CHAPTER – 2
I sha went inside to prepare dinner while Amruta helped her. Ranveer and Vikram along with Aryan settled in the guest room, freshened up, and sat to watch TV.
Ranveer as usual wanted to watch Cartoon Network, but the channel wasn't working. He tried other cartoon channels and was surprised to find all of them disappeared.
He called the cable operator to know about the issue and what he heard gave him answers for his asked as well as unasked questions.
"We are sorry for the inconvenience sir, but the cartoon channels are given access only to those houses with kids. We are ordered not to let anyone else authorize cartoon channels", the operator told
"Where did you receive the orders from??", Ranveer asked though everything is crystal clear to him now... his unusual bad luck with ladies, him receiving a cartoon toy every time he got rejected by a woman, and now ban on these channels, everything is interlinked and directly connects to his brother-in-law.
During one of the cartoon deliveries, Ranveer noticed a small badge on the delivery guy which only Abhyansh's men wore... he suspected his BEAST of a brother-in-law's role in troubling him but at that time he didn't think the king could be so petty but looks like he is wrong.
Ranveer isn't stupid not to understand what's happening, he already knew there's no intimate relationship between his sister and brother-in-law. This was one of the main reasons he wanted his sister to leave the BEAST as he thought his innocent sister couldn't bear the beast and his ways, Ranveer thought his brother-in-law would force his sister, but it came to a shock to see how patient the beast had been...
It's not at all in his nature and it still shocks Ranveer when he thinks of it. Hm... so this is how his brother-in-law is taking his revenge on him for keeping his sister from all the knowledge regarding physical intimacy.
Abhyansh was not angry with Ranveer just for his sufferings because of his innocent wife but also not letting her know what she was supposed to... Rajput palace wasn't a safe place for her and the innocent wife of his wouldn't have known even if she was sexually abused... especially with people like Kailash Rajput around, Ranveer would have done better in taking care of his sister, that's what he feels whenever he remembers how Madan harassed his wife. He feels an inexplicable urge to get that man alive and kill him again in a much more brutal way. Every time he thinks about it, he keeps upgrading his punishments for Kailash Rajput... he is just waiting for that man to completely recover before he starts his punishment. His son's punishment is not even one percent compared to what the BEAST has planned for him.
"Vik, I'll be back in some time, till then freshen up both of you and get ready for dinner, there are some rules you need to follow, you should be before the time at the dinner table, not even at an exact time, you should be seated at your respective places till the time king enters the dining hall. And remember, you shouldn't get up until the king finishes his dinner, you have to wait though you are done eating. Do.Not. Disobey any of this... the punishment can be very harsh, and you already know the BEAST's track record, he wouldn't step back from anything", Ranveer instructed... Vikram nodded while Aryan looked shocked, he definitely can't follow all these rules, the kid is so used to living freely in the UK with Ranveer and Vikram.
"Can't I just eat in the chamber Ranveer, look, this even has a dining hall and it's so big", Aryan whined
"No, not unless you are so sick that you couldn't even get out of bed, stop whining and get ready for dinner, don't be late, if you are, I won't be able to save you", Ranveer told
"Maybe Isha could help me escape punishment", Aryan said and Ranveer sadly laughed
"She couldn't escape herself, how would she help you??", Ranveer murmured, the kid didn't hear but Vikram did... he looked at Ranveer with questioning eyes and Ranveer just shook his head and left from there... it didn't take much time for Vikram to realize what Ranveer meant, this multiplied his guilt ten folds... Isha wouldn't be married to that man only if he had heard her that night... no wonder, Isha doesn't want to forgive him, thought Vikram.
Ranveer entered Abhyansh's study after he was allowed...
"Brother-in-law... have some time to spare for me??", Ranveer asked controlling his frustration...
"No, Get.Lost", Abhyansh said concentrating on his work...
"Um... don't be so rude to your brother-in-law Ranawat, you might need my help soon", Ranveer smirked, Abhyansh frowned at his words... "you do know you had hurt my sister badly, didn't you??", Ranveer asked fisting his palms and banging the table... Abhyansh sat like a stone, but it did ache him on the inside...
"I did what I was supposed to do Rajput", Abhyansh said in a dismissal tone
"And now I'll do what I am supposed to, Ranawat", Ranveer said, and Abhyansh looked at him squarely...
"Is that a threat Rajput??", Abhyansh asked in a much colder tone...
"No, anyways, I'm here for something else, what did you gain by doing all that to me??", Ranveer asked, and Abhyansh's cold face turned into a smirk hearing him, he knew what he is talking about...
"Revenge... if you think it's over, then you are wrong", Abhyansh said and Ranveer sighed...
"That's petty", Ranveer tried to provoke Abhyansh so that he could stop torturing him...
"Doesn't matter, I'm having fun", the BEAST said getting back to his work...
"God! Bl*e b**ls are not funny Ranawat", Ranveer said in frustration...
"Out, I have a lot of things to do", Abhyansh said with a smirk...
"You loathe me for making my sister innocent right?? It's gonna stay that way for a long time, it's my curse", Ranveer said, and Abhyansh ignored his brother-in-law's words... if he thought he could scare the BEAST with that angry look, then he is foolish...
Ranveer sighed and walked away... making his brother-in-law suffer did satisfy Abhyansh, but he is afraid of the consequences now. His wife is very unwilling to even look at him, and it's a very good chance for Ranveer to make her against him. She is too innocent to understand any conspiracies, but amid all the fears, he still trusted her love for him... that woman had no reason to love him, even like him but she did, she wouldn't leave him, he believed strongly.
Everyone sat down before dinner time, Ranveer formally greeted Rajmata and Abhyansh's father and introduced Vikram and Aryan to them... seeing their cold attitude opposite to how Avyan and Amruta reacted, Vikram understood the whole picture. Everyone stood up when Abhyansh entered there, and after he sat, all of them took their seats too.
Isha served Abhyansh while the servants served everyone else...
"Take your seat and have your dinner", Abhyansh told Isha, and she just nodded taking her seat beside him...
"Isha...", Vikram called
"Ishu...", Aryan called at the same time...
The servants who are serving widened their eyes and their hands shivered fearing the BEAST. No one is allowed to call her by name except for family. Abhyansh didn't say anything as there were no servants before, but in front of people, his queen should be respected.
"RAJPUT...", Abhyansh called angrily making Ranveer's heartbeat rise, though he pretended to be fine from outside... "haven't you informed your guests about the regulations here??", he added...
"I forgot this one Ranawat... sorry", Ranveer said glaring at Vikram and Aryan... Isha looked at them both with concern...
"You should address her as 'Rani sa' in front of people", Ranveer told Vikram and Aryan...
Isha closed her eyes in pain, she didn't want Vikram and Aryan to address her as 'Rani sa'. They are like a family to her, especially Vikram. She could never forget the things he did for her... if it was her brother, she would have understood, as her brother, he felt responsible for her and that urge to protect her, but Vikram too was equally protective of her, loved her the same as her brother... he used to come to the Rajput palace every year during her parents' death anniversary. He used to stay with her along with her brother for the whole week, sometimes more, until she got back to normal.
