JAZ'S FF-NEW PART 15, PG 27, 10 APRIL!!! - Page 14

Part 10

At the mehel, Yudhistir was waiting anxiously for Rani's arrival. She was due any minute, the party had begun, with the band in full swing welcoming the guests.

At the entrance to the main hall, RS stood, with BR in the wheelchair beside him. Cr, her eyes blazing with fury, had, for once, been sent to stand in her rightful place behind the original royal couple, seeing as BR was now well enough to attent shahi functions.

Upstairs, Niharika, hidden behind a pillar, looked on at the celebrations. Rani may have been accepted as the new bahu of Shishodiya Vansh, but since then, she had been forgotten. She didn't feel jealousy or anger, she understood how anxious and preoccupied yudi had been to spend time with her recently, as he has been apart from her for the past few days. They had only been united that morning when the rest of the raj parivaar came down for Yudi's engagement. Nikki sighed, feeling lonelier than ever. Ever since her husband had died and she had moved back to her maternal home, she has always had someone to keep her company and stay with her during these shahi functions. Now her mother was well, Niharika felt well and truly alone. Sniffing back a tear, she tore away her gaze from her happy brother's face and turned to go back to her room.

*THUMP*

She groaned in pain as she felt herself collide with another person...and pain, tearing through her left arm.

Looking down at her throbbing forearm…She saw a trickle of blood emerging from the small slit that the sword had made. Holding her arm at an angle, she started to speak.

" Aap ..yeh…please.bhagwaan ke liye..sambhal ke chalna seekhiye…"

(Please…for gods sake… learn how to walk carefully!)

She glanced up at the person carrying the sword, and saw saksh standing there, hoding the talwaar dressed in a simple, elegant, cream sherwani. She immediately looked down again..embarassed

"Arre sakshamji… aap…I'm sorry humne na jaane kya kuch kahaa" (Oh saksham..you.. im sorry.. I don't know what I was thinking saying that…)

Saksham looked down at Nikki, and her arm. "Aap ne bilkul theek kaha… chaliye humaare saath rajkumari niharika ji, hum is par ek bandage lagate hain…" (What you said was correct…come with me Princess Niharika, I will put a bandage on this)

Nikki shied away from him, and as she did, felt a searing pain in her arm again. She made as small a sound she could, but that didn't escape Saksham's ears.

"Humein pata hai ke aap ko bahut dard ho raha hai.. chaliye humaare saath."

(I know that its hurting you a lot.. come with me)

He led Nikki into the nearest room, which was coincidentally his new room in the shaahi mehmaan quarters…leaving the door open, for he knew what may be said if they were found in a closed room together. He called for one of the servants to bring a first aid box… and then, after he had brought it, began to take out various items such as bandages, wipes, and so on..

"Sakshamji.. aap kya kar rahe hain.. aap fikker mat kijiye, hum karte hain na… aap kyun pareshaan ho rahe hain"

(Saksh, what are you doing.. don't worry.. I will do it.. why are you worrying for?)

"Kyunke hume aapki bahut fikker hoti hain Niharikaji…." (Because I always worry about u Niharika)

"Kya?" (What?!)

"Ji..mere matlab kehne ka yeh tha keh hume aap sab logon ki fikker hoti hain.. aapki. Rs ki, cr ki..br ki..kunwer ji ki….tho aap pareshaan mat hoyega.. humein first aid bahut acchi sara se aata hai" (Ji.. I meant that I always worry about all of you… You, RS, CR, BR, Kunwarji.. so don't you worry… I know first aid very well)

Nikki smiled, and looked at him. He was so engrossed in making sure she was ok, seeing if anything had entered the wound. She knew exactly what he was feeling, as she too felt the same. But, being a young widowed princess meant having no emotions, no wishes and no desires, and so she used all her effort in hiding this fact from him. She too became engrossed in him, watching him, with creases of tension across his forehead, pain evident in his eyes, trying to take away all her pains – not only physical.. but emotional too.

