Chapter 1: Labyrinth of Conspiracies

Dhruv was sitting under a banyan tree, tensed, how will he take Tara now?! She has clearly lost her memory. As he was investigating the matter he came to know that Jagtap is a majoy ally of Kapali, the enemy of Devgarh. The fact made Dhruv more tensed. Further more investigation revealed the money lusty nature of Jagtap. Dhruv tried to lure Jagtap with money to take Bijli away.

After some days Dhruv came to Devgarh with Bijli. The hubbly bubbly nature of Bijli bothered Bhabosa much and Pratap too wasn't ready to accept her. But Saurya smiled seeing her and ran to her. He tried to speak but couldn't. Bijli agreed to stay there for Saurya's treatment but back to back mischiefs of Bijli made matters more tensed.

As things were going on like this Dhruv insisted to Pratap that Bijli is only Tara. Pratap denied the fact and called Dhruv a stupid fool. Dhruv, unbothered by those words, continued his treatment on Bijli.

On the other hand Bijli is not fine in the Rajmahal. She found her comfort around Dhruv, though they quarreled most often... but still.

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It was a fine day. Bijli wanted to take a day leave and help her father Jagtap to earn some money as he already have eaten all that Dhruv gave him. Dhruv went with Bijli in the neighbouring village. Saurya on the other hand wanted to go with Bijli but Pratap didn't let him to which made the kid sad. To make him happy Pratap decided to take up a disguise and visit the neighbouring village.

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As Pratap reached the neighbouring village he saw the "jalsa" in which Bijli was performing and entered the jalsa.

The dance of famous dancer Bijli was to start. Pratap was shocked to see Dhruv, in traditional attitre, was one of the performer. The song started plying with some unique music.
"Woh yaar hai jo khusbu ki tarah
Jiski juban urdu ki tarah
Meri shamo raat meri kaynaat
Woh yaar mera sayiya sayiya
Chal chayiya chahiya chayiya chayiya
Chal chayiya chayiya chayiya chayiya"

Dhruv and Bijli danced on it in a rather seductive romantic way which made Pratap jelous. From touching Bijli in her waist to doing steps with her. Saurya was happy and he too danced on the tune. No wonder he's the son of these two pagals. Everyone else was enjoying the performance.
"R a Birju yeh launda kaun hai Bijli ke sath? Bijli to kisiko chune na deti use...." Pratap heard voices in the crowd
"Yeh jarur Bijli ka Bijla hoga... ashiq... jo bhi bolo laundi karak to hai..."
"Ha aur launda bhi khub karak hai...."
"Aur keya gana hai wah... maza ay geya..."

Saurya wanted to run towards his mother but Pratap took him up and left. His heart was burning. Bijli was also matching steps with Dhruv, she's too in his love?!
---

Back at Rajmahal,
"Bhabosa.... hum Bijli se vivah karna chahate hai.... Saurya ke khatir...." said Pratap.
"Yeh aap keya bol rahe ho Pratap banna... vivah?! Woh bhi ek nachne wali se?!"
"Ha Bhabosa..."
"Yeh prastab humain sikar koni banna..."
"Parantu Bhabosa.... Saurya banna ke khatir....."
"Nehi...."

Menwhile Dhruv and Bijli was having a good time together.
"Accha Bijli.... tum to kisiko... apne as pas ane ka... anumati nehi deti... to mere sath nach kaise liya aj tumne??"
"Pata nehi... thareko accha laga.... thare chuya mai koi jadu sa hai Dhruv Babu...."
"Accha...." Dhruv gave a shy smile, "Humain dekh tumhe kuch yaad nehi ata..." Dhruv went and sat more close to Bijli.
"Lo.... mardo ka swabhab... bhao do to gale hi par jate hai.... bhaap... haato..."
Dhruv slowly went aside.
Pratap saw them from the window. His heart started to burn.
---

At night, Bijli was caressing Saurya to sleep. Bhabosa came to see if Bijli is doing any mess and was shocked. Bijli was singing the same song Antara used to sing. Bhabosa quickly went to Pratap and showed him how Bijli is singing. Pratap put a smirk on his face.

Next day morning, Pratap and Bhabosa were entering the temple for everyday Puja. Bijli pretended not to be a Kanha ji fan but Dhruv insisted on offering puja once. Bijli agreed to Dhruv. Bhabosa put a sharp eye on her, yeah?! Her way of offering puja is like Antara only. Bhabosa looked at Pratap, Pratap gave a side eye at Dhruv, who was smiling.
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One day, while Bijli was jumping around as usual, Pratap came infront of her.
"Bijli ji......"
"Ji... ji Hukum...."
"Humne dekha humare Saurya banna apke sath kitne shanti se rehte... to hum apke pas ek prastab leke aye hai...."
"Prastab?! Kaisa prastab..."
"Vivah ka... keya aap humare sath vivah karenege??"
"Aiah... Kaha raja bhoj... kaha gangu teri.... apka mastisk to thick hai na Raja babu...."
"Ha abassya thick hai... humara mastisk... aap byas ha bol de..."
"Nah nah... humara koi sokh na hai Rani banke sone ke pichre mai bandh hone ka.... aap ek bacche ke baap ho... kuch to sharam karo... umar dekhi hai apni.. kaha mai khubsurat si larki... umar hi keya hai meri.... ek taza sa naujawan ayega... aur mera haath thamega... ahaa... sapna hai mera..."
Pratap was stuck. This girl is washing him from top to bottom. He wanted to shout out loud that he's not the father but Dhruv is, with whom she's romancing! But he took a deep breathe and controlled with a smile.
---

Dhruv took Saurya in his lap. Saurya cuddled in his arms and smiled in his sleep. Bhabosa and Minakshi came to the room and saw Dhruv looking at Saurya with utmost affection.
"Kabhi kabhi aisa pratit hota hai ki apke sath Saurya banna ka koi niji sambandh hai..." commented Bhabosa
"Ji...." Dhruv got a bit frightened
"Apke sath Rajparivar ka koi sambandh tha keya?" Bhabosa asked casually.
"Ji... ji.... nehi to..."
"R a Bhabosa.... Dhruv ji ke pas bacche bare payar se rehte... Saurya banna to suru se hi unhe pasand karte...." said Minakshi
"Hmm... sahi kaha apne..."

