Hello, [Eng] readers!
Sorry for the delay.
Actually the next chapters are so so so so lengthy that it's gonna take quite a while to translate them.
And I am going on a 10 days vacation.
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Now without any more delay, let's get to the chapter.....

~*~

Tia and Yohan, along with some other students, were coming out of their classroom. Tia stopped back to answer her buzzing phone. She unzipped her handbag and checked her phone. There were two missed calls from Jai.

"Jai?"

She wondered why he had to call her because they were definitely not on good terms with each other. Her chain of thoughts was interrupted with another call from Jai. This time she answered immediately.

"Hello?"

"Khamma-ghani, Rani-sa. How are you?" Jai greeted her in Rajasthani greeting from the other end of the call.

"Saath-Shri-Aakaal, Rana-ji," she greeted him back in Punjabi greeting. "I am fine. But what happened to you today? What made you remember me?" Tia replied harshly.

He chuckled sensing that beating around the bush won't work with her. So he came directly to the point, "I need your help."

"Hmm. Help? That too mine! What's the matter?" She was curious now.

"I will tell you. But is Gayatri anywhere around you?"

"No. You can say."

Tia smiled slyly after hearing Jai's reason of calling her.

~*~

It's the birthday of the Princess of Jaipur, it was Gayatri's 22nd birthday. The whole palace was decked up and lightened up with everything of Gayatri's choice. The palace was crowded with guests and only chattering sound of them could be heard.

Amidst all the hustle and bustle, Gayatri stood with her bhabis somewhere in the main hall in complete silence, occasionally unlocking her phone to check something. Only she stood in complete silence but her bhabis were talking non-stop.

"What's the matter? Our Gayu, who could talk all day non-stop, is standing quietly on her own birthday... Didn't you like the cake?" Priya enquired, taking a break from her chat with Tia.

"No, Priya bhabi, it's not like that. It's just like that...." Looking up from her phone, she smiled a little.

"Just like that? Something must have happened, otherwise you never stay so quiet. Say it, what's the matter?" Tia lifted her chin to see her face and sadness was clearly visible in her eyes.

"Hmm. One minute," Priya scanned around the hall with her eyes, before continuing. "Tia, didn't Jai come?"

"Ow! Now I got it... You are upset because Jai didn't come?" Tia asked.

Gayatri nodded and frowned.

"Aww, it's alright. He must be busy. He wouldn't miss your birthday for no reason," Priya gave her a side hug and tried to cheer her up.

"The problem isn't in his not coming, it has happened before as well. But time he neither called nor messaged!" Gayatri mumbled under her breath.

"What! He didn't even message?" Priya was stunned at this new information.

"I will be back within a minute," Tia disappeared in the crowd in a hurry.

"Gayu, I am telling you, do not forgive Jai so easily. This is so not done! He couldn't come, couldn't even call but how couldn't he even send a message? Very bad," even Priya frowned.

"Bhabi, to be honest... I don't even feel like staying in this party. Can I, please, go to my room?"

Before Priya could reply, all the lights went off and a spotlight fell over the stairs.

Ban Ja Tu Meri Rani, Tainu Mahal Dawa Dunga
[Become my queen, and I will make a palace for You]
Ban Meri Mehbooba, Main Tainu Taj Pawa Dunga
[Become my lover, and I will get the Taj Mahal for You]

Sun Meri Rani Rani, Ban Meri Rani Rani
[Listen O my queen! Please become my queen!]
Shahjahaan Main Tera, Tainu Mumtaj Bana Dunga
[I am Your Shah Jahan, I will make You my Mumtaz]

A voice sang but the source of the voice was nowhere to be seen. Everyone's gaze was stuck on the place where the spotlight fell, eagerly waiting to see the source of the voice.

Ban Ja Tu Meri Rani, Tainu Mahal Dawa Dunga
[Become my queen, and I will make a palace for You]

The spotlight went off, leaving everyone in complete darkness, but soon it was back but this time on Gayatri. Everyone turned to her but she was standing clueless as well.

Sun Meri Rani Rani, Ban Meri Rani Rani
[Listen O my queen! Please become my queen!]

Someone tapped on her shoulder but when she spun around there was no one. Again someone tapped on her other shoulder and she caught the hand before it could disappear again. She pulled the hand in the spotlight and there was Jai smiling at her.

"Happy birthday, Rajkumari-ji," he wished before continuing.

Haan Kar De Tu Mainu, Main Duniya Nu Hila Dunga
[If You say yes to me then I will shake the whole world]
Ban Ja Tu Meri Rani, Tainu Mahal Dawa Dunga
[Become my queen, and I will make a palace for You]

He lifted her chin with his other free hand and twirled her. But soon she jerked his hand off and walked away at a distance angrily.

Ishq Bulava Mainu, Tere Naam Da Aaya Ni
[The call of love of Your name came to me]
Tere Piche Duniyadaari, Chad Main Aaya Ni
[I've left all the worldly affairs aside for You]

All the lights were back on and he ran behind her.

