Author Pov
The engagement went well as planned. Rajputs were relieved that Rathores liked their hospitality very much. Even the guest were so pleased with the function.
Abheer and Ruhanika were sitting on the terrace of Rajput Mansion, while others went to bed being too exhausted after the function.
Ruhanika was patting Abhaya's back who was almost dozed off after her last meal of the day.
"Congratulations fiance!" Abheer said kissing on Ruhanika's ring making her smile.
"Congratulations to you too fiance." She responded kissing his engagement ring too. Abheer side hugged her making her lean on his shoulder.
"Thank you." Ruhanika whispered softly making Abheer look at her.
"For what?" He frowned.
"The way you handled Abhaya's revelation without even letting people question my dignity! Thank you so much for that!" She said looking up at him.
Abheer smiled and replied,
"It is my duty to protect you both from everything, be it any danger or society's criticism. But the situation was handled so well coz of you only! If you wouldn't have agreed on not revealing Abhaya being Abhay's biological daughter and not mine, the situation would have been much tougher!" Abheer said making a tear slip from her eye.
Flashback
Day before engagement
Ruhanika was with ladies having tea in the garden. Abheer saw her from the balcony of his room, laughing and giggling and blushing at some comments that ladies were passing. Abheer so wanted to punch himself for the conversation he was about to have with Ruhanika, which will definitely result in her tears. But he decided to put a stone on his heart for a while! He saw Ruhanika as usual was not having her mobile with her while Aditi beside her was using her phone. He grabbed his phone and messaged Adu.
Aditi saw the message pop up from her bhaisa. She smiled teasingly before nudging Ruhanika. She looked at Aditi who showed her the text.
Adu, send Ruh to my room!
Aditi looked at her mischievously while Ruhanika turned a little red reading it. She looked up feeling someone's gaze and again looked down shyly when she saw Abheer standing there in his balcony. She excused herself while Aditi gazed at her retreating figure in pure awe, manifesting to have same relation with her future partner!!
She entered Abheer's room to see Abheer coming inside from balcony.
"What happened? You called for me." She asked coming to him.
Abheer nodded. He held her hand and made her sit on the couch.
"I want to talk about something important." Ruhanika nodded indicating she was all ears.
"We are getting engaged tomorrow. All will know you are going to be Ranisa of Rajasthan...." Ruhanika nodded.
"...Along with that, all will also get to know about Abhaya, she being our daughter! It's going to be her first public appearance!
You also know about how typically people perceive of a couple having a kid before their marriage! Their opinions regarding you and Abhaya will never matter to me. But still we can't ignore the fact that Abhaya will one day going to be grown up. We can't always be there to shield her from the vile criticism of public.
She will be revealed to world. All will definitely assume her as my biological daughter once they know she is our child. But I want to know what you want?! What do you want to be Abhaya's identity in front of the world! As my child, even biologically or letting them know she is Abhay's biological daughter!" Ruhanika's mind went blank hearing him.
"If you tell me reveal her as Abhay's daughter and not my child biologically, I'll gladly do it! I do not wish to not let her known by her birth father. But I fear, though I will convince people to accept her, there might be chances where they will not respect her as their princess and firstborn of Rathore Family!
You are not unknown to our society. How much they believe in 'blood thicker than water'! I cannot bear anyone questioning my princess's right on me and on my everything tomorrow. I cannot bear seeing her getting discriminated in front of my own eyes." He said the last part a little slowly. Ruhanika imagined the scenario where people are aggressively questioning Abhaya's identity as a Rathore and straightforwardly denying to accept her as Abheer's daughter. A shiver ran down her spine imagining that while her eyes became teary.
"I'm definitely not saying that we will never reveal Abhay to our princess. Of course, she deserves to know about her father. More over, Abhay deserves to be remembered by his daughter!" Ruhanika sobbed hearing him.
"But situations might turn out to be awful. If it was in my hands, I won't even give a damn to what people think I do in my life. But I cannot do that. I'm hukum! King of Rajasthan! Every thing I do in my life will have impact on my people. And every reaction of them to my any action, will have impact on me and my family!" Abheer said gently wiping her tears.
"I can take crores of criticisms on myself, but won't ever want my kids or family go through all that. You understand what I'm saying?" Ruhanika nodded leaning holding his hand which were cupping her cheeks.
