London

Raghuveer

I watched Dipu as her eyes danced in happiness hearing my proposal...next minute her face was covered in grim lines. Holding her chin I made her look into my eyes, she understood and spoke before I could ask; ''Veer our families have been rivals for generations...no one in my family knows of my feeling. If they know , they will either lock me up or wipe off my existence from this planet....''

''I know you come from Sisodhiya clan , just tell me one thing are you ready to take a step...if yes I promise to be your shield'' This was the best I could do pacify her. Dipu kept staring into my eyes for a minute as if trying to read my inner self. After a minute she blinked and smiled, placing her head on my chest she whispered; ''will do anything to be with you....but what about Rajmata Rudrani Devi'' Granny ..yes she would never agree to this alliance and now I don't care. I have had enough of her ...now she will have a bit of me...''lets get married in a week....but till then this stays between us...By the way does your guards here know who am I specially the old one''

Dipu thought; ''I haven't told him anything...but can't say..you know how they are. But had he got a slightest of hint about my feelings towards you I would have been deported back by now'' Dipu looked convinced that her guards and caretaker were not aware of my identity...but I doubt. I know how loyal these people are...they have been with Royal's for generations . They are like our shadows , it's a possibility that they know everything and are lying quite waiting for the right time. I have to act quickly. Dipu has given me her trust and I am going to do all to keep it...''Does anyone know you are here''

Dipu grinned; ''no...I have a different way to basement ...'' This is risky; ''Dipu you think they don't know...in reality they must be aware waiting for a chance...'' She held my hand; ''I am not an Idiot Veer...the passage to basement in managed by electronic lock which accepts only fingerprints of one person....My chief guard....but he is an old man and not that tech savvy...so I hired an expert to meddle with the whole thing ...Whenever I wish to sneak out ,I lock my room from inside and take the route to basement which has a secret route from the adjacent room....and my old caretaker doesn't know that I have a key to his room as well. Plus I have a spare staff uniform ...in dark I look like them''

This girl is mad....''Dipu this can be dangerous..don't you have security cameras in the basement'' She smiled; ''If I can tamper the lock then why not cameras...Veer I am not a delicate doll...but now I should leave...can you drop me till my stop...don't feel like taking a cab'' Good she asked, after hearing her little adventure I wouldn't have permitted her to leave....

As we drove towards her mansion..she asked to me stop a secluded point...she wore an oversized dirty jacket . Then a brown wig...giving her an appearance of a cute young homeless boy....winking at me she walked out . I smiled looking at her retreating figure..she was actually imitating a boy's walk. But after this I have to be quick....Her staff knows me as her friend...its very likely that they are aware of my identity...I will make my move quickly...

Reaching my apartment I made necessary calls to get the work moving. Moving to my room ...I allowed my body to do a free fall on the bed..all these thoughts are exhausting I didn't know when sleep took over me

I groaned when heard few sounds , it felt as if someone was banging a door....and somewhere I could hear a tone similar to that of my phone ..wait that is my phone...jerking up I lifted my cell...50 missed calls...moving to the door I pulled it open...''what's the urgency'' I questioned the young boy standing at the door...he lowered his head; ''sorry to disturb you...but Jagjit has made numerous calls asking for you...he said its urgent'' Dismissing him I checked the call history...indeed this looks serious.

Jagjit was one of the Royal guards , we all have our personal favourites and mine was Jagjit...we were friends when we didn't understand anything about the hierarchy . With time he took over his father's place...who had been a big confidante of my mother...well he still is. One look and he knows what to do...same goes between me and Jagjit...I might be far, but I make sure to keep a tab on my family . Dialling him back I questioned him directly; ''What's the news''

''Hukum, he is back....He was there in the engagement ....''

All hairs on my neck stood up..; ''How did he enter there...and you are telling me this now'' Jagjit responded after a minute....; ''it seems he bought the invitation from one of the esteemed guests and entered as his family. He even followed the Hukum Ranvijay and his bride to the garden...''

I turned mute , still trying to process....though he was a Rajput but he would never abide by any of the principles...his family hates us and we hate them. But someone he hates the most is Bhai...last time when they clashed, Bhai left him with a warning. This time he will kill him, but I am sure he has plan to defeat us...''Are you there Hukum, what are the orders for me''

Jagjit bought me out of my thoughts; ''Keep an eye on him, but he shouldn't know neither anyone in the family...I will be back soon and keep Ananya & Raksha safe'' Jagjit turned quite giving a kick to my sixth sense; ''what is it'' He spoke after a deep breath; ''Raksha Hukum is seeing someone....I think even he is a bad news...I will try to keep a tab on her.''

With that we hung up....I know your every move Brijesh Singh Ranawat ...I know you are a coward you will target the one who aren't aware or alert . I have to keep him at bay till I reach...then I will speak to bhai...till then please God keep my family safe....

Jaigarh

RanVijay

Now when its confirmed that Ananya is my would be bride, I decided to get back to work...there have been issues in some of our hotels and specially the one I run....there is lot discrepancy in the logistics. Plus someone is trying buy the shares. I am not worried about the ownership as I am the major shareholder but don't want any part of my hard work to into wrong hands...fine the game is on..let this player play behind the shadows...I will eventually bring him down...