Abhyansh looked at his troubled wife... he didn't understand what's going on... he is so bad at understanding emotions, and though he is improving in his wife's case, things are difficult sometimes...
"Then I better not talk to her in front of people", Vikram said with a smile, looking at Isha...
Isha opened her eyes as soon as she heard Vikram... she passed a smile with teary eyes. It's Vikram they are talking about, how can he not understand her, wondered she, still smiling widely at Vikram and this fumed Abhyansh.
Ranveer observed Abhyansh cold expressions...
"Do you have a death wish, stop talking and eat", Ranveer whispered to Vikram, who nodded and started eating...
"The food is yummy Ish... Your Highness...", Aryan said... "Rani sa is too old, so can I address you as Queen?? That's actually pretty cool", the kid added
"You like it??", Isha asked Aryan for both food and the name he just called her with...
"Yes, it tasted even better than last time... you know what?? Though Ran and Vik steal recipes from you, they couldn't make them taste like yours, you are the best...", Aryan said, and Isha giggled...
"Don't even compare Vik's cooking with my sister's, his food tastes horrible, only suitable in the dustbin...", Ranveer said and Aryan and Isha giggled followed by Avyan and Amrutha whereas Vikram glared at Ranveer, Isha and Aryan.
"Laugh as much as you want... your Ran is not gonna come back, and at the end of the day, you'll be eating my food", Vikram said
"Then we'll hire a cook like we did all this time, she is so sweet, Na...", Aryan started, Isha's eyes widened and started coughing badly to stop Aryan from talking, at the same time, Vikram cupped Aryan's mouth from speaking...
Abhyansh rubbed her back and gave water to her...
"Are you okay?? Eat slowly... you'll choke your food", Abhyansh said, still rubbing her back, shocking everyone there, his display of emotions is always a shock for people... "stop talking while eating all of you", he said loudly making everyone very afraid...
Their talks are irritating him, but he tolerated it for her, but when she choked her food, that's the limit. He could no more bear it.
"I'm... (Coughs) fine Rana sa", Isha said, she could feel his worry, otherwise, he is not the one to show affection in front of so many people. He is too into maintaining his cold image.
"Sh... drink some more water, eat slowly... and do not talk", Abhyansh said, and she nodded continuing with her food in between serving what he wants...
"Eat properly, I'll serve myself", he said again shocking everyone... what the hell has gotten into the BEAST Abhyansh Singh Ranawat, though everyone. Isha looked at him with wide eyes when he said that, did he just say, he would serve himself?? He absolutely hates it, but is willing to do for her??
"I'm fine Rana sa, let me serve you", Isha said and before he could respond, she served him...
They are done with the dinner and sat in the hall... Isha went to bring ice creams for everyone, Abhyansh walked to leave for his study, and that's when he spotted Vikram walking towards Isha...
"I can't even imagine what would have happened if Aryan would have completed that sentence", Vikram said
"I know, why did you tell him the truth?? You can't even hide a single name from the kid??", Isha scolded, and Abhyansh certainly didn't like it. She never used that authoritative tone on him, he didn't even know that this tone exists, and this fumed him.
"What do you think?? I purposely told him her name?? It was an accident", Vikram defended himself
"Well, the consequences of this so-called accident are going to be grave, don't expect me to come to your rescue when bhai is killing you", Isha said, and Vikram chuckled...
"I didn't know my little Ishu could even threaten", Vikram said and was about to pinch Isha's nose, but she moved back glaring at him... and that's the limit for Abhyansh.
The BEAST marched towards them and with his loud footsteps, Isha and Vikram noticed him, Isha's eyes widened in fear, and Vikram, though didn't know Abhyansh's jealousy, is surely afraid of that man from what he heard about him.
"You are a guest here, and there is no history that Ranawats killed their guests, but I can always change the history, I always did, so think before trying to touch my wife", Abhyansh warned coldly, shivers ran through Vikram... Abhyansh Singh Ranawat is very scary...
"I'm sorry Maharaj...", Vikram fumbled, Isha is too scared to even open her mouth...
"Treat her like you would treat a queen, forget all your past encounters with Rani sa, Vikram Singh, your nephew already lost his parents, it's unfair for him to lose the only family he has, don't you think??", Abhyansh said...
"Rana sa...", Isha started, she couldn't sit quietly now, her husband can't talk like that about Aryan...
"Not a word Isha", Abhyansh said, and Isha nodded with tears in her eyes...
"Vikram, go and live in Rajput palace...", Isha said looking at her husband...
"Is... Rani sa... I am sorry, I would maintain my limits, but please let me stay here... at least till the day", Vikram said, and tears fell from Isha's eyes...
"No need, I can handle myself... please... leave from here, right away", Isha said, and Vikram nodded understanding Isha's pain... Abhyansh closed his eyes unable to see her tears...
Vikram left from there and Abhyansh wiped her tears...
"I don't like him, my intention was not to hurt you, it never was, stop crying", Abhyansh said
"Don't ever threaten Vikram's life, I would do whatever you want, not that I have a choice", Isha said before walking away...
Abhyansh is disappointed with himself for hurting his wife again... but he couldn't tolerate a man's closeness with his wife, another reason being a man other than family cannot in no way behave in such a way with the queen... it's an insult to the realm itself. It's unfair to Isha as a woman as she couldn't maintain a close relationship or friendship with a man but as a queen it's her responsibility to follow some rules and regulations and make sure not to offend people's sentiments. Being a queen is never easy. Certain sacrifices needed to be done for the welfare of the reign. Abhyansh knew it was going to be tough for Isha and he wanted to help her, but his jealousy isn't letting him.
But a small smile made its way when he thought of how she spoke to him and uff her taunt... it turned him on...
"So rude Rani sa", Abhyansh muttered to himself with a small smile before walking away...
Isha sat with Amruta and Avyan, she gave them their ice creams...
"Where are bhai and Aryan??", Isha asked Avyan
"Ranveer went to Vikram's chamber along with Aryan, Bhabhi sa", Avyan answered
"Oh!", Isha said, she knew why Vikram called her brother...
"Put these cups in the freezer", Isha said calling a helper...
"Why don't you eat Bhabhi sa, it's your favourite flavour, Italian Delight", Avyan said
"I will, with bhai", Isha said
"What about Vikram and Aryan??", Amruta asked
"Ma, they are leaving now", Isha said surprising her mother-in-law and brother-in-law...
"Why beta?? Are they offended with how Abhyansh spoke during dinner?? You know how he is, ask them to stay", Amruta told Isha...
"Ma... it's for the best, they won't be comfortable here, it's the best if they stay at Rajput palace, that's like Vikram's second home, he would be comfortable there...", Isha said
"But...", Amruta started but stopped seeing Ranveer who came and stood just in front of her...
"Vikram and Aryan wanted to go to Rajput palace, why don't you go and ask him to stay??", Ranveer said
"I was the one who asked him to leave", Isha said
"Ishu... what's wrong with you?? I know you are angry with Vikram, don't know what he did but this is unacceptable", Ranveer reprimanded his sister...
