Hello Ladies!
After a long, long delay, I'm back! Welcome to the grand birthday celebrations of Kunwar Armaan!
Chp. 58 The inevitable
The Shishodiya royal palace and its magnificently landscaped grounds had been designed for
hospitality on a grand scale and Garv had made sure he used the setting to the best possible
effect. Streamers of lights and crystals hung from the trees in the grounds and expensive
scented candles floated in large crystal bowls at a regular distance. The entryway was adorned
by a canopy of red and white, satiny lace cloths which hung down in frills at the entrance, held
together by bows of satin ribbons. Every female guest was presented with a floral bracelet with
tiny red hearts. Soft romantic music emanated from the stereos and an orchestra occupied a
group of chairs in a corner ready to play the birthday tune.
The guests ambled around mingling with each other as they waited for the Prince to make
an appearance. Waiters moved unobtrusively around with a silver dish of exquisite heart-
shaped chocolates, rich and dark, along with the drinks. French champagne bubbled in every
glass. White lace cloths adorned the round tables set out on the lawn. Chairs upholstered in
white with a red, crystalled sash surrounded them. Each place was set with delicate chinaware,
accompanied by brilliantly polished silver cutlery and a starched white linen napkin in a silver
holder.
It was a glorious evening with a soft, cooling breeze blowing. The sky was a deep, midnight
blue with a million stars twinkling against a backdrop of velvet—perfect for sitting outside and
enjoying the ambience.
Grav waved the guests into silence and said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting to you, the
Shishodiya Royal family."
The crowd broke out in applause as the royal family entered the gardens in all regal grace
with Prince Armaan and Princess Nikita in the lead, followed by Prince Rahul and Princess
Anjali and the King and Queen, Maharaj Shashankpratap and Maharani Padma bringing up
the rear.
Greetings and gifts soon enveloped Kunwar Armaan and only when Grav Antonio took his
place at the microphone on the first floor terrace did the celebratory cheer subside.
"Time to light the twenty-sixth candle for our Prince, ladies and gentlemen."
The crowd cheered.
"Bhaiyya, you're getting old," teased Nikita standing beside Armaan.
"Exactly the reason I hate celebrating birthdays," replied Armaan wryly.
RS, CR, Rahul and Anjali laughed. Rajkumari Muskan who'd also arrived by now, joined them
too."
"Yes, indeed," continued Garv, "Prince Armaan has been showered with a wide array of gifts
and yet, I see that one gift, a very special one, is yet to make its way to him."
Armaan smiled and looked at RS enquiringly, but he shrugged. Everyone else too, looked
clueless so he listened curiously as Garv spoke, "The Shishodiya royal clan has always
commanded an esteemed place in the society. It is loved, honoured and revered by its subjects.
They've ensured the happiness and well-being of everyone in a manner that success and
progress find it inevitable to descend on the Shishodiya lands."
RS looked proudly at his son, Armaan, who'd brought home such laurels. Armaan smiled
politely.
Garv continued, "Today, we have in our midst, two beneficiaries of this nature of the Royal
family who, as a token of their gratitude, wish to present Kunwar Armaan with a gift which
would be special, not only to him, but as dear and priceless to the whole Shishodiya family as
well."
RS, CR, Rahul, Nikita, Anjali and Armaan exchanged amused glances wondering who
these people could be and what 'special' gift could they possibly have that needed a little pep
speech.
"These two people, though of little stature in the royal palace, have a gift which truly surpasses
any amount of wealth or expensive gifts. So now, without raising the suspense any notch
higher, we present our showstoppers for the evening."
The guests exchanged skeptical glances but nonetheless, the suspense and excitement was at
its peak.
"Put your hands together, ladies and gentlemen, for the most awaited surprise of the evening!"
At Garv's signal, the orchestra began playing a sweet, subtle medley and movement was
caught on the terrace. All attention was immediately swung towards the terrace, zeroing in
on a massive three tiered cake which was being wheeled towards the centre. The red and
white cake was huge, almost standing ten feet tall, and a masterpiece of decorative art –scrolls
and flowers, probably made of plaster of Paris, edging the tiers, red satin ribbon tied in bows
beneath them. The candles actually held electric globes and were alight which meant power
had to be supplied by a small generator inside the cake.
Armaan smiled as the cake was vaguely reminiscent of a movie. But what caught his breath
was what would happen next.
As the cake took centre stage, excited murmurs gripped the crowd and as expected, the
topmost tier of the cake, with the cherry and icing, slid open to reveal two emerging figures –
Ridhima and Abhimanyu!– each holding either ends of a red satiny cloth as a curtain.
Armaan stifled his shock. What was Ridhima doing in the party?! If Ridhima was in this party, then a
confrontation was inevitable. He hadn't thought of Ridhima finding out the truth –his truth– in such
a manner. She might've even seen him already.
"Presenting to you, Ridhima and Abhimanyu, with their special gift…"
Armaan's heart did a back leap as Ridhima came into view. She was dressed in the pink salwar
suit that he'd –Maan had – gifted her for her birthday!
