Anupama stepped out onto the balcony of their Royal Suite at the Lakshmi Vilas Palace in Gujarat. Dusk was setting in. There was a sudden nip in the air, but Anu ignored it. The serenity of the surroundings had a calming effect on her racing heart. With each passing day, she was falling more and more in love with Anuj. She hugged herself and rubbed her upper arms to infuse some heat while she continued to stare into the distant sunset and smile.

Anupama was on a month-long vacation for her wedding, to completely enjoy her wedding festivities. The last time she got married, she barely understood what was happening to her. And declaring that all of the wedding festivities would get tiring and exhausting, Anuj had whisked her away from Modhera for a short break. 

Anu had been touched. Not only because he'd thought about her, but because he was willing to go through all of the rituals for her sake. Anuj and Anu had talked about the kind of wedding they'd wanted. And while Anuj was happy to simply walk to the registrar's office and sign on the dotted line to mark the occasion, Anu had wanted to experience the fun that came with the wedding celebrations. 

Anuj had decided to go all out. A wedding planner had been employed, customized invitations designed, unique local venues for the Mehendi, sangeet, and haldi, and lots of music and dance. Everyone from Anuj's closest business associates to Anupama's colleagues at the school was invited.

Oblivious to Anu's thoughts, Anuj walked up to her and gently placed a shawl around her shoulders.

"What are you thinking about?"

She shook her head, gently tiptoed, and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek.

"I love you," she told him once again. He smiled. "I love you too."

He then sobered.

"My secretary just called. She has rescheduled with the Shahs for tomorrow evening. Does that work for you?"

She nodded, her spirits dampened by the mere mention of their name.

"Who all are coming?"

"I don't know. You might want to check with Samar."

And then because he didn't want to ruin their time together, he asked her to dress up. They were going to go out for dinner.

*****

"Vanraj," Leela called out to him. The entire family that was gathered in the living room, paused their activities to find out what Baa wanted to say.

"I received a call from Anuj Kapadia's office. They want to meet us tomorrow evening at 8 pm. Will you be available to go with me?"

She fidgeted with the stole of her sari, not looking him in the eye. He looked at her, astounded. Why did Anuj want to meet them? Or was it Anupama?

Before he had a chance to respond, Samar quipped in.

"Baa, we'll all go."

When Leela looked at him quizzically, he explained. "Whatever it is, if we're all together, it will be easy for us. We'll have strength in numbers."

While Leela didn't trust her younger grandson, his logic did make sense. Anupama would be far less inclined to create a scene if everyone was there. After her last visit, she didn't trust that woman anymore.

She sighed. Anupama would soon be back in this house, as Vanraj's wife. And she'd have to make peace with it. If her son was happy, then she'd even tolerate Anupama's disrespectful behavior.

She nodded. Tomorrow, they would all go.

*****

Anuj and Anupama were enjoying their morning breakfast on the balcony of their Royal Suite, overlooking the palace gardens when their serenity was disturbed by a knock.

Wondering as to the identity of their visitor, Anuj wiped his mouth with the cloth napkin and got up to open the door. When Anuj didn't come back for a fairly long time, Anu followed suit. She walked towards the living room to come face to face with Anuj and an elderly-looking man, who uncannily resembled her fiancé.

Unsure of whether her presence would be welcome or not, she turned to make her way back to the balcony, when Anuj spotting her from the corner of his eye, asked her to come forth.

"Anu," he gently held her hand and pulled her towards him. "This is Maharaja Samarjitsingh Rao Gaekwad, from the Royal Family of Baroda."

She nodded and joined her hands in a namaste to greet him.

"And this, Your Highness, is my fiancé, Anupama Joshi."

He smiled at that and raised his hands to bless her.

"Please come. I can have some tea served," Anu invited their guest, unsure of the protocol for speaking with royalty.

"Thank you, beta," he shook his head. "But I should get going." Then turning his attention to Anuj, he said: "Will you think about what I've just said?"

"I've already given you my answer."

"And I'm asking you to think again, please."

There was something in the old man's eyes. A sense of helplessness and a sense of hope. She didn't know what he was asking of Anuj, but whatever it was, she realized now was not the time to disappoint him.

Anu looked at Anuj. He was about to refuse again. She placed her hands on his. He turned to look at her quizzically. She slightly shook her head. He sighed and nodded.

"Okay, I'll think about it. But no promises."

He smiled, happy with that. As he turned to go, he looked at Anupama.

"Thank you Beta," he acknowledged. "If I may ask, when is the wedding?"

"Three weeks from now, on February 14," she replied.

He closed his eyes and a lone tear spilled out of it.

"If you don't mind beta, I'd like to host the wedding ceremony here, at the palace. I don't want to force it on the two of you, but it would really make me happy if you let me do so."

Anu looked at Anuj, unsure of how to respond. She didn't know what the issue was and therefore didn't want to commit to anything without his acquiescence. 

"Anuj and I will definitely discuss it and let you know." He smiled. 

Anu didn't know why, but she walked up to him and bent down to seek this old man's blessings. Placing his hands on her head once again, he said: "May God give you all the happiness in the world."

And then he turned and walked away, furiously brushing the tears that continued to spill out of his eyes.