👑 Thirty Three~

The bedroom echoed with Meghatri's enraged screams. The atmosphere crackled with her fury as she rounded on the gaggle of men cowering before her.

"Ek kaam nahi hota tumlogon se! You can't even do one thing right? You couldn't kidnap one simple girl? Stupids!"she shrieked, her voice laced with venom. A nearby vase shattered against the wall, a victim of her incandescent rage as she threw it away.

"Get lost! Get out of my sight!"she roared, dismissing the hapless goons with a wave of her hand. They scrambled to obey, disappearing through the ornate doorway.

Left alone, the princess's rage continued to simmer. She turned towards a large mirror, her reflection a distorted image of beauty twisted by fury. With a guttural cry, she struck the glass, shattering it into a thousand pieces.

"Now there's no other way left?"she muttered to herself, her voice a dangerous whisper. The shattered glass mirrored her own fragmented plans.

Her gaze then fell upon a portrait hanging on the wall- the handsome man with kind eyes and a confident smile.

"Rishi! Why? Why did you come at that moment? Aaj Devangini khatam ho jaati toh hum dono ke beech aur koi nahi reheta." Her voice dripped with bitterness and a possessive hunger.

"But nahi! Tumhey humesha apni manmani karni hoti hain. Bachpan se hi ziddi ho tum. Suntey kiyu nahi tum humari baat?"she yelled, her voice cracking with emotion as she stared accusingly at the painted image of Rishabh. The desperation in her voice was palpable, a stark contrast to the steeliness she had displayed moments before.

"Lijiye, aapka Garud taiyar hain,"Suryavardhan said to Rishabh, the next morning, during the Haldi ceremony.

"Thanks Dad,"Rishabh said, checking out his favourite horse.

"I think you should go and talk to your mother once."

"Haan, Mom isn't here. Why?"

"Why? You really don't know Rishi?"

"Dad, people are around,"Virat said.

"It's alright Dadabhai. Hum Mom ko lekar aatey hain,"Rishabh said and stood up.

"Aisey rasam ke beech nahi uthte hain bete,"Kadambari said.

"Rasam toh ho gaya hain Daadi Sa. Sab ne laga di haldi, siwaye Mom ke. So I am going to her."

"Tu jaa, hum nikalte hain. Episode ka shoot hain aaj,"Shubman said coming to him, wiping the haldi which had been put on his own face by others.

"Haldi rehene doh humare pyaare bhai. Jaakey Chandrika ko laga dena,"Rishabh teased and he frowned. "Jaldi lautna.That's why this ceremony has been conducted so early in the morning so that you don't miss out."

Shubman gave a nod and left after hugging Rishabh once.

The festive mood of the pre-wedding celebrations was spread around the house, a vibrant contrast to the quiet stillness in Meenakshi's room.

Rishabh found his mother sitting on the bed, her gaze lost in a distant point. He was a canvas of a paste made with turmeric powder and yogurt, the ubtan smeared across his cheeks and body, a testament to the joyful ritual.

"Mom!"he called, his voice laced with concern. Meenakshi looked up, her eyes reflecting a pain that mirrored the ache in his heart. "Aap ne humein haldi nahi lagaya,"he complained, a child-like plea escaping his lips.

Meenakshi's reply was soft, yet sharp with unspoken emotion. "Why do you need me to do the ritual? You had everyone during the ritual."

Rishabh sighed, the playful haldi now feeling like a weight on his shoulders. He carefully placed the bowl he was carrying, on the bedside table, and knelt beside his mother, taking her hands in his. "I know you're upset with me, Mom. I am sorry I didn't tell you earlier. So many things were going on in the family, I thought..."

He trailed off, understanding filling the silence that followed. Meenakshi's voice, laced with a quiet sorrow. "You thought let's keep Mom in darkness. No need to tell her. Your brothers too had an idea about your relationship, your Daadi Sa also knew, I guess. But not me."

"Mom, please Mom. I am sorry. Maaf kardijiye. Please,"he begged, his voice thick with remorse.

"Kitna mann tha humara, you'll get married to Meghatri, but no. Humari itna kismat kaha?"she said, a hint of bitterness coloring her voice.

Rishabh’s touch on her hands tightened. "Mom, you really want your Rishi to marry the girl he never loved, in place of the girl he loves so much? You really think I would have been happy?"

The genuine anguish in his voice, the raw emotion in his eyes, seemed to soften Meenakshi's resistance. She sighed, a flicker of understanding crossing her face. "That's why I didn't say anything against the marriage anymore."

