Veer,

Bhai's coronation turned out to be an amazing affair, till Netra appeared uninvited. Since she had little word with Deepika, my eyes never left my wife's face. She looked troubled , scared and worried. The way she held Vikram close to her chest for rest of the night, gave away her state of mind. I guess, even granny understood her plight and asked her to retire along with Ananya.

''She practically cannot harm Vikram in this Palace.'' Granny said after Deepika left with Vikram.

''But who invited her.'' That came from bhai. Hemant extended a note to him and Bhai''s expression changed from frown to anger. He crushed the paper, ''Did we send an invite to Rajshri's father.''

''We did, we had to. For courtesy sake.'' Dad replied

''he gave his invite to that lady. '' Bhai looked agitated. "I will tighten Vikram's security more.''

''Bhai, as granny said. Its impossible for them to penetrate our doors.'' I tried calming him

He shook his head, ''We felt that and Deepika had to pay the price. It took me 6 months to zero down on the mole within us. I am not taking any chances with Vikram.''

''That was then bhai, we answered our enemies in most brutal possible way. They would think twice before taking a step. And for now Netra is out of resources, Suryagrah practically belongs to Deepika till Vikram is ready.''

''I know, and that's what I am more worried about. '' He answered worried.

''Ranvijay, calm down. We will answer when required. For now , just go back to your chambers.'' Granny commanded and we dispersed.

When I walked into my suite, Sitara still was at the door. I checked time and relived her for the day. Stepping in, I heard my son's loud wailing, I picked him up to calm him, but he was in no mood of being pacified. I looked around but couldn't find Deepika. She never leaves Vikram alone and the thought got me worried. I searched for her in the suite and recalled her favorite place, the porch.

The sight that greeted me churned my insides in fear. She lay curled up on the hard floor, her body shivering like a leaf. Lifting her torso up, I called her out but got no response. She still shivered with her eyes closed. She seemed oblivious to my presence. Her expression gave away her fight her pain and her fear. I couldn't hold and I pulled her tight against my chest, ''Dipu, listen to me , you are safe. You are home. Just open your eyes once.'' She didn't respond but her heart rate started normalizing. I turned desperate, how much ever issues are there between us, I still can't stand her in pain because of someone else. I knew, it could be serious if she didn't open her eyes now, so I kissed her, deep. Pushing my lips hard against hers. She parted her lips taking a sharp breath allowing me more. I kept calling her between my kisses and then she opened her eyes looking straight into mine, ''Veer'' that came out in a whisper

''Better now?'' I asked worried. She nodded trying to get up. I noticed her shivering legs and scooped her up. She protested and I made an excuse about Vikram.

I decided to sleep in the same room there and then. She looked emotionally broken and I just didn't want to risk another episode. But what hurt bad when she rejected my advances. I cursed myself for being so attracted and smitten by her. All my defences collapse the moment she steps in my vicinity. I decided to keep a check on my madness to avoid further rejection

***

When I entered my suite after my fitness regime, I was greeted by the most adorable sight. Vikram lay on the bed only in his diapers, throwing his hands and arms in air making few sounds. He is such a happy baby. Dumping my bag in a corner, I walked to him. He blinked and the smiled, ''Good morning son. You look happy today. What's the achievement.'' I asked tickling his tummy. He giggled more.

I heard the sound of water being turned off and then she stepped out wrapped in a white towel, for a moment we both were left shocked. After a minute she screamed moving behind the curtain, ''Go out Veer. And why did you step in without knocking.'' She screamed, popping her head out of the curtain.

Instead of moving out, I leaned on the bed more going comfortable over my elbow. ''I knocked, no one answered.'' Actually I didn't, but I won't admit that nor will I move out. Or I should say I fail to tear my eyes of her beautiful slender form. I am itching to hold and touch her. She had always been beautiful, but changes motherhood brought had made her ravishing now. I miss caressing those beautiful curves of her.

''I allowed you to sleep in this room that doesn't imply that you can barge in anytime you want.'' She spat angrily.

I kept my eyes locked with hers, has she forgotten that challenging me would mean quite troublesome for her. I started counting in my head to refraining myself from reacting. Smiling down at my son, I shook his fingers, ''Why is he not in clothes.''

''Will you step out so that we both can dress up.''

''There is nothing I haven't seen before.'' I replied playing with Vikram

''That was when I considered you my spouse. Now, there is no such misapprehension left in my head.'' Her voice came dry, devoid of any affection. ''Please, step out.''

Kissing Vikram on cheek I jumped off the bed moving to the woman I am madly attracted to. She pulled the curtain further close to create a further barrier between us. My eyes went to the curtain that she held against her body and then to her eyes, ''If you were so bothered about your privacy you should have stepped into the dresser straightway rather than stepping into the room''

''You are well aware that dresser is locked for renovation to make place for Vikram and I have no intention of baring myself to a stranger.''

That was a wrong word. With single jerk I pulled off the curtain making her shriek in surprise. She leaned on the window more trying to move far from me. Stepping closer I wrapped an arm around her waist , pulling her hard to me. She yelped as her soft bosom flattened against my hard one. The soft material of white towel did no good in hiding her oozing beauty from me. She quickly made a barrier placing her palms on my chest. With her every push, I pulled her closer, gently moving my knee between her legs, ''NO!'' She screamed glaring at me anger. I smirked , leaning further I removed her wet hair off her shoulder, I have always been mad about her dark thick locks. I get turned on by mere sight of them . My lips went down on her shivering wet skin as calmness started seeping in my body. Her palm went to my shoulder pushing me hard and I replied pushing her more on to the closed window, ''Stop please!!!.'' She whimpered.

