CHAPTER – 5
"If you want, you can go and discuss it among your family, we will wait here", Isha told Anshi's father who nodded gratefully at the queen and walked to the room nearby and after discussing for half an hour, only Anshi's parents came out.
"We are grateful that you are here to ask our daughter's hand for Yuvraj... We are very happy for our daughter... Who wouldn't be, when she is getting into such a nice family", Anshi's father said folding his hands and greeting Isha gratefully.
"No, we are fortunate to have Anshi in our family, thank you for accepting our proposal, we'll soon come to your place to discuss things once Rana sa returns from his official trip", Isha said and Anshi's parents nodded.
After exchanging pleasantries Isha and Avyan left from there...
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After declaring her decision, Isha walked away leaving her whole family in shock, surprisingly, Pratap was the first one to come out of the shock and his response surprised his wife and mother even more...
"Amruta... Prepare for your son's wedding... Do everything you wanted to, plan all those rituals that you couldn't in your elder son's marriage", Pratap said and his tone wasn't sarcastic, he was serious...
Saying this he walked away leaving Rajmata alone with her daughter-in-law.
"I didn't expect this from Isha", Amruta muttered sadly to herself...
"There is always more than that meets the eye Amruta, start seeing it at least now, being ignorant has never helped you, on the contrary, it always brought you problems", Devyani Devi said and walked away...
Amruta knew her daughter-in-law might be having some compulsion, but the least she could do was at least tell them who the bride was, but she didn't even inform them about that ? Why ?
Amruta shook her head and started looking for her younger son or her elder daughter-in-law who could answer her questions...
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Meanwhile, Isha sat in her husband's study with her palm on her forehead, not knowing what to do.
"Now you know why I didn't tell you about Anshi ?", Ranveer taunted his sister again and she huffed... Even the wars might come to an end in the world but her brother's taunts would never end she thought. From the time she came to the study where her brother was waiting for her, all she got to hear were his taunts. "You could have listened to me, but no ? Queen Victoria has to become a 'Jagga Jasoos'(detective) and spy on her(Anshi)", Ranveer added
"Bhai... Stop it now, I'm already hell-scared of all this, especially of Rana sa's reaction, and your words are not at all helping", Isha said irritated with her brother's taunts
"Yeah... they are not helping, I'm purposely speaking those words that don't help you because I know 'Rani sa' would hate to take my help, she always rejects when I offer to help", Ranveer said indicating how she ignored him when he asked about Anuj's arrival the previous day...
"Bhai... Stop taunting me and help me with some idea", Isha said standing walking to and fro...
"How can I help you now ? It's beyond my capabilities... The decision was completely yours... Now bear with it", Ranveer said and Isha closed her eyes in frustration... Her brother is not at all helping her, not even consoling her with optimistic words like 'Everything is alright' or 'things will get better' and she knew he is taking revenge on how she ignored him all these days but she too is Isha Abhyansh Singh Ranawat, her husband taught her how to turn a tide without drowning yourself.
"Okay then, I'll figure out something, you can leave", Isha said strongly, her brother glared at her... He was just teasing her so that she again becomes his sweet Ishu and forgives him... As much as he loved her strong attitude to others, he didn't prefer that in front of him, he always liked his innocent, soft, and sweet sister and she knew he is just playing with words so that she softens up... "Done with your games or want to play more ? If so, my husband's study can't be your playground, please", Isha said showing her palm towards the way out...
Ranveer got up, Isha sighed in disappointment as her brother never left her alone in a problem before but now he is... She is angry with him, that's why she can't be his sweet Ishu, why can't he understand that ?, she thought. She turned her back facing him as she couldn't see her brother leaving, but the next second a squeal left her mouth as she felt her brother's palms on her neck acting like choking her...
"I will kill you Ishu... I'm not liking this angry Isha... I want my sister back, bring her back", Ranveer's tone softened in the end... He took his baby sister in his protective arms kissing her hair lovingly... "Bacha... Bhayyu is very sorry...", Ranveer said and Isha's eyes were filled...
