that night:

ruhaan and pooja's secret place:

ruhaan: pooja? pooja wake up na.

pooja had fallen asleep in ruhaan's embrace and they were at their secret place for a while now, the sky was still dark but it was getting a little lighter now.

ruhaan: pooja, please wake up.

he slowly caressed her hair and then he kissed her forehead. her lips formed a tiny smile.

ruhaan: we have to go before someone finds out that we are missing.

pooja fluttered her eyes and within seconds, they were opened. she looked around cluelessly and then saw that she was still on ruhaan's laps and that she was in ruhaan's arms.

pooja: am I dreaming or am I really still with you?

ruhaan kissed the tip of her nose and said: no baba, you are not dreaming. you are really still with me. 

pooja: then let me sleep.

ruhaan: I wish but if we stay here any longer, someone could find out that we are missing. 

pooja made a face and buries her face in the crook of ruhaan's neck. 

ruhaan: tu kitni pyaari hai lekin we have to go. 

pooja sleepily: fine but I don't want to walk.

ruhaan smiled at his goddess being so cute. still keeping her in his arms, he stood up carrying pooja in bridal style.

ruhaan: you will have to go over the gate but at the moment, I will carry you ok?

pooja sleepily: haan theek hai.

ruhaan just smiled as pooja was sleeping in his arms. he walked carefully and soon they reached the gates.

ruhaan: now wake up please baba.

pooja opened her eyes and made a small pout. ruhaan gave a small laugh and kept her down. 

pooja: bend down so I can go over the gate please.

ruhaan: theek hai baba.

he bent down and she went on his back, then over the gate. once she was on the other side of the gate, ruhaan did his bit.

pooja: so I guess this is goodnight right?

ruhaan: haan it is but at the gathering, I will get to see you dance as well as hear you sing.

pooja blush, smiling. she kept her head down. just then a hand snuck around her waist whereas another hand snuck around her neck, pulling her closer.  he didn't hesitate. he didn't pause. her head was tilted up to look up at ruhaan as his thumb lifted her chin and his face went closer to hers, pooja knew what was coming her way but before ruhaan's lips touched hers....

voice: what is going on here?

ruhaan and pooja jumped in surprise. had they been caught by a member of a royal family? was this going to be the end of their story?

voice: arre ruhaan, it's just me dhanu.

ruhaan: dhanu, you?

dhanu: haan me!

ruhaan: what are you doing outside at this hour?

dhanu: to get some fresh air, the real question is what are you doing here and this girl? is she goddess saraswati?

ruhaan: yes dhanu and me and her...we were also getting fresh air and....

dhanu: trying to romance her?

ruhaan: I hate you.

dhanu: we both know that's a lie.

pooja: sorry to interrupt but can you two speak a little louder?

ruhaan and dhanu: kyu?

pooja: because if you speak a little louder then everyone will wake up.

ruhaan: those are my words.

pooja: not anymore. so this is dhanu?

ruhaan: yes this is dhanu, my best friend. dhanu, this is my goddess saraswati pooja.

dhanu: namaste pooja.

pooja: namaste.

dhanu: I have heard so much about you. now I understand why ruhaan fell for you.

pooja just smiled.

dhanu: so my future Bhabhi, I have one favour from you. will you do it?

ruhaan under his breath: now what is this favour?

pooja: depends on the favour.

dhanu: theek hai. so my future Bhabhi, my favour is that don't make me become an uncle so soon.

ruhaan: dhanu tu bhi na.

he slapped the back of dhanu's head lightly as pooja gave that smile which showed that she was giggling inside.

pooja: theek hai dhanu, I won't make you an uncle so soon. promise.

she gave him a hug and then broke it.

dhanu: I think I should go. goodnight.

pooja and ruhaan: goodnight.

dhanu went, once he was gone...ruhaan and pooja turned to one another.

pooja: I should go now. goodnight.

she walked until ruhaan grabbed her hand and pulled her close to him.

ruhaan: but I believe that we left something unfinished.

pooja: arre haan, tu sahi hai ruhaan.

ruhaan: really?

pooja went on her tip-toes and kissed his cheek. she smirked and then ran to the court dancers building.

ruhaan to himself: this girl...she is too adorable just like a child.

he went back to the palace, as he walked to his room...he thanked his lucky stars that he wasn't caught by anyone.

...

the next day:

morning:

throneroom:

the raja and rani was with sabu, discussing some matters when ruhaan came. 

ruhaan: good morning maa.

Maithili: good morning ruhaan.

ruhaan: happy birthday pitaji.

he bent down to take his father's blessings and then stood up.

Abhay: thank you beta.

ruhaan: ashok aur mishti kaha hai?

Abhay: they had to go somewhere for some important matter, I don't know what that matter was though.

ruhaan: you could have sent me as well, I wouldn't have minded.

