Ve maahi mera kitthe nahiyo dil lagna,

Jithe vi tu chalna ae maahi

Main tere pichhe pichhe chalna...

Tu jee sakdi nahi,

Main jee sakda nahi,

Koi doosri main shartan vi rakhda nahi...

○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●

Author’s POV

“Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!... Happy birthday, my dear baby girl. Happy birthday to you.” Aaranya sang while beside her, Aaliya cut the cake.

It was midnight and a minute past twelve.

Aaliya smiled, clearly enjoying the surprise she got just by the very start of her birthday.

“Thankkk you Aaru, thank you jijuuu!” She exclaimed while hugging Aaranya. Yuvraj stood beside Aarnaya, smiling softly.

“Accha mera gift?” She asked, while Aaranya just shrugged, “Kya gift?”

(My gift?) (What gift?)

“Areyyy”

Aarnaya giggled, turning towards Yuvraj as he handed her a photo frame.

Aaliya looked excited after seeing the wrapping and opened it quickly. The paper frills revealed a beautiful photo frame nestled in it. It had their picture together, their last picture from the orphanage before Aaliya got adopted by a kind lady.

They had hugged each other tightly. The picture didn’t show the luxury they had now, but it held the innocence and a reality that built them.

Tears welled up in Aaliya’s eyes, “Aaru yeh toh…” She spoke in a low whisper, unable to form any words.

(Aaru, this is…..)

Aarnaya nodded, understanding, “Haan yeh orphanage ki last picture hai… You were getting adopted that day, and we requested a picture. We cried so much that day, thinking that our friendship would be over now.” She said, tears shining in her own eyes, too, now. “But it didn’t, your mom was really kind to bring you to visit me every week before I turned eighteen and finally got out of there.”

(Yes, this is the last picture of the orphanage……)

Aaliya smiled, hugging Aaranya tighter “I can't believe time flew so quickly… and I wish I could call mom, but she is out for the treatment camp.” She said with the smile intact.

Aaranya broke the hug after a few minutes and sniffled softly, trying to control the tears before looking at Aaliya again “Accha, we have another surprise for you.”

(Okay……)

Aaliya looked excited as she asked about it, excitedly to Aaranya, to which she took Aaliya’s hand and led her to the next room in her apartment.

Aaliya looked confused but trusted Aaranya.

She lightly nudged Aaliya into the room before leaving her alone there.

The room was dark, and she called out to Aaranya, but when she got no reply, she just fumbled on the switches until she found the right one.

As the light turned on, she looked around the room in confusion until her gaze fell on the corner decorated with roses and candles, while in the centre, Yudhveer was sitting shirtless, tied in pink ribbons.

Aaliya gasped as confusion overwhelmingly gripped her “Aap… Yudhveer… meeting… yaha…” She said brokenly as she was still looking at him like he was the world’s most fascinating mystery yet, but just then her eyes glinted with realisation.

And her mind went back to that phone call days ago, where he had asked her about what birthday gift she wanted.

“Sach mai thodi kaha tha maine Sarkar.” She said, now a light blush blooming on her cheeks.

(I didn’t mean that for real.)

Yudhveer laughed heartily, “Aww sach nahi tha kya? Toh fir mai jau?” He teased her while Aaliya went near him in small steps

(Aww, it wasn’t real? Should I go back then?)

“Nahi mile hue gift ko ese thodi jane dungi Sarkar.” She replied to his tease and started to open the ribbons over him with her hand lingering extra on his well-built chest.

(Nah, I can't let go of my gift just like this.)

“A..aliya” His breath got caught as he felt the touches before recovering

“Kya hua?” She asked calmly, standing after untying all the ribbons like she just hadn’t undid all my laces of control just a second ago.

(What happened?)

“Kuch nahi… mai bas…” He fumbled, to which Aaliya giggled, “aww mere Sarkar toh sharma gaye.”

(Nothing… I just…) (Aww, my man got shy.)

He looked at her with a deadpan look, “Mai nahi sharmaya”

(I didn’t get shy.)

“Ji haan aap sharmaye.” She said, still laughing, while Yudhveer sighed before pulling Aaliya swiftly over his lap, making her gasp in shock, “Ahh kya huaaa?”

(Yes, you did get shy)(Ahh, what happened?)

