Samyukta's POV

Damn I only have three weeks and so many things have to be done. Today, I'm going to visit many markets in Jaipur to place orders and buy jewelries, clothing and gifts for the guests.

Suyash, Abhishree's niece is joining me today. He is an NEET aspirant and currently he is feeling a bit down. He needs some talk therapy and a break. So, I asked him to tag along with me today. By this, he would be able to be a little away from his books and walking around the markets for half a day, seeing many people, and having some fun will help him release his stress.

At 9 o' clock in the morning, I reached the Rathore's mansion. When I went inside I saw Bhaiyaa's friends and Bhaiyaa present there.

"You're here?" Bhaiyaa asked.

"I came to take Suyash with me." I replied.

"Oh!"

His friends smiled at me and I greeted them good morning and sat on the couch. Nandini ma asked me to join for breakfast along with the others. I denied said I already had still she asked me to sit and have some dessert she made. I agreed since I knew she would anyhow make me eat. She's my second mother. She's always worried about how less I eat and how weak I've become since I joined medicine. 

Abhimanyu was also present on the dining table siting in front of me. He didn't greet me or say anything.

Does he hate me? Is it  because I hangout with Shree all the time or visit his house often?

I don't know why I get a little nervous around him. Things get awkward. I keep stealing glances at him.

Maybe because he looks like a Greek god?

I chose to talk with Khushi and Suyash to engage myself with something else other than his thoughts.

Nandini ma served me some gajar ka halwa. While talking, she mentioned its her son's favourite.

Whatever! Why should I care. I chose to eat the delicious bowl of gajar ka halwa and continue talking to everyone on the table except him.

Suddenly, I saw Abhishree walk form the entrance and collapse on the couch. She looked so tired. Her eyes are red with sleep, hair tied in a messy bun. She had a rough ER day.

After having breakfast, I joined her in the couch while Suyash was getting ready. 

"How's your call?" I asked.

"Terrible." Shree replied.

"As expected..." I sighed.

"You know, what our HOD said to me?"

"What?"

"Won't you do your marriage shopping?"

"What did you say?"

"I said I don't have time. He then said me to take a leave."

"As if he would provide one!" I snapped."

"Exactly! That's why, I said that I need to enjoy my wedding so I'm collecting leaves for that time." Shree explained.

"Hmm..."

Bhai's friends were listening to our conversations.

"Why don't you get your brother involved? You'll get leaves easily." Rishabh asked.

"Aghh!!! I don't want to be treated like that. I'm here to learn. I'm studying in the med-school owned by my family. This fact is enough for me to be bad-mouthed. I don't want any more discussions about me. Also, my brother, being a 'man of principles,' would never do that," Shree ranted.

"Hmm...you're cool." Rishabh said.

Shree laughed lightly.

She's right. Being part of a royal family isn't all glamour; it comes with its share of challenges. I, too, face criticism for my royal status, even though most people wouldn't say it to our faces. Despite having the option to take an easier route, both of us went through proper exams and procedures to secure our admissions in this med- school inspite of it belonging to the Rathore's . Our families value fairness, and we couldn't compromise on that. However, explaining our choices to everyone isn't practical, nor is it necessary. So, we've learned to let the criticism slide and focus on ourselves.

Suyash joined us after getting ready. As we were leaving, I informed them that Suyash and I would be grabbing lunch outside. Khushi came running to us. 

"Maasi! Ek cheez laa dengi mujhe aap, please?" She asked.

"Bata kya?"

"Ek blue colour ka jhumka. Please laa do." She whispered.

"Ekdam mat lana Samyukta! Kitni saari hai uske paas. Or mat lana." Pallavi chachi sa yelled from the kitchen.

"Thik hai." I yelled back to her while winking at Khushi. She understood and happily left.

We left for the market. 

We started with buying stone jewelry and bangles. Then we moved on to buy some handicrafts. Meanwhile, we enjoyed various street foods like pyaaz kachori, shrikhand, ghewar, gol gappe, papri chaat, lassi and more.

Then at one o' clock in the afternoon we headed to a famous dhaba for lunch. We enjoyed Ker Sangri, laal maas, dal baati churma and many more delicacies. In the evening we had jalebi and labdi. 

When the sun was setting, I drove to a quite, hilly place where the crowd was minimal. The sun was drowning below the horizon leaving a burnt orange, soft pink, and dusky purple sky. I played a soft Tibetan flute music and asked Suyash to meditate. We both meditated together. 

