"Aarushi.. Jaldi niche aao beta.. " Meera shouted.

"Aa rahi hoon. " Aarushi answered. "Sameeksha yeh pin laga do saree ke pallu me. "

Sameeksha didn't answered as she was angry.

"Aarushi.. U look beautiful.. " Sara said as she saw Aarushi in blue coloured Nauvaree saree. "Waise toh yeh attire married women ka hai na..? "

"Iss saal jaan bujh ke pehni hai. " Aarushi said in mysterious tone.

"Matlab.? " Sara asked.

"Kuch nai.. " Aarushi said. "Yeh pin laga do na Sara. "

"Sameeksha.. Bas hua na naraj hona. " Sara said.

"Main yaha aayi aur sab bigad gya.. Sumedh ke sath jhgda hua.. Aur Bandana ko bhi yaha se jana pada.. Use bhi itni jillat sehni padi.. " Sameeksha said.

"Use bhi ka kya matlab.? " Aarushi asked.

"Uske sath sath jo log use support kar rahe the unka bhi toh apmaan hua. " Sameeksha stood in front of Aarushi.

Aarushi folded her arms.

"Kya apman hua tumhara iss sab me ? " She asked.

"Jab Bandana yaha se ja rahi thi toh uske sath main bhi jana chahti thi.. Uske picche se yaha rehna mera apman hi hai . " Sameeksha replied.

"Accha..? Matlab ab Sumedh.. Uski family se jyada tumhe apne dost aur uski ijjat ki jyada chinta hai..? Kaise keh sakti ho tum yeh .? Agar Sumedh ki family ko apna nai sakti toh kaise apne aap ko uski girlfriend bolti ho ? " Aarushi asked.

"Sumedh se pyar karti hoon main.. Mere decision ki respect karta hai wo... Tumhare jaisa nai hai wo.. Apne decisions kisi pe ladne ki aadat nai hai use.. " Sameeksha gritted her teeth.

"Wa re tumhara pyar.. " Aarushi exclaimed. "Pyar kya hota hai pata bhi hai tumhe..? Bas muh uthaya aur bol diya ki pyar hai..? Pyar itna kamjor nai hota hai ki kisi aur ka jhgde me jal jaye.. Pyar ki bate tum mujhe mat hi sikhao.. Aur agar yaha rehne se.. Apne so called pyar ke family ke sath adjust karne se agar tumhara apman ho raha hai na.. Toh tum bhi apna maan rakhne ke liye aazad ho"

"Aarushi.. Jane do na.. Abhi hame niche jana hai.. " Sara said.

Sameeksha angrily walked away from there & Nivi came in.

"Ise kya hua.? " She asked.

"Kuch nai.. Tayyar ho gyi na tum..? Chalo niche.. " Aarushi said.

********

Whole palace was filled with guests & visitors. Aarushi adjusted her shawl on shoulders & walked through a  corridor. Nivi was walking with her.

"Aarushi.. " Amit called her.

She turned back.

"Kya hua ? " She asked...

"Kuch nai.. Bye bolne aya hoon.. " Amit said.

"Bye.? Abhi.? Par aaj Utsav ka akhri din hai.. " Aarushi asked...

"Pata hai.. Par mere ghar se phone aya tha.. Mere Aai ki tabiyat bahit kharab hai.. Mujhe abhi Satara jana padega. " Amit told.

"Kya..? Oh my god.. Kya hua unhe.? " Nivi asked...

"Cancer tha.. Ab last stage tak pohoch gaya hai.. " Amit replied.

Aarushi felt bad. Nivi started crying.

"Main bhi aaungi tumhare sath Amit.. " Nivi said.

"Nahi.. Tumhara yaha hona jyada jaroori hai.. " Amit said.

"Nai Amit.. Main Baba ko bolti hoon wo samajh jayenge.. Aunty ki tabiyat itni kharab hai . Mujhe waha hona hi chahiye.. " Nivi said.

"Nhi Nivi.. Main dekh loonga.. Don't worry.. " Amit assured.

Aarushi was numb.

"Chalu main.? " He asked.

"Agar kuch bhi jaroorat padi toh batana .." Aarushi said with teary eyes.

Amit nodded. He looked towards crying Nivi. He just took her hand & pressed it.

"Amit plz.. " Nivi pleaded. But Amit turned back & went.

"Nivi.. Shant ho jao.. Kuch nai hoga. " Aarushi patted on her back.

"Pata hai jab main aur Amit Military school me the tab wo hamesha laddoo leke aati thi.. " Nivi said. "Mana karte the teachers phir bhi.. "

"Nivi.. Abhi 9 baj rahe hai subah ke.. Jaise hi raat ko yeh utsav khatam ho jayega.. Kal subah tum waha chali jao. " Aarushi said.

