63.Palla Dastoor.

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"Check and mate.",Raina smiled like a cat at her victory.

She was playing chess with Mr. Nagar just like their old days in Mumbai.

"Ahh..!!!",Mr. Nagar groaned, listening it Raina laughed.

Mrs. Nagar came and glared at her husband, "You are playing chess here and there I have so much work. Come with me."

Mr. Nagar made a face and got up from his seat.

Mrs. Nagar saw Raina and her eyes turned soft. She caressed her head lovingly, "You take rest, my child.",

Mr. Nagar gaped at her which was obviously ignored.

"Bye bye Dadu.", Raina giggled at him earning a glare in return.

Raina got up and walked in the corridor basking in the serene environment of evening.

She felt hair strands sticking on her lips, brushing her lips with her fingers she felt the strong smell of heena.

Looking down at her hands, she saw dark coloured pattern adorning her hands till elbow.

She remembered the incident of Dia's mehndi ceremony. When she hurriedly washed her hand but colour of heena was prominent. At that time when those aunties teased her that her husband will love her hard, she shook it off thinking that as a mere superstition or a dream.

But, she was living those dreams.

A day after tomorrow, she will be someone's wife. A bubbling feeling erupted in the pit of her tummy leaving her restless.

She stopped near the railing and gazed down in the Hall where Narendra and Uttam were looking after arrangements.

Uttam saw her looking at them , he weaved at her. She smiled at him.

After few seconds, Narendra's eye caught her. He raised her eyebrows and asked her silent if she was okay.

Raina nodded her head and blinked in assurance.

At the function of Bindori, she talked to Narendra and she was surprised by the warmth his voice and his eyes held for her.

Their talk was short but it was more than enough for Narendra who was craving for that since he came to know that she was back.

As their were no specific function for Mehndi in Rajputi culture, they decided to do it in Ghoomar and it was a perfect Sangeet program. Where everyone was enjoying the folk dance and songs. And all ladies were dancing with heena adorned their hands.

When she was alone in her room in a t-shirt and half pant with heena covering her hands till elbow and legs till calf, Avnisha and Shirisha went there with a laptop. And to her surprise, Uttam had arranged a video call with her Nana sa and Mami back to Shimla.

At first it was awkward for Raina because her old aged Nana sa started crying after seeing her grand daughter.

And her Mami sa didn't get much time to talk to her as her Nana sa was busy in telling her the stories of her deceased mother. Raina laughed with moist eyes when she got to know that how much Naina was against her arranged marriage with Raghav that she even tried to rupture the alliance when Raghav's parents came to meet her for first time .

What she did?

She hide beneath her bed and refused to come outside untill Narendra lured his sweet sister out.

Raina smiled remembering how couple of hours passed with Nagendra Singh Kumawat on video call.

All these things made her realise that she was not the only one who was broken after that incident. Many people were badly affected by it.

Three families were drowned with sorrow and guilt. Rathores, Chauhans and Kumawats.

Of course, she was only one in Chauhan family, rest who were living were the culprits.

🔅🔅🔅

Palla Dastoor.

Adhvan along with all of his male cousins entered inside the bride's side of fort. Men were dressed in Jodhpuri suits along with colourful Safa on their head.

He was sweetly welcomed by Mrs. Nagar.

A big and beautiful carpet was sprawled on the floor. Slowly slowly, some staff members carried gifts and started placing them as instructed by Adhvan.

After a while, everything was arranged perfectly. Jewellery boxes, bridal attire, ancestral gold, beautifully embroided cloths, a box full of bangles, cases full of sweets and fruits, and many more things.

These gifts were meant for the bride and everything was kept there excluding one thing.

"Dadi.Can we meet Raina? Maa sa has given us something which should be directly handed to her.",Adhvan went to Mrs. Nagar and asked.

"Sure. Why not?",Mrs. Nagar smiled and looked at Kumawat girls.

"I will call her.",Avnisha said getting her silent meaning.

After few minutes, they saw Raina descending the stairs. She was again wearing a traditional dress but it was neither too simple nor too heavy.

She came near Adhvan and smiled.

Adhvan smiled back and greeted her traditionally, "Pranam Bhabhi sa."

His eyes glinting with mischief.

Raina felt very weird after hearing that. With a flustered face she greeted back, "Pranam Kunwar sa."

Adhvan let out a chuckle while Rohan's laughter bubbled.

"Please take a seat and make yourself comfortable.", he motioned to sofa placed in front.

Raina obliged. Rohan handed him a box. Adhvan took it and took a step forward.

