👑 Thirty Four~

[Play the song "Taare Hain Baraati" from Virasat, mentioned in the video box above, as the background music here]

Devangini watched the baraat arrive, a symphony of drums and laughter echoing through the sprawling grounds. A smile played on her lips, not just from the sheer joy of the moment, but also from a secret, treasured glimpse. She saw Rishabh, trying to catch her eye, his hand adjusting the sehera that adorned his head. It was a small, intimate gesture that spoke about their love.

Her mother, her face radiating warmth and pride, stepped forward to welcome Rishabh with traditional rituals, while Devangini's father ensured the royal family was received with the utmost respect and grandeur.

Rishabh was led to the wedding altar where the pre-wedding rituals, traditionally performed by the groom, awaited him. Meanwhile, a flutter of excitement filled the air as the bridesmaids, a canvas of vibrant colours and playful energy, gathered to escort Devangini to the same sacred space.

The moment she emerged, the atmosphere shifted. A shower of fragrant flowers rained down upon her as she made her way towards the mandap. Rishabh, his eyes locked on her, rose to his feet, a silent acknowledgment of her radiant beauty.

Holding the varmala, the garland of flowers that symbolized their union, Devangini walked towards him, her heart swelling with a love that felt both timeless and new. As they drew closer, a collective sigh swept through the crowd, and a cascade of rose petals fluttered down upon them, a fragrant blessing on their impending vows.

Then, in a gesture that melted every heart present, Rishabh put the garland he was holding, around Devangini's neck, then he knelt down before her. A soft chuckle escaped Devangini's lips as she gently lowered the garland around his neck, sealing their promise of forever in a shower of petals and the radiant glow of a thousand lights.

As the ceremony began, they sat side by side and the priest chanted sacred mantras, the aroma of incense and holy wedding fire wafted through the air.

"Your brother is more romantic than you,"Durdhara complained to Hardik who frowned and said,"He got the training from me. Huh!"

"What? You taught these things to your brothers?"

"Why not?"Hardik asked, adjusting his collar and she made a face, saying,"as I said before, tareef karwaley koi aap se khud ki."

"Arey aapki bhi tareef kar dete hain, usmey kya hain Jaan?"Hardik said with a chuckle and she giggled along.

The priest called someone for tying the sacred knots of the pair and Kadambari sent both Snehanvi and Durdhara ahead to do the ritual. They tied the knots happily and blessed the duo before retreating back to their respective places, beside their husbands.

"Aap abb bhi naraaz hain humse?"Snehanvi asked Virat.

"Nahi,"he said. "Sorry. I shouldn't have behaved harshly with you."

Not understanding what to say in reply, Snehanvi simply gave a nod.

The Pheras began, and Rishabh and Devangini walked around the sacred fire, their hands clasped together. With each circle, they prayed for a lifelong bond, mutual respect, and love. The fire crackled, symbolizing the burning of their individual egos and the birth of a new life together.

As they performed the Saptapadi, the seven steps, Rishabh and Devangini promised to walk together through life's joys and challenges. The family members erupted in cheers and applause as they completed the final step.

Meghatri sat in her room, putting on a veil in a way which made her look like a bride. She stared at a rose and said,"Ek raja ke doh patni toh hotey hi theh pehele? Hain na? Patni na sahi, priyasi hi sahi. Rishi, itni asaani se hum tumhey nahi chhorenge." She laughed and tore the petals of the rose, followed by all the roses kept in her room.

The Sindoor Daan ritual followed, where Rishabh applied vermilion to Devangini's hair parting, signifying their union. Devangini's eyes sparkled with tears of joy as she accepted her new role as Rishabh's wife.

She stared at him, thinking,"Aaj se, abhi se, aap sirf mere huye, Baujiraj. Koi bhi mujhe aap se yah aapko mujhse kabhi alag nahi kar payega. Not in this life, never."

"Hum sirf tumhare hain, Gini. Aur tum, humari,"Rishabh said, staring back at her, and smiled at her.

