Chapter - 68
It was evening.
The reception was just a little while away... and I was getting ready in the mauve lehenga that Avi had specially chosen for me.
The beautician was finishing my makeup and helping me put on a pearl choker, matching earrings, my mangalsutra—which always made me feel deeply connected to Aarav—and a set of bangles. Everything looked so beautiful, so delicate.
After she left, I stood in front of the mirror, quietly staring at myself.
Was that really me?
I looked... different. Not just beautiful—but like someone glowing with love.
And deep down, I just knew...
Avi won't be able to take his eyes off me tonight.
I smiled to myself, lost in my little world... when suddenly I felt a pair of strong arms wrap around me from behind.
His familiar scent, his touch—it was him.
"Where is my Rani sa? So lost?" he whispered near my ear.
I blushed and softly said,
"Nowhere..."
He gently turned me around and looked at me... silently. His eyes scanned every part of my face.
And then he said something that made me blink in confusion—
"I think we should cancel the reception."
"What? Why?" I asked, blinking in surprise.
He leaned a little closer, lips curving into a small smile.
"Because you're looking too beautiful tonight... what if someone casts an evil eye on you?"
I giggled at his dramatic tone and quickly said,
"Then you should do the nazar-removing ritual!"
I picked up a small kajal stick, and with a teasing smile, I made a tiny black dot behind his ear.
"My Avi is also looking very handsome... What if someone casts an evil eye on you too?"
I looked at him closely... and noticed a slight change in his expression.
His ears had turned a little red.
My eyes widened in surprise, and I smiled teasingly.
"Are you... by any chance... blushing, Rana sa?"
He looked away slightly.
"W... who's blushing?"
I giggled again and gently cupped his face.
"When you blush, you look too cute, Avi."
Then I leaned in and softly kissed him on the forehead.
Just as he was about to say something, someone knocked on the door.
Aarav walked over and opened it.
A staff member stood there, holding a glass of kesar milk.
Aarav took it and shut the door behind him. Then he brought it to me.
"This is for you," he said, handing me the glass.
I looked at it and immediately made a face.
"Avi... you know I don't like milk."
But before I could say more, he gave me that look.
"Drink it," he said firmly.
"We're not stepping out until you finish this. You have a little cold and I'm not taking any chances."
I sighed like a child but nodded.
I had no other option, especially when he became strict like this.
I held the glass, closed my eyes, and somehow finished it—just for him.
He smiled with satisfaction, then took my hand and made me sit on the bed beside him.
He gently held my hands, looked into my eyes and said,
"Now that everyone knows you are the Rani sa of Rajasthan, I want you to promise me something."
I blinked.
"What is it?"
He looked serious now.
"Wherever you go, security will go with you. You'll never leave the palace alone. I want you to promise me that you'll always keep them with you."
I frowned a little.
"Why are we discussing this now?" I asked softly.
"I'm not going anywhere without you..."
He held me closer, resting his forehead lightly against mine.
"I know, jaan... but just promise me, please."
I could see something in his eyes—worry. Fear, maybe.
So I nodded, and said gently,
"I promise, Avi."
His eyes softened again, and he kissed my hand.
Then he stood up and held his hand out to me.
"Let's go now, Rani sa."
I placed my hand in his, heart full, and whispered to myself...
With you beside me, I can face anything.
The car stopped right in front of the grand entrance of the hotel. Our hotel. The Rathore Hotel.
I looked out the window.
The whole place was glowing with lights, flowers, people... and cameras. My heart started beating faster.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. So many people... so many eyes...
Just then, Aarav gently held my hand.
I turned to look at him.
His voice was soft but firm.
"Relax, I'm with you. If you feel even for a second that you can't stay, just give me one look. I'll understand. We'll leave immediately."
I looked at him, confused but touched.
"But Avi... it's our reception. How can we just leave like that?"
He gave me a small smile and tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear.
"For me, your comfort comes first, Rani Sa. Don't think about anything else. Just focus on me... on us. I'll take care of everything else."
I didn't reply, just looked at him with teary eyes and nodded.
How does he know exactly what to say... every time?
He stepped out of the car first, and then walked to my side. Like always, he opened the door like a true gentleman and offered his hand.
I placed my hand in his.
His grip was warm... protective.
As soon as I stepped out, the media lights flashed everywhere. So many cameras, people whispering, calling out names.
I didn't look at anyone—just held Aarav's hand tightly.
He leaned in and whispered,
"Just focus on me, Siya."
And that's what I did.
I didn't see the flashing lights or the reporters. I saw only him.
We walked inside together and reached the stage.
Everyone from the family was already there. Many guests started coming one by one—some from Aarav's business side, some family, and some people I didn't know but smiled politely at.
Then I saw two faces that made me smile for real—my bhai and bhabhi.
I immediately stood up and hugged both of them.
"Siya, you look beautiful," bhabhi said while cupping my face.
"How are you, Baccha?" Bhaiya asked with concern in his eyes.
"I'm fine... I'm really happy to see you both," I said, trying not to get emotional.
We talked for a bit, and then Bhabhi said, "We'll go meet the rest of the family now, Siya. We'll talk more soon."
I nodded.
Just when I sat again, a familiar face walked toward us.
Raghav.
Aarav's friend.
He came with a big flower bouquet in his hand and smiled.
Before I could say anything, Aarav took the bouquet from his hand.
"Thank you." His voice was plain.
Raghav smirked a little and said,
"This wasn't for you, bro. This was for bhabhi."
Aarav said quickly,
"She has pain in her hand. She can't hold it."
I looked at Aarav and then... at my hands.
What pain? I didn't even know I had one.
The two of them started their playful argument, and I just stood there confused, wondering what exactly they were trying to prove.
