BORN TO RULE

[Eng] Chapter 8▪ Genuine Bonding

Rana Jai had went back to Pathancot after two days of the marriage. Tia's days at the palace were going very smoothly.

After Arjun and Praneet leave for the office in the morning, Tia and Gayatri would spent the rest of their day with Maharaja, chatting and gossiping. And then Arjun and Tia would spent their nights doing their business.

Just like everyday, today also Tia, Gayatri and Maharaja were talking when Tia's phone rang. "Arjun" flashed on the phone screen.

"Yes, say," Tia answered the call.

"I am sending a designer for you. You...", Arjun was interrupted by Tia.

"Designer?"

"Don't you need clothes to wear to the university? Iss liye."

"I already have a lot of saree. I don't...", Tia was interrupted by Arjun.

"You'll wear sarees to university?" Tia could sense a laugh escape his lips.

"Ya, so?"

"Nothing. The designer will be reaching soon."

Before Tia could say anything else, he disconnected the call.

"What did Prince say?" enquired His Majesty.

"Very weird.... He said 'You would need clothes for university. I am sending a designer for you,' " Tia said imitating him.

His Majesty and Gayatri laughed. Tia too laughed a bit seeing them laugh.

"I already have a lot of sarees. Actually I have a vast collection of sarees. Then why would I need more clothes?"

"Dear, what Prince said was correct. Why will you wear sarees to attend classes! You are not much old yet. You should wear modern and.... What do you call it?", he tried to remember the word, "Yes! Trendy. You should wear trendy clothes. "

Tia's eyes went wide hearing him.

"Father, I", Tia was cut off by Maharaja.

"I know you are the daughter-in-law and etc etc", he rolled his eyes. "But you are still of Princess Gayatri's age. And I don't want to discriminate between you and her, you both are my daughters. That's why, you are allowed to do all the same stuff as Princess Gayatri," he said keeping his hands over Gayatri and Tia's heads.

"Awwwww, father!" Gayatri hugged her father.

Tia stared at him with moist eyes, trying to decide if these people were real or not. She couldn't believe how her life took a 180° turn in just a few days. It began with ONE DEAL but it made her life PERFECT.

"But there's one thing. You cannot have any boyfriends," he joked.

Tia and Gayatri burst out laughing.

"I am a bit selfish in this case since I don't want to loose a daughter like you," he said patting on her cheek. "That's why no boyfriends, please," he said cutely with pleading eyes.

"I totally agree with father!" Gayatri hugged Tia.

Tia was overwhelmed with the love, respect, affection which she was getting from the Goenkas. She had fallen in love with them in just a few days. Few drops of water trickled down from her eyes as tears of happiness.

~

At night, when Arjun came back home, Tia was making some sketch.

"Hi," she said keeping her sketchbook aside.

She watched as he took out clothes from the wardrobe for changing. While going to the washroom, he notices her staring at him. He raises an eyebrow at her, questioning the reason of her stare. She shrugged her shoulders with a small, embarrassed laugh. He proceeded towards the washroom.

"Thank you," she whispered, smiling at the washroom door. "Thank you for everything, Arjun...." she took the sketchbook again and continued sketching.

"Did the designer come?" Arjun peeked from the washroom.

"Yes," she nodded with a smile.

Arjun nods and gets into the washroom again. Tia smiles and continues with her sketch.

Few days later

Tia was in Gayatri's room, watching Gayatri throw away clothes on the bed from her closet.

The date for the Fresher's party was announced at Tia and Gayatri's university.

"Sistet-in-law! I cannot figure out what to wear," Gayatri says dejectedly.

"No worries. We will call the designer, " Tia shrugged her shoulders.

"By the way, what are you wearing to the party?" Gayatri asks plopping down on the bed beside Tia.

"I am not going," Tia said.

"WHY!" Gayatri half-yelled.

"How can I go?" she laughed off, " Don't you know that we need a '+1' for the party?" Tia air-quoted.

"So what? I don't have any boyfriend to take with me, I am taking my school friend along."

"Because you have friends here. I don't have any friends."

"Then.... ", Gayatri thought for a while, "You can take brother with you," she suggested excitedly. "He is an alumni of the unuversity, so it won't even be against the rules. "

"As if your brother will agree....", Tia sighed.

"At least ask him once."

"No, Gayatri. Let it be, I don't feel like going. And please, don't say anything to him. Please? " Tia requested.

Gayatri nodded, sadly.