"Am I wrong in getting hurt? You did treat me as an outsider... You ignored me for weeks, I was worried for you... If you want to hide it or don't want to answer my questions, you could have simply said it bhai... Even that would have been better instead of ignoring me", Isha said
"Bacha... I didn't ignore you because I was afraid of your confrontation... That was one of the reasons I agree but there is more to it. I didn't act busy, I was actually busy. I got little free time and every minute of it, I spent thinking how to tell you the truth about my relationship, I kept discussing it even on my dinner date with Ragini", Ranveer said, he remembered how he took Ragini for dinner as he felt bad for getting busy in his work, and not talking to his sister also affected him a lot, he needs to share his fears with someone and he knew Ragini would understand him, guide him and encourage him to the right path.
"Bhayyu... you are such an idiot, who discusses his sister on a dinner date with his girlfriend... My poor best friend, had to bear with you... if its some other girl, she would have left you by now", Isha said, last sentence in a teasing tone... Ranveer got it...
"Keep some distance from your husband, he is a bad influence on you... You started enjoying your bhayyu's misery instead of sympathizing with him", Ranveer told her...
"He says the same about you", Isha said with a giggle...
"That BEAST changed my little sister, she is his wife more now, my innocent sister is nowhere found", Ranveer muttered to himself...
"What are you murmuring to yourself bhai ?", Isha asked raising her brows in confusion...
"I said now you look his wife more, my sister less", Ranveer said glaring at his sister making her laugh at her brother's jealousy...
"I was just pulling your bhayyu... Ragini is very lucky to have you... You are the best... and I'm so happy that you chose Ragini as my bhabhi...", Isha said with a smile, Ranveer too smiled and about to hug her but she moved back... "But that doesn't mean I'm not angry anymore", Isha completed and Ranveer huffed... "You really want my forgiveness ?", Isha asked, Ranveer nodded his head vigorously...
"Okay then, tell me what's bothering you ? You look as if something is eating you from within ? Now that you told me you are not purposely avoiding me, What are you busy with ? I'm sure it's not your work", Isha said, even before Ranveer gave the excuse of work.
"We'll discuss that later, but for now, let's concentrate on the problem at hand... Why did you agree to the marriage ? You understand its a very big thing in a royal family right ? Especially in a family like yours ?", Ranveer said and Isha sighed.
Her husband believed in blood and lineage, he did not discriminate based on it but he wanted a princess for Avyan, a girl from Royal lineage, but she knew he wouldn't compromise on that girl's values and morals. And Abhyansh wouldn't show it but he is very protective about his brother... He can't see him suffer and god forbid, if Avyan suffers in this marriage, Abhyansh would never forgive her...
"I understand bhai but you really think if the decision was in my hands, I would take it without consulting Rana sa ?", Isha asked and Ranveer looked at her waiting for her to explain... "Till I went there, Avyan had already given his word... I had only two choices, either maintain Avyan's dignity or insult him and his word, I would have done it even but Avyan said he likes Anshi... We both vowed to protect Anshi and her happiness forever, I promised Avyan I'll set things right and that little brother-in-law of mine used it against me...", Isha said pouting angrily, Ranveer chuckled, even after all that, she can't really get mad at Avyan, her this love for the Ranawat family overwhelmed Ranveer. His sister is the best creation of god, a pure soul... "How can Abhyansh Singh Ranawat's wife and Amar Rajput's daughter break her promise ? So, I had to do what I did", Isha said
"Ranawat will understand for sure... He might get angry at first, but I'm confident he will hear you at least", Ranveer said ruffling his sister's hair...
"It's not just about blood or lineage bhai for Rana sa... It's about his protectiveness towards Avyan... He won't show his love for his brother in front of anyone except for me... He loves Avyan a lot... He can't see him in distress, I'm afraid bhai... afraid of everything falling apart", Isha said, and Ranveer side hugged his sister understanding her worries, she is not saying it out loud but she is clearly afraid of their marriage failing and everyone blaming her for it. She is more worried for Avyan than herself or the blame on her head.
"Ishu... don't think much... even if you have refused, Avyan would have gotten married to Anshi", Ranveer said, and he thought it would shock Isha but she sighed in distress, not in surprise or shock.
