"Maa, why have you brought me here?" Jivika asks just as she gets out of the car after her mother-in-law.

"I have to show you something that's why." Aaradhya replies smiling at her curious daughter-in-law.

Jivika looks hesitant but still follows her mother-in-law inside the huge iron gate which is opened by the security guards. She is amazed to see various ages of kids inside the boundary. Some kids are playing in the small garden while some are busy learning about stitching from an older woman who is sitting on the veranda in the chair. Then some kids are busy writing something on their copies. There is a big two storey house too.

"Pratibha!" Aaradhya calls out making the older woman look in that direction to see that the former Queen has arrived.

"Raja Mata, what a pleasant surprise! I didn't know that you're coming today." Pratibha, the caretaker exclaims with surprise while a big smile adorns her wrinkled face.

"I wanted to surprise you as well as the kids. I have also brought some gifts for them." Aaradhya says while the bodyguards start walking inside the building holding some big boxes.

"The kids already have everything they need, Raj Mata. You didn't have to give them anything. You have come to meet us that's all we are thankful for." Pratibha replies joining her palms together while Aaradhya smiles at her.

"I haven't come alone today. My daughter has come with me to meet all of you so it would have looked bad if we didn't bring any gifts for the kids. Also, I am sure they will love the gifts." Aaradhya says and then turns to look at Jivika who is standing beside her with a small smile while admiring the kids.

"Jivu beta..." Hearing her name being called, Jivika looks at her mother-in-law.

"Beta, meet Pratibha. The caretaker of this house, also the mother figure to these kids here." Aaradhya introduces the older woman to Jivika who folds her palms together and bows her head a little to show respect to her elder.

"Namaste, Kaki. How are you doing?" Jivika says looking at the older woman with s soft smile on her face.

"Namaste, Rani Sa. I am doing good. Finally, I got to meet you in person." Pratibha replies with trembling lips because she has heard what Jivika has gone through in the past.

"What happened, Kaki?" Jivika asks worriedly seeing the moist eyes of Pratibha.

"Nothing, Rani Sa." Pratibha replies clearing her throat.

Still, Jivika isn't convinced because she can feel the pain in the older woman's voice. But then some of the kids run towards her excitedly because they are eager to meet their Rani Sa.

"Rani Sa!" One of the kids shouts happily while clapping her hands.

Jivika looks at the little girl who calls out to her with a big smile. She has always been fond of little kids so whenever she gets time to spend with them she doesn't hesitate a bit to show her bubbly self to them.

"Awe, you guys are looking so cute." Jivika says while pinching the kids' cheeks slightly which makes them giggle.

"Rani Sa, will you play with us? We are playing in the swing sets over there." Another girl says pointing toward two swings which is situated in the garden.

"Naina, at least let her rest for sometime. She has come to our home for the first time. Don't you think you should get her something to drink?" Pratibha asks gently while all the kids nod their heads quickly.

"I will go and get water for our guests." Naina says and runs inside the building before anyone can stop her.

Soon the girl named Naina comes back with two glasses of water in a tray. She offers the water to Aaradhya and Jivika who thank her in response.

"Ab to Rani Sa ne pani bhi pee liya. Ab to woh ja sakti hai na humare saath?" Another girl asks cutely making the elders laugh.

(Now that Rani Sa has drunk water, she can go with us right?)

"Ha ab to main zarur chalungi aaplogo ke saath. Chalo jaldi jake jhule pe bethte hain." By saying this Jivika holds two girls hands and runs in the direction of the garden while others follow them from behind. All of them start laughing loudly feeling joyful having their Rani Sa to play with them.

(Yes, now I will definitely go with you. Come, let's go and sit on the swings.)

"She is really so nice, more than I have thought her to be." Pratibha remarks looking at Jivika playing with the kids.

"She is a rare gem which can't be compared with anyone else." Aaradhya replies admiring her daughter-in-law.

"By the way why have you brought her here suddenly?" Pratibha asks.