Sun Meri Rani Rani, Ban Meri Rani Rani
[Listen O my queen! Please become my queen!]
Mildi Haaye Jaagir, Te Tera Main Naam Likhwa Dunga
[If I get an estate/holding, I will write Your name on it
(I will give You everything that I possess)]

Ban Ja Tu Meri Rani, Tainu Mahal Dawa Dunga
[Become my queen, and I will make a palace for You]

Akhiyaan Nu Rehn De, Akhiyaan De Kol Kol
[Let the(Your) eyes remain near the(my) eyes]
Aaja Ni Aaja Soni, Aaja Mere Dil De Kol
[Come near my heart, O beautiful one!]

He caught her wrist and danced with her even though she was lightly struggling in his arms due to anger.

Sun Meri Rani Rani, Ban Meri Rani Rani
[Listen O my queen! Please become my queen!]
Shahjahaan Main Tera, Tainu Mumtaj Bana Dunga
[I am Your Shah Jahan, I will make You my Mumtaz]
Ban Ja Tu Meri Rani, Tainu Mahal Dawa Dunga
[Become my queen, and I will make a palace for You]

He finally let her go but she stopped on her own when he knelt down in front of her.

"Gayatri Goenka, will you, like a kind-hearted Princess that you are, gift something to this insignificant subject of yours, on your birthday?"

She stayed silent, maybe in shock or maybe deliberately. Without blinking, she stared down at him.

"Will you add soul to my empty life and empty palace? Will you marry me?"

Her expression stayed the same for a while. But soon her hands reached her mouth and covered it as tears threatened to trickle down her eyes.

Tia's clutched Arjun's arm in excitement when Jai proposed. Arjun cocked his head towards his right and noticed her eyes, which reflected nothing but love and excitement, stuck in front of them watching te dynamic proposal of Jai.

"I don't understand how can women become emotional about every other thing," Arjun teased in a low voice, careful not to get gain everyone else's attention.

She chuckled and looked up at him, "These are the tears of happiness, Raja-sa, which you will never understand. My si..." she paused for a fraction of second before continuing. "What else can be better than seeing my sister like sister-in-law getting her dream proposal? Now stop talking or else we will miss Gayatri's answer!"

She quickly changed her gaze so that she doesn't miss the proposal. He looked at their entwined arms and smiled.

There was no one present who wasn't witnessing what was happening at the center of the hall. Praneet and Priya, who were standing close to Arjun and Tia, were also one of them.

"Don't they look very cute together?" Praneet admired them.

Priya's head snapped to her left towards her husband and narrowed her eyes, "Yes, yes! Keep complimenting others only. Did you ever propose to me in such a romantic manner? Now I wonder what made me agree to marry you. I didn't even get one proposal before marriage. Huh!" She crossed her arms and continued fuming in anger.

Pranet was startled at her sudden outburst. He didn't know how to react. He just gaped at her till Tia, who was beside Priya, gestured something. She gestured towards Priya's slightly showing baby bump. He understood that she was trying to say that her outburst was nothing but her pregnancy mood swing. On understanding, he smiled foolishly before turning towards Gayatri and Jai.

Meanwhile, Jai was back on his feet seeing Gayatri on the verge of crying, "What is this? You started crying! Should I take this as a yes or no?" He pretended to be thinking, "Umm... Rajkumari-ji, please tell. I feel like that's a no."

"No..." Gayatri spoke up.

"What! No?" Jai clutched the side of his heart and pretended to have got a heart attack.

"No, duffer! Obviously, yes. Yes, yes, yes!"

She said it finally and everyone clapped and cheered as the new couple hugged.

A slight sniff made Arjun, Tia, Priya and Praneet turn back. There was Uday fighting back his tears with 6-months-old Tej on his lap.

"Baba-sa, you are crying as if Gayatri is leaving today," Praneet tried to joked.

"I can't believe that my little princess is of marriageable age now. How and when did my little doll grow up so much?"

"Baba-sa!" Gayatri ran to him and hugged him tightly.

"Seeing you two cry like this, I feel bad of separating a father from his daughter," Jai quipped.

Tia, who was lovingly watching the father-daughter duo, suddenly had a change of expression as she looked in Jai's direction.

"Yes, you should feel bad. You won't understand how important a father is for a daughter, who doesn't have anyone else other than him, Rana Jai," Tia asserted.

Jai also looked at her with twitched eyebrows, trying to find the reason of her sudden taunt. But, seeing her flash a smile as she took Tej from Uday's lap, he also got relaxed.

Kneeling down in front of the Uday, Jai said, "Baba-sa, I have been living all by myself for many years now. But I can't stay alone anymore. Will you give away your darling daughter to me? I promise, I won't give you any reasons to complain!"

"Beta, Gayatri has been yours since forever. We were just waiting for the right time," Uday assured.

Gayatri scanned through the crowd to find her friends and finally spotted them at a corner. They also was her looking at them and did some weird dance which made her laugh. She could lip read them saying "Band Baja Baraat" as they did their weird dance.

~*~

Jai had stayed over last night to discuss about the wedding. After breakfast, the whole family had gathered in the living area for the discussion.