"Bhai... I didn't do that because I am angry with Vikram, but for his comfort, he really can't stay here", Isha said
"Okay, if that's how it is, I'm leaving too and you are coming with me", Ranveer said sternly...
"Bhai, you know I can't", Isha said
"Take a decision strongly Ishu, don't just follow your husband's commands, it's your life at the end of the day", Ranveer said, and Isha sighed
"I know bhai... I'll talk to Rana sa once", Isha said and walked to her husband's study... she really didn't want to see him now... also, she is slightly afraid of how she talked to him before... what if he punishes her?? No, he won't, her heart assured, oh! really?? Her head countered.
She entered the study, and Abhyansh could recognize her by the anklets sound, but he pretended to do his work...
"Rana sa...", she called after standing for a few minutes...
"Rani sa... yes, tell me", Abhyansh asked keeping his full concentration on his work and this irked her... he hurt her, she at least expected him to try convincing her, but he is as emotional as a stone, she cursed inside...
"I am going to Rajput palace and will stay there for a week", she said and this made him furious...
"I think I made my stance clear on that", Abhyansh said
"I am not here for your permission Rana sa, I am informing you", Isha said bravely, though her insides are churning with fear...
"What??", Abhyansh looked at her with his red eyes, and that scared her...
"You can't go, Isha...",Abhyansh stated sternly, usually if he uses that tone, she will never argue back but today is different, she is not gonna compromise, she is too hurt...
"I already told you Rana sa, I can't live a life like this, I'm hating things right now, I'm afraid I'll hate this place if I don't go away for a while...", Isha said and that surprised Abhyansh, she was never blunt about her feelings, the reason being she never felt that way, but lately things are bad...
"Isha... I know you are hurt by how I talked to Vikram, but that's how it is... I can't tolerate that man around you, in fact, no man around you, even if I leave my personal feelings aside, no man except for the family is supposed to be that close to the queen... you have to understand", Abhyansh explained patiently, he never explained himself to anyone but if his explanation can convince his wife to stay without getting her hurt, he would do that a hundred times...
"You don't understand, do you?? Let me tell you openly Rana sa, I didn't like you punishing me, I felt humiliated, I was treated worse than a servant in this house during the starting months of our marriage, I was made your slave, I was abused, I bore everything and still stuck to my promises, but suddenly you were good to me, you started loving me, I was on cloud nine, I almost forgot all my miseries, then the same things happen, though you didn't abuse me, I was still punished for something I don't know... I was reminded of the life I almost forgot... this place doesn't feel like mine Rana sa, it's your place, you have the final say, it belongs to you alone. You got angry with me for not inviting Reetu here, you asked me if I was embarrassed with the way I live, let me tell you the answer now, I didn't call MY friend because it's your palace... yours alone... even today, I asked Vikram to leave to Rajput palace, because even if I was caged in that place for more than 16 years, that place is mine, it's my father's, it belonged to me as much as it belonged to my brother. Vikram is like my family, and you threatened to kill him?? Tell me, I shouldn't feel bad about it??", Isha blurted everything that was running in her head, and surprisingly, Abhyansh waited patiently for her to finish...
He took some time to process things as he didn't want to react impulsively and hurt her again, that's what happens every time, this time, he wanted to be different, different for his wife...
"You don't think this place belongs to you??", Abhyansh asked after a few minutes... she just nodded, and he sighed, trying to control his fury... "what should I do so that you feel otherwise??", Abhyansh asked
"I don't know Rana sa...", Isha said, she calmed down a bit but didn't regret a word she told him, it was better to let out her feelings rather than keep everything inside...
"Should I ask Vikram to stay here??", Abhyansh asked her calmly, she looked at him with wide eyes... her husband would do that?? Like really??
"No Rana sa, just let me go to Rajput palace", Isha asked softly
"You want to leave me that bad??", he asked with his cold eyes, but she could feel his vulnerability... she just crashed into his arms shaking her head...
"No... No, I don't want to leave you, but at the same time, I can't stay here... please Rana sa, try to understand me, I need to have some space to actually understand the situation... my parents' death anniversary and the pain isn't helping me to think clearly... I wasn't angry with my Kaku sa or kaki sa for doing what they did to me, but it's different with you, there is this kind of right I feel towards you... I told you all this with the same right... let me go please...", she said
"I didn't want to punish you, Isha... I was hurting more than you... there's a reason we won't celebrate your mother-in-law's birthday... I'll tell you soon... give me some time, will you??", Abhyansh asked softly, and she nodded... "stay here with me... I'll ask Vikram and Aryan to stay here, I can't promise but I'll try to be accommodating provided they follow all the rules...", Abhyansh said
"You don't have to ask, I'll tell them to stay, but I'll leave after 3 days, and will return only after mama papa's death anniversary, hope that's fine with you", Isha asked, and Abhyansh fisted his palm when she mentioned her father but controlled himself...
"Yeah... something is better than nothing...", Abhyansh said, and Isha smiled
"When did you turn so patient??", Isha asked adjusting herself in his lap comfortably...
"When did your anger vanish??", He asked in return seeing her sitting in his lap so comfortably, whereas just a while back, she wasn't even ready to look into his eyes...
"Well, you are hardly this patient... when you are calm, its natural that my anger should vanish...", Isha said with a smile... "tell me, where did all this patience and calmness come from Rana sa??", she asked cupping his cheek and he closed his eyes in peace...
"Your tears... they make me do things I have never imagined doing before, I'm afraid of them, don't cry Isha...", Abhyansh said holding her palm which is on his cheek...
"Rana sa...", Isha said, kissing his cheek... "I'll try to hold my tears then...", she said, and he smiled
"And I'll try not to give you any reason to shed them", Abhyansh said with determination kissing her forehead... "let me tell you one more thing, I'm not sorry for what I told that jerk, he should keep some distance from married women, especially my woman", Abhyansh fumed again, if it was before, she would have gotten scared but this time, he really looked very cute that she laughed...
"Vikram is the same as bhai for me Rana sa, I was his best friend and he was mine... he protected me as a brother would, you don't have to feel jealous over him...", Isha said and about to take her hand off from his cheek but he held it tight...
"I know, but a man who is crazy about his wife, a man who feels jealous of even his wife's brother, his own mother, and brother can't really understand what you are saying", Abhyansh said, and Isha sighed with a smile... when he admits things like this, she feels so good, almost as if her husband is a normal person, not a powerful king...
"It feels good to hear you call ma as your mother...", Isha said, and his cool attitude is replaced with a cold face which always scared her but this time it didn't... "I don't know what issue you and ma have, but I don't like the distance between you... I can't really do anything about it though, earlier I wanted to do something, anything to erase that distance, but now I'm scared of even thinking about it... try to resolve things if you could", Isha said but her husband didn't even nod... "Abhyansh...Please", she said cupping his cheeks and he looked at her with surprise...
