Rivannah

Marriage and Mayhem

             Kahan se lau mein itna sabr 

             Thoda sa mil kyu nahin jaati tum?

"All the club members are going to the movies. That includes you and me." Vikram told her proudly, when she exited her class. 

Rivannah stifled a chuckle at his excitement. She had no doubt he had made this plan.He tried to find all the excuses in the world so they could spend time together.She wanted to hurry back home and cuddle with Coco, her tiny poodle, but she couldn't say no.

" Just give me a minute." she pulled out some books from her bag, " I have to return these to the library."

" I can come with you to the liberry." Vikram wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Rivannah fought the urge to correct his pronunciation. She hated when people called a simple word like library wrong. Her love for books wouldn't allow such travesty. But she took a deep breath and shook her head politely.

" I won't take long." She said reassuringly, stalking away from him.Just when she deposited the heavy books on the librarian's counter, her phone rang shrilly. Frowning at the unknown caller ID, she picked it up.

"Hey, Rivannah. We don't have much time." Abhimanyu said urgently, " Come outside quickly. I'm waiting for you at the college gate in a white Fortuner. There's a problem in Bhawani-garh.Badi Maharani-sa needs your help."

" Is it about my Dad? Is he OK?" she demanded, almost snatching the card from the sleepy librarian.

" No, not really. Will you just hurry?" she could hear him rolling his eyes," I'll tell you everything in the four-hour journey."

Rivannah hung up and hurried outside.Her mind was churning  horrible scenarios on what had gone wrong. It was unlikely Badi Maharani-sa would need her help for something trivial. Perhaps  it was related to Madhopur? But Abhimanyu's anxious voice suggested it was graver than that. A morose feeling crept into her heart, dulling her senses and logic. 

She weaved through the crowds, unaware of Vikram calling behind her.Placing the dupatta over her head to avoid the slight drizzle from drenching her hair, she ran towards the college gate. The sky was gloomy and dark, the thunder roared deafeningly, the weather threatening to become worse. 

Vikram collided with a group of students hurrying away from the rain. He pushed them out of his way, snarling in anger. By the time he reached the college gate, Riva was clambering into a white car and it immediately drove away. Betrayal and confusion consumed him as he pulled out his phone and called her. Her phone was switched off. 

Why did she run away from him? And whose car was that?

                                                                            *

" What's wrong, Abhimanyu?" Rivannah demanded as she settled on the passenger seat.

" Your Kaka-s, Vijendra and Gajendra Pratap, have collected your entire clan. They're pressurising Badi Maharani-sa to declare one of them as the Maharaja. They claim if Raghav-Kaka doesn't show up today, they will usurp the throne for themselves." Abhimanyu explained, revving the car.

"My father is the eldest.The Bhawanigarh throne has been his for decades. He's only waiting to get a..." Rivannah's voice dropped, "male heir. On what basis are they claiming the crown?"

" Everyone knows that Raghav-Kaka was attacked. Nobody has seen him after that day, since he's become underground.They've brainwashed the clan elders into believing that your father's..."