Finally, I stepped in gently and said with a polite smile,
"Thank you, Mr. Chauhan. The flowers are really pretty."
He gave me a softer smile now,
"You're most welcome, Bhabhi."
Then he left.
I turned back and saw Aarav looking at me with raised eyebrows, like he was going to say something about me not taking his side.
But before he could speak—
"Bhabhi!"
Anaya came rushing over, her face full of excitement.
She started complimenting me in her usual bubbly way.
"You look soooo pretty bhabhi! I mean, it should be illegal to look this good!"
I blushed and smiled softly. "Thank you, Anaya."
Then she grabbed my hand.
"Let's take selfies now! You know how hard it's been for me to not post any pictures with you. I've been dying to show everyone my beautiful bhabhi!"
I laughed. "Okay, okay. Let's take some."
We clicked so many pictures together—some with smiles, some silly ones where she made faces just to make me laugh. Then she called Aarav too.
"Bhaiya, come here. One picture with your wife is a must!"
He stood behind me, gently pulling me close as we smiled together. My cheeks warmed up again.
Then came Arjun bhaiya, who joined us for a quick picture.
But after the photo, he rolled his eyes.
"Anaya, Dadi maa sent you to bring them, not start a photo session here."
Anaya grinned.
"I forgot after seeing bhabhi looking so beautiful! But fine, fine — let's go! Dadi maa is calling you both to the dining table."
We reached the dining area, and Dadi maa introduced me to some of her close friends. They were warm, full of blessings and praise. I touched their feet, took blessings, and smiled politely even though my heart was a little tired from the long day.
Then Dadi maa said,
"We should all sit down for dinner now."
We sat down, and though there were many tables around and so many guests... I could feel Aarav's eyes on me.
Even while eating, his only concern was whether I was eating enough.
Sometimes I wonder... how can someone love me this much?
How did I get so lucky?
After dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Rajvansh came to say goodbye.
"We'll meet you again before we leave India, beta," Mrs. Rajvansh said sweetly.
I nodded. "I'll wait, aunty."
Then Bhai and Bhabhi came to say goodbye too. I hugged them tightly.
"Take care, Siya," Bhai said softly.
"Call me if you ever need anything, okay?" Bhabhi added.
"I will," I said, my heart a little heavy seeing them go.
And just when I thought everyone had left, I turned to see two familiar faces entering late.
Trisha and Karan.
Trisha rushed towards me and hugged me tight.
"Sorry, sorry, cutiepie! It's not because of me! I got ready on time, I swear!"
Then she pointed at Karan and said,
"It's all his fault! He made us late."
I looked at Karan, confused. "What did he do?"
She said, "He... he..."
But before she could complete, Aarav stepped in calmly and said,
"Let it be, Siya. They're here now — that's enough."
I looked at him. "But they're too late, Avi. I wanted to introduce them to bhai and bhabhi."
He leaned in slightly, so only I could hear him.
"You can do that some other day. But didn't you notice?"
I looked at him, puzzled.
He smiled.
"They've patched up."
And suddenly, all my complaints melted.
I looked at both of them — standing close, stealing glances, and for a second... smiling like nothing had gone wrong between them.
I smiled too. My heart felt light.
I met them properly, talked a little, and soon Trisha and Karan also left with warm hugs and promises to call soon.
A little later, Aarav and I quietly slipped out before the rest of the family. He gently held my hand as we walked back towards the car.
It had been a long evening...
So many guests, so many blessings, so many emotions.
But my heart...
Was full.
Full of love, full of memories...
And full of him — my Avi.
When we reached the car, Aarav said softly to the driver kaka,
"Kaka, I'll drive."
I just smiled and sat beside him.
He started driving... but soon I noticed the route.
This wasn't the way to the palace.
I wanted to ask where we were going... but then thought,
Maybe he has some work, or maybe he just wants a peaceful drive after the long day.
So I stayed quiet. Just looked out of the window.
The soft music in the car, the night breeze, and Aarav beside me — it was calming.
After about 15-20 minutes, the car stopped in front of a house.
But not just any house.
It was... beautiful.
A modern, luxurious home, surrounded by greenery.
There was a stone path, soft garden lights, and lush plants all around. It looked peaceful... almost like something out of a dream.
I looked at him, confused.
"Avi... whose house is this?"
"And why are we here so late? It's already past midnight..."
He didn't answer immediately.
He stepped out, came around to my side, opened the door for me, and held my hand.
With a soft smile, he said,
"This is our house, Rani Sa."
"Let's go."
My steps slowed.
Our house?
What did he mean?
We walked slowly along the stone path, my heart racing a little.
We reached the entrance of the house, and just when I was about to step in, he gently stopped me.
"Wait here," he said.
Then he went inside.
A moment later, he came back...
...with an aarti ki thaali in his hands.
I froze.
My eyes... they were already filling with tears.
He stood there, in front of me, with love in his eyes, and said softly—
"My Laxmi is coming to our home for the first time...
...so an aarti is a must, right?"
I nodded slowly, my lips trembling with a small smile.
And my tears... they weren't from sadness today.
They were from the purest kind of happiness.
He placed a gentle tilak on my forehead, circled the plate three times, and whispered,
"Welcome home, Angel."
I nodded slowly with a soft smile, my eyes glistening.
"You're going to spoil me, Avi..."
He looked at me with that smile I love the most.
"Good. That's my plan."
And in that moment — something changed inside me.
I used to ask myself...
"Do I even deserve this kind of love?"
"How can someone love me this much?"
But tonight, standing at the doorstep of our home, watching my Aarav do aarti for me...
I realised something.
I do deserve it.
I deserve every bit of love.
Every happiness.
Every warm touch, every kind word, every safe place.
And that place...
Was him.
And as I stepped inside our home, I told myself softly,
"This is my forever."