It was post lunch Swarnima and Abhedya reached the farmhouse. The heavy downpour made the visibility poor and the drive slow. Abhedya and Swarnima came inside and Gene was ready with fresh towels. They pat themselves dry and went to their rooms for changing. Abhedya knew Swarnima will not come out for lunch for the lamest excuse he ever heard... 'wet hair!'. The policymakers were undoubtedly morons.

Swarnima didn't cry anymore in her room. She knew her life was a jigsaw puzzle. The pieces were scattered just needed to be fixed at the right place. She has fought enough battles till now and she was ready to fight more. For the betterment of the state, it's people and her love.
Abhedya on the other hand took a cold shower. His burning desires were at its peak. The touch of her hands on his body, the reflection of his soul in her eyes and the synchronised beating of their heart told Abhedya that 'she was the one, she is the one, she will be the one' come what may.

It was evening and the entire clan came to the farm for night stay. There will be a small cake cutting ceremony at 12 and Abhedya's cake was baked by Swarnima.

"Nim, I thought you will bake something fancy. This is plain and simple." Arya commented. He was up for some fun.

"Plain and Simple is perfect Arya," Abhedya replied in all honesty. He loved cakes baked by Swarnima. Hell! He loved Swarnima.

"You mean the cake or you are talking about a person?" Arya asked in all innocence, fun was about to begin.

"I mean the cake and the baker," Abhedya answered making Arya shocked. Now, that Abhedya accepted, there was no scope for any kind of teasing or commenting. This was so not fun and the laughter of the younger clan on Arya's state added to the fuel.

Post diner, Abhedya told the plan for his 21st.
"After a lot of convincing my friends have finally agreed to a party in the afternoon, at the hotel pool. I will reach home by 7 after winding up everything. Then, I am all yours. Whatever you say we can do that. I have no clue about the council, what I have to do or say, so, yeah... whatever I am told, I shall do."

"Sounds good to me." Rudra approved the plan.

"Alright everybody, come here. Just a minute left." Maan shouted and everyone gathered near the cake table. In just a few minutes the simple cake was turned into a special one. The table was decorated with flowers and scented candles. The lights were dimmed and the 22 candles ( one for good luck) illuminated the room.

The countdown began and Abhedya made a birthday wish. Swarnima was the first person he saw when he opened his chocolate brown orbs. An instant smile graced his face. He knew his wish will be granted.

'birthday' song was sung in a child-like sing-song manner to irritate him. He cut the cake fed his parents and then his bhui and phuphu. The elders knew things could get dirty from now, so they went to the far end of the room.

Who should be fed next? Maan, Arya, Nim or Nivi? So, to save himself Abhedya fed to Tara and the leftover to Maan. Aadya and the leftover to Arya. Nivi took a large piece and stuffed in Abhedya's mouth. And, with that, the cake smash started. The boys and girls threw cake everywhere and on everyone.
Swarnima went to her room. She hated such wastage of food.
The entire room had cake scattered on the floor and the face of the players at the cake fight party was full of cream and chocolate. Laughter boomed in the house. But, soon the party was over.

Abhedya came to his room and went to the bathroom to wash his face, hands and many other places where the cake travelled. After a lot of hard work, the cream's stickiness was washed. Abhedya came out of the bathroom and saw candlelight in the balcony of his room. He went there and saw Swarnima waiting for him with a small cupcake in her hand and a candle on top of it.
"But I just cut a cake." Abhedya was on cloud nine to see her in his room but he wanted to know the reason for the second cake.

"Is it written anywhere that you can only cut one cake?" Swarnima reasoned. The same reason Abhedya gave her on her seventh birthday when he got a similar cupcake for her and told her she could cut more than one cake.
Abhedya smiled and cut the little cupcake and fed Swarnima the piece. It was then it struck to him that he never gave Swarnima the cake he cut outside. "Sorry! I forgot to feed you outside. The cake was delicious."

