34.

As Yuvraaj stared at Siya, with inexplicable feelings brewing in his heart he couldn't help but feel as if the gods were benevolent on him. Else how could he, a man with so many sins have been fated with such an innocent soul as Siya?

The cerulean sky, the moons and stars, even the nature, yet there beauty faded as his love lowered her lashes.

How heartless were the heavens, they bestowed her to him, lowered her to his level, put him close enough to touch, yet so far away he would need to travel the world to reach her heart.

And he would travel the world on feet if needed to reach her.

"You...will stay?" The King of Jodhpur, Rana Yuvraaj Singh Chauhan, the world was at his feet, yet he seemed to need her reassurance. A shy smile bloomed on her face she put out her hand for a shake, "Truce, Rana Sa?"

Yuvraaj chuckled breathlessly. The heavens were truly ruthless to kill him with her staggering smiles.

He nodded, quietly. His eyes on her form, he watched without blinking as her smile grew a little each second.

He saw her outstretched hand, and smiled. Siya watched in confusion as Yuvraaj took her hand in his gently. He took of a ring from his pocket, putting it gently on her finger.

Siya gasped, "Rana Sa...,"

The ring itself was a heavily done ring, with a little pink dove carved using gemstone. The ring was surrounded by blue leave, sapphire stones. A black diamond shining in the dove's eyes, it looked so beautiful yet simple and classy.

"Shh..., Siya. Kuch waqt ke liye shant rahiye." Siya looked at Yuvraaj speechlessly watching as Yuvraaj inspected her hand. A satisfactory smile playing on his lips, as he stared at the ring before his eyes lifted up to meet hers.

"I had got this ring made to gift you as an engagement gift, seems fate had other plans."

Siya stared at the ring on her finger, speechlessly. A ring as an engagement gift, or was this man engaging with her right now?

"Don't worry, all the gemstones were chosen after  consulting with your birth cards. They are all the stones that would suit you."

She whispered, "Rana Sa, you got the wrong finger." Indeed Yuvraaj had put the ring on the right hand, rather than the left.

Yuvraaj laughed out, the sound seemingly carefree and amused. "Siya, I'm not marrying you right now. Engagement was postponed, this is a mere gift."

Siya felt as if her head was spinning. She didn't dare take this expensive gift.

She shook her head quickly, about to pull it off. "Rana Sa, the ring is really beautiful but---"

Yuvraaj cut her off, "Not as beautiful as you, and it can't be taken off." His voice turned stern in the end as he spoke. Siya shook her head, pulling it off and handing it to him, her face sincere but honest, "It is an amazing ring Rana Sa, but," she trailed of shaking her head.

Looking at Yuvraaj, her eyes crinkled, the corners pulling down with a small embarassed smile, she spoke, "Gifts before..., before our-" she stopped.

Yuvraaj stared at her, guessing the word quietly with a smile, "Wedding?"

A flush covered Siya's cheeks and she nodded, "our wedding is a gift that weighs too much. I wouldn't be able to handle the weight." She smiled teasingly, "I wouldn't want valuables from your highness, later what if you blame me of coveting for wealth?"

Just as Yuvraaj was about to speak, a knock at the door disturbed then both. Their attention going towards the door, and Yuvraaj glanced at Siya before permitting the person. "Come in."

Avyaan's head popped in, a small grin on his lips, "Disturbed something?"

Siya flushed, shaking her head. "N-no," she smiled nervously, "Please come in."

Avyaan laughed, "Nah, Nah bhabhi Sa. I am just here to invite you to the campfire if you aren't busy?"

He raised an eyebrow teasingly, staring at his Bhai Sa, who raised an eyebrow challenging back. "Do you think, you would have been able to blabber nonsense for so long if I were truly busy, Avyaan?"

Avyaan gulped seeing his brother, before his eyes slid towards his bhabhi Sa and mischief sparkled his eyes. "I mean ..., Sab bhabhi ki rehmat hai, nahi bhai Sa?"

Siya's face had truly turned into a tomato. So much so that Yuvraaj worried if it would become a permanent shade. Siya stammered, hearing her to be devar's teasings, "Y-you were talking about campfire?"

Avyaan's eyes slid to her and he nodded with a bright smile, "Ji, all of us decided that it would be nice to warm ourselves up, whilst spending some time by the camp fire?"

His gaze slid towards Yuvraaj and he smiled speaking, "Wouldn't know if the couple would be interested?"

Yuvraaj's eyes slid towards Siya, who seemed interested but was looking down. Yuvraaj wasn't somebody who used to take part in such things, he would usually just be in his room. Still, he quietly asked, "Who is present?"

