''Rolli, look at me. Just say one word and no one will be able to push you for the wedding.'' Veer said holding his dear niece by her shoulders. Rolli looked into his eyes, they looked worried sad. It broke her heart. Veer wasn't just her uncle but her friend too. He had never differentiated between Vikram and her, instead he saved her from her parent's ire many times. She hugged, ''you are the one I am going to miss the most.''
''you don't have to do this my girl.'' Veer tried to offer his support. "I will fight everyone.''
''I know but you don't have to do this. I am happy. Siddhant is a good friend.''
''But you don't love him.''
''Chachu, love destroyed my family. I don't believe on it anymore.'' Her voice came angry. Veer rubbed her back, ''You can find love again.''
''I am not ready for it.'' Rolli moved back, ''Chachu, I am happy. Trust me.'' Veer just nodded, grabbing her hand he dragged her to late Rudrani Devi's chambers. Rolli missed her great grandmother. Her grandfather said, she reminded him of his mother but Rolli knew better. Widowed in her later twenties, Rudrani devi had turned herself into a stone. Her hands or heart never shook in taking a difficult decision but Rolli's did.
Though, she knew Siddhant had willingly chosen to be a part of the whole game but somewhere she felt guilty about dragging his emotions into the mess. Veer pushed open the heavy doors entering into the main hall of her suite. he made her stand opposite to the wall size picture of her great grand mother. ''Now answer me!''
Rolli's eyes were now were locked with that of similar colour in the portrait. They were looking down at her with immense pride. 'Remember Rolli, you are strong , brave and you can do all which none of them can'
Her words echoed my ears. Closing her eyes once, she opened them again. Turning to Veer she smiled, ''I am ready Chachu, are you ready for the Royal wedding of your Princess.'' He studied her for a minute. ''You have grown up Rolli, but not enough to hide from me. Fine, wear that ring. I won't let the wedding happen. He left her alone with that.
***
''Princess, get ready. We are leaving'' Sona was being informed by Chitra. Sona blinked in surprise. ''Where are we going?''
''We are leaving, this is only the thing you should know.'' Chitra sounded firm. Moving to the closet, she started packing Sona's stuff.
''I deserve an answer.''
''You should happy enough to be alive. Do as said and you will be safe.'' Chitra's voice send shiver down Sona's spine. She didn't know where they were taking her and what was her fate going to be after this. Thoughts bombarded her mind, 'Will they kill me and bury me somewhere? Are they planing to lock me in a dungeon and leave me to die? '
''We are ready Princess. Please!'' Chitra requested Sona to lead as she could follow. As soon as she stepped out, she was surrounded by guards and Chitra blindfolded her. ''Just stay calm Princess, you are safe.'' Chitra held her hand leading her through the way. She halted coming face to face with Ananya, who just gave a nod. Chitra took the clue, Ananya watched as Sona was being taken away. She pulled out her phone and dialled Dipika, ''The stage is set. its better you leave before the chaos happens.''
''Won't they doubt my absence in Rolli's engagement?''
''I have a decoy. I want you ready.'' Ananya replied. Dipika smiled, the trap was set and their enemies were going to walk into it straight.
***
''Why aren't we doing engagement here in home Palace?'' Vansh asked his mother
''Because I don't want to compromise the security of our house. Plus, Ranvijay. If you are done with your questions, get to work. You , Vikram leave with Rolli for the Grand Palace. Hemant will update you on security.'' Vansh opened his mouth to ask a question more but it died on his tongue when Ananaya pierced him with her eyes . he quickly retreated to follow the orders.
Ananya smiled to self, '' I am not going to repeat Ranvijay's mistake. I am going to end your story for ever Netra.''
Walking back to her office, she informed Balwant, ''We all leave now. Mom will stay back with Ranvijay. Make the security arrangements.''
***
''Dev, don't been ridiculous. Its like walking into the death trap.'' Netra tried to reason as Dev went about packing his stuff.
''My sister is in danger. My younger brother, who has nothing to do with all the shit is missing. the man who bought me up like his own son is lying on the bed heart broken and you are asking me to be selfish now.'' He sounded mad
''Dev, I don't want any revenge.'' Netra pleaded
''Then you should have thought about it before filling my ears and mind with poison for years.'' he replied jerking her hand off.
''This is for that girl, isn't it.'' She asked jealous.
''Yes, I love her and won't let her marry someone else. Moreover, just think if I succeed. You will have an upper hand. I will have Sona and Sagar back, you can have your revenge.''
''What if you fail?'' She asked worried
Dev held her by shoulders, ''I won't! Its now or never.'' I have been waiting for a moment for very long. Large gatherings have some loop holes and my men are keeping me posted on everything, I am sure I won't fail.'' Netra gave in. Dev zipped his bag, ''Did you hear anything on grandma?''
''No, she suddenly went missing. I think she is keeping low, she planned to visit Suryagarh. I think she is keeping a low profile to avoid from getting tracked.''
Dev nodded. he picked his bag, hugged his mother once, ''You leave after me. My men will take you to the decided place. I will see you there.''
Netra nodded. Dev once visited his step father once before leaving, promising to bring his kids back. ''You too are my son.'' Aadhavan said in a weak voice. Dev pecked his forehead, ''then get up for your son and I promise to be back soon.''
