SINGHANIYA PALACE

unlike the chaos of patna,the palace was quiet,the maids had settled Shreya's luggage 2 days before with her necessities as she insisted to not carry much with her.
She has been always taken for granted by her friends who always had plans to strengthen their relationship with the royal family missing the real essence of warmth in friendship. What does it mean to be chosen irrespective of your family background but just for what you are.
Her Dadi sa was not exactly all lovey-dovey to her but she has enquired once about her stay at hostel and how she should carry the dignity of Singhaniya title more than her own well being. It did upset her but nevermind that was how she has grown up
Her father was not much concerned . he was too ignorant to her existence who left no stone unturned to taunt her being the reason for untimely demise of his dear wife due to medical complications in pregnancy and yet chose to give birth to shreya.

Shreya dreamt of becoming the gynecologist so that next time no mother would loose her life in such scenarios.

Shreya was the joy to her elder brothers. Chirag, the eldest was stuck in last minute contract at Sydney for their upcoming project. Though he wanted to return, shreya insisted her bare bhai sa to prioritise his work as she doesn't want to be blamed for loss in business by her not so happy father.

"Laado.....your bhai sa would always be there for you....when I will return to india....the first thing I will do is to visit you. Aur aap apni pehchaan chupa kr jaana chahti hai to jaaiye..pr jb hume lgega ki baat aapke suraksha ki hai....I won't hold back..getting me"
(And since you are going to hide your identity and live in the hostel....if I will feel it's threatening your safety....I won't hold back)

Her chirag bhai sa has strictly told her before hand. Her brothers' protective instict was not to be blamed. That is universal trait of brothers.

Chaitanya has always find ways to spoil his baby sister keeping it even with the fact to irritate her and fulfill his responsibility as a brother, that's their birth right you see was the only cheerful soul in the entire bloodline it seems,he was too cool to let world direct his path,he believes in his own decisions and thus has decided to make his career in Nift as he was Passionate about designing. Society thought it to be a matter of shame yet Chirag stood firmly for his brother giving him his right to choose his career.
This has a different whole story when the entire royal families of Rajasthan retaliated against his choice but ultimately agreed when Chirag stepped in the picture announcing his unwavering support to his sibling's career choices. It's not that people are still narrow minded when India is living in the era of instant apps but just the hesitation of acceptance af drastic changes in tradition that they find difficult to adapt themselves in.

As gratitude Chaitanya promised his bhai sa to contribute equally to the family business of Textile industry that was handled by his dadi sa and baba sa while the hotel chain was under Chirag's supervision.

Chaitanya: "Shreya...have breakfast bacha....chirag bhai sa would hang me if he gets to know that I won't be dropping you off to your hostel"

Kartik: "Don't worry chetu.....leave her to me....I am a responsible man..."

He glanced at shreya.

Chaitanya: " Dadi sa aur baba sa ke saamne please bhai sa....don't.....ghr kr jamaai sa se pehle hi aapko ghr se bahar ka raasta na dikha diya jaaye"
(Not infront of grand ma and dad....else you will be shown the way out of this house even before you will become the son in law here)

Chaitanya whispered knowing well how Kartik was too wipped by his younger sister.
Kartik scrunches his nose in annoyance as continued.

Kartik: "i will drop shreya .if you are planning to go with that 5 cars full of hulk bodyguards....her mission to live a normal life will fail, so you better stay "

Kartik, Chirag 's best friend settled himself on the dining table while greeting dadi sa and bare hukum sa.

Chaitanya: "Ha ha...kyu nhi...the pleasure is yours..."
(Yes..yess...why not)

Chaitanya winked at him .

Shreya stayed quiet while chaitanya and kartik understood the tension. Shreya was missing her mother immensely....she knows...if it would have been her mother,she would have not just packed essentials but also love,the entire thing would have been different,may be her dadi sa would have fed her food and whispered soft words to her to take care of her,her father would have been all protective how her daughter should not have slightest inconvenience,his elder bhai sa would not have chosen to be on business tours to escape the house that never felt like home after her mother left and stay emotionally distant , her chote bhai sa would have been way more careless only if that day her mother would have chosen herself rather than her.

Dadi sa : "Shreya....apna khyaal rkhiyega...larkon se dur rahiyega aur zyada dost bnane ki zarurat nhi hai...hr koi acha nhi hota"
(Take care of yourself...stay away from the boys and no need to make friends.....not everyone is good)

Shreya smiled at her grandmother who patted her head genty getting up from the dining table followed by his father in silence. She was happy atleast her dadi sa cared though it was difficult for her to express . Her dadi sa was not completely in favour of her staying in hostel in same city while she could have the palace but later agreed. There was no room of argument when Chirag takes stand for his siblings.
Chaitanya side hugged shreya while she settled in the passenger seat beside kartik.

