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“Dulhan’s acceptance is essential...!” Suleyman said keeping the docket on the table.  Salil fumbled...

“Umm... She is not here...!” he said glancing at the duo guiltily.  

“Uncle, she went back to hostel..” Bhanu took over.  Suleyman picked up the docket. 

“What is that?” Disha couldn’t stop asking.  “Her acceptance letter, Madam..” Raheman said politely.  

“Letter? Is this some kind of contract?” Disha flared up.  She came forward to take the docket...!

“No Madam, it is the formal acceptance by the Dulhan of Royal family...!” said Rehman and Disha shook her head.  

“There are no princely States in Independent India...” By now she had realized.  

“Yes, the accession to the independent India took place on 1^st January 1948.  The Family kept its Title with lands and immovable properties.  The Roayl family keeps the rights over the traditions, rituals and Yearly celebrations of the Godess Vyaghreshwari...” Rehman added the details.  

“The Privy Purse of Rs. 69700. Is added to the Trust ...!” Suleyman said.  Disha’s mouth fell open.  

“I am one of the trustees... and Bhanu Pratap Singh’s uncle Avadhesh Pratap is another Trusty.  He will be arriving soon...!” Suleyman said.  It seemed everything was well arranged and all the questions were answered.  But Disha’s mind was not ready to buy anything of this.  She leaned forward and uncovered the plates...

“Shagun for the Dulhan, Madam...!” Rehman was not happy that someone else, other than Dulhan was opening the Shagun...! But Suleyman raised his hand to stop his brother.  Rehman backed away.  The artistically arranged methai and Laddus were mouth watering.  She went ahead and opened the other two plates and her eyes popped out looking at the contents....!

“These are for Dulhan, Madam... from the family...!” Rehman clarified before Disha touched the ornament boxes...! “A small gift for her....!” he added.  Disha took her hand back.

“Why there is no one from the Family? You said you are trustees...” Disha asked suspiciously.  The others were only spectators as they all were rendered speechless with the turn of the events....!

“His Highness Sayajirao was the only child ...!” Rehman said with a stern face and Bhanu intervened.

“Disha... I know them well... He is Saya uncle’s childhood friend... he only helps uncle... And Suleyman uncle is a businessman himself...” Disha gaped at Bhanu.  

“Please accept the proposal.. in her absentia... “ Suleyman requested ghostly looking Salil and Nilima. Virender encouraged by putting his hand on Salil’s shoulder.  Nilima was still sceptical...! Disha went aside dialing the number.....

*********  *********

“What?.... Mamma... somebody has played a big prank on you.... ! And you ended up parting with your gold chain.... Mamma.... !“ Dhatri said aghast, pressing her hand on her chest.

“No Dhaa.... listen....” Nilima went ahead and as she unfolded the drama Dhatri sucked her breath.  

“And then Disha and Ravi had a row over the phone....” Nilima said apprehensively and Dhatri blew her top.

“What business she had to talk to Ravi, Mamma?” she asked flaring up.  Nilima told her the whole story. 

.... ....

Disha still had not bought the story...! She was sure, this was all hoacks...! She dialled Ravi’s number.  Bhanu stopped her.  “Disha its 12:30 am there...!” he showed her the time.  

“Hello... Hope we are not late....” Kalindi with Avadh and his wife Kranti walked in.  Salil and Nilima breathed relief.  Swarnima looked on.  Avadh took over immediately.  Kranti looked around and found that Dhatri was missing.  She raised her eyebrows and Bhanu responded.  “She went back to collage...” Kranti nodded understandingly glancing at Disha.  

Suleyman handed over the docket to Avadh.  “She is not here...” Kranti provided the information. 

“Ok. No issues... We will do it later...” he said and joining his hands, moving towards Salil, said... “Please accept these as token of our love... Our proposal ...!” Salil numbly nodded.  

“No... We can’t accept these...” Nilima blurted holding Swarnima’s hand looking at the silk covered plates...! 

“Bhaisaab... We will keep these sweets... but the valuables... I mean the Shagun... You know.... Its not possible to keep them at home...” Swarnima spoke for Nilima.  Rehman nodded knowingly. 

“Ok. Madam... We will give the locker key, tomorrow morning....once we secure the bank locker...” 

Swarnima went inside followed by Nilima.  She took out a gold chain from her neck and Nilima understood.

“No.. wait...!” she dashed to her room took out the ‘Kantha’ chain gifted by Rini at the time of Disha’s wedding and placing it in a jewellery box came out...! Swarnima nodded appreciating...!

“Ummm... We do not know how to reciprocate...” she held out the box and said further...

“This is from us... for the groom.. Dulha...” Virender couldn’t stop but clapped happily. Everyone followed.  Rehman and Suleyman looked relieved.  

“Where are the ladies from your family... your so called Royal family...” Disha still was not ready to buy ....

“Hamaray main Jananiya nahi aati... Shagun layker...” Rehman said.  Disha gaped...

“They have the privilege to step in later ...” Suleyman chuckled adding.... “When the donkey work of carrying the shagun is over...” 

“But where is Ravi’s mother?” Disha was not ready to leave the topic.  Kalindi spoke....

“Disha, Sanyogita is my younger sister.  Saya and Sanyu separated immediately after Ravi’s birth.... and divorced..... So Ravi has no mother and is raised by his father....” She looked at everyone... 

“If this much explanation from the elder sister is enough, we will go ahead with the wedding arrangements....” Salil and Nilima nodded.  

“This is so wierd....” Disha spoke.  Rehman looked at Kalindi for her permission.  She closed her eyes to hide her pain and nodded.  He took out a paper and handed it over to Disha.

“Decree of Divorce.... 26^th May 1987.... “ he said gravely.  Disha glanced at the Decree....and the Court Seal...! 

“But why was the divorce.....” Disha was stopped by Salil.

“Disha... Please stop.  This is not the time to dig the buried skeletons..!” Disha opened her mouth to retort but gaped at she saw Indroneel walking in.  Frown appeared on her face.   He wouldn’t listen to anyone now.  Disha went inside dialing the number.... Bhanu tried to follow her to know who she was calling....

“Aha.... finally... our Dhaa said yes... Baba... I am so very happy.... Dhaa... Dhaa...” he called out and Bhanu held his hand whispering... “She is not here.  She went back to collage...” Indorneel’s face changed color... “Haan? Feeling shy... Haan? My sweet girl... She ran away feeling shy....” He said dreamily and Virender and Swarnima smiled broadly to be joined by the members of the groom’s side. 

.......  .....

“Disha... you got to stop this....! Stop it before its too late....! And we need to meet again...! I can’t see your sister being trapped to cleverly...! Disha... listen to me carefully....” Disha listened determined to stop the wedding....! She came out to see the cars already gone and Virender and Indroneel talking about Dhatri and Ravi enthusiastically.  Indroneel came towards her seeing her at the door and fed her Methai.....!

“Congratulations ... Disha... your young sister is getting married.... Oh Baba... I am so happy......!” Indroneel was on cloud nine...! Dhaa was getting married to Ravi....!