Maithili: we know but ashok isn't a child, he can sort out matters himself and mishti wanted to go with him so we allowed it.

ruhaan: theek hai. if you two trust him, then I also trust him.

Maithili: good. I am going, I need to check on some arrangements.

Abhay: ok dear.

Maithili leaves the throneroom and ruhaan says to Abhay: maa can just say that ashok is her favourite.

Abhay: beta, your maa prefers showing than saying.

ruhaan: oh, theek hai.

Abhay: you know king Justin?

ruhaan: haan pitaji, what about him?

Abhay: he agreed to give us his troops for future wars.

ruhaan: that's great news pitaji. but how did he agree so quickly?

Abhay: that you will find out this evening.

ruhaan: kyu?

Abhay: because I said so.

Abhay left the throneroom leaving ruhaan confused.

ruhaan: why evening? pitaji tells me everything but this time why is he being secretive?

afternoon: 

mishti and ashok were riding on one horse, returning from sorting out their 'important matter'.

mishti: you still sure about your idea?

ashok: yes mishti. it was a difficult decision, however crying is all right in its way while it lasts. but you have to stop sooner or later, and then you still have to decide what to do.

mishti: matlab?

ashok: matlab yeh ki I can't cry forever. time to prove my worth to my so called pitaji is coming very soon.

his eyes suddenly showed greed in them. a thirst for glory, respect and greed was so visible in his dark orbs. mishti just smirked...she knew that it was about time her husband got some respect, she too was annoyed with ruhaan getting all the love and respect whilst her husband got nothing but taunts. it was his turn now. 

evening:

court dancers' building:

akshani came to pooja who was sitting alone in her room.

akshani: pooja Gudiya, it's time to go to the gathering.

pooja: it's already that time?

akshani: haan Gudiya. 

pooja: finally! chalo let's go to the courtroom.

pooja went outside the room, getting all the dancers together whilst akshani thought to herself: today she is very excited to dance in front of people. is this my pooja? normally she is very shy. leave it akshani, it's a good thing if she isn't scared anymore.

as she was thinking to herself, pooja went up to her and clicked her fingers making akshani jump back into reality.

pooja: akshu maa time to go. stop day-dreaming. chalo na.

akshani: theek hai chalo na phir. don't whine.

pooja smiled and said: you and me both know that you love it when I whine.

akshani shook her head, rolling her eyes: hmmm. 

...

the courtroom:

the courtroom was perfect as always, spotless as always, eyecatching as always, it was even more perfect, spotless and eyecatching with all the cleaning and decorations the servants did in the day time. crystal chandeliers spiraled down from the arching golden ceiling, illuminating the glimmering golden walls and a floor so polished it looked like an iced-over lake.

the hall was full with royals from other kingdoms...all friends with the Khanna empire. the hall was full of chatter as well. you could see raja Abhay smiling as he spoke to his friends including king Justin. the queens, princesses especially the two royal ladies of the Khanna empire. sparkled like a box of jewels, shades of emerald and ruby and amethyst swirling,  their low chatter accompanying wafts of rose and hyacinth and jasmine.

ruhaan was seen just then, looking handsome as always, he was stuck talking to king Justin's daughter princess elis. boredom was clearly visible on his face but he managed to keep a smile. though he was talking to her, his eyes was searching for his divine beauty.

elis: yuvraj, are you okay? you seem quite lost.

ruhaan: hmm...oh no princess elis, just tired.

elis: really?

ruhaan: haan, today I had a busy day but I came here to this gathering because today marks the birth of the greatest raja the world has ever seen.

elis chuckled and said: every son should be like you. even when they are tired, they still forget everything to be with their family...really nice.

ruhaan just smiled, eyes still searching for pooja.

elis: you are searching for someone right?

ruhaan: no. why would I be searching for someone?

elis: a mouth is really good at lying but eyes...eyes are really bad at lying. you are looking for someone, I can see it in your eyes.

ruhaan: maybe...

elis: I am going to my mother and brother. you go and find that someone. 

ruhaan: theek hai, if you insist.

elis smiled and left ruhaan, going to her mother and brother. once she left, ruhaan started to walk trying to find pooja when dhanu came towards him.

dhanu: Bhabhi kaha hai?

ruhaan: I am trying to find your Bhabhi. 

dhanu: stop hurting your brain.

ruhaan: matlab?

dhanu: the court dancers are coming now. just go on your throne and they will come. 

ruhaan: ok then....

ruhaan went to where the thrones were and sat in between his father and his brother. ashok looked at him as ruhaan's eyes was focused on the crowd. he allowed his lips to form a smirk as he thought to himself: enjoy your final moments of being pitaji's pride. 

just then the guests moved to the sides as a crowd of court dancers gracefully stepped into the grand courtroom. akshani sat where she usually would and started to play the sitar. once she played the sitar, the dancers started to perform Bharatanatyam.

