CHAPTER – 15
I n the evening, Abhyansh and Isha came home together. Isha asked Avyan to join them but he didn't finish his work, she wanted to insist him but her husband glared at her asking her to let him finish his work.
Abhyansh freshened up and walked to his study, while Isha gave coffee to him.
"Where are the snacks ??", he asked while she raised her brows.
"I'll give you later", she said, she likes to serve it hot for Avyan, she doesn't want to say it out loud to her husband who would whine about it but he being a smart man understood it...
"Seriously Isha ?? Now you wouldn't even make snacks unless it's for my brother", Abhyansh glared at his wife.
"Stop throwing tantrums Abhyansh... anyways, you were never interested in snacks, in fact, you never ate it at the beginning... you used to hate anything that's not a proper meal, then what happened ?", she said
"But now I'm loving them, you got me used to it, you are just doing it so that I regret not taking Avyan home with us, aren't you ??", he asked sharply while she looked away... yes, she wanted that as well, but that wasn't the sole reason...
"No, I make snacks mainly for Avyan...so, I want to serve him hot... and moreover... we both come home an hour later to you every day, so I make snacks and bring them to you along with your coffee... but today is different, stop whining about it", she said sternly... he sulked but didn't say anything... he hated the importance his brother is getting from his wife.
"Fine... I'll bring them, till then, have your coffee...", she said huffing... she turned to leave when he pulled her into his lap, she smiled and settled herself in his lap comfortably...
"No need, make them once your brother-in-law comes", Abhyansh said, though his tone is as usual cold, she could hear the jealousy.
"No one would believe you are the king, look at you, behaving like a jealous child...", Isha teased her husband, he snaked his arms around her waist and pressed her waist tightly making her jerk away, but he held her in place, before placing his lips on hers, while his rough hands reached inside her saree caressing her soft molds...
"I'm jealous huh ??", he muttered tracing his lips on her neck before nibbling the skin there... she cupped her mouth before a loud moan escaped her lips... he traced his lips a little lower, slowly kissing her cleavage above her saree. His hand reached out to her pin to take it off but she swiftly pulled his palm away....
"Rana sa... it's not our room...", she said and he groaned... she slowly got up from his lap and cupped his face and kissing his forehead... "tonight...", she said shyly...
"Well, that is for sure... but I don't think I could wait till night... let's go to our room", he said getting up and her eyes widened...
"You have work", she stammered, her words fumbling seeing the desire in his eyes, his intensity caused shivers to her.
He didn't bother to answer, instead, he took her to their chamber and locked the main chamber door and started kissing her...
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"Rana sa... up...upstairs... let's go to the room...", she said shyly, breaking the kiss, though that's their own chamber and she is sure no one could enter inside, she is shy in being so close to her husband in the huge hall of their chamber, the king's chamber almost makes up for 25 percent of the whole palace, which is a lot of space, Isha feels as if their chamber is a palace in itself.
He couldn't hear anything, he just kept kissing her and after a couple of minutes, she got lost in her husband, he lay on the couch, pulling her along, without leaving her lips...
He left her lips when he felt her breathlessness and started dropping wet kisses on her neck, and she unintentionally pushed herself more into him, which turned his gentle kissing into biting and sucking her neck and cleavage... he removed the pin and pulled the saree away from her while she tried to remove his shirt buttons, but with her heavy breathing and shyness, she couldn't concentrate making her impatient husband to just rip it off making the buttons scatter on the floor...
"That's my favourite shirt of yours", she whined, though he owned the same colour of the shirt in several pairs, she particularly loved that shirt as he kissed her for the first time in the same shirt... and the black shirt suited him a lot...
"Sh...", he said kissing her, shutting her up, while his hands got busy in caressing her waist and cloth-clad chest, her moans brought out the beast in him... he is about to take off her blouse when she held his palm...
"Take me to our room... please", she pleaded, he understood his wife's discomfort, and carried her to their room...
He took off her blouse and petticoat leaving her in just her bra and panties, he kept staring at her, he loved staring at his beautiful wife, just looking at her made him painfully hard. She looked away in shyness seeing him staring at her with such intensity. His eyes are extremely expressive, it's sad no one could dare to look into them, and he loves to be emotionally bare in front of his wife.
"Ra..Rana sa", She fumbled, trying to cover herself with the blanket when he threw it away, he stripped off his pants and boxers before hovering over her, he peppered kisses over her cleavage and bra-clad chest, while his hands roamed all around her bare body, stopping at her thighs, caressing them, his length caressing her clothed heat making her moan loudly. He unclasped her bra and took her left nipple into his mouth while kneading the other twin with his rough palm. Isha kept moaning unable to handle the pressure her husband was giving her. He tweaked her right nipple between his fingers sucking the left one, at the same time, he kept caressing her inner thighs with his other palm while rubbing himself on her. She couldn't control the pressure building inside her. She kept pulling him into her more, with her one hand in his hair and another one roaming on his bare back.
He kept biting and sucking her soft and supple skin leaving the purple marks all over her chest and waist. She kept playing with the band of her panties feeling the urge to remove them, she wanted to feel him completely, skin-to-skin. But, her husband's strong grip on her body didn't let her arms move, Abhyansh who understood her, quickly ripped off the tiny cloth off her body, leaving her completely bare to his sore eyes.
Seeing her so wet and ready for him boosted his ego making him proud. He caressed her heat before inserting his fingers one by one into her anticipating heat making her moan loudly. His fingers gave pleasure to her in the lower region while his mouth worked on the upper, making her lose her senses in his touch, she gasped loudly when his mouth replaced his fingers, with his licking and sucking her heat, she didn't last long.
"Ansh...", with a loud moan, she climaxed and he sucked her juices, and his last lick sucked the life out of her, making her all the way more needy for her husband. Every time, he made sure to show her heaven...
"Ansh... please...", she said pulling his head towards her, while his lower region is aligned to hers...
"Hm ??", he asked looking at her with a smirk, his wife looked so sexy with that desire in her eyes, sweat beads glistening on her body and with her hair open. And expressing her desires openly would make her even more sexy, he thought, but instead of words, she pulled him in a deep kiss while moving her hips on his.
"Demand for it and your Rana will be at your service Rani sa", he whispered huskily on her lips. He badly wanted to make love to her, just bury himself into her, but only he knew how difficult it is to stop himself from taking her hard. He waited for her to say those precious words but she too is his stubborn queen. She took his length in her soft palms and started caressing it gently, shocking him.
He never taught her this, then how did she even know, though she isn't doing it exactly, her inexperience and innocence is making it even harder, her soft palms made him want her badly.
"When you can touch me there, why can't I ??", she said answering his unasked question and her words and her palms broke his final string of resolve, he took her palms off him and thrust himself into her in a go, a loud moan escaped her. He was so rough on her that she was sure she would remain sore for at least a few days, but she hardly cared about it now. She enjoyed her husband's rough passion, at the same time he made sure she is okay, he never did something that would make her feel degraded, his love sure is rough, his passion his high, but never disrespectful and that's what she loved the most in him.
Her heavy moans and his groans filled the atmosphere in the room, and before she realized she reached her high again and climaxed, all the while his thrusts continued making her last long, and she experienced heaven on earth, making her see stars. After a while of hard thrusts, he reached his climax, he released inside her instead of pulling out like every time, and with his warm release inside her, she cummed again screaming his name loudly...
He laid on his back and pulled her into his arms softly caressing her back and hair, calming her breaths... she hid her face in his arms making him chuckle at her shyness every time after they did the deed. She slowly closed her eyes in tiredness when she felt him turn towards her, and her eyes widened when she felt him hard again. She remembered the time when he told her, he is difficult to be satisfied, every time they made love, she felt it, and sometimes she questioned herself if she satisfied him, but then his groans and the bliss on his face answers her question.
He chuckled at her shocked face feeling his hardness on her core.
"Take some rest for a while, I'll go and take care of this", he said softly but she held her wrist pulling him to her, thrusting herself into him... "Isha... bacha you are tired", he groaned, her advances were making it really hard for him...