"Tell me frankly, whom do you love more?? Me or my mother?? Because I was asking you to call me by my name for so many months now, you refused always, but for her, you did", Abhyansh complained making Isha laugh...
"Of course, I love ma more... what did you think??", Isha said giggling but her smile disappeared when she felt her husband pull her closer making her sit two-sided on his lap, her body is on his as a second skin and her breathing laboured... she felt the same discomfort down there... she tried to leave but he held her waist tight...
"Rana sa... I... I...", Isha fumbled, trying to tell him about what's happening to her body...
"I know... just stay here... and let me do what I'm doing...", Abhyansh whispered in her ear kissing her earlobe, he peppered kisses through the neckline and shoulder, while wandering his hands all over her back causing tingles all over her body...
"Do you feel goodbaby girl??", Abhyansh asked, Isha just hummed completely immersed in his sweet torture... she moaned heavily when he kissed her neck and groped her b*s**ms at the same time...
"Rana sa, the door...", Isha panicked as soon as a moan left her throat...
"I already locked it, the digital one... here...", Abhyansh said showing the remote to her...
"When did you do it??", she asked
"That's not important", Abhyansh said and captured her lips, but she instantly broke the kiss and got up from his lap... he pulled her back and held her waist tightly...
"What's wrong??", he asked holding her cheeks… feeling his warm palms, she closed her eyes feeling bliss... "Isha...", he called, and she opened her eyes getting back to her senses...
"I'm still angry with you, how can you avoid me for the whole week?? You didn't come to see me, that was so bad of you Rana sa", Isha complained
"I know, it's my fault, I'm sorry", Abhyansh apologized
"Sorry?? Really Rana sa?? You didn't even give an excuse... all this time, I was thinking you had a reason for not showing up... how did you think I'll survive after seeing you like that, that night, you looked so broken, you didn't even show up once, you should have come, at least to assure me that you are fine... but you didn't...", Isha said
Abhyansh remembered all the words he told her that night after his nightmare, he regretted every single word that left his mouth... more than his pain, her suffering tormented him, for the first time, he was afraid that he would lose control of himself and reverse her punishment, that's the main reason he refused to meet her... he didn't want to tell her all that and escape from her resentment... he suffered her and now it's time she suffers him... he expected her to punish him...
"Hm... I couldn't see you suffering, so I didn't come to you, I was stuck between my duty as a king and my love for you as a husband", he half lied and just like that all her anger vanished... her Rana sa never lied and his truth is too sweet to ignore... "I deserve your anger Isha... you can make me do anything... name it and I'll do it", Abhyansh added, and Isha smiled...
"What has gotten into you today??", Isha smiled
"Nothing, I just want you to remove your anger and resentment", Abhyansh answered...
"It will go Rana sa, when you tell me the truth, it will automatically go but don't worry, I can wait for you to feel comfortable... don't think about it, now I'm good since I blasted all my anger on you", Isha said giggling...
"Yeah, that's a first, I didn't know hearing someone talking back to me in anger would make me happy", Abhyansh said, and Isha laughed...
"Happy?? You enjoyed it?? Then I'm never gonna talk back to you", Isha said, and Abhyansh smiled... "You are smiling a lot today, you look so good Rana sa...", Isha said, and the BEAST couldn't help but let out another smile... "okay, I'll go and talk to Vikram and Bhai now...", Isha said getting up...
"I'll tell him, go and sleep early...", Abhyansh offered...
"It's fine, I'll tell them and then go to the chamber...", Isha said with a smile and walked away to her brother's chamber... but Abhyansh didn't want his wife to go back on her word, it's her who asked Vikram to leave, it would be embarrassing for her to ask him to stay now, and he in no way is letting her feel that way. Though she didn't say anything, he felt her discomfort...
Abhyansh made a call to Ranveer as soon as his wife left his study...
"Rajput... I have talked to Isha, she wants all three of you to stay here with her...", Abhyansh ordered...
"Ranawat... the decision was already made, we are leaving, along with Isha", Ranveer said to piss the BEAST, honestly, he is not in favour of his sister going to the Rajput palace during these days... but Abhyansh is cleverer than Ranveer thought...
"Rajput... don't waste my time, I just said what you wanted to hear... stop packing and do something useful", Abhyansh said and hung up...
"Ahhh such a rude jerk...", Ranveer muttered looking at his phone... Vikram laughed at his friend's irritation
"Who is it??", Vikram asked though he heard the conversation...
"Are you really my best friend?? Don't you know who can irritate me to this extent??", Ranveer asked
"Oh! your loving brother-in-law?? What is he saying??", Vikram asked and Ranveer nodded with an irritated sigh...
"He wants us to stay here, well in other words, your exit from this place is closed for a few days, It's the king's order", Ranveer said
"But what about Isha??", Vikram asked remembering how Isha asked him to leave...
"Seems like she is in agreement with him, they both had a talk", Ranveer said, and Vikram nodded
"Then what's the problem?? This is what you want right?? Isha to stay here during these days??", Vikram asked
"I have got a problem with his attitude, ah! what does he even think of me...", Ranveer whined like a child and Vikram laughed...
"What?? Who made you angry bhai??", Isha who just entered the chamber frowned seeing her calm brother with irritation...
"Who else??", Ranveer responded, and Isha smiled
"Rana sa called??", Isha asked and Ranveer nodded... "so, you are staying right??", Isha asked hopefully looking at Vikram... and when he nodded, she smiled... "I'm sorry for everything you had to hear earlier Vikram... please don't mind his words, he didn't mean them", Isha said
"What did he say Vikram??", Ranveer asked, and Vikram shook his head mouthing a 'later' and Ranveer sighed
"Ishu... don't think about things much... it's fine", Vikram said and this time, Isha didn't correct him to call her as 'Isha' as she doesn't want to be so rude when he is being so understanding...
"Okay then, I'm tired, I'm going to my room, call me if you need anything", Isha said
"Don't worry, sleep tight bacha... we are fine, I'll ask the servants if I need anything", Ranveer said, and Isha nodded
"Bye Aryan", Isha told in a loud voice to the kid who is busy playing video games in the room...
"Isha... you are here??", Aryan who heard Isha got excited...
"Yeah, she is here for the past 15 minutes, you are so busy with your video games that you forgot the world around you", Vikram reprimanded...
"Come on Vik... this chamber is so huge that I didn't hear her coming", the kid defended himself while walking to Isha...
"He is right... Aryan, go and play, we'll meet tomorrow, I'll show you around the whole palace, what's say??", Isha said and Aryan got very excited, from the time he came, he is hell bound by the palace architecture and wanted to explore the place badly...
"Wow Ishu... I love you, you are so cool, thank you", Aryan said
Isha smiles, talks for a while with them before walking back to her chamber...
"Now tell me, what did my rude and arrogant brother-in-law say to you??", Ranveer asked his best friend as soon as his sister left their chamber...
Vikram told everything Abhyansh told him except for the thing he and Isha are hiding from Ranveer, he just told him that he is talking to Isha about something when Abhyansh came and said all those things...
