Page 186 of Claimed By the Maharaja
“More arrangements from Delhi, London, and Muscat, Rani Ma,” a staff member said. “Several ministers have sent personal messages as well.”
Rani Suchitra acknowledged with a nod and moved toward the sitting room.
Yamini stepped forward with her wrapped frame. “I hope you like this, Rani Ma.”
She had spent three weeks deciding. In the end, she had chosen the photograph she had taken at the Apple Blossom event at the Jogra valley.
A staff member took it to place it with the other gifts.
“No,” Rani Suchitra said. She looked at the frame for a moment. “Take it to my private quarters.”
The photograph would not be stacked with hundreds of gifts. It would go directly to Rani Suchitra's private quarters.
Warmth spread through Yamini’s chest.
The family gathered in the main dining hall shortly afterward.
Sunlight streamed through tall windows overlooking the inner gardens.
The long table was set with polished silver and crystal, and the kitchen had prepared dishes from the Rewa region.
Yamini sat beside Bharat.
Conversation flowed easily around the table.
Rani Suchitra looked at Sanjana. “Ram tells me the structural work is done for the new cardiac wing.”
Sanjana smiled. “Yes, equipment installation starts next month. If everything goes to plan, we should be seeing patients by summer.”
Ram looked up briefly from his plate when she said it. He didn't say anything. But Yamini could see the proud gleam in his eye.
Rani Suchitra's expression softened slightly. She turned to Yamini. “When are you having your next exhibition?”
Yamini was surprised by the question. “I'm still working on the PR project for the Jogra steel. Maybe once I’m done with that.”
“I saw some of your photographs displayed in a London exhibition,” Rani Suchitra said. “The children of earth series.”
Yamini was shocked. She hadn't known anyone from the family had looked through those.
She had submitted that series under her professional name. Yamini Dhar, not Gaur.
Rani Suchitra had found it anyway.
“They were remarkable,” Rani Suchitra said simply.
That series had won her first international award.
“Thank you, Rani Ma.” Yamini said.
She was shocked but also touched that Rani Suchitra had seen her photographs and remembered them.
The conversations continued around the table. The topics shifted from the Rewa garden restoration to international business and politics. In between, Sameer and Viraj made dry jokes that were quite funny.
She laughed while the rest of the table smiled.
Soon, the dessert arrived. It was a regional specialty, dense, sweet, and soaked in syrup. She remembered having it during her visits to Rewa.
Yamini took a generous bite, and it was delicious.