"Because from now on she will be the owner of this organization. Just like you understand the pain of these children, similarly she will also understand their pain. Because you both have gone through the same type of childhood." Aaradhya replies looking at Pratibha who nods her head.

"You know Raj Mata, when I saw the news about our Rani Sa's past I wanted to meet her badly. But I restrained because I didn't want to put more pressure on her. She had been already going through so much that time. However, I am happy that you're handling this organization's duty in her hands. She feels like the perfect person to do the work." Pratibha says.

Meanwhile, Jivika is sitting on one of the swings with a little girl on her lap while the other swing is occupied by another kid. She has been listening to their babbling without disturbing them. However, her mind is stuck on one thing. Why are there only girls here? If it's an orphanage then there should be boys too.

"Girls, don't you have any boy here? I mean I haven't seen so I just asked." Jivika asks looking at the kids who are present there.

"Rani Sa, this home is only for girls like us." One of the girls reply confusing Jivika.

"What do you mean by girls like you?" Jivika asks.

"Ritika Didi has rescued us from our in-laws' places and brought here so that we can live a normal life." Naina answers making Jivika hold the chain of the swing tightly.

"In-laws' places? Are you guys married?" Jivika asks a frown on her face.

"Yes, Rani Sa." Another girl replies who looks like she is barely ten years old.

Jivika doesn't know what to say to the happy-looking kids who are playing with each other. But she can't forget about the things she has learned about them. She has been a victim of child marriage and now seeing the little girls in front of her, everything from her past is displayed in front of her.

"Are you okay, Rani Sa?" One of the kids asks looking at the sad face of Jivika.

"I am alright. Why don't you go and see what gifts we have brought for you all?" Jivika says in an excited tone making the kids nod their heads eagerly and they run inside the house to see their gifts.

Jivika then gets up from the swing and makes her way towards where Aaradhya is talking with Pratibha. She wants to know everything about the kids.

"Maa, is it true that the kids here are victims of child marriage?" Jivika asks her mother-in-law.

"Yes, Jivu. All of them are married at a very early age but thankfully they have got saved by Ritika. She has been working hard to save small girls from this ongoing cruel custom." Aaradhya replies with a sigh.

"But why this custom is still followed, Maa? What type of custom is this where they don't even spare a little girl of five years? Clothes may have become modern but when will people's thinking become modern?" Jivika asks feeling anger bubbling inside her for those who still follow this shitty custom.

"Rani Sa, the thinking of people isn't something that's going to change so easily. Even if someone wants to change, the society does not let them change. Otherwise, the custom of child marriage would have been stopped long ago." Pratibha replies wiping her fallen tears.

"Kaki, can I ask you something?" Jivika asks with hesitation.

"You can ask me whatever you want, Rani Sa." Pratibha replies.

"Are you also a victim of child marriage?" Jivika asks because she doubts that the older woman is indeed a victim like her.

"I was only 6 months old when my father put me on a plate and offered me to my in-laws. I grew up beside my husband thinking of him as my older brother. But when I started to understand things, I realized that the person who I thought to be my brother was in fact my husband. My mother-in-law confirmed my doubt and told me everything clearly without any remorse on her face. I never went to school because my in-laws thought that a girl didn't need any education. Then I got pregnant at the age of fourteen but due to early marriage, my body wasn't able to handle the pregnancy and I had a miscarriage. My mother-in-law suggested that my husband should get married again as the doctor declared that I wouldn't be able to get pregnant again. I didn't have any support from anyone as I hadn't met my parents after my marriage so I didn't even remember their faces. I saw my husband to get married to a beautiful girl who was younger than me. I was merely a maid of that house after his second marriage because I was a used good according to the family members and relatives. I wanted to run away but I didn't have anywhere to go. However, one night my father-in-law tried to molest me and to save myself I killed him with a knife. I was taken to the prison and given a lifetime imprisonment as punishment. But I think God showed his mercy on me and I met Princess Ritika who had come there to meet someone. She asked me why I was there so I decided to tell her everything from the start. She didn't say anything, only nodded her head and left. I felt better because this was the first time someone heard my side of the story willingly. A few weeks later she came back and took me out of the prison. I was brought back to a building where many women were living together and that's when I met Raj Mata. I got a new life and started to spend time with others trying to forget my past." Pratibha narrates everything while Jivika is looking at the older woman with pride.

