👑Seven~

Rishabh and Hardik shared a high five while laughing, and Shubman said,"and then she said that she's here to learn from my Guruji and Guru Maa, and defeat me."

"What a joke!"Hardik said and the brothers laughed more.

Shalakha, their paternal aunt, came and took her seat while saying,"the royal table isn't looking royal anymore. It seems like some commoners are sitting around."

"Wowww! I never knew you know so much about how commoners behave, Bua Sa. We don't. Seems like you're better accustomed to them than us,"Rishabh said and Hardik chuckled while Shubman chewed his food, trying to conceal his smile.

"Rishi!"Suryavardhan said in a strict tone.

"Rehene dijiye Bhai Sa. Obviously he didn't get to learn anything. Humesha baahar rahenge toh parivaar ke taur tarike kaha se seekhenge yeh log? Rishi, at least Maan has better etiquettes than you though he's adopted,"Shalakha's sour words made everyone go silent and Shubman stopped eating.

"Bua Sa, sometimes blood relationships are what we despise the most,"Virat's sudden comment hammered her ego and she passed him a look while Hardik added,"vaisey bhi, aap toh ghar ki hokar bhi humare khaandaan ka naak katwa kar rehe gayi. Aapke sasural waley bhi tang agaye aap se."

"Hardik! Enough. Continue eating,"Suryavardhan said and Meenakshi added,"Jiji, why do you have to comment such things always and spoil the mood of the kids? Yeh aapke bhi toh bacche hain."

"No they aren't. Their behaviour says that very well,"Shalakha said before leaving the dining hall angrily.

"Balah tali,"Rishabh said and nudged Shubman, saying,"you eat. Do hell with her comments. You're our own. Vaisey bhi, your, mine and Daajiraj's blood group is same. Hogaye bloodwaley. Yeh Dadabhai aur Bhai adopted hain asal mein."

"True!"Hardik said and then asked,"no...wait! WHAT?"

Shubman laughed while Suryavardhan said in a soft tone,"Raja Maan Singh. You're the most loved one, my precious boy."

Shubman looked at him and passed him a smile, and Rishabh wrapped his arm around him while Virat smiled at them.

"Okay, what I was saying is, Veer, you have to go to Kulsagara after Harry's engagement,"Suryavardhan said.

"Okay Baba Sa,"Virat said.

They continued having their dinner while Meenakshi said to Rishabh,"Rishi, go and visit Megh Kanwar once."

"Mom, she'll be attending Bhai's registry function, right? I'll meet her up directly on that day,"Rishabh said.

"My brother, you'll die single,"Hardik said.

"Says the man who has been single for so long, rejecting every alliances, haan?"Rishabh teased him and he concentrated on eating.

"Hah! Hahhhhh! Bhai is blushing. Mom! See,"Rishabh added and Shubman chuckled and said,"all thanks to our dear Bhabz."

"Bhabz rocked, Bhai shocked,"Rishabh added.

"Zyaada ho raha hain dono ka,"Hardik said and they laughed again, only to get scolded by Suryavardhan, and they went quiet, suppressing their chuckles and looking at Hardik who passed them a glare.

They talked and enjoyed their time together while finishing up their dinner, before retiring for the night.

After dinner, Shubman went up to the rooftop of the servants' quarter, as the river was clearly visible from there. He stood silently, thinking about Shalakha's words. No doubt he had everything that a prince should, yet he wasn't a prince by blood. He loved his family dearly and they too loved him back, but still he wasn't related to them. This very truth always sent a pang in his heart.

Who were his parents? Why did they leave him? Or did they actually leave him? But how did he come to this family?

Questions like these haunted him since years, but he never wanted to ask those questions to his father, as he didn't want to hurt his sentiments.

He felt Rishabh's hand upon his shoulder while he stood beside him, saying,"I knew I'll find you out here. Thinking about Bua Sa's words?"

"Wasn't she right somewhere? I am adopted,"Shubman said.

"No you aren't, at least for me. You will always be my brother, no matter what. And you too know this very well that I love you the most. Somewhere, more than Dadabhai and Bhai."

"I wonder, who am I in reality?"

"You're the prince of music and would be Sangeet Samrat. Isn't that enough for you? And Maan, to be honest...I always feel that..."Rishabh went quiet, drinking the thought he actually had in his mind regarding Shubman, since childhood.

"Yah...what is that? What do you think? Rishu, your this very nature is mysterious."

"I don't tell things without being sure. You know that very well, dear brother."

Shubman sighed and leaned against the railing while saying,"life is unfair at times, Rishu."

