His Angel

Chapter - 67

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I woke up early—before the sun had even risen completely.

Aarav was already up, sitting at the edge of the bed, scrolling through his phone.

He looked at me and smiled softly.

"Siya, sleep a little more. It's too early."

I shook my head and sat up, tying my hair into a loose bun.

"You don't know how much I have to do today, Avi. I can't waste even a second."

Before he could say anything else, I grabbed my clothes and rushed into the bathroom.

I took a quick shower, wore a simple suit, and tied my hair in a braid. Today was important. Not just for the pooja, but... for me. For the responsibilities I had accepted with this family name.

Then I went straight to the kitchen.

I had to keep a fast till the pooja... and also prepare the prashad.

Dadimaa told me yesterday that I only had to prepare the prashad for the pooja itself.But me being... well, me—I couldn't just stand by and watch.

So while the chefs started working on the sweets that would be distributed to the visitors after the pooja, I focused on making Churma Ladoo with my own hands.

I mixed the ghee, jaggery, wheat flour, and a pinch of love—slowly, gently.

Then I helped the chefs a little with the besan ladoos.

They kept telling me,

"Ranisa, you don't have to..."

But I just smiled sweetly and said,

"Let me help a bit—it'll get done quicker."

And of course, they couldn't say no.

After a while, once I was done in the kitchen, I came back to my room.

I looked at the red Rajputi Poshak laid out carefully on the bed.

The one Dadimaa gave me with so much love.

She said it was a tradition—whoever does the Rathore family pooja as Ranisa wears the poshak gifted by Rajmata.

As I slowly put it on, I could feel the weight—not just of the fabric, but of the legacy. Of honor.

It was embroidered in fine golden thread. The work looked royal... graceful.

Then I wore the traditional jewelry. A borla—the Rajasthani maang tikka—rested in the middle of my forehead.

The jhumkas moved gently and touched my neck every time I moved.

The rani haar, with its many layers of pearls and golden design, sat proudly on my neck.

I put on the chooda—red and gold bangles that made a soft sound when they touched each other.

Last, I wore the nath—a big round nose ring, joined to my ear with a thin chain.

Everything felt so royal... so powerful... yet heavy.

But not heavier than the responsibility I was now holding.

I looked at myself in the mirror.

For a moment, I didn't recognize myself.

Was this really me?

Siya... the girl who was once invisible in her own home...

Now dressed as Ranisa of Rajasthan.

Before I could lose myself in my thoughts, the door opened quietly.

I turned and saw Aarav enter.

He stopped at the door.

His eyes moved from my face... to my poshak... to the way I stood nervously holding the edge of my dupatta.

And then he just stood there. Silent. Looking at me like I was something he had never seen before.

My heart started beating faster.

"Am I looking... okay?" I asked in a soft voice, already doubting myself.

He didn't say anything for a moment.

Then walked closer.

He reached out... and slowly touched the edge of my dupatta near my shoulder.

"You're not just looking okay, Siya..." he whispered,

"You're looking like... you were born for this."

I blinked, suddenly feeling emotional.

No one had ever said something like that to me.

I looked down, cheeks warm, fingers tightening around my bangles.

"Don't overthink it, baby," he added with a gentle smile.

"You're perfect. And today, the whole world will see the woman I already knew was born to shine."

And in that moment...

With his words... and his eyes full of pride...

I didn't feel nervous anymore.

I felt ready.

Ready to be his Ranisa.

Ready to be mine.

Aarav and I walked into the living room, and I saw that everyone was already there, dressed in beautiful traditional clothes.

The moment I stepped in, all eyes turned to me.

For a second, I felt nervous, but then I heard soft compliments.

"You look beautiful, beta," Maa said with a smile.

Chachi nodded in agreement,

"Like a real queen."

Even Mrs. Rajvansh came close and softly touched my arm,

"This red poshak suits you perfectly, beta."

I smiled politely and lowered my eyes, a little shy from so much attention.

Then Dadimaa stood up and said,

"Let's go for the pooja."

We all started walking slowly towards the garden.

As we walked further, we reached a place that suddenly made my heart beat a little faster.

The Mahadev temple.

It was quiet. Peaceful. Surrounded by trees and flowers.

The same temple where Aarav and I came for Mahashivratri pooja.

I had almost forgotten that it was always closed otherwise... and I had meant to ask Aarav why.

But now wasn't the time to ask.

Dadimaa turned and spoke in a calm voice,

"My mother-in-law, the Ranisa before me, used to do this same pooja here. But due to certain reasons, my father-in-law had it closed."