"I know, I tasted the batter this time." Swarnima was still not over with the goof-up she did with ice cream. Abhedya and Swarnima shared a small laugh.

Swarnima then gave him a small key wrapped with a ribbon.
"I know the last time I told you, you got upset. I don't want to upset you today, actually never. But, it's important." Swarnima took Abhedya's hand in hers, stepped closer to him and looking straight in his eyes she said, "Abhey, this a key to the box, which has all my secrets. Some letters I wrote to you but never posted. Some note to self and some random pen down feelings. Some very important papers from my parents. That is my only treasure. Will you keep it safe with you? The box is in my old apartment but it can only be opened with this key. I know it's not an appropriate or perfect gift for your birthday but that is the only thing I can give you... access to the real me because I know I am safest when I am with you."

Minutes passed but Abhedya did not answer her. He kept the key in his pocket and smiled.  He did not know what to say? But, he certainly didn't want to say anything mean or hurting.

"There is one more thing I wanted to say..." Swarnima turned her back to Abhedya and continued... "from tomorrow our relation will change forever. What shape it will take, I don't know. You will know the deepest and darkest secrets and they will surely hurt you. You might feel cheated, deceived and misguided. There are numerous lies our life is surrounded with. I just want you to understand the reason behind them. Everything in life has a vindication. Please stay calm and don't hate anyone."

Abhedya turned to Swarnima and saw her face. It was pale and filled with numerous emotions. "You are making me scared Nim."

"I am scared too," Swarnima told him honestly.
Abhedya wanted to hug her and he opened his arms for her to come and embrace him. She was bound. She could not hug him. But, she put her head on his chest. She had broken so many rules since Abhedya walked into her life but she was ready to break one more.

"Abhey, can I sleep by your side, just for today? Please."

Should he be happy or scared? Swarnima wanted to sleep by his side. What was making her so scared?
Abhedya touched the side of her cheek and replied, "you never have to ask."
Swarnima and Abhedya held each other's hand and went to his bed. They didn't sleep close to each other but didn't sleep that far too.

Swarnima got Abhedya worried. She was so scared, so worried and so anxious. Where did the tigress in her go? If the council or anyone had troubled her or planned to do so, he would kill them. Making plans and actions in his mind Abhedya drifted to sleep.
Swarnima was wide awake. She could hear Abhedya's even breathing which meant he has slept now. She turned her face and saw Abhedya's face.
She loved him. That was the only truth in her life, rest were all just a pile of lies. She did not even deserve to be in his life. He might be rude, arrogant, impulsive, judgemental but at least he did not lie. He did not pretend to be someone he was not. He accepted his faults, apologised for them and tried to rectify them.
He was a paragon of truth and she was an epitome of lies.
But, as promised she will take in all his hatred but still be by his side.

The entire night Swarnima saw the face of her hero Abhedya. Reminisced their childhood. As much as she could remember. Sleep didn't touch her eyes. With the first chirp of the birds, she decided to get up. But, before that, she shifted to Abhedya's side kissed his forehead and whispered "HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABY! I LOVE YOU!"

A smile finally made an appearance on Swarnima's face. She quietly crept down from the bed and locked her room. It was time for action. With the kiss and her quiet confession, Swarnima buried her feelings and was ready for the fight she could foresee.

After a quick round of basic exercises, a relaxing shower and she was ready to go out. Pri and Rudra were in the garden when Swarnima went and touched their feet. "Bhui, chachu, today is the day. I need your blessings."

Rudra took Pri and Swarnima in his embrace and said, "just because of that one lady, Our life's have become nothing but a bunch of lies. I hate my..."
Swarnima put her hand on Rudra's mouth. "I am on duty and such words are forbidden to use. I don't blame her and you should not too. She was the Iron Lady, the state and we should be proud of."

