👑Fifty~

A few days had passed since the attack and it seemed like a weight had been lifted off the palace. Andrew stood leaning against one of its colossal pillars, lost in the labyrinth of his own thoughts. The grandeur around him did little to dispel the shadows lurking in his mind, shadows born of a past he couldn’t seem to escape. Then, a hand rested on his shoulder and he turned around.

"Why didn't you sleep yet?"Virat's voice was low, a gentle rumble that cut through the stillness of the night.

Andrew shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Not yet sleepy."

"Then why are you standing here alone, Bro? You could have come to the study room."

"I was just thinking."

A beat of silence hung between them, thick with unspoken history.

"Thinking? About what?" Virat finally asked, his gaze fixed on the intricate details of the pillar.

Andrew sighed, the sound barely audible against the night's quiet hum. "About what went wrong in life."

Virat's eyes met his, a knowing look in their depths. "Your childhood."

"Hmm! There's something extremely wrong with that," Andrew admitted, his voice tinged with a melancholic acceptance. He pushed the thought away, offering a small, genuine smile. "Anyways, it's good to see you living again. Snehanvi is a good girl."

A chuckle escaped Virat's lips. "Crazy too at times."

Andrew's smile widened. "Craziness makes you live a little more, Veer. It's good." The words carried a weight, a suggestion that Andrew himself could benefit from a dose of the same.

Just then, their contemplative silence was shattered by the boisterous arrival of their younger brothers. Rishabh and Shubman were struggling to maneuver a wheelchair, and in it sat Hardik, looking less than amused.

"Oh God! How heavy is this man!" Shubman groaned.

"He looks lean but he is very mean," Rishabh added, earning a light slap from Hardik. The sound echoed in the night air, a playful contrast to the somber mood that had permeated the scene just moments before.

The arrival of the rambunctious trio injected a much-needed dose of levity into the night, as Rishabh yelled,"Who'll tell you got shot a few days back?"

"People who have seen the incident, will definitely tell that,"Hardik replied. "How idiot are you two, can't you see the wheels attached to this chair are locked? Why are you trying to pull it without pushing the locks down?"

"Oh right!"Shubman said and pulled the locks down and the chair moved easily this time.

"Why didn't you tell us before, Bhai?"he asked and Hardik smirked, replying,"So that I can enjoy the plight you two were having."

"What nonsense! As I said, he's mean,"Rishabh said.

Hardik gave him a kick and he tumbled forward, Andrew and Virat holding him at once.

"Harry!"both of them said and Hardik asked,"What? Inject some common sense in him first."

"I am more intelligent than you. Huh! I could have solved all the mystery on my own, but nobody told me anything,"Rishabh said.

"Rishi has been thinking that this was some kind of treasure hunt. Find clues and get the treasure,"Shubman teased.

"When will you grow up Rishu?"Hardik asked.

"Never!"Rishabh boasted.

"Haan haan! Iskey toh khelne kudne ki umar hain abb,"Virat added.

"That makes Maan an infant. Are you mad, Veer?"Andrew asked making him frown.

"No! I am sensible."

"Oh really? I think you don't remember how you used to fight with me over simple things."

"Really?"the trio asked and looked at Virat, who was frowning harder.

"That's a lie, Bro,"he said.

"Oh really? Who let that white mare out because I had got it?"

"As if you didn't hide my favourite toy because you had liked it!"

"Mare and toy aren't equivalent."

"Oh of course it is. Both are dear."

"What do you mean both are dear? This is how you'll be a king? Considering a toy and a mare equal?"

"Why will I..... Aye, wait a second! Why will someone come with such a complain?"

"Someone might. Who knows."

"Guess what? You have gone mad staying in France."

"And you have become old staying here."

"I am old? Is that a joke? Look at you? You're older and still unmarried."

"So what? My life my rules."

"Ah...that's my dialogue,"Hardik said.

"Do not interrupt, Harry,"both of them scolded him and continued arguing.

"Ek baat bataiye Bhai, Dadabhai ko pehele kabhi aisey dekha hain kya aap ne?"Shubman asked, kneeling beside Hardik.

"Haan! Humare shaant Dadabhai kaisey ladaku insaan nikley!"Rishabh said, kneeling on the other side.

"Pehele voh humsey bade theh na? Abb unko unkey Dadabhai wapas mil gaye hain, toh maze le rahe hain chhotey bhai honeh ka,"Hardik said with a chuckle.

"Bhai! Abb aapke upar ek aur bade bhai hain. Maza aayega,"Shubman said.

"We have got another person to complain about you,"Rishabh added and both of them did a high five.

Hardik passed them a mischievous smile and said,"Mere bholey bhaley bacche. Guess what?"

"What?"both of them asked.