I didn't or I just couldn't. ''You have been challenging me little more than required Princess.'' She trembled and I pulled hard freezing her movements , ''Don't try to test my patience more than my ability. Next time your rejection my cost you more than you think.''

''Let me go!'' She pleaded. With an arm around her waist I cupped her face firmly with other palm, directing her gaze to me. ''That night I told you that nothing could keep me out of this room or your life. Yet you kept  instigating me. I don't want to hurt you.''

She froze and then laughed, ''No one has ever hurt me more than you Raghuveer Rathore . You knew you had the power to shatter me and you did, brilliantly.'' Her eyes burned in anger.

I was about to retaliate but stopped when my son suddenly wailed. My grip loosen and she pushed me away moving to the bed. I followed. She sat on the edge checking on our son, I leaned pressing my lips on to her shoulder. I want her to react to this touch. She flinched, ''he needs me.'' She whispered leaning away.

''I needed you too, more than you know. I missed you the most, more than you could ever understand. Yet you left me. I came there to get you back, you turned down my love. Tell me princess, why shouldn't I forcefully take what's mine. Tell me why shouldn't I be angry with you?''

She stayed quiet, staring back into my eyes. ''You had all the right to be angry, but you never had the right to treat me like a trash. You never had the right to lock me down, you never had the right to put my son at risk even if he wasn't yours'. I was ready to bear your hate, but not ready to risk my respect and my sons life.'' She choked, cleared her throat and then added, ''If I broke your heart, you crushed my soul. You proved, that I was born to be hated.'' She locked tear laden eyes with mine as mine too started watering. I smiled, ''you never understood.'' I placed a peck on her forehead walking out of the room. We are hurt beyond repair, yet I am never going to let her go. She is mine, until I breathe my last.

***

''I don't favour you travelling for few months Ananya.'' Granny expressed her discomfort about Ananya travelling to and fro for her NGO. Off lately, she had also taken over mom's duties which tires her up in this delicate situation. She is in her fifth month , but still keeps everyone before her.

''Can I step in till Ananya delivers and is ready to be back.'' Deepika asked politely bringing a dead silence over the table. Since we married she preferred indoors, she had refused all projects politely in the past which involved her going out on field work. Then granny broke the silence, she appreciated the idea and looked happy about Deepika's decision. My eyes got glued to her face, I knew what she was doing. She was creating distance between us, she was looking for an escape. Before I could say a word Ananya interjected, ''That's amazing, but Vikram needs you too.''

''He is 5 months now, and can stay with mom or granny. If not I will take him along.''

''No, He will not leave the Palace premises.'' I added and everyone else agreed. Deepika kept quite with her eyes lowered.

''Deepika, you can take over. But before that I will have your security scrutinised thoroughly.'' Bhai's words bought instant smile to her face. She thanked him and he just nodded. She looked so happy about being permitted. I wasn't. I had the liberty to come back at odd hours, see her anytime I wanted and make it look a normal visit. But now with her gone to NGO for hours, I won't be able to see her like before. The place is far off from my and bhai's work location. But I have to think of something to have her close, in vicinity of my eyes.

''Princess, doctor is done with his routine check-up, he is fine.'' Sitara handed grumpy Vikram to Deepika . She tenderly smiled at the kid rubbing his back and he wailed irritated. I looked around as my family suddenly got worried. I am sure this little guy understands and loves to hog the attention. For past one week I have noticed Deepika strolling with him at odd hours. He just doesn't allow anybody to sit. She tried calming him, but his screams grew louder. I extended my arms and she handed me the kid after a minute. I got and paced around, he calmed and started suckling his lower lip . A bad habit he acquired don't know how. I halted my steps and started at him with a frown. He blinked and then squealed throwing his excited arms on me. ''He is in a mood to play, he won't let you sit Veer.'' Bhai said

''It's ok, I will have my dinner later.'' Greeting my family I left the room with my son. I have already missed days with him in my anger and now I am not willing to compromise even a second. I kept him engaged till Deepika arrived. She gave a glance and kept a plate on a nearby table, ''I will handle him, you can have your dinner.''

''How about I keep him engaged and you feed me with your hands.'' I know her temper must have shot to roof hearing those words

''Then  stay hungry'' She barged in the bathroom and walked out changed to her night clothes. She threw her body on the bed turning away from me. I chuckled at her anger. Though, I kept my son engaged I had no idea how to make him sleep and he looked too reluctant to go to bed. I walked out on to the porch hoping him to sleep in darkness, on the contrary he turned all the way more alert watching the far off lights, ''I beg you, please go off to sleep.'' And he giggles.

''Give him to me.'' I heard her call from behind, I turned and found her standing with blank expressions arms extended for Vikram, and not for me. I took quick steps to her. Instead of handing Vikram, I looped one around her waist hugging her close. She squirmed and I pleaded, ''Please Dipu, for few moments.'' She froze and kept gentle palms on my shoulders. My grip tighten , yet she didn't respond. I placed a kiss on her neck, she stayed unmoved. ''Are you done, I need to put Vikram to sleep'' Her voice came stoned

''Done? No, can you offer more?'' I asked angrily at her words. She just took Vikram from me and walked off, leaving me alone in soul and person.

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