The Shahi Mehal of Rajasthan wasn't just a residence of the King but it is the living embodiment of grandeur , authority and timeless beauty along with the towering gates forged of gold and iron , etched with ancient symbols and guarded by marble lions each roaring silently with pride . As the King's car arrived the gates open leading to the vast courtyard paved with polished stone mosaics that glints like stars under the sun , fountains sing in the corner while manicured garden bloom with rare flowers that releases a perfume fit only for Royalty

" The King has arrived ..." The anouncement rings into the throne hall which wa vast with ceiling so high they seem to touch the heaven while the pillars were decorated beautifully for the celebration , Adhiraj enters in the Palace and was welcomed by his mother who was gorgeously draped into the vintage cream saree with the golden embroidery which was the symbol of grace and elegance her diamond jwellery was adding richness to her beauty , she smiles looking at Adhiraj who touches his feet

" You surprised me so gracefully that I forget my all complains about you leaving your mother and family alone " Adhiraj's mother said as she caresses her son's face which reminds her of the Late King , Adhiraj's smile fades when his mother's eyes dazed as she thinks of her dead husband instead of her son who was standing infron't of her, Vikram and the others also entered into the Palace and bowed in respect to their queen dowger and soon Vikram's parents comes from stairs to welcome the King

" Welcome to your Palace Rana Sa ..." Devendra welcomed his nephew with a warm hug and Adhiraj sensed the distance between them because of Anuradha's sharp gaze on him , Adhiraj stands infron't of her because she has to greet him as the King has to be respected from everyone who approaches him , Anuradha looked at her son and then she smiles and looks at Adhiraj who was disgusted by her fake smile but no matter what he has to maintain his poster as King

" Welcome back Rana Ji ..." Anuradha said and then Adhiraj touches her feet for blessing in which she just smiles and then walks towards her son , the royal family has big portrait but smalll rooms for each other's heart and Adhiraj has been holding all these broken pieces for the sake of his family's reputation as th Royal Family

" Jaywanta jija did you forget to bring arti for your son " Anuradha taunted Jaywanta who frowns as she really forgets to bring the arti to welcome Adhiraj who came back after six month of board meetings and confrence in London , Anuradha smirks looking at the distress on Jaywanta's face but everyone went stiff when the elder queen dowger appears along with a beautiful women adored in red and golden saree with a Rajwadi red odhani on her head as she walks with grace by holding the arti thal

" After marriage it's Queen's duty to welcome her King , am I right Rana sa " Adhiraj's gaze soften and he touches his grandmother's feet who hugs him warmly , she was the only person whome Adhiraj respected and can lean on when he was tired , Padmrekha Singh Rathore his grandmother was his idol of how to be a true royal and a great ruler , Adhiraj shifts his gaze to the women who walks towards him and put the tilak on his forehead

" Welcome to the Royal palace my King " the women was about to touche his feet but Adhiraj grabbed her hands and stops her from doing this , she looks up in confusion on her gorgeous face while Adhiraj just looks at the mangalsutra around her neck which suffocated him, before the day o their marriage he warned Meghna that their relationship would be just profesional as a business deal and she agreed to it too but there was something about this pure bond between husband and wife which suffocates him

" You don't have to do this Meghna .." Meghna's smile waver but she still composes herself gracefully she knows she herself agreed to have a dead marriage with the King infron't her because she wanted the tag of Royalty but now it irritated her how Adhiraj totally ignores her as if he really don't want a perfect wife like her , like Meghna Maheshwari

" Where are the others " Adhiraj asked for his younger siblings and someone he was running away from , Adhiraj's mother had a pair of twins after the death of his father and for them their elder brother was their father and Vikram's little sister also adores him for always being their for her after all these three youngsters were just enrolled into college and are still learning the basics of Royal society

" You didn't informed us how would they know that you'll be back soon " Meghna said as she stands beside Adhiraj who looks down at her with no emotions , Adhiraj walks towards his Royal courtroom after excusing himself from everyone who were now sitting in the Royal hall as the servants serves the chamomile herbal tea with honey along with some dry fruits and cookies which were placed on the table elegantly

" It's been a year already , don't you think you should plan a heir for the throne Meghna " Jaywanta said to Meghna who stiff a little because her modeling career will be affected if she choose to have baby right after gaining so much fame after the marriage ,but she wasn't the only one who got tensed by hearing Jaywanta's statement Anuradha too became stressed because it will be hassle is Adhiraj got himself a heir before her son who wasn't even married yet