Chaitanya: "You know na...you aren't alone Shreya? Baba sa pyaar dikhaate nhi hai pr iska mtlb ye nhi unko parwaah hi nhi hai.....ye le....khatu Shyam ji ki tasveer....baba sa ne di hai...ye tumhe humesha protect krenge"
(If dad doesn't show his love, it doesn't mean he doesn't loves you...take this ...dadi gave it for our....this will protect you)

Shreya's face lightened up as her moist eyes met with chaitanya's. She was delighted to know...her baba sa cared.

Shreya: "Thank you Bhai sa....it's so precious to me...please take good care of yourself"

Chaitanya: "Chl...ab jldi ja...bol to aise rhi hai jaise saat samundar paar jaa rhi hai...30 minute ka raasta hai..."
(Go quickly....you are speaking as if you are going across 7 season...your college is just 30 minutes away from our place)

Kartik: "Aapko zyada takleef hai to hume unhe apne ghr le jaane mein koi problem nhi hai"
Kartik retorted with a. Smirk.
(If you are so much troubled ....I don't have any problem in taking her with me)

Chaitanya: "Zyada uriye mt......nhi to zameen pr ptk denge chirag bhai sa"
(Don't get yourself to high....else chirag bro will throw you on this ground)

Kartik: "Aise kaise....sala bnega mera"
(Howcome....he will be my brother in law)

Kartik came and stood next to Chaitanya while shreya was busy in looking at the idol of khatu shyam that his baba sa has sent or so she thought.

Kartik: "Uska dil rkhne ke liye jhoot bol rha hai?"
(You lied to keep her heart... isn't it?)

Chaitanya: "Pehli baar ghr se bahar Jaa rhi hai...aise dukhi mann se kaise bhej skta tha...chirag bhai sa ne kaha hai....hum uske liye maa bhi hai aur baap bhi hai....uski khushiyan humari zimedaari hai"
(She is going away from the house for the first time....how can I let her leave being sad....chirag bro has said....we have to play the roll the role of both mother and father for our baby sister....her happiness is our responsibility)

Chaitanya maybe a sunshine and mischievous but he could see the sadness in shreya's eyes. She was the only hope of the brothers....how could he let her go with a heavy heart...if his baba sa was so blind by his own grief, he can't let it overshadow his lado's happiness as she embarks on a new journey.

Kartik drove away the car while chaitanya kept staring at the retreating figure until it disappeared hoping for his little sister's safety.

JODHPUR MEDICAL COLLEGE

Vaani's parents and her jiju stepped down the taxi unloading the luggage while she looked at the campus with her sparkling eyes. This was the place where she would fulfill her dreams. The city of her dreams.

They completed the formalities at the reception while Vaani and sandhya ji took the luggage to her hostel room on first floor. She was allotted a room to share with a roommate for first 3 years and later they would get the separate rooms in 4th year.

Kartik parked his car and unloaded 3 luggage while shreya stood nervously fidgeting the hem of her kurti. She was too nervous. Kartik stood beside her looking at the love of his life. Oh....how lovely she looked in her blue kurta even when she is stressed...is it possible...her neatly tied black pony tail ,her thin lips trembled as she murmured to herself something in nervousness,her big doe black eyes that lingered on the building observing every detail...her 5'4 short height...she looked like a little rabbit in front of his 6'1 tall sclupturous body.

Warden: "Sorry sir....but you can't enter the building...it's girls hostel...aise bhi ab bachiyaan khud hi sari responsibility lengi....you should have brought female relative with you"
(Students will be taking the responsibilities of themselves now)

Shreya came out of her daze when she heard Kartik arguing with the warden to let him in as the luggage were heavy and she could not carry it alone to her room.

"May I help ?"

Vaani's voice echoed from their behind who marched happily. a little chubby, 5'7 woman, brown honey eyes that sparkled as sunrays passes through it, her brownish black curls of frizzy hair bounced as she walked towards them in light pink kurta walking straight towards them followed by Sandhya ji.

Vaani: "Hi...1st year medical student,Vaani sharma...your roommate...abhi subah hi aaye hai..If you don't mind meri mumma aur hum tumhari help kr denge...waise ye tumhare bhaiya hai?"
(We came this morning.My mumma and I can help....is he your brother?)