"It's clearly visible, that man loves Isha a lot, but I am still worried about her, considering Isha's soft mentality, can she put up with his dominant personality??", Vikram expressed his worries
"As much as I hate that man for hurting my sister, I had to admit, only she could handle him, I saw BEAST's other version when he is with Isha... now, I understand his sudden call... Ranawat has an ego larger than his empire, its very hard for him to call and ask you to stay here after what all he told you, by his words, its clear that he hates you, yet he got ready to have you in his palace, that explains how much he cares for Isha... he doesn't want Isha to leave to Rajput palace at this time and suffer...", Ranveer said analysing carefully the possible discussion between his sister and brother-in-law...
"Hm... I agree, he didn't want Isha to ask me to stay after what she told me, that explains the call", Vikram said and Ranveer nodded...
"Though that man loves her, I still can't stay at peace, I am not confident about him not hurting her... and I can't let that happen... if I could turn things back, I'll definitely stop the wedding...", Ranveer said holding his forehead, Vikram's face paled at the mention of Isha's marriage... Ranveer would never forgive him if he gets to know what he did... "what do you think I should do Vik?? Isha is not agreeing to divorce that man, even if she agrees, it's not only hard but impossible to escape from the BEAST's clutches", Ranveer said
"With the kind of behaviour you are displaying, I thought you liked him and accepted him as your family, but you still think of getting Isha divorced??", Vikram asked
"I care for Ranawat, you are the first and last person I'll be accepting this fact to, my care and respect is for him as a good king, I still resent him as my sister's husband, and I won't approve of him, maybe I never will", Ranveer said and that further made Vikram nervous, he thought of confessing the truth to Ranveer after he starts accepting his brother-in-law and love him but things seem to be far...
Both the men talked for a while before Vikram and Aryan dispersed to their chamber and slept.
Isha, after coming out of her brother's chamber, walked to her room, and changed into her pyjamas, before laying down on the bed, though she is tired, sleep is far away from her... she is still mad at her husband, but she couldn't ignore the fact that she is used to him beside her before falling asleep...
Just then she saw her husband coming inside with his MacBook in his hand...
"Rana sa...", Isha started speaking when he came towards the bed...
"Lay down, I'll change and come...", he said placing his laptop and leaving to washroom... A wide smile appeared on Isha's face... her husband usually comes a little later than today, he completes his work at his study and comes inside their chamber, he hates working on the bed, and he rarely brings work to their room... but today, since she is feeling very tired but couldn't sleep without him beside her, he brought his work there... his consideration made her heart flutter... she still remembered how he was at the start of their marriage, he was not the one to consider other's feelings, he never did that for anyone, but now he does, though only for her... he came back and sat beside her, opening his mac...
"Sleep now...", he said working with his right hand and his left hand ruffling her hair softly...
"You hate working on the bed", she said...
"Not anymore... sleep now... you are tired...", he said patting her head softly... she hummed holding his palm, and fell asleep in a few minutes, but sleep is far away from his eyes... every time he sees her in pain, it haunts him... he does everything with ease, he doesn't have to struggle for anything, he is pro at things, even loving her comes to him naturally, the only thing he tries hard is to control his anger and the BEAST inside him, so that they never hurt her...
In the early hours, he finally shut his work and laid beside his wife, all the time not letting go of her hold on his palm... it felt too surreal to let go... he knew his wife is angry with him yet never fails to deal with his insecurities silently...
Days passed and things became a lot better between Abhyansh and Isha... Isha slowly started coming out of her fears with the help of her husband's tenderness and her brother's support... the rest of the days, she communicated lesser with Vikram and that seemed to calm her jealous husband...
They were supposed to leave to Rajput palace two days before the death ceremony but Ranveer decided to hold the ceremony somewhere outside, at a religious place, so that they don't have to go to Rajput palace at all... Abhyansh and Ranveer together came to this conclusion. Though they hate each other's guts, they would come together anytime for that one person who is their common lifeline.
A day before the death anniversary, Isha is preparing cotton wicks (batti) for the next day's ceremony, she is used to preparing it with her own hands every year... for their grandfather's death anniversary every year, she used to sit with her mother and prepare every year, and doing this every year for her parents' death ceremony rekindled those memories and she cherished every second of it...
"Isha... let me help you...", Amruta said sitting beside her and Isha nodded giving a small smile...
Avyan, Ranveer, and Vikram are sitting a little far from the seats Isha and Amruta are seated.
"Beta, take this powder and apply to it before rolling them, do it frequently, it makes the wicks steadier... come on, try it once...", Amruta said showing the right way and Isha learned it immediately...
"Like this ma??", she asked with a smile...
"Yes...", Amruta said and both of them indulged in arranging everything for the next day's puja...
"Thanks to your mother, Isha is smiling and at ease, otherwise every year on this day, she looked so sad, and used to do all that alone...", Ranveer said looking at his sister who is smiling with Amruta while preparing for the next day...
"Bhabhi sa has a very cheerful personality, she never lets her pain affect the ones around her, she knows only to spread happiness... I have never encountered such a kind woman", Avyan said and Ranveer smiled... "you both carry on, I'll just come", Avyan said and walked to his mother and sister-in-law...
"Bhabhi sa... this is for you", Avyan came and handed over a bar of chocolate to Isha...
"Why this??", Isha asked with a frown...
"I lost to you day before yesterday, did you forget??", Avyan asked reminding her of the ice cream challenge they had two days ago...
"Oh! ha... how did I forget?? You are supposed to give me yesterday, right?? I'll charge you interest for delay", Isha said giving him a mock angry glare...
"You are not getting any more chocolates Bhabhi sa, I didn't give you yesterday because you already had a lot of chocolates yesterday...", Avyan said, and Isha looked surprised...
"How did you know??", Isha asked with narrowed eyes
"I told him, all the time you were cooking, you had chocolates, I told him not to give you yesterday, these days, all you are eating is chocolates, and because of that, your actual food intake is going down", Amruta scolded her daughter-in-law
"Ma...", Isha whined
"No, doesn't work", Amruta said strictly
"Not my fault, Avyan got me used to chocolates, he lost to me every day, and got me chocolates and I loved them so much", Isha defended
"Bhabhi sa, that's unfair", Avyan argued...
Both of them argued while working and the bickering never gave time for Isha to get sad, looking at this Ranveer felt content...
After some time, everyone dispersed, Abhyansh couldn't contain his fury, he doesn't want his wife to perform that man's death ceremony, but he couldn't stop her, unfortunately he was her father, so to avoid any mishaps, he decided to avoid her as much as possible, so after dinner, he immediately went to the study and didn't come to room till late...
Ranveer stayed with his sister, as he knew how she is feeling, and since Abhyansh told him about his plans to stay in his study till late, he decided to be with her... they talked about everything and anything, the memories they have of Isha's parents and all...
"Bhai... can I ask you something??", Isha asked suddenly, Ranveer nodded... "Does Rana sa know papa??",She asked startling Ranveer
"Why do you ask??", Ranveer asked in return...
