The grand courtyard of the palace had been transformed into a majestic maze of glass, marigold drapes, and thousands of twinkling fairy lights. At the center stood the mandap, glowing under a canopy of white orchids. The air was thick with the scent of burning camphor and expensive perfume as the guests filed in for the jaimala (exchange of garlands).
Devika was in her element, practically vibrating with excitement. She had already forgotten about the rooftop fight, her focus entirely shifted to tormenting the groom. "Come on, girls! Thoda aur upar uthao!" she cheered, rallying Avani, Sugandha, and a dozen bridesmaids. "Itni aasani se nhi denge hum apni bhabhi ko is aadmi ke hawale!"
"Bhabhi, thodi to daya kijiye!" Harsh pleaded from the stage, his hands raised in surrender. "Humari sherwani kaafi tight hai, jump nhi kar sakte!"
Rajveer stood a few paces away, his arms crossed over his chest, watching his wife with a silent intensity that drew the eyes of half the royal guests. He looked every bit the future king—stoic, unreadable, and imposing. But his eyes never left the swirling pink fabric of Devika's lehenga.
"Bhaisa," Vikram whispered, slipping through the crowd to stand beside Rajveer. He handed him a glass of sherbet. "Sab control mein hai. Hooda ke log pakad liye gye hai, par hume lagta hai vo khud shayad yahan mojud hai, Karan. Catering par kisi ne dekha tha."
"Aane do," Rajveer replied, his voice a flat, dangerous calm. "Jalbaazi humesha galti karati hai."
Suddenly, Devika hopped backward off the stage, laughing hysterically at Harsh's failed attempt to duck the garland. In her excitement, she didn't see the massive silver pillar behind her. Rajveer stepped forward instantly, his large hand wrapping around her waist to pull her back against his chest before she could collide with the metal.
Devika's laughter clipped off into a sharp intake of breath. The sudden warmth of his solid chest against her back sent a violent shiver down her spine.
"Thoda idhar-udhar dekh ke dance kijiye," Rajveer murmured, his breath warm against the nape of her neck.
Devika's ears flared a brilliant scarlet. She bit her lower lip, her fingers clutching his forearm for support as her knees threatened to give way. "H-Hukum... Sab dekh rahe hain," she whispered, her usual bold wit completely deserting her.
"Dekhne do," Rajveer said softly, enjoying the sudden, breathless vulnerability of the girl who usually had a comeback for everything. "Humari shaadi ko saat saal ho chuke hain."
"Bhaisa! Choro zara bhabhi ko. Hume photos lene hain!" Jai shouted from across the courtyard, waving a camera.
Devika used the distraction to break away, her cheeks burning as she scurried back to the safety of the siblings, who immediately began teasing her about her crimson face.
Rajveer's smile faded back into a sharp gaze as his eyes tracked a server carrying a heavy silver tray near the VIP lounge. The man was walking with a rigid, military posture—completely wrong for a waiter. More importantly, he kept his right hand buried under the white towel draped over his arm.
Hooda.
Rajveer caught Vikram's eye and gave a nearly imperceptible nod. They began moving through the crowd from opposite sides, closing in on the target without alerting the guests.
But Devika had noticed too. Her sharp eyes caught the glint of steel beneath the server's towel as he positioned himself behind the seating area of the royal elders.
Without a word, Devika grabbed a heavy crystal bowl of rose petals from a nearby table. She walked gracefully toward the lounge, her face a mask of bubbly innocence. Just as Hooda raised his silenced pistol from beneath the towel, aiming directly toward Rajveer's father, Devika "tripped" spectacularly.
"Oh, matching phul!" she cried out.
She hurled the heavy crystal bowl forward. It struck Hooda squarely in the temple with a sickening thud. The gun went off, but the silenced bullet buried itself harmlessly into a thick velvet curtain.
Before Hooda could recover from the daze, Rajveer arrived like a shadow. He stepped between Hooda and the elderly guests, completely blocking the view. With terrifying speed, Rajveer caught Hooda by the throat, driving his fingers into a pressure point on his neck while Vikram grabbed the falling pistol.
Hooda's eyes rolled back, his body going limp instantly.
"Smooth," Vikram muttered, catching the unconscious gang leader under the armpits. He smoothly navigated Hooda into a nearby empty wheelchair, throwing a royal shawl over his lap. "Ye Jodhpur ki garmi sab nhi sah paate. Niche le jaate hain."
Rajveer turned back to the crowd, smoothing down the front of his sherwani.
Devika was already standing right next to him, brushing a stray rose petal off his shoulder while her eyes checked him up and down for injuries.
"Theek thaak?" She asked.
"Theek thaak." He replied smiling warmly.
---
With Hooda safely tucked away in the cellar, the wedding returned to its chaotic, joyful rhythm. The threat had passed, and the mandap was now surrounded by a thick circle of laughing cousins, friends, and the Rathore siblings.