Nivi nodded.

******

Randhir kept looking down from a balcony & Aarushi kept crying.

"Aaj last din hai Utsav ka.. Aaj sab honge.. Gusse me decision le toh liya maine Bandana ko yaha se bhejne ka.. Par ab lag raha hai.. Bahot galat kiya. " Aarushi said.

"Uss waqt wo jaroori tha.. Agar Nivi ke man me jyada insecurity paida hoti toh jo hamne tay kiya hai wo nai kar payenge.. " Randhir replied.

"Wo kitni excited thi.. Last day ke liye.. Aaj sabhi taraf roshnai hogi.. Utsav hoga.. Damn.. " Aarushi regretted.

"Digvijay ka kuch samajh nai aa raha hai.. Wo chahta kya hai..? " Randhir asked.

"Wo kya chahta hai yeh use khud nai pata.. " Aarushi answered. "Ab lagne laga hai ki jo tay kiya tha wo nai kar payenge.. Nivi aur Amit ko milana.. Aur Bandana ko wada kiya tha maine ki sab thik kar doongi. "

"Relax Aaru.. Sab khatam nai hua hai.. Abhi bhi waqt hai.. U knw.. Nivi aur Amit ko milane se jyada.. Nivi aur Digvijay ko alag karne pe jyada attention dena chahiye.. " Randhir suggested.

"What ..? Un dono me jhgde karwayenge ? " Aarushi asked.

"Yes.. Jab tak yeh dono nai smajhte ki wo ek dusre ke liye thik nai tab tak kuch nai ho sakta.. " Randhir said.

"Sameeksha ka kya karu samajh nai aa raha.. " Aarushi complained.

"Yaha nai.. Uske boyfriend ke pas jake complaint karo.. " Randhir chuckled.

"Haso mat.. Sach me problem hai.. Hey bhgwaan.. Ek ek namuna biwiya milne wali hai mere bhaiyo ko.. " Aarushi said.

"Yes.. Maine toh kaha hi hai.. Tumhe hi apne sare bhaiyo ki grihsti sambhalni padegi.. " Randhir giggled.

"Chalo.. Mujhe chalna hai. Nivi ko same mere jaisi saree pehnani hai. " Aarushi said.

"Dekho.. Yaha se starting hai.. Saree pehnani hai. " Randhir said.

"Shut up. " Aarushi laughed.

****

"Main kuch nai janti.. Aisa kaise keh sakti hai wo.? " Sameeksha asked in anger.

"Look Sameeksha.. Waise bhi bahot tensions hai.. Itni si baat dil pe laga ke mat baitho.. " Sumedh said .

"Itni si baat.? Ek toh usne Bandana ko bahar nikala.. Upar se mujhe bhi same bola.. Kuch respect hai ya nai meri.? Dekho.. Main kuch nai janti.. Tum jake usse poocho ki usne aisa kyu kiya.. Aur mujhse sey bole wo.. Warna main yaha se abhi ja rahi hoon. " Sameeksha demanded.

"Tumhara dimag toh thik hai.? Tai hai wo meri.. Badi hai hamse.. Aur kya Bandana Bandana laga rakha hai.. Tai ne use yaha se nikala yeh decision family ke liye tha.. Usi family ka hissa hona hai tumhe ek din.. Uss family me Tai aur Nivi Vahini hi hone wale hai.. Bandana nai.. " Sumedh became angry.

"Thik hai.. Toh main jati hoo . " Sameeksha said.

"Bachpana mat karo Sameeksha.. Main Tai se jake nai bol sakta ki wo tumse mafi mange.. Bhgwan ke liye tum aisi bate karna band karo. " Sumedh folded his hands in front of her.

"Nai.. Tumhe bolne ki koi jaroorat nai. " Aarushi came there.

Sameeksha rolled her eyes.

"Sameeksha.. Jo bhi maine tumse kaha. Uske liye main tumse mafi mangti hoo . " Aarushi said.

"Tai.. Kya jaroorat hai.. Tum mafi mat mango. " Sumedh said.

"Nai. Sumedh.. Pehle hi itne sare logoki narajgi leke baithi hoon.. Aur nai chahti.. I am sry Sameeksha. " Aarushi said.

Sumedh looked away.

"I hope tum mujhe maaf kar do. " Aarushi said & went.

*********

"Tai tumne kyu usse mafi mangi.? " Abhishek asked.