Kartik paled....mentally screaming
"nooooo......bhaiyaaaaa....neverrr"

Shreya: "Hi...I am shreya...shreya Singhaniya...ye mere bhaiya nhi hai...mere bade bhaiya india se bahar hai business ke meeting ke wjh se and chote bhaiya ko bahut important kaam aa gya isliye wo nhi aa paaye...ye mere bade bhaiya ke best friend hai...Kartik ji"
(No...he isn't my brother....my two brothers were busy...he is my brother's friend)

Shreya spoke as kartik sighed breath of relief knowing Shreya did not addressed him as bhaiya but "kartik ji".

Vaani: "Ooooooo... don't worry bhai when Vaani is here....waise bhi ab to roommates hai 3 saal ke liye itna help to Krna parega..waise I am glad yha hum bolne wala Mila..I mean okay..tumhare hum mein thora izzat hai and mere hum thora rowdy hai but never mind"
(Now we are going to be room parteners for 3 years...we need to help each other....I am happy someone is here who speaks hum...though there is slight difference in the accent...it doesn't matter much)

Vaani spoke as she her smile radiated warmth and the trio laughed at this.

Kartik: "Thank you Vaani...iski help krne ke liye....it's nice to meet you"
(For helping her)
"i know....people find me awesome...aapne to phir bhi nice hi bola...waise aaplog kaha se hai?"
( You still called me nice...by the way...where are you from?)

Kartik: "Ha ha...aapko dekh kr andaaza ho gya"
(Yes yes ...I have assumed it after seeing you)

Kartik chuckled at the little firecracker who came like a warm ball.

Shreya:"hum jodhpur se hi hai"
(I am from jodhpur)
a little hesitant to speak to a stranger.

Vaani: "Hum to dur se aaye hai...tumhara to ghr hi yhi hai...phir bhi hostel?"
(I am from another state.....your house is here only....still staying in the hostel?)

Shreya: "Haa...hume hostel live enjoy Krna tha...and medical ki padhaayi ghr pr nhi ho skti..so yes"
( Yes I wanted to enjoy my hostel Life, moreover....I can't study medical from house...)

Vaani: "Dekho...hum tumhare seher aaye hai . Tumhe to hume tumhari hospitality dikhani chahiye..but koi nhi....kbhi aur"
( See...I am new to your city....so you need to show me your hospitality...but no problem...later on for sure)

Vaani chuckled as Shreya smiled at her. Kartik felt at ease that Vaani was a kind girl ho would make her feel home. Her bubbly nature radiated through her.

"Beta apni mummy ko le aati"
( Dear....you should have brought your mother)

Sandhya ji spoke as she followed Vaani .Shreya mood instantly shifted as her smile disappeared. Kartik felt bad. This topic was something that always drowned her in unwanted misery.

Shreya: "Humari ma sa nhi hai. She died after giving me birth"
( She is no more ...)

Her voice broke as tears pooled in her eyes. Sandhya ji felt a pang of pain in her heart. She was too young to know the loss of mother. Sandhya ji patted her head with motherly warmth giving her a smile

Sandhya ji: "Mummy ho ya ma....mamta barabar hi hoti hai....wo jahan bhi hai..t.umhe dekh kr bahut khush hongi ki tum apne sapne ko pura kr rhi ho....apni ma sa ko jb bhi yaad kro...khushi ko kr yaad kiya kro..unki itni pyaari si beti hai...aise rote huye achi nhi lgti...waise tumhare papa nhi aaye?"
( No problem dear ... A mother is always a mother....wherever she is ...she will be happy to see you fulfilling your dreams.... whenever you will remember her..... remember her with a smile...she has such a pretty daughter...you doesn't look good in tears...by the way..where is your father?)

Kartik: "Wo unki bahut important meeting aa gyi thi .isliye wo city se bahar hai"
( He had important business trip....he is out of city)
not willing the secret to be revealed

Shreya smiled as she felt a familiar warmth in her heart. The strange woman doesn't felt stranger anymore.

Vaani: "Chliye chliye...bahut ekta kapoor ke emotional serial ho gye...pehle room settle kr lete hai...nhi to ye warden aunty khi aur na daat de"
( Come on....enough of ekta kapoor emotional scene.....let's get to our hostel room else the warden aunty will scold)

The two girl giggled . Vani and Sandhya ji took her luggage while shreya turned towards kartik to bid him farewell. She wasn't oblivious to his feelings. She has felt his care,his love through out the years of his presence. Kartik's eyes softened with unspoken emotions yet the silence spoke volumes

Shreya: "Hum chlte hai. Thank you drop krne ke liye.Apna khyaal rkhiyega"
( I will be l aving now ...thank you for dropping me...take care of yourself)

Kartik: "Aap bhi apna khyaal rkhiyega...koi bhi dikkat ho hume yaad zarur kriyega shreya...aur.....wo...larkon se thora dur rahiyega"
( You too take care of yourself....if you have any inconvenience.... remeber me shreya....and....that....stay away from boys)

Shreya couldn't stop smiling . This 6 feet tall handsome hunk was being insecure with those minions whom she hasn't still met. The insecure version of Kartik was too cute too handle.
Shreya giggled while nodding her head in agreement.