"It it indeed. Look at Dadabhai. He lost his mother, he lost Bhabi Sa. At least we don't have to go through any pain of such a level."

"Hmm...tell me one thing. Don't you think he should give his life a second chance?"

"He should. Obviously he should. But that's Dadabhai, Maan. He won't agree to it."

"Hmm! Right though."

Just then they noticed Hardik at the balcony of the third wing of the palace and chuckled.

"Chal chal Bhai ko satate hain,"Shubman said and Rishabh agreed at once.

Both of them ran down the servants' quarter which Hardik failed to notice as he was busy talking to Durdhara, leaning against a pillar.

"The outfits for the engagement are perfect. It matched so well. Accha I'll be bringing only twenty bags of outfits, shoes, jewellery, cosmetics and other accessories. Baaki ke cheezein baad mein laya jaayega,"Durdhara said.

Hardik laughed and asked,"only twenty bags sweetheart? It's too less."

"I know right? But sasural hain na. Abb fifty bags lekar thodey hi jaa sakte hain! Twenty bags won't be a big deal right?"

"Of course. Even fifty wouldn't have been a big deal. My walk in closet room is being extended for that purpose. Take all the space you need."

"You're such a sweetheart,"Durdhara said and he said,"what what what? You said I am your sweetheart right?"

"I didn't say that. Come on!"

"No you did. Now I deserve something special because of it."

"Hmm! I can very well understand that low hidden tone of mischief in your words. No you won't get it, dear prince. See you on engagement day."

"And what will I do tomorrow? Let's meet tomorrow as well."

Durdhara chuckled and said,"you'll get to be with me throughout your life very soon. Hmm?"

"Yeah but..."Hardik said while turning back and found Shubman and Rishabh standing behind him.

They crossed their arms and danced their brows at him and he said,"Dhara, I'll call you later haan?"

"Call tomorrow. Go to sleep now. Good Night,"Durdhara said with a chuckle.

"Maan! Let's meet tomorrow...ouuuuu! Kya tadap hain! Offhhh!"Rishabh teased as soon as Hardik disconnected the call.

"Rishu, didn't you hear? Bhai is Bhabi's sweetheart,"Shubman said and both of them came ahead while he sang,"yeh raat aur yeh doorie, tera milna hain zaroori,"and Rishabh too joined him.

Hardik locked his arms around their necks as soon as they came near him, and said,"I'll break your necks tonight."

"Arey Bhai Bhai Bhai Bhai Bhai! Rishu started it,"Shubman said.

"Aye! Aye Maan! You were the one who suggested that we should tease Bhai,"Rishabh said.

"Haan haan! No use of this blame game. Abb tu dekh!"Hardik said and added,"when you both will get married, that time I'll see."

"Bhai! If you don't leave us then we will die bachelors na?Hehe!"Rishabh said and Shubman added,"yah right! Absolutely right! Let us die after getting married. My sweet Bhai."

Hardik looked at both of their faces and laughed before kissing their foreheads and left them saying,"jaa bhaag."

Both of them hugged him while saying,"love you Bhai."

Hardik hugged them back and chuckled while saying,"my baby boys."_______________________________________

On the day of engagement, Guests were arriving at the venue while Rishabh and Shubman were busy teasing Hardik.

"I think Bhabz has gone to some other venue with someone else,"Shubman said.

"Kya matlab hain ki unko Bhai khaas pasand nahi arahe hain abb? That's really very sad. I would like to protest,"Rishabh exaggerated.

"What to do Rishu? Bhai isn't as good as us. He's so reckless after all."

"Yah yah! I guess Bhabz understood that and decided to back out. Otherwise why they'll be so late?"

Hardik looked at them and then towards the entryway while checking his Patek Philippe watch, and the brothers chuckled while standing on his sides.

"Not another word from you two!"Hardik warned them and Rishabh said,"arey arey arey! Maan! Very bad! See how unhappy Bhai is. Don't tease him."

"Yah yah! My bad. So sorry Bhai. We shouldn't have said the truth like that,"Shubman teased.

Hardik was about to beat them when the royal conch was blown, marking the arrival of the Rathores, and he looked on eagerly as Mahendra and Sakshi walked in with their children.

"Where's she?"Hardik murmured to himself while Suryavardhan, Meenakshi and Virat went ahead and welcomed the family.

Mahendra and Sakshi took Kadambari's blessings and greeted Shalakha while Meenakshi asked,"humari honewali bahu kaha hain?"(Where's our would-be daughter-in-law?)

"She's coming. Actually it's our family's tradition for the bride to come under a veil before getting engaged, and also on the day of wedding. She's adjusting the veil,"Sakshi replied.

