Author Pov
The soft morning rays came peeking inside newly wed's bedroom, only to see both Abheer and Ruhanika tangled in sheets, sleeping and cuddling each other. Abheer's sleep broke with the vibration of his mobile. As he tried to scoot over to grab his mobile from the night stand, he felt weight in his other side. He looked only to see his serene beauty sleeping peacefully on his chest, slight of her drool falling onto him.
He chuckled at her cute face and kissed her forehead softly so as to not disturb her sleep. He gently laid her head on the pillow and grabbed his mobile. He saw it's his father's call. He frowned looking at the time, as it is really early for his call. He immediately picked it up sensing something urgent and got off the bed to wear his sweat pants.
"Yes babasa?" He answered slowly wearing his pants, while balancing the phone with shoulder and neck.
"Gudiya woke up crying. We tried feeding her, but your mother thinks she must need her mother after waking up. I'm outside your door, hurry up." Vikram said calmly yet worry was evident in his voice for his granddaughter. Abheer can also hear his princess crying over the phone, so he just hummed and went to open the door, after drawing the curtain of his bed.
As he opened the door, the whimpering and cryings of his princess fell on his ears and he came face to face with Vikram who was gently patting her back and bouncing with her.
Vikram placed her gently in his arms when he saw the door opened.
"Sorry, for disturbing early. But she has been inconsolable for 20 min." Vikram said caressing Abhaya's head.
"It's alright. We will handle her. Thanks for last night." Abheer said patting Abhaya's back, while Vikram smirked at him as he can clearly see the hickey on Abheer's neck. He went away winking at him which made Abheer chuckle.
Abheer closed the door with his leg and entered the room patting Abhaya's back.
"It's okay my princess. See baba is here now. And we are going to maasa. Just a moment haa." He said softly patting and bouncing her in his arms as he neared their bed. Her babasa's warm embrace immediately calmed Abhaya but she was still softly sniffing on his chest, her tiny hands grabbing onto his platinum chain for a hold onto him. Abheer smiled at her cute face, wiping the small tears that left her eyes and kissing her head.
Ruhanika as if sensing her baby restless, immediately opened her eyes hearing Abhaya's sniffing voice.
"Abhaya?" She sat up rubbing her eyes. Abheer looked hearing Ruhanika's murmurs too see her silhouette through the curtain sitting up against the headboard. He smiled and went towards her, knowing all she wanted then was Abhaya.
He sat beside her, gently laying Abhaya in his arms.
"See princess, it's maasa." Abheer said in soft voice while Ruhanika smiled onto his shoulder.
"Good morning baby. How was your night with dada-dadi? Did you miss maa-baba gudiya?" Ruhanika said patting her tummy as Abhaya cooed smiling and throwing her hands and legs around as if agreeing with her.
"Aww! My baby seems happy and excited in early morning." Ruhanika chuckles as the baby gurgled babbling.
Abheer saw her putting her thumb in her mouth, a clear indication that she is hungry.
"Is my princess hungry, after giving dada-dadi a hard time in early morning huh?" Abheer said pulling out her thumb and kissing her fist which made the baby giggle squealing. But Ruhanika frowned hearing him.
"What was that?" She asked holding the quilt on her chest.
"Babasa came to drop her, saying she was inconsolable since she woke up. Must be really missing us that now she is so energetic." Abheer chuckled looking at Abhaya who was paddling with her legs as fast as she could, because this is the favourite exercise her maasa makes her do.
Abhaya again tried to put her hand in her mouth which were held by Abheer. She squirmed as her lips wobbled cause she was really hungry.
"It's okay, it's okay. Let me pass you to maasa so that you can fill your tummy." Abheer said when she whimpered. He passed her to Ruhanika who patted her tummy. Ruhanika gazed and raised her brow at him who was looking at her intently.
"Why are you looking at me? Go on, feed my princess. She is really close to crying now." He said, his tone underlying with playfulness.
"You do realise it's not possible while you sit here looking at me, right?" She said rocking Abhaya who was continuously tapping on Ruhanika's chest.
