Jaanki's POV

Joining my hands I bowed in front of Lord Ram and started doing my regular prayer. I felt a presence besides me, peeking through one eye I smiled seeing Guddu besides me bowing on his knee.

After few minutes of silent prayer I heard a bell at the entrance which indicated that someone entered the temple. I knew it wasn't my father as he completes his prayer early in the morning.

" Good morning, Princess. " I bite my lip to not say anything bad in front of God. The way he says Princess annoys me to no end. Like he is taunting me.

" Good morning, Mr. Bodyguard" I greeted back with a big smile and Guddu followed it with a bark.

He looked at me then at my baby boy and shook his head. " I wasn't aware of your mini guard. "

" His name is Guddu. Guddu Jadeja. " Raghav looked at him for a minute then stared back at me with wide eyes.

He pointed at Guddu," Having a name is okay but surname. " He started laughing while looking away. Guddu seemed just as annoyed as me as he barked at him loudly. " Sorry buddy but I have to say I'm shocked. Naming your pet is normal but giving them your last name is just another level of insanity. "

I got up from my place and Guddu followed me. " You seem like a sane person then why don't you just quit working for an insane person like me."

" I know where you're going with that, Princess. " He smirked. " But Raghav never quits. "

" We'll see. " I smirked in response and his grin widened.

" I was not told about this driver's duty. " He grumbled while gripping the steering wheel tightly.

I stiffened a laugh and continued to pat Guddu. " There are many surprises waiting for you, Mr. Bodyguard. "

For the first time he didn't reply back and kept looking ahead. His face was serious and hard which made me worried for a second. Through the mirror I glanced at his face. Before I could start admiring those features the annoying voice came.

"Stop staring at me, Princess. I know I'm handsome. " Again that cockiness came back making me roll my eyes.

"I was just thinking about how hideous you look. "

He chuckled in reply and the sound brought a light blush on my face. I instantly looked away to hide it, I can't give him the satisfaction of getting a response from me.

"I guess you're a professional liar," he muttered loud enough to reach my ear but I ignored his words and kept looking out.

Soon we reached our destination. Like a professional Bodyguard he opened the door for me. " Careful , Princess. I hope this floor is worthy enough for your delicate feet or should I bring red carpet?"

" You!" I pointed my finger at him in anger. Closing his lips tightly he motioned me to walk ahead. Rounding my dupatta in my arm I took confident steps ahead trying not to let his presence affect me.

"Princess Janam!" Loud roars came as soon as I placed the first step inside the door. Lifting my head I smiled widely at the children waving at me, the moment they saw me they started running downward.

Within a minute I was pulled into tight hugs by many little arms. Kneeling before them I wrapped my arms around each one of them and kissed their foreheads.

All my worries went away just with those big smiles. We're meeting after almost two weeks so I can understand their emotions, I missed them just like they did. Sometimes I wished that I could stay with them forever.

"Dekho to kon aaya hai. Shree Shree Rajkumari Janam!" My smile went even wider as I heard the noise, I got up and ran towards the voice while opening my arms widely.

(Look who is here. The great Princess Janam.)

"Manisha Ma!" I was about to engulf her in a hug but she stopped me by showing her hand, her lips were curled in disappointed. " What did I do now?"

"Shetaan! Adha mahina hogaya aur ab apna muh dikha rahi h. Humari zarurat nahi hai kya tujhe ab?" She grabbed my ear and twisted it tightly.

( You little devil! It's been almost half a month and you're showing your face now. Don't you want us anymore. )

The laughter of children reached my ear mixed with a masculine voice. It annoyed me that he was enjoying this embarrassing sight of me.

"Manisha Ma! Ouch! It's hurting. " After hearing my since she left my ear and caressed my hair. " You know better than anyone how busy I'm right now. "

"Pata hai. Pata hai. Isiliye Jane de rahi hu varna tu toh mujhe ache se jaanti hai." She patted my cheek affectionately.

(I know. I know. That's why I'm letting you go like this otherwise you know very well what I can do. )

I gulped at she looked at me with those big eyes filled with black Kohl. Like everyday she was dressed in a bright saree with beautiful makeup and her iconic big bindi.

This was Manisha Ma, the caretaker of the orphanage and the mother of every orphan kid. She became an orphan at a young age of 13 when her parents left her after finding out that she's a transgender and since then she has been staying at this orphanage. She always wanted to become a mother but it wasn't naturally possible but that didn't stop her.

She became mother of all this children including me. She was the only mother figure I had I'm my life.

But she's really strict and punctual woman. She can be both caring and fierce at the same time.