Shreya: "Aap bhi "
( You too )

She said in a low voice ....a little hesitant

Kartik: heinn....hum larkon se dur kyu rhenge...I mean....hum larkon ke paas bhi kyu ho rhenge....Mera mtlb

Shreya: aap larkiyon se dur rhiyega....

Kartik froze....shreya....little shreya was telling him for the first time....not as a friend but with a different emotions.

Kartik: "Dur....hum to larki se karele lauki ke trk bhagenge.....bachpan se aajtk maa sa nhi khila paayi...record acha hai humara"
( Away....I will stay away from girls the same way I avoid bittergaurd and bottleguard....my mother could not feed me that since childhood...I have a good record)

Shreya: good

Kartik: waise aap iklauti larki hai jo humare perimeter mein achi lgti hai

Kartik chimmed happily as Shreya giggled.
He was always the most special one for her. Though not vocal....his care was evident and she silently acknowledged his companionship.

She turned on her heels giving one last glance directly into the girls hostel building while Kartik stood there smiling at her retreating figure.

Hostel Room

"Beta....cupboard mein daily use ka samaan upr se hi rkhna...baaki sb andr...aur laptop ko table pr rehne do"
( Dear,,,,the daily use accommodations are on upper shelf....and let the laptop be on table)

Sandhya ji spoke while she arranged the room.Shreya was still confused as it was first time she was arranging her stuffs all by herself . Looking at sandhya ji and Vaani she felt sad....was it how mother-daughter relationship looks like as sandhya ji hit Vaani's head when she placed snacks behind her clothing shelf .

Sandhya ji observed shreya and she could feel her sadness. She stepped in front of her cupboard taking the clothes from her hand arranging it while scolding her the same way she has scolded Vaani

Vaani and shreya chuckled while sandhya ji smiled at them.Shreya and Vaani explained there family tree to each other and got comfortable with each other quite quickly. Shreya has always been shy and quiet as she never found someone whom she can express herself but Vaani's nonchalantness was making it exception as Shreya felt comfortable around her.

Later that evening

Vaani couldn't hold back her tears as she hugged her father who equally cried holding onto her dear daughter.
They won't be able to visit her often...Jodhpur is quite far away from patna. Shreya missed her father...she never got the privilege to hug his father.

" Be happy papa.....ab mummy puri aapki hai....romance ka full time milega"
( Now you have mumma all for yourself for romance)

Rudra spoke earning a smack by Sandhya ji on his arm while Vaani throw daggers at him

" Once I will come on vacation...sbse pehle hum aapke romance ka hi Banta dhaar krnege jiju... don't you worry.....bahut shauk hai na mere hostel aane ka celebration krne ka...kriye"
( I will ruin your romance only...you want to celebrate my stay at hostel...go on)

Rudra smile fell asleep she pictured her saali saahiba taking his dear wife, Vaanya's all attention while he sulks around .

Shreya's laugh echoed brom behind while sharma family was too busy in their not so emotional farewell ceremony.This was so new to her. The family time without the stress and tension. They oddly felt home.

Sandhya ji ascended towards shreya while she touched her foot to seek her blessings . Sandhya ji took her in warm motherly embrace.

" Dono khana time pr kahna...zyada der bahar mt rehna..machhar bahut hai....aur late tk agr jaati huyi mili...to dono ko ulu bna denge...apna khyaal rkhna beta....aur kbhi bhi ma ki yaad aaye...be jhijhak call Krna...Vaani se puchne ka zarurat bhi nhi hai"
( Have your food on time you too .... don't stay up for long else I will make you all an owl....and use the mosquito net...take care of yourself....and whenever you will remember your mother....call me without hesitation....you don't need to seek permission from Vaani)

Sandhya ji spoke as Shreya nodded her head with glassy eyes

" Ja sali saahiba ...aapke saath sath to aapki dost bhi mummy ke lapete mein aa gyi"
( Haww....dear sister in-law....now your friend is also under mummy's clutches alongwith you.)

Rudra commented while all laughed.

Shivaay ji patted her head like a father instructing them the same as they left for the station leaving two friends behind who would be each other's family from now onwards.

Vaani slipped her arms around shreya shoulder practically dragging her away with herself.

The two contrasting personality was all set to start their journey together.

Thank you for giving it a chance if you are reading this. Please feel free to give your feedback if I could make it any better.

If you find this interesting enough...please recommend this to your friends..I will be more than happy.