly,
"Come on Abheer ji, I didn't think you would be that typical new girl dad's who are like my babygirl is never going to marry and will stay with me forever!" She said imitating the last part in deep voice.
Abheer frowned at her response,
"Of course I would be like that! How can you even fantasize my 3 month old daughter being married? I'm never letting my princess go away even for a second from my eyes." He said.
Ruhanika so wanted to roll her eyes but controlled,
"First of all it's our daughter. And you cannot just deny the fact that there will be someone who she is going to love more than you." She stated with a huff.
"Don't! Don't say that at all." Abheer raised his voice a little at her statement.
"You are being a bipolar now Abheer ji. Come on! You yourself are marrying someone's daughter who loves you more than her father! What if my babasa denies you to marry me, just the way you are thinking now to do with your daughter's future husband?" Ruhanika said making Abheer frown.
He thought over it and realised he was really being a bipolar.
"Why would you say that? I don't want my princess to go away from me." He said being a little sentimental and hugged Abhaya closer to his chest. Ruhanika smiled at him and rubbed his back sensing his emotions.
"It's okay. It's many years later. Till then your princess is going to be with you all the time. I can just say enjoy it to the fullest!" She said kissing his cheeks when a tear left his eyes.
He nodded and kissed her and Abhaya's forehead making Ruhanika smile. She wiped his eyes making him sigh,
"Huh, you made me emotional for such stupid things." He exclaimed making her giggle.
In the evening
"Achha Nikhil beta, ab agya dijiye chalne ki." Adhiraj said joining the hands followed by everyone.
"Ji jaroor, bade hukum. Hum bhi ab kuch dino mein Jaisalmer keliye prasthan karenge. Ab agli khatirdari keliye Jaisalmer aane ka nyota aaj hi de rahe hai." Nikhil said with joined hands. Abheer and Ruhanika shared a gaze before turning towards others.
(Nikhil, now allow us to leave.)
(Of course, bade hukum. We will be leaving for Jaisalmer in few days. Now we are inviting you to come to Jaisalmer for the next hospitality today itself.)
"Ji bilkul." Vikram said. All came outside to drop Rathores till car. Abheer handed Abhaya to Ruhanika after kissing her forehead.
"Take care." He said kissing her forehead making Ruhanika smile. Abhaya squirmed in Ruhanika's hold to go to Abheer. So Ruhanika just turned her around patting her back to calm her so that she cannot see Abheer going or else she would start crying hysterically. Abheer smiled at his princess's desperation to come to him and kissed her small chubby hand once before entering the car. Younger clan bid goodbye to Ruhanika and Abhaya so the other members. The guards opened the gates and soon all Rathore cars were out of the mansion.
As they said, Rajput family left for Jaisalmer in a week. Coz now Karan's health was a lot better and his further check up can be done by another doctor in the same city. They left early coz of course they were here since last 8 months. They have to manage all their works in Jaisalmer as everything in here is already done so that they can be free during Ruhanika's engagement. They have already told their servants to clean the house thoroughly before 2 days of their departure as well as to prepare Ruhanika's room.
Abheer didn't get to meet her before going as he was in Ajmer to see the farmers facing some crisis. But whatever it may be Abheer and Ruhanika always talked on the phone call every night. She used to video call him so that he can see Abhaya. Life was a little smooth going and they were enjoying this long distance fase rather than being sad about not able to meet each other. Abheer took it upon himself to manage all the company project works early so that he can be free for 4-5 days during his engagement. They planned to go Jaisalmer some days before so that groom and bride can go shopping together along with others. And after engagement they will be staying there for 1 day.
They plan to reveal to Rajasthan that their hukum sa is finally getting engaged after engagement, but whole Rajasthan will be seeing its Ranisa hukum after marriage only!
Rathore's and Rajput's relatives still didn't know about Abheer's and Ruhanika's marriage being fixed. So from 20 September they started to bomb people with this shocking news i.e. the invitations were sent for engagement of hukum sa of Rajasthan to all elite people in Rajasthan as well as big businessmen and politicians of India. Their relatives were sent the invite. Currently the news about the engagement were told to kept secret to all these people which they gladly respected! Coz why not! The Rathore family has 2 best hackers in India! They can immediately track who did not obey them. And no one likes to be on their bad books.
The Romanos were sent invitation as well. Originally it was planned that they should be invited for wedding itself. But then Abheer thought Alessandro Romano was the only close person to Abhay Thakur who is alive. So, he wanted him to be present there. Plus, he was their first mafia ally.
