Matters of Heart

Chapter- Three

The Living Room, Raigarh Fort, 10 PM

"O Bete Ki," said Rudra as Shivaay and Annika left with the Queen and his father respectively, "Annika Bahbhi is honest to god royalty, a freaking crown princess," he turned to Omkara with an expression of pure wonder on his face.

"Shivaay is actually going to get the title of a King someday. Oh the horror," Omkara shuddered with shock and wonder. He just could not believe what had just happened a few minutes ago. Yes, Shivaay apologized as he should have and Omkara was happy that he will now get his best friend back. He knew Annika won't change with this whole royalty situation but his brother did not need any help with his sense of entitlement.

"Omkara Ji, that is not fair...the Naam, Khoon, Khaandan do not matter to Shivaay Bhaiya anymore. You know that" Gauri defended her beloved Bhaiya, "But Annika Bhabhi did hit the lineage lottery," she said sending a meaningful look at Pinky who stood in the corner with a bitter expression on her face.

"Gauri, my love, you are wrong. Naam, Khoon, and Khaandan do not matter to him as far as Annika is concerned because when it comes to Annika all bets are off for Shivaay. Nothing else and no one else matters but Annika that does not mean that his sense of entitlement is reduced. There is an exception of every rule and Annika is the exception for Shivaay because she is his miracle." Omkara explained, " Naam, Khoon, Khaandan are important to him still but Annika has taught him to look beyond that and also judge people by their actions as well. You can't change the basic nature of a person."

"Omkara Ji please!" Gauri held up a hand, "This is a joyous occasion. No need to find all the wrongs in this situation."

"Yeah O! Bhabhi is right. Don't spoil the moment, "Rudra agreed with his Bhabhi and then asked, "What is taking them so long? I am getting Michmichi now. I need to know the whole story about Annika Bhabhi being a princess."

"Bhabhi ka Chamcha, "Omkara said but conceded to the fact that it was a joyous occasion indeed. Shivaay had taken a step forward for their relationship, Omkara hoped Annika would too. He owed his father a thank you.

"Now you have no problems with Annika, right Pinky?" She comes from a royal lineage, very well suitable for Shivaay Dadi asked addressing the reason Pinky always gave for. There were no bounds to her happiness. Her Annika bahu was found and she was safe. But Pinky just stood there seething.

"Dadi let it be, Choti Mom is not going to be happy. It was never about Annika's lineage but her own insecurities. She will never be on her side no matter what." Omkara told his grandmother and then asked one of the staff for her rooms.

"Let's go Ma, I will drop you to your room," Jhanvi said as she saw Tej walk in. She was very proud of her husband today. He solved Shivaay's problem just as he had promised her. He wasn't the beast everyone thought he was. He was just very set in his ways.

"Where is Annika?"Omkara asked his father.

"I gave her some food for thought. She is still in the garden." Tej replied simply and then joined his wife because according to him his work was done.

Omkara looked at Bhavya as all the elders retired for the night, "You are uncharacteristically quiet today Bhavya. Omkara remarked, "Is everything okay?"

"Om Bhaiya, "Bhavya began hesitantly, "There is something that has been bugging me since we entered this palace."

"Bhavya, now do not start like O, please," Rudra began only to be shushed by Gauri.

"Haan Bhavya," Gauri agreed, "Even I want to know who is getting married?"

"Not that Bhabhi, though it is a good question," Bhavya said.