The traditional Vedic chants had paused for a brief intermission of games, and that was exactly when Jai grabbed a decorative brass megaphone from the music coordinators. He smirked directly at Rajveer, then turned his gaze to Devika, who was practically vibrating with mischief. It was time for a viral wedding chant.
Jai cleared his throat and yelled out into the megaphone, "Bhabhi tum pocha lagvao!"
Instantly, Vikram, Avani, Sugandha, Devika and a chorus of thirty other youngsters threw their hands in the air, shouting back at the top of their lungs, "Hum tumhare saath hain!"
Rajveer blinked. He stood at the edge of the crowd, his arms crossed over his chest, his regal posture completely out of place in this sudden circus. He looked at Devika, who was hopping up and down, chanting with them and clapping her hands like a manic cheerleader.
Jai continued. "Bhabhi tum bartan dhulvao!"
"Hum tumhare saath hain!" the crowd roared back, laughing hysterically as the elderly relatives shook their heads in fond exasperation.
"Bhabhi tum kapde dhulvao!" Jai chanted.
"Hum tumhare saath hain!"
Devika twirled around, her pink lehenga flaring beautifully as she caught Rajveer's eye. She shimmed through the crowd, sliding right up to his side. She grabbed his stiff arm, shaking it with infectious energy. "Come on, Hukum sa! Aap team Bhabhi ke leader hain. Saath mein boliye!"
Rajveer looked down at her, his jaw tightening. He gave her a sharp, icy glare that would have silenced an entire boardroom of European investors. 'I am not saying that', his eyes clearly warned.
Devika didn't even flinch. She just tilted her head, her big eyes wide and pleading, biting her lower lip in a mock-innocent pout that she knew perfectly well drove him insane. She nudged his shoulder with hers. "Please, Handsome? Humare liye ?"
Jai took the cue, yelling the final line with extra gusto. "Bhabhi tum kharche karvao!"
"Hum..." the crowd started, but Devika signalled them to wait. She kept her eyes locked on her husband, raising her eyebrows teasingly.
Rajveer looked at her stubborn, beautiful face. He looked at his siblings, who were all watching him with bated breath, testing if the cold big brother had completely lost his sense of humor in Europe. He let out a long, defeated sigh, his strict demeanor cracking into a helpless, quiet surrender.
Rajveer cleared his throat, raised his voice, and matched her energetic tone perfectly, booming over the rest of the crowd:
"...tumhare saath hain!"
The courtyard erupted. Jai dropped the megaphone in shock, Vikram started whistling, and Harsh cheered from the stage.
---
The heavy scent of burning sandalwood and ghee filled the air as the priest kindled the sacred fire for the pheras. Harsh and Nandini stood up, ready to take the seven vows that would bind them forever. Around the mandap, the family held brass bowls heaped with fresh, fragrant pink rose petals, ready to shower the couple with blessings.
"Om Varunaya Namah... Swaha!" the priest chanted.
A collective wave of rose petals flew into the air, raining down on the bride and groom. Rajveer stood tall and regal beside Devika, his hands filled with petals, dutifully tossing them toward his brother. But out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a sudden flutter of pink landing directly on his own shoulder. Then another right on his styled black hair.
He cut his gaze sideways. Devika was standing with her head held high, looking the picture of a pious, dedicated sister-in-law. Her eyes were fixed entirely on the fire, but there was a massive, uncontrollable smirk pulling at the corners of her lips.
"Swaha!" she yelled out loudly with the priest, her hand making a sweeping motion toward the groom—but a tiny fistful of petals slipped sideways, landing squarely on Rajveer's chest.
Rajveer squinted his eyes at her, his strict face hardening into a silent warning. 'I see you, wifey.' his glare said.
Devika completely ignored him. She didn't look back. She just grabbed another handful of flowers, her shoulders shaking with silent, giggling laughter as she chanted another enthusiastic "Swaha!"
Seeing that the cold prince was merely glaring and not retaliating, Devika grew even bolder. As the third round of the fire began, she waited for the crowd to cheer. The moment the drums rolled, her hand flicked with lightning speed. A flurry of soft petals smacked Rajveer directly in the face, one sticking stubbornly to his cheekbone.
Rajveer closed his eyes for a brief second, biting the inside of his cheeks to keep his composure. He was the future king of Jodhpur, standing in front of hundreds of royal guests, currently being pelted with flowers by his own wife. He didn't move a muscle, his eyes staring straight ahead, but his jaw ticked with a dangerous promise.
Finally, the priest announced the completion of the seventh vow. "Phera sampann hua!"
The courtyard erupted in cheers, music, and applause. Everyone raised their hands to throw the final, remaining mounds of rose petals in one massive, celebratory shower over the newlywed couple.