“Kuch nahi mujhe laga aap khadi khadi thak gayi hogi na”, He said while shrugging, and her blush deepened
(Nothing, I just thought you must be tired standing.)

“Aap besharam ho gye hai”, She said while trying to get up, but he just pulled her back and closer flush to his bare chest “, Srif aapke liye mohtarma”

(You have gotten so shameless.) (Only for you my lady)

She hid her face with her palm as she left his abs over her side, “Aap bhi na…”

(You…)

 •°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Yuvraj’s POV

Aaranya came back to the place where I was standing after sending Aaliya to the other room.

I escorted her towards the car while she was still quiet and emotional.

“Kya hua Anya?” I asked while gently pulling her into a hug near the parking she looked up at me with eyes glistening with tears “Just got some flashbacks.”

(What happened, Anya?)

“Accha, it's okay, baby.” I tried to calm her down as I made her sit in the passenger seat while going around towards my driving seat.

(Okay……)

“Aapko pata hai, when we had to do chores in the orphanage, and I was really sick one day, but there was no leniency in that place. They said I still had to do my part. Seeing my condition, Aaliya covered for me and did my part too. That’s how we became friends. It was a really small act, but for me that was the only kindness I remembered after losing my memories.” She said, finally, a small smile blooming on her lips as her mind went back to those days.

(You know…………)

But my eyes only had rage “How could the orphanage workers do that to you!” I exclaimed in frustration while she just looked back calmly, “They could. They had such a policy. Aur shayad isiliye Priyal ne woh wala specific orphanage select kiya tha.” She said

“Such disgusting people” I said, not wanting to push more by saying anything else and delve her into the emotions.

Soon, I stopped near an ice cream cart and got two cones for us. And someone said it right, or I would say Anya said it right. Seeing the food, all her sadness faded like it never even existed.

“Ehh Thankk youuu!!!” She exclaimed while taking her cone, chocolate and walnuts, while I ate mine Vanilla with small chocolate pieces.

“Kitne boring ho aap yuvraj kitne boring ho aap, yaha bhi Vanilla.” She said while eating her ice cream and not focusing on her wording.

(How boring a person you are, Yuvraj, here also Vanilla.)

A smirk formed on my lips as the word registered, “Yaha bhi?” I asked teasingly, and she bit her tongue, which looked cute though as the realisation sank in.

(Here also?)

“What happened, Jaana? Cat caught your tongue?” I said in a soft, teasing, velvet voice, hovering near her ears, and enough for her to feel my breath lingering.

“De..dekhiye mera who matlab nahi tha.” She said, while still unable to form proper words due to the effect I had on her.

(S…see I didn’t mean that.)

“Accha toh aapka kya matlab tha hukum rani sa?” I asked while nudging her shoulder, while still focusing on the wheel.

(Ohh then what did you mean, my highness?)

“Hatiye aap, chup chap gadi chalaiye.” She said and turned her face away while furiously scrolling through her phone.

(Get aside and drive quietly.)

I tried to bite back my laughter and amusement, but couldn’t. “Bahot hasi aa rahi hai na aapko?” She said, her voice small, but it felt like the gravest danger.

(You want to laugh so bad, right?)

I shook my head, not trying to risk my chances.

“Nahi baby, dekho ab kya faltu ki baate karna, lo ham pahonch gaye,” I said while quickly parking my car near the palace gates and getting out of it swiftly to open the door for her.

(No baby, why talk more about all this nonsense, see we have reached.)

Despite her irritation, she placed her hand over mine, and I pulled her closer by her waist as we walked towards the palace.

“Maa sa.” She called out while walking towards the puja area where maa sa, kaki sa and dadi sa were all busy in morning puja.

We both also stood in a corner, joining our hands to seek blessings before we went out of the room.

“Yuvraj!” Baba sa called out, sounding almost furious. I turned around, completely clueless about what had led to this fury.

“Yeh sab kya hai?” He said while handing me some papers.

(What is all this?)

 •°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Author’s POV

Yuvraj took the papers from his father, on which some criminals were bailed due to his signature on those letters.

He read through the laws that were to lead impacts the Udaipur city. His eyes widened as he had never expected this.

This wasn’t ever supposed to take place. All he wanted was just good and the best for this place.

He sighed and reassuringly tapped Aaranya’s palm and gave her a gentle look that said Don’t worry.’

