The Royal Stranger

2

Vrishali pulled the cap on, she glanced at her surroundings seeing tourists, men, women and children. She opened the cap of the water bottle wanting to drink something cold.

"It's so hot here," Gauravi exclaimed mopping the sweat on her face. Deepash called his brother as they waited for the vehicle.

"Dad, are we going by taxi or?" Vrishali asked not liking the sweat. Deepash turned to his daughter smiling seeing her face.

"Gagan bhaiyya(brother) will be sending someone to pick us." Vrishali is beautiful, she got her mother's features but dad's thick eyebrows and eyelashes for which she is grateful.

Her skin is brown compared to her cousins who are fair in complexion. Vrishali never cared though, she loved herself and her skin colour.

"Hardik bhaiyya (brother)!" Vrishali yelled in happiness as she watched her favourite cousin getting out of the car.

"Vrishali! I missed you gudiya!" She was immediately enclosed with a hug. Hardik used to live with them for nearly three years because of his higher studies.

He shifted back last year, Hardik treated her like his own sister. They used to go out, play, watch movies, and bicker about the series's characters.

Hardik then greeted Vrishali's parents who are chacha and Chachi(uncle and aunt) to him. "Aadi can't wait to see you," Hardik spoke and everyone laughed.

Aadi is Hardik's younger brother. "I can't wait to see dada, dadi, Riddi, Aadi and everyone," Vrishali spoke remembering everyone.

Hardik's parents love Vrishali, they are one of the best people. Vrishali didn't mingle with everyone as she lives far away. But Gagan taya(dad's elder brother/uncle) and Malini tai( taya's wife/ aunt) are close to her.

Vrishali's eyes widen in excitement as they reached the Samode Palace. Her father is the youngest among four sons. All her uncles, aunts and their children live in Samode Palace.

"Wow! They renovated everything." Vrishali said, her parents chuckled.

They were greeted by the palace staff who welcomed them warmly. Vrishali couldn't wipe the smile off her face. The last time she visited India was when she was fourteen years old, now she is twenty years old.

"Dadi!" Vrishali ran towards the old lady who stood among others with a huge smile on her face.

"Awe, I see you missed me." Vrishali hugged her tightly. She didn't see the glare thrown by her cousin Radhika and her mother.

Radhika looked away as the elderly of the house hugged their favourite grandchild. Radhika is the elder granddaughter of the house.

"I don't understand why sasu-ma(mother-in-law) called them. She could've called them at the time of the wedding." Simrita spoke standing beside her daughter Radhika.

The duo is standing a little bit away from the family crowd who are welcoming the youngest family of the house warmly. Radhika never had any issues with Vrishali. She is scared about the decision.

"I don't know what's going on in their heads," Simrita said pointing to the elderly.

"Ma, don't worry about the decision they take. He is going to be mine." Radhika smirked as Vrishali's eyes met hers.

"Radhika!" Vrishali hugged her, Radhika immediately smiled happily.

"It's good to see you Vrishali!" Radhika spoke with fake happiness.

"Dadu, you really got a beautiful palace," Vrishali said dreamily. Her grandpa Kalyan Mewar chuckled patting her head.

"Gauravi, I made your favourite sweet," Malini said as the married women walked towards the huge kitchen.

"Thank you, Didi."

"Sachi bath (to be honest), Vrishali turned into a beautiful girl. We all missed you three." Janaki said.

"Even we missed you all but work and Vrishali's college. We couldn't come." Gauravi said.

"Work... I didn't expect you three to come this time. As Deepash always busy with work." Gauravi tensed as Simrita spoke. Janaki and Malini glared at Simrita.

Being badi bahu(first daughter-in-law) Simrita always looked down at the three women. "Didi, at least they are busy with work, unlike others," Janaki commented removing the smirk off Simrita.

Gauravi let out a sign when Simrita walked away from them. The three women look at each other before laughing.

"My god! She literally behaves like a queen," Malini said handing a water-filled glass to Gauravi.

"I was so scared the first time I entered this household. She behaved more like a mother-in-law than the real one," Janaki said.

"Even I was scared, but thankfully you two were there and sasu-ma(mother-in-law) treated us like her own daughters."

"Is Nandini here?" Gauravi asked Janaki. Nandini is the daughter of Janaki.

"She will be here by evening," Janaki replied. Nandhini is doing her masters in London.

"Manav, Hardik, Aadi and Ajitesh. They all grown up," Gauravi said. The other two chuckled.

"How is Prateek's health?" Gauravi asked Janaki.

"He is following a sugar-free diet and daily yoga with medication. He is doing good for now," Janaki said about her husband Prateek.

Vrishali plopped down on her bed as her cousins entered her room. She couldn't contain her happiness seeing all her brothers.

Riddi sat down beside Vrishali, Hardik is leaning against the wall. Aadi sat on the wing chair while Manav sat to her right. Ajitesh her elder cousin and Radhika aren't here.

"How long are you going to stay here?" Manav asked.

"One month."

"Cool, we can finally have a cousin trip!" Riddi said.

"Yes." They all agreed. Vrishali missed her other cousin  Nandhini.

"When they are going to come?" Vrishali asked as they munched on the snacks.

"Day after tomorrow, I'm so eager to see the man," Riddi said.

"Why? Didn't you all see him." everyone chuckled looking at Vrishali.

"What's so funny?" Vrishali asked looking at them.

"We never saw him... Ajitesh bhaiyya and Radhika are the only people who know him. Ajitesh bhaiyya know him because they studied together and Radhika Didi met him because of his mother," Hardik explained to his little sister.

"Woah! It's going to be fun to finally see him ah?"

"Yeah, heard so much about him," Manav said.

"Like what?" Vrishali asked with curiosity.

"He is the 303rd descendant of the Royal family of Jaipur. He got the city palace man! His mother Diya Kumari, a politician and a member of Rajasthan legislative assembly." Manav said.

"His Royal title is not officially recognised by law, as India is a federal parliamentary Democratic Republic. But everyone respects the title and him." Riddi said.

"More importantly, he made Forbes' 30 under 30 Asia list as he served as captain of the first Indian polo team in England in 20 years.

Forbes noted that Singh was the youngest member ever of a world cup polo team." Hardik explained. Vrishali surely got impressed.

"You know his net worth was 20,000 crores when he was only 20 years old. Just think about his present net worth." Manav said with an unknown expression.

"You forgot the truth that he owns about 300 miles of vast land on mount Abu."

"Woah! The guy is filthy Richie rich! What's his age now?" I asked them.

"If he studied with Ajitesh bhaiyya, then he would be 26 or 27 now." Aadi who was silent all the while said.

"I heard from Radhika Didi, that the guy is a very serious and traditional man."

The five spoke about their life, about college and office stuff. Vrishali laughed a lot, she is happy that she came to India to spend her summer vacation with her cousins. She really needed that before her cousins decide to tie the knot.