After about fifteen minutes, Suyash asked, "What do you think I'll do in the future?"

"I think you'll get through tough times and learn to handle stress better in the future. I see a strong Suyash who doesn't give up, no matter how bad the day goes. Future Suyash will tackle problems and feel good about the effort he puts in before reaching his goals. He'll be proud of his hard work and appreciate himself."

He smiled at me and said, "Hope your words come true."

"They'll. I'm sure." I replied. "Everyone has a dark phase in their life or maybe many dark phases in life. Give is never an option. You should try to comes out of it and believe me, you can."

"Thank you for taking me out. I feel better."

"I'm always there for you, Suyash."

I explained to him how doing daily exercise can help with stress, and he agreed to start daily cardio workouts at the mansion's gym. Later, we went to Rathore's mansion, and Nandini ma insisted I join for dinner. After some convincing, I called my mom to let her know, and she just laughed, saying she knew Nandini ma would get me to join.

We had palang paneer and tandoori roti for dinner along with moong dal ka halwa for dessert. 

Bhai's friends were also in the mansion due to their long going meeting and they too joined us for dinner. Abhishree also joined us. We talked and laughed at the table along with everyone. I gave Khushi her blue jhumkas. She liked it. 

Abhimanyu's POV

Today, Samyukta came to our place to take Suyash with her for Shree's wedding shopping. These days, Suyash is feeling a bit down. He seems tired from his pre-medical entrance preparation. Shree was on a twenty-four-hour duty, busy with wedding preparations, so she informed Samyukta to talk to Suyash. Yesterday, I overheard him saying that Samyukta asked him to join her for wedding gift shopping, and Pallavi chachi ma agreed since she also believed he needed a break.

She arrived at nine o'clock. My friends, including her brother, were in the living room for a discussion related to work concerning the mafia

Shree also came home during breakfast, looking exhausted. She went to sleep after a brief work conversation with Samyukta. I feel sad seeing her work so hard, but I understand the necessity for her to become an expert in her field. She shouldn't be treated specially; it's essential for her to learn like any other normal doctor. I'm glad both the girls share this opinion, and I'm happy about their upbringing. They will surely make our families proud.

Samyukta conversed with my friends while I listened. She is so beautiful—her kohl-rimmed big eyes, pink lips, and jhumkas enhance her beauty. She wore a blue kurti and cream palazzo, and even in simplicity, she looked gorgeous.

I called the boys for a meeting to avoid getting drowned into her beauty. We left for my office, located in the extended part of the hall.

We started discussing the new drug launched and its market values. Then we moved on to the Manighar village case, deciding to build a school in collaboration with the Rajasthan Women's Association (RWC) headed by Shankuntala dadi sa.

By lunch, we finished working on some topics and decided to continue after lunch.

In the evening, Suyash and Samyukta came back. Suyash seemed happy. Until yesterday, he kept to himself, but today he's talking so much. He seems to have spent a good time with Samyukta. I'm surprised at how good she is—a perfect person who knows how to take care of everyone.

Maybe she can make a perfect bahu.

Aghh!!! I brushed off these thoughts.

Maa requested her to join for dinner. After denying several times, she gave in and joined us.

At the table, while Pallavi bhabhi ma was in the kitchen fetching dishes, she gave Khushi her jhumkas. Khushi clapped with happiness and thanked her.

"Your choices are out of the world, maasi!" Khushi said.

"Oww...thank you." She replied.

"How is she your maasi?" Amrit inquired.

"She is Abhi bua's best friend, so I call her maasi," she explained.

We laughed at her logic and innocence.

After dinner, Samyukta and Samrat left a long with our other friends.

Right now, I am standing in my balcony puffing on a cigar and reflecting on what my life has become. 

Since my early years, my father has been the guiding force in my life. He's been a stern figure, consistently wearing an emotionless façade to prepare me for life's challenges. Though I recognize that behind that stoic expression lies his deep love and care, I had to toughen up, leaving him no choice but to be equally firm with himself and me.

 I underwent rigorous training since I was ten along with Samrat and others in Mussoorie.  I found a close companion in Samrat, likely because we shared similar circumstances and could relate to each other. On the contrary, my mother has always showered me with warmth and affection. Still now, she treats me like a five years old child. I've always wanted to pursue a singing career, but I understand that the family business requires my attention, and the well-being of the women and children depends on my involvement. Upon learning about how our mafia works to curb injustices against Rajasthani women and children, my resolve to join and extend its assistance to the entire nation grew stronger.