"It's possible jaan. Anyways, it's not like I didn't see you completely naked. Moreover, I've already tasted Abhaya's meal." He whispered the last line in her ears as she turned into whole tomato.
"I never knew you were so shameless." She said finally giving up and Abhaya started crying and let the quilt fall from her chest. Abhaya immediately latched on her, quietly sobbing while sucking hungrily. Ruhanika smiled at her hungry baby, patted her bum softly, to calm down her sobs. Abheer glanced at his divine beauty. His respect for women increased multifolds, since the time Ruhanika entered his life. Seeing her struggle with her life, yet having a beautiful smile on her face whenever she felt flutterings of her baby in tummy, whenever she talked with her baby bump, the way her eyes glinted when she talked about her unborn with him, when the first time she held her, even her child's voice was enough for her to smile! This selfless devotion of a woman was the first time he got to witness through his Ruh. He is really thankful for almighty for creating mother, coz hell if men can go through all these to bring a life into the world!
He leaned back onto the headboard, gently making her lean on his chest, as he knew Ruhanika must be tired from their last night's activities and exhaustion from previous days. He hugged her back, his hands in hers caressing Abhaya's head, keeping his head on her shoulder. Ruhanika sighed in relief as indeed her lower back was hurting a little, and leaning onto something felt really comforting.
As Abheer saw her eyes close, he gently started massaging her back still in the same position. Ruhanika looked at him with a grateful smile, as he nodded and kissed her forehead. And everytime Abheer kisses her forhead, Ruhanika couldn't help feeling warmth of his love and thanking Maa Kaali for sending him in her life.
This silent understanding between them is what I love the most about this couple! I couldn't help but wish god give me a husband who has at least 10% of Abheer's qualities! Mere toh bhaag khul jayenge🤭🤭
Ruhanika changed her sides for Abhaya to latch and soon baby was done filling her tummy. Ruhanika wiped the remainings of milk from her chin and gently patted her back seeing her eyes drooping. Abheer also couldn't help kissing Abhaya's forehead. He doesn't know why, but only his girls can bring out so much soft side from him.
He gazed at her tired face before saying,
"You should rest for sometime jaan. You look tired." He said massaging her lower abdomen a little, which felt soothing to Ruhanika.
"It's already 6.30. I should get ready. It's my pehli rasoi. Don't wanna give chance to my in laws to call their new daughter in law lazy on her very first day." Though Ruhanika tried to tease, she herself giggled at her own words, knowing how true they were, making Abheer chuckled as well!
"I never knew you were this naughty." He said nuzzling his face in crook of her neck kissing there, which earned a light moan from her.
"But you still love me!" She said making him smile.
"That I do!" He said the obvious as they both joined their lips in a passionate kiss, with Abhaya being totally nestled in her parent's warmth, sleeping peacefully.
Abheer suggested on getting ready first, so that she could rest a little. Hurriedly entering inside after he was done, Ruhanika gasped as the duvet fell from her chest. All of her neck area, chest, belly area were covered in hickeys. She graoned in frustration but couldn't control the blush spreading on her cheeks.
"He is such a beast." She whispered shyly, and covered her face giggling. Distracting herself, she quickly had her bath, and got herself ready.
Abheer was on call with Sameer, discussing something, when the closet room door opened which was attached to bathroom. He looked back only to froze at the serene beauty in front of him. Telling Sameer to call back later, he hung up the call. Ruhanika who came outside adjusting her necklace look up feeling someone's intense gaze on her. She smiled shyly when she saw him still, continuously staring at her.
"You are the prettiest woman on the earth jaan. You always manage to snatch my breath away." Her heart melted at his compliment as she came forward to hug him. He reciprocated kissing the crown of her head.
"You don't look bad yourself." She said kissing him on his cheek with a smile. She held up the sindoor dani to him. Abheer knowing her intention took a pinch of it and fill her hair partition as just a little, almost not visible particles fell on her nose.
He gently slid out a delicate payal from his pockets and held it in front of her.