She had seen the love in his eyes, the happiness he found with the woman he had chosen. But the hurt of being kept in the dark lingered, a shadow cast over the joy of her son's impending wedding.

Rishabh, sensing a shift in her demeanor, pressed his advantage. "But I want you to participate in the wedding wholeheartedly. Please Mom. Humare liye."

Meenakshi sighed again and then gave a soft nod and applied haldi on his cheeks, making him smile.

Performers ran last-minute rehearsals, sound checks echoed, and the music system was getting tested at the reality show's set. Shubman, acutely aware of the ticking clock before his early departure for Rishabh's impending nuptials, was ready for his shot. His performance was scheduled to be filmed first, and with a final deep breath, he scanned the chaos for the familiar face he was looking for.

He found her in the makeshift green room, Chandrika. She was meticulously adjusting her guitar's keys, her brow furrowed in concentration. He noticed the intricate henna patterns adorning her hands, recently applied at the Mehendi ceremony, and a wave of warmth washed over him.

"Why did you leave the Mehendi ceremony so abruptly?"he asked coming to her, his voice carrying a playful lilt despite the underlying curiosity.

Chandrika's head snapped up, and her gaze flickered away, a shadow crossing her face. He knew why. The image of Sharon, radiant and overly enthusiastic, lingering in the space between them earlier that day, flashed in his mind. He remembered the way Chandrika had suddenly retreated, the light seeming to dim in her eyes.

"I had to reach home early,"she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.

Shubman moved closer, his voice softening. "Moon,"he called,"tell me the truth. Were you jealous, by any chance?"

Chandrika’s eyes widened, and she straightened her shoulders, a touch of defiance returning. "Why will I be jealous?"

He leaned in closer, his voice a low murmur that only she could hear. "Why do you behave so cold whenever Sharon approaches me?"

Chandrika bit her lip, her gaze landing on a point just over his shoulder. She admitted,"I don't like her."

Shubman paused, a mischievous glint sparking in his eyes. "And me?"

"What?"Chandrika asked, her eyes widening again, this time with genuine surprise, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink.

He rephrased the question, drawing even closer, the air crackling with unspoken tension. "Do you like me?"

The question hung heavy between them, the bustling sounds of the backstage fading into insignificance. Chandrika looked away again, lost in the labyrinth of her own emotions. The silence stretched, thick and expectant. He could see the pulse fluttering in her throat, a silent testament to her inner turmoil.

He gently reached out, his fingers tracing the delicate pattern on her hennaed hand. Her skin was warm beneath his touch, a jolt of electricity passing between them.

Just as she was about to speak, a voice boomed from the doorway. "Shubman! Are you ready? We need you on set!"

He sighed, breaking the spell that had enveloped them. He squeezed her hand gently before releasing it. "I have to go. But you have to be there for the baraat. Will you come?"he said, his voice laced with hope.

He looked into her eyes, searching for an answer. She didn't speak, but the blush on her cheeks deepened, and a flicker of something akin to longing shone in her eyes. "I think I won't be able to make it tonight. Dad is throwing a party. I'll attend the reception party."

The fading smile from his face returned as soon as she said that she will join them for the wedding reception.

"Alright! That will be enough. We'll talk later, Moon,"ke promised, then turned and strode towards the stage, leaving Chandrika standing there, caught between the unspoken melody of her feelings and the imminent chaos of the performance to come.

The flurry of activity around Devangini was a whirlwind of silks, fragrances, and hushed excitement. Makeup artists flitted around her, transforming her into a vision of bridal beauty. But amidst the chaos, her gaze was drawn back to a photograph in her phone – a snapshot from her vibrant haldi ceremony.

As the makeup artist deftly applied a touch of highlighter, Devangini caught her reflection. The bridal attire, painstakingly chosen and meticulously fitted, shimmered under the lights. The intricate embroidery whispered tales of tradition and heritage, connecting her to generations of women who had walked this very path.

But it wasn't just the outward transformation that captivated her. Looking beyond the layers of makeup and the weight of the lehenga, Devangini saw a woman transformed from within.

"Aaiye chaliye, pehenaiye yeh broach apne devar ko,"Durdhara said to Snehanvi, bringing her to the room where Rishabh was getting ready.

"Hum kiyu Jiji?"Snehanvi asked.

"Because the eldest daughter-in-law does this,"Hardik said while tying Rishabh's turban.

"Aur sehera aap lagayengi, Dhara,"Virat said, bringing ahead the headdresser.

