Rudra's POV
Finally, after 14 hours, I landed in my country, my kingdom, and my heart was at peace. I felt a weight lift off my shoulders; I didn't feel heavy or restless anymore. Maybe it was the effect of being home. Even after 10 years, everything was the same—nothing had changed. The air felt fresh, and the cold wind was refreshing.
I walked out of my private jet and entered my Rolls-Royce, which was waiting for me. "Khamma Ghani, Chhota Rana Saa," (Greetings, Crown Prince) said a familiar voice. I looked up to see my favorite uncle, Arun Sharma. "Ghani Khamma, Sharma ji," I greeted back. He smiled and asked the driver to head back to THE MAHAL.
Our Mahal is like a fort, a legacy of our ancestors. There are still kingdoms here, ruled by kings and queens, free from politics. The car stopped after 30 minutes, and I looked out to see a huge crowd cheering and dancing to folk music. They were celebrating my return after 10 years—their future king was home.
I stepped out of the car and waved at the crowd with both hands. Before entering, I joined my hands in respect and bowed my head. They loved their crown prince, and I smiled, feeling grateful. As I turned back, I saw my whole family standing at the entrance. My mother held an Aarti plate with my favorite sweets.
I walked up to her and touched her feet. "Khamma Ghani, Maasa." ( Greetings mother) She smiled and patted my back. "Ghani Ghani Khamma, beta." I adore this lady; she's beautiful, with black hair and a radiant face, shining like the real queen she is. Beside her stood my father, strong and muscular. I wonder if I'll ever be like him. I touched his feet too. "Khamma Ghani, Babasa." (Greetings Father) He replied in his deep, commanding voice which could send shivers down anyone's spine. A tough man, he is. "Ghani Khamma."
Maasa performed the Aarti and applied a big tilak on my forehead. "Kali Maa hamesha tumhare sath rahe." She gave me her blessings. (May Goddess Kali always be with you.) I turned back one last time to see the crowd cheering loudly. I smiled and entered.
After entering, the first thing I did was ask about the other members of the family. "Where is everyone else—grandfather, grandmother, Chote Papa, Choti Maa, and those monkeys?"
I asked, making my mother chuckle at my choice of words. "Dadi Saa and Dada Saa are waiting for you on the terrace, and the others are off to work." I smiled genuinely after hearing the soft, strong voice of my brother, Rajveer.
He's a handsome 6'1" with broad shoulders. No doubt he's handsome, but not more than me. I made a little run toward him and engulfed him in a tight hug. He smiled and hugged me back. "I missed you," he said while backing off. "I didn't miss you, though." He hit me on the back. "Fucker." My smile never left.
Our interaction was broken by my mother. "Don't make them wait; they've waited enough for your arrival." I shook my head slightly, and we both walked upstairs, Rajveer and I. We're like friends, but more like real brothers. We never behaved like cousins.
"So, how's your little one doing?" I smirked, and he rolled his eyes. "A four-year age gap isn't much, by the way. It can work if you want." He looked at me and sighed. "I know, but she's still young. She's just entered her 10th class, and I don't want her to get distracted by such things at this age. We have our whole life ahead. Right?"
I looked at him. "Are you telling me or comforting yourself? But whatever it is, you're right; she's still young. And do keep in check that she's single, and you're the only one for her. Otherwise, you'll keep saying this, and she'll already be in a relationship. Nowadays, it's common for 15-year-olds to date, don't you think?"
Rajveer replied, "Don't worry; she'll be mine only. I won't let anyone close to her." I nodded. "What about Kartik? He's in her class, right? Don't you think they're a good match? You know what I'm saying; he can steal her." I was trying to add fuel to the fire; his expression changed, and I smirked, thinking it worked. But, unfortunately, "I make her tie a rakhi to him every year." He gave me a dumb expression; I should have known.
"By the way, now you can at least tell me her name, bro. You've told me everything except her name." He smiled and continued walking. "Aditi, Aditi Sharma." I gave him a confused look; I've heard this name before. I didn't get time to focus on where I'd heard it, as we reached the terrace.
It was an open area where my grandparents, the love birds, were seated. They adore each other immensely, refusing to leave each other's side for even a second. After each other, they love us kids the most. I approached them from behind, covering their eyes with my hands, "Guess who?" My grandfather, Dada Saa, replied, "A donkey." I rolled my eyes at his remark, and my grandmother, Maa Saa, chuckled.
I stood before them and touched their feet for blessings, "Khamma Ghani, Maa Saa, Dada Saa." Both patted my shoulder and replied together, "Ghani Khamma." I hugged them while they were still seated, "Kaise ho aap dono?" (How are you both?) I asked, grabbing a seat beside grandma.
Grandpa replied, "Zinda" (Alive). Oh, so they're angry with me. I held grandma's hand, "Meri pyari dadi, meri achi dadi, meri sundar dadi, itna gussa kyun?" (My dear grandmother, my good grandmother, my beautiful grandmother, why so angry?) I sang for her.