Meghatri chuckled, slitting her wrist and staring at the blood. She fell back on the bed, closing her eyes. "Rishi, abb tumhey aana hi parega, humare paas."

On the other hand, the wedding ceremony concluded with the Ashirwaad, where the elders blessed the newlyweds with happiness, prosperity, and a lifelong together. Rishabh and Devangini bowed to their families, seeking their blessings.

"My sons are everything to me, Devi. Rishi is a child at heart and the emotional one. He should always be your first priority,"Meenakshi said and Devangini gave a nod, and said,"Jee Mom."

"Vidaai ka muhurat honeh ko hain. I think we should get prepared for the ritual now,"Kadambari said while Devangini's family requested them to have the food.

The baraatis were taken to the dining area while the couple were seated. A huge tray of food was brought for them and kept in front.

"Perfect! I haven't eaten anything since dawn,"Rishabh said and nudged Devangini,"Kaha khoi hui ho? Arey I'll let you visit your family every week. Don't worry."

"I am not thinking about that, Baujiraj."

"Then what?"

"Where's Princess Meghatri? Didn't she come?"

"Arey...she had come. She wished me before I went up to Garud. Pata nahi kaha chali gayi? Hogi yahi kahi."

"Nahi hain. Hoti toh dikh jaati."

"Why are you so worried? Voh aayi thi, Gini. Relax."

"Vaisey yeh Garud kaun hain?"

"Humara ghora, aur kaun?"Rishabh said, making her chuckle.

"Toh Jahangir ka kya huya?"

"Voh kaala hain na, Daadi Sa ne kaha ki kaala ghoda nahi laa saktey shaadi mein. Kya karey? Hum toh Jahangir ko laatey nahi toh."

Devangini chuckled and he said,"Haso matt, humein khilao. Bhookh lagi hain humein."

"Yaha sabke saamney..."

"Kya sabke saamney? Kaunsa first night sabke saamney ho raha hain? Khilana hi toh hain,"he said, making her blush.

"Kuch bhi bolte rehe hain aap,"she said and he giggled. "Lijiye khaiye,"she added, feeding him and he fed her back.

Heerabai entered Meghatri's room after not seeing her or getting a call from her for a long time. She found the room semi dark as only candles were being lit. She found Meghatri on the bed, and then shrieked and cried to her horror on finding blood dripping from her wrist while she lay unconscious.

She called up the servants and then rang up Yudhishtir, who had gone to Sri Lanka for a business meeting. The bodyguards came in and the princess was carried out, to be taken to the hospital as soon as possible._______________________________________

The post-wedding rituals were taking place at the Amber Taj Palace as soon as the new couple had arrived, unknown to the incident that had taken place at the Jalgarh palace.

Meenakshi asked Devangini to walk into the palace and she obliged, leaving behind red footprints, which Rishabh admired, walking beside her.

They sought the blessings of the ancestral deities before coming back to the living room to conduct the remaining rituals.

Surrounded by the family members, the couple embarked on the traditional rituals one by one.

"Kya Rishi! Why are you competing so much?"Shubman asked Rishabh as he won the cowrie game, taking out the majority of the cowries from the bowl of milk, before Devangini, who frowned at him.

"Arey this is a competition right? I will win,"Rishabh said making them frown while Virat laughed and Suryavardhan said,"Haan haan jeetiye bete. Zaroor jeetiye, humare izzat ka sawaal hain."

"Jee Dad!"Rishabh said and Hardik sat beside him and said,"Wah! Wah! Wah! Apne hi patni ke saath yudh ki tarha larke games jeet raha hain?"he whispered to him,"akal hain ki nahi?"

"Kya matlab? Yeh easy games jeetne ke liye akal thodei chahiye Bhai!"Rishabh said.

"Offh ho! Tujhe lag raha hain ki tu jeet raha hain but actually mein tu haar raha hain."

"Yeh kya baat hui? Saaf saaf dikh raha hain ki hum jeet rahe hain."

"Wahi na. Rishu! Bewakoof! Look at Devi, kaisey ghoor rahi hain tujhe. Yeh games jeet ke tu yeh prove kar raha hain ki tujhe apne jeet ki parhi hain, uski khushi ki nahi,"Shubman said and Rishabh realised and looked at Devangini who passed him a glare.