"Haan.. Jhgda toh mera aur Abhi ka bhi hua hai.. Par yeh koi point nai hai jaha ego bich me laya jaye.. Sameeksha Sirf Bandana ke bareme soch rahi hai.. " Sara said.

Sumedh was hurt & was not talking.

"Agar main mafi nai mangti toh wo Sumedh pe apna gussa nikalti.. Kai baar hum kuch kadam picche aaye yahi sahi hota hai.. " Aarushi said. "Aur tumhe bhi itna bura manane ki jaroorat nai hai Sumedh.. Tum bhi apni self respect ko bich me mat lao.. Usse mafi mangne se meri bhi respect kam nai hui hai aur tumhari bhi. "

"Par wo meri girlfriend hai.. Usne tumne liye hue decision ki respect nai ki. Uska nai balki apman tumhara hua Tai. " Sumedh said.

"Aisa nai hai Sumedh.. Bura use bhi laga hai.. Bandana uski bahot acchi dost ban gayi thi . bas.. Yeh topic yahi khatam karte hai.. " Aarushi said.

"Peshwinbai ki saree bandhi ya nai abhi tak.? " Sara asked.

"Haan.. Saree bandh di hai maine.. Abhi wo makeup kar rahi hai. " Aarushi answered.

"Deva.. 4 baj gaye hai.. Digvijay dada ne sabko niche bulaya hai.. Murti pooja karni hai " Sumedh said.

"Haan.. Aa rahe hai Nivi ko leke " Aarushi smiled.

******

"Jis veer yoddha ne hamare vansh ko bachaya unke samman me aaj yeh pooja yaha hogi.. " King Vijayrao said.

Whole Royal family was sitting in Royal court except Aarushi who was late becoz of Nivi.

Aarushi & Nivi entered in court.

"Ba adab , Ba mulahija , Hoshiyaar.. Shrimant Rajkumari AarushiRaje Rajwade Baisaheb tashreef la rahi hai. " A man announced her arrival. Everyone in court stood up & bowed. Aarushi who was covered with a net curtain closed her eyes fr a second as acceptance of all greetings & went upstairs.

Randhir was smiling looking towards his princess wife. She saw him from balcony & smiled back.

Digvijay's eyes were searching fr Nivi. He looked up but family women were sitting in front. Rest women were behind them.

Nivi easily saw him. He was looking very handsome in brown coloured welvet sherwani. She understood that he is looking fr her.

She msgd him.

'Mujhe pata hai aap mujhe dhoond rahe hai. '

He saw the msg & smiled.

'Toh samne kyu nai ati.? '

'Aise hi.? Sabr kijiye Raje.. Sabr ka fal mitha hota hai. '

He cocked his eyebrows.

'Kab milengi aap Ranisaheb.? '

'Yeh sab khatam hoga tab. '

Digvijay read this & smirked.

Aarushi was examining them. She felt helpless & msgd Randhir.

'Tumne dekha.? '

'Haan dekha.. '

'Shitt.. Kya ho raha hai yeh sab.. Nivi ko tayyar hi nai karna chahiye tha. '

Randhir read this & chuckled.

'Tumhara bhai bewakoof hai.. Nivi pe najar rakho.. Agar in dono ka kuch hua na.. Sara plan chaupat ho jayega. '

'Ok. '

Vijayrao ended his speech. Everyone stood up to leave. They came out ofcourt & gathered in a open ground where nearly  3 thousand people were fr Royal family. Aarushi had to go on stage. Nivi was standing with Sara & Sameeksha. Digvijay , Sumedh , Abhishek & Aarushi were standing on stage with other family members. Aarushi's mind was filled with Nivi & Digvijay's thoughts.

Everyone was busy in Havan. Digvijay saw Nivi in crowd & his gaze stuck on her. He kept staring at her. She blushed & looked everywhere.

Randhir saw her running away from there & felt weird. Aarushi was surrounded with many ladies. He got a phone call so he went away from crowd. After some time Digvijay stood up & went from there.

Dhol were druming. Aarti started & everyone stood up. Randhir wanted to go towards Aarushi but lost in crowd.

Aarushi searched fr Digvijay but he wasn't there.

'Abhi yaha se ja bhi nai sakti.. Randhir bhi kahi nai dikhai de raha.. ' She thought.

*******

"Tum pe bahot suit kar rahi hai saree.. " Digvijay said.

He pushed her on bed & laid over her.

"Par afsos.. Tum itni sundar lag rahi ho ki Aarushi ki sari mehnat mujhe kharab karni hi padegi.. " He brushed his fingers on her face.

Nivi laughed.

"Ab main kya bolu samajh nai aa raha " Nivi said.

