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SIYA VIKRAM SINGH RATHORE:

I looked out at the passing buildings , cars and people through the window glass. But my mind was still stopped at the moment when My Ram again filled my forehead with the Vermillion of his name, and I was still replaying our first hug in my mind. Only I know how much I craved for that hug. Hugging him felt like home, just like how I felt years ago when I saw him for the first time, when he protected me without caring about him. I know this is not a big deal for everyone, but for me it's one of the precious moments of my life which I'll cherish for the rest of my life. It's just one day to our marriage and I'm already attached to his presence and my family that the thought of living without them for a mere day makes me want to cry. We just landed in Mumbai, and Bhai is driving us towards the Kapoor Mansion. I didn't even know why I was coming back here, because that place was never home to me. Thinking about that place only makes me remember the sufferings I had to endure to just breathe for another second.  Bile rise in my throat thinking about the moment I lived there like a dead soul.

I came out of my thoughts when Bhaiya shook my shoulder while calling my name. I looked at him.

" Kaha khoya hai gudiya, main kitne der se bula rahi hu? " He asked.

( Where are you lost Princess? I have been calling you for sometime)

" Nothing Bhaiya " I said while shaking my head.

" Are you by chance thinking about your husband ? " He asked in a teasing tone making me look at him with shock. Blush crept up to my cheeks and I tried my best to hide it with my hair. He chuckled seeing my desperate attempt to cover my face.

" But tell me seriously, are they treating you good? Is Vikram treating you well? " Bhaiya asked being worried, his playfulness gone and the all time seriousness returns to his face. I know for a fact that he wouldn't have slept yesterday thinking about my wellbeing.

Opening the seatbelt I hugged him sideways and kept my face in his chest and said

" I'm so much happy bhaiya, I got the family I craved for since my childhood. They love me and treat me as their own daughter. And Vikram, he respects me alot. Do you think I could be sad with a family like that? " My eyes started getting glossy thinking about my family, who became my everything with in a short span of a day. I felt my brother kissing my forehead and he said

" I'm so happy for you gudiya that you got the life you wanted. But are you going to forget about this poor brother of yours now that you got a happy family? " I could sense the happiness and the sadness and insecurity that laced in his voice. I looked up at him and said

" You are my home bhaiya, you think anyone in this world can replace the place you have in my heart? Never you are my everything and you are irreplaceable bhaiya" and then again hugged him tightly.

" Chal , ab nautanki band karo aur bahar nikalo " he said, gone my emotional brother.

( Now Stop the drama and get out )

I pushed on his chest and went out of the car muttering ' you have changed and don't love me anymore ' only to hear his chuckle in response. As I come out of the car my gaze fell on the man standing beside our car looking straight. His face was stern without showing zero emotions. His well built and giant body could scare anyone for their life. I looked behind and saw that there was a series of cars stoped behind us. I sighed and turned towards my brother who chuckled at my expression.

" Stop with the pout gudiya, it's your husband's order that they should always follow you around, for your safety " he said while pointing towards the line of bodyguards.

" I'm very thankful for having my family, but doesn't know that along with them I'll get a bunch of personal bodyguards. Is this like buy one get many offer? " I asked sarcastically, he's the only person with whom I could be myself beside my friends.

" Perks of being the future queen of Rajasthan and the eldest daughter in law of Rathore's " he said making sence. He held my hand and started dragging me inside the mansion, with the every step I took I was dreading what will be waiting for me inside. As we reached the front door bhaiya asked me to stop there and then went inside in hurry. I looked beside me and found that Raghav Mathur, the head of my personal security standing behind me without an emotion on his face. The other men have taken their position around the mansion. The hurried footsteps of someone's arrival brought my attention back to the front only to get my heart warm at the sight of my brother coming with an Arati thalli in his hand. He stood infront of me and circled the arathi around my face. I just wish that even if god give me another life I want him as my brother.

" The goddess of this mansion have again graced us with her presence, so I need to make a proper welcome for her " he said placing a sweet inside my mouth. I took the bite while controlling my tears.

Am I lucky? Damn...yes I'm the luckiest one in the whole world. Moreover who needs a man to treat her like a princess when her brother have brought up her like a queen.