"This is the gift of our first night, which I forgot to give." He said and went on his knees to make her wear those.
"These are really beautiful! I love them." She said tapping her foot again to hear their sound
"I'm glad you love them." He said making her smile.
"You're okay right? Is your back paining?" He asked slightly rubbing small circles on her back.
She smiled at his concern nodding,
"I'm alright now."
Abheer nodded and took Abhaya in his arms as they both left the room to go downstairs.
Elders were seated in the living room as they descended the stairs, including Abheer's mama-mami and Abhiraj's mausaji-masi.
"Good morning everyone." Ruhanika greeted them with a smile, gaining all of their attention.
"Good morning beta. Kitne sundar lag rahe ho aap dono! Haye kisi ki nazar na lage!" Meera said getting up from her seat and side-hugging Ruhanika which she gladly reciprocated.
As Abheer went to sit with men, Niharika, Shloka, Lakshmi joined these two.
"Oho! Your face is glowing like a bright sun, Ruhi. Is there any secret or is it because of your husband's love, huh?" Niharika teased her lowly, so that only they could listen, which made Ruhanika blush furiously with wide eyes.
"Kakisa, please! Aisa kuch bhi nahi hai." She said trying to supress the smile that is trying to break free. While the 4 ladies giggled at her reaction.
"Iss pyaar ka nikhar sada tumhare chehre pe bana rahe!" Niharika said blessing her. Ruhanika smiled at her words thanking and hugging her.
Then those 5 left to kitchen for Ruhanika's pehli rasoi. They will be helping Ruhanika too as everyone in the family will be there for the breakfast. Though Ruhanika insisted they should join others, her mothers sternly denied and told they would help her.
Ruhanika first did a small puja of the stove, praying to Maa Annapurna.
"Prepare something sweet first, Ruhi." Meera said after she was done. So Ruhanika prepared tea for everyone first before soaking moong dal in the water, knowing that she would be the first one to enter kitchen today. Her mothers smiled at her thoughtful gesture.
"I'm letting you help on one condition that, you will join me after having your tea only, okay?" Ruhanika demanded making them agree. She served everyone and again came back in kitchen prepare breakfast, with Rakhi helping her with ingredients. By the time ladies had joined her, she was done with prep of almost every dish she wish to prepare. And with more helping hands, the breakfast was done in no time.
As the ladies came outside,
"Shall we go to temple now? It's almost 10." Gayatri Devi said asking Meera through her gaze that if food was prepared, to which she nodded.
Meanwhile, as instructed by Gayatri Devi before, younger caln was present too in the living room. They all moved towards Maa's Temple and were joined by Rajputs and Agnihotris. Everyone offered their prayers before Kul Purohit ji started with the Arati which was to be done by Abheer and Ruhanika.
By the time everyone was done, it was 11 am, so their breakfast was actually brunch and on a little heavier side. A nice arrangement was done outside in the secluded area of their yard, so that all would be doing their brunch at the same time. One by one servants started bringing the dishes and everyone was salivating with its smell.
"There are so many dishes here." Jai exclaimed as food was being served.
"Ruhanika has planned the menu and prepared everything. So it had to be feast as usual!" Gayatri Devi said smiling as others agreed on the feast thing, coz there were so many dishes on table, like dal-bati, aloo parathe, raita, paneer sandwiches, salads, chhole bhature and many more.
Ruhanika insisted on serving, but elders told her not to bother. So she just served the younger clan herself for whom she prepared their special dishes.
"Siyu-Prishu, I tried misal for the first time for you guys. Please excuse me, if doesn't taste like authentic maharashtrian misal." Ruhanika said serving both the girls herself. They both grinned cutely.
"I bet it would test even better as you made it, vahini." Siya said to which Ruhanika frowned.
"Vahini?"
"The way marwaris call bhabhima to their bhabhi, we maratha people address bhabhi as vahini. We can call you that, right?" Prisha asked. Ruhanika nodded with a smile patting her head,
"Of course, you can call me that. Enjoy your meal okay."
