In my Devil's Arms

Raj I am throwing a party to welcome you", said his grandfather.

" Okay grandpa", he replied. " What's it all about"?

" Meeting the ministers, MP's and MLA's. Meeting top Bhishma officials. Totally informal", said Randheer.

" Alright", he nodded.

Meanwhile

Salman, Gaurav and Alok sat at the latter's house. He was seperated from his wife now though they never divorced.

" Grandpa asked me to mentor him", said Gaurav. " I'd rather lose a limb."

" He really likes to play it dirty. I mean look how all five of them fooled us about their education ", said Salman.

" And that entry", said Gaurav. " Like a hurricane that hit us".

Alok chuckled.

" Maddy has always been a rebel. It was my fault he left India. Laxmi and my degrading relationship broke him. I love that boy. So I kept in touch. And he loves us both. He majored in Law at Yale but took a minor journalism course too. Those boys all of them are brilliant. They need a direction. Thats all."

"I will do it for Ranbir. Kamini's venom destroyed him", said Gaurav.

" Yeah he was never the same after Jenny".

They all mourned their friend.

The Introduction Party

It was a bright Sunday morning when the party began.

The people dressed formally. Tie and coats was the dress code.

When Raj arrived he wore a kurta and joggers. Others were same kurtas and joggers or cotton baggies

" What ", said Alok. "What in the name of God they are wearing? Didn't they know the code"?

" Haa ha", said Gaurav. " Welcome to hell".

" I let them know the dress code this morning", said Salman.

Alok looked at five of them angrily. The men have by now started mingling with public. UMM ACTUALLY GIRLS. AND READ FLIRTING.

" Aaah pretty lady", said Raj to a girl. " You look like an idol coming to ife. Such a beauty"!

" Thank you your highness",. She batted her eyes.

Maddy was speaking to another

" Aah you are a b*mb. I have never seen someone as hot as you".

" What about American girls".

" Aah boring", he said.

Alok was furious

" You dad's disappointment looks contagious. My appa is infected too", whispered Maddy to Solly.

" Its incurable too. Uncle tried hard to cure him. May he rest in peace. But alas..".

" I miss Numaan uncle. I really liked him, ", said Raj.

Numaan died of a heart attack when boys were 25.

" We all did", said Ro fondly remembering the vacation they shared as teenagers.

" It was personal loss to me", said Solly.

" Zaid is his son but he made me his apprentice. He said to me he had promised a friend".

Raj wondered. He thought yes I know this but how. Neither Numaan nor Solly ever told him.

" I believe there was a dress code your highness".

Raj looked up. Alok Shashtri . Pompous ass. The only redeeming quality. He loves Maddy.

" Ohhh it was too hot", he said.

" And kurtas seem more Indian", said Parry.

It was futile to argue.

As they got seated for lunch Raj was called to royal table. His friends followed.

" Only you can sit here", hissed Rahul. " Not them".

" Why", he was genuinely confused.

" Umm there aren't enough seats", Gaurav tried to pacify the situation.

" Simple put some chairs", he said.

" They are rules Raj", said king Randheer.

" Rules are meant to be broken", he replied casually.

" THE TRADITION", Bhanu started.

" Should change with time", said Raj.

" Not until I head the family", said Kamini with authority.

Raj stood in silence for sometime. It was suffocating.

" Very well then", he said leaving the royal table.

" Raj", said Gaurav.

" They are my brothers", he said pointing to his friends." IIf they don't sit here niether will I.".

And then he saw respect . FOR HIMSELF.

" In Gaurav's eyes. Alok and Salman's eyes and also Grandpa's eyes.

He moved to the common table with his friends.

When king Randheer introduced him he said

" Good morning ladies and gentlemen. I am prince Rajeev Singh Thakur. The eldest prince of Junagarh. I bid for my birthright and expect your support for it. And I believe the seating arrangements here needs reshufffling.".

The prince stood amongst commoners ;a first for them. It not only stunned them but made them think, isn't this true democracy?

It was a kitty party which caused next reshuffling.

Kamini hosted it in main hall. She decorated it with many items. Antiques. Some very costly. She liked to boast.

" This chandelier is British. Its around a hundred years old. King blah blah had it. I bought it in an auction."

" What are we doing at a kitty party", said Solly.

" Isn't it for girls", said Ro.

" Not if you are the queen", said Parry. " Look those are two top officials of palace. There is her CA. Also there is the ruling MLA".

" So what is this? A political gathering", asked Raj.

" Informal kind of", said Parry.

" I am leaving", said Solly. " I hate this.".

" There is a bar", pointed Parry.

" Thanks", said Solly and moved.

" I am joining him", said Ro.

" Mingle", he said to Parry and Maddy.

After ten minutes Raj assembled all his friends in the bar.

" Want to bring life to the party", he whispered. He discussed a plan.

The men approached the stage.

" The music is boring. Switch on to something catchy", said Parry.

" Umm ", he hesitated.

" Are you mourning someone", asked Maddy.

" N.no".

" Okay this one", said Solly putting on a fast number.

" And for God's sake increase volume", said Ro. He pushed up the volume.

Then the dancing commenced. Raj started first. His friends joined him. Girls followed . Then others followed too.

" What is he upto now", asked Rakesh.

" I assure you young prince", said Gaurav.

" Its no good".

He was proven right.

The noise increased.

So did the pressure on various points in room. As they jumped and danced to the beats on loud music things started shaking. Delicate and expensive things. And then Ro got top volume both in player and microphone and they all jumped.

Craaaaaaashhh...

A century old chandelier fell on the ground to smithereens

Raj smirked. His plan worked. He signalled Solly who short circuited two fires. Sparks flew. They were not dangerous but enough to cause panic. People ran array. In the ensuing chaos most expensive items were broken. After he had caused the destruction Raj stood over his masterpiece. Kamini was numb.

" Ooops", he said. " Sorry the room needs reshuffling too.."

And his friends burst into laughter.

This was not all. It has just begun.

So there was an annual celebration of first king's ascension.

The Thakurs were not originally from Junagarh. They migrated here as warriors from Rajasthan. Every year on the day first warrior who became the king in his name a function was done. And the current ruler was crowned.

" I'll be damned if she devil wears the crown", said Solly.

" Can't we just blow her up", said Maddy.

" Soon", said Parry. " But for now enjoy the fireworks".

THE FIREWORKS", said Raj.

" Yes you have a great plan in that mind", said Maddy.

" And we are all in", said Ro.

Raj explained them.

" Brilliant".

" So these crackers you keep. And all kinds of flower petals over it", Rahul was saying.

As mother sits crakers burn and flowers fall on her."

" Last chance", whisperd Solly to Raj. " Put the dynamites her and she is done for".

" And how will you explain that moron? No this works better. Do it", said Raj.

Solly extended the crackers to the bar nearby. It was made in a clubhouse. It was still covered with flowers.

Ro went to the bar and accidentally slipped causing booze to fall all over. Parry was near the inverter.

The crackers were lit as Kamini wore the crown. Flowers fell on her from all direction. And one line moved to the clubhouse. As crackers exploded spilled booze caused fire. Parry threw the inverter in fire. It exploded as people ran out. The clubhouse was on fire. By the time fire department arrived and controlled the fire it was completely reduced to ashes.

" My clubhouse", wailed Kamini.

" Was at the wrong spot", tsked Raj. " This place is more like outdoorsy".

" Yaa we will get a reshuffling here too", said Parry.

" A garden, some swings probably", said Maddy.

" A fountain and ducks", said Ro. " To give it life".

"AND PROBABLY A NEEM TREE". Raj said in the most chilly tone.

He smiled devilishly and left.