ruhaan in mind: pooja tu kaha hai? stop torturing me as always. 

voice: teri mehfil mein kismat aazmakar hum bhi dekhenge

ghadi palko tere nazdekh aakar hum bhi dekhenge (x2)
haan ji haan hum bhi dekhenge.

ruhaan in mind: I can hear you pooja, I can hear your sweet soothing voice but I can't see your beautiful face. 

pooja: teri mehfil mein kismat aazmakar hum bhi dekhenge
tere kadmon peh sir apna jhukakar hum bhi dekhenge (x2)
haan ji haan hum bhi dekhenge

just then the court dancers moved aside gracefully, still dancing as a slender figure in a beautiful golden attire walked and stood in the middle. that girl was no other than our pooja:

ruhaan in mind: and there you are. looking beautiful as always.

pooja saw ruhaan's face and smiled, then she started to dance. the other dancers gathered behind her and danced as well.

pooja: bahaare aaj paigam-e-mohabbat leke aayi hai
badi muddat main umeedon ki kaliyan muskurayi hai (x2)
gham-e-dil peh zara daaman bachakar hum bhi dekhenge (x2)
haan ji haan hum bhi dekhenge
agar dil gham si khali ho toh jeene ka mazaa kya hai
na ho khuney jigar toh ashk peene ka maza kiya hai (x2)
mohabbat main zara aansoon bahakar hum bhi dekhenge (x2)

she was looking more gorgeous than any royal lady in that courtroom, if you saw her dance that night, you would agree. she was looking even more gorgeous than the rani and Rajkumari of the Khanna empire.

pooja: teri mehfil mein kismat aazmakar hum bhi dekhenge
haan ji haan hum bhi dekhenge

there was a minute's pause, the other court dancers stopped dancing and then pooja was the only one dancing.

pooja: mohabbat karne walon ka hai bas itna hai afsana
tadapna chupke chupke aahan bharna ghut ke mar jana
tadapna chupke jihaan

all eyes were on her. 

ruhaan in mind: can they take their eyes off her? I know she is a goddess but she is my goddess.

pooja saw how jealous ruhaan was getting, she could sense it. she laughed inside.

pooja: tadapna chupke chupke aahan bharna
ghut ke mar jana
kisi din yeh tamasha muskurakar hum bhi dekhenge (x2)
haan ji haan hum bhi dekhenge

before she sang the next bit of her song, the other court dancers started to dance behind her. she continued to dance, and then had the perfect opportunity to wink at ruhaan.

pooja: teri mehfil mein kismat aazmakar hum bhi dekhenge
haan ji haan hum bhi dekhenge
mohabbat humne maana zindagi barbaad karti hain
yeh kya kam hai ke mar jaane pe duniya yaad karti hain (x3)
kisi ke ishq mein duniya luta kar hum bhi dekhenge (x2)
tere kadmon peh sir apna jhukakar
ghadi palko tere nazdekh aakar

the other court dancers stopped again and pooja twirled, anklets jingling....

pooja: teri mehfil mein kismat aazmakar hum bhi dekhenge
haan ji haan hum bhi dekhenge (x2)

she stopped dancing and singing as soon as akshani plucked the last string on the sitar. there was a short silence before the royals clapped. ruhaan was just stunned....stunned by that performance. shortly after the clapping stopped, Abhay spoke: that was really a memorising performance. well done.

pooja: shukriya raja.

Abhay: do stay for the evening.

before pooja could speak, she saw mishti and Maithili giving her a death stare. she knew what she had to say.

pooja: pardon me raja Abhay. the children need to sleep early today. 

ruhaan: please stay, you all have worked hard for this stunning performance. I think you should all stay here not till the end but just for a little while if you please.

Maithili: but ruhaan.....

Abhay: ruhaan is right. today is my birthday so I think I can decide who stays here.

Maithili and mishti looked at each other annoyed and then Maithili said: theek hai, they can stay.

everyone smiled but what no one saw was ruhaan and pooja lovingly drowning into one another's eyes. smiles glued on their faces. love was so visible on their faces.

precap: season finale - tabbah ho gaye

season finale?

what do I mean by this?

well you just go to wait and watch.

anyway...what do you think Abhay has to announce?

will ruhaan and pooja tell the world about their love yet?

what has ashok and mishti planned?

...I am so sorry for not updating recently, I know I am terrible. recently I joined a new school and I have been bullied on my name and there are these two boys....don't get me started on them, I have a lot of pent up anger. anywho, updates will be more now. I have had this chappy in drafts but school and parents...urgh don't get me started :) I am really truly sorry for everything. if possible, forgive me.

hope you guys like the chappy, if so...do vote and comment :)

target: 13+ votes and 5+ comments