Then she smiled, her eyes soft.

"But today, Aarav decided it should be opened again. So I thought... why not let our Siya do her first Ranisa pooja here too?"

I looked at Aarav beside me. He didn't say anything, just gave a small smile.

My heart filled with something warm.

Some relatives and guests had joined too. People I didn't know well, but they smiled at me kindly.

Then, Aarav and I sat down together for the pooja. Everyone else sat behind us, joining in.

The Pandit ji began chanting.

I folded my hands, closed my eyes, and prayed softly in my heart:

"Mahadev... I don't remember my parents, I don't even have their memories...

but now I have a new family. Please protect them.

And please give me the strength to become the Ranisa they all believe I can be...

or at least the one they hope I am."

My hands trembled a little as I opened my eyes.

After the pooja, Aarav and I served prashad to Pandit ji with both our hands.

A place had been arranged in the temple itself for him to sit and eat.

Once he finished, we gave him dakshina, and he blessed us before leaving.

Then Dadimaa turned to everyone,

"This is our old tradition. After pooja, everyone eats the prashad together here."

Aarav and I started serving everyone with a smile.

I was tired... but happy.

Aarav leaned closer to me and said softly,

"Siya, now you should eat too. Sit with everyone. You haven't eaten anything since morning."

I shook my head with a small smile,

"I'll eat after everyone finishes. I want to make sure everything is okay."

He looked at me seriously.

"I'll take care of it now. Everything is going well."

But I softly said,

"No... not yet. Let me just finish this."

He didn't argue. He just sighed and let me do what I wanted.

But I knew... he was watching me. Just making sure I didn't tire myself.

Once everyone had finished and I finally sat down for a moment, Aarav came again. This time, he simply held my hand and made me sit beside him.

I looked at him and opened my mouth to say something, but before I could, he said quietly,

"You won't say no now. Sit. And eat with me."

He knows me too well.

When he speaks like this, when he looks at me with those soft-but-serious eyes—I can never say no.

So I nodded.

He filled my plate himself. I looked around and smiled.

The pooja was complete. The blessings were done. Everyone was happy. And I was sitting beside my husband, eating prashad... and holding a heart full of gratitude.

And in that moment, I felt like Rajasthan's Ranisa—yes...

but also, simply, Aarav's angel.

And both felt equally special.

I stood in front of the mirror, looking at myself.

It was almost time...

Time to go out and meet the people of Rajasthan... as their Ranisa.

My heart was beating fast.

I fixed my dupatta, checked my borla, and looked at my reflection again.

Do I really look like a queen?

Will they accept me? Or will they say I'm not one of them... not royal... like Buaji once said?

I turned a little and looked at myself from the side.

Then softly asked the empty room,

"What if... I'm not enough?"

I looked down, my fingers playing with the edge of my poshak.

I suddenly remembered something and asked Aarav earlier,

"Avi, why isn't Buaji coming?"

He had replied,

"She's not in the city."

But even though he didn't say much, I could feel something in his voice.

Before I could get lost in more thoughts, the door opened... and Aarav walked in.

I turned to him quickly and said with worry in my voice,

"Avi... will people accept me as their Ranisa? What if they say I'm not—"

Before I could finish, he walked straight to me and gently placed his finger on my lips.

"Shhh..." he whispered.

His voice was soft but sure.

"How much you overthink, my little overthinker."

I blinked at him, my cheeks already going pink.

"Everyone will accept you and love you, Siya," he said.

"How can anyone not love such a pretty lady?"

I felt my cheeks heat up.

I looked down, feeling shy... but his words reached my heart.

He led me gently to the bed, made me sit, and then sat beside me, holding my hand in his warm grip.

Then he spoke in a soft, calm voice.

"When we got married... I postponed the reception."

I looked at him, surprised. I never knew why.

He continued,

"Because I thought... you needed time. Time to adjust, to breathe. If I had made you take on Ranisa's duties right away... it would've been too much."

"I know people will expect a lot from you, Siya."

"But always remember... you don't have to do what people expect. You just have to do what you feel is right."

I nodded slowly, my eyes fixed on his.

Then he said something that made my heart stop for a moment.

"And I'll always be with you, Siya. Always. And if people can't accept my Rani Sa..."

"Then they will lose their Rana Sa too. Because without Rani Sa... there is no Rana Sa."

My eyes filled with tears. Too much was in my heart, and I didn't know how to say it.

How can I describe what I feel for him?

All I know is... day by day, my love for my Avi is growing deeper.

