👑 Twenty Six~

[Play the song "Dheere Dheere" from Devara, mentioned in the video box, as the background music here]

The atmosphere mirrored the darkness of the heavy clouds that hung low over the ancient fort. Rishabh and Devangini, hand-in-hand, embarked on their little adventure, a trek through history, laced with playful romance. The fort, steeped in time and whispers of forgotten battles, served as the perfect backdrop for their game of hide-and-seek.

Devangini left his hand suddenly and he asked,"Haath kiyu chhor diya? Come here."

She nodded her head sideways, playfully, moving backwards.

"Gini! If I catch you then you'll be trouble. Come to me right now,"Rishabh commanded but she swiftly slipped away shouting in a joyful tone,"It's hide and seek time."

"Oh really? Fine then, here I come!"Rishabh's voice echoed playfully through the crumbling archways as he was set to follow her.

Devangini, giggling, darted behind a weathered turret, the thrill of the chase lighting up her eyes. The fort swallowed their laughter, the silence broken only by the rustling leaves and the distant caw of a crow.

They played their game with abandon, Rishabh's booming laughter a beacon for Devangini, and her quick, nimble movements keeping him constantly on his toes. But as the clouds grew denser, the sun disappeared completely, an eerie quiet descended. The playful echoes vanished, replaced by a heavy, almost tangible silence.

Devangini, suddenly unnerved, found herself alone. The wind picked up, whistling through the broken ramparts, sounding like ghostly sighs. "Baujiraj?"she called out, her voice trembling slightly. No answer. Panic began to prick at her. "Baujiraj! Kaha ho aap?" she cried again, her heart pounding against her ribs. The silence only deepened.

Overcome with fear, she ran, her footsteps echoing on the moss-covered stones. Blindly, she rounded a corner and slammed right into something solid, something warm and familiar.

"Rishabh!" The word escaped her lips as a sob, and without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around him, squeezing him tight. Her face was buried in his chest, the scent of his cologne a comforting anchor in the swirling fear.

Rishabh chuckled, his arms instantly enfolding her. "Whoa there, slow down! What's wrong? Hum yahi hain, tumhare paas," he said, his voice laced with amusement and concern.

She didn't answer, simply clinging to him, her body trembling. As if on cue, the heavens opened. Fat raindrops began to fall, splattering on the ancient stones.

"Looks like our game's over," Rishabh said softly, gently disentangling himself. He embraced her shoulders, his eyes full of tenderness. "Come on, let's get out of here."

Devangini relaxed while giving a nod and they ran out of the fort, laughing, the rain plastering their hair to their faces. They reached the car, breathless and soaked to the bone. Settling inside, the warmth of the car was a welcome embrace. Rishabh, however, remained still, his gaze fixed on Devangini. Wet hair stuck against her cheek, raindrops flowing down her bare arms, face and neck, made her look more desirable than she already was in his eyes.

He reached out, gently brushing away the wet hair strands from her cheek. "You're shivering," he murmured, his voice husky. He leaned closer, his eyes locking with hers.

"I...I am fine,"Devangini whispered.

"I am not,"he whispered back, his arms running up her arms. Time seemed to melt away as he cupped her face in his hands and pulled her into a deep, lingering kiss. It was a kiss that spoke of comfort, of reassurance, and of a love that ran deeper than words.

Devangini closed her eyes and kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Breaking the kiss, Rishabh reached into his jacket's pocket. He pulled out a velvet box and then opened his wet jacket and tossed it away. Opening the box he revealed a stunning pair of heavy ancestral bangles, crafted from gold and studded with intricate jewels. They shimmered in the soft light of the car.

"These belonged to my great grandmother,"he said, his voice filled with emotion. "They are a symbol of family, of commitment, of forever. My great grandfather had gifted this pair to her after their wedding. I want you to have these, Gini. They are a token of my commitment to you, to our future."

He carefully took her right hand and slipped the bangles onto her wrist, the cool metal a stark contrast to the warmth of her skin. They were just of her size, her skin was moist so the bangles went in easily and it felt as if they were always meant to be her's.

Devangini looked at the bangles, then back at Rishabh, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Baujiraj," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

"Not Baujiraj, call me Rishabh. You had called me by my name back at the fort."

"I was scared,"she said, fidgeting with her scarf.

He smiled, his eyes full of love. He pulled her into another kiss, murmuring in between,"Do I need to scare you to hear you taking my name again?"

"Don't..."Devangini pleaded, her resilience shattering as he kissed down her neck.

