Dipika,

''Veer no! Give her to me.'' The voices from pool area drew my attention and I made my way towards it. Raksha kept dancing around the pool all agitated, when I walked near I found Veer with Rolli in the pool.He held his niece to his chest , taking small dips in water just to her legs level. She seemed so excited as corridor echoed her squeals, every time Veer took a dip she threw her arms on him in excitement making him laugh.  I was aware about he and bhai teaching Vikram , but I never expected him to take Rolli in water. She is just 3 months, too young to be anywhere near this pool.

''Veer, give her back.'' I supported Raksha. 

Bhai smiled as he taught Vikram, ''Its okay Dipika, she is safe and is loving it .'' I didn't wanted to argue with bhai. My concern was her falling sick just a day before party. Thinking for a minute I messaged mom and my job was done, ''Veer, Ranvijay enough they are kids. If any of them falls sick, you will have it from me.'' The brothers stared at each other and then at mom.  Veer extended Rolli, she squealed as Mom gathered her in a small towel. She happily giggled as Mom wiped her, ''Dipika, get her dressed. ''

''Can I dress her.'' Raksha extended her arms before I could take Rolli. I had seen the way she looks at me whenever I am around Rolli or Ananya. I stepped back, I really didn't wanted any clash with Raksha. Mom looked from her to me, Rolli was my responsibility in Ananya's absence. Ananya had decided to visit the NGO today and I promised to take care of Rolli. Veer had taken her stating he wanted to spend time with his niece and I decided to complete some pending work. 

''Raksha, you can dress Vikram up. Rolli is too young for you too handle.'' Mom ended any kind of discussion placing Rolli in my arms. Raksha tried dressing Vikram, instead my son took all his clothes off running away. he seemed to be celebrating the certain liberation. Mom laughed as Raksha tried chasing the stark naked Prince.  Raksha finally caught him, huffing she carried him back. ''What does he eat?''

''Don't say like that, it will cast an evil eye on my prince.'' Mom playfully reprimanded Raksha. She helped her dressing up as whenever they lost the grip, he took a flight. ''I think running around him is a perfect workout.'' Raksha said throwing her back on the recliner. Rolli made her presence known with a scream, ''Sorry , I know we should be talking to you too.'' Mom said lifting her to the face level. Rolli smiled wide with a giggle, ''Can I now have her mom.''

''But only her, you can't tackle the two alone. By the way where did the Prince go.'' 

"Ma!!!'' Came a sweet voice, as he peeped from behind the pillar, his face covered in different shades of powder. ''Apologies Hukum, we were making Rangoli when Prince decided to jump in.'' A scared looking staff informed mom, she just gave a nod with a smile.  I quickly ran to pick him up, ''Now I will have to clean him again.''

Raksha wiped his face with her scented wipe and he sneezed a couple of times getting her reprimanded from mom again. I made him sit near his aunt to pacify the matter, she tickled him and then pulled him in her lap,''So what does B'day boy wants?'' Raksha cooed him.

He spread his arms wide as he couldn't recall the word, then he added''ame...'' came the reply. He clapped and then started a story engaging Raksha. I decided to let them talk and placed Rolli in her lap. I know she somewhere feels that I have come closer to Ananya more than her, but I have no intention of coming between friends.

''You shouldn't have left both kids with her.'' Mom said

''Its fine mom, I will be around.'' She understood what I meant, patting my cheek she walked off.

***

''Are all the records update?'' Ananya asked Balwant. Bhai looked at her, ''what records.''

''Every invitation has a bar code, against which there are the details of the guests with family and pictures. Any person whose detail we don't have, will not be allowed in.''

''Won't that upset the guests?'' Mom asked

''Why should it mom? Every time we attend any gathering we do too abide my all security scanning.We have even given our finger prints at times. Plus, the invites are aware of the process.'' Ananya concluded.  Bhai looked at her with a proud smile and adoration. I couldn't help but smile watching the two, ''Where is my little chatter box?'' Ananya asked

''She slept being worn out after lot of swimming'' I informed

''Oh no! that means i am not sleeping the whole night.'' Ananya exclaimed. She narrated how Rolli preferred sleeping between her parents. She wakes up at odd hours and starts throwing her limbs in order to wake her parents up. She told how a night before bhai had to entertain her for whole night by talking random stuff. Raksha offered to take care of Rolli for a night and Ananya readily agreed. Only if Raksha knew our princess was not that easy to handle. 

''You should have requested Raksha to keep Vikram too for the night.'' Veer joked as I patted my son to sleep.

''And she won't be able to enjoy the party. You know your son.'' I replied joining Veer after putting Vikram to sleep. He pulled me in his arms , he gently pressed my temples to relieve me of tiredness. His eyes went to the crib, ''He is a quick learner. I saw him swimming today, and he isn't even scared.''

''He is brave like his father.'' I added, squeezing my self closer to him. Veer chuckled, ''I wasn't that naughty though.''

''He is cute, not naughty.'' I supported my son. Turning to me Veer raised a brow, ''You very well know how cute that little brat is. Now sleep, morning we have to be up early. I just wish Raksha wakes up on time.'' We shared a laugh, we both were aware that Rolli had slept whole day and she wouldn't let Raksha sleep a wink.

***

The morning came early for 4 of us. When we got down, Ananya was already in granny's office going through the last minute details. ''You look fresh.'' I greeted her with a smile.