"I don't know bhai... I always feel like he doesn't like papa, but then a question comes into mind, how does he know papa??", Isha said
"You are thinking too much, there's nothing like that, it's already late, sleep now", Ranveer said, Isha lay on the couch they are sitting on, putting her head on her brother's lap while Ranveer slowly ruffled his sister's hair with one hand and tapping her arm with another hand to make her sleep... and slowly she drifted into sleep... Abhyansh came in very late and saw Ranveer patting Isha's head and arm...
"You are still here??", Abhyansh asked
"Yeah, she just slept", Ranveer said, Abhyansh nodded and went to change into his nightwear, then carried Isha to the bed and covered her properly with a duvet... Ranveer got up to leave but his steps halted when he was reminded of his sister's words...
"Ranawat... Today, Isha asked if you hate her father, it's better if you tell her the truth before she gets to know herself... it's not long before she gets to everything...", Ranveer said and Abhyansh stood like a stone, and Ranveer calmly left from there whereas Abhyansh's mind started rewinding everything that took place 17 years ago...
"Will you trust me if I tell you the truth??", Abhyansh asked a sleeping Isha... A lot of emotions ran over his face before going back to his rocky cold one.
The next day, Isha left early in the morning and Abhyansh pretended to be asleep and since she already told him about her plans, she left quietly... the ceremony went well and Amruta wanted to attend it but didn't want to anger her son more than he already is...
Things went to normal, Isha walked inside the office the next day, where she met with a concerned Ragini and a very happy Reetu waiting for her... As soon as they saw Isha, both of them hugged her, but Isha couldn't understand what was with her one best friend's excitement and another one's worry...
All three moved to Ragini's cabin and sat down...
"What's wrong?? In your case, what's so good??", Isha asked the last statement towards a very excited Reetu...
"The king, his highness, Abhyansh Singh Ranawat's company wanted to collaborate with our brand, to put it simply, their textile wing wanted to acquire our boutique", Ragini said shocking Isha
"What?? Why?? How could they??", Isha asked
"Huh... Ragini tell her the whole thing", Reetu slapped Ragini's arm...
"Yeah yeah, I'm coming over there, actually it's a good opportunity as our markets will widen exponentially, also the good part is they decided to put our own brands on it instead of buying out our products, so we will be given the credit for our designs, also their proposal is really very good, if we accept this, it will be a great benefit for the boutique", Ragini said
"Then why are you worried", Isha asked with confusion...
"It's too good to be true Ishu... the proposal is too profitable for us", Ragini said
"They are gaining from it too, we are giving them our invaluable designs to sell under their brand name along with ours... isn't it a good opportunity", Reetu said winking at Isha who held her forehead...
"I'm not sure what to do... I don't think His Highness is such kind of a man neither his organization is, but the main thing is I'm sure he wouldn't even know about this acquisition, in a day, they acquire tens of small brands like ours in a wink, he won't be informed of everything right?? And in his multibillion-dollar business, why would he even care for a small scale business like ours... if something goes wrong, we don't even stand a chance to go to him", Ragini explained her worry...
"They are too powerful I agree, but why do you think something will go wrong?? Maybe it is happening with the king's knowledge, don't you remember, he once came to this boutique to save Isha, and also Isha might have put a good word for us, that's why he wanted to do business with us... I think we should go for it", Reetu said
"You shut up, it's your obsession for the king talking", Ragini said to Reetu and turned to Isha... "what do you think we should do Ishu??", Ragini asked
"It's your business Ragini, you have had a lot of dreams for growing this business, I think you should take this chance, let's hear what they are offering, we can back out if we don't want to", Isha said
"Also, it’s not like they will accept our proposal right away and start the acquisition right?? They need to like our proposal and presentation, only then they will move forward, let's give it a try, they might have offered this to ten other boutiques along with ours I guess", Reetu said
"Well, if they want to do it but we don't, do you think we will have a chance to back out??", Ragini said, and Reetu sighed...
"Ragini, think about it thoroughly... and come to a decision, when do we have to submit our proposal??", Isha asked
"They gave us a week time", Ragini told Isha...
"Okay, take two days’ time to think over it, if you are ready we can prepare other things, don't worry much, We'll always support you with whatever decision you make", Isha said and Ragini hugged Isha for all the moral support... she knew she can rely on Isha for anything...
Isha came home that evening, she wanted to ask her husband about it but what if Ragini is right and he didn't know about it?? She is not sure how large is her husband's business, but she knew for definite that it's way beyond her imagination, and in that case, he wouldn't have time to concentrate on minute things like acquiring a small boutique... only if she knew how important even the minute things related to her are to him...
"You want to ask me anything??", Abhyansh asked his wife, after settling beside her on the bed...
"Um... no, nothing...", Isha said shaking her thoughts
"Sure??", he asked again, she nodded with a smile and closed her eyes...
He knew what she wanted to ask, but he wanted her to ask him, he is a little disappointed when she chose not to ask but that doesn't stop him from planning the little surprise... he wanted her to be in front of him 24/7. If work is what makes her happy, then he is going to hand over his whole textile designing business to her... the only concern is the workload, but he had planned everything out.
Two days passed, and Ragini consulted all the senior employees and her friends who are experienced, and then made a decision to go for it. Business is in itself a risk and an offer to collaborate with such a behemoth is an honour, Ragini felt, and she conveyed the same to her colleagues, and everyone is on cloud nine to hear about the offer...
"You mean, we are gonna present it in the Royal headquarters??", an employee asked and Ragini nodded...
"Oh my god, I never thought I would get an opportunity to even step in that huge building and here we are gonna present there, it's so exciting", another employee said
"Yup, work harder so that you get to enter that building every day, if they like the proposal, they would like all of us to start working in their building", Ragini said and everyone hooted... why not, Abhyansh offers the best benefits to the employees over there and it's like a dream come true for everyone out there, but only the best can enter the building. People across the world work in that building since it's the headquarters of such a behemoth.
The whole team contributed to the presentation and making the proposal and just a day before the presentation, they got to know that the king, Abhyansh Singh Ranawat will be present in the presentation too... and this shocked everyone, even a confident woman like Ragini got shivers thinking about presenting in front of the Royal BEAST. The guy, Shivam who was supposed to present backed out...
"Yaar Shivam, you can't back out now", Ragini whined
"Ragini, you can cut 3 months of my pay as a punishment, but please don't ask me to present in front of his highness, I'll die out of nervousness", Shivam said in fear...
"Then who would present??", Ragini asked, but none volunteered... Isha is biting her nails in nervousness, they have been working very hard for this, but now, everything is about to ruin...
"Okay, there's no option, I'll present", Ragini said sighing deeply...
"Um... why don't you let Isha present?? Look, you are the head, you better do the negotiations, it won't look good on your part to present", Reetu said
"Isha?? She would get terrified by the king, she is softer than all of us", Aashna, their colleague said, and Reetu sighed...
"Um... everyone! take a break for 10 minutes, we'll come back again", Ragini said, and everyone dispersed except for Reetu, Isha, and Ragini...