Nandini called them for morning tea. The younger clan was still asleep.
"I have arranged a meeting with the council. They will be here by 10. It's easier and safer at the midnight. Dushyant's men have already started investigating after his encounter with a girl named 'Swarnima'. Thankfully Nim's low key profile didn't give him much information, till now.
Everyone in the council can be tackled, but Mansi and Tej Raj, they are cunning and vindictive. Trust me, after the throne is claimed I will make sure they are not part of the council anymore." Randeep laid the plan.

"Mansi?!! I thought her magic worked on you. She is always after you." Rudra teased Randeep.

"Wow! My husband has a fan! Super. I want to meet this lady who is interested in my husband. I am coming to the council to a meet." Pri was excited.

"Pri, just look at you? You are happy someone is after your husband?" Nandini was shocked.

"Spice up your life Nandini. Go find someone to flirt. Rudra is so boring." Pri suggested.

Rudra grabbed Nandini's hand and took her inside and shouted, "stay away from my innocent wife, keep a check on her Randeep."

"Umm... Pri.. that Mansi is just... Umm... I never reciprocated." Randeep cleared his stand.

Hahahaha pri laughed and hugged Randeep. "I know. I trust you more than myself. Just enjoy while she flirts. It's fun."

Swarnima was in awe of the couples who were so much in love with each other. If only, her life was a little less complicated and she was a little more fortunate. But, Swarnima was ready to fight the rain for the rainbow in her life.

At, breakfast Tara and Maan arranged a scrumptious meal for everyone. Birthday boy cut yet another cake and fed everyone. When Abhedya fed Swarnima his fingers touched her lips purposely. During the entire breakfast, Abhedya seemed zoned out. He was lost in thoughts.
When he got up this morning he felt as if he was kissed by an angel. He thought his ears heard 'I LOVE YOU'. He knew his raging desires and feelings towards Swarnima were making him delusional but it felt real. Abhedya was so mad in love that he sniffed the bed like a dog where Swarnima slept to inhale her fragrance. He kissed the crumpled part of the sheet of her side of the bed. He was blushing at his state.

"Abhey, why are you blushing? And stop staring at Nim. All the elders are looking at you." Arya whispered in Abhedya's ears. No response. So he pinched Abhedya from under the table.
"Aaaoooo!! What is wrong with you Arya?" Abhedya scolded Arya rubbing his thigh.

"Hahahaha! Abhey, we know Nim is very pretty but son, stop gawking at her like a hawk." Pri asserted and everyone was laughing.

"Bhui, it's called gazing and not gawking." What was wrong with Abhedya? Yesterday he shut Arya up and today he accepted his affection and attraction in the presence of all the elders.

"Wooohooooo"
"Uuuuhhhhhhh"
"Whistles"
"Claps" followed by the younger clan.

Randeep, Rudra and Nandini were quiet though. They knew the truth might break the beautiful new bond between the old lovers.

Swarnima just lowered her eyes and pretended to eat. Could she dig the earth and die in the pit of shyness? Not possible because she was already dead with jubilation.

Abhedya's birthday breakfast was complete. He had his entire family and the love of his life with him. What more could he ask for? Well, for starters... 'no Abhey... just don't zone out now.' His brain alerted him.

It was around 11, Abhedya, Arya and Aadya got ready for the party Abhedya was throwing for his friends. Swarnima had to do preparations for the council meeting was the excuse she gave to Abhedya. He was annoyed but she promised him, "just let this birthday pass, I promise to be with you on every birthday of yours. Besides, I won't be able to dress appropriately for the pool party and I don't want to be a laughing stock anymore. Please, just this time."

Abhedya was not happy but he respected her decision and left for the party venue. He knew he won't have fun without her. Every minute he spent without her seemed like 1000light years.
Arya and Aadya were loving the lost state of Abhedya.

Swarnima along with all the elders was busy making arrangements for the meeting of the council and welcoming the real HEIR TO THE THRONE.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dear Readers
The story is twirling 360degrees.
Stay hooked!
Lots of love