"But if you wish to reveal her as Abhay's daughter only, I'm definitely doing that! Don't cry please. I'm just stupid even to bring this question, Jaan. I'm sorry, please forgive me. Forget that I even asked something like this. She'll be revealed as Abhay's daughter only. You don't worry, I'll handle everything." The sudden panick and anxiousness along with worry in Abheer's voice made Ruhanika sob even more.
"What do you suggest we should do? What have you thought?" Ruhanika asked stopping his racing heart.
"Do you really wanna know?" He asked gently wiping her tears. She nodded and joined their foreheads.
"Abhaya should be revealed as my and your daughter! World should never know that I'm not her biological father!" Ruhanika expected this answer but it only made her cry more.
"But Abhaya will never be unknown to this reality, I promise. I'll myself reveal everything to her once the time comes. She will know about her re...real father." Abheer said the last in whisper. Ruhanika just cried and hugged him tightly. Abheer caressed her hairs, saying soothing words in her ears.
Ruhanika leaned on his shoulder patting Abhaya's back gently.
"It was for the best Abheer ji. Abhay would never want to make his daughter's life hard, even it meant to hide her identity as his daughter." She said looking ahead at nothing in particular. Abheer just nodded and kissed her forehead, praying Maa Kaali to keep his girls always safe and happy.
The next day, they celebrated Dusshera and Ravan Dahan with all the guests. Rathore had to leave for their ancestral Maa Kaali's temple to perform the last Arati as they already missed some days of Navratri. So they left in late evening only with the guests.
Abheer posted about his engagement on his social media account making people go crazzzyyyyyyy!
Engaged to the love of my life!!
#Ranisa Hukum!!!
Abhaya Singh Rathore! Princess of Rajasthan!! ❤
My Lifelines!!❤❤
There were so much comments on the posts in just matter of an hour. As planned he didn't reveal Ruhanika's face yet. He even posted some glimpse of Abhaya calling her as the Princess of Rajasthan! And that post brought lots of surprise filled comments. Some were happy about the news of their hukum having child. But there were also old opinions and criticism about the child before marriage and how inappropriate it is! But does Abheer care? Hell NO!!
In response to that Reyan posted the vedio of Abheer's answer to Mrs. Maheshwari and Karwa in the engagement, which shut mouth of most of the people!
Days passed quickly. In between ladies of both families celebrated Karwa Chauth. Rathores were really happy, especially Meera, that from next Karwa Chauth, Ruhanika would be going to be there with them to celebrate this festival, which holds immense importance for any suhagan! Ruhanika kept this vrat for Abheer as women who are about to get married can keep this fast for their to-be-husbands. Surprisingly, Abheer to kept this fast for Ruhanika, making Rathore men so proud of him as they do the same for their women!
It was 28th October! Abheer's and Ruhanika's birthday!! Yep, same day!
Abheer just entered the room from his office at 12.45. His whole family was still up as he was not home yet, to wish him. After lots of blessings and wishes from his family he entered his room.
As he sat on the bed after freshening up, his phone ringed. He smiled and directly picked the call knowing who it might be.
"Happiest Birthday Abheer ji. Wish you many many happy returns on the day!" Ruhanika's excited voice was heard from the other side.
"Happiest Birthday to you too, my chubby cheeks! Maa Kaali aapko sada khush rakhe!" Abheer wished her making her smile.
(May Maa Kaali keep you happy always!)
"Thank you. I thought to call you before only, at 12.00. But I had talked with Aishu before and she was telling that you will be late today. Then I thought you will be with family after coming home. So I called you now. Did everyone go to bed?" She rambled on.
"Yeah, everyone went to sleep just sometime before. I just got freshen up. Where is my princess?" He asked leaning on the headboard.
"She slept already. She will wish her babasa tomorrow, or maybe today morning." Ruhanika chuckled patting Abhaya's head softly, who was sleeping beside her.
"Did everyone call you to wish? Maa-baba? Karan bhaisa-bhabhisa?" Ruhanika asked laying beside Abhaya.
"Yeah, they wished me before you." Abheer teased her.
"It's not like that. After my birthday celebration here, I had to come to my room, as Abhaya woke up crying. They must have called you when I was busy with your princess." She pouted.
