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Chp. 57 Secrets will be revealed?
"Bhaiyya, what are you doing here? You're banned from the palace grounds for the next two weeks!"
Yudhishter looked up from the laptop he was working at to see Niharika walk towards him and sit beside him on the lawn swing. He flashed her a welcoming smile. The night was cool and breezy, the sky a star-splashed midnight blue.
"Now, can a busy man not have a breath of fresh air in his own garden?"
"Yeah, right. Busy man, sure can. You have your personal terrace garden for that."
"So 'tis the venue for the b'day party, I assume? Not the banquet hall, anymore?"
"Change in plans," she replied picking a cookie and munching.
"So what's the theme, sweet sis?" Yudhishter asked smiling.
"Ah, uh-oh, you can't sweet talk everything from me, dear bro," Niharika said wagging her forefinger.
"I don't understand, why are people so enthusiastic about celebrating birthdays? I mean, how can you be happy and celebrate when you've lost one year of your life?" he asked incredulously.
Niharika rolled her eyes, "Yeah, I guess, you can ask this to someone who celebrated someone's birthday with equal enthusiasm a few months back."
"Oh, all right. I won't generalise. Being specific, why are you so geared up to celebrate my birthday?"
"Because I have only one big brother who's as crazy about me as I am about him and ever since childhood he's always been there for me whenever I needed him in life. I really love him, he means the world to me," Niharika's voice dropped to a whisper.
Yudhishter faced his kid sister and pulled her towards him. She leaned on his shoulder and encased an arm in hers and like always felt his love and care radiating from his embrace. He pressed a kiss on her hair and murmured, "Thanks."
Silence enveloped them for a moment and the occasional whizzing on the insects in the night was the only sound distracting the calm. A light flickered somewhere in the palace. The sound of car tires on asphalt in the distance announced the arrival of someone. A gentle wind blew amongst the trees rustling the leaves and making its presence felt.
"Bhaiyya."
"Hmm?"
"Will Rani bhabhi be a part of the celebration?"
A wistful sigh. "I guess not."
"Make this Valentine's day a special one. Tell her about your feelings and..."
Yudhishter smiled. His sister was a hopeless romantic.
"If she doesn't, then I'll do. After the party I wish to tell her about everything. My feelings, my true identity, everything. The decision shall then be hers."
"She won't let us down. I wish she could be a part of the party too. Can't you tell her before the party?"
"Nope. Things would get a little complicated."
"Ah, here comes lady love. I guess I'm feeling sleepy," Niharika faked a yawn and then grinned at her brother. "Good night, bro. Pleasant 'bhabhi' dreams."
Niharika walked away leaving Yudhishter stunned. She was getting really naughty by the day. Saksham's influence. Yudhister was surprised seeing Rani because it had been a while since they'd talked and both of them had been maintaining their distance. He saw Niharika exchange a word or two with Rani and then go her way. Pretending he hadn't spotted her coming he got back to working on the laptop.
A beat passed. Two. He heard the faint rustle of her dupatta against her dress. The air around him changed. He sensed her closer.
"Hi." A sweet, soft whisper.
"Hey." He barely glanced at her and resumed work.
"How have you been?"
"Fine. You?"
"Could've been better."
A corner of his mouth curved up.
Silence.
"Um, you busy?"
"Yeah."
"The workload must've increased, I suppose. Kunwar Yudhishter's birthday preparations are really keeping everyone busy," she said.
"Hmm." Yudhishter could barely supress a grin.
Silence. A minute passed. Two. Five.
The rustle of fabric made him aware of movement.
"I do not intend to disturb, I guess I'll leave."
Yudhishter's hand clamped possessively around the fine bones of Rani's wrist like an iron band as she rose to leave. The action was so unexpected that she slowly sank back on the swing beside him with his hand still around her.
"I'm bored. I could do with some company."
Rani stared at his hand around hers and then to his face. His grip loosened and he let go off her hand. He turned off the laptop and turned towards her.
"What brings you here?"
"I was out for a late night stroll," she casually replied. "You've been busy lately." It wasn't a question, a statement of fact rather.
"Yes. What's that you're hiding?" he asked eyeing the colorful envelope that she was trying to keep out of his sight.
She hesitated then handed it to him.
One eyebrow shot up in amusement, "A card? For Prince Yudhishter?"
"A Birthday card. I thought this could be the best gift someone like me could give," She shrugged. "He's a prince and any gift we give, he'd only have a better substitute for it rendering it useless."
"Materially, maybe yes. But still I beleive a gift is what it is, a gift. Evaluating it's monetary value is an insult of the gift and also the person."