" Now come inside " he said welcoming me inside. But I stopped him and took the box of sweet from the thali and turned towards Raghav bhai, we I am sure that he was very much older than me.

" Here take this brother, maybe you can smile a little after having the sweet " I said with a sheepish smile already feeling comfortable with him. But that man didn't even blink his eyes at me, just took the sweet and ate it without giving me any response. I was dumbfounded. Why does my husband and his employees have to be so emotionless? It it necessary to maintain their macho attitude?

" Please distribute this to others " I told him and he took the thali without saying anything. I turned towards my brother who was looking at me with amusement. As we two entered inside the living room we saw that all the members were present there. I saw that my fath- Mr. Kapoor was reading the newspaper - it was his routine to read something after having dinner - ,while Mrs. Kapoor and Mrs. Agnihotri were talking about themselves. Nisha was engrossed in the mobile. No one even acknowledged our presence except Neil. He gave me a small smile which I returned. He was dressed in a a black suit, probably come back from office.

" You settle down Gudiya, and take rest " bhaiya said to me in a slow voice. He then went towards Mrs. Kapoor who looked at him with a warm smile. He touched her feet and she gave him her blessings.

" I'm leaving for Kolkata now. Will come back in two days. Gudiya is only here for tonight, Vikram will come to take her back tomorrow morning and I don't want any kind of complaint during her stay here, and make sure to welcome him properly, he's the son- in - law if this house " He announced to everyone gaining their attention. I was both sad and scared that he won't be here with me. Nobody said anything to opose his decision.

" Who is that ? " Mr. Kapoor speak for the first time looking towards me. I turned around saw that he was referring to Raghav Bhai.

" That's Raghav, the head of Gudiya's security " Bhaiya said clearing their doubts. Mr. Kapoor went from there without saying anything followed by everyone else. Even though I was experienced to their ignorance, it still pained my stupid heart that once craved for their acceptance.

" I'm leaving now Gudiya, take care of yourself. I'll come to meet you after I come back " bhaiya said while stroking my hair.

" Take care of yourself too bhaiya " I said while hugging him.

" Okay, good night " he said while kissing my forehead. Our moment was broken when Inder, bhaiya's assistant called him. After ending the call I walked with him towards the entrance with the giant figure following me behind.

" Okay now go inside and have dinner on time " bhaiya said and entered inside the car after nodding at Raghav. After bidding bye he drove to the airport. As I entered back inside the mansion I was blocked by Mrs. Agnihotri.

" Excuse me ma'am, but you are blocking Mrs. Rathore" Raghav said while coming infront of us.

" I didn't block her, I'm blocking you from entering our mansion. An outsider like you cannot enter inside our mansion" Mrs. Agnihotri said with a smirk.

" You are nobody to say what I should do and don't . I don't work for you and is not obligated to obey your orders " Raghav said in his deep tone making the other woman uncomfortable.

" Siya , say him to stay outside of the mansion " Mrs. Agnihotri said glaring at me.

" That cannot happen, I'm here to protect her and I need to be with her for that " Raghav said. Mrs. Agnihotri's glare weighted on me. I sighed deeply and turned to Raghav.

" Please wait outside the mansion " I said to him feeling guilty and scared.

" But ma'am it's Mr. Rathore's order" he said.

" Please Raghav Bhai, I'll call you if I need anything " I said feeling guilty for stoping him from doing his job.

" You don't have to say please, Just order " he said and went outside giving a glare to Mrs. Agnihotri.

After giving a disgusting look to my side she also left from there. It was good that I didn't have to face any kind of drama for now.

Without making any noise I went towards my room which was in the corner of the second floor beside my brother's room. As I entered inside I was happy that they didn't changed anything from my room. Back in my childhood I didn't had a room for myself, but my brother fought with Mr. Kapoor and got me this room, which he decorated all by himself, that's why I didn't want to change anything from this room. After bathing and changing into my white cotton nightdress I went and layed down on my bed. I didn't bother to eat anything because I am not hungry. Suddenly my mind went towards a memory that happened with me.