"No, I'm never tired for you", she said pulling him closer... he hesitated, as he didn't want to tire her. Though he knew the only way he gets her in pain but doesn't feel guilty of it is this, as he knew she feels the pleasure and is equally wants it. But, he didn't want to overdo it.
"Don't I satisfy you Rana sa ??", she asked seeing his hesitation, despite knowing the truth, she couldn't help but question herself sometimes.
He immediately hovered over her and pushed himself into her drawing a moan indicating her pain and pleasure at the same time. Her self-doubt angered him, he wasn't expressive verbally but he thought he made her feel it every time but he was so wrong. How could she even think that she wasn't satisfying him, she was the only woman who could satisfy him, both his physical and emotional needs.
"Just your sight makes me want to kiss you desperately, your touch makes me want to have you in my arms badly and your warmth urge me to take you right there. How could you not know how much I crave for you, you satisfy my every need Rani sa, no woman could other than you, I hate you doubting yourself, never do it, never...", he said thrusting into her harshly drawing a scream, he pinched her nipple and took another one in his mouth, his other hand kneading her waist, pleasure spread through her body, every inch screaming her husband's name. This time he made sure to show how much she satisfies him.
She couldn't take his sweet torture on her body anymore, so she rolled their positions hovering him, she started peppering kisses on his neck, slowly thrusting into him making him go crazy. She kissed his chest, his abs, dropping extra kisses on his scars. This was the first time she was taking a lead and he let her. Her little caresses and kisses, and bites are making him painfully hard and she could feel him inside her and that encouraged her more. He enjoyed her pleasuring him, but after some time, it became too much for him to handle the beast inside him, he rolled and started thrusting into her wildly, her pleasurable screams tamed him to some extent and soon, both of them reached their climax, this time together, and the feeling is such a bliss.
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Isha fell asleep instantly getting tired even before completely coming down from her high. Abhyansh slowly pecked her forehead, and walked to the washroom, cleaned himself, and then cleaned his wife, before applying tea tree oil with a lavender scent to prevent the soreness and to make her feel fresh. He knew his wife loved the lavender scent, it always relaxed her. He brought an open button-up nightie to make her wear without disturbing her sleep, but just after he is done, her ringing phone woke her up, though he immediately silenced it.
"Who is it ??", she asked sitting, her tone hoarse with all the screaming she did...
"No one... sleep, you are tired", he said kissing her forehead
"Did I pass out ??", she asked embarrassed, she didn't actually pass out, but couldn't stop her tiredness either...
"Baby it's okay, I'm sorry, I tired you", he said settling beside her and taking her into his arms...
"Why are you sorry ?? For making me feel so good, hm ?? If this is how it is, I would want you to feel sorry everyday", she said, his eyes widened, before a smirk formed on his face, his wife is too shy to express how she felt but looks like that's changing.
"Sure... I'm here to fulfil my Rani sa's every demand", he said making her blush furiously...
"Don't tease me Rana sa", she whined making him chuckle.
"Hm... now go back to sleep", he said ruffling her hair...
"No... I can't sleep at this time... it's not good for the home to sleep at this time", she said, surprised at how her husband who usually followed all these things is asking her to sleep.
"Once in a while is fine", he said but she shook her head
"By the way, who called ?", she asked remembering her ringtone that woke her up, she expected it to be her brother seeing the irritated look on her husband...
"Your brother-in-law", he said... "I should teach him a lesson for this", he muttered but she heard
"Don't you dare Rana sa", she said sternly, surprising him...
"What if I do ??", he asked enjoying her tigress avatar...
"Abhyansh, it wouldn't be good for you... you and your Bhairav had hurt him enough... I won't let you cause pain to him...", she said like a mother protective over her child, a small smile formed on his lips seeing it surprising her. "What is it ??", she asked softly taking his large palm into hers rubbing it softly... there is a peaceful smile on her husband's face which is very rare. She is sure he is smiling remembering a memory fondly.
"Avyan wanted to always call my wife 'Bhabhi ma'", he said smiling fondly remembering at their childhood memory...
"Really ?? He said that to you ??", Isha asked excited, it's very rare for her husband to open up about his past, so whenever he did, she listened to him with enthusiasm, she wanted to know everything about his life.
"Yes", he said with a nod
"When did he say ??", Isha asked
"When he was a little kid", Abhyansh said with a smile remembering how cute his brother was, in fact both his brother and sister were...
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"Bhai sa... Bhai sa...", little Avyan ran to his brother who was practicing Swordsmanship in the back palace with their grandfather supervising his training.
Abhyansh instantly put his sword down and rushed towards his brother, fearing he would hurt himself as the sharp swords were lying on the floor here and there as he and his grandfather were choosing the best sword for Abhyansh to practice. Abhyansh lifted his brother in his arms and walked back to the hall and seated him beside him.
"Why are you running like that ?? Didn't I tell you not to ??", Abhyansh asked sternly
"Sorry Bhai sa...", Avyan said, giving a toothless smile to his brother which made Abhyansh soften up...
"Don't run again, you'll get hurt, now tell me, what do you want to say ??", he asked his little brother...
"When you will become big, like really big and marry like papa married ma, I'll call your wife as 'Bhabhi ma'", he said really excited making Abhyansh frown, where did his little brother learn all this ??
"Who told you all this ??", he asked
"My friend", Avyan said... "his father married again, but he doesn't call her as 'ma' and that is why she doesn't love him, when you marry, I'll call her 'Bhabhi ma' then she would love me like you do", Avyan said, giggling proudly as if he discovered something very new.
"But why Bhabhi ma and not ma ??", their grandfather who walked there, asked him...
"But I already have Ma and Ma said I should call bhai sa's wife as Bhabhi sa, but I said I'll call her 'Bhabhi ma', I can call that right bhai sa??", Avyan asked but before Abhyansh could answer, a little girl ran towards them...
"ADVAITA, Don't run", Abhyansh said, his little sister is his heartbeat...
"No, you can't call her 'Bhabhi ma', only I can call her, and then she will love me more", the little girl said
"No, she will love me more", Avyan fought back
"Avyan... how many times should I say, you shouldn't shout at your sister, she is the princess, so talk to her softly", their grandfather told strictly...
Advaita looked at her twin brother teasing him while Avyan looked as if he would cry anytime...
"Sh... okay, you can call her 'Bhabhi ma', okay ??", Abhyansh said ruffling Avyan's hair and wiping his nose with his handkerchief while his sister glared at her elder brother and also her twin brother...
"Bhai sa... why do you always take Avyan's side ?? Why do you love him more ?? Huh, I don't like you", Advaita complained making Abhyansh half-smiled at his little sister... he knew his sister is very strong-minded, and brave, unlike his brother who is very soft. Though Abhyansh is always emotionally a bit detached with people, he loved his mother a lot, he communicated the most with his mother followed by his siblings.
"I love you both equally Advaita... come here", he called her softly, she came towards him still pouting her lips angrily... "you are my princess, your bhai sa loves you a lot, stay strong like this, you have to protect Avyan and yourself in bhai sa's absence, okay ??", Abhyansh softly said and she nodded promising her brother.
Their grandfather Udai Singh Ranawat looked at his eldest grandson with pride. He is strong and cold at the same time soft for his family. He hoped things get better with time but they only worsened, and it started with his death.
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When Isha observed the small smile on her husband's face getting replaced with the look she hated and also feared the most, she slowly kept her palm on his jerking him out of his past. Remembering the two people he loved and lost pushed his heart into the fire again, the peace he felt just some time ago burning in that fire.
"Rana sa...", she said softly taking his palm into hers... he wanted to go away from her so that he doesn't hurt her but she held his palm tightly... "it's okay, stay", she said softly, pulling him to her... he sighed before giving away into his wife's love and comfort... he laid his head on her chest while she softly ruffled his hair soothing his pain. At that time, he felt as if she was just his wife who loved him unconditionally, not his enemy's daughter, the man who he hated with everything he had, and he gave in to the comfort she provided.
After some time, both of them got away... she tried to get down when he lifted her in his arms and took her to the washroom...
