30) The first peck!

Song dedicated to this chapter- Dilbar mere by Kishore Kumar!

********

"It was Hukum's 14 birthday next day, when Bade Hukum for the first time left Hukum behind and went on a buisness trip on 1 July 2010, no one knows why he went there and why he didn't took Hukum with him, but that was the first birthday Hukum celebrated without his grandfather. We all celebrated Hukum's 14 birthday on 2 July, only to mourn our beloved King's death next day. 3 July 2010 was the day, when we were informed that Bade Hukum had an brutal accident on evening of 2 July and was declared dead next day." Shakti explained.

"Ooh, so that's why Mr.Singh don't celebrate his birthday right." Rehmaat concluded.

"But than, why are we celebrating Pushpa's engagement ceremony on the day of her grandfather's death?" Rehmaat had an horrified look on her face, while Shakti stilled after listening to this, his face lost its colour as if he knew something dangerous!

"Actually, it's because, it's because of some astrologer whom Mukta aunty believes in. Hell Rana Sa was upset over this fact only, he didn't wanted to celebrate his daughters big day on the day he was supposed to mourn his father's death." Shakti had an blank look in his eyes while explaining it.

Rehmaat knew there was something off with his tone but she decided not to press further as maybe he still was coping up with Manavi's engagement to Viraj.

"Forget about that, you young lady tell me about something. I heard you got control on an untamed Dutch Warmblood? Is that true?" Sakhti asked as his smile returned to his face.

"Yes, Veere you heard right." Rehmaat grinned.

"Are you super spy or something, you know on an underground mission or something?" Sakhti laughed while Rehmaat joined him giggling.

"Nah, it has another reason, why I know stuff like this is a practice going on in my family for generations." Now that perked an interest in Shakti's mind.

"Explain." Shakti asked while settling next to Rehmaat who was already sitting on the swing in the Royal garden.

Yes the same Swing on which she slept afraid of "Bhoot uncle".

"Ok, so I have to start from the ultimate beginning ok." Rehmaat turned her face towards Shakti.

"So you know, Guru Gobind Singh Ji AKA my G.P. was one of the finest warriors of his time and he always liked practising warrior rituals too much. Like sword fighting, horse riding etc. Were his favourite. Under his leadership not only men but women too learnt warriorship proudly." Rehmaat paused before continuing.

"So he started the practices of Gatka and all. But along with that he also wanted to celebrate festivals with his own Warrior style twist." Before Rehmaat could say anything further Shakti asked.

"Warrior style festival? What's that?" He quips.

"Yes Warrior style festival. And the festival that he chossed to give this twist was Holi!" Rehmaat's eye's twinkled.

"You know, our Jaipur too is really famous for its Royal Holi celebration that our Royal family organize's every year. Apart from that I have heard about lathmar Holi, Massan holi and many other. But what is this Warrior's Holi?" Shakti had a look of curiosity on his face.

"Hola Mahalla is three days celebration. It is celebrated in such a way for the warrior's to  show the people gathered, their astonishing feats of fighting, drills and 'gatka' or mock-battles.

Daredevil acts like bareback horse-riding, standing upright on two speeding horses and many other such performances.

Since the Hola Mohalla Festival is celebrated after Holi, the festival of colours is also celebrated during the three days." Rehmaat took out her phone and showed some pictures to Shakti.

"What I did was something that is kid's play to my partner. He has rode 3 horses at once while standing on them!" Rehmaat paused before continuing while Shakti's eyes were wide from shock.

"And my family from generation have been taking part in this celebration. One person from each generation keeps this legacy alive. My Partner did, than father Saab did and now I am the one to carry forward this legacy. That's why Partner trained me like a warrior of my G.P." Rehmaat explained.

While Shakti's face formed an O.

*******

"Warrior girl what happened, why have you made all of us come here." The King of Jaipur asked what was going on in everyone's mind.

Rehmaat called every member of Royal family in her room. But didn't informed why.

"Actually, I wanted to give you all something." Rehmaat had a big bag in her hand.

One by one she took gift rapped packages and handed one to each of the members. Everyone was looking confused.

"I just wanted to give you all something won't you see what's inside?" Rehmaat asked.

"Comm'on let's Start from my D.J." Rehmaat enthusiastically went towards the Queen mother of Jaipur.

When the previous Queen opened her gift inside was a hand made card and a moon shaped brooch.

"I always used to think, what it would feel to have a Grandma. Now I know it feels great. So when I saw this moon brooch I know, it is meant for my D.J if I can't give it to my partner's Chandji, I can still give it to my D.J who have made me feel like I am with my Grandma. I know it's nothing infront of the exclusive jewel pieces that the Queen mother of Jaipur might have seen. But it's a symbol of love from a granddaughter to her D.J " As she completed her sentence her D.J.'s eyes were full of tears. And she took Rehmaat into a hug.

Next Rehmaat moved towards the king of Jaipur who had already opened his small gift box and was continuously looking towards the gift with numb eyes, as it was a keychain with 'best dad in the world' written on it.