She made some of other's favourite dishes too and everyone enjoyed the meal together chit-chatting and with lots of laughter.
The younger clan slipped away to stroll in the farms after their brunch, to enjoy the last of their days together, except for the younger couples. Elders were seated in the living room, when Jivansh decided to talk about the thing he has in his mind for days now.
"Rathore sahab, if you don't mind I want to say something." He said as all heads turned to him.
"Go ahead Jivansh beta." Adhiraj permitted.
"What is it about?" Vikram asked.
"Shadi ka mahol hai, aur shadi ki hi baat karni hai, Vikram bhaiya." He said making all of them surprise.
"Kiski shadi jijasa?" Niharika asked unable to handle her curiosity.
"Abhiraj's! I know a girl. Her name is Prakriti! She is my assistant from a few years now. She had faced a rough life since very early age, is an orphan and is been working since very young to take care of the kids in her orphan. She is quiet, well-mannered and sweet child." Jivansh said forwarding her photo to Adhiraj as one by one everyone looked at the girl's picture.
"Look Niharika, I'm not telling to marry Abhiraj to this girl only. I can understand you would also have some expectations about your son's wife. And we cannot be hasty about our children's life decisions like these. But I would say give it a thought once. Coz I have been thinking about this for quite a few months now. And I found her really compatible with our Abhiraj. They both are similar in many ways, yet different enough to be mold together in this concept of marriage. You would think why am I being so convincing about some random girl, but trust me she has become just like Siya and Prisha to me over these years. And I wouldn't want any of my children unhappy with my wrong decision, be it Abhiraj or Prakriti." He said as everyone keenly paid attention to his words.
"The girl looks pretty." Diva whispered when the phone was passed to her, Ruhanika and Arohi as the 3 giggled.
"She can fit in our trio I guess." Ruhanika said making them nod.
"We will really think about it, Jivansh. Besides, Abhiraj should be the one to have a final say in this." Vikrant said making everyone nod.
"Of course, he should be the one. My work was till here only, if they both are destined, Maa Kaali will give them her blessings." Jivansh said making everyone smile.
"She looks really nice girl, Niharika." Ridhima said looking at the girl's photo who seemed to capture her whole heart.
"She is jiji. She often comes to home too. It's cause of her only I don't worry about Jivansh's meals and his medicines." Lakshami said smiling.
"I understand. Maybe we can plan a visit soon to Pune after we talk with Abhiraj." Niharika said looking at Gayatri Devi who nod with a smile.
"Niha, Abheer ki shadi karate karate Abhiraj keliye rishta bhi agaya. Last year agar koi bolta humare dono beto ki shadi hojayegi agle 2 saal mein toh koi vishwas bhi na karta." Meera said as everyone laughed.
Days passed by as the chaos of wedding finally quit down with departure of guests from Jaipur. Ruhanika did a small pag phera rasam in Jaipur itself, as she was not to leave Jaipur till the Rajyagya. Their marriage photos were revealed and everyone in the whole Rajasthan were aww of the couple! They looked really good together. Abhaya's face won't be revealed to public for sometime as she is still very young, however people were finally being comfortable with the idea of their hukum sa having a kid now that he is married!
With days for the same approaching faster, the palace again became busy with the preparations.
It was finally the day of Kartik Amavsya, the day when Rajsthan will get their Ranisa hukum! Though the title of Ranisa comes with marriage, it is considered for this yagya to happen before accepting the new bride of Rathore family as their Ranisa. So this day was most awaited day for everyone in the Rajasthan.
In the early morning, everyone in the Rathore family was gathered at the banks of holy Banas River for shuddhsnan! Kul Purohit ji chanted mantra as Abheer and Ruhanika took holy dips in the cold river 5 times. After their bath, they were to walk till their kuldevi's temple barefoot, which is situated almost 7 km away. They began their journey chanting Maa's name in their mind. Younger clan were with them while elders were insisted on reaching by cars. Their way was secured by their guards as crowd saw this an opportunity to see their new Ranisa from near. So Abheer had made sure that nothing compromises her safety.