''Thanks to Raksha!.'' That came with a wink. We both knew what Rolli would do if not spoken to. Only if Raksha's stars were in right place, Rolli would have slept without any tantrum. ''Where is my Vicky.'' And he made a grand entry with Veer, Ananya squatted down opening her arms. He ran with his baby steps to hug his aunt, ''Happy B'day Vicky.''

''Say Thank you'' Veer directed. Vikram shyly placed a peck on her cheek, murmuring a thanks trying his best to pronounce like Veer. ''That kiss with Thank You can be dangerous in future.'' Veer joked.

''Not for him, he will turn situations smooth. Trust me!'' She looked at Vikram with a proud smile. Veer asked about Bhai and Ananya mentioned he was the hotel area. She literally threatened Veer to take care of Vikram for the day as we had many more things to tackle for the evening, before the breakfast.

Rolli arrived before her aunt, looking like a fresh daisy. ''She did her job well.'' Bhai commented taking his bundle from the help. She squealed in delight making us chuckle. Raksha made an appearance after 20 min, yawning every now and then. Granny asked her to take a nap and she immediately disappeared.

My evening attire was Veer's choice. It was an onion colour Sari with fine silver work. It was just beautiful for the occasion, light to wear yet rich on display. I got my little Prince decked up for his big day, Mom had a got a traditional attire done for him in a soft fabric. He kept tumbling all over the bed giggling about god knows what. I kept watching him emotionally, he was my escape in those dark days. He heard and felt my pain, he was my motivation my reason to live. I smiled watching him dancing to his own tune, he then stopped locking his gaze with min. Don't what he understood but he ran in my arms hugging me tight, ''I love you son.'' I said kissing his cheek.

''It should be we.'' Veer interrupted pulling us both in a hug. Vikram pushed his hand away that was on my shoulder, ''Hey, she is my wife before she became your mother.''

''My ma!!!'' he matched his father's glare with his baby ones, holding on to me possessively. ''If this what he feels for you, I pity his girl.'' I just rolled his eyes, he keeps on commenting on my son's future, his girlfriends and labelling him as a brat. Lifting Vikram up, I made my way to the stairs leading to grand hall. As we stood on the top of the stairs, the light on us separated us from rest of the crowd. Vikram clapped, making the guests cheer. Veer placed his palm on my back, gesturing me to move forward. We descended as our guests welcomed the b'day boy with cheers. Moving to my family, I handed my baby to his grandparents. We all had decided that it would be Granny with Mom and Dad with whom he will cut the cake.  

The seven layered cake was being rolled in by the staff with a single candle on the top. Granny motivated him to blow it, he filled his cheeks with air and with full energy emptied on the candle, it went off and then started again. ''You bought magic candle to irritate a year old Veer. Seriously! ?'' Bhai asked veer with a raised brow, who just kept smiling watching his son trying again and again. Later when his face fell, we all blew the candle together with bhai removing it quickly. ''Give some cake to Mom.'' Granny said pointing towards me. He looked at small piece in his hand and then at me, quickly keeping his smeared fingers in his mouth, making us laugh.

The celebration was a grand one with all important names on the list. I met few known and other unknown faces. Ananya introduced me to all, since my wedding I never preferred socializing much in order to stay hidden from my father. Now when I am free, I decided to take up more duties and meet more people.

My eyes took in the gathering, I was happy that my son was receiving on many blessings. His presence was being celebrated, unlike mine. Most of my b'days went in hiding from dad's violent out bursts. If I ever stepped infront of him by mistake, he would punish me for that. A chill ran down my spine recalling those dark years. Quickly turning around I wanted to check if Vikram was fine, I found him standing opposite to a beautiful girl as she hugged him lovingly. My eyes popped out realising it was Sitara dressed in an elegant saree and her thick hair smoothed into a stylish bun, ''I made her dress this way, she too is a family.'' Ananya whispered reading my expressions. My eyes once again roamed among the guests, each and every leading guard was present dressed at their best. I couldn't help but praise Ananya's way of guarding us. 

''Oh I hate her'' I said with a smile greeting Adi's mother. ''That's quite a celebration. So Ananya are you planning one of the same kind for your daughter. After all she would just remain a Princess and Vikram will take the lead.'' My fingers curled, why this lady tries instigating us against each other. Ananya smiled and nodded gesturing to bring Rolli to her, ''Meet my Ahanaa, yes she will always remain behind Vikram, but to watch his back. She won't grow up to look pretty, she will grow up into something her family would be proud off and others would envy.'' Ananya placed a peck on cheek which got answered by a sudden baby attack on her face. The proud queen excused herself walking away. I opened my mouth, ''No, we will never discuss what others think. '' Ananya ended all doubts. 

''Have you seen Raksha?'' I asked.

''She was with Adi in the lawn area, I hope they sought everything out.'' She answered adjusting Rolli's dress. She looked like a doll in the pink dress given to her by Raksha. I took her small hand in mine pecking her palms, she squealed launching her love attack on me . Our little girl is super ticklish and lovable. 

We continued talking random stuff when my eyes fell on Raksha, she walked past the crowd with her eyes on the ground. I didn't miss when she wiped her cheek running away from the hall, ''Exactly what I never wanted.'' Ananya added

''What do we do now?''

She handed Rolli to me, ''Let me talk to her and then we decide.'' I nodded. Ananya excused herself following Raksha back to Palace. But I couldn't just stand there, making a decision I decided to confront Adi straight away 

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A glimpse of future troubles. A surprise attack.

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