My mother is aware of my passion for singing, and even now, she occasionally comes to me, handing over my guitar, and requests me to sing for her. She knows it brings me joy, so whenever she senses my stress, she does this. While she claims to want to hear my melodious voice, I understand it's her way of helping me relax. I sing only for her, and no one else, including Shree, my father, or anyone else, is aware of my singing skills.

As these thoughts raced through my mind, there was a knock on my room door. Upon finding it unlocked, she entered, catching me off guard. In a rush, I extinguished the cigar, scrubbed it under my slippers, and sprayed home fragrance to conceal my smoking habit from her.

"Soya nhi abhi tak, beta?" Maa asked.

"Nhi maa." I replied.

"Gaana gayega mere liye?"

"Aaj nhi maa. Mai kuch der baad so jaunga."

"Acha thik hai. Abhi, tujhse ek baat karni thi mujhe."

"Kya baat hai maa?"

"Important hai. Agar abhi tu busy hai to mai or kabhi karungi."

"Nhi maa mai busy nhi hoon. Aap batao kya baat karni hai aapko?"

"Acha...Tujhe Samyukta kaisi lagti hai?"

Really! Maa! Did you read my mind?

"Thik hi hai lekin kyu?" I knew where this conversation is going but pretended to not understand.

"Mai use apna bahu banana chahti hoon...agar tujhe koi aitraaz na ho to..."

"Maa, aapko [ata hai na kaisi tanav hai mere zindagi mai? Phir mai kisi or ko kyu is zindagi me kheech kar lau?"

"Beta, ye tanav tumhare pitaji or dada sa ne bhi jhela hai. Kya unhone vivaah nhi kiya ya parivaar nhi banaya?"

"Aap samajh nhi rhi maa..." I said as I wrapped my arms around her from behind.

"Kya samajh nhi rhi ma? Samrat bhi to shaadi kar rha hai. Vidyut ka shaadi hoke do saal ho gya hai." She argued.

I kept quite for a while and then asked, "Kya aapne unse baat ki hai?"

"Kisse? Samyukta se?"

"Hmm..."

"Nhi. Mujhe tujhse pehle baar karni thi. Lekin tu kahe to baat karloon mai?"

"Aap baat karna chahti ho?"

"Dekho Abhi. Mai to bahut kuch chahti hoon lekin tere khushiyon ke badle kuch nhi. Tu time leke soch. Mai tujhse iss baare me phirse baat karungi. Tabhi mujhe soch kar batana"

"Aapko kya lagta hai? Mujhe kya karna chahiye?"

"Abhi, Samyukta bahut achi ladki hai. Wo tera khayal rakh payegi. Chauhan saab k parivaar ki beti hain. Wo tumahara kaam- dhadha samjhegi. Samrat bhi to juda haina. Wo bahut hi sushil or sanskari hai. Abhishree k tarah wo ghar me khushiyaan laati hai. Or haan, tere ye boring life me roshni layegi." She explained and joked at the end.

"Maa...mera life boring nhi hai..." I whined.

"Mujhe sab pata hai. Kitna bhi apne doston ke saathe ghum phir le lekin wohi suna- suna sa rehta hia. Tujhe kya lagta hai mujhe kuch nhi pata?"

"Waah aap to bahut kuch janti hain?"

"Kyu na janu? Maa hoon teri!"

"Hmm  hmm. Lekin maa, aap Shree k shaadi ke waqt mere shaadi ka kyu soch rhi hain? Aako humara shaadi karwake hi shanti milegi na?"

"Nhi nhi...tab bhi nhi! Pota- poti se khelkar ekdam shaanti milegi mujhe, haan."

"Bahut door ka sochi ho haan aap?"

"Haan haan, tum log apne baare me sochte nhi ho to saara kam mujhe hi karni padhti hai."

I chuckled at her statement.

"So jaa, haan. Bahut der ho gyi hai."

"Haan, maa ."

While leaving she yelled, "Sochna maine jis baare me baat ki hai!"

"Thik hai." I replied.

Why god, why? Puri kainaat mya mujhe uske mohabbat me dubone kar thaan lee hai? 

Mohabbat, hain?!?!

I mentally slapped at my conscience and went to sleep, thinking about what maa said. Should I give myself a chance?

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