Destined to be yours

1. Shekhavat Family

"I had told you to do something. Did you do that Saradhi?" Parvati bhai's majestic voice echoed through the palace hall.

"What you have asked for is not a trivial matter Paravatiji, there are only a handful of royal families left in the present century." Saradhi, their steward answered fearfully, as he avoided Parvati bhai’s intense gaze.

Shekhavaths were one of the richest and most powerful royal families of Rajput's in India. Even though the country got independence and the monarch system ended, Shekhavaths still held huge power and respect amongst the people. Parvati Bhai Shekhavath was the oldest member and the present head of Shekhavaths. She was a strong woman who controlled the whole dynasty with her courage and intelligence.

"I am quite aware of that fact,” Parvati bhai answered with a stern face. “But like I said before, you are to find a girl from a royal family for my grandson Veerendra Singh Shekhavat. A girl born during the full moon month has to be his bride."

"What about Yuvraj? He is your grandson too and the rightful heir of the Shekhavath family." came the voice of Radhika Bhai Shekhavath who was the elder daughter-in-law.

"Veer is the elder son so his marriage must take place first." Parvati said, looking at Radhika.

"Why do you worry so much about someone born as a bastard?" Radhika complained enraged.

"Radhika! Mind your language. Don't forget that they are brothers and the same blood flows through their veins. They are Shekhavaths." snapped Parvati. No matter how much she tried, Radhika's hatred for Veer remained unchanged. She was furious and disheartened by Radhika’s behaviour and lack of understanding. She sighed trying to calm her mind before she spoke.

"Radhika,” Parvati spoke gently, “If the eldest daughter-in-law of the Shekhavath family doesn't bear royal blood then his wife will die and it will become a curse for the entire family. Technically, Veer is the elder son so it's my responsibility to find a royal bride for him and I will."

Parvati turned to her steward, "Saaradhi, within one week from now you will find a royal bride for my grandson.” She continued, this time more serious, “You failed once thus if you fail again you know the consequences. You can take your leave now."

Saaradhi bowed to the head and took his leave.

As soon as the doors closed Parvati asked, “Where are Veer and Yuvi?"

"Yuvi is in his office maaji. Tonight there is a success party in his penthouse for the deal we fixed with an American company." Radhika replied proudly.

Parvati leaned on the back of her seat and nodded in appreciation, "Winning a big deal with a company like them is a huge achievement. I appreciate his talent but Radhika, I'm not happy with how he is leading his life now.” said she crossing her arms. looking at Radhika gravely, “I think you understand what I'm talking about."

Radhika scoffed at the statement, "Let him celebrate his life maaji. No matter how hard we try to control him, he will only do what he feels like. After all, we all know whose blood is in his body." Radhika spoke with a smirk.

"Radhika...... " Parvati raised her voice warning her daughter-in-law.

"What maaji?” Radhika complained, “It’s the truth only. Did you forget about your son? He was a man who had several mistresses and he is the one who brought another woman to this house while his wife was still alive!”

She continued, “You didn't even try to correct your son at that time! Then when I was pregnant with Yuvi, everyone told me that my son would be like his father. He would be a curse to this family, but as he grew older, he became the savior of this family. He raised your family business which was running under huge loss when your son died like a dog. From that condition he raised and made this Shekhawat empire which is one of the most powerful business empires in Asia. But because of your blind affection towards the eldest son you made him the head of the family business." Radhika spat, all her fury and pain coming out in bitter words directed at Parvati.

Parvati knew where Radhika was coming from, “I understand you Radhika but Veer is your son too." Parvati tried to make her daughter-in-law understand even though she knew Radhika's hate will not fade easily.

Like other girls she also stepped into her in-laws house with so many dreams but fate had other plans. Her husband -Late Vikram Singh Shekhavath, Parvati's elder son was nothing but a heartless moron. Women and Alcohol was his addiction. He had several mistresses but Parvati prohibited them from entering the palace. But when Yuvraj was four years old, Vikram came to the palace with another woman and her eight-year-old child. It was something beyond what a woman could possibly bear and Radhika had to face that.

But Radhika did not give up. She raised her son to be powerful, cunning and arrogant who feared nothing under the sun. People described him as a heartless king who didn't have the crown. He was a playboy, a monster who was able to make any beautiful girl his puppet and ditch them after his use. But Veer turned out to be the complete opposite. He was dashing, sweet and a very humble person. Even though he could be a jerk at times, he was a famous business tycoon.

"No!” Radhika answered, “Veerendra Shekhavath is not my son. I only gave birth to my one son and he is the rightful successor of the Shekhavath family - Yuvraj Singh Shekhawat. Veerendra is my son only in front of the media and the world. An emblem you forced in me to save the dignity of this family. Mixing water and butter together will never work maaji." Radhika stated. She looked at Parvati for a few seconds, her eyes filled with anger and hatred and then turned and headed back to her room.

Radhika’s departure made everything quiet in the palace halls once again until there was another voice that spoke up.

"Veer went to his office maaji." said Yamini who was Veer's mother. She was another woman who was subject to her son's heartless character.

Parvati sat up straighter in her seat, "I know you deserve none of this and because of my son both of your lives have turned out to be a living hell, and I have no idea what the solution is." Parvati told Yamini who was standing there in front of her helplessly. Other than suffering this hell she didn't have any other option.

"On one hand you blessed us by giving a son like Rama, But on the other hand, it was a Ravana who grew up." Parvati sighed heavily thinking about her grandsons who were like opposite sides of a coin.