Darn! Did that mean she had planned to accept Maan's Proposal today? Had she finally decided
to say yes to him today? Damn! She'd text him –Maan – just an hour ago asking to meet her on
the terrace after the party! Was this rendezvous by destiny going to ruin it all? He hoped not!
As they were visible to their full heights, they dropped the curtain to reveal a third person
standing between them.
The crowd gasped!
"…Her Highness, the elder Queen of the Shishodiya Kingdom, Maharani Rajeshwari, in all her
royal glory!"
Armaan could not believe his eyes!
His mother stood between Ridhima and Abhimanyu on her own without any support! She smiled and
waved.
The crowd stood entranced in silence and then broke out in a rapturous applause as BR walked
towards the stairs that led from the cake to the garden below with Ridhima and Abhimanyu walking
on either side of her. Her stride was gentle yet confident. The Queen was back, indeed!
The Royal family stood agape, rendered speechless by this incredible sight. It took moments
for the reality to sink in. it was an emotional moment, a touchy reunion. Kunwar Armaan
and Rajkumari Nikita hugged their mother. RS had the look of a man who owned the world.
Only CR found it difficult to come to terms with this fact. She was livid with rage. Rahul, who
understood the situation, knew that any display of unwanted emotion at this moment could
only thwart their plan and so he stood silently with an impassive face and also controlled his
mother accordingly. They went through the greetings with mock civility and love.
"Happy birthday, my son," said BR to Armaan.
"This is my best birthday, Mom!" he replied and hugged his mother again as tears glistened in
his eyes.
He then turned to Abhimanyu and enveloped him in an affectionate embrace, "Thank You,
brother, you've given me the world today."
Abhimanyu felt elated. He knew that Armaan's addressal of him as a brother was his way of
showing his heartfelt gratitude. And he was happy that he could bring such happiness in the life
of that one person who he'd always thought of as his elder brother and who had also always
acted like one. Abhimanyu knew he owed Ridhima for this.
Armaan scanned the garden for Ridhima but she was nowhere to be found.
Today, she had brought his world alive and how had he returned the favor? By throwing the
biggest deception of his life in her face. No wonder she hadn't lingered around. His whole being
was rejoicing at this new found happiness, having his mother back in his life like never before,
but a part of him craved Ridhima's company. If only she were here.
A series of greetings and wishes lined up again as friends, relatives, business clients, colleagues,
et al approached to convey their feelings at this newfound happiness of the Royal clan. Time
flew by during the process and it was only an hour later that the birthday cake received any
attention.
When the cake was cut and everyone was seated, the waiters served rich brews and beverages
from elegant silverware and placed ornate five-tiered cake-stands on the tables. From top to
bottom, the tiers provided chocolate rolls, date scones, savoury puff pastries and a selection
of rich cakes. The final pice de rsistance—dishes of chocolate coated almonds with clotted
cream—was a mouthwatering delicacy that appealed to the young and old alike. As everyone
treated themselves to the royal feast, Armaan discovered he didn't have any appetite. He
wished to find Ridhima first and talk things out with her but she wasn't to be found around and he
couldn't go in search of her now. So he resigned himself to small talk with people around while
forcing food down his throat.
"Happy Birthday, Maan!"
Armaan turned around and spotted a beaming Yuvi and Naina with their little daughter.
"Yuvi! Naina! I expected you guys sooner," replied Maan.
"Sorry Prince, something came up," replied Naina gesturing at Yuvi who only grinned. "I see
we've missed the fun."
"Congratulations to you. It is indeed a great day!"
Armaan smiled and thanked them.
The party was in full swing with all its surprises as planned by Garv. Armaan was still restless
and on the lookout for Ridhima when he spotted her across the garden talking to Nikita!
Nikita and Ridhima were engrossed in conversation when Nikita froze as she stared behind
Ridhima. She sighed and said, "Excuse me, Ridhima," and walked away, leaving her alone. Ridhima had a
feeling she knew why Nikita had suddenly made herself scarce. She turned and came face to
face with his Highness, Kunwar Armaan Pratap Shishodiya!
"Ridhima…"
Armaan took in the sight of her. Beautiful and simplistic. She was dressed in the baby pink
dress that he'd gifted her on her birthday. She wore a fine chain with a tiny rhinestone pendant
and similar earrings dangling in her ears. Her hair was loose, like he loved it. However, what
sent the rhythm of his eyes racing was her eyes. They were bloodshot red. She had been crying!
She looked at him intently for a long moment and then said, "Wish you a very happy birthday,
Kunwar Armaan Pratap Shishodiya.
And then, before he could say anything, she turned around and as she raised her hand to swipe
at the tears that had trickled down her cheek, Armaan caught the gleam of the ring that
sparkled on her finger in the darkness.
He had ruined everything!
"Trouble, eh? I'd warned you."
*****
How was it? It was a very important chapter and one difficult to write. Kindly leave your feedback.
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