Embracing The Unexpected

Chapter-3 The New Queen Of Udaipur

Iti fidgeted with the pallu of her saree,she was extremely nervous of what lay ahead of her.

And why not?

She was going to be the daughter in law of a royal family,the wife of a king,the queen.....nothing of which she had ever even thought of.

She didn't even know what kind of family he had,how many people were there,how she was supposed to act,nothing!

She has been this way since she left Mumbai,she knew her parents weren't too pleased with her decision,but she didn't have any other choice,this was the only way!

She heard a throat clearing sound and knew who it was so she looked up at him.

"You don't have to be nervous at all, everything is going to be fine"He said in his ever calm tone and she took a deep breath and nodded at that.

She had made a decision but was having second thoughts now,but she knew nothing could be done now,she couldn't back out at the last moment,they were officially married now!

They both had signed the marriage certificate and now nothing could be undone.

She walked by her husband's side till they hadn't reached the car,she could see many cars which wasn't odd for her because she had seen this at her place as well.

He,like a gentleman,opened the door for her and she sat inside the car followed by him.

"Mahal chaliye Kaka"She heard him say and the driver ignited the car and drove away.

The whole way,she just stared outside the car window,watching the streets of Udaipur,which would be her home from now.

The door of the car opened and she saw Shiv standing infront of her holding a hand for her,it was then she realised that they had reached because the whole ride she was busy in her own thoughts to notice anything.

She hesistantly placed held his hand and got out of the car.

As she looked ahead she could see a lot of people dressed in the same attire,the househelp,she noted.

Her gaze then went further and she saw an elderly lady standing in between just at the entrance of the palace wearing an elegant saree.

They walked towards the lady,side by side and stopped as they reached near her.

"Yeh h hamari Nanisa kukum aur Udaipur ki Ranima Padmini Devi"Shiv said introducing the elderly lady to Iti.

Iti immediately bowed down along with Shiv to touch her feet.

"Khush rahiye"Padmini Devi said looking at the couple.

A househelp passed her the aarti thal with which she did their tilak followed by rotating it clockwise infront of them.

"Iss kalash ko girakr ander pair rakhiye,aasha krte h aap maa lakshmi ki tarah iss mahal mein aakr aur kushalta layengi yaha"She said and Iti nodded and did as said.

"Aapne apna naam nhi bataya hame?"She said looking at Iti,finally giving her whole attention.

And that is what Iti dreaded,she didn't liked attention on herself and when it came from a stranger it becomes more awkward for her.Iti took a deep breath before introducing herself.

"Myself Iti Sehgal ma'am"She said a bit formally because she thought Shiv's Nanisa would get offended if she would address her as anything else,plus she didn't knew how to greet royal family members,she hadn't had any encounter with them ever.

"Nanisa Hukum....aapke pati bhi yahi bulate h hame,aap bhi yahi kahiyega"She said and Iti again nodded at that.

"Aap thak gayi hongi,Pratap inhe apne kamre mein le jaiye aur aaram krne dijiye,sham ke liye kapde bhijwa denge hum aapke liye,taiyaar ho jaiyega aap dono waqt se"She said the first part to her grandson and the second to Iti.