It was full chaos in the both the houses since last few days. First it was decided that only both groom's and bride's clothes were shopped before engagement. So others were busy with their shopping. Rajputs were busy with planning the grand engagement ceremony for Ruhanika which they wish to do years before. And now that it was actually happening they don't want to leave any thing missed! The ladies and younger clan were mostly busy with shopping. Coz along with the festival, Navratri is also coming. They plan to celebrate Dusherra too the next day of engagement along with the guests. Abhiraj and Reyan are mainly given duties related to mafia. They are to strictly maintain peace during the time and were to observe if there are somebody planning something on engagement. Abheer's special team was mainly posted for Ruhanika's and Abhaya's security along with Rajput security. While other men are handling their job in company to help Abheer.
Today is the day of Pratipada, first day of Navratri!
It is rivaaz in Rathore family that they have to do puja in their ancestral temple on the first day of Navratri. So they do the home puja in early morning and then depart for their ancestral home and temple so that they can perform puja by evening. It takes around 3-4 hrs to reach the Jaipur Fort owned by Rathores from their home where the ancestral temple of Maa Kaali is also located. It was their home until Adhiraj and Gayatri Devi shifted in Rathore Mansion after birth of Vikram in the need of being more close to people for good governance.
It was 6.00 in the morning when all the family members gathered adoring themselves in beautiful vibrant clothes. They all were loudly chanting the Gayatri mantra as Meera and Niharika were organizing and arranging puja! They made her wear a beautiful saree, adorned her with pushpamala along with sindoor, chuda and jwelleries! All the servants and guards also participates in this puja and stood around the home temple with joined hands and closed eyes.
Once done, Meera applied tilak on everyone's forhead and Niharika handed them flowers for offering.
"Abheer come ahead to perform the mahaarati." Gayatri Devi ordered. Abheer came in front and held the Diya.
"Ha. Yeah toh aakhri bar hoga jab aap akele arati karenge Maa Kaali ki. Agale tyohar se toh apne jodi ke sath ki jayegi har puja." Niharika teased making him chuckle.
(Yes. This would be the last time where you will perform Maa Kaali's arati alone. From next festival, every puja will be performed with your partner.)
"Aap inhe kabhi tang karna chhodengi nahi na Niha?" Vikrant chuckled.
"Bilkul nahi. Abheer ko tang karna hak hai humara. Inko hi kya humare har bachhe ko tang karna hak hai humara!" She said proudly making others laugh.
(You will never stop teasing him right Niha?)
(Of course not. It's my right to tease him. In fact all of my chidren!)
"We shall start now." Abheer said making them nod. The arati started with Ganesh Arati followed by Maa Kaali's! There was sounds of ghanti and ghanta among the loud clappings! The atmosphere was really positive and filled with bhakti! The others took their turn performing arati. Once done, Ayaan gave arati to all including servants and guards.
"Ekdam achhe se puja hogayi!" Gayatri Devi said sitting beside Adhiraj as they all entered the living room.
(Everything was perfect! )
"Tyohar ke dini Maa ki puja ka kuch alag hi rup hota hai. Man ekdam anandit ho jata hai, nahi?" Meera said taking the water from Adu, as Aishu and she were serving everyone.
(Maa's puja on festival days is at totally different level right? Mind feels at so peace and calm.)
"Bilkul sahi kaha badimaa aapne. Vakt ka patahi nahi chalta puja karne ke vakt, itna hum khud ko kho baithte hai Maa ki bhakti mein!" Aditi said sitting beside her.
(Really true badimaa. We loose ourselves in so much Maa's devotion that we even loose sense of time.)
Rathore family follows vrat so shortly they will be leaving for Maa's ancestral temple.
"Maasi dadima is also coming today, right?" Aishu asked excitedly. Gayatri Devi nod making her squeal.
"Finally! We are going to meet after a year. I'm so excited. She will be so happy when we will tell her about bhaisa's wedding. I can't wait to meet her." Ayaan said with equal excitement as Aishu and Adu.
They departed by 11am. Elders were in 2 cars with drivers. Younger clan was in 1 car with no driver and Abheer and Reyan was in another car with driver surrounded by guards car. They both decided to do some last minute work and spend sometime with eachother.
They reached the Jaipur fort by 1.30. The first thing they did was to head to the temple without entering the palace. The men started cleaning the surrounding of temple area while all ladies were in the garbhagriha of temple setting up puja and dressing up Maa's statue. It was one of the ritual that these things are to be done by Rathores without anyone's help. Everything was done by 3.45 and now were waiting for Maasi dadisa. Soon they heard cars entering in the palace grounds. They can see Kul Purohit ji coming along with his pupils. From one of the car, one lady came who was having a soft yet charming aura around her. As soon as she entered the temple, the arati started again by Abheer first follwed by all members.