" I don't think it's our right to interfere in their life jija it'll be awkward don't you think so Masa" Anuradha said and Padmrekha knows the true intentions behind Anuradha's words but she just smiles sipping her tea and then looked at Meghna who was stunned and shock to say something

" Beta Meghu , you don't have to get stressed a child is a huge responsibility and I know that you and the King are not ready yet so we are not forcing you to do it it's just me and your mother-in-law are being a little greedy for a grandchild , but beta we respect your personal life okay " Meghna smiles because truly saying she didn't want her figure to get ruined because of a child

" Ma , we are home ..." the palace rings with chatters and laughing as soon as the young Royals entered into the palace , Jaywanta ordered a servant to inform Adhiraj while she welcomed her children with a happy smile

" Ma it was so exhausting please sift our college to our Palace please " Ruhi said to his Jaywanta as she falls beside her sitting close while Arav does the same after complaining about the weather and college they both were naughty and immature with a attitude of I don't give a fuck until it's my fuck , Smriti just sat beside Anuradha who gave her juice and fruits she was calm and composed but she hides her cruelty with a gentle smile

"So the young Royals have finally came " Everyone looked at the stairs wher Adhiraj was standing while the servants beside him carried the bags of the luxurious brands , the young Royals screams in excitement while seeing their elder brother they all ran upto Adhiraj who walks down from the stairs and engulfed his siblings in a hug , he distributed the bags in his siblings who were jumping in excitement they loved their elder brother and their elder brother loves to spoil them rotten too

" Wait a minute where is my Moksh " Padmrekha questions her grandchildren who now looked at each other with guilt while Adhiraj became stiff he still has no courage to face his biggest regret , Moksh Maheshwari was the step brother of Meghna Maheshwari after her weeding her mother send Moksh with Meghna as her Das as a gift and to humiliate Moksh's mother who was just a mere servant in their house

" Vo Dadi sa Moksh..." " He is there Dadi sa " Smriti cuts off Ruhi's words pointing at the gate from where a lean boy entered into the palace with the three different bags in his hands and one on his back shoulders due to the heavy bags infront of his face the boy was struggling to walk , without any hesitation Adhiraj moves towards him slowly and helped the timid boy to carry the bags

" Thank you .." Adhiraj's jaw clenched as he tried to controll his thoughts in his mind because of Moksh soft voice which was filled with sweetness that he wanted to taste , Adhiraj looked at Moksh's expressive eyes framed by long lashes his lips were rosey and thin but well defined that makes Adhiraj gulp due to his dry throat Adhiraj's eyes scanned every inch of Moksh's face wether it's his softness of eyes which were hidden under his soft curly strands of hairs or his blushing cheeks which makes Adhiraj go crazy

" Qartal Singh take these bags away " Adhiraj's voice was dangerous and Moksh flinched at the deep dominating voice he looked at his step sister who was looking at him with rage and disgust ofcourse she hates him , he was the reason her parents were never on good terms he was the reason her father never looked at her with soft gaze because he was blinded by a son's love a son who was now her Das

" Bhaiya Moksh lost the bet that's why he was carrying the bags nothing else " Arav said trying to conceal their mistakes while Adhiraj turns around and left without saying anything hiding his uneasiness after seeing Moksh after so many years , Meghna stands up walking towards Moksh and slapped him hard on his face

" Meghna what are you -" " Please don't stop me Dadi sa he has become a burden to me I don't know what he did to make Adhiraj look so upset I am sorry everyone you have to witness such disgusting sight infront of you " Moksh was trembling due to humiliation and fear as meghna was gripping his hands tightly

" But bhabhi it's not his fault , we made him do all this and I don't think bhaiya was upset " Ruhi said while looking at Moksh with pity , they all just tease him for fun because of his naive nature and kind heart but they don't want to harm him or make him embarrass

" Get lost and don't you dare to come in the evening Party " Meghna warns Moksh who nods and walks to his room which was at the last corner in the servant quater , Moksh have no complain to his sister or anyone else he just want to complete his studies because it's already a luxury to him that he was able to get into college because of Padmrekha and it was enough, Moksh sat on his floor bed and sighs leting his tears fall but he convinced himself that one day he'll leave this lavish Palace and live in a simple house with his mother

" Just few years more ..." Moksh said to himself as he takes out his books and documents of scholarship for States , he smiles looking at the worn out old photo of his mother and himself and his tears made the silent promise that he'll free his mother from the hell and give her everything she deserves in her life , it was his desire to live free and peacefully and soon he'll be free

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The sky is huge but I don't know why I can't fly ....

Moksh Maheshwari

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