"I know, I know. Maa told me. Don't need to whine. I can feel your lips pouting sitting here in Jaipur." Abheer said to which she whine more. They continued this teasing for some more minutes.
"I wish you both were here today. I miss you and my princess." Abheer said. Ruhanika chuckled hearing him.
"We just met 2 weeks ago. And we will again meet after 2 weeks, to be each other's for forever! Have some patience my Abheer ji!" Ruhanika said making him chuckle.
"So only I'm getting impatient I see. You must be enjoying being away with me, I guess then?" He said.
Ruhanika smiled sadly,
"Of course not. Only I know how difficult it has become for me to live without you. I miss you terribly too. Even your princess too. She was uncontrollable for some days after the day you left. Only I know how I managed her."
"It's okay. I was just kidding." Abheer said immediately knowing she took his teasing seriously.
"When are you going to take break? You have been working for so late nowadays. Take care of yourself, Abheer ji. Don't over do it." Ruhanika said worried.
Now who will tell her it was his daily routine till she entered their home.
"Yeah. You don't worry about me. Tomorrow is the last day. I'll be working from home then for few days, after Diwali." He said. Ruhanika hummed. Abheer felt her suppressing a yawn from the other side of the phone.
"You should sleep, jaan. It's late." He said to which she again hummed. She mumbled him good night as they both hung up.
Next day, everyone again wished Abheer as they headed to do puja. Abheer did arati of Maa Kaali. Gayatri Devi, Saraswati Devi, Meera, Niharika and both his sisters did his tilak and arati, wishing his well-being. Abheer then took blessings of all his elders touching their feet as they blessed him bright smiles.
Abheer as usual went for work. Meera scolded him so much for attending office even on his birthday. But Abheer used his charm and convinced ladies saying that he will be on a long holiday from tomorrow. Coz, everything came in line, first Diwali, in few days Abheer's wedding and then the Rajyagya!!
It's Abheer's 30th birthday! Abheer received a warm welcome from his whole staff along with lots of Birthday wishes. It was like some festival in Jaipur or rather whole Rajasthan to celebrate their hukum's birthday! Rathore's office floor was full of bouquets sent by business partners and elite people from all over India. He entered his office followed by Sameer!
"Janm Din ki dher saari shubh kamnaye, hukum!" Sameer said bowing as Abheer took his seat.
"Dhanyawad Sameer. Recite my today's schedule." Abheer thanked with a small smile, before moving his attention to the files on his table. Sameer and he started doing the work.
(Many many happy returns on the day, hukum.)
(Thank you Sameer.)
It was lunch time, everyone was enjoying as today's lunch was a little extended and it's always a feast on hukum's or any other Rathore member's birthday in the company.
Around the same time, a lady entered the building. She was looking beautiful and elegant wearing a saree, with a beautiful shawl drapped on her right shoulder.
She came to the reception. She looked around as no one was present at there. She saw everyone enjoying their meal at one side of the groundfloor.
She started walking over there. It caught some employees' attention. They were literally awe struck with the beauty walking towards them, looking Royal as ever.
The look
The shawl
The chatter around the room stopped due to her,
"May I know if Abheer ji is busy or not?"
The receptionist, Prisha Mehra got up from her seat coming towards her.
"Is he an employee here?" She asked.
"Yeah."
"Can you please tell his designation or department in which he works?" Prisha asked moving towards the counter to check the employee list.
"CEO!" The lady's words halt Prisha's steps.
"Hukum sa!?" One of the employees questioned curious. The lady smiled and nodded.
"Umm mam may I know if you have any appointment?" She asked.
"No I do not. That's why I asked if he is busy." The lady answered.
Prisha was about to deny when her friend held her hand stopping her.
"Can we know who are you mam? So that we can....um we can ask Sameer sir to check hukum's schedule." She explained hesitantly.
"Oh. Actually you can call Sameer bhaisa here. Just tell him not to inform Abheer ji about my arrival." The lady smiled politely.
Prisha immediately ran to call Sameer. The lady seemed to come from some elite family, moreover one of the closest one to hukum. She does not want to risk her job upsetting hukum sa in the process.
The call was answered within few rings.
"Sameer sir?"
"Yeah speaking."
"Sir are you with hukum right now?" Prisha asked.
"You called to my office landline, Ms.Prisha." Sameer stated the facts.