"I am looking so handsome,"Rishabh said and then added with a frown,"Where's Maan?"

"He reached home just a while ago. Taiyaar ho rahe hain,"Durdhara said and then nudged Snehanvi who was staring at Virat as he hadn't talked to her after the mehendi ceremony's incident.

"Come on Badi Bhabi Sa, jaldi kijiye. We will get late otherwise,"Rishabh said.

Hardik giggled and said,"Hum soch rahe theh ki der se hi jaaye. Abb royal family should make royal entry and royal entry demands time."

"Yah yah absolutely. That will be good,"Durdhara added.

Rishabh frowned and said,"Not you Bhabi. Bhai ka toh adaat hain humein satane ka."

"Sorry sorry guys, got late,"Shubman said, rushing in, buttoning up his bandhgala. "Arey wah Badi Bhabi Sa, you're looking like..."he went quiet as Virat looked at him and then at Snehanvi, understanding that she was looking similar to what Anushka used to look like.

"Hum photographers ko bulate hain,"Virat said and excused himself from them.

"Hum bacchon ko lekar aatey hain,"Snehanvi said and left.

"Maan, zaban pe lagam nahi reheta tera?"Hardik asked.

"Arey humnein Dadabhai ko dekha hi nahi, Bhai,"Shubman said.

"Suniye,"Snehanvi called Virat, following him up, her voice a tentative melody that snagged his attention. "I am sorry."

Virat stopped, turning to face her. "Sorry for what?"His brow furrowed.

Snehanvi shifted her weight, her eyes darting nervously. "For writing your name on my palm. But... you're my husband. Every married woman writes her husband's name on her hand, that's why..." Her voice trailed off, leaving the unspoken tradition to fill the silence.

"Who got you ready today?"

The abruptness of his query startled her. "Haan?"she stammered, caught off guard. His question felt like a sharp turn on a familiar road, leaving her disoriented and unsure.

"Ji... Jiji, Dhara Jiji,"she finally managed to reply, her voice small in the vastness of the palace.

Virat didn't elaborate. He offered no explanation, no comfort, no reprimand. He simply turned and walked away, leaving Snehanvi standing amidst the crowd, the weight of his silence heavier than any spoken word.

After a family photo was taken, and the pre-wedding rituals conducted, Rishabh was ready to leave for Devangini's house. He took the blessings of the elders and held the ancestral sword after taking blessings from the ancestral deities.

His horse was brought ahead and he walked towards it, followed by Shubman and Hardik, while Virat directed the bodyguards and other staff to be at their best attention.

Meghatri stared at him from a distance, seeing him dressed in the groom's attire, looking exactly what she had always dreamt of. He was supposed to be her groom, her forever.

She walked up to him while Shubman asked Hardik,"Bhai, inko humesha billi jaisi raasta kiyu kaatna hota hain?"

"Aadat hain na meri jaan. Bachpan ki aadat hain iski,"Hardik said.

"Aap ne ekbar dhakka dekar kichad mein gira diya tha na? Dobara...."

"Aye Maan, hum bacche nahi rahe. Shhh!"

Meghatri came and stared at Rishabh, who said,"Acchi dikh rahi ho."

"Haan kuch zyaada hi,"Durdhara whispered to Snehanvi.

"Jiji, yeh kuch zyaada hi taiyaar nahi hogayi? Matlab her outfit looks like a heavy bridal one,"Snehanvi said.

"Hmm! Wahi toh kaha humnein. Zyaada hi taiyaar hui hain. God knows what's going on in her mind. I feel she was behind the attempted kidnap of Devi."

"Khush raho Rishi. Humesha,"Meghatri said, touching Rishabh's cheek and he gave a nod before Virat said,"Rishi! It's time. Let's move."

Rishabh gave a nod and mounted his horse and rode ahead after pulling down his sehera. The baraat moved ahead with him while cars came ahead to pick up the members of the royal family.

Meghatri stood there, looking on with tearful eyes while Andrew came beside her and clicked his tongue. "I feel so bad for you. You let your love go even though you had a chance."

"I am not defeated yet,"Meghatri said.

"What do you mean?"he asked.

"You will see,"she asked looking at him.

"You aren't taking any extreme step right? Don't kill the bride or something,"Andrew said.

"I might. My love for Rishabh is bindless,"Meghatri protested.

"Well, okay. But I don't think you should go to extremes. Anyways, all the best,"Andrew said and walked ahead towards his car, leaving behind a thoughtful Meghatri, who said,"Rishi is mine, he will remain mine."

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