Rajveer laughed lightly, drawing their attention to him. "Aree, there are two donkeys; I thought there was only one," grandpa said while side eyeing him. Rajveer sat beside grandpa, as there were four chairs available.
"Dada Saa, please, aap naraz na ho. Aap ko bhi pata hai, mere ko bilkul acha nahi laga aap se door rehke." (Grandpa, please don't be mad. You know I wasn't feeling good staying away from you either.)
Dadi Saa replied sarcastically, "Haan haan, jhooth bolo, baar baar bolo. Humein kya pata chalega? Agar yaad aati toh vapas bhi aata, 10 saal ke liye nahi jata." (Go on, lie, keep lying. What will we know? If you remembered, you would have come back, not left for 10 years.)
I laughed at her way of saying, "Acha, sorry ab. Aa gaya hoon, vapas nahi jaane wala. Thik hai, my cutie." (Okay, sorry now. I've come back, and I won't leave again. Alright, my cutie.)
She melted and held my hand, "Promise karo, woh bhi pakka wala." (Promise me, a solid promise.) I kept my other hand over hers, "Promise." She hugged me, and I looked at grandpa after she backed off, "Dada Saa, aap bhi maan jao." (Grandpa, please forgive me too.)
"Jab meri dharam patni ne maaf kiya toh maine bhi," grandpa said. (When my wife forgave you, I did too.) I smiled at him, and Rajveer commented, "Whipped oldie."
After some chit-chat, when I was about to stand up, I heard an angelic voice near me, "Khamma Ghani, Dada Saa, Dadi Saa." (Greetings grandma and grandpa)
I remembered this voice which I could never forget. He stood beside me in his formal white attire, which accentuated his perfectly built body. The fabric of his shirt stretched slightly over his shoulders, showing the strength he had gained over the years. A hint of firm muscle peeked through as he moved, and his broad, puffed-up chest made him look beautifully strong—like a warrior hidden in elegance. My eyes caught every detail, and I couldn't look away.
My eyes traveled to his face—his fluffy cheeks, thick eyebrows, elf-like ears, and finally, his emerald eyes, which met mine. His light brown skin was smooth. I couldn't remove my gaze from him. He possessed me just by looking at me, just like he did when I was born. I knew him; he was my obsession, even before I knew the meaning of it. And he was the reason I left—to tame my Devil. Finally, I would see him every day again. I would play with him like I used to 10 years ago.
I was so lost in him that I forgot to breathe. My face turned red. "Breathe, Rudra! What happened? Are you having an attack or something? Someone call a doctor, please!" my grandmother exclaimed, her worried voice tensing me.
"What happened, Dadi Saa? Are you okay? Why do you need a doctor?" Everyone looked at me, dumbfounded.
"Your face was red, and you stopped breathing," grandmother explained. I rolled my eyes, and then he smiled just a little, a thin line forming on his lips. Again, my attention went to him. she continued looking at Him, "Oh, child, you've come."
He replied, "Haan, Dadi Saa, Rani Saa ne bataya aap ne mujhe yaad kiya. Toh main sidha school se yahan aa gaya." (Yes, Grandmother, the queen told me you remembered me, so I came straight from school here.)
"Khamma Ghani, bhaiya," Rajveer greeted him. "Ghani Khamma, Raj," he replied back. I felt little jealous of him talking to others.
Dadi Saa looked at me, "Do you remember this gentleman, or have you forgotten?" She pointed at me. I shyly looked at him waiting for his answer "I've even thrown his diapers in the dustbin how can I forget him. Little one." He replied making me red.
Everyone laughed at his statement, and I was there, dying from embarrassment. "Sorry, Chhote Rana Saa, mujhe yeh nahi bolna chahiye tha. Par ab maine bol diya," he sounded worried and hurried like I am taking offence of Him, I saw his face paling. (Sorry, Little Prince, I shouldn't have said that, but I did.)
Grandma consoled him, "Aree, pehle toh bada Ru-Ru karte the, ab sidha Rana Saa." (Earlier, you used to call him Ru-Ru, now you're directly addressing him as Prince.)
He looked at ME his attention was on me I satisfying feeling settled in me, "Toh pehle yeh chhote the, aur Chhote Rana Saa bhi nahi the." (earlier, he was small, and not even the crown Prince.)
I replied instantly without even thinking after hearing him "Nahi, main abhi bhi tumhare liye Ruu hoon." (No, I'm still Ruu for you.)
I looked at his expression, and it softened. I glanced at Rajveer, and he gave me a sly look. "Meaning, I'm still the same small kid for all of you. Please, from today onwards, don't call me crown Prince.)
The thought of him calling me Crown prince broke my heart. He nodded and smiled at me.
He diverted his attention back to , "Vaise, aap ne mujhe kyun bulaya?" (But, Grandmother, why did you call me?)
Grandma replied, "Haan, woh. You have to take me shopping and select my dresses and jewelry for me. I really don't trust anyone else's choice here, except you, Arav beta." He nodded, and my grandmother stood up. I was about to help her, but he held Dadi Saa's hand and walked away, leaving me in his wonderland.