She wiped away a silent tear, and continues to watch him, unable to draw her eyes away now. She was brought back to reality when she felt an intense stinging on her arm. Saksham had been using anti bacterial wipes which automatically brought back the pain again. Already on the verge of crying, due to other hidden heartaches, she tried to hold back these tears that came from the sudden surge of pain, but couldn't. Hearing her sharp intake of breath, Saksham had looked up to see her fighting to hold back tears. One began to fall from her eyes. Almost immediately, Saksham, without considering any of the implications possibly involved, leant over and wiped it off her face. Nikki looked at him, unable to understand why he continued to give her so much love, when she couldn't show him any. Frustration consumed her, and she turned away from his intense gaze.

"Hume maaf kijiye Niharika Ji.. hume yeh sab nahin karni chaiyye"#

(Forgive me niharika ji… I shouldn't have done that)

Without looking again at him, Nikki just nodded, mumbled her thanks, and got up to leave.

Saksham got up and went to hold Nikki back… his hand poised a few inches away from her shoulder. Suddenly, he froze, remembering the situation he was in and Nikki and his status. He may be a shahi mehman, but that didn't mean he could do this! Luckily, his affections allowed him to communicate without physical contact. Without having touched her, she turned around and faced him, keeping her eyes lowered.

"Ji?"(Yes?)

"Aap sagai ke rasam ke liye neeche nahin chalegi?" (You wont come down for the engagement?

"Ji nahin… humein shahi parivaar ke parties mein jaane ka adhikaar nahin hai. Hum ek vidva hai.. is liye hume ek vidva ke taraf jeena bhi padta..apne kamre keh 4 salakhiyon ke beech hum apni baaki zindagi akeli bitaayenge…" She looked at him straight in the eys, and Saksham was taken aback. Then clearly, emphasizing each word so as to make him aware of her position she continues…. " Aur is mein SAB ki khushi hain…"

(No.. I don't have the right to go to royal parties.. I am a widow.. so I have to live like one, stuck between the 4 walls of my room, spending the rest of my life alone… And everyones happiness lies in this)

Without another word, she left the room. Saksh, unsure what to do and feeling dejected, simply picked up the 2 swords that he was carrying down for the royal performers, and made his way down to the great hall.

Nikki, in the mean time, didn't return to her room. Instead, she went over to the mezzanine level again, and looked over the great hall. RS and Bhavyata were standing in the centre, discussing something. Bhavy kept looking at RS in a way as if she was asking something almost impossible. After some time of talking, RS smiled and nodded. Bhavy immediately rushed to take his ashirwaad with RS blessing her, even giving her a hug.

Niharika looked away; she couldn't bear to see any more. She loved her sister and her father dearly, yet she always longed for the rapport that her sister had with RS, one that wasn't bound by aged traditions, rituals and endless superstitions. Since her husband's untimely death, she had felt so isolated from her father, in fact, even more cut off from the family that she was now living with again, than she was when she was living at her sasural. Her eyes, no stranger to tears that evening, began to water again, each tear shedding frustration, pain and all bad feeling from Niharika's being. With a small sigh, she set off to her prison-like room, for yet another night of solitude…..

-

Back in the main hall, all the guests had accumulated for the arrival of Rani. Yudi was anxious, desperate to see her, but his royal status prevented him from pushing past hordes of people just to glimpse her.

The entire hall has been cleared, and decorated with the finest silver and white decorations, with pink roses here and there. It was a typically idyllic and romantic setting for such an event, and had a stage, hooked up with microphones and a sound system constructed for entertainment and for the actual sagai.

Standing at the front of the stage set up on a raised platform in the great hall, leaning casually against the 2 chairs set up there, Yudi craned his neck in one last feeble attempt to see her.