"Rishabh! Please..."she moaned as he nibbled at a spot down her neck.

"Good girl!"he murmured.

The rain lashed against the car's windows, but inside the black Sedan, Devangini and Rishabh were lost in their own private world of passion. He slid his hands up her back, marveling at the feel of her soft skin beneath his fingertips, while they continued kissing passionately, before he pulled back suddenly.

"Ice-cream khaogi?"he asked while panting hard and Devangini laughed while being breathless herself.

"Seriously?"she asked.

"Gini! You won't understand. I need to take my mind off you otherwise I won't be able to control myself and...and will do something extreme here itself."

Devangini chuckled and gave a nod. "Let's have ice-cream then."

"Great! Thand mein ice-cream khaaney ka maza hi kuch aur hota hain. Humein bohot pasand hain,"Rishabh said, while she stared at him, admiring him more.

Snehanvi walked into the kids' room, Vamika's apology card in hand. She came and stood beside the girl and she looked up.

"You have made this?"Snehanvi asked in a soft tone.

"Obviously! Who else will?"Vamika said. "Sorry for hurting you. I didn't intend to do that. I was just...you were not leaving...I wanted to make you leave."

"I can understand."

"You do? Thank you. Also, thanks for saving me from getting punished."

"Nobody would have punished you."

"Oh please. I know my Papa better than you. He would have definitely punished me. Now I have said sorry. Are we even?"

"Yes we are,"Snehanvi said and then looked at her notebook. "What are you doing? Homework?"

"Hmm...I have to write an essay on my favourite person."

"And who's your favourite person?"

"There's many. Akaay, Mumma, Papa, Chhote Papa, Rishu Chahu, Maan Cha, now Chhoti Mom too."

"So you're confused?"

Vamika nodded and Snehanvi said,"Write about the one you love the most."

"Papa."

"Go ahead."

"How should I start?"Vamika murmured.

Snehanvi cleared her throat and asked,"May I help? If you want."

Vamika looked at her and then at her copy. She knew that she needed a bit of help as essay writing was a new thing for her which had been taught to them just a few classes back. She nodded her head slowly and Snehanvi sat beside her.

"How many words?"

"Around 100-120."

Snehanvi gave a nod and helped Vamika in writing the essay, explaining to her how to frame sentences. No sooner had they completed the task when an attendee informed Snehanvi to go to the study room.

"Thank you,"Vamika said as soon as Snehanvi stood up to leave.

She smiled back and said,"You're always welcome."

Feeling a different kind of joy, Snehanvi quickly went to the study to find Virat waiting for her.

"Here, your books and needed stationary items. You're going to University from tomorrow,"he said and her smile widened, seeing her new study materials.

"And also this,"Virat added, pointing at her new MacBook.

She gasped seeing it and asked,"All these are mine? Everything?"

"Do you think I'll carry Gucci tote bag, books and sippers and all? Also, I do have my own MacBook. Thank you."

Snehanvi frowned and picked up her things carefully. "Thank you. Thank you so much for everything. I'll be ever grateful to you and the family."

"Nevermind! How's things between you and Vami? The attendee informed me that you were helping her with her homework! Is it so?"

Snehanvi gave a nod. "Yes. She was confused regarding an essay, so I helped her out. She also apologized to me."

"She did?"

"Yes."

Virat smiled while concentrating back on his file and Snehanvi left from there, smiling to herself in contentment.

"It's strange!"Hardik said, picking up a pizza slice.

"What's strange?"Shubman asked.

"That Rishu isn't touching Pizza tonight. He's been staring at his screen since the past thirty minutes,"Hardik said with a smirk.

"Also, he returned home drenched like a cat,"Shubman added. "Hmm! Suspicious! Highly suspicious!"

Rishabh passed them a look and proped up his elbow on a pillow, while saying,"What's the problem with you two? Enjoy your pizza quietly,"he looked at Durdhara and added,"Bhabi, please tell them."

Durdhara chuckled and said,"Come on! Don't tease him now. Snehanvi sit with us."

Hardik passed Snehanvi a look and said,"Dhara, tell this girl she can have the pizza."

"I would have eaten it even if you wouldn't have said. Jiji already told me I can have pizzas,"Snehanvi blurted out, making him frown while Rishabh and Shubman laughed and he passed them glares and shoved a slice into Rishabh's mouth as he had continued laughing.

"I have heard that you're going to the University finally? God help them,"Hardik commented and Snehanvi frowned.

"Why are you pulling her leg, Harry? Come on. Snehanvi, all the best for tomorrow, dear,"Durdhara said.

