Joda

“but I want to say something if I am allowed to,” Nayera said as she glanced at Kush.

Ranaji nodded at her as she took a deep breath, “This is a matter of the family, not something to be discussed in the royal courtroom, I would like to request to shut this case and talk it out with the family,” Nayera said as Kush’s eyes snapped to hers.

“Kunwar sa, we would need your say in this if you want this too,” Ranaji asked as Kush nodded. “I would like to close this case right here,” He said confidently as they all nodded.

“NO more discussion about this topic now,” Ranaji ordered, Setting the rest of the matters, they finished the proceedings for tomorrow.

“Nayera,” Ranaji aka Kush’s father stood in front of them as his mother too appeared along with the rest of the family members.

Nayera and Kush looked at them before he held her hand and bent to touch their feet in joda (as a couple)

“You wanted to meet her right? This is Nyaera, the woman I want to marry,” Nayera’s eyes snapped to his as he said that.

“What’s your full name, Nayera?” Kush’s mother asked.

“Ji, Nayera Garg,” She said in a firm but gentle voice.

Kush’s mother stood in front of them as they looked at her. “I thought you were faking everything but I apologize for not trusting you, Kush,” She said as she hugged both of them.

Nayera and Kush looked at each other.

“let’s go,” They walked to the sitting area as the attendees served their coffee.

“Nandini, please bring tea for her, she does not like coffee,” Kush said as he took the coffee mug from her hands as a small smile made its way to her lips. Ranaji and his wife shared a knowing look as they sipped their coffees.

“No need to have a pallu (cover head) now, beta (child) that is just a rule for the courtroom, not for our daughters,” Ranaji said as Nayera dropped the pallu, taking a breath of relief, handling it was a becoming a task for her.

“Veerendra saw you that night at Kush’s place, how is your toe now?” His mother asked as Nayera stopped breathing for a second.

“I am fine now, aunty ji,” Nayera said.

“How about Kush give you a tour of the palace?” Ranaji said as Nayera looked at Kush.

“why not? Sure,” Nayera smiled as Kush held her hand, they both walked away leaving the elders behind.

“Is she the same girl from his place, Veerendra?” Kush’s mother asked him as soon as Nayera and Kush were out of sight.

“Ji Rani sa, She is the same girl,” He confirmed as they nodded.

“You may leave,” Ranaji ordered before he looked at his wife.

“I like the girl,” Ranaji said as his wife smiled.

“Maybe after marriage will make him understand what we have been trying to tell him for ages,” Kush’s mother said as his father nodded.

“we should not delay things, let’s do the roka today itself, call her parents here now,” his mother said.

“call them,”

.

“This place is so cool,” Nayera commented as she looked around with the curiosity of a child. She touched every wall, every crave, every painting. Kuhs just smiled at her as they walked toward his childhood room.

“This is my room,” Kush said before opening the door, Nayera entered and made a face.

“What?”

“Are you a clean freak or something? This bed looks like it hasn't been touched in ages,” She said as he nodded.

“I moved out 3 years ago when there were constant clashes of interest, I have not been to this room since then,” Kush did not share how his family never liked his choice of doing business. But they invested in his company.

“you denied it straight on my face when I mentioned it, why are you here then?” He asked as she dropped her dupatta on the couch and jumped on the soft bed.

“Oh hell this is bouncy,” She said jumping on the bed like a kid as Kush watched her folding his arms in front of his chest.

Her carefree side was barely there but he could see a glimpse of it.

“Come na,” Nayera pulled him to bed but lost her balance, Kush could not hold her suddenly as they both fell on the carpet.

Nayera fell on top of Kush as she opened her eyes.

“Are you okay? I am so sorry,” She said hurriedly checking his head for any sign of injuries, in all this she forgot all her weight was on Kush, he could feel her every curve.

His hands wrapped around her tiny waist as he looked at her.

“I am good,” He said as she hurriedly moved away when she realized what was happening. There was an awkward silence before Kush asked her again.

“So ummm…”

“It is kind of my fault,” She said putting the strands of her hair behind her ear.

"How so?” Kush asked.

“the idea of faceless photos was mine, if not for them your family would not have pressured you, so I came here to rectify my mistake,” She explained the perfect excuse she made in the two-hour ride from her home to this palace.

“Whatever your reason is, thank you,” He said as she smiled.

“If I had not been a fool to mistook you as dev, maybe you had not need to do all this to save your company,” She said as he smiled.

“I like it that you are in my life, a headache (she glared at him as he chuckled) but a princess headache,” She end up smiling at his words.

She laid on the car and so did he, “they are talking about us right now,” Nayera said as Kush scooted closer to her.

She turned her head to look at him as he nodded, “I know, maybe they even like you?” He said.

“I hope not,” Hs ehwispered as ab attendee knocked on the door of the room.

“Rana ji and rani sa are demanding your presemce, kunwar sa, kunwarani sa,” Kush and Nayera looked at each other as he nodded.