Author's Note: Okay if you haven't read the previous note ^ the above post PLEASE do so!
SerendipityChapter Twenty-Eight
"Thank You for coming." The Earl of Chandia spoke into the microphone, positioned at the front of the stage as Queen Vanshika and Swamini sat besides him. On the other side sat Viren, Jeevika whilst Virat entered with the nervous Maanvi.
Instantly everyone's eyes landed on her. She felt their gawking stare running through her back as she sat down, facing them. She felt her face become red as her hand started to get clammy. The room started to murmur as they noticed the deep red Sindoor on Maanvi's forehead.
She hesitated as each of them seemed to be staring her down, she couldn't stand this amount of attention. She started to shake when Virat held her hand, and whispered into her ear. "You'll be fine, I promise." He smiled at her.
"I'm just scared, what if they hate me?" She replied, concerned.
"You didn't do anything wrong, besides they should hate me for marrying you." He replied trying to get her to feel better. She smiled, feeling that same tingly sensation she had been feeling every time Virat touched her. She lowered her eyes, and moved her hand from under his.
"As you all know we have called upon this conference to tell you all a big news." The Earl commenced. Everyone took their eyes off Maanvi for a second as they listened intently. "I would like to present you," He pulled out his arm, pointing towards Maanvi. "Vadhera family's choti bahu." She closed her eyes, scared of what was happening.
She breathed heavily as she felt Virat's hand clench onto hers. She began to hyperventilate: something she had always done when she was faced with a big difficulty. Sure, she overcame difficulties with an open mind but when she was against a mass crowd, in a complete unknown scenario, she was scared. Maanvi was frightened. She heard the room began to get louder as more and more people started to whisper. She could hear them talk about her, "What if they hate me?" She thought. She opened her eyes but couldn't look at anyone, instead faced Virat. Whilst one hand was on Virat's, she used the other to protect herself in Virat's chest.
He soothed her, rubbing her back as he whispered into her ear. "Calm Maanvi, calm." She began to feel better as the Earl hushed the room down. Besides them, Jeevika yearned to comfort Maanvi but Viren stopped her, to let Virat take care of her.
"If anyone has any questions please ask now." The Earl said politely.
"When did this marriage take place?"
"Nearly a week ago." He replied.
As the questions went on, Virat felt his hand tighten. He disliked the fact that because he was a Royal, it was affecting Maanvi.
"Will this marriage stop Areenia's forces from attacking Chandrilasia?" As soon as the question was asked, there was a uproar as the Chandrilasian's started to ask further questions. Maanvi hesitated listening to the shouts.
"I assure you Areenia will do no such thing." The Earl replied calmly. He looked over to Maanvi, who was stiff scared.
"How can you be so sure? If war could have happened once, it can happen again!" The Earl flinched, remembering about the war between them and Costa Phoenix. He remembered the day when he had won and Chandrilasia was free from their clutches. A few years after, a Peace treaty was put in place so that the countries could help each other. Nothing bad had happened after that.
He hesitated. "If we won once, we can win again." He looked over to Maanvi. "And this time we have our bahu with us," He sharply turned back. "and when I say that nothing will happen, I mean it." Maanvi got up from Virat's arms, listening to the Earl's words.
"And if it doesn't?"
He became angry. "Maanvi is our luck charm. And with her, Areenia wouldn't dare to do anything. Not when I have Maanvi."
"But no one can trust Princess Tanya. After what Prince Virat has done, do you honestly think she'll accept this? Our lives may be in danger and you think a marriage will protect us? And that too, marriage to a girl we have no heard of before?"
Virat began to get angry especially when they were talking bad about Maanvi. He watched his grandfather, although calm and confident, began to become nervous as the questions kept on coming. This was his fault. Not his grandfathers. Not Maanvi's.
If anything, he should be the one to stop all this.
He stood up swiftly before making his way towards the front. "So what if Maanvi isn't Royal nor famous? She is my wife and no one should question who I should be with as this matter is only and only mine and hers." Maanvi stood in shock, listening to Virat. She smiled, happy to see Virat sticking up for her. "And as for Tanya, then believe me she won't do anything because, because..." Everyone stared for him to carry on as he looked at Maanvi. "Because I will go to Areenia and ask for forgiveness." There was a murmur and a couple of gasps as the Prince had accepted to do something to protect them. "It was my fault." He said to them all. "And I will fix it. So Please for something that I did, don't say anything against my family like this and especially," He glanced at Maanvi. "And especially not Maanvi."