She knew her brother-in-law in and out. He respects his brother and her(Isha) more than anything, he could give away his life for Abhyansh but the Avyan she has seen from the time he returned from Anshi's home is different. He had a very soft heart, and till date, he never became the reason for anyone's pain, but now even imagining his one act destroyed a girl's life, he was drowned in guilt. And the worst part, he wasn't even right in accusing her since she is innocent. He tried to conceal his pain and hurt from her but he couldn't, that's one more reason she approached Anuj when Ranveer refused to disclose details.
Avyan was determined to protect Anshi from the narrow-minded society and their tortures on the poor soul. He wanted to take responsibility of her happiness for life, and as much as it is a disgrace to think that they live in such a society, there are hardly men in their society that accept a girl after a broken marriage. He was afraid of her future and more than anything, his heart and its feelings for the girl are another major reason. For the first time in Anshi's home just a few hours back, she saw rebellion in Avyan's eyes and she was scared of him taking any stupid step in the spur of the moment. So she took the responsibility on her head instead.
"Did he say that he would do something of that sort ?", Ranveer asked looking at his sister's casual reaction
"He didn't tell me in words, but his eyes said it all... As much as Avyan is a soft-hearted person, he is very strong-headed and determined. I don't want Avyan to take any wrong step, so...", she started
"So, you became the scapegoat, seriously Ishu ? Don't you have brains at all ?", Ranveer scolded his sister...
"Bhai... it is not like that... I had to protect Avyan... he is like my child, if I let him take Rana sa's anger, then my existence is a waste, and if you see, I was the root of this problem, so it's only right to take the ownership and solve it", Isha said and Ranveer glared at his stupid sister for blaming herself for something Natasha and Ashley Parker did.
"Okay, I understand your emotions, but how will you control your raging bull of a husband", Ranveer asked and Isha slapped his arm...
"Don't call him that...", Isha said angrily...
"Now I can't even call nicknames to my adoring and sweet brother-in-law, huh", Ranveer said too sweetly and Isha acted as if gagging...
"Ewww... You sound so fake bhai", Isha said and Ranveer laughed...
"I'm being fake, do you really think I can call your BEAST of a husband adorable and sweet... not even at gunpoint", Ranveer said and Isha shook her head. "Okay... Let's not talk about him and spoil my mood, come to the point", Ranveer added and Isha raised her eye brows, technically the main point they have to discuss too revolved around her husband... "Okay, what I mean is let's not talk about Ranawat's character traits, but the problem at hand", Ranveer said and Isha nodded.
"I think he had an idea about the problem with Anshi", Isha said and Ranveer's eyes widened
"What the hell do you mean Ishu ? That BEAST would send a bullet in a parcel for me for letting things go out of hand", Ranveer said
"Shut up bhayyu... and stop calling him that... I don't like it...", Isha said and Ranveer huffed... "What I mean is Rana sa has an idea that Avyan and I were at Anshi's place", Isha said and Ranveer smirked
"Don't worry about that, I had sent the wrong location of you guys to him...", Ranveer said but with his sister's next words, the ground beneath him slipped. Abhyansh asked Ranveer to send a brief report on his family's whereabouts every 3 hours and since only Isha and Avyan from the family go out, Ranveer had to make a report of only those two.
"Bhai... I called Rana sa from Anshi's place", Isha said and Ranveer's eyes widened...
"What ?? Ishu, I was right, I would die one day helping you and your idiot brother-in-law... Now he will kill me for sending him the wrong report", Ranveer said holding his head
"Bhayyu...", Isha started
"Shut up Ishu... You don't know how big of a problem you created for me by telling him that you are at Anshi's place", Ranveer said and Isha frowned
"But I didn't tell him, he already knows", Isha said and Ranveer raised his brows... "bhai... Rana sa had tracker installed in my phone, he can tap my location anytime from anywhere, with or without internet and even network", Isha said
"Stop giving me heart attacks bit by bit and tell me the whole thing in detail, what have you spoke to Ranawat, word to word, only then I can think of something to save you as well as myself", Ranveer said
"Avyan too", Isha said and Ranveer glared at her...
"Don't even open your mouth, I'll kill you", Ranveer said and Isha gave a 'sorry' smile and started narrating about her phone call with her husband to Ranveer.