Behind The Veil

Mrs Deewan and Raghav settled in front of the lawyer who was to read Mr Deewan's will for them.

"Your relationship with Ranaji has not been good, Kuversa. When was the last you met your father?" Mr Singh questioned Raghav.

"Just yesterday, I lit his pyre. I did not deny any personal duty toward him. I have my reasons to detach myself from him. I don't seek for even a single penny from him. I have a well established firm of my own. I am self made." Raghav looked away grudgingly. Yet he appeared nervous and impatient.

"I meant before he passed away." Mr Singh addressed him.

"May be over work. I was working on his Mall and film city project as one of the contractors." Raghav grunted looking away from Mr Singh.

"Your step mother here has been a constant support when you chose to leave all your responsibilities here and move out." Mr Singh turned at Mrs Deewan.

"Ants would be around the sweet, wouldn't they? Why would a young woman stick to a man past his 50s? Isn't it well understood?" Raghav sneered at Mrs Deewan. She did not seem to like the jibe. She clasped her fingers together and pursed her lips looking forward for what the will had to say.

"Can you please maintain the respect for her position?" Mr Singh urged him.

"I won't! She is and was my Governess nothing beyond that. My father might have made her the Ranisa but she isn't." Raghav did not hold back his tongue.

"Please read out the will sir." Mrs Deewan intervened.

"I will read out what Ranaji has left behind for you first, Ranisa." Mr Singh turned at her respectfully.

Mrs Deewan nodded in agreement.

"He has left the 5 BHK posh bunglow at Mumbai gated community on Lakshana's name. A Pent house at Banglore and a monthly pension of 2 Lac for your expenditure would be transferred to your account. A sizeable amount of 10 Crore has been assigned for Rajkumari's education and upbringing till she comes of age to earn." Mr Singh read out the list to Mrs Deewan.

Mrs Deewan nodded eagerly.

"And then?" Mrs Deewan raised an eyebrow in shock.

"You will be the care taker of the above properties on Rajkumari's name till she turns 18 years of age." Mr Singh explained to her.

"All the above property are under Lakshana's name?" Mrs Deewan sounded shocked.

"That's it, you get to be Ranisa till Kuversa ascends the throne as the next Rana in line by blood. Once he gets his wife you will have to transfer your title on papers to his wife." Mr Singh smiled back.

"What the hell?" Raghav exclaimed in shock and sat up straight. Until the last sentence he had not been paying attention to what Mr Singh read out. His face cracked into the goofiest grin possible.

"Yes, Ranaji has made you his soul heir for all the privately owned properties, firms, businesses and assets. He knew  that the glory of Rajputhana could be retained only if power were transferred to you. Since your birth you have been trained and taught to succeed him. You think he would let it all go in waste? He might have loved his second wife dearly but not more than he trusted and loved you. You were always his first priority. He had never considered your surliness personally. You better take up your responsibilities than act ignorant of your duties here, Kuversa. You are the Crown Prince Designate. How long would you keep avoiding your duties?" Mr Singh questioned him.

Mrs Deewan appeared devastated by the details of the Will.

"Why would he do that to his daughter? At least some company shares." Mrs Deewan butted in.