" Are you ready Gudiya? " Bhaiya asked smiling at me , and I nodded my head vigorously at him. A fifteen year old me was very much excited to eat with everyone after being fed up with eating alone daily. Bhaiya patted my head affectionately and we both made our way towards the dining table hand in hand. I noticed that every family members were present at the table for lunch as it was Sunday. I gulped looking at their angry faces but one look from my brother and every fear left my thoughts. Like a gentleman he is he pulled out a chair for me and a giggle of joy left my mouth at his actions.

" Thankyou " I muttered softly.

" Anything for my gudiya " he said while occupying the empty seat beside me. I looked at the other side and found that it was Niel. I smiled at him which he returned. I looked at the table and my mouth got watered looking at the various dishes present on there. My taste buds were dead after eating the dry bed and butter daily.

" So what would you like to eat? " Bhaiya asked me. I looked around being confused about what to choose, and after having a lot of mental arguments I said

" Naan and butter chicken " bhaiya chuckled at my eagerness. He placed two Naan on my plate and served me some butter chicken, after that he served for himself. I excitedly and curiously tears one piece of naan and taking some curry with it I put it on my mouth and my eyes automatically closed and my taste buds exploded with the heavenly taste of the food. The food was so tasty that I couldn't control the moan that left out of my mouth. Bhaiya chuckled and again placed a naam on my plate and I smiled sheepishly at him. I was about to continue my eating when a voice resonated through the dining table.

" Are you going to give all the food to her? " It was Mrs. Agnihotri who glared at me.

" Yes Bhai, look at her she's already fat, if you give her anymore food she won't be able to walk through the door, or she'll break the bed and chair while sitting on it " Nisha said while laughing, Mrs. Agnihotri and Mrs. Kapoor also laughed with her. I looked towards Mr. Kapoor who had a very small smile on his face, which broke me. It was just a joke for them but it broke the little heart of mine.

" Shut up, Nisha " Bhaiya's voice boomed through the dining table shutting their laughter, but the damage was already done.

My painful train on thoughts were broken by the ringtone of my phone. I looked at the caller id and a smile automatically made to my face looking at Aadi's name on the screen. I immediately received the call.

" Hello... Aadi, kaise ho? " I said excitedly.

( How are you)

" Hum Aadi nahi hai " but the deep voice from the other side turned my excitement into utter shock. I again checked at the called id and it said Aadi's name.

( I'm not Aadi )

" Ram ? " I asked hesitantly and heard a deep sigh from the other side.

" Hmmm " he hummed in response and my inside turned fluffy thinking that it was our first phonecall. But I can hear the fainting sound of Aadi through the phone. I was waiting for him to say something but that Stone face husband of mine didn't said anything.

" Is something happened? " I asked softly, hiding the giddy feeling.

" Hmm... Why did you asked Raghav to stay outside the mansion? " He asked.

" Wo...my aunt wasn't comfortable with Raghav bhai's presence, so..." I said hesitantly.

" He's not there for her comfort, he's there to make sure that you are safe " he said in a stern voice making me guilty.

" Sorry, but I'll be okay, and I'll call him if anything happens, and moreover what can happen to me in my own house " I said.

" Hmm." He just hummed in response which was followed by complete silence.

" Ram ? " I asked breaking the silence.

" Yes " he said.

" Vo..I.. nothing, goodnight " I said hurriedly only for him to stop me.

I so wanted to tell him that I miss all of them. Him.

But chickened out at the last moment.

" Apne cheezon pe hak jataana seekh jaayiye, Doctor Sahiba " he said after sometime making my heart flutter.

( Learn to assert your rights over your belongings, Doctor Sahiba.)

" Mujhe huk hai? " I asked softly.

(Do I have the right?)

" Apna naam yaad rakhiyega Mrs. Siya Vikram Singh Rathore. Hum par sirf aapka huk hai " he said making me speechless.

( Remember your name, Mrs. Siya Vikram Singh Rathore. Only you have the authority over me )

What am I going to reply to this. Understanding my delma he said.

" Good night, ab so jaayiye, bahut der ho gayi hai. Hum subah aapko lene aayenge " he said.

( Good night, now go to sleep, it's very late. I will come to pick you up in the morning )

" Hume aapka intezar rahega, Ram " I said and he hummed in return and cut the call.

( I'll wait for you, Ram )

I couldn't stop the smile that spread in my face. I hope that the morning comes soon, because I'm eager to return to my family. To my Ram.

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To be continued...