"Oh, ha. Okay, so a lady has come asking for hukum sa, right now. She wants to meet him and asking if he is busy."
"Check whether she has any appointment. Why call me? Although no visitor is to meet hukum today." Sameer said checking Abheer's schedule.
"She told me to call you. She ev..en called you bhaisa." She whispered the last part making Sameer frown.
"Bhaisa? What is her name?" Sameer asked really curious now.
Prisha held the phone a little aside,
"What is your good name mam?"
"Ruhanika Singh Rajput!" As Sameer heard the name from the phone vaguely, he stood up from his place instantly. Before Prisha could tell her name, she heard Sameer,
"Tell her to wait a minute. I'm coming. Offer her some water till then." Sameer hung up making Prisha assured that she is really someone important.
Prisha offered her some water telling her seat on the office lounge till then. By now, everyone has stopped eating and just looking at Ruhanika from afar.
"Sameer sir is coming in just some minutes." Prisha said standing by her side. Ruhanika nodded smiling.
"Ruhi?" Ruhanika heard Sameer's voice making her turn around with a smile.
"What a pleasant surprise! You could've informed earlier you were coming." Sameer spoke, hugging Ruhanika genuinely happy seeing her after so long.
"It's so nice to meet you too bhaisa. But I'm angry. You didn't come on the engagement." Ruhanika complained breaking the hug.
"I'm sorry for that. Something really urgent came up, that's why I could not attend." Sameer said.
"Yeah, Abheer ji told me." Ruhanika spoke.
The exchange between them surprised everyone present there. Now they are really curious to know who Ruhanika actually is!
"Well, Happiest Birthday to be Ranisa! May this year bring lots of happiness in your life!" Sameer wished her again hugging to which she giggled happily.
Oh, how much she loves to be wished on her birthdays!!
"Thank you so much bhaisa. But this plain wish won't work. You have to give me something." She said breaking the hug.
But the statement of Sameer was heard by everyone in the room as they were dead silent to listen to them. The tray Prisha was holding fell from her hands gaining their attention.
"Ranisa!? Is s...she g..go..ing to be o..ur Ra...nisa!? That means she is hukum's wife?" Prisha spoke shocked pointing at Ruhanika. Ruhanika smiled and nodded.
"Gh...ani Kha..mma Ra..nisa. I didn't know you before that's why I stopped you. Please forgive me." Prisha said bowing, fearing that she might've offended Ruhanika, that's why she asked to call Sameer to fire her. The other employees to followed the suit greeting her.
"Khamma Ghani dear. It's alright. Don't bow in front of me." Ruhanika nodded at everyone with a smile.
"It's your birthday too today. Happy Birthday Ranisa." Prisha spoke.
"Thank you." Others came to her wishing her. Ruhanika asked them if they are comfortable at work, does her Abheer ji make them work a lot, are they properly taken care of and many more, just the way a queen should ask her people about their worries.
"Ruhi, you came here to meet hukum sa, I guess." Sameer reminded her.
"Oh yes. Well, it was really nice talking to you all. I'm sorry for crashing your meal time. Please continue with your lunch. I should go now too." Ruhanika said.
"It was more than nice meeting you Ranisa. We are glad we got such a kind and sweet Ranisa." Prisha complemented her dreamily, really liking Ruhanika's personality.
Ruhanika just nodded with a smile before turning around to go to the elevator.
"Aren't you straight to drool over your Ranisa?" Sameer whispered in Prisha's ears before following Ruhanika. Prisha stood there flustered at his comment and glared at his retreating figure. He turned around and winked at Prisha seeing her glaring at him.
Ruhanika asked about Abheer, was he too busy, did he eat his lunch and about other things. When she reached their floor, she went to meet elders and the younger brothers first. They were so surprised and happy to see Ruhanika there. The elders wished her a happy birthday and blessed her, so did the younger brothers. They talked a bit before she moved towards Abheer's cabin.
"This is hukum sa's cabin. You can go inside. No one is in there." Sameer said as they reached Abheer's cabin.
"Okay. Well, I asked about my gift earlier, remember?" Ruhanika asked Sameer, smiling cheekily.
"What do you want? Although I guess you have everything including world's one of the richest man in your pocket." Sameer chuckled.
"Hey, don't say like that." Ruhanika scolded him with a giggle, as it was true!