"Janam, did you get that chocolate I asked for?"

With that one by one they started asking for their gifts. I was about to go and bring their gifts when I saw Raghav carrying all those presents and moving towards us.

" Janam," Manisha Ma nudged me. " Ye hero kon hai?"

( Who's this hero?)

Hero? from which angle does he look like a hero? I rolled my eyes at her question," New bodyguard. "

"Maja hai teri toh. Itne sundar ladke ke saath pura din batane ko milta hai tujhe." Ignoring her words I went towards him and helped to distribute the gifts to everyone.

( You lucky girl. You get to spend time with a hero everyday.)

The kids kept jumping and laughing as they admired their presents. It was surprising how these little gifts make them so happy. For some children this means nothing but for them it's their everything. If it was in my control I would give them the entire world.

At last two gifts were remaining I looked around to search for the two people.

" Ma, where are Shivani and Shivanya?"

She looked away at my question," Mujhe dedo main unhe de dungi. "

(Give me their gifts I'll give them. )

" Ma," I again said in warning tone. " Tell me what's happening?"

She sighed and accepted her defeat ," Thik hai, chalo mere saath."

( Fine, come with me)

With that I followed her to the two girls room. Those two girls recently joined the orphanage after their parents death in an accident, most heartbreaking part was that their grandparents refused to take care of them just because they're girls.

Shaking those negative thoughts out of my head , I plastered a big smile and opened the door.

" Hello Choti Shivu and Badi Shivu!" My smile fell flat as I took in their appearance. This is not how I left them two weeks ago. " What happened to their hair?"

Manisha Ma looked away in guilt, again I stared at the girl sitting with their hair now short and wild instead of those long hair which adored their faces few weeks ago.

" I went out for just few minutes and they did this, " She explained. " I know it's my fault , I should have been more careful. "

I took small steps towards the two girls who looked scared by my response, taking a chair I sat in front of them so we were on the same level. My heart ached looking at their appearance, they looked thinner than last time, their faces were paler and of course their hair.

" What happened Bacha?"

Shivani was the first to breakdown while Shivanya held her tightly and spoke in small voice," We thought Dada will accept us if we cut our hair and became boy. "

Tears started appearing at the back of my eyes as I heard their sobs, but I couldn't cry.

" But he again refused. "

" Bache, get one thing clear in your mind," my voice came out heavier than normal. " If someone doesn't want you then it's their loss. "

" We miss Mama- papa," Shivani mumbled and both of them broke into sobs.

With each tear falling down from their eyes my heart started breaking into a million pieces. Getting up from my chair I sat between then and pulled them closer to me, wrapping my arms tightly I placed both their heads on my chest.

"If a person is refusing to take Angels like you then they're the most stupid person. And right now I'm the luckiest person because I'm getting to take care of two Shivus. "

A small smile appeared of their face, I showed them the two gifts I bought and opened it.

" They're smiling like this after almost 10 days. " Manisha Ma said as we walked outside. " This kids are my everything and seeing them like this.... You can't even imagine how I feel. "

" I can. " I assured. " But I'm fearless because you're with all of us and I know for sure that you'll not let anything happen to any of us. "

" I'm really proud of you. " She placed a soothing hand on my shoulder. " I'm proud of the way you grew up. My little Janam has become so mature and understanding. You're giving a tight slap to everyone who said that you'll become a spoiled Princess without your mother. "

I laughed at her words, which in fact were true. My father told me many times about the backlash he got from society for not marrying second time and raising me alone. They kept saying that I'll become uncultured and mannerless but to everyone's surprise my father raised me just perfectly.

As we walked downwards I noticed that the loud noise of children was missing, which was surprising as these kids can't be silent for even a moment. Then how did this miracle happen.

Walking towards the hall I noticed that all the kids were gathered around someone.

That someone was my bodyguard.

Raghav was sitting in front of all the children while they sat silently hearing to whatever he was saying intently.

" Then what happened? Did the Princess and Prince lived happily?" Aru, a girl of 7 years asked.

I rolled my eyes as I realised that he was telling some fairytale story to them. It must be the same old cliche story where they live happily ever after. The story which just raises our expectations and is far from reality.

" Then the prince got kidnapped," Raghav said in an animated voice which got the attention of everyone including me.

" Do you mean Princess?" Abhi asked.

Raghav shook his head," The Prince got attacked by the evil monster. He was injured and scared, there was no one to save him. He was losing all his hope of suffering. He thought he will die any moment now. "

All the children had joined their hands as they prayed silently probably for that Prince.