"Humsey bade ek aur bhai zaroor aaye hain, par tum dono toh phirbi chhotey hi rahoge na? You both are still junior to me. Aur hum maar maarke behosh kar denge tum dono ko, as usual,"he said and both of them shifted away from him, frowning.

"I have decided! There will be a wedding,"Andrew said suddenly.

"Hein? You'll get married, Bro?"Rishabh asked.

"No! Veer will,"he said and Virat said,"Kya? You have really lost it, Bro."

"Aur kitna shaadi karenge yeh?"Hardik asked.

"Haan! Raja hain toh polygamy karte rahenge kya?"Shubman asked.

"Areyein bewakoofon!"Andrew said in his British accent. "He will marry Snehanvi again, with a proper celebration this time."

"Yes! Perfect! Perfect idea,"Rishabh said.

"No! Not again. Arey yeh kya..."Virat couldn't even protest as the younger ones caught him, and Hardik kept shouting,"Wedding! Wedding! We want wedding,"and Andrew joined him too before Virat shouted,"Okay fine! Karenge. Chup ho jaiye chaaron."

As the brothers rejoiced and hugged each other, a shadow moved away from a far corner, after watching them for a while._______________________________________

Snehanvi looked at the wedding preparations which started the very next day. The security had been heightened, the wedding function would be held indoors and guests would be seated in the backyard lawn, enclosed from the sides.

She remembered the day when she had married Virat the first time. She was standing and watching the decorations in a similar way, the only difference was this time she was happy and so was he.

Virat came behind her and cleared his throat and she turned back with a frown.

"Aapke bhai na pagal hain. Aur saath mein aap bhi, Maharaj, unhoney kaha aur aap maan bhi gaye! Aur unlogon ne taiyaariyan bhi shuru kardi agley hi din se,"she said, taking his coat from him.

Virat relaxed on the couch while opening his watch, and saying,"Arey toh honeh doh shaadi dobara. Accha hi toh hain. After whatever had happened on the coronation day, a celebration was needed to lighten up everyone's mood."

"Hmm,"she said and sat beside him. Resting her head upon his shoulder she held his arm. "Hum toh dar hi gaye theh. Bhai nahi hotey toh kya hota! Sochkar hi dil ghabra jaata hain. Kuch pata chala attacker ka?"

"Filhaal toh nahi. Something like this had never happened before, Sneha. Yes, there had been deaths and accidents, but...nothing like this. This was an open attack. Someone who had done that surely hates me."

"Do you have any such enemy?"

"None I can remember who will go to such extent. But then, a king's life is full of enemies even if he doesn't makes any by himself. Big Bro was telling the same, this morning."

"Dadabhai!"Rishabh's voice startled them. He came in seeing the door open and said,"You won't be staying with Bhabi Sa now."

"What?"Virat asked with a frown.

"Yes! First you'll get married tomorrow, then. And Bhabi Sa. Go and get ready for mehendi,"he said.

"You're ordering the king and queen, you know that?"Virat asked.

"King and Queen jaaye tel lene. I am talking to my elder brother and sister-in-law."

"What language is this!"Virat exclaimed while Snehanvi laughed and obliged at once.

"Jo hukum, pyaare devarji. I am leaving,"she said and left, holding Rishabh's arm and he waved at Virat and winked before taking her away.

Virat chuckled and said,"Alag hi bachpana chalta reheta hain inn logon ka."

"Cute!"Shubman chuckled while clicking Chandrika's picture.

"Mandir se direct yaha agaye aap?"he added while she walked with him, locking her arm with his.

"Haan! Mom and Dad andar baithe hain tumhare Dad ke saath."

"What?"he asked, his eyes widening in shock.

"Haan! They are talking about our engagement."

"Moon! They're talking about our engagement and you're telling this to me now? That too in such a casual tone?"he freaked out.

Chandrika shrugged and said,"Yah! Why? Aren't you happy with the news?"

"Moon that's....that's awesome,"he said excitedly, picking her up and giving her a twirl. "But...chalo..chalo abhi andar chalo,"he added and pulled her along as they ran inside the palace.

As soon as they came inside, he got shocked to find Manyata sitting on an armchair in the room where the discussion was going on.

"I swear Maan, I had no idea about your Manyata Maa being here,"Chandrika said.

"But why did Maa agree to come?"he murmured before walking in.

"Maan and Chandri, aaiye,"Chirag said.

Shubman took his and Ambika's blessings before turning to Manyata and Suryavardhan said,"Before you can place your question, I must say that...I have called your mother here."

"You?"Shubman asked looking at him.

Suryavardhan nodded and said,"It's about your future, and since you're with her now, she deserves to be a part of this discussion. Even Rani Meenakshi suggested the same."

"Should I be thankful?"Shubman asked.

"Maan!"Manyata called him. "Don't talk like that."

He gave a nod and went and sat beside Meenakshi as Ambika was sitting in the armchair beside Manyata.