"Just us, Siddharth Bhai, Anika bhabhi Sa and Bhabhi Sa's bestfriend?" Avyaan replied, Siya quickly looked at him with surprised eyes, "Zoya agreed?" Avyaan smirked, "Who would be able to say no to my charms?"

Siya looked towards Yuvraaj, as if to know his answer. As if her gaze hadn't already decided it.

Yuvraaj nodded, "We'll come."

An evening in exchange of some time spent with her and a beautiful smile, seemed like a good deal to Yuvraaj.

Soon they were all on their way to the campfire.

-Siya-

I felt nervous as I finally settled down on the wooden seat around the campfire. Rana Sa sitting infront of me, with Avyaan to his left and Siddharth to his right. Zoya sat opposite Avyaan, beside me, whilst Anika sat beside me facing her husband Siddharth.

While I had met Avyaan, and conversed with him fairly, Siddharth was Rana Sa's brother that I had never talked with before. He had always been quiet, and respectful. Too formal, I didn't know how to react infront of him.

Yet when he saw Rana Sa, a mischievous smile lit his lips. He looked at Anika winking, "Look wifey who is here, is it that Bhabhi Sa didn't give him attention?"

My cheeks turned red, and I heard Zoya giggle beside me.

Rana Sa's eyes narrowed at him, as he retorted, "You are too free to see about our matters? Is it that Anika forgave you about that cancelled date?"

Siddharth paled, looking at his wife who's expression darkened at the reminder. Anika spoke, "Bhai Sa, don't worry. Ami tar kache ekhono rag achhe."

I'm still angry with him.

Sidharth whined, "But didn't you already ignore me for that, Anu? Come in baby, don't be mad." A giggle left my lips, and Siddharth stared at me.

His expression turning puppy eyed as he spoke, "Come on bhabhi Sa, tell her to talk to me, please!"

It really amused me how even after being older than me, both him and Avyaan gave me the illusion of me being older. I giggled, "How can I pursue her for you? Isn't that something you should do yourself?"

-----------------------------------------

He pouted. "Kya Anu, ab aap fir humse baat nahi karengi?" Anika shook her head, "Nahi karungi, you haven't even asked for forgiveness properly!"

"Kya ab aapke liye chaand taare tod laye, tab aap maaf karengi?"

Zoya giggled, "Ji chaand taare toh nahi, par shaayari toh de sakte hai na aap apni begum ko?" Her eyes teasingly speaking, "Anika, ab toh itna haq toh aapka bhi Banta hai rusne ka."

Anika blushed, "Arey, what do you know Zoya." She spoke, her eyes glittering with excitement as she spoke. "This man would always sweet talk to me before our wedding, his shayaris would never end then."

Giggling Siya spoke, "Toh Aaj toh aapko sunana hi padega, Sidharth."

Siddharth grinned, "Pighal jayengi aapki nanad, bhabhi." Anika gasped, glaring at him. "nahi pighlenge, Sid."

"Toh aaiye na meri jaan,

Hai toh hum bhi insaan.

Itna keher na dhaye,

Maafi na mangsake yeh aashiq aapka haaye." He winked, laughing making Anika blush.

Everybody burst into laughter, and Zoya exclaimed, "Yah Allah yeh shayari thi ki shikayat?" Avyaan laughed. "Bhai Sa, raat ko kamre Mai bhabhi keher nahi pralay dha dengi itne pyaar se manayenge toh!"

Siya giggled, which instantly caught Yuvraaj's eyes.

Zoya cleared her throat, grinning.

"Arz Kiya hai,"

Avyaan whistled, "Farmaye, Mauhatarma!"

Zoya giggled,

"Arz Kiya hai,

kehene ko toh Shehzaade ke bade ruab hai."

"Waah waah, waah waah!" Sidharth and Avyaan encouraged, making Siya giggle.

"Kehene ko toh,Shehzaade ke bade ruab hai,

Par kamre mai jaake dekho,

Asal Mai toh begum nawaab hai." She burst out laughing, making everybody follow her lead.

"And the worst shayari's award goes to Zoya!" Siya laughed out, handing a water bottle. Taking which Zoya, bowed infront of everybody.

It was then when Avyaan spoke, standing up as he plucked a rose from the bush nearby.

"Adaien dekho, Mauhatarma ke hazar hai,

Haaye Ishq Mai ghayal yeh, yeh shehzada aapka shikar hai."

He winked towards Zoya, handing her the rose making her blush.

A squeal left Siya and Anika's lips, "eeeeh!"

Even though the shayari wasn't for her, butterflies fluttered in her stomach. "I didn't know Avyaan could make shayaris?" Avyaan chuckled towards Siya. He glanced towards Yuvraaj teasingly, "If Bhabhi Sa didn't know, Bhai sa can also write amazing Shayaris."