And I promised myself—after the reception, I will tell him everything. I'll confess it all.

One tear slipped down my cheek.

He saw it immediately and gently wiped it with his thumb.

He gave a small teasing smile.

"But I'm pretty sure people won't accept a crying Rani sa."

I gave a little laugh through my tears and quickly leaned forward, hugging him tightly.

He held me back just as tightly.

And in his arms, all the fear... all the doubts... slowly faded.

Because I knew, no matter what happened out there...

I had him.

And that was enough.

Aarav and I walked together towards the front garden where all the guests had gathered.

The place was beautifully decorated, filled with the people of Rajasthan who had come not just to meet us—but to meet me... their Ranisa.

My heart was beating a little too fast.

Aarav gently held my hand for a second before we stepped ahead.

We stood at the center, under the soft sun lights, and everyone's eyes turned to us.

Aarav looked at them with calm confidence and said,

"The same love and respect you've given me all these years, I ask you to give the same to your Rani Sa."

He turned to me with that soft smile he only shows me,

"So, here she is—your Rani Sa, Siya Aarav Singh Rathore."

I gently stepped forward, joined my hands together, and said,

"Khamma Ghani."

Their voices rose together, warm and loud:

"Ghani Ghani Khamma Rani sa!"

I smiled, feeling my nervousness melt just a little.

"I'm truly thankful to all of you for coming here and giving us your precious time," I said gently.

"I'll try my best to fulfill all my responsibilities as your Rani Sa—with love, with honesty, and with my whole heart."

I looked around at the faces watching me, and somehow... the fear inside me slowly started to fade.

"And before you leave," I added, "pleasedon't forget to have the food and prashad."

Aarav then told the staff to start the food arrangements, and the people began moving toward the dining area.

As the crowd moved, I overheard soft whispers from here and there:

"How good our queen is..."

"How lovingly she speaks..."

"And how beautiful she is too..."

"Rana sa and Rani sa look like Mahadev and Parvati together..."

I lowered my eyes with a small smile.

My heart... felt full.

The media was already there, just like Aarav had told me.

They came to us and politely asked for a photo.

Aarav leaned towards me and asked in a soft voice,

"Are you comfortable, Rani sa?"

I gave a small nod.

So, we stood together.

They clicked a few photos of us as a couple.

Then they asked for a solo picture of me.

I felt a little shy, but Aarav gave a small nod of encouragement, and I agreed.

They took a few photos and said, "Thank you, Rani Sa."

"Please don't forget to have the prashad and food before leaving."I reminded them politely.

Aarav and I then stood and distributed prashad to some of the guests.

The staff helped with the rest.

Aarav got busy speaking with a guest, and I stepped aside for a moment.

That's when my eyes fell on a small boy, maybe 7 or 8 years old.

He was standing quietly in the prashad queue, and I noticed something strange.

He had just taken a ladooo, and I saw him quickly hide it in his pocket.

Then he stepped back in the queue again like nothing happened.

Curious, I walked over slowly.

When he saw me coming, he froze.

His eyes went wide.

"You're very pretty, Rani sa," he blurted out, trying to smile, while still hiding the ladoo.

I kneeled down to his height, gave him a warm smile and asked,

"Thank you... but tell me honestly, why are you hiding the ladoo?"

"Do you want to eat two?"

He looked nervous and lowered his eyes.

"I... I wasn't stealing," he said quickly,

"I was just taking it for my Maa. She's not well and couldn't come. She hasn't eaten anything properly today..."

My heart dropped.

I gently touched his shoulder and asked,

"And where is your baba?"

He looked down again, and this time, I saw tears in his eyes.

Without thinking, I reached out and gently wiped his tears.

"Don't worry. Let's go... I'll pack some food for your maa with extra ladoos, okay?"

He looked at me as if I was some angel.

Just that one look... made my heart ache.

I called one of the staff members and asked them to pack full meal and prashad for the boy's mother.

When I handed it to him, he smiled brightly and said,

"You're not just pretty, Rani sa... you're very good too."

I smiled... and watched him walk away, carefully holding the food like it was something precious.

Then I turned and said softly to the staff,

"Please pack food and prashad for every guest. If someone from their family couldn't come, they can still share the blessings at home."

And when I turned around...

I saw Aarav.

He wasn't speaking. Just watching me quietly from a little distance, a soft prideful smile on his face.

A smile that said everything.

That he saw me.

That he was proud of me.

As his wife.

As Rani sa.

And in that one look...

I knew I had done something right.