There was a uproar of applause as Virat looked away and went back to his seat. Maanvi smiled as she did, she felt like thanking him, but couldn't as the Earl hushed the room again.
"Virat?" She whispered. "Thank you."
He was about to reply when the Earl made an announcement. "As well as this, I would like to say that Maanvi is not only our daughter-in-law but I wish her to become the Duchess of Chandia." There was a slow applause that gradually became louder.
Maanvi opened her mouth in surprise. Virat looked at her smiling, though he didn't know about this, he couldn't help but feel it was a great news. Vijay Singh gestured for Maanvi to stand up on the stage. She looked at Virat, hesitating. He closed his eyes and opened them back up before holding her hand, his fingers in hers and standing up. He walked her towards the Earl who had a proud face looking at the couple. Virat took Maanvi near the microphone, who struggled to say anything, she couldn't look at the staring audience out of stage fright.
"Maanvi, you can do this." He whispered to her. She looked at him, slightly nodding.
Taking a deep breath, she looked at the audience before opening her mouth. "I...er...thank you." She sighed. "Thank you for accepting me, and...and I hope that I can do whatever I can to help you all. Thank you." She finished. The crowd started to cheer, clapping their hands loudly.
The conference was ended and the media people had just finished recording. Many had already left, just as the Royal family made their way back to the Vadhera Palace. The family sat in the main dining room as the servants started to place plates and cutlery on the table. It was a festive moment, not only had the Chandrilasians been supportive of Maanvi albeit after a few troubles, it seems as if everything is going back to normal. The Earl glanced at his younger grandson who was making conversation with his brother and bhabhi. He was smiling, joking about as Viren and Jeevika were in their own worlds. Beside him sat Maanvi who was talking to Vanshika and Swamini, asking her whether everything was alright at home and whether she was settled in.
Yes, perhaps this was the best day. For once, Vijay Singh Vadhera couldn't believe that his family were together, for once. There was no arguments, no silence, just happiness and laughter. He felt like an old man who had the best life.
"What do you say, bauji?" Swamini asked laughing.
He looked at her confused. "What?"
"I was saying that maybe we should take Maanvi to Chandia, you know get her used to the place. After all, Maanvi will have to rule over it." She replied.
"Me? I thought I was just the Duchess." Maanvi asked confused, clearly having no idea of what her role actually was.
Vanshika laughed lightly. "Beta, no matter what you are, you still have the responsibility to look after people. I may be the Queen but here everyone looks after one another, it's the right to do so. And I'm sure that you'll fulfil your role to the best that you can."
Maanvi blushed. "Aunty..." She hissed. "I mean, Ma...I'm glad that you all have so much faith in me, but I can't do this. I won't be able to."
Virat stopped talking to Viren and Jeevika and listened to the other conversation. He felt dejected hearing Maanvi's reply. "Maanvi, this is all in your head. You say that you won't able to do this, but we say you will. And besides, I'm here..." Everyone stared at him. "I mean, we're here...We'll help you every step of the way." She smiled at him whilst he stared into her brown eyes.
Viren cleared his throat a little too loudly just as Virat blushed, looking down. Swamini and Vanshika tried not to laugh at the younger Vadhera as they quietly ate their dinner.
The older brother leaned over to his wife before whispered into her ear. "Why don't we send them on a honeymoon?"
"What? Honeymoon?"
"Of course. Remember ours? Hot weather, sunshine, beach, swimming." He called out as she blushed.
"Shush, Virenji! Do you have to talk about that here?" She blushed again, getting red in the face.
"Hai, what can I say? I love my wife so much that even I'm thinking that we should go on a honeymoon again." He smirked.
"Virenji," She smiled, looking down at her plate. "Please. Our wedding has already been done and that too a year ago. This honeymoon is a little bit out of date."
"Oh really? No worries, we can make our honeymoon again. How about tonight?" He whispered.
She gasped, loudly, making everyone look at them. "What happened Jeevika?" Swamini asked.
Jeevika didn't know what to reply. "Buaji...Actually...that...I..." She looked down, not being able to look at anyone in the eyes.
"Actually badi Ma, I was thinking of sending Virat and Maanvi on their honeymoon." Viren replied innocently. Just then Virat and Maanvi started to cough at the same time, just as when they started to reach for the one spare glass of water between them.
