Page 185 of Claimed By the Maharaja
She wasn't dreaming now.
The helicopter landed smoothly.
Bharat stepped out first. Then he waited. And when she stepped down, his hand came to her waist. Firm and easy, as though it had always belonged there.
For months, he had avoided touching her in public. She understood now that it had never been because he didn't want to.
The contract hadn't covered public affection.
Once he knew she wanted his touch, he stopped holding himself back.
She glanced sideways at him.
Dark sunglasses, charcoal jacket, perfect posture—every inch the maharaja.
The other helicopters landed in sequence.
Samar stepped out first. Viraj next. And then, Ram stepped down from the third and immediately turned back to help Sanjana, his hand at her waist.
Sanjana caught her eye and smiled.
At the palace entrance, Rani Suchitra waited with Mira.
She wore a cream silk saree edged with gold. Pearls rested at her throat. Silver threaded through her hair, which was pinned into a low knot. She looked regal as always.
Bharat and his brothers greeted their mother one by one.
Ram approached first. “Happy birthday, Amma.”
“Happy birthday, Mouj,” Bharat said.
Samar followed. “Happy birthday, Ma.”
Viraj offered his greetings next. “Happy birthday, Mei.”
Yamini noticed that although they each greeted with a particular formality, there was love and protectiveness in the way they stood around their mother.
Sanjana stepped forward and embraced Rani Suchitra. “Happy birthday, Rani Ma.”
Then it was Yamini's turn.
With a small nervous smile, she stepped forward. “Happy birthday, Rani Ma,” she said.
For a moment, she expected a regal nod of acknowledgment.
But Rani Suchitra drew her closer. The gesture was brief but unmistakably affectionate.
“You look well,” Rani Suchitra said.
“Thank you,” Yamini said, her chest tightening with warmth.
She hugged me.
She felt Bharat’s hand settle lightly on her back.
Her heart raced with happiness and hope as he led her into the palace.
Inside, the staff moved efficiently around arriving gifts. Velvet boxes and bouquets had been arranged along a side table.