All members entered the living room and younger clan and their parents took blessing from Saraswati Devi, Gayatri's younger sister. She was taken care of by Rathore family after divorce from her abusive husband and decided to devote herself to the almighty till end of her life. Since then she lives with Rathore family. Most of the time she is on her spiritual trips for long long time. Adhiraj has cherished her like his daughter since she started living with them and stood by her side through the biggest decision of divorce at that time.
She came and hugged both Adhiraj and Gayatri.
"Kaisi hai aap Saru? Aapki yatra sukhad-safal huyi na?" Adhidaj asked patting her head.
"Bilkul jijasa. Yatra ekdam safal rahi. Mahakal ke darshan se man prasann ho gaya bohot." She beamed happily.
(How are you Saru? Was your journey success?)
(It was a success Jijasa. I feel so happy after seeing Mahakal.)
"Did you use to take your medicines in time right? I was always worried about you. You don't even carry phone." Gayatri asked worried.
"I took all of it on time. Don't be so worried jiji." Saraswati replied patting her hands.
"Come let's sit." They all settled in palace's living room.
"We have to tell you something, Saru." Gayatri said gaining Saraswati's attention.
"Yes jiji. I'm all ears."
"Abheer is getting married and his engagement is on this durgashtami." She said making her shock and happy.
"Really?!" She asked making them nod.
"Who is the girl?" She asked amused. Aditi Aishu immediately on the cue went to her with Ruhanika's photo on her mobile.
"She was my professor dadima. And mainly it is not arrange marriage! Bhaisa loves bhabhima!" Aishu said and giggled. Totally amused by her statement, Saraswati took the phone and looked at the picture of Ruhanika smiling. It was the photo of younger clan on day of Rakshabandhan. What caught her eyes was Abhaya in Abheer's arms who was backfacing the camera.
"Who is this child in Abheer's arms?" She asked.
"She is my daughter dadima." Abheer said without any hesitation.
"What?! How?! I mean I just went away for a year and you already had a child? Why nobody told me soon? Show me my great grandchild's photo." She said dramatically making Abheer's ears turn red with embarrassment.
"Abheer is as much virgin as when he was born dadima." Reyan said with a chuckle but soon hissed when Abheer smacked his head for his so blunt comment.
"What! Then how this beautiful child came into the world?" She asked shocked.
"It was Ruhanika's child with her first husband maasima." Meera spoke and then revealed history of Abheer-Ruhanika in short.
She got up and went towards Abheer making him stand up.
"I'm so proud of you my child! You really set a great example for people. Aapki wajah se jo logo ki soch hoti hai widhwa or divorcee ladkiyo ke bare mein, woh kafi had tak badalne mein madat hogi. Aur hum janate hai, agar us ladki ne aapka dil jita hai matlab kuch toh khaas baat jaroor hogi unme. Nahi toh mere jane se pehle wale Abheer jo kisi ladki ki shakal tak dekhna nahi chahte the, har shaadi ki bat talte the, ek saal bad shaadi karne keliye razi bhi hogaye! Kuch toh hai unme. Ab toh hum betab ho rahe hai unse milne keliye." She said hugging him.
She pulled out smiling and then turned towards Reyan. He got up thinking that she was going to hug him as well but then yelled in pain when she twisted his ear.
"Ahh dadima!!" He said holding her hand pleading to remove it.
"You naughty boy! We elders are not interested in our children's sex life! Speak appropriately according to whom you are speaking with!" She said making him nod.
"I'm sorry dadima! I won't speak so bluntly next time!" He apologised rubbing his ear making others laugh.
"Instead maasima, we should start searching bride for him. So that she will bring him on track, right?" Niharika said teasingly making him look at disbelief. Before he could answer, Saraswati replied,
"You are right Niha. We will start searching after Abheer's wedding. Now I just want to enjoy his wedding first. And who knows we will find a suitable bride for him in Abheer's wedding?" She said shrugging while by now Reyan's jaw was touching floor.
He started whining at their teasing making the living room fill with laughter.
Namaste people!
How was the chp? Hope you all like it and it was not boring! I had thoughts that I should not write the last part but then you all people won't like it. Please comment telling if I'm wrong thinking like this! It makes me really relieved. Coz from some days I'm having thoughts to stop writing! I feel like story doesn't have that spark like initial chp!
I don't even know what I'm saying anymore! Anyways bye bye!
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