"Eh hehe!"he passed her a nervous smile and dropped his entire content of cowries back into the bowl saying,"See! Actually you won. Hehe!"

Shubman and Hardik looked around hitting their own foreheads, murmuring,"Kuch nahi ho sakta iska."

"No worries Devi, we still have one last game left. That's the most important,"Durdhara said, staring at Hardik. "Someone had lost in that game against me."

Hardik passed her a smirk, saying,"Samjhe Rishi, what I was saying is that, certain loses are sweeter than wins."

"Vaisey kaunsi game bachi hain Jiji?"Snehanvi asked.

"Yes? Which game?"Akay repeated her question.

"Ring in the bowl game,"Virat answered. "One who finds the ring first will rule the other. Three chances will be given."

"Yeh game khatam karo and Dhara Bahurani and Badi Bahurani, take Devangini to her room and help her, hmm?"Kadambari said and they gave a nod.

The elders retired to their respective rooms to freshen up while the youngsters got ready for the final game.

As soon as Snehanvi got the bowl ready, the couple playfully scrambled for the ring, their hands brushing and intertwining, the atmosphere buzzed with affection. The goal wasn't just to find the ring, but to share a moment of lighthearted connection, a reminder of the playful spirit that would hopefully define their marriage.

Virat, observant and amused, watched the proceedings with a subtle chuckle, reminiscing about his own wedding day and the joys and challenges that come with marriage with Anushka. He sighed and then looked at Snehanvi who was cheering for Rishabh and clapping happily with the children, matching their energy.

Rishabh won the first round and then deliberately lost the remaining two and Devangini smiled while taking out the ring at the last round, and everyone clapped for her, including Rishabh, while Siraj said,"Naak katwa ke rakh diya re."

"What is this man?"Shreyas added.

Rishabh chuckled and whispered to Devangini,"Tumhari iss jeet ki khushi hum aaj raat ko manayenge."

Devangini looked at him getting startled, and then looked away, blushing and smiling to herself before Durdhara and Devangini held her, helping her with her heavy lehenga and took her to the room which belonged to her from the moment.

"Uss taraf attached washroom hain and beside that there's the walk-in closet, hmm? Tumhara saara saamaan wahi rakhwa diya gaya hain,"Durdhara said.

"I am nervous...suddenly,"Devangini confessed.

"Hota hain. Don't think so much. Chaliye get ready,"Durdhara said and led her to the washroom, before turning to Snehanvi. "Abb tumhey kya huya?"

"Nothing. Jiji, you and Gini are so lucky. I mean...both of your husbands love you so much. Mine doesn't even...but unki galti bhi toh nahi hain. He didn't want this marriage in the first place,"Snehanvi said.

"That doesn't mean you will stop trying to build your relationship, Anvi,"Durdhara said.

"But Jiji..."

"What Jiji? Don't tell me you don't have feelings for Dadabhai. Saaf saaf dikhta hain."

"I do have feelings for him and strong ones in fact but he doesn't have any for me."

"That's not completely true. I don't think so. Dadabhai has become soft towards you, can't you see?"

"That's because he's grateful towards me for taking care of his children."

"Then he would have been grateful to their previous caretakers too!"

"They aren't married to him."

"Exactly!"

"What?"

"They aren't married to him and you're his wife. You aren't any common caretaker and he knows that very well. Go with the flow, Anvi, don't think hold yourself back if life gives you a chance to claim what belongs to you,"Durdhara said holding Snehanvi's hand, and she gave a nod.

After Devangini came out, they helped her in getting ready quickly with the aid of the attendees, and made her sit on the bed.

"She's looking so soft and aesthetic,"Snehanvi said.

"Hmm! Abb chalo,"Durdhara said and pulled Snehanvi away and the attendees followed them up while Devangini sat alone, staring around the royal bedroom.

She got down from the bed and walked towards the huge laminated picture of Rishabh, and stared at it, followed by the other pictures on the wall, smiling at his innocent yet mischievous face.