Uday was sitting on his special seat, adorned with stones and gems, while Priya and Arjun took the sofa next to it. Praneet and Jai were on another sofa and Gayatri sat with Tia and Tej on another sofa opposite to the Uday.

"Baba-sa, as far as Gayatri's studies are concerned... She can easily transfer her credits to any university in Pathankot," Jai reasoned.

"Hmm. That's fine. We have to find the wedding date now," Uday said worrying.

"Baba-sa, Gayatri and Rani-sa's semester is in 2 months from now. We can find dates during that time. Gayatri can also do the needful for the transfer during that time. What do you think?" Arjun suggested.

"Yes, that's a very good suggestion. We should go ahead with this. What do you think about this, Jai?"

"What can I say, Baba-sa? I don't have any family. Whatever I have in the name of family is you all..." he tried to smile even though his eyes reflected grief.

Silence fell over everyone for a good few minutes until Tia spoke.

"Can I give a suggestion?" Tia broke the silence.

"Yes, surely, beta," Uday cheered.

"Why don't we organize all the wedding functions in Pathankoy?I know, all the functions are generally held at the bride's place. But there is no one in Rana-sahab's family. If we do the functions there, he will feel closer to his ancestors. And about us, wherever we will go, we will be together. So, for him... I think this will be the best."

"I like Rani-sa's suggestion. What fo you think, Baba-sa?" Arjun supported her idea.

"It's really a good suggestion. I don't have any problem. So, it's decided, the bride's side will take the palanquin to Pathankot!" Uday announced and everyone beamed with happiness, especially Jai.

"Thank you very much for thinking about me, Rani-sa," Jai thanked her.

"It's not about you, Rana-sahab. I took the decision for my sister-in-law," Tia remarked.

Noticing the tension between his daughter-in-law and to-be son-in-law, Uday thought something.

"Another thing! There should be equal number of people in both sides. There is only Tejaswini on Jai's side and we have so many people on this side. So why doesn't Tia be on his side? Jai had done Tia's kanyadaan, so this is her chance of doing something for Jai. What do you think, Tia beta?" Uday suggested.

Jai was about to say something but Tia instantly gave such an answer which he hadn't expected.

"I don't have any problem!" Tia replied almost instantly.

Jai raised an eyebrow at her. Actually everyone was surprised with her swift answer because the tiff between Tia and Jai wasn't unknown to anyone. But she had agreed which made Uday happy.

~

After everyone dispersed, Arjun stopped Gayatri.

"I didn't notice when my Gayu grew up so much... You will be getting married. I still can't believe it!" He said cupping her face with both hands.

"Bhai-sa, you are making me emotional. There is a lot of time before the wedding. I don't want to cry already!" she hugged him.

"Gayu, will you be able to handle the marriage and studies at once?" The concerned brother spoke.

"If Bhabi-sa can handle studies, a child and this huge family at once, then can't I handle only a husband and studies at a time? Yes, Bhabi-sa is an all-rounder but I am no less! After all, I am her sister-in-law," she giggled.

~

Arjun entered when Tia was putting Tej to sleep.

"Is he asleep?" He sat beside her.

"Yes."

"Didn't you knew beforehand that Jai was going to propose?" Arjun questioned.

"Yes. He had called a few days earlier. He told me about his plan at that time," Tia remembered the day.

"Did you see how happy Gayatri was? May they always stay happy like this..." She smiled looking at no particular direction, remembering the proposal.

"There is so many work to do! Planning... Shopping...." She counted the works with her fingers but soon her hand was held by him.

"How do you do all this?" He asked, staring at her with amazement.

"How do I do what?" She was confused.

"This... Thinking about everyone, managing Tej as well as your studies! How do you do all these at once?"

"By magic!" She chuckled before continuing, "So what was I saying... Shopping, planning and..." she was cut off again.

"And studies!" He put a hand over her mouth, "For the next two months, your focus will be on your exams only and nothing else!"

She tried to speak but he didn't remover his hand. He kept a finger on his lips and signaled her to keep quiet.

"No talking! There is still a lot of time for the wedding but the exams are not very far away. You couldn't give the last exams properly because of Tej. This time you have to bring an excelleny result."

She removed his hand from her mouth and said, "You are talking exactly like Professor Keshav. Bossy and dominating!"

"I don't know about all that. All I care about is your results. Now before I lock you in your room, you yourself go there and start studying."

"You are kicking me out of my own room!" She stood up in shock.

"Okay then... You stay in this room, I will go to your room with Tej," he stretched his arms to pick Tej.

"No, no, no. He just fell asleep. He might wake up if you carry him. I will go away instead," she sighed.

"That's like my good girl. Now go, go. Go quickly," he encouraged as she walked out of the door.

He picked up the intercom and called somewhere, "Send coffee, biscuits and water in Rani-sa's room."

He hung up and changed clothes before going to sleep.

~*~

Tejaswini and Tia are going to be under one roof!

What will happen?
Will they burn the place down to ashes?
Will the cat-fight of the two beauties over the handsome Arjun intensify?

~*~

~Published on 17th June'19~

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Reads: 68091 || Votes: 4451

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