"Kuch mat kaho.. Bas dekhti raho mujhe. " Digvijay tickled on her neck.

"Aise kaise.? Kuch toh kahungi main.. Aapko hi bolne doon.? " Nivi cocked her eyebrows.

"Par main tumhe bolne hi nai doonga.. " He suddenly kissed her. She clutched him in her arms & responded passionatly. But next second she pushed him away & stood up.

"Nivi.. " He sighed. She giggled & went in another corner of room. Digvijay followed her. He pinned her to a wall & looked in her eyes. He pulled out the pin which was holding her hair making them free. His hands travelled on her back trying to unhook her blouse.

******

"Damn.. Kaha gaye yeh dono.. " Aarushi shouted in frustration. "Randhir bhi gayab hai kaha dhoondoongi itne sare logome. "

"Tai.. Kya hua hai.  ? " Abhishek came there.

"Abhishek.. Tumne Digvijay dada ko dekha kahi.? " She asked.

"Nahi.. Kaka bhi pooch rahe the.. " Abhishek answered.

"Accha suno.. Tum yaha dhoondo.. Main Rani mahal me jake dekhti hoon. " Aarushi said. " Aur Kisiko batana mat ki wo nai hai. "

Abhishek nodded & went.

Randhir was searching fr Aarushi.

'Mere phone me network kyu nai hai. " He became irritate.

He reached in a lonely corridor.

"Kaha hoon main.. Damn I am lost in this palace. " He cursed himself.

Randhir kept walking & he bumped with someone.

"I am sry. " Randhir looked up & found a boy.

"Siddharth.. Siddharth ho na tum.? "Randhir asked.

" haan. " Sid answered.

"Thank god.. Mujhe Rani mahal me le chalo. " Randhir said.

"Ok.. Chaliye. " Siddharth agreed.

*********

Aarushi reached in Rani mahal. She directly went on top floor.

The door of main room was closed. She was panting thus sat down & took a deep breath.

'Nivi ka dar aaj hi khatam hona tha.. " She said.

Digvijay & Nivi were busy in each other.

"Nivi u r such a teaser. " He said as Nivi was still running in whole room to tease him.

"Dekho mujhe jyada chidhao mat.. Main jyada chidh gaya aur tum mere pakad me aa gyi toh.. " Digvijay was saying when they saw something coming in from window. Nivi Ran there & saw a stone. A paper was wrapped around it. She took the paper & read.

Next second it slipped from her hand. Digvijay grabbed her from back. She cried loudly & pushed him away. Next second she ran away from room.

"Nivi.. " Digvijay shouted loudly as he became angry.

Aarushi saw Nivi running. Digvijay came out of the room.

"Use roko Aarushi. " Digvijay shouted.

Aarushi ran behind her. She saw Randhir in front of Rani mahal.

"Aarushi. " He said.

"Randhir.. Kya hua.? " She asked.

"Aarushi.. Mujhe phone aya tha.. Amit ki Aai ab nai rahi.. Wahi use bataya maine uss note me. " Randhir told.

Aarushi sat down on ground. Abhishek , Sumedh , Sara & Sameeksha came there.

Digvijay read the note & saw Nivi running towards her car & then car going away from palace. A tear scrolled down from his eye.

"Wo bina bataye bhag gyi yaha se.? " Sumedh asked.

"Haan.. " Sameeksha replied. "Aur ab main bhi ja rahi hoon.. Kyu ki iss mahal me sab ke liye saman nyay nai hai.. Nivi Digvijay ka khayal kiye bager bhaag sakti hai.. Par main sirf bol bhi nai sakti. " She taunted Aarushi.

"Sameeksha chup raho. " Sumedh shouted.

"Ab agar tumhe meri  parva hogi toh tum aaoge.. Main tumhe samjhane nai aaungi.. " Sameeksha said. " Sara tum aa rahi ho ya main akeli jau.? "

"Sara jao uske sath. " Aarushi said.

*****

"Jhgda karwana tha par iss tarike ka nai.. " Aarushi cried. "Sab khatam ho gya Randhir. "

Randhir hugged her.

"Nahi Aaru.. Khatam nai hua sab.. Yaad hai na baba SRK ne kya kaha hai.." He stood up.

"  humari filmon ki tarah humari zindagi mein bhi end mein sab theek ho jaata hai. Happys Endings. Aur agar, aur agar theek na ho to woh the end nahin hai dosto, picture abhi baaki hai... " He acted like Srk.

"Tum wapis sab thik kar dogi.. Mujhe vishwas hai... Aur main hoon na tumhare sath. " He kissed her on cheek.