"Do you have to give it to her?",Mrs. Nagar asked on which Adhvan nodded.

"Wait.", she said.

She took the Dupatta from Raina shoulder and placed it on her head properly and spread the other end on her lap and put tilak on her forehead.

"Now do it. Place it on her lap.", she instructed.

Adhvan smiled and took out her dagger from the wooden box. Same dagger which was with her all those years, safe and sound.

"Maa sa told me to personally give you this dagger. Logically, I am just returning your possession.",he smiled and put the dagger on her lap.

"Thank you.", she whispered with her eyes twinkling with happiness. She touched the dagger, her fingers tracing the sparkling stones embedded on it.

Adhvan took a stool and sat in front of her, making her look at him.

"You know, I am youngest so getting Neg from you is my right. Bhabhi sa.", he said emphasising the word 'Bhabhi sa'.

Neg is particularly a gift or cash given to young members of family by elder ones at various marriage function. Younger ones have to bargain a lot and it's a funny and sweet banter, to be honest.

Instead of blushing at his mischief, she nodded confidently, "Jii Kunwar sa. I know that. You tell me, what do you want from me?"

Even she was eager to know what was going through the mind of Prince.

"I will ask when perfect time will come. You give me your words,that will be enough for this poor soul.", he said placing his palm on his heart dramatically.

Raina looked at him amused, "Okey. I will give you whatever you want. Only if that thing will be mine, only and only mine."

She answered cautiously, keeping Adhiraj out of this.

"Of course.",Adhvan happily nodded.

"Now, enjoy your day because we will come to take you soon.",Adhvan stood up and teased her.

Raina could only nod at that.

🔅🔅🔅

Rush.

Rush was the only thing which could define the atmosphere of fort properly.

But between all the rush one heart was beating peacefully. Adhiraj was done with every ritual of morning.

And at that time he was enjoying his afternoon tea leaning back on his super comfortable chair and his legs settled on the coffee table.

A content feeling was swirling in his heart.

As much as silly he sounds but he was enjoying people running from here to there and his parents freaking over the arrangements.

Why?

Because there was a time when his parents were so sure that his younger brother was a perfect match for his wife. Only he knew the panic that rose in his insides that day. He was on the verge of destroying whole Suryagarh palace.

That day he was fretting, now they are doing it.

It's even now.

A small smirk settled on his lips.

Again, as silly as it sounded, he didn't care.

His peace was soon broken by a knock on the door. He put the cup back and retreated his legs back on the floor as he said, "Come in."

Rohan entered and said, "Dulhe Raja, everyone is calling you for Mangal Snaan."

"I will be there.",Adhiraj got up and looked for his footwear.

Rohan leaned back on the wall with his arms crossed at his chest.

He decided to tease him,"Few months back,you were the one to deny your feelings and look at you now, getting married to your lady love."

Adhiraj rolled his eyes, "You know,you are sounding very cheesy."

"Can't help it Yuvraj sa, this situation is cheesy.",Rohan smirked.

Adhiraj shook his head and went out of the room, pulling his friend along, "Let's go."

"So eager to get hitched?",Rohan mused.

Mangal Snaan means holy bath. It happens just before groom and bride get ready for their marriage.

After Mangal Snaan, Adhiraj went to his room to get ready where few staff helped him in wearing his Sherwani. He was buttoning up when Rana sa came there.

Adhiraj was going to stand up after seeing him but he placed a hand on his shoulder pushing him back.

"Leave.", he said to all the staff.

Looking around, he took the long cloth of Pagdi and started wrapping it around his head skillfully.

"Yuvraj sa, you are going to start a new phase of life. You will have responsibilities on your shoulder.

I want you to stand by her side always. I don't want to listen 'Spark is gone' thing in future ever . I know she is not easiest to deal with but I want you to make her loosen up towards life.", he said in a stern voice, tucking in the last end of pagdi.

Bending a little, he matched his son's eye level.

His tone was a much softer now, "I know you love her, but love is not just a feeling,it's a commitment meant for every day. Its going to be difficult for her, for you. Be the mature one in the relationship, give her that sense of security and affection she lost as a child."

"And most important thing, dare you to hurt my daughter. I won't hesitate before shooting you.", standing up he said last part in a threatening tone.

Adhiraj controlled his chuckle. Normal father is expected to console and encourage his son on the marriage day but here was his father, threatening him to kill him.

"All the best my child.",he patted his shoulder.

Adhiraj stood up and hugged his father tightly.

"I will always try to prove my worth as a husband.", he muttered, bringing a smile on his father's face.

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