He turned back to his father and handed him the papers back. “I haven’t signed these. In fact, I haven’t even signed any papers in a week, neither related to the city nor related to my business.”

“Chup. Signs hai tere is par, uske baad kaise karu tujh par trust. Mantri ji khud keh rahe hai, woh jhoot toh bolenge nahi.” He was accused of breaking Yuvraj’s heart further.

(Shut up! It has your signatures, and how could I trust you after that? The minister himself told me this, and he won't lie.)

Yuvraj, who had never been held at his father’s furious side, was shocked, heartbroken.

"Mantri ji jhoot nahi bol sakte yeh bharosa hai aapko, par itna bharosa nahi hai ki aapka beta kabhi aapse jhoot nahi bolega." He said in a low voice, his trust shattered as he heard his father, his idol, take someone else's side while not even listening to his words.

When his father didn't reply to the query of his heart, he had no other choice or defence, he just nodded and walked towards the staircase in quick strides.

Aaranya and Priyanka, along with Ranvijay’s brother and mother, also walked towards him.

Aaranya quietly said in a almost pleading tone, nothing like the cheerful person she had been just minutes ago. Her eyes had tears almost brimming in the corners “Baba sa... aap bhi jaante hai Raj esa kabhi nahi kar sakte", She said while sucking in a breath and trying to hold herself “Aap mere Raj ke khayalo ko bhi bahut acche se jante hai... ” She finished, and without seeking for any other reply, she quickly rushed upstairs where Yuvraj had gone.

(Father, you know Yuvraj wouldn’t do anything like this.)(And you are familiar with my Raj’s thoughts also.)

As she left, Priyanka turned towards her husband in a silent fury, “Kya harkat hai yeh, apne bete, apne khoon se zyada bharosa aap ek mantri par kar rahe hai. Aapki himmat kaise hui mere bete par ilzaam lagane ki.” She said and angrily walked away.

(What was this? You are not trusting your son, your own blood, for some minister. How did you dare accuse him.)

The rest of the people tried to convince Ranvijay, while inside the royal chambers of the king and queen, Aaranya entered.

The door to the room was already opened so she slid inside and closed the door behind her.

Yuvraj was sitting quietly on the bed… unusually quiet. He looked broken.

“Raj…” She called out softly, trying to turn his thoughts towards her.

“Pura bharosa hai hame aap par, please chaliye kuch kha lijiye.” She said, expressing her obvious concern and love for him.

(I trust you to the fullest. Please eat something.)

He shook his head, “Nahi Anya, tum kha lo… mai aata hu bahar se thodi chaan bin kar ke.” He said while getting up and taking his jacket, and car keys.

(No, Anya, you eat… I’ll come after searching a bit outside.)

Aaranya tried to question him, but he wasn’t in the state to answer, so he left.

Meanwhile in the meantime, she turned her thoughts professional and used her own sources, trying to find out about the main causes and culprits who had led to this.

[A/n: After all, my baby is a journalist!!]

She had involved Aaliya and Tanvi also, and soon they came across the backgrounds of the criminals.

They were part of the same family. Brothers. And had a very good reputation background.

You might have guessed it right… They were the minister’s sons.

After seeing the information, she quickly dialled to call Yuvraj, but her call went unanswered, so she texted him instead. In a few minutes, he replied.

Her

Yuvraj??

Him

Haa anya?

Her

Suniye, ek khabar hai.

(Listen, I have some news.)

Him

Kya?

(What?)

Her

Mantri ji ke ghar par hai aap abhi?

(Are you at the minister’s house?)

Him

Haa tumhe kaise pata?

(Yes how do you know?)

Her

Kyuki ek dam sahi jagah par hai aap?

(Because you are at the right place.)

Him

Matlab?

(What do you mean?)

Her

Unke bete hi woh criminals hai jinki bails par aapke signatures the.

(His sons are the criminals whose bail you signed.)

Him

Kyaaa?

(Whattt?)

Her

Haan. Dhyan se kariyega jo karna hai, aur mujhe call karna jab free ho jao.

(Yes, be safe about what you do and call me when you are free.)

Him

Bilkul jaana… love you

(Of course, love… love you.)