"Take a warm bath, you will feel good", he said and was about to go, when she pulled him in...
"You need a bath too...", she said and he nodded...
Both of them freshened up, and Abhyansh offered her a pain killer but she refused, at times like this, he was remembered of the fact that how strong his wife was both mentally and physically, her pain tolerance and endurance is a lot higher than an average female, no doubt she is a Rajput.
Isha wore a cotton saree as she was in no mood to wear any other saree now, she needed comfort... she decided to go in front of her husband wearing it, she would change it if he raised objection. She is a queen and is expected to carry herself like a royal always. Though her husband did tell her that she could wear her Kurtis or suits at home if she wants, she wanted to maintain that dignity which as his wife is expected.
He stared at her in awe at how gorgeous she looked in a simple cotton saree... his wife managed to surprise him always with her simple yet elegant looks. She gracefully carried herself like a queen at every moment.
"Should I change?? I thought so....", she said and turned to go inside but her husband caught her wrist with a frown...
"Why would you ??", he asked and she looked at him with raised brows, and he understood what she meant... "you look like a queen in every outfit... don't be so conscious about the rules Isha... in a month, you'll be in charge of the palace and the issues related to it, you can change things if you think they are needed", he said and she nodded with a smile...
"I'll start my training from tomorrow...", she said
"Tomorrow is your birthday Isha...there's no hurry, start it from day after tomorrow bacha...", he said rubbing her cheeks with his thumbs softly...
"I know... but I want to do everything right, I want to become the best version of myself and make you proud, you asked me something for the first time, I wanted to give my everything to become the bold and brave queen you wanted me to be", she said and he pulled her into his arms hugging tightly...
"I'm proud of you and I know you'll do it, but just remember these 30 days and the coming journey from here on will be hard for you Rani sa... you'll be seeing the real world, some things will make you furious, disgust you, make you detest people, sometimes you'll feel lost, helpless, and mad at yourself for not being able to do anything, keep your calm in every situation, learn to control your emotions at every step, winning your self is the first step to conquer the world, your kindness should be mindful, don't let people take advantage of it", he said and she nodded understanding what he meant... "and one last thing... don't lose your innocence, the pure childlike innocence is what I love the most about you... I just want my innocent wife inside our chamber", he said and she smiled cupping his face, tiptoed, and kissed his forehead...
"Just like you are my Abhyansh inside our chamber, I'm just your Isha here... I promise, no matter what I encounter during the day, I'll leave everything outside our chamber, and step in just as your wife", she said making him smile and kissing her forehead...
"It's late for snacks... you got me late", she said suddenly looking at the wall clock...
"Good", he said earning a glare from his wife...
"I won't let you succeed, I'll make Aloo Bonda, Avyan's favourite for snacks, and he will have it now only, there's still time for dinner, and instead I'll make fewer dishes for dinner", she said, and walked away, he shook his head at his wife's childishness, he is sure she would make enough dishes for dinner as well. He walked to his study to get some work done before the dinner.
"Avyan... you called ??", she asked as soon as she reached the hall and saw Avyan and Amruta sitting there and talking with each other. Amruta gave her a smile while Avyan glared at her, Isha gave a sheepish smile in return...
"Ma, you know, someone told me yesterday, they would make Aloo Bonda for snacks today...", Avyan taunted his sister-in-law surprising Amruta, who never saw her younger son complain about his sister-in-law.
"I am... I am... come with me to the kitchen and help me... we'll make it faster, then I'll have to make dinner as well", Isha said and Avyan smiled brightly...
"You'll make it for me Bhabhi sa ??", Avyan jumped from his seat making the women laugh at him...
"Yes, but you have to help me...", Isha said
"Okay...", Avyan said and followed his sister-in-law before ordering the caretaker to be with Amruta.
Isha made 'Aloo Bonda' while he chopped vegetables for dinner. Since Amruta isn't well, Isha is doing both chopping and cooking from then as only these two women knew how choosy Abhyansh is regarding food.
"Avyan... cut the vegetables carefully, they should be of identical dimensions... otherwise, your bhai sa would kill me", Isha said warning her brother-in-law in between...
"Ha Bhabhi sa... I don't know how he will get to know everything, I sometimes feel he has a binoculars, measuring tape, calculator and magnifying glass hidden inside his eyes", Avyan said making Isha laugh...
"OMG! What am I hearing ?? Lakshman backbiting about his Ram Bhaiyya?", Isha teased her brother-in-law...
"Because Lakshman knows Sita ma will love his Ram Bhaiyya no matter what", Avyan told, Isha's cheeks turned pink, she tried to hide her blush but couldn't, Avyan laughed looking at his cute and innocent sister-in-law.
"Okay then, eat your not-so-funny jokes, I'm not giving you any 'Aloo Bonda' ", Isha said
"Bhabhi sa...", Avyan whined
"Okay okay... here...", Isha said handing the plate... "keep eating this, I'm making more", she said frying more, and Avyan had it happily while she made dinner simultaneously...
"Bhabhi sa... I want some more", Avyan asked showing his empty plate for third serving, Isha frowned shaking her head
"You won't have dinner, I'll make again next week", she said
"Bhabhi sa, please...", Avyan said, and Isha sighed, who would believe he is in his mid-twenties ?? He is such a kid...
"Okay, on one condition", she said and Avyan nodded curiously, awaiting his third serving... his sister-in-law makes delicious food and he could do anything for it...
"Bhabhi ma...", Isha said, waiting for any aversive reactions from Avyan but she only saw a painful yet peaceful smile on his face... so she continued... "call me Bhabhi ma, that is if you want to...", she added and he gave her a wide smile...
"Bhabhi ma...", Avyan said trying hard to control his tears but she saw his welled-up eyes... she doesn't know what pain he is going through but she wanted to soothe him...
"Sh... it's okay", she slowly ruffled his hair, remembering his twin sister caused him both pain and peace and his sister-in-law's soft and affectionate palm soothed him to some extent... "here...", she said giving him more and he grinned eating them making her smile widely...
After eating, Avyan helped his sister-in-law with the dinner while talking about all the things in the world losing the track of time. Only when Rajmata Devyani came inside the kitchen and reminded them that Abhyansh would be down anytime now for the dinner, did they realize how late they got indulging in talks... Rajmata scolded them for their negligence before starting to help them, but still they got late by a minute.
For a second, Isha's memory is clouded with how her husband made her make the food again with her injured palms and made her to starve for getting the food late for half an hour. She shook her head to remove those thoughts, those days are gone, don't go there, she chided herself.
Abhyansh understood what got his ever-punctual wife late, seeing his brother too coming out of the kitchen, burping heavily. His hands and clothes were filled with dough and oil...
Avyan gulped visibly looking at his brother who is already seated at the dining table, Rajmata and Avyan knew now they couldn't sit and have dinner as no one is supposed to arrive after the king.
"Sit everyone... this is a one-time exception though", Abhyansh said, Avyan and Devyani Devi soon recovered from their shock and settled in their seats. Isha grinned at her husband but his words soon made her glare at him...
"Rani sa... it would be better if you concentrate on more important things instead of passing time with kids", Abhyansh said, taunting both his wife and brother, by indirectly calling Avyan a kid.
"You are right Rana sa, I'm sorry, from next time, I won't concentrate on this one particular fussy eater kid, I mean I won't pass time with kids, instead concentrate on more important things like preparing dinner", she said taunting him in return, Avyan so badly wanted to laugh but didn't...
"Serve Yuvraj more", Abhyansh told the servant, seeing his brother stifling his laughter... Abhyansh understood he filled his stomach with 'Aloo Bonda'. Now, he would understand what would happen if he laugh at his brother's expense... firstly, he ate the snacks prepared by his wife alone and then dared to laugh at his expense ?
"Rana sa... have your food calmly... don't irritate him", she whispered so that only he could hear... Abhyansh groaned but continued having his food like a fussy eater he is...
By looking at the vegetable sizes, he understood they weren't chopped by his wife or his mother, and that left with his brother, this made him angrier with Avyan but couldn't even say a thing to him, so he quickly ate a little and left to his study sulking. Isha sighed at her childish husband.
