Viraj came home and saw the dinner table being set. He dropped his bag and hugged his mother from behind making her smile. She kissed his head and asked him to freshen up and come down for dinner.
He smiled and went to his room. His thoughts went to the past few years. Six months back they had lost Damini. Everyone was devastated. In just three years they lost both Karan and Damini.
But they were also relieved that she went after completing her life and died a peaceful death. Also six months back they received the news of Arohi's pregnancy. Arohi was Viraj's favourite sibling and he was the happiest when he got to know about it.
He smiled and went down.
They had their dinner and then settled down in the living room watching tv.
Viraj sat near her mother's legs and laid his head on her lap as she caressed his hair. He saw Adi who was slumped against Khushi's lap with Hridhaan in his arms.
Hridhaan was Adi's son and he was such a cutie patotie. Viraj saw how he laughed whenever his father did and looked at him when Adi made any kind of movement or noise.
Hridhaan was constantly shifting laps. From his father to his mother.
Viraj Singhania. The elder child of Rashi and Vaibhav Singhania. He had taken over the post of CEO in their own company almost two years back.
He has always been a simple and sweet child. He also had a naughty side which only his close ones knew of.
"Packing ho gayi tum sab ki?"
(Have you all packed?)
Bhavna asked everyone. They were going to Udaipur.
Everyone replied in positive.
Viraj was invited to a wedding of one of his friends. He had invited his whole family since they were best friends.
His friend had stayed at his place when they were studying in college.
His friend from college, Samrat Sharma was getting married. He was the prince of Udaipur.
Viraj chuckled as he thought about it. He had laughed the first time Samrat had told him that he was a prince of Udaipur.
He was shocked and surprised when he has shown him his house. It was a freaking Castle. A real one.
Just then his phone rang and he chuckled.
"Sau saal jiyega tu. Just abhi i was thinking about you. Call karne hi wala tha. Aa rhe hai hum kal."
(You will live a hundred years. Just right now i was thinking of you. I was about to call. We are coming tomorrow.)
"Great! Yahi puchhne ke liye call kia tha. Will see you tomorrow."
(I called to ask this only.)
Viraj disconnected the call and did the last minute packing.
He slumped on the bed and sighed.
It was not the first time he would be going to Udaipur. They had went there when they were kids but this time he had a strange feeling.
He didn't know what but he was just feeling a little giddy about going there.
As if God was signalling something. As if something was about to happen. As if someone was about to happen.
He shook the thought off and slipped into slumber.
The next day they boarded the flight to Udaipur. They reached there in an hour and were received by Samrat himself.
Viraj gave him a manly hug and congratulated him for his marriage.
He took everyone's blessings and they started off to his Mahal.
Viraj was in an awe looking at it. He had never seen a king and a castle in real life.
They met his family and Viraj greeted his parents.
They were given their rooms. Viraj kept his luggage and freshened up.
He went down where everyone was gathered. They were sitting on the lunch table when he heard the sound of payal coming from the entry gate.
And he saw her for the first time.
She was the most pure and innocent girl he had ever seen. The innocence on her face could be clearly seen as she ran behind a cute little puppy giggling.
She took the puppy in her arms and giggled cuddling it to her. Viraj kept looking at her with a soft smile and dreamy eyes.
*Ye toh already flat ho gaya
"Anika!"
Samrat's father called making her go stiff as she saw everyone. She left the puppy who ran inside while she stood there with her head bowed.
"Idhar aao."
(Come here.)
He called softly and she came near him with slow and soft steps with her payal making sound with each step.
Pratap Sharma got up and patted her head making her smile.
"Yeh hamari bitto rani hai. Hamari pyaari si jaan. Anika!"
(She is my daughter. My life.)
She smiled at everyone as her father introduced her. Viraj looked at Samrat surprised.
He had never mentioned anything about having a sister ever.
He let go of it and they had their lunch together. After lunch the elders started talking to each other while the youngsters formed another group.
"Tune kabhi bataya nhi that you have a sister."
(You never told that you have a sister too.)
Viraj asked Samrat when they were out of everyone's ears. Samrat sighed and said.
"Arre yaar! Hum kabhi kisi ko nhi batate gudiya ke baare mai. Papa ke Raja hone ke wajah se bhut log dushman bane baithe hai. Ek baar gudiya ki jaan already khatre mai pad chuki hai."
(We never tell anyone about princess. Papa being a king have many enemies. Once she had already been in danger.)
Viraj was still confused.
"Yaha par kisi ko bhi nhi pata ki Maharaj ki koi beti bhi hai."
(No one here knows that king has a daughter too.)
Viraj made an 'O' face as he understood.
They sat with everyone and talked and had fun together.
Viraj noticed how she laughed genuinely and carefreely at something she found funny and how she scrunched her nose in confusion when someone made some joke she didn't understand.
He smiled and shook his head.
'She is so innocent.'
Soon everyone retired to their rooms. The next day the wedding rituals and functions were going to start.
Viraj twisted and turned on his bed but couldn't sleep. Just as he closed his eyes he saw her.
Groaning he got up and started walking towards the terrace. He was leaning on the railing enjoying the cool breeze when he heard the door open. ************************************** How was the start??
The next chapter would be a slight brief about our Anika.
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