Chandrika sat beside Chirag while he said,"Toh yahi tey raha. Inka engagement karwa denge and then eventually when they'll be ready, the wedding will take place."

"Hmm! That will be good. Maan, when do you intend to get married, beta? Chandrika, you too let us know."

"I am fine with whatever Maan says,"Chandrika replied, looking at Shubman and everyone turned towards him.

"By the end of this year,"he said, looking at her with a smile.

"Okayyyy,"Meenakshi said with a chuckle and asked her attendee to bring the special sweets which she had ordered for this occasion.

"Congratulations Suryavardhan. Our children have brought our rivalry to an end,"Chirag said.

"Congratulations to you too. I am glad to get Chandrika as a member of our family, to be honest. She's a sweet person, unlike you,"Suryavardhan said, making him frown.

Everyone congratulated each other while Shubman went up to Manyata and asked,"Maa aap kiyu..."

"Tumhare liye bete. I can do anything for your happiness,"Manyata replied, understanding him and he gave her a hug before giving one to Meenakshi and taking her blessings.

"Humesha kush rahiye bete,"she blessed him and then added,"apne Daajiraj ko maaf kardijiyega."

"Aap log kaisey kar lete ho, Mom? Aap, Maa, how?"he asked and she chuckled and replied,"I don't know about your Maa, but I am a queen too apart from being a mother, and a queen mother has to take these kind of decisions for the betterment of her family. Jaiye, ashirwaad lijiye unsey."

Shubman nodded and went towards Suryavardhan who held him, stopping him from touching his feet, and gave him a hug. "I am glad to see you back, Maan. You complete the family. Amber Taj is incomplete without you, bete."

In the meantime, as the news spread across the palace, dhols and royal music were being played already, sweets getting distributed, a layer of happiness covering the Amber Taj again.

"Mutton Vindaloo?"Meghatri asked Devangini who was pouring a dish she had prepared, into a serving bowl.

"Hmm! Maan and Rishi's common favourite,"she replied.

"Devi, I wanted to say something."

"Hmm."

"I know you are angry with me."

"Isn't it obvious?"

"I know it is. And I am sorry,"Meghatri said and Devangini looked at her in surprise.

"I am sorry for everything. All the misbehaviour and all the troubles I have caused you...I shouldn't have done those."

"What?"Devangini asked, unable to believe her ears.

"I know you're having a problem in believing me, and that's natural. After everything I have done, it's quite obvious that you'll have trouble in it."

"What's the reason behind this sudden change of heart? Or is this another act?"Devangini asked, crossing her arms.

"It isn't. I knew you'll think like that. But trust me, I am not up to anything bad this time. I genuinely want your and Rishi's happiness. Especially Rishi's. Devi, I have loved him a lot, and letting go of the person you love is very difficult. That difficulty made me do whatever I did. I was possesive towards him. I didn't want to face the reality that he isn't mine. He was never, not as a lover at least. And, now, I don't want to lose him as a friend too. That's why, I just wanted to mend things between us. I'll be leaving soon, don't worry. I won't cause any further trouble in your married life,"Meghatri said and turned to leave when Devangini held her hand, stopping her.

"Megh Kanwar, you're Rishi's childhood friend. I'll never want you to leave all of a sudden, as that will make him feel bad. I don't want my Baujiraj to feel bad. Just don't leave too early."

Meghatri smiled slightly and said,"You really love him selflessly, unlike me. I wish you all the happiness in life, with him alongside."

"Thank you,"Devangini said and gave her a hug.

Meghatri hugged her back, wiping her tears and then passed her a smile before walking out of the royal kitchen.

"Feeling lighter?"Andrew's question startled her and she said,"You scared me."

They walked ahead together and she added,"Hmm! Feeling better than before."

"Good! Sometimes holding on to things hurts us more than letting it go,"Andrew said before walking ahead.

"Are you happy now?"she asked from behind and he turned around and shrugged, saying,"I am content. I'll be happy too, very soon. Just need a bit of time to adjust here. All these years, I had grown with a grudge, nurturing a wrong notion regarding Kaka Sa. Now that I know that I was wrong, it feels bad to have done certain things that I shouldn't have. I hope I'll move ahead happily with my family, finally."

"I am sure you will do that. You're a good human being, Aryaveer."

"Thank you, Princess. I hope you had the sweet. My youngest brother is getting engaged."

"Shubman? With whom? Chandrika?"

Andrew nodded and she said,"That's a really good news. Unfortunately I didn't have the sweet yet."

"Then let's go together. I was going to taste the special sweet which Kaki Sa had ordered,"Andrew said and she gave a nod and walked with him.

"These two looks good together, don't they?"Snehanvi asked Rishabh as they were coming downstairs.

"Hmm! I was thinking the same,"he replied with a chuckle. "I think I should give a suggestion to Yudhishthir Uncle."

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