Naina was shocked to see Preeti there.......Swati had never met Preeti but had seen her pics many a times and also she was aware of the person who informed Munna and Pandit about Naina's whereabouts was none other than Preeti......Yes....Preeti had been the one who had informed Pandit and had sketched out the entire plan of bringing Naina to the mall.....and later taking her away from there itself......and stalling her guards.....

Preeti came towards Naina with slow steps.....Naina tried to get up but winced in pain....and seeing her in pain, Preeti ran towards her and took her best friend cum sister in a tight hug.....both the girls cried there hearts out.....and Swati's eyes also became moist seeing the two girls in front of her, in tears......Naina and Preeti didn't know how long they stood there.....but a soft tap by Swati on her shoulder, brought Naina back to present and they both parted away from each other.......

They both made Naina settle down on the bed and Swapree too settled on her either side......once the present happiness subsided....Naina turned sharply towards Preeti with shocked eyes.....in her happiness she forgot about the most important question.....How did Preeti know where she was?

Naina: Preeti....tu...yahan kaise? Tujhe kaise pta ki hum yahan hain? Aur agar pata tha...to tu kl se kyu nii aayi? Maa saa aur Dadi saa b aaye hain kya?

Naina craned her neck towards the door, hoping that her mother or grand mother were also here.....but Preeti gently held her hand...and Naina turned her attention towards her.....

Preeti: Koi nii aaya h Naina....sirf mai aayi hu......

Naina: To tujhe kisne bataya? Aur tu baaki sbko kyu nii leke aayi? Sb kitna pareshaan honge....humein dhoondh re honge......tu b naa Preeti....har baat mazaak nii hoti....Maa saa bahot pareshaan hongi....aur...aur Dadi saa......

She kept on blabbering and Preeti was loosing her patience on her naive friend......she tightened her hold on Naina's hand a little.....making sure not to hurt her and spoke in a slow yet curt voice......

Preeti: Kisi ko nii padi h teri.....koi nii aaya....naa tujhe koi dhoondh raa h......

Naina was not just shocked, she was flabbergasted.....she didn't expect anything from her father or sister.....but her mother and grand mother were not worried about her....she couldn't believe that, even if god came down on the earth and confirmed this allegation against them.......

Naina: Jhoot mt Bol Preeti.....Haan hum maante hain hain ki pitaji saa aur Sunaina ko humaari fikar nii h....lekin....

Preeti: Naina.....koi nii aaya....koi nii dhoondh raa tujhe......mai jhoot nii bol rii......Aunty aur Dadi saa ko bs itna pata h ki tu theek h....aur jahan b h..ab tk zinda h....

Naina was getting more and more confused and restless.....and Preeti being her best friend cum soul sister could understand her inner turmoil.....hence Preeti decided to clear every ounce of her doubt.....or at least whatever she was allowed to....as of now....

Preeti: Naina....tu yahi janna chahti h naa...ki mujhe kaise pata ki tu yahan h? Aur agar jaanti thi to mai kl se kyu nii aayi?

Naina simply nodded her head once and letting out a deep sigh.....Preeti continued....

Preeti: Kyunki maine hi tujhe yahan bheja tha Naina....Maine hi in logon ko bataya tha ki tu mall mei h.....mai Jaanti thi Sameer tujhe dhoondh raa h....

Now this was getting too much for her to accept and digest.....firstly the fact, that her family didn't care about her....not even her mother and grandmother whom she trusted blindly....and then her best friend...whom she considered more than her real sister....had betrayed her......why was she so unlucky to be always betrayed by people whom she loved and trusted the most......and seeing the change of expressions on her face.....Preeti knew what she must be thinking....or feeling to be exact......and she couldn't let Naina feel betrayed......whatever she did was for her safety....and it was a matter of her life...

Preeti: Naina....dekh meri baat sun le pehle...fir tu jo chahe Bol lena.....

Naina: (lost) Kya sunu Preeti? Aaj tk jispe b bharosa kia....usne humein dhokha dia......tune b.....aur....

Preeti: (cutting her in between) Dhokha nii dia h....bhn...teri zindagi ka sawaal tha....warna...aaj to shyd hum sb tujhe kho hi dete......

Naina looked at Preeti and she continued......

Preeti: Haan bhn....aur koi option nii tha mere pass......do hafte baad tera 21st birthday h Naina....aur shayd vo tujhe us din tk zinda b nii rehne deti.....

Naina: Kon? Aur koi humein kyu maarna chahega?

Preeti: (sighing) Sunaina.......

Naina: Kya?

Swati was just a silent listener all this while.....she already knew everything but wasn't allowed to tell anything to Naina.....but even she knew that Preeti has all the rights to tell Naina and even Naina had the rights to know the truth of her namesake family.....

Preeti just nodded and continued......

Flashback.....