My secretary informed me about Ananya's guard's visit.... Hemant walked in and locked the door...I read his movements and then waited for him to speak; ''Hukum ...Ananya Hukum is out in yearly fare on the outskirts of our region...she changed into the attire of local Banjaaras(nomads) and dodged us''

I wanted to smile...whatever it is I love her guts . But her little adventure can be dangerous; ''then why are you here....it should be something grave or you will regret leaving Ananya alone in the crowd''

Hemant replied without a trace of fear; ''Ananya Hukum is safe , my men are watching her from distance...but I saw Raksha Hukum there ....that to without guards and through our sources the man she is currently dating is there in the crowd too....I tried all but couldn't get anything on him accept that he teaches Music in her college. I personally wanted to inform as I feel we are being watched ''

My guess was right someone out there is planning big...let it be first I need to get my girls safe. Ananya I understand...but what's wrong with Raksha...she knows people can use her to hurt us..but no she enjoys breaking every small rule...picking up my glasses I walked out...I will deal with them personally .

Once we reached at the fare, Hemant directed me to the place....there at one bangle shop Ananya stood arguing with the shop keeper about the price...dressed in the traditional wear her face hailf covered with veil , she looked breathtaking. Little away from her was Raksha was trying anklets keep her leg on a high platform...Wow my sister is giving a good view to all perverts...Raksha's eyes moved and her face turned pale....I acted as if I didn't see them...moving to Ananya she dragged her along. I nodded at Hemant and he understood...Raksha always used the policy of divide and deviate ...asking Ananya to take a different route she will definitely go and alert that man...Hemant will take care of Raksha and I will give Ananya a piece of my mind.

Moving in the different lane my eyes moved to every human around....some walked passed me greeting me with a small bow...Ananya wasn't even aware that my eyes were only on her...covering her face till the chin she moved from one lane to another hiding among the crowd...but she doesn't know I can find her with closed eyes...she entered a lane with a end ...I took the different one...Ananya waited pretending to check some stuff...she didn't knew I was on the other side of the same shop...watching her...she looked around and then pressed her heart in relief , thinking she dodged me... ...once she felt free, she started nagging the shop keeper on the prices.. she is the cutest thing alive...

The bubble was broken by Hemant's call; '' someone is here to harm Ananya or Raksha Hukum we have Raksha Hukum with us .... You please move to a safer place from there , they might target you...'' My eyes snapped up....dressed like locals they looked different their physique was like that of fighters...They were 3 ..all moving from different directions towards Ananya oblivious that they were under watch....pushing the crowd off I moved forward...one of them pulled out a small knife ready to strike my love...before he could make a move I grabbed Ananya pulling her to my chest ...the knife went down my upper arm...

Holding Ananya with one arm and attackers hand with other I glared at him..''pray for your life...'' recognizing me he started shivering...his allies escaped . Hemant wanted to chase them but I stopped him....my guards held him down while he kept pleading...''Hemant take him...''I nodded ...Hemant knew what had to be done and that attacker wailed as he was dragged away....

Ananya , shocked with the happening was shivering in my arms. She tried removing her veil but I stopped her. ''No... I don't want people around to see you...just walk with me...'' She nodded and did as I said..once is my car she threw her veil off; ''Raksha ..what about her..is she safe''

''Yes she is....I will drop you home'' She stared at my face confused...and then exclaimed ; ''Oh my god...you are bleeding...'' she touched my arm all worried...her eyes snapped up to the driver; ''take us to a nearby hospital....he might need stitches ''

''Not needed..we drop you home safely and then I get this treated'' hearing me she turned angry...''SHUT UP !!! will you'' The driver and Hemant both coughed hearing Ananya's loud voice. But she hardly cared, between her tears she spoke again'; ''...I know you want me to feel guilty...fine I am sorry..I shouldn't have dodged my security . But I had to because Raksha wanted to go and by the time I could dissuade her she was already half the way there without any cover. ...I am sorry all this happened...I am sorry you are hurt...but please see a doctor'' She was sobbing now ...How should I tell her I wasn't mad at all. I am glad she is fine...lifting her chin up I softly pacified her ''Ananya its ok all has been handled on time...''

Wiping her tears she lifted her eyes; ''Please don't be hard on Raksha...'' I turned my eyes away ...Raksha had just risk her safety and Ananya's . I knew those guys were not there to kill her..but to humiliate the would be Royal bride...that knife's target was Ananya's clothes....who can be this...frankly I have a long list...but eventually I will figure out. ''Promise me you wouldn't blame Raksha for any of this...'' Ananya pleaded again...we had already reached her house and this was a perfect excuse to escape the promise; ''we have reached..'' She looked around and then turned to stare at me; ''Give me a moment with RanVijay'' Hemant and the driver jumped out of the vehicle...Wow my girl is back to her fiery self...leaning on the leather seat I laughed...she wouldn't give up...turning my eyes to her I watched her for few minutes ...she never turned her eyes away...waiting for my word; ''fine I promise...now go and Ananya no one should what happened . I don't want anybody worried'' She nodded before getting out...I watched her walking towards her house...she stopped for a moment and turned around . Briefly staring at the car she turned and walked inside the house....my heart calmed; 'She cared'

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Done with one more...will Veer be able to alert Ranvijay on time...or Brijesh will do something drastic

A sneak peak to next; 'His arm bled as he drove me back to my house, I felt pathetic...I shouldn't have gone....should have told him about Raksha..when I asked him to promise me regarding Raksha ..he laughed leaning on the seat and then turned his eyes to me watching me intently...don't know but his eyes churned my insides ...may be because I am still scared.....'