Her

Ham bhi, love you.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Yuvraj’s POV

So now it's all set, my way of thinking is on its path, all thanks to my intelligent love. She just solved it in minutes, like a true journalist she already is.

Devii hai merii wifeyy yaarrrr!!!

Ahaa I just love her way tooo muchh!!!

Anyways, as my thinking turned back towards her word, fury ignites in my veins.

How could the very person betray us when he was loyal or had shown himself to be for years?

I signalled my guards to come forward and instructed the head guard to take both of his sons and the minister into custody and keep them locked in the basement.

After a moment, I sat in my own car, relieved, and drove towards my basement.

As I entered the dark place, which kind of doesn’t give me creeps but vibes of justice, and today the justice would be served by me for me.

“So are you guys going to confess in one go? Or should I?...” I said in a threatening voice while taking out my gun from my pocket and moving it across the minister’s hand in a loose trail.

He shivered under the cold metallic touch and ahaa, such a coward, he confessed.

Like, come on! I expected some drama that he would deny, and I would get to torture him.

But such an easy fish he was.

“Maaf kijiye hokum raja sa. Galti ho gayi… mai bas apne beto ko aazad karwana chahta tha.” He said in a sorry tone with feer lingering on every part of his body, goosebumps trailed all over him.

(Please forgive us, King, it was a mistake… I was trying to free my sons.)

Yuvraj tsked “Maafi? Nahi… nah. Apne raja ka signature copy karna aur fir baaki yeh sab toh tumne jo kiya hai, woh alag. Maafi toh mahi milegi par tum maut maang sakte ho.” He said in a eerily sounding tone which sent chills through his and his sons' bodies.

(Forgiveness? Nah, you copied the signatures of your king and the rest you did that’s also too much. You wont get forgiveness but death, you can ask about that.)

Yuvraj signalled his guards to take over their ‘treatment’ while he held the minister by his collar and pulled him towards the car.

A guard volunteered to drag him and drive the car.

Meanwhile, the palace was calm, but not the peaceful kind. It was the kind that even a single sound could break the entire composure.

As soon as their gazes fell on Yuvraj and the guards coming behind him, while dragging the minister inside.

“Beta tu kaha tha? Aur yeh…” His mother, Priyanka, said while quickly rushing towards him and letting her eyes trail all over him once until she was confirmed that he is okay.

(Where were you son? And this?)

“Mai theek hu maa aur yeh saksh who aadmi hai jiske kaaran baba sa ne mere par yeh saare aarop lagaye hai.” He said in a low voice and began to speak the sequence of events once again, and realisation hit the faces of all the members except Aaranya.

(I am fine, Mom, and this is the man because of whom my father accused me.)

His father stepped forward, “Sorry, beta. I didn’t think through or cross-check before I accused you of something so serious like this. I feel so ashamed right now… but sorry, son. Try to forgive me if you can.”

“Baba sa maafi mat maangiye. Mai jaanta hu aap ne us wakt kitna kuch ek sath dekh sun liya hoga. Par aap thoda sa vishwas dikha sakte the mujh par.” I said in a resigned voice while Aarnaya held my hand tightly, anchoring me. I leaned slightly towards her, trying to seep in the support she was providing.

(Don’t ask for forgiveness, Dad, I know you must have undergone a lot at that moment. But you could have at least shown some trust in me.)

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Aaranya’s POV

Finally I had managed to cheer Yuvraj up as we went for a drive in the city gardens…

Yudhveer bhaiya has taken Aaliya for a trip so they were celebrating her birthday there only.

Suddenly i came out of my thoughts as I felt a large calloused hand over my thighs and as my gaze fell on it, I softened.

“Raj… I love you!” I said, no hesitation but just pure love. He looked at me and leaned in slightly to kiss on my cheek before replying back “I love you more that anyone could ever could Anya, you are the reason I breathe and the only reason that even takes my breathe away.”

“Aap na bahot filmy ho gaye ho” I said while trying to hide the blush blooming on my cheeks.

(You have got really flirty.)

But anyways he noticed and smirked.

“Sab aapki meherbani devi ji.” He said while I giggled.

(All your work ma'am.)

And with laughter, more jokes and his shameless flirting the ride passed in the most joyous way it could be.

○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●

How was the chapter???

This chapter is also on Wattpad and Inkitt.

The spoilers and updates are already on my Instagram handle ‘khushiiwrts’