"Kya Hua Kunwar?"(Whats happened Kunwar)

"Kuch nahin pitaji…hum bas yuhi.. stretch kar rahe the…" (Nothing Pitaji. I was just..stretching)

"Aah…. Hume pata hai Kunwar Yudhistir, ke aap kya kar rahe hain…" (Oh.. I know Kunwar Yudi what you were doing!)

Yudi looked over at RS upon hearing this, and saw him looking back, with raised eyebrows and a knowing smile.

"Ji …jaise aap soch rahe.. aise bhi koi baat nahin hai"(Erm..its not anything like what you are thinking!)

Looking over at his son, he noticed impatience, the same impatience he had experienced on his own engagement, some 30 years ago. The frowning of the brow, biting one's upper lip in contemplation, clasping together ones hands, and the shaking of ones feet, he could clearly see Yudi's haste.

Suddenly, a wave of silence swept over the great hall, engulfing any previous chatting and chaos.

The spotlight was shone onto the entrance, and in she walked. Yudi, his arm that he was leaning on, stumbled slightly. From his room earlier on, he had seen many stars shinign brightly on this special night,but, to him, nothing shone as much as she did.

Rani looked the epitomy of royalty today. Yudi somehow noticed that it wasn't just her appearance that had changed slightly, but she seemed to walk, carry herself, in a

different manner, no longer looking down and trying to blend into the background, but head up and more confident, smiling at the guests as she walked down the central aisle leading down to the stage. Yudi looked at her, with more passion and respect in his eyes than ever before.

Rani too, was enjoying this moment. Dressed in the bright pink lehnga choli with silver and pink stonework, complimented further by the matching jewellery Yudi had also given her, she truly, for the first time ever, felt like a princess. But not just any princess. Looking at Yudi, she felt a surge of love towards him. No matter what she was his princess - his rags to riches Cinderella. She saw him looking at her, with such an intense, passionate stare…and blushed..her cheeks turning pink. It was amazing ho much people can communicate in one single glance. At that moment, Yudi has seen love, excitement, happiness, and also the true reality of Ranis new found confidence.

It was all truly a faade, and a very good one at that, an attempt to prove to all the cynics that she had the necessary qualities imbibed in her to make a good queen. Yudi was impressed, and proud and grateful all at once to Rani, for always doing all she could to make him happy.

Meanwhile RB and rudr were having their usual spat. RB had come to know that the beautiful lehnga rani has was a gift from Yudi, and was, since then, constantly shouting at Rudr for not doing the same. She cursed her bad fortune that she was married to him. At least if she was married to Yudi, she may receive a nice gift! Scowling and nudging rudra again, she continued to watch what was happening.

Rani reached the stage and stole one last glance at Yudi before greeting RS, BR and CR, and taking ashirwaad from them. He was wearing a deep grey/silver sherwani with a pink rose as a buttonhole and minimal silver detail, looking as handsome as ever.

Rani's family and the raj parivaar, after greeting each other and completing all the formalities, settled to position themselves around the chair on the stage for the engagement. After some minor rituals, it was time to exchange rings. Instructed by the elders, Rani extends her hand forward to Yudi, who takes it in his. Looking into her eyes, he gives a playful squeeze and strokes gently, thinking that no one can see them.

"AHEM!"

The sound of Bhavy clearing her throat brought them both back to reality, and Yudi, his restlessness now beginning to show, took the finger from the tray…

All of a sudden he felt a tap on his shoulder. Asking for forgiveness, Saksham bent down and whispered something into Yudis right ear. Still looking at him , she registers what he's feeling after saksham spoke to him. His face held an expression of shock of some kind, which softened to disappointment. Without saying a single thing or glancing at Rani, he put the ring down on the tray and, with long strides in his step, went back upstairs ….

RS, looking puzzled, immediately tried to explain 2 guests that yudi was just busy for a second..Rani was anxious too, as to what made Yudi look so disappointed in himself…

Chachi, who had been observing Rani's reaction carefully, decided to pounce.