It had been two days since Naina had stepped out of the house and Preeti knew that something was bothering her......and hence she decided to speak with her....she was going towards Naina's room, when she heard Sunaina's voice.....Preeti was about to go ahead, but stopped on her tracks, hearing Naina's name......

Sunaina: Haan....sirf do hafte h...us Naina k birthday ko....and she will be 21.....aur hum apni so called jiji ko birthday gift naa de....aisa ho skta h kya.......

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Sunaina: Gift kyu dena h? Hahhahahahhahahhaha.....Tum bhool gyi....ki humaare family mei, coronation hamesha ek Rajkumaari ka hi hota h....kisi rajkumar ka nii...isiliye humaare dad ka b nii hua...he's an uncrowned king....humaare yahan jb Rajkumari 21 saal ki ho jaati h, uska coronation hota h.....vo Yuvraagi bn jaati h....aur 25 saal mei shaadi k baad Maharani.......aur hum aisa hone nii de skte.....Devgarh estate ki Maharani to hum hi banenge......

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Sunaina: Naina ka gift hoga....is duniya mei uska aakhri din......hum humaari jjji ko unki maut gift krenge.......

Preeti couldn't hear anything more.....Naina's own sister was planning her murder......how can she even think of it.....and for Preeti, Naina was her only family......she couldn't afford to loose her......Preeti was in a difficult situation.....she had to do something.....to save Naina......and without meeting Naina, she went to Raj Mata's room and also met Komal and told them everything.......

Flashback ends.....

Naina couldn't believe what she heard.....she knew that for some reasons, Sunaina didn't like her....but getting her killed was not something, that Naina could expect from her sister......But still there were a few more questions which she needed answers to......And she got her answers from Preeti...with what she said next.....

Preeti: Maine Komal aunty aur Dadi saa ko sb bata dia.....they were really disappointed on Sunaina....but agar vo use confront krte b...to b vo is baat se mukar jaati......aur Maharaj use bacha lete.....isiliye humein kuchh aur sochna tha......

Naina: (lost in thoughts) Mai yahan kaise aayi Preeti?

Preeti: Naina....Pandit.......he...he's my boyfriend......mai usse Ek baar accidentally mili....aur fir we started liking each other.....use maine tere baare mei bataya tha.....but teri safety ki wajah se I never revealed your identity........aur fir jb mujhe pta chala ki Sameer tujhe dhoondh raa h.......Maine use bata dia ki tu kon h...kya h...aur fir Maine hi ye plan banaya......sorry Naina....lekin ye teri zindagi k liye important tha......aur koi raasta nii tha mere paas......

Naina: Aisa kyu kia Preeti?

Preeti: Behen....mai jaanti hu Sameer ka gussa.....lekin vo chahe kitna b gussa kre....vo tujhe apni jaan se b zada sambhaal k rakhega.....apni jaan de kr b tujhe bachayega......Naina dekhna vo hi tera sbse bada sahara banega......is poori duniya mei.....aur Naina vo aunty aur Dadi saa ki tarah kabhi majboor nii hoga.....

Swati kept on listening to everything.....she saw how effectively Preeti had hidden many things from Naina.....and maybe that was the best thing for now....at least till Nanu is back.....only he's the only one...who knows the reason behind all this......

Preeti: (thinking) Sorry Naina....lekin yahi sbse best option tha.....mai wajah jaan kar b tujhe kuchh nii bata skti.....hope jb tujhe sach pata chle...tu mujhe maaf kr payegi......aur Ek tarah se Sameer jaane anjaane tujhe dia hua promise hi nibha raa h.....tera saath kabhi naa chhodne ka promise......tujhe hamesha protect krne ka promise.....jo usne bahot saal pehle tujhse kia tha...aur ab ye promise saat janam ka ban gaya h.....you were destined to be together....in every lifetime.......

Coming out of her thoughts...Preeti held Naina's hand gently and spoke in a soft tone.....

Preeti: Naina.....dekh aunty aur dadi saa ko pata h ki tu jahan b h...theek h....aur unke liye yahi important h.....aur rahi baat Sunaina ki....to usne Maharaj ko mana lia h....police ko naa inform krne k liye......coz.....

Naina: (sobbing) Coz what?

Preeti: Coz she feels ki tu uske plan k according hi kidnap hui h.....and she's waiting for the right time to get you killed....lekin use nii pata ki tu humaare paas h......

Naina looked at her totally shocked....her own sister had planned to get her kidnapped and then killed.....just for the sake of power and money....how can someone stoop so low....and her father......how can he do this to her....he was least bothered about his own daughter........

Preeti: Mai jaanti hu ki tere dimaag mei kya chal raa h....but abhi thoda waqt de...sb theek ho jayega....please.....mere liye....aunty k liye...dadi saa k liye....please Naina....kregi naa?

Naina looked at her best friend and nodded her head in acceptance...tears still coming out of both their eyes....... Even Swati was emotional seeing all this....but both the friends needed time and only Preeti can handle Naina at this point......