Pratap too left after his dinner followed by Devyani.
Isha and Avyan are left eating while Amruta kept sitting to give company to them.
Isha quickly finished her dinner while Avyan had it slowly.
"Bhabhi ma, I am still eating, at least sit with me till I finish", Avyan said, Amruta looked surprised hearing her son address Isha as 'Bhabhi ma' but didn't react on it in order maintain that casualness.
"Can't, your brother didn't eat properly, I'll at least go and prepare something for him, he won't have anything after an hour", she said quickly settling thigs... "sometimes I feel as if I am handling a child", she said to herself making Avyan chuckle... "eat slowly...", she said and turned to Amruta... "Ma, would you please guide them to sort all thisafter Avyan is done ??", she asked
"Ha ha, I'll make sure to get this done, don't worry, go", Amruta assured her daughter-in-law
"Sorry ma, you should rest at this time but I...", Isha trailed feeling guilty, looking at her mother-in-law in wheel chair...
"Isha... I have to do nothing, stop feeling guilty and go", Amruta said, Isha nodded and walked away quickly...
"Poor her, does so much work yet thinks she isn't doing enough... and these days I am not of any help to her, I add more to her stress, she had to take care of me too", Amruta said feeling bad for her daughter-in-law who is juggling between her office, home and her responsibilities as a queen.
"Ma... don't worry, I'll try to come home early and help Bhabhi sa in cooking from tomorrow", Avyan said
"No... you will double her work, instead of being help to her, just like you did today", Amruta scolded her son for his bad job at chopping vegetables.
"Ma...", Avyan whined but Amruta shut him up with her glare.
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Isha quickly made a smoothie and bread roll for her moody, kiddish and extremely brooding husband. She knew he is at the office in their chamber, so she took them to him.
She saw him killing his laptop with his fingers, she sighed at her husband's anger, silently praying to double her patience. She walked to him, closed his laptop, gently pushing it away and placed the food tray in its place, all the while ignoring her husband's glare.
"Have it, it's still not late", she said
"Why did you let him chop the vegetables, they are not in symmetrical sizes", he complained
'What do you have to do with their symmetrical sizes??', she wanted to say but didn't as he is already mad... "I am sorry, I'll do it from next time", she said softly instead
"Making aloo bonda for him wasn't important, my dinner is", He said
"Okay... I'll keep it in mind, now have this when it's hot, trust me you will enjoy it", she said and he did, he instantly calmed after having the food. His wife is right, half of his anger is because of his growling stomach.
"You shouldn't have made snacks, see, because of it, I haven't had my dinner properly and you have to cook for me again", he said and she huffed in annoyance.
"Stop whining like a child, what's done is done... enough now, you complain so much", she shouted at him getting mad, shocking him. "What?? Now have this", she said annoyed, pushing the glass towards him which he did silently. Her patience is a lot less than her average and he knew why. It's almost the time of the month for her and her mood swings are at peaks at this time.
After he was done, she left with the tray, he quickly wrapped up his work and followed his wife to their suit. Isha was talking to her brother when Abhyansh came into the room, he instantly groaned hearing his brother-in-law's irritating tone. Isha glared at her husband, he sighed and walked into his closet to change hoping she would finish her call by then but too bad, she is still on call, but her staring at his half-naked form turned his frown into a smirk. He is glad now he didn't have to sleep with his shirt on, and the admiration he sees in his wife's deep hazel orbs makes his night...
"Ishu... are you listening ??", Ranveer asked his sister when he saw her looking at the other side with stars in her eyes, he didn't know what's there that has got his sister drooling and his unasked question is answered when he saw his brother-in-law, sorry, shirtless brother-in-law settling comfortably beside his sister.
"Rajput", Abhyansh said and Ranveer looked pissed, he didn't like the growing closeness between his sister and her husband... he would get a mini heart attack if he knows the extent of it...
"Ranawat...", Ranveer greeted back, Isha giggled
"Can't you guys greet each other like normal people ?? And What's this Rajput and Ranawat ?? Are you people addressing the whole kingdom ??", she asked
"He can't call me by my name", / "this is fine", Abhyansh and Ranveer said at the same time...
"Why can't I call you by your name ?? Are you my husband that I can't take your name huh", Ranveer said pissed, earning a glare from both his brother-in-law and sister. "Acha... okay, sorry bacha, leave all this, pick my call at 12, I want to wish you", he said and Isha nodded... "and I have a surprise for you tomorrow", Ranveer said, Isha got excited
"What is the surprise bhai ??", she asked
"It's called a surprise for a reason Ishu... you do understand the meaning of 'Surprise' right ?", Ranveer teased making his sister pouting, and his brother-in-law annoyed.
"Okay enough of call", Abhyansh said, hanging up.
"Rana sa... I'm talking", she whined...
"Enough of talking with your idiot brother, concentrate on your husband...", he said pulling her to him
"My brother isn't idiot, don't call him that", she said angrily though his naked chest was making her lose control.
"Fine... enough about him...", he said pulling her into a deep kiss hovering her, she pulled him into her fisting his hair while he took off her saree pin...
"Rana sa... it's just a while back...", she started but his soft caresses stopped her from saying further... she wanted him... so badly, but she doubted if her body would function the next day...
"I'll be gentle... I promise", he said and she nodded giving in to their desires. She knew she wouldn't have resisted his charm if he started it but he made sure to take her permission before going forward and that warmed her heart, she knew his desires very well and yet he always put her comfort before his needs and this increased her love for him. Sure, they have come a long way in their relationship.
Abhyansh made love to his wife gently, his slow passion burning her...
"Wear this", he said handing him her shirt, after he cleaned her...
"No... Bhai will video call me in some time to wish me, just get my pyjamas, the Mickey Mouse ones... Bhai bought them...", she said and he shook his head at her love for the things her brother bought. He is back with her night suit and helped her wear it.
"Abhyansh... wear your shirt too...", she said, she saw how her brother's expression changed looking at her husband roaming shirtless in front of her, she had an idea that her brother hated her closeness with her husband.
"I don't give a damn about what your brother wants Rani sa", Abhyansh made his statement loud and clear, though his wife didn't voice out, he knew what she wanted to say and why. She rolled her eyes at her husband.
"Then stay hidden to the camera...", she argued, they continued their talking, and when the clock stuck 12, Abhyansh shut her up with a kiss...
"I love you", he said and she frowned
"You are supposed to say, 'Happy Birthday' or 'Many more happy returns of the day' or you can even say...", she started but he put his finger on her lips stopping her from talking further
"I know how to wish, but I don't want to, instead I'll work hard to make you happy on your birthday", he said and she shook her head at his logic...
"Fine... I'll let my bhai wish me first then", she said looking at her phone blinking with her brother's contact number.
"Many many happy returns of the day my wife... I love you so much", Abhyansh said pulling her into a tight hug making her laugh loudly at his competitiveness...
"Okay okay, now let me answer my bhai's call", she said giggling, getting away from his hug while he is unwilling to let go.
"Bhai...", she said picking up her brother's call...
"Happy Happy Birthday my Ishu... I wish you all the happiness in the world, my beautiful bacha... you deserve the world and your bhayyu will try to give you everything you deserve till his last breath... Bhayyu loves you the most bachuuu", Ranveer wished his sister with a bright smile bringing tears in her eyes. He wanted to go there and wish her directly but his beast of a brother-in-law already warned him.
"Thank you bhayyu... Ishu too loves her bhayyu the most...", Isha said making Abhyansh groan in irritation and jealousy...
"I love you both the most", she corrected looking at her husband but he is still sulking making her frown...
"Leave him, he is a born brood", Ranveer said understanding his sister's dilemma.
"Rajput... if you don't want to die on your sister's birthday, hang up", Abhyansh warned coldly... he hated that his wife loved his idiot of a brother-in-law equally...
"Rana sa... don't talk like that", she said slapping his arm, Ranveer smirked at it...
"Bhai... bye...", she said hanging up as she didn't want to witness a fight between the brothers-in-law the first thing on her birthday.
