The Royal Stranger

3

Vrishali stepped out of the palace with Riddi and Nandhini for shopping. She doesn't have any traditional wear. Vrishali couldn't stop looking at the streets filled with colour full clothes and jewellery.

"How does this look?" Vrishali asked stepping out of the trail room.

"It's good." Vrishali entered the trail room to change into another one.

"So who do you think it's going to be among us four?" She heard Riddi. She waited for Nandhini to say something.

"Honestly, I love someone and they already agreed to my wedding. So I'm out of the list, even your parents chose Bhuvan for you. It's Radhika or Vrishali," Nandhini said.

"Lol, I'm twenty and arrange marriage isn't my thing. I ain't gonna marry a stranger," I said which made both the girls laugh.

"So you both are kind of engaged eh?" Vrishali walked out in her jeans and tee. Her hands are full of clothes.

She dumped them in the carry bag. "Yeah, we are thinking to get married next year. Alok wants to marry me after his sister's," Nandhini said.

"Show me his picture. Even you show me Bhuvan's picture," Vrishali said. Nandhini and Riddi, both are twenty-two years old.

"Why did sasu-ma and sasur-sa(father-in-law) called us to talk privately," Gauravi asked her husband Deepash. Deepash don't have an answer of why his parents called.

"I don't know, we will be knowing after talking to them."

Vrishali spent the remaining day shopping in the local market and watching the sunset with her sisters. She asked Radhika to join them but Radhika declined saying she needs to visit the spa.

"Do you think Radhika will marry him?" Riddi asked as the three girls sat on the rocky floor.

"Of course, Radhika has been spending most of the time with Diya Kumari. Even Simrita tai is hell-bent on marrying Radhika to him." Nandhini spoke.

"But why though? I mean why marry someone without love?" Vrishali asked turning to Nandhini.

"Because babe, love really doesn't matter. It can be born even after marriage. This is like a golden ticket to Simrita tai. Basically, Radhika will become a queen and it gives every right to Simrita tai to taunt us," Riddi said.

"Leave about them but tell me Vrishali how many guys you have dated. I saw the comments you get for every picture you post on Instagram." Nandhini wiggled her brows teasingly.

"Nah, I went on dates and met people but they didn't give me the vibe I wanted. The only boyfriend I had ended up in ten days," Vrishali said remembering the Blondie guy Luke.

"Ten days? Not even a month." Riddi say as Vrishali unwrapped her sandwich.

"Yeah, he was too controlling. I hate controlling fellows."

They returned home in the evening. Vrishali had a finger-licking dinner, all her favourite food was present.

Then the night was spent talking with dada and dadi. Vrishali slept with her grandparents as her dadi sang her favourite lullaby.

All the family members were rushing to get ready. Riddi dressed in a pink salwar kameez while Nandhini wore a blue one. Vrishali ended up in a creamy white salwar kameez.

"You look so beautiful." Her dad commented seeing Vrishali. Vrishali kept her makeup simple just eyeliner, eye kajal and warm red lipstick.

Her hair left open in waves, "Thank you, dad. You look handsome." Vrishali hugged her dad laughing as her mother made a side comment.

Vrishali can feel the excitement, she is eager to see the man. It's not every day that you meet a Royal.

"How you guys tie that Saree around. I can't even handle Saree." Vrishali joked looking at her mother whose face paled slightly.

"Is everything okay? Why you guys look pale?" Vrishali asked looking at her parents.

"Nothing baby, why don't you go and see what your cousins are up to," Deepash said. Vrishali nodded her head walking out of her parent's room in search of her cousins.

"Give me that duffer! They are for guests." Nandhini scolded her brother Manav as he tried to snatch a laddo from the basket.

"Arrey! No one will know if I eat one laddo." Manav complained.

"Give the guy one laddo," Riddi says silently snatching one for herself. Vrishali laughed as both Riddi and Manav ate the laddo in one go.

"Can I have one too?" Vrishali gave puppy dog eyes to Nandhini. Nandhini shook her head handing a laddo to Vrishali.

Their heads whipped towards the door, "They are here." For some reason, Vrishali breathing became heavy as they followed Hardik and Aadi. Vrishali stood behind her brothers with Riddi and Nandhini.

Her grandparents Kalyan Mewar and Deepa Mewar were hugging the other elderly. Gauravi, Janaki, Malini and Simrita were welcoming the women in traditional clothes.

The men of the house are also welcoming the other men warmly. Vrishali's eyes shifted to a lady wearing maroon Saree. Diya kumari looked powerful and beautiful in person.

Radhika wore a baby pink Saree attracting everyone in the room. Radhika didn't stand with them as she made a beeline towards Diya kumari taking blessings.