Pratap was watching all this from the doorway.
"Mitra Dhruv..." Pratap called
"Ji Pratap ji..."
"Aap ayenge jara... apki thodi salah chahiye thi...."
"Ji....." Dhruv made Saurya lie on the bed and followed Pratap.
---

Next day, Bijli was struggling to wear the royal attire.
"Yeh keya bhari bharkam kapre pehente ho aaplog... humko nehi pehenni... hur hur hayiya..." Bijli scolded Sona Chadi.
"Bijli.... yeh tumko pehenna hi hoga...." scolded Bhabosa, "Yeh keya anab sanab kapre pehni ghumti ho..."
Bijli got frightened and wore it. And looked at Sona Chadi with revengeful eyes. Sona Chadi were sure that they are again going to get beaten up by this girl.

Bijli went to Saurya and played with him. As she was playing with him Pratap came in the room and asked Saurya to leave. Saurya was sad by his father's attitude but he followed his orders. Bijli was confused.
"Ranisa...." Pratap took out his sword. Bijli freaked and moved back.
"Keya hua Hukum......" shivered Bijli.
Pratap looked at the sword and then at her, Antara will not be frightened of the sword.

"Pratap banna..." Bhabosa entered the room, "Kai kar rahe ho aap..."
"Bhabosa...." Bijli went to Bhabosa's feet, "Humne kuch bhi nehi kiya .. kuch bhi nehi...."

Pratap hold Bhabosa's hand and took her out, "Bhabosa... yeh to talwar se darti hai?!"
"Ha to dari gi hi na.... swabhabik hai... yardash koni hai unki..... Dhruv kai hai??" Whispered Bhabosa
Pratap smriked at Bhabosa's question.
---

Bijli was roaming all around the Palace but she couldn't find Dhruv.
"Chutku ustad...." Bijli called Saurya, "Apke Jadugar kaha hai??"
Saurya nodded his head signing he has not seen his Jadugar.
---

Maan called Pratap in the secret chamber.
"Keya baat hai Maan banna.... Dhruv ka kaam tamam hua??"
"Dhruv ko humne aushadi pila di thi bhaisa...."
"Woh to humne pilaya tha unhe.... apko jo kaam diya geya woh hua??"
"Bhaisa..... baat yeh hai ki.... hum byas unhe jangal mai hi fekke ane wale the... jab... kuch ghuspathiyo ne unko humse chin liya.... woh behosh the... chikitsa na mili to aise hi mar jayenge... parantu bhaisa......."
"Parantu keya Maan...."
"Parantu.... sayed woh Kapali ke admi the!!"
"Keya?!"
"Ha bhaisa.... Kapali aise admiyo ko ekatrit karte hai... jo apke khilaf ja paye... sayed Dhruv ka upchar karke woh apne kaam lagai... apke khilaf jane ke kaam karan na hai unke pas....."
"Parantu Kapali Dhruv ke raaz ke barain mai jana kaise?!"
"Sayed woh raaz na janta ho... sayed sirf Bijli se sath uska rhista... wahi pakarke.... aap samach rahe ho na bhaisa??"
"Hmmm haa Maan....."
"Aur bhaisa....."
"Ha boliye..."
"Bijli se bhi savdhan rahiye... humko to pratit ho raha woh bhi hai Kapali ke sath..."
"Maann..." Pratap roared and took out his knife, "Hamare Ranisa ke barain mai ek bhi absabd na sunenge hum..."
"Shama kare bhaisa... parantu Bhabisa ka yardash koni..... jo woh koi chal mai na fase.... Dhruv ka jaise apaharan hua isse humain lag raha ki....."
"Maannn..... aap jayiye.... aur Dhruv ko dhunne ka prabandh kijiye...."

As Maan was walking back to his room through the corridor he saw Bijli in the lawn downstairs, talking with some ramdom guy, it looked like some soldier of their kingdom only, though he couldn't see his face. Maan frowned. Why it's looking like the soldier is following Bijli's orders?! But how can it be?! Why will the soldier follow orders of this wierd dressed nautanki wali?!
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Dhruv slowly gained some consciousness. He tried to open his eyes but he couldn't manage to open it full. The world seemed like a hazy dream. He felt some soothing touches on his feet. Some soft hands are massaging oil on his feet. He felt he's not in pant shirt but in dhoti kurta. As the hands went upto his knees while messaging he saw the glimpse of the lady. The open hair. Everything is hazy. The fluttering open long hair. The girl is wearing some simple dupatta, no jewellery. The girl finished messaging his legs and  sat near him. She was opening the front of his kurta and then took oil to message his chest. He felt it.... he felt it.... he felt it before too... the touch. As the hazy figure came near he took deep breathe in... the smell... the beautiful soothing unexplainable smell. Dhruv tried to take his hands up and he managed a little bit to just put his hand over her's. She understood, she took his hands up, rubbed it on her soft cool cheeks and kissed it with her soft cool lips. Dhruv felt it, the hazy figure, the feelings, the everything. Slowly darkness veiled it all and he went to deep sleep. Before loosing his consciousness he felt the soft cool touch on his forehead. He took in the smell, the warmth of her body near his face.
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