"I arranged surprise birthday party for Abheer ji tonight at home. Just family. You will come tonight. That's my gift." Ruhanika said holding his hand. Sameer smiled and patted her head,
"Of course, I'll come. Can't deny my sister." Ruhanika nodded as he left with a smile.
Ruhanika peeked inside to see the empty cabin.
Abheer Pov
I went inside the bathroom to freshen up to have lunch. I guess I can go home early today. Sameer has handled most of the work. Abhiraj also took the responsibility for the meetings of upcoming days. His statement that I should rest for few days, so that I'll glow on my wedding day! Like seriously! As if I'll be visible to anyone in front of my so beautiful, pretty bride huh! Gosh, I miss her so much. I never thought I'll ever feel these things ever in my life, as if my existence is only for my chubby cheeks! And I will feel this helpless and even anxious sometimes due to distance between us.
Anyways let me eat my lunch.
I entered the cabin. My gaze fell on someone, precisely a lady standing by the glass wall looking outside. She turned around as the door through which I enter closed.
My steps immediately halt in my place seeing her face.
My Jaan!
I chuckled at myself shaking my head,
"I miss you so much that I even started seeing you when you are not even here." I looked up to still see her who is smiling at me so brightly. She came towards me running and threw her hands around my neck.
"You are not imagining Abheer ji. I'm here." She said hugging me.
My goodness, she is really here!
I immediately wrapped my arms around her waist, hugging her tightly.
"Ohh my chubby cheeks! I missed you so much." I whispered burying my face into her crook of neck. She visibly shivered giggling.
"I did too, Abheer ji. That's why I'm here." She said caressing my nape making me so relax.
"Happiest Birthday Abheer ji!" She said breaking the hug, her hands on my shoulders.
"Maa Kaali apko sada khush rakhe aur apko lambi umar de. Aap aise hi apna 100wa janam din manaye aur hum apna 96wa." She chuckled making me smile too.
(May Maa Kaali keep you happy and give you long life. Just like this way you celebrate your 100th birthday and me my 96th.)
"Janam din ki bohot saari shubh kamnaye apko bhi meri jaan. Maa Kaali apko sada humare sath rakhe." I said kissing her forehead.
(Many many happy returns on the day to you too my jaan. May Maa Kaali keep you always with me.)
"Aap yaha achanak se?" I asked holding her by her waist.
(You here suddenly?)
"I missed you and wanted to celebrate this day with you. After all it would be our first birthday together. So we came here." Ruhanika said with her hands on my chest.
"So my princess is home." She hummed.
"Maa-baba bhi aye hai?" I asked.
"Everyone. They are home right now. Your princess was sleeping so I didn't bring her." I nodded. We sat on the sofa as we started eating our lunch. She told me what stunt she pulled with my employees. How she stopped Shekhawat from accompanying her inside to test if my employees are still polite with total strangers, unlike those rude receptionist in romance novels. I laughed hearing her. She can be really hilarious sometimes.
She told me how polite all of they were and behaved really nice with her. Just like that we had her lunch, with lots of her talks and me listening to her being whipped man like my fathers are for my mothers. Not that I'm denying. For my chubby cheeks, I'm even ready to be beggar, beggar of her love and kindness!
"So can I have my dessert now?" I asked her.
"But there is no sweet, nor I brought anything. Shall we order from canteen?" She asked confused.
"My dessert is here only." I said leaning towards her, holding her chin, grazing my thumb on her lower lip. Now she got what I mean, which spread a light blush on her chubby cheeks!
Haye! These little things about her make me go crazy!
"Can I?" I asked. She shyly nodded closing her eyes. I leaned in placing my lips on her soft ones. The kiss was slow making us both feel the love, affection, respect and everything we have for each other! My life can never be more meaningful now that I have her like this in my arms, for forever to hold onto!
Hola people!
How was the chp? Hope you all like it.
I really get sad when people don't appreciate my work. The least you can do is comment and vote if you like the chp! I'm writing all this when its less than 20 days for my exams. And I can't afford failing again. I'm even gaining a single penny writing this! Yet I'm doing this, for my readers who are genuinely eager to know what happens next.
I'm not even giving targets like other authors. So don't be silent readers! Not just to me, but even to others! You don't even what these things mean to an author, even more to the new authors like me!
Anyways, till next time!
Bye bye👋👋
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