Chaotic Relations

Chapter 27

Hey guys! Finally, I have updated. By the way, the next chapter is already on scrollstack, so if you want you can check it out. The link is on my profile.

Enjoy Reading!

Ruhanika

The whole car ride was filled with Manyu's cute rambling. It, in a way, helped me distract myself from the anxious thoughts swirling in my mind. I wondered about the way they would behave. Jai uncle seemed kind when we had earlier met at the office and seemed really glad to see me. But, I can't deduce someone's behaviour just from the first visit. There have been many instances in my life where someone who seemed kind and genuine at first had turned out the opposite. Moreover, I hated the way I behaved even if someone showed me an ounce of affection or treated me sweetly. I used to wait excitedly for the arrival of that person only to find out in the end that the person would cast me aside or ignore me as soon as someone whom he considered more close or important arrived. This is why I crave to be the most important person in someone's life. Somewhere along the way I taught myself not to expect too much or hope from any person. This is also the reason why I am wary of Jai uncle even if he seemed sweet earlier.

The car halted suddenly breaking my trail of thoughts. I looked outside to see 2 more cars parked along with ours'. Papa went out and opened Maa's door while Ansh opened mine. I swear if my man in future doesn't give me the princess treatment that my father and brothers give me then I am leaving him straight away. My own family has set the bar very high.

I looked in front to see a lavish mansion that looked even more grand under sunlight. I had heard some snippets from Papa's and Jai uncle's conversation and got to know that he was the king of Alwar. Looks like I will have to use all the etiquette classes that I learnt from my mentor. But Papa said that they are practically family so maybe I won't have to be so uptight with them. Let's see!

As soon as we entered, I saw Jai uncle already standing there perhaps waiting for us. He hugged Papa as soon as he saw him and each one of my brothers except for Divyank Bhaiya touched his feet as a sign of respect. He blessed them. After they were done, bhaiya greeted him. It was a Rajasthani way of greeting and I was obviously not familiar with it. I mirrored the action of my brothers and went towards him in order to touch his feet, but before I could do so, he stopped me and said, "Arey, nahi, nahi beta. Hamare yahan ladkiyan badon ke pair nahi chootin. Tum to maa durga ka avatar ho. Humari itni himmat ki hum devi se apne pair chuaein. Paap chadhega humko."

(Oh, no, no child. In our culture, girls don't touch the feet of elders. You are an incarnation of Goddess Durga. How dare I make a goddess touch my feet. I will get sinned.)

Hearing his words a smile appeared on my lips. I greeted him joining my hands together and said, "Namaste uncle." Since I was not yet familiar with the traditional Rajasthani greetings, I opted for the way we greeted elders back in Lucknow. He patted my head and blessed me.

We were led further into the house by him. As soon as we entered the living room, I heard an excited squeal and turned to look at the side. I spotted Avyaan running at full speed towards us and hugged the life out of Manyu. It was such an adorable scene. I then spotted a lady in her 40s coming towards us. She was decked in very heavy royal clothes. She definitely had great taste and her attire looked beautiful. I definitely wouldn't be able to pull off an attire that heavy daily.

She greeted us in the traditional Rajasthani way while my brothers greeted her the same way they greeted Jai's uncle. She then hugged Maa saying, "Welcome Meera. We haven't met for such a long time. That is why I insisted Jai invite you guys today." Maa smiled softly and said, "Yeah Smita, I also wanted to meet you but our princess had come back recently and we wanted her to settle down and get comfortable with us before we pay attention to any other matters."

Hearing this Smita Aunty's attention now fell on me and I instantly greeted her, "Namaste Aunty." I wanted to be on my best behaviour, so I was doing everything I could and making sure that no one can point a finger at my parents. She smiled at me, patted my head and blessed me. But soon a frown crossed over her face and she said, "Meera, ab Ruhi Rajasthan mein rehene lagi hai. She is the princess of Jodhpur. Tum isko jaldi hi traditional way of greeting sikha dena. We are all one family, so we won't mind, but people will talk if she doesn't start greeting everyone the right way."

(Meera, Ruhi has now started living in Rajasthan. She is the princess of Jodhpur. You should teach her the traditional way of greeting soon. We are all one family, so we won't mind, but people will talk if she doesn't start greeting everyone the right way.)

I was stunned for a moment listening to her. But, then I realized that maybe she was right. I don't really know the way royalty works. She is saying this for my benefit only. Before I could apologise, Jai uncle intervened, "Leave it Smita. She will learn all the things that she needs to learn soon and at the right time. She has just returned back. Her whole life was turned upside down. Once she settles, she will learn all that she needs to learn."

Smita Aunty tried to say something but stopped when Jai uncle gave her a look. He then turned to us and said, "Let's go for dinner." Smita Aunty nodded and smiled at us. She then turned to a maid and said, "Jaiye Arshit baba aur Advait baba ko bulaiye."

(Go and call both Arshit and Advait.)

We then got seated and waited for Arshit and Advait to arrive. I took this time to ponder on Smita Aunty's words. I know my family pampers me a lot and they will wait for me to grasp things at my own pace but I desperately needed a reality check. The world outside won't wait for me. I will need to toughen myself up and face the world head-on. No doubt, my family will always support me but there will always be some battles that I will have to fight alone. I need to be capable enough to face these challenges on my own.

Hearing the sound of approaching footsteps, I looked to the side to see both Arshit and Advait arriving. I had already met Arshit but it was my first time meeting Advait. Apparently, he was the middle son of Jai uncle and Smita Aunty. They greeted my parents and sat down in their respective seats.

The food was served and as usual, Papa served Maa while Ansh served me. Then the conversations started. It appeared that my brothers were quite acquainted with both Arshit and Advait. However, Arshit seemed a bit closed off. But what surprised me was the fact that Arshit talked a bit rudely with his mother. I didn't like this thing even a single bit. Smita Aunty was such a sweet lady. If he can't respect his own parents then he cannot respect anyone. I can't believe I had a crush on someone like him. But then a thought crossed my mind, maybe he was having a bad day. Just as we shouldn't judge how good a person is on the first meet, we shouldn't judge how bad a person is too on the first meet.

Advait suddenly turned towards me with a smirk and said, "So, hi Ruhanika. I am Advait. We are of the same age. I think we can be friends, what say?" I became excited at the prospect of gaining a new friend and said, "Yeah, of course, Advait. Let's play 20 questions so we can get to know each other better." Hearing my suggestion, he nodded with a smile on his face and we spent the rest of the dinner getting to know each other better and bonding over our shared interest in coding and programming.

It was perhaps the first time I was being this extroverted and maybe it was due to the calming and supportive presence of my family or because of the familiar environment around me but I was grateful for this progress.

Soon, the lunch was over. We bid byes to the Rajput family and left for home. The day was amazing. I gained a new father figure, a new little brother, a new mother figure and a potential best friend.

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Whom did you like the most in the Rajput family?

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