"What the hell are you speaking?? How can I let Isha present??", Ragini scolded Reetu
"Why not?? She has some conversations with the king on a daily basis, compared to all of us, she is the best option we have", Reetu said winking at Isha...
"Daily conversations?? What is she?? His family?? I don't think even his family, or his wife gets to converse with him much considering his personality", Ragini said and Reetu sighed
"Ragini, I'll present", Isha said and Ragini looked surprised
"Ishu... you don't have to, I'll search for another option", Ragini said
"You don't have to, I'll present", Isha said and Ragini nodded, and for the rest of the evening, they prepared everything and after a series of mock presentations, Isha got it right without nervousness or fumbling...
Isha messaged her husband that she would get late as she has some work and immediately received a call...
"Excuse me guys, I have to take this call", Isha said
"Talk here, we don't have much time Ishu...", Aashna said and Reetu looked at Isha getting concerned...
"It's fine, let her go, I'll brief her later", Reetu said but Isha took the call as she doesn't wanna look so secretive...
"Hello...", Isha said slowly...
"Come home right away, do you know what's the time, you are already 2 hours late, and this is being repeated for 5 days, what would happen to your health if you keep working like that??", Abhyansh scolded his wife... his words were heard till outside but the voice isn't clear, so they couldn't depict it's of the king...
"Just this day, I'll be there on time from tomorrow, I'm not overworking...", Isha said, and her friends understood that it's her husband, they hooted teasing Isha...
"Wuhu.... such a caring husband Ishu...", "oho, our Ishu hit a jackpot", comments like these followed by several uhus and aha's...
Reetu's eyes widened as she knew the truth, she tried to stop them, but no one is listening, they never get anything to tease Isha with as she is very soft-spoken and has a very quiet life, well according to them... so, she is not a target of any kind of gossip since she talks very less with everyone, especially men...
"I'll call you back", Isha said and is about to hang up...
"Rani sa...", Abhyansh called in a whisper and his husky voice got her goosebumps...
"Hm...", Isha hummed slowly, she is afraid of her husband getting mad at her colleagues...
"Take care and come back sooner, I'll send a car, with Bhairav", Abhyansh said in his usual tone, and she sighed in relief as he wasn't mad, but regarding the transport, she doesn't want him to send a car, before she could say anything, he hung up...
"Okay, let's start", Isha said, and everyone gave her a teasing smile, Ragini urged them to get back to work and they started their prep for the next day. They are done after an hour or so, and Isha waited till everyone left, Ragini and Reetu are the only ones left other than Isha... Ragini insisted on staying till Isha left, Isha informed her friends that her husband will be sending a car but still Ragini insisted on staying till she gets into her car...
Isha messaged Bhairav to bring the car to her office gate, as Ragini isn't leaving before Isha left. She asked Bhairav not to come out of the car as Ragini is sharp, she would easily recognize the king's right man and that would be a huge problem...
"They are here, I'll go, both of you can leave", Isha said pointing to the car and Ragini nodded and went to bring the car from the parking... seeing Ragini walking inside, Bhairav got out and opened the door for Isha bowing his head in front of her... after Isha sat in, Bhairav closed the door and sat in the passenger seat, but waited till Ragini came out and Reetu got into the car... and they left for their destinations...
Isha reached her room, freshened up, and ran to the dining hall as its almost dinner time...
"Ishu... bacha, why are you so late today??", Ranveer asked his sister, who is serving Abhyansh, she is already nervous about her husband's reaction...
"I had work bhai, won't be late again...", Isha said looking at her husband, conveying the message to her husband but there is no response from him... "by the way, aren't you eating??", she asked seeing her brother wandering near the dining table but not seated yet though he does know the rule that none can be seated after the king has arrived...
"No Ishu... I am full, I went to meet some of our people and had dinner with them... old you n", Ranveer said, and Isha nodded sitting beside her husband, and started eating... Ranveer is about to walk away and sit in the hall when Vikram's phone started ringing, but not his usual ringtone, Isha's eyes widened so did Vikram's...
"Vik, did you change the ringtone?? You eat, I'll see the call", Ranveer said walking towards the table near the dining hall where an artifact was placed, Vikram put his phone on the table while walking towards the dining hall and forgot there...
"Wait, you don't have to", Vikram started but Ranveer is already on his way...
Vikram looked at Isha with a terrified face and Isha's face is reflecting the same terror... Vikram can't get up as Abhyansh is still eating, Isha is in the same situation but for Isha, letting her brother see the caller's name is worse than facing punishment from her husband...
She got up with a jerk shocking everyone and ran towards her brother and snatched the phone from the table before her brother could touch it...
"The call is for me bhai...", Isha said giving a tight smile to Ranveer and putting it in silent mode... as soon as Isha snatched the phone before Ranveer could take it in his hands, Vikram let a big sigh and drank a whole glass of water, his face and body is sweating profusely...
"Why did you give Vikram's number, how did you know this call was for you?? and what's so important that you ran here in the middle of your dinner", Ranveer asked with a worried face as now his sister is gonna face punishment for what she has done... Isha's eyes widened in fear and shock.
She slowly turned her face to see her husband's reaction but didn't have the courage to face him... she quickly walked towards her husband...
"Rana sa... I am so sorry for breaking a rule, I'm ready to face the punishment for this", Isha said anticipating the worst, but nothing came...
"Sit and eat", Abhyansh said in his usual cold tone and continued his dinner... Isha as well as everyone around them are astonished by what just happened... Isha didn't want to irritate her husband more, so she obeyed him, but she knew she needs to give a good reason for what she did and her brain is running around the very same...
"I'm going to my room, Vik, come to my room after dinner, Aryan, go to your chamber after dinner directly and pack everything, since we are leaving tomorrow", Ranveer said and Isha and Vikram looked at each other with worry, what if Ranveer asks about what's happening, they can't definitely tell him the truth... that would destroy everything...
Abhyansh noticed every exchange between Isha and Vikram and that made his fury multiply infinite times... he finished his dinner quickly and walked away...
"Isha... what's that beta?? How could you disobey the king, Thank God, Abhyansh didn't punish you", Amruta reprimanded her daughter-in-law... she is worried for Isha...
"Ma, Bhabhi sa might have a good reason, now leave it and have your dinner", Avyan said
"Yeah, Rani sa is getting away with everything these days, what an unfair king my son is", Pratap mocked, and Isha got hurt... she knew if its someone else, they would have gotten punished badly. She didn't understand how to react, whether to get happy that her husband thought about her or get sad that he is bearing the tag of being unfair just because of her...
"Yeah right, but remember, just because bhai is being unfair, you are still alive, otherwise you would be dead long back for the things you did, so don't you dare say anything about Bhabhi sa or bhai sa, I wouldn't stop with words next time", Avyan said and stormed inside...
"Amruta... your son....", Pratap started...
"Enough... stop talking and go to your chamber Pratap, NOW", Rajmata Devyani Devi ordered, and Pratap calmly left in his wheelchair obeying his mother's order... Isha sighed deeply...
