THE ROYAL AFFAIR

BACK WITH FAMILY

Shnaya had been waiting to meet Vikram and now suddenly she didn't want to face him . She was sure Vikram had listened to Vishal's admission of love .

"Hi Vikram . How is Maharaj ji ?" Shnaya asked him .

"We have shifted him to his wing . You can meet him as he is waiting for you . Also Ajay and your dad will be coming in a day or two . They were with us in Delhi . " Vikram told her .

Vishal and Maya had disappeared cautiously from the scene while Chachi was keenly looking at their reactions however Vikram didn't react .

He took Shnaya's hand and they moved to meet the Maharaj

"Vikram how are you ? "Shnaya asked .

"Shnaya I am not in the mood for small talk , I have heard what Vishal said . I am not blaming you but I am not in the mood to discuss . Lets meet dad and then I need to rest "

Shnaya met the Maharaj . He was very weak . His body was very frail and thin but his smile was wide . She hugged him tightly and controlled her tears . " Good to see you beta "

"Good to meet you dad . Now I have come back and I will nurse you to good health " Shnaya told him .

She sat with him for half an hour and then she spent some time with the Maharani .

Maharani was crying and Shnaya consoled her . " Shnaya beta I missed you . Vikram missed you a lot . Even Maharaj used to ask about you . Now you are back and everything will be better I am sure "

Shnaya hugged her and they sat together for a long time .

By the time Shnaya came to her wing Vikram had changed and he was asleep . He looked weaker than before . His eyes had dark circles underneath.

Even though he was sleeping it was a restless sleep. Shnaya sat near him and touched his hair lightly .

He seemed to be very stressed out . After all he was dealing with so many things his fathers health , his bad marriage , his royal duties and even his business .

And then on top of that Vishal proposing her .

Shnaya took rest for half an hour and then went back to the Maharaj wing after arranging for soup and tea .

First she fed Maharaj the soup with her own hands and then she and Maharani had tea together . Shnaya was telling them about her college and they were laughing with her when Vikram entered . He saw his parents and his wife were enjoying ," Hey this is wrong Everyone is enjoying and poor me I am left out "

"Come join us beta "

Shnaya handed him a cup of tea . Their hands touched and a bolt of electricity passed through their bodies.

It was a pleasant hour or so after which Shnaya went to the royal kitchen . She had spoken with the dietician and the doctors and was planning to cook dinner for Maharaj herself .

She then carried the dinner and again served the dinner herself .Infact she now asked the Maharani to rest for a few hours while she would stay with the Maharaj .

It was past dinner time when Maharanj woke up ," Shnaya beta now you rest . I will take care and their are plenty of servants . You must have missed dinner as well "

Just then Vikram entered with a servant carrying dinner ," Dinner for two of my favourite ladies "

The three then ate dinner quietly and Shnaya left to sleep.

Vikram came after an hour to find Shnaya sleeping in her room . He lifted her and carried her to his room ," Shnaya why are you sleeping in that room ?Do I need to remind you that you are my wife and we sleep together ?"

"No its just that I wasn't sure and I wanted you to rest properly "Shnaya replied .

"How can I rest when my own brother has professed his love for you ? Why is it Shnaya that on our first day together after almost a year I have to bear this ?"

"But Vikram I never encouraged him . I think of him as my brother in law and nothing more . please believe me "

" l don't know what to believe anymore . Lets just sleep and forget this conversation . "Vikram replied .

The next morning Vikram woke up to find Shnaya showered and going to the kitchen for making breakfast . One thing was sure he couldn't fault her love for his parents .

The next few days she followed the same routine . She would cook all his fathers meals .

In the afternoon she would read holy scriptures to his father and then in the evening she would take him to the palace gardens on his wheelchair .

Many times she would even sleep with the Maharani at night .

She was the perfect daughter to his parents and both Maharaj and Maharani adored her .

After around three weeks Maharaj sat both of them down ," Vikram and Shnaya you missed your first wedding anniversary but I want a celebration now . There is no hiding the fact that I cannot survive another major surgery and my days are limited but before going I want to crown you both as king and Queen . There will be a huge celebration and I want to be a part of it . Also my condition is deteriorating so I want the ceremony to take place next week "

"No dad please don't say such things . I will take full care of you and we will get you the best treatment . Have faith in God you will be well . I won't let you go " saying this Shnaya started to cry .

" Shnaya I am blessed to have a daughter like you . It is because of efforts of both of my children that I am still alive . I just want to see both of you happy together . And then which father doesn't want his children to take over his responsibilities "

"Dad please don't do this . You have many years left in you and I know you are a survivor . I am not ready to be king so soon "Vikram replied .

" Beta do as your father says ,"Maharani told them .

" Beta consider this my last wish "Maharaj told them .