"Agreed. Still, come to think of it, is there anything that I can give him which he doesn't already have?" she asked.
Your love.
He didn't say it aloud, merely shrugged.
"See, even you don't know."
"I know what I'd want if I were a Prince," his voice was a husky whisper.
Rani stared at him. Her honey brown gaze locked with his intense blue one. Silence lingered in the air. The slight whistling of the wind and the rustling of the leaves on the trees was like a faint background music. He could read the question in her eyes asking, "What?" but he didn't say anything, merely stared at her. He wondered if she could read the answer in his eyes. The loose strands of her hair were as usual dancing around her face because of the light breeze. He reached out and brushed the strands aside with the back of his hand. Tucking them behind her ear with a finger. He let his fingers skim across her cheek in a lingering caress. He saw her skin change color under his fingers as faint threads of pink colored her soft cheeks. He couldn't supress the satisfied smile.
He leaned closer and his lips skimmed the soft skin of her cheek when he whispered in her ear. "You to be mine. To love, to cherish, to grow old with..."
He watched with pleasure as her cheeks changed color from pale to pink and she turned away. She didn't say anything for a while and neither did he. After long endless moments he asked, "Prince Yudhishter's birthday is two weeks away so what are you doing with this card now?"
Rani, relieved on the change of topic, said, "I wanted you to give it to him for me after the party, not anytime sooner."
Yudi turned the card around and coolly asked, "No name? Anonymous?"
"What difference does it make? I'm just another nameless admirer in the countless millions."
"But you have a name. Why not let him know?"
"I'd rather not. It's getting late, I ought to return to the my quarters."
She quickly got up and left without waiting for a reply. He could stand there coolly and pretend that nothing had happened but she couldn't, not when her nerves were all jangled with the memory. How stupid could she be! Since the proposal she couldn't even talk to him properly how was she going to live with the decision she'd made? That stupid proposal had changed everything. Her heart was still thudding wildly and she felt if she didn't watch her step, she might trip over something. Her legs felt weak and numb. Thinking of BR, she tried to clear her head. The elder queen might be in need of something. She'd better hurry and check on her before retiring for the night.
Yudhishter sat on the garden swing turning Rani's card over and over in his hand. How he was tempted to open it! What could Rani have written in a card for the 'Prince'? He examined the envelope closely and was surprised. It had a watermark of tiny hearts which were visible only on close scrutiny. The more visible were the words 'happy birthday' in ribbons style across the envelope. An apt choice. The birthday greetings were supposed to be like greetings from any other person and the hidden hearts were like her secret hidden feelings; her love for the 'Prince'. Now he was jealous of himself. How absurd! He laughed at the idea of being jealous of himself.
Whatever was in that card he had to wait till 14th Feb, midnight to quench his curiosity. That was around when the party would end. Rani wanted him to open the card after the party and that was what he'd do. He'd respect her feelings and her trust in him too. He sighed and put the card away. How long was Rani going to take before supplying his answer? He was getting impatient now. She could say a yes or no, at least. If it was the latter, he knew how he'd turn it to the former but she had to pick either for that first. He'd tried teasing her today but no sir, Rani wouldn't budge! Patience was one of his loveliest virtues, he reminded himself and so Rani had another two weeks. If she didn't come up with an answer till then, well, then she could say goodbye to Yudi forever because Kunwar Yudhishter would be proposing her himself on valentine's day!
***
The next day over breakfast RS asked Yudhishter what he wanted on this birthday. CR and Rudr's ears instantly perked up. Yudhishter was thoughtful for a moment and then asked, "Do I get anything that I wish, pitaji?"
"Of course, son. You're committed to your responsibilities heart and soul. The least I can do is give you a present of your choice," said the king with a proud smile.
"I want Niharika to attend my birthday party."
The declaration brought silence and incredulous stares from everyone at the table.
"You get it," said RS and left the table.
The preparations of the party had almost reached completion with hardly two days to go for the grand celebrations. However, a few final touches were remaining. Garv still hadn't received an answer from Niharika or Saksham whether the Prince's valentine was turning up at the party. He decided to ask Saksham himself. He fished out his cell from his pocket and dialled his number. At that moment, Saksham walked in with Rani with a wide grin on his face.
"Saksham, good thing you're here. Can I have a word?"
"Sure, all yours."
"What is the final decision? Is the Prince's lady love coming for the party?"
"Forget his valentine," replied Saksham.
"We've got better plans," Rani grinned and they high-fived each other.
Garv looked at the duo amused.
"Why do I have a feeling that this is going to be the best part of the party?" he asked.
"Because it is."
*****
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