"Yes! Besides, they'll bow down to you, no worries Badi Bhabi Sa,"Rishabh said.

"Yah! And make new friends. Have fun,"Shubman said.

"But make sure those friends are of good status. After all you belong to the royal family now. Don't run and jump around like teenagers. God! That's so much expected from you. You're a little girl after all,"Hardik said and everyone frowned this time.

"Bhai, aap peechle janam mein kaali billi theh kya?"Rishabh asked.

"What do you mean?"Hardik asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Nahi, matlab humein toh wahi laga. Warna harr baat pe tokte rehete hain aap, jaisey kaaley billiyan raasta kaat ke...."Rishabh stopped as Hardik banged on the bed and he added quickly,"no no I mean you must have been a black panther for sure. By kaali billi I meant black panther you see. My dear brave stylish Bhai."

"Darpok!"Shubman murmured and chuckled.

"Am I interrupting?"Andrew asked, peeping into the room.

"Oh not at all, please come in,"Hardik said and he walked in.

"Everyone's here, why not call Dadabhai too?"Shubman asked.

"He has gone out for a charity event,"Snehanvi said.

"Impressive! At least you know his whereabouts,"Hardik complimented while shuffling cards. "Andrew! Cards?"

"Sure! Let's have a game,"Andrew replied.

Rishabh sat up while saying,"Andrew, tell us, what makes you so interested in India?"

"The beauty,"he replied looking at Durdhara and added looking back at Rishabh,"the vibrant culture, customs and this royalty. Indian royalty has attracted me since childhood."

"That's great. Don't you like Indian music?"Shubman asked.

"Yes, my brother out here is an extraordinary singer and musician,"Hardik said patting Shubman's back.

"After all he has a great lineage,"Andrew said.

"Uh...actually,"Shubman started saying but Hardik interrupted him.

"Yes! Indeed. Our ancestors were patrons of various art, and in every generation someone or the other has been exceptional in music, dance, art or something else."

"Maan Singh, I guess you know how to play piano? Don't you?"

"Yes! I do. Why?"

"Because that's something which I play."

"Wow! So Mr.Sinclair is thoroughly interested in music!"Durdhara added.

"That I am."

Everyone picked up their cards while Snehanvi said,"I don't know how to play, so I'll be on Jiji's side."

"I'll teach you,"Durdhara said while Andrew added staring at her,"How about keeping a prize for the winner?"

"Sure thing. Sounds interesting,"Hardik said.

"What kind of prize? A new sportscar?"Rishabh added excitedly.

"Shut up Rishi!"Shubman said.

"Let Andrew decide as he's our special guest,"Hardik said.

"Well, let's go for a simple one. Whoever wins will take queen Durdhara out. That means the queen's time is the prize,"Andrew said.

"I am in. Bhabi, you have to sit in my sportscar while I drive,"Rishabh teased.

"No! I'll take Bhabi to my next episode's shoot. I am sure she'll enjoy,"Shubman said.

Durdhara smiled and said,"No doubt I will."

"Are you sure, Andrew?"Hardik asked.

Andrew smirked and asked,"Is Prince Hardik nervous? Don't worry, I won't steal your wife. I'll just take her out for sometime."

"That will happen only if you win,"Hardik said.

"Okay, so the game is on,"Andrew said.

"Hey! But what if I win?"Durdhara asked.

"You're not playing,"Hardik said.

"What?"she frowned.

"Your time is the prize, so you're the VIP here. Sit and enjoy."

The four men sat around, their cards held tightly in their hands as they eyed each other with a mix of camaraderie and competitiveness. Hardik and Andrew, in particular, seemed to be locked in a silent battle, their gaze drifting occasionally to Durdhara, who sat nearby, a subtle smile on her face while she talked to Snehanvi.

As the game progressed, the tension between Hardik and Andrew grew palpable. Each of them threw their cards ahead, their eyes flashing with determination.

Shubman and Rishabh, meanwhile, played with a more laid-back air, occasionally offering words of encouragement or teasing each other good-naturedly.

In the end, it was Andrew who laid down the winning hand, a triumphant smile spreading across his face. Hardik looked disappointed but accepted his defeat as it was just a game.

"Looks like Lady Luck was on my side tonight,"Andrew said, his eyes glinting with amusement as he turned to Durdhara. "So? Are we going out tomorrow?"

Durdhara looked at Hardik and he passed her an assuring nod, so she replied,"Yes we are, Mr.Sinclair."

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