"This is why I call him an idiot", he sulked, she smiled at his irked face and kissed his chest just above his heart...
"Thank you for being with me and wishing me... I know it's been years you wished someone on their birthday, I haven't seen you wishing Avyan on his birthday as well, now that you started doing it, wish him next time, he waited for you to do it the whole day...", she said
"I know, that's why I was away from home the whole day, because I know you would try your best to make me wish him", he said and she chuckled at her smart husband. That's why he wasn't even picking up her calls that day, though she gave him an earful for it later.
"Don't do this, wish him the coming year, he would be very happy", Isha said and he sighed, but didn't respond.
"I want to know the past Rana sa... that is if you are okay with sharing", she said softly... she wanted to know why birthdays were bitter for him... especially his mother's birthday...
"I'll tell you for sure, but tomorrow, I don't want to scar your birthday with those bitter memories", Abhyansh said
"I don't see it like that, instead as a new start to unveiling the web of secrets surrounding our relationship, why not start today", she said slowly taking his right palm in hers... "your past isn't a scar for me Anshno matter howbitter it may be, it's never a scar, but I can sure try to become the medicine to your scars", she said softly kissing his palm...
"You already are, you don't know how you soothe my pain without even trying just by your presence in my life...", he said softly...
"Then let me try now... maybe I can provide you more comfort... I want to be your solace, Ansh, at every moment of your life, happy, sad, tough, challenging, any time of your life, I want you to find your peace and comfort in me", she said and he slowly lied down putting his head in her lap, while she caressed his hair softly...
"Ma cheated on her husband, not for one day, one month, one year, but for more than 17 years", Abhyansh said gritting his teeth... Isha's body froze hearing her husband... what the hell is he saying ?? No, her innocent and sweet ma can never do it...
"Wh...What ??", Isha asked stuttering
"Emotionally", he added and Isha left the breath she held... but she thought the Amruta she came to love and respect as her mother is incapable of doing this, but she decided to hear her husband completely before judging.
-------------------------------------------
Amruta was betrothed to the prince of Jodhpur, Chirag Rathore, but when he refused to take the responsibilities as the crown Prince as he wanted to become a doctor, Amruta's father got her married to Pratap Singh Ranawat, who is the only son of Maharaj Udai Singh Ranawat and is willing to take the throne.
Amruta never completely forgot him as she imagined him to be her husband right from childhood, but after getting married, Pratap really treated her well, and loved her, making her slowly forget her love for Chirag. No one knew about the betrothal as Rathore clan is ashamed of their son's deeds and Amruta's family didn't want to suffer their daughter, so mutually decided to keep it low.
Though Amruta forgot Chirag, there is always this guilt of hiding the truth from her husband and in-laws who treated her really well, trusted her, and respected her, but her father took a promise from her not to reveal it ever and she is bound to it.
Chirag loved Amruta but couldn't sacrifice his dream of becoming a doctor, so he let her go, but he always kept tabs on her. He always visited the temple on her every birthday to get a glimpse of her knowing she would come there on that day for sure. Even after years and she became the mother of 3, he didn't stop this. He just wanted to make sure she was doing okay.
When Abhyansh was just 2, and the twins weren't even born, Pratap got to know about Amruta being betrothed to Chirag, he felt betrayed, he was so angry with his wife that he started pushing away everything related to her and that included his son. Pratap was never a loving father, he maintained his distance from Abhyansh though he loved him from a distance, but after he got to know about his wife's betrayal and how she hid the truth of her prior betrothal, he not only verbally abused Amruta, he also did to Abhyansh. Amruta always tried to prevent her son from hearing all the things her husband says to her but she failed.
Seeing his mother getting verbally abused by his father, seeing her crying in a corner and giving a painful smile to him to make him feel better, caused the bitterness in him, and became aversive to his father. All those verbal abuses thrown towards his mother and at him made him tough, cold just at that tender age, he always hated communication and to his luck, his mother did not need his words to understand him so he used as lesser words as possible as he was afraid of spitting venom like his father if he speaks much.
When he was 3 he saw his mother crying the day before her birthday, he accompanied his mother and from then he continued to gift her saree every year and his mother liked to visit the temple alone wearing the saree he gifted her. He asked her many times to let him accompany her but she couldn't. Amruta went there to ask forgiveness from god for her sins. She gave herself to her husband on her wedding night though she had Chirag in her heart then and she always felt guilty of it. And hiding things from her husband and in-laws weighed her more with guilt and regret, so she decided to ask for forgiveness from god in the same place where she decided to start afresh with her husband forgetting the prince of Jodhpur.
She always denied her son from accompanying her as she didn't want to make him a part of her sins.
Things became difficult for the Ranawat family after Udai Singh Ranawat was killed, Udai didn't believe in his son's capabilities and with the way he treated his daughter-in-law(Amruta) and grandson(Abhyansh), Udai made Abhyansh his successor not Pratap and this made Pratap hate his son more. After Udai passed away, Pratap took the throne as the caretaker of the throne, Abhyansh wanted to handle the responsibilities but he was barely 10, so he was sent away by his father for his education but Abhyansh kept eye on his kingdom as he couldn't ignore the responsibilities given to him by his grandfather. But, when his father got to know about him keeping an eye on him, he sent him out of country and cut his sources.
Abhyansh hated his weak self who lost to his father, he was just a10-year old kid but he knew a lot more than a grown-up man, his grandfather taught him vital things to remember at the time of crisis and it's time to put them into use. He started growing his network, power and made his own place at a tender age.
Abhyansh learned how the other royal families played his stupid father, caused his accident making him handicapped and crushed his family, occupying their lands, properties, and wealth, turning their own people against them. Hereturned home and took the throne and from that moment, he encountered power-hungry vultures at every step of his fight back, people tried to kill him, his family and everything he called his, and he fought back and won. But, every time he won, he lost a piece of himself. His trust in humans slowly evaporated into thin air. But he completely lost the last inch of humanity in him when his twin siblings were abducted, to snatch the power, and he failed to save his sister who was brutally killed by a cruel man. To protect his family, himself, and everything he called his, he became The BEAST from Abhyansh, whom people around him called The Royal BEAST.
Though he turned into a cold-hearted beast, he was the same loving son to his mother, the only woman who gave him peace and comfort. But all that changed with his mother's one act.
When he was 16, he gave her a saree, she was reluctant to celebrate her birthday, as she was mourning his sister's death but he wanted to change his mother's mood, so he insisted she wear the saree, and Amruta decided to visit the temple and mourn her daughter's death trying to find peace at god's feet. Chirag who felt bad seeing Amruta crying badly came towards her...
"Chirag ??", she gasped in shock... you here ??", Amruta asked
"I come here every year, to see you, but today, I couldn't stay away seeing you in pain...", he said, and tears made their way in her eyes remembering her daughter.
"She is so small, I don't know how much my bacchi has suffered, why didn't god take my life instead of hers... I can't live with this pain Chirag... my daughter...”, saying this, Amruta sobbed, and he held her by her shoulders to console her, she appreciated his concern but she didn't like him holding her by her shoulders so she is about to move away when she saw her husband there, getting down from his car.
"Chirag, leave from here, right away", she said in panic and he left from there. Pratap didn't see Chirag's face and in that rage, he didn't even bother to, he slapped his wife shocking her. Chirag didn't leave from there, as he knew how Pratap treated Amruta as he was visiting Ranawats from years only to know about Amruta.
That day, after coming home, Pratap called his son home...
"Look at what your mother is doing on her every birthday wearing the saree you gift her every year... disgusting", his father screamed looking at his wife who is sobbing silently. Abhyansh walked towards his mother and slowly lifted her head holding her chin, the slap marks on her face caused the beast inside him to come out... his father kept abusing his mother verbally and his childhood came in front of his eyes...
“Your mother is a liar, a betrayer, she betrayed me, she has a lover...", his father told Abhyansh who was just a kid then
"No... you are lying... Ma... say this is all a lie... Ma... why are you silent, tell papa that it was a lie", little Abhyansh said shaking his mother by her hand who stood still with tears in her eyes...