"Four years ago this house was built when Ritika started to rescue little girls who were victims of child marriage. We needed someone to look after the kids so I instantly brought Pratibha here to be the caretaker and I am proud to say that I am happy that she is the one who is looking after the kids here." Aaradhya remarks while putting her hand on Pratibha's shoulder with a soft smile on her face.

"Kaki, you're very brave. I will come here again because I have to learn a lot from you." Jivika says holding Pratibha's hands in her.

"Of course you have to come here, Jivu. Because from today onwards I am entrusting all the responsibilities of this organization to your hands." Aaradhya says surprising Jivika.

"But Maa, how can I do this? I mean I don't know anything here." Jivika replies getting worried.

"Jivu, I am not saying that I am leaving everything on your shoulders all together. Because I know you have to learn. What I am trying to say is that you'll look after the expanses and other necessary things. Also, you can come here whenever you want to spend time with the girls and your Pratibha Kaki." Aaradhya says assuring Jivika who is still looking hesitant.

"Rani Sa, you are worrying for nothing. The way you were behaving with the kids, it shows how good you are. So, I am sure that you'll be able to handle everything well." Pratibha says squeezing Jivika's hands a little while Jivika nods her head in response.

👑

"Yes, I have reached the restaurant already." Jivika says on the phone.

"Okay, just wait for ten minutes. I will be there." Shivansh replies from the other side and then disconnects the call.

After spending some more time with the kids, Jivika was about to leave with her mother-in-law when Shivansh called her and told her to a restaurant for lunch.

So, here she is walking towards the VIP section of the restaurant which is already booked by her husband. But suddenly she collides with someone and her phone falls on the floor.

"I am sorry." Jivika says and bends down to pick up her phone but the person in front of her picks up the phone before she can.

"It was my mistake as I wasn't looking carefully while walking. So, you don't have to say sorry." The person says giving her the phone back.

Jivika just smiles in response because she doesn't know what to say more. Also, she doesn't like the way the person is staring at her from head to toe. It's making her feel quite uncomfortable to be specific.

"I am your biggest admirer, Rani Sa." Jivika shudders hearing the way the person has addressed her as Rani Sa.

"I am sorry but I have to leave." Jivika says and tries to walk away. But the person blocks her path by standing a little too close to her.

"What's so hurry, Rani Sa? We have just met so I think we should talk a little more." The person remarks while Jivika clenches her fists as she wants to slap the person for not staying within his limit.

"She is the Queen of Rajasthan, not some commoner with whom you can spend as much as time you want, Rudra Khanna." Shivansh says wrapping his hand around Jivika's waist before pulling her closer to him which makes her release a sigh of relief.

"Wow, the King of Rajasthan is also here I see." Rudra mocks trying to rile up Shivansh. But alas a coward like Hyrax doesn't have the guts to even stand in front of the Tiger.

"Not only the King of Rajasthan. But also the King of the Indian Mafia." Shivansh remarks looking at Rudra in the eyes who looks away while gritting his teeth. Because for some reason he has been able to look at the eyes of Shivansh for a longer time.

"Shiv, let's leave from here please." Jivika whispers which can only be heard by Shivansh who kisses her on the forehead making his enemy to fume in anger.

"Excuse me, Khanna. We have to leave as my wife wants to enjoy lunch without any disturbance." Shivansh says while Rudra can simply nod his head.

Shivansh smirks feeling satisfied seeing the anger on his enemy's face. Because he knows that his enemy is only good at making angry faces but his threats are total failure. He then walks away from there along with his Rani Sahiba leaving Rudra Khanna behind.

"I want his wife on my bed at any cost." Rudra orders his PA whose eyes widen in fright because he knows that what his boss wants is completely impossible.