By the time it's 9.30, they have reached the palace grounds.
"You're alright jaan? Your feet don't hurt right?" Abheer asked making Ruhanika smile.
"I should ask the same. And I'm perfectly fine. You are okay too right?" She asked concerned. He nodded as they both part ways to change their wet clothes. Both were made worn beautiful traditional Rajputi Poshakh. They first performed Maa Kaali's puja and arati before the havan started. The yagya went on for 9 hours straight. It was performed in 5 phases, for Rathore Family being the greatest devotees of Maa, for prosperity of kingdom, for future of kingdom, for next generation of Rathores and for the wishes hukumsa and Ranisa have.
It was almost evening by the time everything was done. Everyone in the family were strictly observing fast, so they haven't eaten anything since last night.
"Only the last thing remaining is Maa's prasad made by Ranisa and then this Rajyagya will be done." Kul Purohit ji said as everyone hailed Maa's name.
Soon the prasad prepared by Ruhanika was offered as bhog and everyone heaved a sigh of relief as the Rajyagya was completed without any difficulties.
Everyone returned to Rathore Mansion and directly went to bed as they were done with their dinner in their ancestral palace.
Ruhanika came after changing into her cotton saree and saw that Abheer was patting Abhaya's back as she was dozing in his arms.
She smiled and sat beside him on the bed leaning her head on his shoulder.
"Finally everything happened well. I was really worried till the last moment what if I mess up something." Ruhanika said softly as Abheer chuckled.
"Yeah. I was looking how stiff your actions were at one point, as if someone was on your back if you relax." He said making her smile.
"I was tensed. There should not be any complications while performing puja. And I myself don't like being careless about that." She said as Abheer side-hugged her.
"Yeah, my perfect chubby cheeks." He said kissing side of her head as she giggled. They sat in the comfortable silence where only their breathing could be heard. Their attention went towards Abhaya who squirmed before going to sleep again as she was in Abheer's lap.
Abheer smiled patting her head,
"Days passed by so fast. I can't even believe she will be 6 months old in 2 weeks." Abheer said.
"Yeah. I will miss her being so small." Ruhanika said kissing her fist and caressing it.
"Last year have been a real roller coaster for me. I went from phase of depression to a pure phase of pure happiness and love, from a phase of loneliness to a phase of being loved by my loved ones. Some people in my life left me, while I got new relations to call them of my own." Ruhanika said as her gaze went to the dark night sky. Abheer smiled sadly and caressed her head, feeling to give a much needed sense of comfort to her.
Ruhanika smiled with tears looking at him,
"I understand this was meant to happen. Even though I never planned or imagine such twists and turns of my life, I could never be more grateful to bhagwan ji for the end he gave me." She said smiling at him as some tears rolled down her eye.
"Don't cry. You know I don't like it." He said wiping her tears making her smile.
"The gones will never come. It is always better to move forward with whatever we have. If not, both we and our loved suffer. And I'm glad you did the same. Coz, I'm living my life in real sense now, with you and my princess." Abheer said looking at her with love in his eyes. Ruhanika nodded with tears in her eyes,
"Yeah. Whatever happened, it was our Change of Destiny!" She said making him smile.
He closed the distance between them and kissed her gently. Ruhanika closed her eyes as few tears of happiness slipped.
Whatever obstacles came in their way, Abheer-Ruhanika's faith in each other never wavered. The most important thing in their relationship was their mutual respect along with love for each other. Their Change of Destiny had given them both a new start in life, a future of happiness, many relations and lots of love!
Hola people!! With this chp, my first book, 'Change of Destiny' finally comes to and end!! I'm really emotional right now, after writing my favourite couple's last chp!! Hope you all enjoyed this story and will miss Abheer-Ruhanika and Abhaya the way I would!
I want lots of comments and votes!! So final bye bye, until any next epilogue or new book!
See you people! Stay healthy and happy!😘😊❤❤🥺👋🤗🤗
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