"Arre, ee ka hua hai.. kahi Kunwarji ko humaari rani bitiya jaisi mangetar nahi chahte ? "(Oh..whats happened.. what if the prince doesn't want a fiance like Rani?)

Hearing this, Rani's heartbeats start to increase…what if ? what if the disappointment in the eyes had been because of her?

Turning to face Chachi, RS gave her a thunderous look, but i twas dadi who spoke.. . and tHAt too, just one word.

"CHANDRAKALA!"

The tone in dadis voice sent shivers down everyones spine, and the look she was giving was so imtimidating that it shut her youngest daughter in law up.

Saksham felt it was time to intervene.. "Aap log nischint rahiyega.. kunwarji bas abhi aate hongee..." (Please, all of you dont worry. Kunwarji will just be coming)

Sure enough, Yudi arrives down 5 minutes later, but not alone. Following behind him, like a lost child in the middle of a room of larger children, was Niharika in a cream and gold suit. Sshe kept her gaze to the floor and the talking was left to her brother.

But words weren't needed. Just the sight of Niharika brought all the words that were left to say and it showed on RS face. Looking shocked and slightly appalled, he continues to stare, not believing what Yudi has just done. RS had been a lot more lenient with Niharika as of late, but not to this extent! RS was about to say something when he felt as if someone was looking at him, but not just any of the guests.. someone special..who seemed to be peering deep within him and understanding him.

He turned away from his children and instantly his eyes fell upon 2 large brown eyes, which portrayed so much, and were so full or innocence and expectation, glistening with signs of her emotions..

Breaking out of this connection between the two and smiling, he went over to Rani and placed his hand against her cheek as a source of comfort, before going towards Yudi, and welcoming Nikki.

After all this drama, all agree to continue on with the engagement. And so, yet again Yura take their seats, and RS asks Bhavy to bring the rings.

"Ji pitaji...lekin..hum sagai abhi nahi karni..."(Yes pitaji.. but we aren't doing the engagement yet!)

Yura both look up from each others eyes, and Yudi immediately jumps to his feet from his seat. "Kyun nahi kar sakthe?" (Why cant we?)

"Bhaiyya!!!! Itni jaldi kyun?" (Bhaiyya...whats the rush!?)

"Kyunki hum Rani se abhi abhi shaaadi karna chahte hai.."

Bhavy laughs...and Yudi realising the mistake he has just made, lowers his gaze and blushed.

"Bhaiyya? Shaadi? Abhi to sagai bhi nahin hua aur aap abhi shaadi ke peeche pade ho!" (Bhaiyya? Wedding? Right now you aren't even engaged, yet you are just concerned with marriage!)

She looks over to Rani and sees her shy, but pleased smile.

"Hone wali bhabi..aap hi samjhaye bhaiyya ko ke unhee intezaar karna hoga" (Would be bhabi.. you explain to bhaiyye that he has to wait please...)

Rani glances at Yudi, and her smile widens. Mesmerized by her beauty, Yudi automatically sits down..touching the hearts of everyone witnessing Rani's magic over him.

"Yeh hui na baat! Tho bhaiyya, bhabhiji...aap dono thaiyyar rahiye.. aap dono ko, sagai hone se pehle, apne pyaar ka exam dena padega, thaaki hum sab dekh sakthe hain ke aap dono ek dusre se kitna pyaar karte ho !" (Thats more like it! So, bhaiyya, bhabi? You both get ready... before your engagement to pass the test of love to show us all how much you love each other!!)

Puzzled, Yudi looked at Bhavy, and then at Rani, who was becoming very anxious...

Seeing this, Bhavy knelt beside Rani and said something that made Rani all the more scared....... and she looked towards the sea of faces looking at her, her heartbeats racing again as earlier....

"Aap chinta mat kijiye bhabiji...ek hi gaane ki to baat hai!" (Dont worry bhabi.. its only a question of 1 song!!!!)

😕