"What would she say ?? When all this is the truth", Pratap said
"No... you are lying... no", he said, Before the discussion could prolong, Udai came there and lashed out at his son for saying all that nonsense to his wife in front of their little kid...
Abhyansh's eyes turned red seeing the finger prints on his mother's cheek, and the past he remembered increased his fury, he turned and held his father's collar harshly...
"Don't you dare lay your dirty hand on my mother again... next time, I would directly put a bullet in your head", Abhyansh warned and left from there...he didn't question his mother, he didn't want to... he knew his father is a lot but not cheap to put fake allegations on his wife, there might be at least half-truth in what he is saying and Abhyansh doesn't want to know his mother's sins, for him she is his mother, and he would always love her, he knew himself, if he gets to know she did something unacceptable, he would turn against her, and at this point, he didn't want to lose his mother who is the only person that's so close to his heart.
He continued searching for his sister's killer and finally found it. What he got to know shocked him. His mother's alleged ex-lover is an accomplice in his sister's murder... Abhyansh made a plan to kill him but Amruta leaked the plan wanting to save him. Because she is sure Chirag can never do something like that and she didn't want her son to kill an innocent man.
----------------------------------------------------
"She betrayed me for that man, I couldn't tolerate that...", he said his tone emotionless... he didn't tell her his sufferings or how his father verbally abused him, because he was never used to sharing his sufferings...
Isha was so shocked to know Abhyansh had a sister and she was killed... how painful it might be?? And even his grandfather was killed?? Why?? Are people really that cruel that they can kill anyone for the power and money??
" Ansh... is there something more to it?? Why do you hate ma so much ??", Isha asked as she felt there was something more, he wasn't telling her...
"She not only saved him from my men, she allowed him inside the palace and that man attacked the whole family... and Bhairav's younger brother lost his life in trying to save the family", he said, his tone cracked for the first time ever... a tear escaped her eye seeing his painful tone.
"Bhairav's brother ??", Isha asked, and he nodded
"Bhuvan... my best friend", Abhyansh said, remembering his friend, all the time he narrated his past, his voice never cracked though his sufferings caused her throat to dry in pain, his never choked, but while talking about his best friend's death, it did. While talking about his sister's killing, she only saw the raw madness in his eyes, maybe his pain was hidden but now it was evident. Her heart broke seeing him like that...
"You had a friend??", words left her mouth before she could stop them, a bitter chuckle left his mouth, he could understand her shock, he himself is surprised by it, considering his hatred for communication with humans, he never wanted to have friends, but his friend won over him...
"My one and only friend for this life", Abhyansh said remembering how he used to understand him without any words, he was the only one who tried to control the beast in him and even got successful a lot of times, but after his death no one couldn't even think of doing it, he was like a wounded lion left unchained, and the destruction he caused at that time to the people who did that to his loved ones and who plotted it caused shivers to his foes or his potential foes even till today.
She bent and kissed his forehead and continued ruffling his hair... no one spoke a word, but Abhyansh found solace in his wife's warmth and silence.
"At his funeral, lighting his pyre, I promised myself to stay away from Amruta Singh Ranawat who caused this destruction", Abhyansh said after a while
"I'm sorry", she said, she felt extremely guilty now for making him gift a saree to his mother... she still felt he is hiding something but she didn't have the courage to ask him, whatever he told is enough for today, and she could see it, he is emotionally drained and she is too...
Abhyansh purposely told her the past without involving her father who played a major role in plotting against them and he is glad she didn't ask either.
"I'm here for you always... I won't leave you, and I won't betray you ever, I promise... if I had to do anything which I know you won't like, I'll talk to you first, fight with you but never betray you or go behind your back...", she said, she knew he is afraid of her committing the same mistakes of trusting the wrong people and she had to assure her husband.
"I believe you won't", he said tightening his grip on her palm...
"Sleep now...", she said but he shook his head... he got up, made her lie on her back comfortable before putting his head on her chest, holding her by waist and she stroked his hair...
He is not someone to share his pain so easily, even now, he didn't express what is causing him the ache but she understood. She knew he is unable to express his distress and pain but she could now understand the depth of damage the past incidents has done to his soul, his cold and distant eyes and the ache in them told the trauma he went through. All she hoped was to provide him the much-needed solace soothing all his pains.
He slowly drifted off to sleep in her arms and in the early hours she too dozed off.
The next morning, Isha woke up late as Abhyansh put off her alarm. He selected the saree she bought with Ranveer's card, though the sight of it caused damage to his ego, it's his wife's choice, he couldn't hate it, he knew she wanted to wear it on her birthday, so he took it out and the wide smile on her face told him he made the right choice. He selected the jewellery from the things he bought her when they went shopping where she made him buy a saree for his mother, he closed his eyes to not think about it.
Abhyansh asked her to freshen up but looking at her tired face, he decided to help her, he washed her hair and helped her take a bath with the natural herbal powders, she enjoyed all the pampering from her husband. He dried her hair while she wore the saree, after which he half-tied her hair, braided a little leaving most of the hair open, and then adorned her with jewellery he selected.
Her saree, characterized by its muted, neutral tone, a shade of ivory. The saree features an all-over delicate embroidery or embellishment, which adds a subtle sheen and texture to the fabric, giving it a luxurious feel. The intricate detailing runs throughout the length of the saree, creating a continuous, harmonious pattern. The fabric appears lightweight, with a fluid drape that falls gracefully. The border seems slightly more embellished, which gives the saree a refined finish.
"My Rani sa", he said kissing her forehead... "I thought you looked the most beautiful in red but now I think ivory gives a tough competition", he said, making her chuckle..."now come, let's take Mahadev's blessings", he said, she frowned in confusion when he walked to the kitchen, but she smiled widely when she saw the kheer bowl in his hands.
"You made kheer for me??", she screamed in delight
"Yes, I did, but don't scream, first we'll offer it to God and then you can taste it", he said and she sighed in disappointment but nodded nonetheless.
The couple offered the prayers, Isha after taking Mahadev’s blessings, turned to her husband and touched his feet and he stroked her hair blessing her. She got up with a wide smile and he kissed her forehead.
"You are a queen in all senses, you know when to bend and when to make me bend", he said with deep admiration and respect for her in his eyes and that made her smile widely at him.
After that, both of them sat there near a temple pillar, enjoying the peaceful climate. Abhyansh made her have the kheer.
"How is it?? I made it for the first time", he asked
"Taste it by yourself", she said forwarding him a spoon and he made a face eating it.
"Yours is much better", he said as if he had something sour.
"Such a fussy eater you are, I don't even know how I would have handled you if I don't know cooking", she said and he chuckled
After some time, they went down for breakfast, Abhyansh asked his grandmother to prepare the breakfast today.
Everyone wished Isha, Amruta hugged Isha but her husband's pain didn't let her fully embrace her mother-in-law though she still loved Amruta the same.
The breakfast was a silent affair, and after her husband left to his study, Isha quickly finished her breakfast and took blessings from Rajmata, Pratap and Amruta after dispersing the servants. As she didn't want to go against her husband's word at the same time change the dynamics because the previous night, she not only saw the pain and coldness the past carved in her husband, but there's also a tiny need to have that affection of parents, he got his mother love until sometime but his father's?? Never... and she wanted to change that, but this time without hurting her husband while trying.
Pratap is stunned with her act, but kept his palm on her head for a microsecond and left, Rajmata caressed her hair, her experience could see the little awareness of the past in Isha's eyes and she knew Isha is very kind, she couldn't even bear a random person's pain and this was her husband who she loved more than anything, it would have pained her a lot learning the past and her husband's sufferings. She knew she is still yet to know about the games her father played. She only hoped God gives her the strength to bear the truth.
"I trust you, you'll set the things right", Devyani devi said in her usual tone.
"Ji...(yes)", Isha said softly...
"We have to work on your tone first, when can I expect you in my chamber??", Rajmata asked Avyan and Amruta frowned but soon understood that Devyani is training Isha. Avyan's eyes widened, their Dadi sa isn't an easy woman.
