👑 Thirty Five~

"Yeh kya baat hui Megha? What is this? Aisa koi karta hain kya? Life is precious,"Rishabh said in a disappointed tone, sitting near Meghatri's bed in the hospital cabin.

"I am so sorry Rishi. Humari wajah se your special night got spoiled. Tumhey nahi aana chahiye tha,"Meghatri said while crying.

"Oh come on! After getting such news I would have stayed back at home? Gini bhi aayi hain dekho,"he said pointing toward Devangini who entered the cabin with Yudhishthir.

"Beta! I came directly from Sri Lanka. Your Mom might be crying from heaven seeing you in this state,"Yudhishthir said, sitting near Devangini.

"I am sorry Dad. I was just so upset. What to do? Please understand my mental state,"Meghatri said and then apologized to Devangini for the mess she made.

"It's okay Megh Kanwar, it's fine. Please don't do such a thing again,"Devangini said.

"I was feeling lonely, as if nobody cares for me. Dad was not there. Before I used to be at the Amber Taj during childhood, anytime I pleased, but now...after whatever happened, Devangini wouldn't like me around her or Rishi. I think even Rishi wouldn't like that. Aisa toh hona hi tha. The way I behaved...I am so sorry for everything. I was impulsive. This was too an impulsive act,"Meghatri said.

Meenakshi had also come in, followed by Shalakha, when they heard her and the former said to Yudhishthir,"Yudhishthir Bhai Sa, aap Megh ko kuch dino ke liye humare paas bhej dijiye. In fact, she should stay with us whenever you won't be at home. Akeli bacchi kab kya soch le. Megh, this was very wrong of you beta. We are still your family. Aap jab chahe jitna din chahe humare saath rehe sakti hain."

"Haan haan, Rishi, you will really mind if your friend comes to stay with us?"Shalakha asked.

"Of course not Bua Sa. But..."Rishabh couldn't complete as Yudhishthir said,"that will really be good. Filhaal hum yahi rahenge. Chahe humara saara meetings hi cancel kiyu na karna parey."

"Dad, aap humare wajah se apne company ko problem mein daal denge? All this is happening because of me,"Meghatri pretended to cry again.

"Arey areh roh matt beta. Bhai Sa, please let us be with us. Humare waha itney log hain pariwaar mein. I am sure she will feel better. Devangini is herself a doctor, I am sure she will be able to take the basic care of Megh. Can't you, Devi?"Meenakshi asked and Devangini gave a nod and looked at Rishabh who sighed and passed her an assuring nod.

Durdhara was standing at one of the backyard balconies, staring at the river afar when Andrew came and stood beside her.

"Why are you awake so late, Mr.Sinclair?"she asked.

"You understood who's it without even turning for once?"

"I know the tread of my close ones. The sound of your footsteps didn't match anyone's I know, and the maids or attendees won't have such a confident stride around me, hence, it was obvious that it's you."

"You're really something, aren't you? Impressive as always."

"You didn't answer me. Why are you awake?"she asked, finally looking at him.

"You're awake as well. Searching something in the darkness here, Queen?"

"No! Trying to figure out the source of the darkness."

"What?"

"You won't understand. Mr.Sinclair, you're our honoured guest, please don't stress yourself over our family matters. Please take rest,"she requested.

"Your plea too sounds royal, Queen. But, this family is mine too."

"What do mean?"Durdhara asked sharply.

Andrew chuckled and replied,"I have considered this family as my own since I am an orphan."

"Oh!"she said, her demeanor softening. "I never got a chance to ask you, how did you lose your parents?"

"In an accident. An unfortunate accident caused by others."

"I am sorry."

"Don't be. I met this family because of you. I wouldn't have got this chance otherwise, if I hadn't meet you...and Prince Hardik of course."

Andrew held her hand and said,"I really consider you both as my best of friends now. Thank you for everything, Queen."

"You're welcome Mr.Sinclair,"Durdhara replied with a smile, while Hardik, who had come in search of her, stood at a distance staring at their hands.

Meghatri was brought to the palace after midnight, the medical equipments brought along for her betterment. She deliberately stumbled after getting down from the car and Rishabh held her. She held his hand and walked ahead and felt elated as he held her shoulders.

Devangini walked on her other side while they came to the threshold of the palace interior and they stepped in while she thought,"Rishi ki saheli banke nahi, tumhari sautan banke kadam rakh rahi hoon yaha, Devangini. Congratulations!"

"Aaj raat koi Megh Kanwar ke paas hi rehe jao. I think Devi should stay as she's a doctor,"Shalakha said.

"I'll stay,"Snehanvi said immediately.

"But you're not a doctor,"Meenakshi said.

"The princess is out of danger, Maa Sa. Also, Devangini is tired it was a hectic day for her. I'll be with Megh Kanwar. I'll inform if anything is needed,"Snehanvi replied.

"I think we should give her the room beside the kid's room. It will be easy for Yuvrani Bai then,"Durdhara added.

Meghatri, who was about to demand the room beside Rishabh's, passed her a look while thinking,"Inko bhi abhi bolna tha?"