"Maharaj can never be unfair, even his injustice has justice hidden in it... don't think about it much...", Rajmata Devyani Devi said patting Isha's shoulder shocking her... this is the first time she is talking to Isha in such a good way...
After Rajmata left, Amruta smiled at Isha and comforted her... Isha gave one last look to Vikram who stood up to leave and went inside the kitchen along with her mother-in-law to clear the table and everything...
After the work is done, Amruta went inside while Isha walked to Ranveer's chamber, knowing her brother must be grilling Vikram a lot...
"Ran, mai kab se bolra hu (I'm telling you for so long), I knew nothing about it, even my phone is with Isha, to show you the caller ID...", Isha heard Vikram saying when she entered the chamber, Vikram was trying his level best to make Ranveer believe, he expected Isha to have made up a story by now...
"Bhai... I was the one who snatched the phone from you, I am the one who should answer all your questions...", Isha said coming in...
"Okay, then you answer me, what was that??", Ranveer asked
"I gave Vikram's number to someone because I can't give my number, it's regarding work, and I know it was that person calling, as she is supposed to call me exactly at that time... I didn't give your number as I know you'll be going out today, I didn't know you'll be back so soon, otherwise, I would have given your number", Isha lied through her teeth...
"Why Vikram?? You could have given your brother-in-law's number or maybe mother-in-law's number if you don't want them to know your contact number", Ranveer asked
"None in my family are common people, I had no choice but to give Vikram's number, also it's just one time call, they wanted me to work for them and all I had to do was reject their offer", Isha said "take your phone Vikram... I talked to them already, they won't bother you again", Isha told Vikram handing his phone...
"No problem, Isha...", Vikram said putting his phone in his pocket...
"I want to talk to them...", Ranveer asked extending his palm asking for Vikram's phone...
"You can't, I already deleted their contact, but what's the problem bhai?? Why do you want to talk to them??", Isha asked trying to hide her nervousness...
"Because you two seem too suspicious to believe, why did you run like that, what would happen if I saw the caller ID??", Ranveer asked
"Their offer was really good, I don't want you to know about it, I thought you would pressurize me to take up the job...", Isha answered though she knew her brother would never do that...
"Ishu... you have prepared answers for everything well, but you two won't be able to hide things forever... sooner or later, I'll get to know...", Ranveer said walking away...
Vikram and Isha sighed as they got saved for this time and Isha now thought to cool her husband, if her brother didn't believe her story, her husband wouldn't be believing it for sure... it's better to be honest with him, though she can't tell him the truth, she can definitely give an explanation for her act...
"Ishu... thank you and I'm sorry, you had to bear so much for me... I won't be careless next time, I don't know why is she calling me when she knew I am in India and Ranveer would be with me...", Vikram said
"Vikram, everything I did was for my brother, I don't want him to get affected, so you don't have to apologize to me or thank me... go to your chamber", Isha said and walked away, but both of them knew, she not only did this for her brother but also for Vikram...
She walked to their chamber in search of her husband but he is nowhere to be seen... she walked to the study but he is not there as well, she called his phone and heard the ringtone from a corner but everything is blocked there... she is sure her husband is or was there... she searched for a way to go but is surrounded by the walls, there are no doors to go in, but she is sure her husband is inside... she decided to give him some time before talking to him, so she turned to leave but she saw some blood on the floor and the drops of blood path continued to the wall and ended there... She is damn sure that it's her husband's blood, the fact that he had hurt himself to control his fury on her, broke her heart...
She ran out and asked Ramlal to call for Bhairav and Bhairav came to the study in minutes...
"There is a hidden passage to somewhere, please take me there, I know Rana sa is inside...", Isha said looking at the blood...
"Rani sa... I apologize, but please don't go there... Maharaj will be out soon, and you can see him then", Bhairav tried to convince the queen...
"Please, take me there, he is hurt, I have to be there... or else he'll hurt himself more...", Isha said but Bhairav stood there like a stone, she tried for a few minutes, but Bhairav didn't budge...
"BHAIRAV... it's your duty to follow my orders, and it's myORDER, take me to Rana sa, NOW", Isha screamed with authority shocking Bhairav, he has no right to disobey the queen's orders, also he didn't get any orders from the king to stop the queen, so he has no other option but to take her there...
"Ji Rani sa... kindly move aside, I have to open the door...", Bhairav said and Isha moved aside, Bhairav pushed the wall with all his power, Isha's eyes widened seeing the hidden door behind it... Bhairav opened the door and Isha followed him... seeing the path made with her husband's blood drops broke her heart, why is he so angry that he hurt himself so badly...
But she wouldn't understand a possessive BEAST's urge to kill Vikram because of which his wife had to disrespect him, more than that, his wife's concern for that man and their wordless conversation with their eyes has brought an animal out of him... he wanted to pull his wife to him and punish her with his lips brutally till she remembers who she belongs to, but he can't hurt her, so to suppress the urge, and his boiling blood, he decided to shed some of his blood to reduce his fury...
Isha followed Bhairav,after a certain distance, she found Abhyansh's phone and after that point, there are no blood drops, she kept walking taking his phone with her but it's like the way is never-ending...
"Is this the right way Bhairav??", Isha asked
"Yes, Rani sa", Bhairav answered
"What's this place that's so far from the main palace... ", Isha asked huffing and wiping her sweat and tears, as the sight of her husband's blood caused her so much distress and agony...
"This is the inside route to the forbidden palace", Bhairav said shocking Isha...
"F..Forbidden palace, the back palace where no one is allowed except for Rana sa??", Isha asked and Bhairav nodded
Isha heard these stories about the back palace from her mother-in-law and brother-in-law... but none told them why is that place forbidden...
"Rani sa... if you go straight from here... you will reach the palace entrance, I can only open the entrance for you but cannot enter the place...", Bhairav said and Isha nodded, though none entered, she wanted to do it for her husband, right now she has to see her husband and make sure he is fine, rest all are unimportant to her...
"Bhairav, do you think he would get mad seeing me there??", Isha asked suddenly getting afraid, the place itself scared her a lot, and thinking about how secretive her husband is about that place scared her more...
"Technically he would, but Maharaj always acted very strangely when it came to you Rani sa, he took some very unexpected decisions that the Maharaj I know would never take, so your question can be answered rightly by only him", Bhairav said and Isha got surprised, Bhairav never spoke that much and also him speaking about how much she matters to Abhyansh is very pleasant... he is the only one on earth who knew Abhyansh Singh Ranawat better than anyone else...
Isha nodded and they reached the palace entrance, seeing the massive and huge doors like that scared Isha more and made her reconsider her decision... Even the main palace doors are a little smaller compared to them... she wanted to run back, that's how much scared she is, but the sight of his blood in her head didn't let her take a step, she had to see him, that's all, she is determined... she nodded confidently at Bhairav and Bhairav opened the lock and pushed the doors with all his power, when the doors opened, Bhairav bowed down in front of Isha and left from there quickly... opening the doors must have already sent signals to the king, before he comes and blasts on him, he should escape, thought Bhairav and walked away whereas Isha mustered all the courage and took a step in...
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