"Today, I'll come to you in the evening after my work", Isha said
"But Bhabhi ma, today is your birthday", Avyan interrupted earning a glare from Rajmata.
"She needs to be ready to become the queen sooner to take up the responsibilities of the palace and to save you from the punishments as well because you never cease committing stupidities", Rajmata said coldly indicating how he interrupted them...
"Sorry Dadi sa", he apologized
Devyani devi nodded and walked away. Amruta came towards Isha and caressed her hair...
"You look so pretty", Amruta said putting a black dot behind her ear. "My Abhyansh made the braid right ??", Amruta asked seeing the slightly tilted braid...
"Your Abhyansh got me ready ma", Isha answered with a smile, the genuine love and happiness for them in Amruta's didn't let Isha be mad at her for much time.
Isha signalled Avyan to leave from there as she had something important to talk to Amruta, Avyan nodded and walked away.
"Ma... I know", Isha said and she didn't have to explain, Amruta understood and now she realized her daughter-in-law's aloof behaviour.
"That's not the whole truth Isha, you are my daughter, at least you give me a chance to explain beta", Amruta asked, tears slipping... Isha softly wiped her tears.
"Ma... I'll listen to you for sure... but not now, after 30 days...", she said and left from there... Isha didn't say it but Amruta got her. Isha didn't want to misuse the power her husband gave her. She wanted to train under Rajmata, and acquire the necessary skills before hearing her mother-in-law, and the main reason is, her husband is still in charge of the palace's responsibilities and it's his order that no one would talk about it, and she is not going to break the set rules now, she now knew how carefully her husband built this empire, it took his blood and sweat in literal terms, though he didn't tell her that, she understood it. She decided if she couldn't lessen his worry, she would at least try not to increase them.
Abhyansh, Avyan and Isha left to their office, and Ragini, Reetu, and their other colleagues made Isha cut the cake. Though the cake-cutting ritual is never practiced in her family, she did it not to disappoint her friends.
"Wow, Isha... you are so lucky, you were born on the same date as the queen...", Aashna said after the cake-cutting
"How did you about the queen's birthday ??", Isha asked getting surprised.
"Maharaj is donating clothes, all the monthly groceries, and money to all his people today, my father was saying, it was the first time from the time he took thronethat he was personally participating in a donation event. He always made sure to gift his people things on festivals but never on an occasion, he must have loved his wife too much... though this is all in contradiction to his personality", Aashna said shocking Isha. She didn't know about this.
She understood why her husband is personally donating things on this day. It's believed that the 'Punya' of donation is only acquired by directly donating, not through others, and before he didn't care about it, all he wanted is for the goods to reach his people but now he wanted his family, especially his wife and his future children to reap the benefits of his good deeds. His love overwhelmed her.
"Yes... Maharaj definitely loves his wife so much", Reetu said giving a teasing smile to Isha bringing her out of her reverie.
After getting back to their seats, Isha called Avyan and asked him to go with his brother to donate things as if it's done by two people, it's done sooner. Avyan told her Ranveer is accompanying Abhyansh, but still Isha insisted Avyan join them too to which he agreed instantly as he wanted to participate in the donation event that's done for his sister-in-law's well-being.
It's in the evening, when the men returned home, Ranveer hugged his sister wishing her. Abhyansh frowned at how Isha's face glowed seeing her brother, he didn't understand why she loved him so much...
"Bacha... I have a surprise, but before that go and freshen up...", Ranveer said and Isha nodded.
The men settled down in the hall, Isha asked Rajmata and Pratap to join them as well which they did reluctantly. She made the snacks and coffee and tea and took them to the hall where her family is sitting, denying the servants who came to help her. For the first time, her whole family is sitting for evening tea, and she liked it a lot, she wanted to serve them herself. Avyan came to help his sister-in-law but she asked him to sit and talk.
Everyone observed the glee in Isha's eyes, she is so pure and innocent, and even Pratap felt happy looking at his daughter-in-law's happiness in little things. She poured coffee to her husband, Avyan and Rajmata, and tea for her brother, Pratap and Amruta along with snacks.
They started having it and that's when Isha cleared her throat gaining everyone's attention. She is afraid to ask but she wanted to, she kept pressing her fingers together and Abhyansh noticed she was nervous to ask.
"Rani sa ??", Abhyansh asked, he blinked his eyes in assurance giving her the necessary strength to say whatever she wanted to.
"Um... I wanted to ask you all something... consider this as my birthday gift... you can refuse if you want to, there is no pressure", she started
"What is it Ishu ??", Ranveer asked softly...
"Bhai... woh(that...) I wanted to go for dinner with our whole family... is it possible ??", Isha asked shocking the family.
This never happened before. Everyone knew Abhyansh would deny it, he was never a fan of going out with the family and they never went out like that till now. And for Ranveer, the last time they went out was on Isha's 10th birthday. He along with his bhabhosa and bhabho(Isha's parents) arranged a Disney Princess-themed party for Isha. His bhabhosa and bhabho made sure they go out or on a trip to celebrate their birthdays, they always loved him as their son and treated him equally to Isha.
"Okay", Abhyansh said shocking everyone... the most shocked one was Isha herself. He told her once that he hated going out with his family, in fact with everyone, she is the first one and it would remain so. Everyone nodded as none had the courage to refuse after the king agreed though technically they could refuse since Isha asked individual opinion, Pratap didn't dare to. After the family dispersed, Isha went to Rajmata's room to get started with the first day of her training.
And after that, the whole family went for dinner in another one of Abhyansh's hotel. Seeing the whole family shocked the hotel staff. The dinner went smoothly and they returned home. Everyone dispersed to their rooms, Avyan and Amruta handed her gifts while Rajmata gave her in the evening when she went to her chamber.
After that, Ranveer walked with Isha and Abhyansh to their chamber making Abhyansh groan in irritation.
"Now you will sleep in between us ??", Abhyansh asked irked with his brother-in-law's presence
"Rana sa...", Isha chided her husband's rudeness...
"Yes Ranawat... I love your abs, I love seeing you shirtless", Ranveer irritated his brother-in-law more...
"See, this is why I don't want him", Abhyansh complained to his wife, Ranveer was amused at his BEAST of a brother-in-law complaining to his wife childishly...
"Real mature Ranawat", Ranveer teased more and this irked Abhyansh a lot more than his tolerance, he took out the sword hung on the wall and put it on Ranveer's neck, Isha gasped while Ranveer sighed.
"One more word and I'll slit your throat", Abhyansh warned...
"Rana sa... put it back...", Isha said
"No, your brother should also know that, all these swords are not kept here for decoration", he said pissed at his brother-in-law and now his wife who is supporting him.
"He won't irritate you now, put it down", Isha said sternly, Ranveer nodded agreeing to her statement, and only then Abhyansh pulled the sword off and walked away throwing it in irritation.
"You really have a crazy husband", Ranveer whispered and Isha glared at him...
"And you really want to die...", Isha sighed and walked in... Ranveer observed his sister slowly changing... if it was the old Isha, she would have panicked and cried in fear the moment her husband put the sword on his(Ranveer) throat, but this new Isha reacted so calmly analysing the situation though she is a bit afraid even now.
Ranveer and Isha sat in the hall of the king's chamber, Ranveer gave her gift.
"What was the surprise you were talking about? Bhai ?", she asked
"I found bhabho's(Isha's mother) family... your mausi, mausaji(Mother's sister, mother's sister's husband) and their children, they wanted to see you, talk to you...", Ranveer said, she didn't know how to react. She remembered her mausi, she loved her a lot, in fact, she wanted to take her with them after Isha lost her parents but Kailash Rajput didn't agree as he is afraid of losing access to his brother's properties and money if he lets Isha go and after that she didn't hear from them and whenever Isha wanted to talk to them, Kailash punished her, and slowly she stopped asking for them.
"Apparently father didn't let them contact you ever, he threatened to kill her whole family if they try to reach you", Ranveer continued, two tears slipped from Isha's eyes which Ranveer wiped with his thumbs. "They shifted to Australia after that, they wanted your number, but I didn't give, I told them to come and visit you here if they wanted to see you.", Ranveer finished and Isha just nodded.