Preeti: Achha ab ro mt....muskura de....please......

Naina smiled amidst tears and hugged Preeti.....they both cried.....but no one uttered a word....suddenly Naina turned towards Swati and indicated her to join the hug.......Swati was a bit reluctant....but Preeti chuckled and called her....

Preeti: Aa jaa bhn.....Waise b ye pgli kisi se Jldi dosti nii krti.....aaj tk bs mai hi thi is namuni k paas.....time to welcome a new member in the group I guess.....aa jaa.....

Swati too laughed a bit and joined the group hug......the girls had proved to stand by each other.....and had found lifetime friendship.....during these difficult times......

At the door...Munna Pandit stood with misty eyes....looking at the three strong girls....who had their own share of ups and downs......and now are supporting each other.....and they promised to themselves that they wouldn't let anyone hurt them......though Naina wouldn't need them....she has her own bodyguard....her husband....whom the world feared.......they chuckled at their thought and left from there......

Once their tears stopped they all sat down and Preeti and Swati fed Naina....and gave her medicines......

Naina: Preeti....kya hum Maa saa aur Dadi saa se baat kr skte hain? Bas ek baar please.....

Preeti: Nii Naina...abhi nii.....but I promise bahot jald mai teri unse baat krwaungi......lekin Naina....sbse pehle mujhe tujhse Ek promise chahiye......

When Naina gave her acceptance.....Preeti continued....

Preeti: Naina....please apna dhyaan rakhna.....I know yahan Munna Pandit Swati h....and sbse zada Sameer h.....I know tujhe usse darr lgta h....but please in sb chhezon ko time de.....use smjh...vo bura nii h Naina....aur kam se kam tere liye to nii h.....he'll protect u......trust me....

Naina looked down and just nodded once.......

Preeti: Jaanti hu abhi is baat p bharosa krna tere liye easy nii h.....Hum use b smjhayenge......aur sb theek ho jayega.....lekin please ho ske to tb k liye uski baat maan lia kr....aur Ek baat aur h.....

Naina: Kya?

Preeti: Yahi ki tu uske saamne kabhi zikr mt krna....ki tu....tu....

Naina: Hum kya Preeti?

Preeti: Yahi ki tu Ek rajkumaari h......vo b Devgarh ki....

Naina: Kya? Lekin kyu? Ye to galat h naa.....aur.....

Preeti: Naina dekh.....

Before she could continue, Pandit came hurriedly....

Pandit: Preeti.....tujhe jana hoga...Sameer aata hi hoga....use kisi bahane se bahar bheja tha....taaki tu Bhabhi se mil ske....lekin ab aur nii rok skte hum use....tu jaanti h naa ki vo kabhi bhabhi ko chhod k nii jata.....humne bahot mushkil se bheja tha use....

Preeti just nodded....and held out her hand to Naina....

Preeti: Naina time nii h...promise kr....

Naina: Lekin tu unse chhup kyu rii h?

Preeti: Naina vo sb sahi waqt aane p pata chal jayega.....bs itna yaad rakhna...duniya se tujhe Sameer bacha lega....lekin agar tere Devgarh ki princess hone ka sach Sameer ko pata chala....vo b abhi...to usse tujhe bhagwaan b shayad naa bacha paaye......

Naina got really scared hearing this......but Preeti hugged her immediately....

Preeti: Darr mt....yahan sb h.....bs kuchh time Naina....uske baad hum Sameer ko bata denge....aur tujhe b sb bata denge....tere har sawaal ka jawaab b tujhe tabhi milega......please promise kr tb tk tu wahi kregi jo Maine tujhe kaha h......

Naina: Promise....tu aayegi naa dobara?

Preeti: Haan behen bahot jldi aaungi......I promise......aur Haan Sameer k saamne agar hum kabhi milein....to mujhe pehchaanna mt....Bas itna yaad rakhna ki tu mujhe nii jaanti.....

Naina was totally confused but just nodded her head....and giving each other a quick hug, Preeti left from their with Pandit....and Swati stayed back with Naina......and she knew Naina might be having a lot of questions.....but as for now, she needs to build her relationship with Sameer....they need to work it out....and then all the questions will be answered at the right time.......

Swati: Tu tension mt le Naina...sahi time aane p tere har sawaal ka jawaab mil jayega.....tb tk bs apne aur Sameer p dhyaan de....hmm?

Naina: Hmm.....

Swati: Chal ab thoda rest kr le...warna tera vo pati fir poora ghar sir p utha lega......

Naina laid down...with loads of questions......but soon medicines showed it's effect and she drifted off to sleep.......

Hey everyone.....finally....the next part......I'm extremely sorry for the delay....but my draft had been deleted twice....so I'm not sure how this part is....hope it's interlinked with the precious part.....if you find any issues...please let me know.......

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Next part soon..✨✨