"That will be good,"Suryavardhan said while coming there. "Megh, this is your own home. Feel comfortable beta. Jaiye, sabhi araam kijiye abb."

Rishabh left Meghatri's as Snehanvi held her. He held Devangini's hand and said,"Let's go."

She gave a nod and said,"Badi Bhabi Sa, Megh Kanwar ko zaroorat parey toh humein bula lijiyega."

Snehanvi gave a nod and they both walked away while Meghatri looked on disappointedly.

"Jaiye Megh Kanwar, araam kijiye. Hmm?"Durdhara said to Meghatri and then added looking at Snehanvi,"Anvi, call me instead of Devi. Bechari thaki hain. Hum hain na, hum dono milkey samhaal lenge Megh Kanwar ko. I mean, milkar dhyan rakhenge inki."

"Haan haan Jiji, bilkul. Hum dono hi kaafi hain inkey liye, matlab inke dekh rekh ke liye,"Snehanvi said, passing a smile to Meghatri and the duo took her to the room she was supposed to stay in after Meghatri thanked them, passing them a smile of courtesy, while fuming inside.

Hardik was sitting on his bed, fidgeting with the bedside lamp, switching it on and off, thinking about Andrew's way of approach towards Durdhara.

"Aap abhi tak jaag rahe hain?"Durdhara asked while coming in and locking the door.

"Aapka hi intezaar kar rahe theh. Kaha thi abtak?"

Durdhara came and sat near him, relaxing against his body, replying,"Megh Kanwar ko unka room mein chhor aaye Anvi ke saath."

"She has been brought here? Goodness! And why is Anvi there? She should be with the kids right?"

"Arey we are trying to prevent Megh from third wheeling Rishi and Devi. Third wheels are dangerous."

"Hmm. They are, indeed,"Hardik said thoughtfully.

"Abb aap kya sochne lage? Chaliye, let's sleep. I am hell tired,"Durdhara said while lying down and he laid beside her, staring at her.

"Kya huya?"she asked and he kissed her suddenly.

"You're mine,"he murmured, hugging her and relaxing finally as she chuckled and ran her fingers through his hair after directing the automated monitor to switch off the lights.

"Obviously. I am only yours,"she murmured before they fell asleep.

The next morning, when the family gathered for the morning aarti, Rishabh walked in with Shubman, while Meghatri was brought in a wheelchair as she was weak.

"Aao bete, accha lagega,"Meenakshi said.

"Peheli hi night spoil kardi isney Rishu ki. Karlo baat,"Shreyas said to Siraj, who added,"Kya kar saktey hain? Yeh bhi bachpan ki dost hain uski."

"Tumlog reception tak toh ho na?"Hardik asked coming to them.

"Haan haan humlog rahenge. Uskey baad wali din hi flight hain shaam ko,"Shreyas replied.

Rishabh came and leaned beside them, against a pillar and Siraj asked,"All good Bro?"

"Kya good? Mood bigda huya hain raat se hi,"he replied.

Shubman patted on his back while Virat told him,"Agey jaakar khada ho Rishi. Today you and Devi have to do the aarti."

"Haan, Devi hain kaha?"Shubman asked.

"Taiyaar ho rahi hain,"Rishabh said. "She made breakfast in the morning. Kitni jaldi uth gayi. She's disturbed. Dikha nahi rahi hain but she is."

Durdhara and Snehanvi brought Devangini, while their attendees followed behind and Kadambari said happily,"Lo agayi humari nayi bahurani."

Meghatri looked at Devangini who stared back at her, and somehow she felt that the former wasn't happy to see her, hence the smile on Devangini's face faded away.

"Humnein mooh dikhai ki rasam ke liye taiyaar kardiya inhey, Daadi Sa,"Durdhara said.

"Accha kiya. Bohot accha kiya. The look really suits her modern and minimal personality,"Kadambari said.

Rishabh stared at Devangini while Hardik said,"Teri hi hain. Aisey ghoor matt."

"Rishi, come ahead. Today you and Devi will do the aarti as per the ritual,"Meenakshi said and the newlyweds went ahead. They held the thaali together and Rishabh said to her,"Looking beautiful."

Devangini smiled at him while the priest chanted incantations and Meghatri stared at them before looking away in jealousy.

"When did you make these?"Suryavardhan asked Devangini when the family got seated for breakfast.

"I prepared the breakfast then went upstairs to get ready,"Devangini replied.

"Chulha poojan toh karliya tha na?"Meenakshi asked and she gave a nod. "Jee! Jiji and Badi Bhabi were there. They helped me out."

"Chaliye phir, bahuyein kaabil hogaye hain. Rani Meenakshi, you should retire now,"Kadambari said and everyone chuckled.

"Yaha aaiye bete, this is your gift,"she added and blessed Devangini with a vintage jewelry set.

"Daadi Sa! The husbands should also get gifts na? For bringing good daughters-in-law for the family,"Rishabh said.

"Devi, make him wear that necklace,"Hardik said and everyone laughed as Rishabh frowned.