"Yeh dene ke baad kya bolega yaad hain na?"Hardik asked Rishabh.

"Haan haan yaad hain. I am a pro romantic. Games mein I got carried away. Good Night,"Rishabh said and started leaving but Shreyas, Siraj, Hardik and Shubman held him back.

"Arey ruko ruko, yeh sab kya hain? You can't leave us like this,"Shreyas said.

"Yes! You have to sit and talk with us and then before dawn we will let you go,"Siraj added.

"Arey but..."

"Arey but? Itna excited, Prince Rishabh? Very bad!"Shubman teased.

"Aur bete? Humari shaadi wali raat humein sataya tha na? Abb le maze,"Hardik said.

"Offh! Dadabhaiiiiiii!"Rishabh shouted and after a minute or two Virat appeared, asking,"Kya huya? Rishu! Why are you still here?"

Rishabh pointed at the rest four who were looking around like innocent people.

"Harry! Not you at least. You're older than them,"Virat said.

"Arey Dadabhai, I was going to my room. These three were holding Rishi back,"Hardik said.

"Whattttt?"the other three said and Hardik immediately left wishing them good night.

"Yeh Bhai humesha dubote hain. Khud nikal liye. Eh heh! Dadabhai, hum bhi soneh hi jaa rahe theh. Rishi! What is this? Why are you still here?"Shubman scolded Rishabh and ran away from there, followed by Siraj and Shreyas who said,"We have to watch Netflix. Very important movie. Rishabh was stopping us, bye Veer Dadabhai."

Rishabh frowned and walked up to Virat who patted on his cheek and said,"Jaa."

"Dadabhai, ek baat kahu aap se?"Rishabh asked.

"Haan bol na."

"I know it's not easy for you to move on from Bhabi Maa. But...please...give a chance to Snehanvi Bhabi Sa and your life. Please Dadabhai. You both deserve it. She is very nice. You too deserve to live a bit,"Rishabh pleaded.

Virat stared at him and then cupped his cheek saying,"Humara Rishu itna bada kab hogaya haan? Jaiye, Devi is waiting for you."

Rishabh sighed and started leaving but then turned around and gave a hug to Virat before walking away.

Virat looked on and then walked away towards his room, sighing.

Devangini was staring at a young age picture of Rishabh when his reflection fell upon the glass frame of the picture and before she could turn around, he hugged her from behind.

"Kya baat hain? Humein dekha jaa raha hain!"he said.

"Voh aapke bachpan ki tasveerein dekh rahi thi. Dhyan hi nahi raha aap kab aaye."

"Accha huya. I found you lost in me,"he whispered to her, kissing the side of her face, before making her wear the necklace he had brought for her. "A small gift for our special night."

"Baujiraj yeh..."

"Shhh!"

He made her turn towards himself and removed her maangtika and earrings, saying,"Now it's perfect. Just you and your beauty."

He embraced her shoulders and brought her towards the bed while she stared at him, a slight smile plastered on her lips as they sat on the bed together.

"Hum aaj bohot khush hain, Gini. Bohot zyaada,"he said embracing her as she rested her head upon his chest.

"Main bhi. Main bhi bohot khush hoon. It feels like I have got everything in this world. Every precious thing,"Devangini said.

Rishabh made her lie down and she closed her eyes as he kissed the side of her neck while saying against her skin,"I have waited long for this. Since the day I have..."

Suddenly they heard commotion outside, Shalakha shouting in a dramatic way, while the voices of others were audible faintly.

"Kuch huya hain kya baahar?"Devangini asked as Rishabh sat up and she too followed up.

"Dekhte hain,"he said and went out of the bed chambe, crossing the living lounge, and opened the door of his room. He found Andrew passing by and asked,"Uh...Andrew, do you know what has happened?"

"Oh...sorry, I shouldn't spoil your night but...your friend Princess Meghatri is admitted in the hospital. As far as I have heard, she has committed suicide,"Andrew replied before walking away.

"What?"Rishabh murmured while Devangini stood shocked, behind him.

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