Kuch To Hai Tujhse Raabta

Epilogue

In the center of the royal courtyard, a massive Havan Kund had been prepared. The sacred fire burning but unlike the terrifying flames in the Old Chamber few nights ago, this fire was pure, the significance of purity and showering holy blessings.

Vivaan sat in the center, looking like the King he was born to be. He wore a traditional golden embroidered Achkan and a turban with the royal emerald shimmering on it which was their ancestral heirloom.

Beside him sat Naina, his Queen, his ardhangini, draped in a heavy Banarasi silk saree in red. Her face held a calm, and a glow which can even make a diamond look dull. The maternal glow was adding to her beauty.

Together, they held the offering.

"Om Swaha!" the head priest indicates as they poured the offerings into the hawan together.

It wasn't just a ritual for the king, it was also a symbol of a new beginning for them, leaving behind the scars and horrible memories of the past.

After the final purnahuti, Vivaan stood up and helped Naina as well at which she smiled. He turned toward the gathered people of Shekhawati, the elders of area, the royals the staff, and his friends.

"Hamare desh ko azad huye kai saal beet chuke hai, yaha kisi Raja ka Raj ab nahi hota... Lekin fir bhi, sadiyo se chali paramparaye aj bhi kayam hai... Kafi logo ko lagta hai ki Raja hone ka matlab, dhan, sampatti, satta aur takat se hai..magar asal mein ek Raja ka dharm apne logo ke prati insaaf karna, unki raksha karna aur unka bharan poshan karna hota hai... Ye ek zimmedari hai... Jisey mein pure dill se nibhane ki koshish karunga.... Main Raja nahi... Sewak hu apka... Meri Shekhawati ke kisi bhi sadasya ko koi bhi takleef ho to wo bejhijhak iss mahal ki chaukhat par asakte hai...apke liye mere dill aur iss mahal ke darwaze hamesha khule rahenge...."

He joined his hands in generosity for his people as they chanted his name with pride and respect for their king.

Naina gazes at him with pride, nothing has changed... He is the same man she had fallen in love, centuries ago... 'praja ki sewa karne ke liye mujhe raja ban ne ki zarurat nahi...Bina singhasan bhi mein unke bich rehkar bhi unki sewa kar sakta hoon' His thinking is still the same.....

He turned and looked at Naina, his voice softening "Ek Raja tabhi mazboot aur saksham banta hai jab uska sath dene wali Rani, uski Ardhangini uska har kadam par sath de... Agar wo kabhi apne dharam se bhatke to usey sahi raah dikhaye."

She smiled softly at him, with such emotions which can be read by him only and his by hers... And that's how a power couple looks like....

**********

Vivaan found Naina on the private terrace of their chamber, bathed under the glow of full moon. She had removed her heavy jewelry but she was still wearing the red Banarasi silk, looking like a dream that had finally come true after hundreds of years suffering.

He walked quietly behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. He rested his chin on her shoulder, closing his eyes as he inhaled the scent of her hair which bloomed his heart again in love.

Naina leaned her head back against him, her hands covering his on her stomach. "Toh hukum ko waqt milgaya apni Ranisa ke liye" she cutely taunted him.

"Sabko fursat se vida dekar aye hai... Taki koi hame dobara tang na kare....khas kar jab hum apni Ranisa ki aghosh mein ho" Vivaan teased, his lips brushing against the shell of her ear, making her shiver.

Naina turned in his arms, her bangles chimes softly making his heart flutter. she hangs her arms around his neck, her eyes soft and shimmering with a love that had survived many things. Her thumb tracing the faint scar on his forehead from that fateful night.