But Rajveer turned fully toward his wife. With a rare, brilliant grin breaking across his handsome face, he brought his hands over her head and dumped his entire handful of rose petals right onto her hair.
Devika gasped, ducking her head slightly as the pink rain covered her beautiful updo and tangled in her heavy jewelry. She didn't look at him, still trying to play innocent for the cameras, but a bright, bubbly giggle escaped her lips. She kept her eyes glued forward, her shoulders shaking as she basked under his playful retaliation.
---
The sacred rituals were officially complete, and it was time for the newlyweds to seek the wisdom and blessings of the family elders. Harsh and Nandini moved down the line, bowing gracefully to touch the feet of the older generation, who smiled warmly, patting their heads with gentle hands and traditional prayers.
Then, the couple stepped in front of Rajveer and Devika.
Being the eldest brother and sister-in-law, they were next in line for the honor. As Harsh and his bride ducked down to touch their feet, Devika didn't settle for a gentle pat. Her eyes lit up with chaotic energy.
SLAP!
"Jeete raho!" she cheered, her open palm connecting solidly with Harsh's back.
SLAP!
"Jeete raho!" she repeated, treating Nandini's back with the exact same enthusiastic force.
Rajveer, who usually stood as stiff as a statue during these formal proceedings, actually giggled. The sound was so rare and delightful that Devika's eyes snapped to him. Standing tall with his hands tucked behind his back, a rogue, brilliant grin broke across his face. He leaned in slightly, nudging her shoulder, and murmured under his breath, "Ek aur! Ek aur!"
Devika didn't need to be told twice. With a wicked laugh, her hand swung out again.
SLAP!
"Jeete raho!!" she beamed.
Both Harsh and his wife stood up, rubbing their backs while laughing hysterically at the unconventional treatment. Harsh turned a faux-betrayed glare toward his older brother. "Kya 'Ek aur' yaar, Bhaiya!"
Rajveer merely shrugged his broad shoulders, his face instantly smoothing back into his trademark "innocent" look, though his eyes were still dancing with dark amusement.
Harsh then turned his complaints to his favorite sister-in-law. "Aur aap kya maarte rahoge, Bhabhi!!"
Devika giggled, her bubbly persona fully taking over as she stepped forward to complete her unique blessing. She cracked her knuckles against her temples, taking their balaiyan to ward off the evil eye. "Dhudho-nahao, aur jyada-jyada puto-phalo!!" she grinned, her voice ringing out across the courtyard. "Hume agle saal puri fauj dekhni hai!"
The poor Nandini's eyes went wide, and she instantly hid her blushing face in her hands with pure embarrassment. Devika laughed warmly, pulling her new sister-in-law into a tight, fierce, and loving hug to soothe her nerves.
Just as the emotional warmth settled over the family, Jai's loud voice shattered the peace. "Ahem! Sirf ashirwaad se thode hi kuch hoga, Thodi jeb khali kariye! Ghar ki badi Bahu hain aap!"
The surrounding cousins immediately began chanting in agreement, demanding the grand shagun (monetary gift) expected from the Crown Prince and Princess.
Devika arched a perfect, dangerous eyebrow at Jai. She slowly turned to Rajveer, her fingers making a tiny, walking motion through the air, playfully signaling for his wallet. Rajveer sighed, a look of humorous hesitation crossing his face as he reached into his heavy sherwani pocket. He handed over the sleek, expensive leather wallet, fully expecting her to hand over a massive bundle of high-denomination notes or credit cards to keep up royal appearances.
Instead, Devika opened the wallet, fished around for a solid minute with a mischievous squint, and pulled out a single pink note and a shiny coin.
She raised her hand high into the air, proudly displaying a 100-rupee note and a 1-rupee coin to the entire gathering of high-society guests. "Ek Sau Ek!" she announced with a triumphant, wicked grin.
She began circling the massive sum of one hundred and one rupees around the heads of the bride and groom in a traditional blessing gesture. The elderly relatives burst into loud laughter, while the Rathore siblings stood absolutely frozen, utterly baffled by her extreme royal stinginess.
"Kam se kam par plate ke khane ka to do, Bhabhi!!" Harsh teasingly complained, holding his forehead in mock despair.
Devika didn't back down. With a grand, majestic sweep of her arm, she slapped the 101 rupees back into Rajveer's hand, gesturing toward Jai, Vikram, and the rest of the gaping siblings with a regal wave.
"Garibo mein baat dijiye!!" she ordered Rajveer smoothly.
Rajveer bit the inside of his cheek so hard it hurt, trying to suppress the massive laugh bubbling in his chest. He looked at his younger brothers, who were staring at the 101 rupees like it was a personal insult, and then down at his bold, cackling wife.
"Jaisa Rajkumari chahe," Rajveer murmured, his voice rich with a sudden, deep warmth and tossed the money toward a stunned Jai.
---
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