The Royal Stranger

4

Riddi and Nandhini stood in front of the door not knowing whether to leave Vrishali alone or enter the room. Before they could decide anything they watched their grandparents along with their chacha and chachi.

Riddi and Nandhini nodded their heads before leaving. They are too shocked to digest the news. They are happy though, they aren't sure if Vrishali is going to accept or not.

They knocked on the door before entering. Vrishali is packing her clothes. Gauravi looked at her husband.

"Vrishali, please hear us." Kalyan Mewar spoke softly. Vrishali shook her head dropping the cloth. "You can't do this Dadu, marriage isn't a joke. I'm not ready for this."

"Vrishali, if you like someone you can tell us. If you don't then please don't say no to this wedding. I know you are young and not ready for the marriage but hear me out."

Kalyan Mewar signalled everyone to step out as he wants to talk with her alone. "We are in the 21st century Dadu! Don't I get to chose the one."

"I know... I know... But tell me you have these many friends right? Did you like anyone?" He sat beside Vrishali.

"No."

"You didn't like anyone because they were not the one. Sometimes we meet everyone for a reason, their part in our life gives us a reason. I know the man who is sitting with everyone is a stranger to you. But don't we all strangers when we first met?

I saw that guy right from his childhood. He is a very good man, I couldn't miss this. It's hard to find a good man who would take care of you."

"But Dadu, don't I get to spent time with him to know if he is the one or not?" Vrishali asked.

"Spend all the time you want after marriage." Vrishali rolled her eyes.

"Not funny, why are so hellbent on this? How do you know that he is the one?" The old man laughed caressing her forehead.

"Because I know he will take care of you till his last breath. We wouldn't be here asking you to marry him if we aren't sure about it."

"Don't I have a choice here?"

"Vrishali, remember life may give you second opportunities but you won't be having second-time choices for one thing. Once you left the choice, it's gone. A boyfriend, lover or husband or wife aren't your second choices or options.

If you left this then someone will grab it without hesitation. Because they know the value of it. I'm not talking about monterey terms, I'm talking about relationship terms.

He is a man who respects everyone, remember respect comes first in every type of relationship."

Vrishali's mind is filled with many thoughts. Words... Words... Are ringing in her mind constantly. She don't even have time to think as a family is waiting.

She looked at her grandfather. "I want to spend some time with him." He smiled before taking her downstairs.

Everyone hugged each other in happiness. Vrishali sat in between her Dadu and dadi facing the man. He stayed silent all the time. Only spoke when required.

Vrishali observed that Radhika and Simrita tai are missing. Diya kumari already showed her dislike towards Vrishali. Riddi and Nandhini are smiling ear to ear teasingly. Manav looked too shocked but happy, Aadi and Hardik looked genuinely happy.

Radhika couldn't contain her anger as she threw the vase on the floor. Simrita tried to stop her daughter but she couldn't.

"Radhika, the marriage didn't fix. Vrishali said she needs time and I'm sure Vrishali will go back to New York," Om Prakesh, Radhika's father spoke stopping her from throwing another vase.

"Why don't you talk with your parents? Don't they want my daughter to have a good life? Why did they choose Vrishali over Radhika?" Simrita yelled at her husband.

"Mom, chill down. We all know the reason why they choose Vrishali over Radhika. It's not their mistake," Ajitesh spoke wisely against his family.

"Oh... So you are going to tell me who is right and who is wrong?" Simrita glared at her son.

"Ma, the reason why you want Radhika to marry Padmanabh is because of your greed. It is only going to destroy Radhika's and his life," Ajitesh spoke making Radhika even angrier because she knows what her brother said is true.

"It is going to be a flop marriage. No one is going to be happy, now don't make a scene and come down." Ajitesh left the room.

"Radhika, don't worry. Vrishali is never going to have him. She is just a small insect under your shoe."

Vrishali's eyes widen in angry as she heard the ill words about her. She never thought her own family would speak badly about her.

Vrishali came to talk with Radhika. To know if she truly loves the man, now that she got to know the actual truth from Ajitesh she walked away.

Whatever Riddi and Nandhini said is true. She didn't believe it when they said but now she knows. She understood the greed behind the faces.

•

The days passed quickly before Vrishali know, they are here doing her wedding shopping. She sat on one of the chairs, sipping her fruit juice as her mom and aunts busy selecting the sarees.

"Who even thought that the youngest one is the first one to get married," Riddi spoke making Nandhini laugh while Vrishali snickered.

"Hey, it's not like you are marrying him against your will," Nandhini said.

"For a month she stalked him like crazy to know him. Normal people would fix a date with him to know him." Riddi spoke. Vrishali ignored them. He didn't asked her out, nor he cared to know her. Vrishali wanted to know him but her pride is too big to make the first move.

She somehow got his daily schedule and went to stalk him standing far away. He is boring... Very boring...

He didn't do anything except those polo matches, horse riding and boat riding. His day starts with a boring start and ends with a boring end.

Vrishali may believe he is boring but a part of her is at peace knowing he doesn't have any strings attached or not one of those rich brats who party every night out.

She invited a few of her friends. Sadly, everyone is on vacation and can't attend her wedding. Hailey is with her family, even she couldn't attend. It was a sudden call of the wedding so Vrishali understood.

"You young women done with your shopping?" Malini tai asked turning around to see the three.

"Yup!" Riddi replied showing her the cloth basket. Vrishali didn't shop because all her wedding clothes are being sent from the groom. She felt relief hearing that, shopping with Desi women can be hectic.

Radhika and Simrita tai aren't here with the women of the family. Vrishali don't even care. Her Dadu and dadi went to meet his grandparents at City Palace.

Vrishali can't wait to see the city Palace. Only bits of the palace is open for tourists and visitors. She wants to know the depth of the Palace.

"What are you thinking?" Nandhini asked as she looked at Vrishali who is deep in thoughts.

"Nothing."

Hardik, Ajitesh and Aadi were busy with the wedding work. Ajitesh may not show his feelings but he truly cares for Vrishali. He isn't like his mother or sister. He doesn't even understand why his own mother is against their own family.

Manav is helping wedding planners. The wedding is going to take place in City Palace. After ages, this is going to be the first wedding in the palace. The other bridal rituals are happening at Samode Palace.

Weddings always bring a different glow to everyone's face. Even the palace is shining like a new bride more than the actual bride.

Deepa Mewar and Kalyan Mewar cannot contain their happiness. They are so grateful that Vrishali agreed, they both were sitting in the palace garden watching the wedding work.

"Our Vrishali doesn't know household work. Deepash and Gauravi are worried about that. Considering Diya kumari, I believe she is going to hand over the household chores to Vrishali. A traditional custom to be followed by the new bride." Deepa spoke worriedly, Kalyan Mewar laughed putting the empty teacup down.

"Shehzaadi... You don't have to worry. Let us see if she is going to learn the household chores or make someone do them." Deepa chucked understanding, Vrishali is like a firebird. She doesn't listen to anyone if she isn't interested.