21. Departure

Raina and Dia were tightly holding hands trying to control their tears while watching those pictures and Akshit's emotional voice full of love and affection for them was not helping them.

Akshit's last lines broke the barrier. Dia's cheeks were wet by tears but Raina was just smiling.

The concert was over so the audience started going out. Raina turned to Dia and wiped her tears. She signalled at Gaurav to handle her. He nodded and took Dia with him in an empty gallery for some fresh air so that she could compose herself.

Raina sighed and turned to see some audience or mostly her officemates looking at her with judgemental eyes. She diverted her eyes from them when a hand touched her shoulders.

Adya smiled, "Are you okey??"

Raina nodded her head and started walking outside with them.

Neha asked, "Oh my god!! Akshit is your friend ....that too from childhood??"

Raina nodded her head smiling. She came out from the hall to lobby. She was expecting crowd but most of the people were drifted out by the staffs. Some of Akshit's friends, office staffs from Rathore's and some more close associates were there. Raina stood in a corner avoiding them.

Adya said, "You are going to be a hot topic in our office."

Neha chuckled, "For sure."

Soon Akshit came out from the backstage and moved towards his business associates to greet them but his eyes were wandering all over the place to catch a glimpse of his friends. He saw Raina standing across the room. He smiled and turned to come towards her but she showed him hand signalling to continue his work.

He came in front of Adhiraj and shake hands, "Hope you were comfortable here Mr. Rathore."

Adhiraj replied with a slight smile on his face, "Yess Mr. Nagar, I enjoyed my evening here and you were marvellous in your singing."

Akshit thanked him. Adhiraj turned to leave and looked towards Adya. He motioned her to come outside but she pleaded him to let her stay some time more. He sighed and sat on a sofa placed in the lobby. Adya rolled her eyes at his behavior.

"Oh my god!!! Adhiraj sir is looking so hot in those maroon shirt and pant. I have never seen him wearing anything else other than his business suit."

They heard a group of girls chatting carelessly. Adya laughed silently at their comment thinking about her brother's reaction.

Raina looked at them and followed their eyes to see her boss settled on a sofa doing something in his phone. He was indeed looking amazing in his not so casual clothing but Raina was too 'professional' to drool over him.

As in a queue, Adhiraj looked up to keep a tab on his sister but his eyes collided with a pair of almond shaped eyes looking back at him. He stared in those brown whirlpools of emotions .

He blinked his eyes once, which broke Raina's trance and she averted her eyes smoothly somewhere else feeling embarrassed.

Adhiraj also looked away after leaving a lingering gaze on her.

Dia also came and went towards Akshit who was almost done with talking. She tapped his shoulder and when he turned , she gave him a bear hug. He laughed and reciprocated the hug in the same way. Akshit also hugged Gaurav , after that he started coming towards Raina.

Raina smiled at them as they reached near her. Akshit raised her eyebrows spreading his arms a little, Raina smiled and hugged him. Her eyes were becoming moist, the song thing was too emotional for her to handle but she tried her best. Akshit caressed her back.

When after two minutes, she didn't make any move, Akshit said, "Raina..Dare you to wipe your runny nose with my shirt , you know I just got it yester-"

Raina punched him in his stomach. Akshit scrunched his face and pressed his stomach to calm that slight pain.

He huffed at her glaring eyes but then he saw Adya and Neha standing beside her.

He forward his hand towards Adya, "Hiii..Adya,Right??"

Adya linked her palm with his and smiled, "Yeahh.."

Neha said in a chirpy voice, "Sir.. You sang so well.."

Akshit chuckled, "Thanks umm... I guess you are Neha." He looked at Raina for the confirmation , she nodded her head..

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Adhiraj looked at her sister who was so happy after getting a selfie with Akshit and was talking again and again talking about the concert.

Her sentence caught his attention, "Bhai sa... The last song which he dedicated to Raina and Dia was so amazing and beautiful. It came as surprise that they are friends.."

Adhiraj looked at his food on the table . He remembered each photo displayed in the concert. The smile and laugh on her face was so natural unlike all those professional smiles she gave in the office..

Something in her was again and again attracting him. Even when she chose to be silent most of the time her doe shaped eyes speak a volume . She held determination and confidence in her eyes but at the same time vulnerability too.

He sighed and said, "Its already late Adya, you should go to bed. We have to go Jodhpur tomorrow.."

Adya nodded her head, "Bhai sa , I want to go with Neha and Raina not in your jet.. You know, after somedays everyone will know that we are Royals , so I won't be able to wander freely. Let me enjoy my simple life as much as I can."

Adhiraj patted her head and smiled.

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Raina was sitting in the waiting area with earphones plugged in her ears. Adya came and smiled at her. A person whose face was covered with a handkerchief was seating and sleeping leaning on the headrest beside Raina so Adya took a seat in the opposite side. Soon Neha too came dragging her luggage and settled on a seat.

They started chatting and Raina was listening them saying something when required.

Neha asked, "Adya ma'am. Where is your native house??"

Adya replied, "My parents are in Jodhpur itself.."

Raina looked at her surprised but didn't say something.

Suddenly the man seating beside Raina removed the handkerchief on his face and asked, "Can I ask you something??"

Adya and Neha nearly got an attack after seeing Akshit there.

Adya put her hand on her chest to calm herself and said, "Sir... You here?? And why are your eyes red??"

He sighed dramatically, "Some devil friends of mine didn't let me sleep whole night , dragging me to every food stall in midnight." He glared at Raina.

Raina shrugged her shoulder, "Not my fault...It was Dia's wish."

Akshit again asked, "You are from Jodhpur so answer my questions . I have listened that Rajputana Business Empire belongs to the Royals of Suryagarh and they literally rule over Rajasthan?? How is it possible?? I mean that we have democracy in India."

Adya made her comfortable on the seat, "Actually... When India became republic, monarchs had to leave the land on which they had control not the one which was registered on their name and Suryagarh estates were legally registered so they have control over them till now. And government can't rule on someone's private property ... This way Suryagarh rules over parts of Rajasthan politically too..."

Raina was staring at the ground, her palms were clenched in a fist. They heard announcement of boarding. Everybody started going when Akshit said to Adya, "Adya, I believe you that's why I am asking for a favor.."

Adya looked at him shocked, "Sir..please tell me.. It's nothing about favor.."

Akshit said looking at Raina who was talking to Neha, "Take care of Raina... She is not an outgoing person... Although I will be visiting Jodhpur frequently."

Adya said in determination, "Sure sir. I will be there for her..."

Some of you were asking when will Adhiraj fall in love?

So my dear friends, this is not only a romantic story. Buckle up your seat belt for a roller coaster ride. Something more is to come .

Who has read my other story so far already knows that how I love to create mystery.....