"May God bless you. Look at you, so pretty." Diya kumari praised Radhika. Vrishali's eyes searched for the man but he isn't present yet...

While the younger ones stood to a side, everyone sat down. Her dada and dadi turned towards Vrishali. Vrishali gave them a smile in return which caught the attention of the other elderly.

Ajitesh was standing beside his father Om Prakesh. "What are their names," Vrishali whispered.

"His highness Sawai Bhawani Singh and Rajmatha Falguni Singh," Riddi whispered.

"Should we address them as his highness?" Vrishali asked.

"Here he is." Diya kumari said. Every head in the room turned towards the entrance. Vrishali couldn't see his face as her brothers are blocking the way. He is tall and wore a white kurtha paired with sadri.

Vrishali stood on her toes to see the man. Her eyes widen in surprise as she got the glimpse of the man who took powerful steps towards the elders.

He looked confident, intimate and strong with broad muscular shoulders, he got black eyes with perfect eyebrows. His beard is making him look perfect.

He touched the feet of the elderly before sitting beside his dad. "Radhika, come and sit here dear," Diya kumari said patting the space beside her. Riddi and Nandhini snickered making Vrishali giggle.

The girl's eyes widen as everyone around them became silent. Vrishali looked up to see the man looking dead in the eyes. Her eyes widen comically and she held Hardik's sleeve for comfort. She didn't like the man's solo gaze on her. It is disturbing her.

Radhika looked at her mother telling her to snap the silence. "Diya ji, would you like to have some tea or coffee," Simrita said, Vrishali quickly hide behind her brother.

She looked at Riddi and Nandhini before laughing silently not knowing what's going to happen next. The snacks and sweets were served.

"As everyone know the reason why we are." Bhawani Singh started speaking.

"I want to see my grandson Sawai Padmanabh Singh marry. My friend Kalyan and Deepa ji came to a decision. A decision with which we are very happy."

Radhika couldn't contain her excitement as they are going to tell about her marriage with him. Her eyes shifted to the man who sat beside his dad, listening attentively.

Gauravi and Deepash gazed at their daughter who stood with Riddi and Nandhini whispering in each other ears. Deepash held his wife's hand knowing what's going to happen next.

Simrita is holding her Saree in a tight grip eager to hear the elderly take her daughter's name.

"We want to give our younger granddaughter Vrishali Mewar's hand to your grandson Sawai Padmanabh Singh," Kalyan Mewar spoke making everyone stand up in shock and surprise.

Vrishali's eyes widen, she froze hearing her dada's words. "But papaji we are going to chose Radhika Mewar as Padmanabh's bride." Diya kumari said not liking the decision.

Bhawani Singh raised his eyebrow mockingly telling her to mutter another word. Narendra squeezed his wife Diya Singh's hand. Riddi shook Vrishali's shoulders, Vrishali's face paled when she looked at her parents. They already know about this...

"What the hell! I ain't gonna marry some stranger!" Vrishali spoke hardening her eyes at her parents. Her cousins froze, you are not allowed to raise your voice in front of the royals. Nandhini held on to Vrishali's hand.

"Vrishali!" Her eyes shifted to her grandparents. "Didn't expect this from you Dadu." Vrishali walked away from everyone as she felt the anger building up in her body.

Marriage is a huge thing that comes with great responsibility. She isn't ready for that, she barely graduated her college and here they are fixing her marriage without her concern.

Riddi and Nandhini looked at each other before following the way Vrishali went. Diya kumari grunted her teeth.

Simrita started throwing anger glares at Kalyan Mewar and Deepa Mewar. Radhika sat there too shocked and this is like an insult to her.

She spent all her weekends helping Diya kumari just to reach her son. She stopped eating non-veg when she learned he is a vegetarian.

Gauravi and Deepash left the room along with Kalyan and Deepa to talk with Vrishali. Narendra started talking with Diya kumari while Radhika left the room with Simrita following her daughter.

Bhawani Singh looked at his grandson Padmanabh Singh who sat there with a hard look on his face. He doesn't like anyone disrespecting him and his family.

"Beta, don't frown. At least not here, don't scare the girl away." Falguni spoke patting her grandson's hand. Bhawani Singh chuckled hearing his wife's words.

Bhawani Singh wants his grandson to marry someone who would make him stand on his toes. Padmanabh has always been a distant kid who would keep his distance from everyone. He doesn't know how to express his feelings and emotions.

Padmanabh agrees to whatever his mum says. Bhawani Singh had to do something before Padmanabh's mother make him tie the marriage knot with someone who is greedy for money.

Bhawani Singh know about Vrishali a year ago and had his tabs on her for the past year. She is the complete opposite of his dull grandson.