"You searched for them ?", Isha asked and Ranveer shook his head
"No bacha, your cousin found me in LinkedIn and messaged me there, that's how we came in contact, are you not happy ??", Ranveer asked, he thought his sister would jump in happiness as he remembered how much she loved her aunt and her whole family.
"I'm very happy bhai, but I don't want to have my hopes high, what if they couldn't come here to meet me ??", Isha asked and Ranveer nodded in understanding. She now understood why her aunt or her family never came to see her, but during childhood, she cried for them a lot, and at a point, she lost trust in them, she lost hope, she thought they didn't love her at all, and she doesn't deserve anyone's love.
After talking for a while, Ranveer went to the guest chamber, as it's too late to go to Rajput palace. Isha went to their room and seeing her husband laying on their bed shirtless, ready to sleep, she got into his arms without changing making him frown. She seeked comfort in him, all her disastrous childhood came in her head but when she thought hers was nothing compared to his, her heart ached for him now.
"What happened ?? Not in the mood to change ??", he asked slowly ruffling her hair, taking off her jewellery adorning her hair without hurting her...
"I'm tired", she said and he nodded
"Just sit here for 5 minutes, Hm ??", he asked making her sit, leaning her head to the bedrest and she nodded, he started taking off her jewellery one by one.
"I can sit at the dressing table", she said but he shook his head and took off her jewellery and then took away the pins, freed her hair from the bun, and braided it loosely. After that he brought her nightwear which she wore while he kept the jewellery in their closet and came back.
He laid down and she instantly put her head on his chest hugging him, while he held her waist protectively...
"Have you put them in their respective lockers ??", Isha asked as her husband returned too quick for someone who has to go to another floor in the closet, as her jewellery is kept on the upper floor in their closet.
"Someone would do it tomorrow, don't bother, now sleep", he said and she nodded.
"Thanks for today, I had a great day... all because of you", she said
"I did nothing...", he said and she kissed his chest nuzzling into his neck holding his cheek lovingly.
"You did a lot, I heard about the donations, you didn't have to personally go there but you did, for your next birthday, we'll hold donate together... by then people would know me", she said excitedly, and he nodded. Now, he didn't have the heart to deny her for anything, he wanted to give her everything she wanted or desired. "Thank you, Thank you... Thank you so much Ansh", she said smiling widely
"Don't thank me... I already told you, who would I do things for ?? If not for you huh ??", he asked and she nodded making him smile... seeing his smile, she remembered her gift she asked him, a photo of them together with him smiling...
"Rana sa, you completely forgot my gift", she said pouting, he pecked her pout...
"Am I capable of forgetting anything you ever wanted ??", he asked and she frowned
"I was talking about our photo", she reminded him and he only smirked at her...
"Then you didn't see your bedside table clearly", he said and she quickly switched on the lights and looked at her bedside table...
She cupped her mouth taking the photo frame in her hand. It was their candid picture from morning in the temple, she was smiling widely looking at the kheer he prepared while he was smiling at her, his eyes filled with love and admiration for her...
"I know I look bad smiling, but that's how it is", he teased her, since she was staring at the picture cupping her mouth and eyes widened.
"This is beautiful... and you look so good... who took this picture ??", she asked still staring at it.
"Bhairav", Abhyansh said and Isha nodded with a smile, but it slowly dimmed... "Rani sa, at least now, forgive him", he said, he could see Bhairav's distress seeing their Rani sa's kind smile missing at him, Abhyansh noticed how happy Bhairav got when Isha replied his birthday wishes with a 'Thankyou' and a smile.
"I will Rana sa, after Avyan's loss is paid", she said, Abhyansh knew his wife would make Bhairav as well as him pay for Avyan's loss.
Days passed and in just a few days, Isha would complete her training, Everyone could find the changes in her. Not just Rajmata, but Amruta and Avyan too helped her with the training, Amruta explained all the rituals, and traditions of the royal family while Avyan helped her with the physical fitness, Isha has great physical strength and Avyan thought why not make his sister-in-law physically strong to defend herself. He trained her in self-defence. Abhyansh asked her to take a few days off from work as all this is very tiring for her but she wanted to manage, she can't give up, she is a queen and she should challenge herself from time to time and do better, she had no option but to manage both her personal and professional goals, simultaneously fulfilling the role and responsibility of a queen. Abhyansh couldn't be any prouder of his wife seeing her dedication and determination.
One morning, she took coffee for her husband in the study, her husband is listening to Bhairav simultaneously working in his laptop.
"Maharaj... all the punishments are given to the two women as per your command, if you say, we could implement the final set and end the chapter ?", Bhairav asked. "Rani sa", Bhairav bowed greeting Isha to which she nodded with a small smile, serving coffee to her husband.
"You are talking about Natasha and Ashley if I'm not wrong", Isha didn't ask but stated
"Yes Rani sa", Bhairav replied.
"Rana sa... I want to come with you to the CD today", Isha said, she wasn't asking, her tone made it clear, Abhyansh appreciated the strong queen in front of him...
"Hm...", he nodded, he could deny his wife but couldn't dare to deny the queen.
"We'll decide it after Rani sa's visit today, Bhairav", Abhyansh said dispersing Bhairav, he bowed and left from there.
"These few weeks of training did wonders to you, you always had this strength in you Isha, all you needed was the right guidance", he said
"And the much-needed push which you did, you knew I can do anything for you, and you my clever husband, used my love for my own benefit", she said settling in his lap
"Well not just for your benefit, for my people's welfare also, you are the kindest queen my clan has ever had, and if you get brave and strong, the most beneficial will be the people we serve", he said
"You gave me this strength and confidence", she said and he kissed her forehead.
She got ready, informed Ragini that she would be late by an hour and went to CD with her husband and brother-in-law. Everyone bowed to the king, queen and the Prince.
Abhyansh and Avyan walked inside, while Isha stopped and enquired about the facilities there for the female workforce and the prisoners, as a woman she wanted to make sure basic things are available for the women there, it's not that she didn't trust her husband and brother-in-law to take care of these things, but as a woman she knew better about the needs of women, she is glad to find all the basic necessities available for them, she felt there are some things that needed improvement and she noted to discuss it with her husband and Avyan about it later.
Bhairav stayed back to take Isha to the basement where Ashley and Natasha were held while Abhyansh and Avyan looked over other things... Isha is done talking to the staff and went to the basement with Bhairav...
Looking at Ashley and Natasha's condition, Isha felt bad, but then she remembered their misdeeds and made herself strong. Though she felt the punishment was too much for the offense they committed, she didn't dare to voice it out, her husband takes her offenders very seriously, he wouldn't let them go that easily, and even she couldn't convince him otherwise.
Ashley and Natash wore worn-out clothes, their faces lost the usual charm and poshness once existed.
"Maharaj, please forgive us, please", they begged for the nth time... Isha walked in, her anklets sound made them pause their pleas and look at her... she walked in like a queen she is...
Isha wore a navy blue with intricate golden embroidery or brocade work throughout. The main body of the saree features an elaborate floral pattern with gold detailing. The border of the saree is particularly ornate, with a wide band of intricate gold work that complements the floral pattern. The pallu appears to be richly decorated as well, adding to the overall elegance of the outfit. A blue shawl made up of net fabric filled with golden embroidery and heavy border is hanging loosely on her right shoulder giving her a royal look.
Her long hair is braided perfectly and adorned with pearl hair jewelry from head to tip highlighting her hip length voluminous & silky hair.
They stared at her with wide eyes, her attire, her jewellery made her look different, but what made her extremely different from the Isha they knew is the confidence, authority and strength.
"Now do I look like a queen ??", Isha asked looking at Natasha Khanna in the eye... Abhyansh gave a proud smirk at his wife's attitude, she is a queen in all senses. Avyan's eyes bowed down in respect at his sister-in-law.
Her presence demanded respect, and she got it from every human present there, including her husband.
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