***
Vikram dialled Chitra, ''how is she?''
''I don't know how to answer that.''
''Just tell me in one word.'' He demanded
''Miserable!''
''Why?''
''Really Hukum? She is being dragged into something she has no idea of. She is innocent, she is siding with her brother because she doesn't know the truth and I feel even he doesn't. There is lot of communication gap between you guys. I suggested you should talk but you don't consider me mature enough.''
Vikram smiled, ''Are you changing sides?''
''I would rather die. But talk it out, it will change things.''
Dialogues are possible when both parties are into an agreement. Dev decided to attack, now time for words over.'' He stayed silent for few minutes, ''Take care of her . Once this is over, I will set her free.''
''I hope its easy for both of you.'' Chitra mocked. Vikram just shook his head and disconnected. He knew things could never go back to be normal again. She was the love of his life and he decided to stay loyal to her. Even if it meant staying away from her. Picking his duffel bag he made his way to the vehicle where his siblings waited for him. His heart pained for Rolli, he threw an arm around her pulling her to his chest, ''I am fine Vicky!''
''WHom are you kidding girl?''
''No one. This is my choice and I am not going to regret.'' He stared into her light eyes for long moment, he could read nothing. He smiled, she was Ananya's Rathore's daughter and getting into her heart was possible only if she was willing. Pecking her forehead he got into the vehicle, Rolli turned when she felt eyes on her. On the porch stood her mother staring down at her with zero emotions, she knew better. They just had this day to turn things over, after tonight, they will defeat and end all that pose threat to the family. Rolli smiled, waved and got into the vehicle driving off.
***
2 days later
His eyes recalled her lifted chin, the challenge she threw at him at him. The encounter he had with her in the dean's room. She never looked scared, instead she matched his stare. Her engagement , his challenge. She decided to elope and he bought her back. She then decided to face him head on.
They married yet she stayed aloof. The ice started melting as they discovered each other. He recalled their moments together. Her care, and then one day she picked the gun to save him. She changed from there on, slowly a different woman started rising from her. He knew it was for him.
She declared her love and life became a bliss. He smiled but lost it when he saw a dark cloud approaching them. he wanted to keep her safe but it started engulfing all...
''If you want to stop me...do it in person.'' She said leaving his hand and moving to the dark cloud. He kept calling her out but she never turned.
Shivangi Rathore looked at her elder born with worried eyes as the monitors beeped. She quickly called out for a guard asking for a doctor. Picking her phone she dialled Veer , who reached without a delay followed by Advay, ''What did doctor say Mom?''
''They are checking on him. I am worried. Ananya is also not here.''
Veer hugged his mother, ''Calm down mom, its better we don't speak of anything for now. Let's just focus on bhai.''
Veer made his mother sit and stepped into the room, ''is he fine?'' He asked in a shaking voice. His heart pushed him to be positive but his pessimistic brain spoke otherwise. The doctor adjusted the monitors and stepped out with Veer. ''He is conscious. Its due to weakness that he has slipped back into slumber. He will be up soon. Also, he asked for his wife.''
Veer paled! He had no clue where Ananya, Rolli and others were.After the accident in engagement , his family has been missing or upto something. Only his father returned and he too kept mum about it . Veer was scared about the outcome of all this on Ranvijay.
He stepped out, ''what do you know Advay?''
''Mamu what will I know? I have been asked to be here all the time.'' He replied defensive.
''There is something we don't know and will hve to know and soon. I have to find where Ananya is.?''
''So you think they are not in custody of enemies.'' Advay asked
Veer smirked, ''Netra doesn't have the brains to trap Ananya. Moreover, why is my wife missing? They chose to keep me out as I wouldn't allow Rolli as a bait.'' The moment words left his mouth his brain started working, ''Advay, get all Rathore properties searched, and the Brijesh's castle on outskirts. Do it right away.'' Advay nodded walking off.
4 days later
It almost had been a week for the incident yet no one could find a trace on Rathore's or Netra. Veer was now sure that Ananya had trapped Netra into her net but couldn't locate them. Ranvijay had started sitting and speaking, he had asked about the rest but was fed with excuses . He gave them time to speak, when they didn't he asked Veer upfront.
Veer narrated everything, the burning down of Netra's supporters. Rolli's engagement and the accident. Ranvijay leaned on the head rest, his mind processing everything. He realised the dark cloud was Ananya's anger. He realised she actually said those words to him.
''Have you searched all possible properties?'' Ranvijay asked
''Yes...all means all and every corner of it.''
Ranvijay smiled, leaning his head further back he laughed. Veer stared at him, ''what's wrong bhai? Did I miss something?''
''She knew where you would search and where not. She lured them to Suryagarh, something none of you could think. She trapped them in their own den.''
Veer crashed on the couch, ''what do we do now.''
''Take me there before she kills all of them.''
''What makes you think she hasn't till now?''
''She isn't back yet...nor she allowed anyone to know her whereabouts and I know why. Let's just leave. Veer nodded and ordered for the arrangements to be made. Ranvijay sat lost in his wife's thoughts , ''I won't let you commit something you can never erase.''
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Was not well so couldn't write. Next would be a little flash back on engagement and further story