"Hum thik toh lag rahe hain na Chitra? Am I overdone or minimally done?"Durdhara asked and Chitra replied,"you're beautifully done. Your lehenga, your jewellery, everything is on point, matching your beauty. Now let's go."

With that, the princess of Rudragiri made a royal entry with her attendees following up, and with flower petals thrown upon her as soon as she entered the grand hall, and Rishabh and Shubman nudged Hardik, who was trying to see her face through the veil.

"Let's start the rituals. Shall we?"Kadambari said while the princess came and stood beside Mahendra, who then held her hand and led her to the royal seat where the couple were supposed to be seated and exchange their wedding rings after signing the marriage registration papers.

Rishabh and Shubman brought Hardik and made him sit while Sakshi made Durdhara sit beside him, and hundreds of flashes occured as the photographers and reporters started covering the ceremony.

"Riveting! Majestically beautiful,"Hardik whispered to the princess, who chuckled underneath the veil and said,"you didn't even see my face yet."

"I already know that the face under the veil is heavenly. How am I looking by the way?"

"Handsome and captivating as always."

Hardik smiled and then frowned as he found Rishabh and Shubman suppressing their teasing smiles.

The registration papers were presented to the couple who started giving their signatures while Rishabh looked around and found Devangini entering the hall. She too noticed him and the colour of her face drained away.

"Offh! Again that stupid prince is staring!"she thought while walking aside and got startled as petals were thrown on her too, thinking her as a royal guest.

Rishabh chuckled seeing her expression while she came and congratulated the couple and stood beside the chair where Kadambari was sitting. The registration formality was over and Sakshi pulled back Durdhara's veil and adjusted it and Hardik whispered to her,"finally! Got to see my moon."

"You and your words,"she said with a chuckle before the rings were brought ahead and completed the ring exchange ceremony, thus getting engaged.

Everyone clapped and pictures were taken, while Hardik kissed Durdhara's hand, and she smiled at him in delight, before the elders started blessing them.

Virat looked at them and then at his own wedding ring, which was selected by Anushka. He sighed and clapped for the new couple before going to them and blessing them, saying,"I wish you both a lifetime of happiness and togetherness."

Hardik held his hand and touched his forehead with it while Durdhara took his blessings, and he kept his hands on their head.

Rishabh and Shubman congratulated them and clicked pictures with them before the former picked up a glass of Diamond Cocktail and came and stood beside Devangini, who was admiring the decorations.

"Kya baat hain? We both are wearing blue. Ah haan! You wanted to do twining with me haan!"he said and she looked at him and replied,"no thanks! I have better works to do. This is just a coincidence."

"Haan haan every girl says similar things. Vaisey, I know a guy who will actually suit you better. That janitor of ours, Kamal Rao. Perfect match for you,"he teased her.

"Baujiraj!"she said with a smile and he said,"haan ji?"

"I had no idea that you're actually a seventy years old uncle disguised as a young man, who is interested in matchmaking. I'll definitely suggest your name to my friends. Now excuse me,"Devangini said and walked away.

"Acchaaaa! Mujhe jawab dekar chali gayi? Okay! Thik hain! I'll also give a reply. This is just the beginning,"Rishabh said while nodding, before getting pulled aside suddenly.

"Who the..."he was about to say but stopped on seeing princess Meghatri standing in front of him.

"Heyyyy! Megha!"he greeted her, but she made a face.

"Kya baat hain Rishi? No phone no email no letter, nothing! I had gone all the way to London to meet you two years back, and you had left from there that day itself! What's wrong with you?"she asked and Rishabh replied,"arey, I really had to leave for a work. I am a busy man, Megha."

He started walking and he held him back and said,"where do you think you're going? Galey tak nahi lage aap. You have totally forgotten me right?"

"Arey kaisi baatein kar rahi ho? Of course not. Why will I forget you? You're one of my childhood buddies. Of course I do remember you,Megha,"he said and gave her a quick hug, and she relaxed in his embrace, hugging him back, before he pulled back, saying,"feels good to see you again. Enjoy the occasion."

"When are you coming to my place?"

"Uh...in a few days. Let Bhai's wedding ceremony get over. Hmm?"

"Fine! I'll wait for you. Don't deceive me this time,"Meghatri said, holding his hand and he replied,"not at all. I'll be there."

He found Devangini giving a cushion to Kadambari and helping her out, and stared at her, while Meghatri stared at him, thinking,"I am waiting for the day when you won't be able to leave me and go away ever again."

************************************Here goes the update. Keep Reading and Keep Vommenting Guys.😘❤️