Two days were hell for Mrunalini, she is on a leash all this time, now and then she got punishments from both stepmother and sister, Natraj tried to stop them, even Manjunath too but Mrunalini stopped them saying it will worsen the situation, they all fed up with this situations got angry and walked away,
After two days, as mentioned it is a lunch arrangement day, Mrunalini is ordered to cook all the food, she is in the kitchen for last night preparing everything for lunch and then now she is preparing lunch, she is been ordered forty varieties to cook, chef and her both started cooking, they completed laddus, ten varieties of other sweets now they are preparing vegetables and varieties of Rotis,
Nischala woke up late, after completing the beauty sleep she want to show her beauty and charm to Jai, she is impressed with Jai in the first meeting, she is happy that she found a match for him, as she hates Shourya as he useless Yuvaraj whereas Jai is already Maharaj, so she can become queen once she gets married so she is considering this lunch as her step to becoming queen
She got up, did routine, then walked to the kitchen and checked Mrunalini, she felt satisfied that she is looking like a dasi, all sweaty stinking of oil and masalas, she added more snacks to the list which takes more than two hours, then walked away from closing her nose and mouth
She took a fresh bath with sandalwood and some perfumed oils, washed her hair, then took sambrani and got dressed up in sea green dress added light jewellery and held the flowers which Jai sent two days back she stored them to hold them now, and now waiting for his arrival
Nischala arranged his welcome grandly, she made a bunch of ladies to hold arthi ki thali, she made some group dances, some musicians are called to entertain, she even arranged an archery competition for her brothers and him, she even planned to get some alone time for them too
Jai came to Malwa, at the entrance kings son welcomed him cordially, when they are at the entrance of mahal celebrations started, he took an hour to enter, then came king's whole family to welcome him
Jai eyes searched for Mrunalini, but he didn't find her, to his surprise flowers are held by Nischala that made him frown a little but he didn't show it on his face when they entered mahal, King asked him to take a seat and he too sat on his seat, musicians came and started music, snacks and some sweets are brought, along with juices
Jail became impatient, he asked his minister to ask about all family members and why they are missing?"
Minister is wise one he asked the king "kshama! Rajasa! Why all your family members not present at this celebration? In our kingdom, we formally welcome our guest with all our family members if not it's an insult to the guest, is it not your kingdom"
"We all are here," Nischala said in a very sweet voice
"But Rajaji has two daughters three sons and three wives, we only see two wives, and three sons, one daughter? Where are the other two members"
"I lost my second wife a year back," the king said with tears
"Sorry Rajaji we didn't know that," Jai said politely and he felt very sorry for Mrunalini, he so wants to see her desperately
"What about your other daughter?" Minister asked again
"She is in charge of the kitchen today so she is busy"
"Just because of us a Rajkumari can't take stress please unless she comes and join us, I feel worried and I won't touch any drink or food sorry Rajaji it friendly lunch I felt but it turned to be Rajkumari's hard work I am sorry" he got up to go
Nischala panicked, she doesn't want Mrunalini to see Jai, now Jai want to see her, same time she doesn't want to offend Jai
"No Maharaj! Wait I will send dasi to bring her now"
She sent dasi to bring Mrunalini.
When dasi asked to attend the celebration and its Nischala order she didn't believe it but when she explained what happened at sabha and how the king is been accused she walked to her kaksh got a bathe, got ready and came to the hall with her veil on her head
"Pranam rajas! Kshama! I am late for attending our guest despite your order, I need punishment I do accept" she said obediently
"It's ok! Great our guest first" he ordered
Mrunalini turned to Jai she didn't see him she just bowed a little folded her hands and in a very neat gesture, she said "pranam Maharaj! I am Rajkumari Mrunalini second daughter of King, kshama for my late appearance at your arrival, please forgive me"
"Pranam Rajkumari! I am Jai Singh Rathode of Bundi" he said with a smile
Mrunalini looked up sharply as she heard the same thing before where she forgot to recollect, she shocked "app?" she said sharply?
Jai smirked "yes hum Rajkumari," he said with a smile
Nischala is getting irritated already with her presence now she is crossing her limit "Mini! Where are your manners?" she raised her voice a little
"Kshama didisa!" she said quietly composed herself and took her seat
Again celebrations started, jai is stealing a glance with Nischala, she blushing all time and very happy that her plan worked he is smitten by her beauty, but in reality, Jai keeps on looking at Mrunalini who is sleeping even in such huge noise, he felt sorry because of his arrival she must be cooking from a long time and now she is tired, he even want Nischala attention on him and her trust to make him his, he wants her to be head over heels on him, and he is almost succeeding
When all celebrations completed and it lunchtime all walked to the dining area, Mrunalini directly walked to the kitchen and checked all items and started to arrange but again dasi came to call her when she walked to wash her hands, she found Jai washing his hands, "so you are Nischala sister?"
"Yes, thank you for saving my sister on that but stay away from her" Mrunalini warned Jai
"Why? Are jealous? Do you want me?" he teased
Mrunalini felt disgusting "Rudra behave!" she warned
Jail within a fraction of seconds held her arm and said in a very low and dangerous voice "I am Jai Singh Rathode never call me otherwise" anger is evident in his tone
Mrunalini was about to say something "what happened, Maharaj?" asked Natraj while coming "did you lost the way?"
"Yes and your sister is helping me," he said with a smile "come on let us go" he walked away as if nothing happened
Lunch completed, King asked Jai to take some rest, Jai want an opportunity to talk with Nischala and also with his ranisa, so accepted
He was taken to a room which good, after showing him everything he needed, Manjunath and Natraj both said to take a rest and walked away leaving him alone,
"Finally I am at peace" he looked at his surroundings and found, it is nearby Nischala wing, smirked then he got freshen up and started waiting for Nischala to come
As expected there is a knock on the door "come in" he said with eyes closed
"Maharaj!" Nischala called softly
"Aap?" Jail asked surprisingly
"Yes, I just want to see you need anything?"
"You should have sent a dasi why did you take stress Rajkumari?" he said with concern
"I am ok and I want to thank you properly, for saving me on that day"
"Just forget it Rajkumari" he took a pouch from his pocket and gave her "this I want to give you personally"
She took it happily "danyawad Maharaj!"
"I don't know you like flowers, I thought you like precious things, not some cheap wildflowers Rajkumari," he said with a disgusting face
Nischala felt embarrassing "I thought you sent me?"
"They are just wild lilies Rajkumari how can I sent them to you? You are way too precious, I heard your sister is a medicinal assistant so she may use them for some medicines so I sent her as I can't give everyone precious items except my dear ones" jai said with a smile and mischievous tone
Nischala blushed "I understood I will send them to her"
"Gratitude you understood, she is your sister what will everyone thinks of me if I only sent you gifts to avoid gossips I have to do such things I hope you understand," he said sincerely
She felt ore happy "I understand now totally Maharaj"
"I think I should leave you to take a rest" she did pranam and walked away happily
Jai took a relieved breath as his one work completed but the actual one is the tough one "my ranisa! How to meet you?" he his now restless