"I don't know about your other kid's. But buddy remember this daughter of yours love's you alot. And you are the best Dad, my best buddy, my best Dad." As Rehmaat completed her sentence a lone tear escaped his eyes. And he kissed her crown affectionately.

Next she moved towards The Queen of Jaipur who had the heaviest box in her hand.

After unboxing it The Queen immediately bowed infront of the 'gift' as it was a beautiful sculpture of 'laddu Gopal' having his Makhan.

"This Laddu Gopal will always remind you of your this Laddu Gopal." Rehmaat said gesturing towards herself.

Diya caressed her cheek affectionately.

Next was Manavi's turn.

As she opened her gift, She gulfed Rehmaat in a hug. Her gift was a beautiful braclet/bangle with "always my sister forever my friend" written on it.

No words were exchanged between them. It was like the type of friends they were, they didn't needed words to communicate.

Next she moved to Shivansh, who was standing empty handed as she hadn't given him any gift.

Slowly she took a small box from her pocket. Opened it , took the thing inside it and got hold of his wrist.

Which startled everyone around her, even Hukum himself.

Slowly she tied the beautiful braclet around his wrist.

"I just knew it was meant for you " She said while touching the braclet which had a 'Shiv trishul' in the middle.

"And I have another gift for you too Mr.Singh, can I come to chambers to give it to you?" Rehmaat whispered only audible to Him to which he gave an curt nod.

"Rehmaat, why these gifts suddenly?" Rana Sa Asked with a suspicious tone.

"I... I" Rehmaat's body tensed, she took a deep breath before continuing.

"I am going back to Amritsar tommorow, My flight is of midnight 12:30." As she completed her sentence, it was pin - drop silence in the room.

"My partner wants me back, he wants to spend all the remaining time I have before going to London, with him." Rehmaat said and Manavi let out a sob and all the Raghuvanshi's took Rehmaat in a group hug, except Hukum.

He was just standing there with an emotionless face. But in his heart he was feeling an emotion after a decade, an emotion called fear. Fear of loosing someone whose his own.

******

"

Ok Mr.Singh, sit down and close your eyes." Rehmaat instructed Hukum while hiding something behind her.

Both were present in Hukum's chamber, again.

"I can't close my eyes." He said but after looking at her eyes he quietly sat down and close his eyes.

"Now open your mouth, Mr.Singh." Rehmaat once again tried her luck. And to her surprise he listened!

She slowly put a spoon full of Kesar kheer in his mouth.

And as the flavours touched his taste buds his eyes opened in surprise.

"Beautiful told me, that you loved having Kesar kheer. But haven't had it since you know, your Grandfather's demise. But trust me he will hate to hear that you have given up your favourite Kheer because of him." Rehmaat said in a small voice.

"He loved you Mr.Singh, don't hurt him by giving up on another thing you love." Rehmaat said.

"Than make me eat it." Hukum said while gesturing her to take hold of the spoon. To which Rehmaat gave an Wide smile.

"Mr.Singh you tell me, how was your childhood?" Rehmaat asked.

"You can never be a child or enjoy your childhood when an invisible crown of responsibilities as a future king/leader rests on your head." Hukum said in a deep voice.

"Though me and Dada Hukum enjoyed old classics specifically kishore Da's song." Hukum continued further.

"Ooh, By the way Mr.Singh did you liked the Kheer that I just made you eat." Rehmaat grinned.

"You mean to say the kheer that my Ma made." He tried to tease her.

"Nah, the kheer that my beautiful made. You know I have this habit of reserving my rights on my people." Rehmaat Stated proudly.

"On me too?" He asked.

" Yes on you......" She paused in between realising what she was about to say.

"Ooh Mr.Singh I think I should go now . It's late night." Rehmaat got up to go back to her room.

"Still on Mr.Singh I see?" He asked as he stood up.

"You haven't really done anything to make me think otherwise." She said as she tried to go out.

But her steps halted as she heard the thing next.

(Only the song)

"Dilbar mere, kab tak mujhe aise he tadpau ge.

Main aag dil main laga doon woh ke pal mian pighal jaoge." He took a few steps towards her.

(Oh my beloved, till when will you tease me. I will set your heart on fire of my love that you will melt in seconds."

"Ek din aayega pyaar hoo jayega."

(One day you will fall in love.)

As he got closer to her.

He pulled her closer by her wrist. And slowly took his lips towards her forehead

" Hoo hoo hoo Main aag dil main laga doon woh ke pal mian pighal jaoge."

(I will set your heart on fire of my love that you will melt in seconds.")

After completing the song he slowly pecked her forehead, with that he pecked her soul too and said.

"Good night!" To which Rehmaat closed her eyes to live the beautiful moment.

As Rehmaat got out of his chambers with a small blush on her cheeks.

Hukum immediately called Shakti on phone and told him to do something.

"Are you sure Hukum, you want to buy that." Shakti asked suprised.

"Do as I say Shakti." He said gruffly long gone was the soft yet deep voice that he used with his Kaur.

***************************************

#Rehansh Forever 💕💕💕