Maanvi looked up at Virat, her hand on the glass whilst his over hers. She blushed, instantly looking down. He let go, allowing her to take the glass. She slowly took it, taking a sip before placing it back down on the table. Just then Virat started to cough again and had no choice but to the take the glass and drink it. His lips over where Maanvi's had just been. He cleared his throat, just as when everyone started to speak again.
"That's not a bad idea." Swamini said. "After all, everything is okay now. You two should go on your honeymoon." She told Virat and Maanvi.
They didn't reply, clearly a bit too shocked.
"But where?" Vanshika asked.
Viren thought for a bit. "London?" Virat frowned at the suggestion, not being able to say anything. Maanvi noticed this.
"London? That's a great idea! Right bauji?" Swamini asked her father.
He nodded. "Yes, Viren? You get the tickets sorted as soon as possible. I want my children to have a good holiday." He smiled, getting up as he had finished eating. Everyone else did the same with Jeevika and Maanvi helping out with the dishes. She did everything as soon as possible, wanting to get back to Virat as she had noticed his displeasure earlier.
Jeevika walked down into her room where she saw Viren on the phone. She smiled, closing the door and walking behind him. She hugged him from behind as he became startled, before moving back and placing her into his arms.
"Thank you so much, that's great! Okay bye." He ended the phone call with a smile. "Honeymoon is fixed! Maanvi and Virat leave tomorrow evening." He said excitedly.
"Doesn't everything seem to be going absolutely perfect?" She said.
He nodded. "Mm, everything is just going perfect. Maanvi and Virat are friends and who knows when they'll finally be one? But you know what else would make this better?"
"What?"
"This." He kissed her forehead before moving towards her lips. She blushed pushing him away.
"Virenji!"
"Jeevika-ji!" He mocked her. "We're alone, no one is watching."
She blushed, not looking at him. "But first..." She pushed him away laughing. "I have to tell Maanvi the news!" She ran out, letting the Prince sigh, laughing a little.
Jeevika rushed down the stairs to where Virat and Maanvi's room was. She knocked on the door and waited patiently as Virat opened. "Virat, where is Maanvi?"
"She's in the bathroom, why? Any problem?" She moved past him, into the room clearly excited.
"Guess what?" He gave her a look. "Your honeymoon is fixed!"
Virat looked at her in shock, his heart feeling like it had been pummelled through bricks. "What?"
"Ha, Virenji said that your flight for London leaves tomorrow evening. Isn't this amazing?" He stood there in despair, his mind feeling dizzy. He felt like he couldn't breathe as he watched in silent, his bhabhi jumping up and down in excitement. He didn't even realised when he had nodded, her leaving for the door.
How could he honeymoon? And that too in London?
It wasn't Viren's fault though, for him London was purely a City, as it was for Virat. But somehow he couldn't help but forget those memories of him and Maya. His head began to hurt as he felt sharp stabbing hitting him. He held his head before slowly losing balance.
"Virat!" Maanvi cried out as he fell backwards but was instantly caught by Maanvi. She helped him on the bed, as he hissed in agony at his head. "Are you okay?" She pulled his legs up and made him comfortable as he shook his head.
She didn't know what to do. She looked at her husband in apprehension as she decided to get someone. He held her hand, stopping her. He didn't want anyone to see him like this. There would be too many questions. She understood. Instead she quickly went to get the jug of water from the table and made him drink before caressing his head. She felt him become warmer even though the room was cold.
"Virat you are burning up." She sniffed, not knowing what she should do. He closed his eyes and then opened them, finding it difficult to breathe. "Virat, look at this you're not even breathing properly! Please let me get help!" She wanted to cry out but he wouldn't let her.
"What do I do?" Tears fell from her eyes as she watched him in trouble. She rubbed his neck before moving towards his chest to help him breathe better. It was working. She smiled before helping him up slightly, tearing his t-shirt off. He laid on the bed, topless as she slowly moved her hand towards his chest. She moved in a vertical direction, helping his air flow as he started to calm down. She smiled, wiping her tears away before carrying on doing the same.
He became weary, his head no longer hurting. Virat felt numb but somehow better as he felt Maanvi on him. He became to feel sleepy, his mind at ease. He didn't realise when he had drifted off to sleep. Maanvi sniffed before covering the blanket over him. She didn't want to leave him nor sleep in case he had need something. She sat besides him, watching him every second.
In those few minutes she thought she had lost him forever. Her heavy heart subsided as she watched him. She began to feel sleepy before she too started drifting off.
Edited by ZAHARA. - 12 years ago
Cricket