" And then....." These words of Raghav made everyone sit straight even the little bunty sitting on his lap was looking at him with his wide eyes as he sucked on his thumb.

My heartbeat also accelerated as he raised my anticipation. His eyes met mine as he continued," Then the Princess came on white horse to save him. "

" Wow!" The children shouted in happiness as their prince was getting saved.

" The Princess came towards the Prince while slaughtering every enemy on her way." Raghav raised his arm and did the movement of sword fighting. " Slash. Slash. With a sharp sword she killed all the monsters and made her way to Prince. "

" Was the Princess really strong?" Sana, a 10 year old girl asked.

Raghav patted her head and smiled," yes , she was really strong. Just like you. She was the strongest and bravest Princess. "

His eyes again met mine as he said those words and it did something to my heart. It brought warmth and comfort to me, for the first time someone said this. Beautiful, smart and kind were the only words I got to hear and I loved it but these two words he said made my heart flutter.

" The Princess defeated all the monsters and saved her Prince. "

" And did they live happily then?" Khushi asked.

" That's the story for another day. " Raghav said and all of them groaned, he chuckled at their reaction. " Arrey Bacha party, ab toh hum sab milte rahenge aur kahani sunte rahenge. So, Don't be sad. "

(Hey Bachcha Party, we will keep meeting and listening to the story.)

One after another they all hugged him and placed kisses on his cheek. I leaned on the door frame and watched their interactions with smile. For the first time I saw genuine smile on his face which made him look....

Wait, why am I thinking about him?

My children are happy with him, that's all that matters, I don't care about him. He's still an annoying and irritating bodyguard for me and it's not going to change.

After having lunch with the kids I sat in the garden and saw them playing. Guddu was running in the garden along with other kids. I smiled thinking about how they'll react when they see their new house. I've tried my best to put everything according to their needs and now the only thing I needed was a few signatures from the government . After that my first step will be completed.

" Janam! Play with us, please!" Abhi came followed by other kids. They all started pulling me by my hand, I fell on my knees on the way to get up.

" Fine. I'll play with you!"

They shouted in triumph and started running while I followed them on my toes. Just like that I spent my time chasing the kids all over the place unknown to the eyes that were watching my every moment.

With other bodyguards I felt uncomfortable just by their stare and I could hardly behave so freely. But today something was different, I didn't feel that discomfort or awkwardness. I felt free.

Gazing around I tried to find those eyes but frowned when I couldn't.

"Janam!" I heard a small shout and as I turned I collided with a hard chest.

A scream left my mouth as I started falling due to the hit, my eyes closed on their own as I got ready to face the ground but instead I felt a grip on my wrist which stopped my movements.

" Careful Princess otherwise you'll end up ruining your expensive outfit. " with that remark all the idea of thanking him flew away.

" You–" I opened my mouth to reply but a screech came out instead as he loosened his hand and made me move down by an inch. I stared behind and saw a mud pool straight behind me. I didn't care about my outfit but the media will definitely get new headlines if I went back in dirty clothes. " Don't leave my hand!"

" First say - Raghav, you're the most handsome man I've ever seen. " He demanded.

I scoffed," Like hell I'll say that. No no don't leave my hand. " I controlled my words as he was about to let go of my hand.

All the good thoughts I had about him started evaporating in thin air, the amusement in his eyes made me want to scratch his face.

" I'm waiting, Princess. "

"Fine," I gritted my teeth. " You're the most handsome man I've ever seen. "

His smirk turned into a full-blown smile, " See it wasn't that tough. " With one pull I landed straight on his chest. He grabbed my waist as I started dizzying away. After a moment I felt fine but he still didn't let me go.

My eyes met his and I couldn't look away, those grey orbs had unknown intensity in it. The weird feeling at the bottom of my stomach increased as I stared into those eyes. His lips had neither smirk or smile and that made them even more alluring.

My lips parted as he licked his own gently. A wave of shock passed through my belly at that small action.

I gulped hard at the unknown sensation I just felt and released myself from him. He's nothing but a nuisance and distracting person and not to forget full of himself.

" You're the least attractive man I've seen in my entire life."

He chuckled darkly and took a step towards me making me move backward, I looked behind trying to be careful and not fall in that mud pool.

" Then why are you looking at me like you want to lick every inch of my body? " His voice was rough and deep, it did nothing to calm down the butterflies in my stomach. Instead it ignited more fire.

" I'm not. " I pointed my finger at him harshly. " And don't behave like that with me. I'm not going to tolerate that behaviour. "

Instead of getting offended he tilted his head in amusement.

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