"Right, Bhai Sa it's your turn now!" Sidharth applauded making everybody cheer.

Yuvraaj looked ahead, seeing Siya looking at him as she shrunk in her seat, burying her face in her hand as she looked at him with a smile. "Aap bhi sunna chahengi?"

Siya looked down, shyly as she nodded. "Ji"

"Lo bhai Sa ab toh official order bhi aagaya, ab toh suna dijiye." Avyaan teased.  Yuvraaj smiled, his eyes on her.

"muskurahat thi humari, par woh ehsaas thi,

Lafz the hamare, magar woh zabaan thi."

"Ohooo, bhabhiii." Siya blushed, looking down which made Yuvraaj smile.

"Nigaahon Mai hai unke haazaron khwab,

Ek baar hamare Dil Mai jhakiye, dikhenge sirf aapke alfaaz."

Cheers filled the whole place, as Zoya squealed, "Ohhooo, somebody's in a romantic mooddddd." Other burst into laughter whist Siya jabbed Zoya with her elbow, whisper yelling, "Zoya!"

Zoya giggled, booping her nose, "Siya shaadi hone waali hai, abhi huyi nahi hai. Itna defensive~" she teased Siya making blood rush to her face and she quickly ducked her face in her hand, not being able to face the humiliation.

Anika looked at Siya, now suddenly interested. "Siya, do you also write shayaris? I mean it would be a nice round if..."

Suddenly Zoya started cackling like a hyena, making Avyaan who was sitting opposite her flinch. " Yeh konsi chudail aagayi Mauhatarma Mai?"

Zoya ignored him, looking towards Anika as she spoke, "No. She can't write shayaris. But she can write raps, and even disses sometimes."

Now this, was something that caught everybody's eyes. Avyaan leaned forward, "Bhabhi Sa can rap?"

Siya embarrassedly, shook her head. "I can't, Zoya is making stuff up."

Zoya gasped, hitting her shoulder, "Shut up, you totally can!" Siya exclaimed, "It was one time, Zo!"

"And it was LIT!" Zoya yelled, giggling.

By now everybody was looking towards her, invested in the conversation. "What one time?" Avyaan leaned into Zoya, making her push him back.

Avyaan huffed but still looked forward with glittering eyes, "Come on, Bhabhi Sa tell us na!"

It was finally Zoya who spoke, giggling. "Once a classmate challenged Siya during a game. He rapped, mostly in a playful but flirty way." It was as if she was trying to control her laughter whist Siya looked ready to dive to underworld.

"It wasn't flirting!" Siya yelped, looking in her to be husband's direction who had suddenly started looking interested after Zoya said a word which started with a F and ended with G.

"Right, totally believe it. Anyways, Siya was so nice, she even returned his words." Giggling, Zoya spoke, "The boy at last didn't show upto school for a week after Siya took him down. Her words burn."

Yuvraaj seemed suddenly extremely dissatisfied. Yahan hum nazron ko tarse,

Aur dusro par woh apne gaano se barse?

(Author's note: aaiye aaiye, aap bhi bheeg lijiye *sweet saccharine smile*)

"As such, I would like to listen some words, as well." Yuvraaj spoke with narrowed eyes, Siya chuckled nervously. "N-no, I don't, really..--"

"Come on Bhabhi Sa, it's just one rap!"

"Yes, yes, Bhabhi, I haven't gotten a chance! Pleaseeeeeeee?" Seemed as if both her devar's had turned into puppies as they forced her. She looked at Zoya annoyed suddenly, why would she say that?

Yuvraaj, who seemed annoyed by the fact that she sung for somebody, again pressed, "Come on, Siya."

Siya on the other hand narrowed her eyes at the Rana Sa, who smirked at her in a challenging way. "Aur is it .., ki aap dar gayi?"

Siya's eyes flared, "Is it a challenge Rana Sa?" Suddenly, Zoya beside her sat up straight. Looking at her nervously, "Si...Siyu, he is just...joking?"

It seemed as if Zoya seemed to be warning them but how would the Chauhans be the Chauhans if they listened so easily? Yuvraaj smiled, "Jaise aap samjhe, humne toh aapke ek shabd par shayari sunayi thi."

Siya looked at him, annoyed before suddenly mischief sparkled in her eyes. A small arrogant smirk crossing her face as she warned, "But I hope Rana Sa wouldn't get offended."

Everybody cheered and a small soft smile appeared on Yuvraaj's face, he nodded.

Siya took a huge breath, staring at him. Annoyance that she had kept away the whole evening bursting forward. It was definitely true that this man had the absolute talent in getting on her nerves. She would show him.