Meghatri who had sat beside Rishabh already, said,"Devangini, you really made good breakfast. But where's prawn sandwich?"

"Prawn sandwich?"Devangini asked.

"Yes! That's Rishi's favourite breakfast, don't you know? I mean, you made breakfast for everyone for the first time so I thought you have made Rishi's favourite too. There isn't masala omlette too. Rishi, didn't you tell her your preferences?"

Devangini looked at Rishabh and he narrowed his eyes at Meghatri before concentrating on his plate and saying,"I think you're unaware of my latest favourites, Megha. Gini has made Shirred Eggs with Spinach and Mushrooms, my current favourite."

"I see,"Meghatri added, faking a smile.

"Rishi, there's a legal document I want you to check, get the file from my room,"Virat said, changing the topic.

"Okay Dadabhai,"Rishabh replied while Durdhara nudged Hardik who was busy noticing Andrew who was staring at Durdhara, while chewing his food slowly.

"Sausages,"she said and he gave a nod, before eating from her spoon, looking at Andrew who looked away immediately.

"Humara wala kha gaye phirse,"Durdhara said and ate from his plate quickly, making him chuckle.

Suryavardhan cleared his throat and both looked down, suppressing their smiles while blushing.

"Mooh Dikhai ke rasam ke baad thoda rest kar lijiyega. You have to look bright in the evening,"Meenakshi said to Devangini.

"Jee Mom, main...ah...hum rest kar lenge,"she replied.

"Aap khadi kiyu hain? Come sit beside Rishi, iss side ka chair khaali hain. Aap hi ka hain yeh jagah,"Shubman said.

"Haan haan, Devi, baitho na,"Snehanvi said while Akay pulled her hand asking her to feed him.

Devangini came ahead and sat beside Rishabh while Meghatri ate slowly, looking at them from the side of her eyes as Rishabh started talking to Devangini immediately while he was sitting quiet beside her till then.

"Humare Rishi ke paas hokar bhi hum unsey dur hain, just because of this girl,"she thought.

"Maan, when is the finale of your show?"Suryavardhan asked.

"Almost near, Dad. There will be a few more eliminations, after that. Top five will be the finalists,"Shubman replied.

"Oh! Uh...have you met any new singer? I mean, are you taking any extra class from someone new or you need any such class?"

"No! Not really. I am well prepared. But yes, I have met Maa..."

"What?"Suryavardhan asked and everyone looked at Shubman, who chuckled and said,"I mean, Manyata Maa. Manyata Shastri, Guruji's one of the topmost students. She loves me a lot."

"Haan right, Dad. He is so much into this Manyata Maa that har wakt unhi ke baarein mein sochta reheta hain,"Rishabh said.

Suryavardhan's fork dropped and so did his napkin while he tried to grab another fork.

"What happened Your Majesty? You seem to feel unwell suddenly!"Andrew asked.

"Haan Dad, you're sweating all of a sudden. The central A.C is working well, then?"Hardik asked.

"Baba Sa!"Virat called, resting his hand upon Suryavardhan, who cleared his throat and said,"I am fine. Don't worry about trivial things. I am fine." He then looked at Shubman and said,"Maan, your exams are approaching. I think you should stay at home and focus a bit on studies now."

"I have completed the syllabus, Daajiraj. I am revising. There won't be any problem,"Shubman said.

"I am your father, you aren't mine. Do as I say. Concentrate on your studies,"Suryavardhan said and excused himself, saying,"I am done. You all carry on."

"Inhey achanak se kya huya?"Shubman asked, looking on thoughtfully.

"Leave him! Do whatever your heart says. Unka mood swings hota hi rehta hain,"Hardik said.

"Harry!"Virat called him in a strict tone and he went quiet while Andrew thought,"Doesn't matter how hard you try to bury old secrets, they do resurface during the flood of time."

As Andrew began to prepare his breakfast, Virat noticed a series of peculiar gestures and stared at him.

Andrew started by laying a generous pat of butter on a slice of bread, followed by a dollop of egg yolk on top. He then spread a layer of mayonnaise on the bread, and before taking a bite, he licked the excess mayonnaise from his index finger, a gesture that seemed almost second nature to him.

Next, he turned his attention to his omelette, sprinkling a pinch of fresh herbs on top. To Virat's surprise, Andrew then reached for the tomato ketchup and added a generous squeeze to his omelette. After cutting the omelette into small pieces, he began to eat it with a side of ravioli, twirling the pasta around his fork with ease.

As Virat watched Andrew's gestures, he couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity. These habits, the way he savored each bite, reminded Virat of someone from his childhood. A smile crept onto Virat's face as he continued to observe Andrew, intrigued by his unique eating habits.

Andrew noticed him looking at him and became cautious at once, asking,"Is there anything wrong?"

"No! You...your way of eating reminded me of somebody from my childhood,"Virat replied and Snehanvi looked at him and then at Andrew, hearing his words.

Andrew smiled at him and said,"Seems like that person was close to you. You remember him after so many years!"

"Yes, I was close to him too,"Virat replied in brief.

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