Once there was a king 31 March 2022: Rani walks around the room, watching the marbles and the dolls they used to play with in childhood. Bari Rani Maa watch the servant holding hot soup, she goes to speak to Raja with the soup herself. As the door is knocked, Rani stood wearing a mask. She screams watching Bari Rani Maa and the soup spills over her hand, she apologizes her and keeps her hand in the jug, explaining she thought it was Raja Baja. Bari Rani Maa was shocked and asks who she is. Raja tells Bari Rani Maa that this is Rani, she studies in his college and is a topper, and she reached there on her own.
Bari Rani maa taunts that now the country is independent, there is no rank, she might come anytime. Raja watches the burn on her hand, Rani immediately puts on a medicine over her hand. Raja was moved. Bari Rani Maa says she likes it that Rani remember everything from the past. If she remember giving bruise, then she will remember giving the injury as well. She recalls Raja had to leave home only because of her. Raja smiles that their misunderstandings have all got away, they are friend now. Bari Rani Maa says time gets some people as friends and some as enemies.
Raja and Rani sit on a bench outside, Raja was lost in a thought. Rani inquires what he is thinking. He says he never realize when the time pass while with her. She complains he never care for time. She asks him to go and spend some time with Bari Rani maa and thanks him for the watch. She thanks him for taking care of Dadu. He says he is her owns, inquires about Raaj Mata suggesting to keep a nurse. Rani says she only wants friendship, he helped her before as well but she had to pay it off by staying away from him for last 12 years. She now wants to walk with him. She turns to leave, they sing some verses of Abhi na jao chor k. He calls her name, she replies what Raja Baja. He says he likes listening his name from her mouth.
Rani was reading in her room, Raja whistles from the window. She consider it an illusion, when finally he calls her out. He says they have both been thinking about each other, why not accompany each other. He offers to go on long drive. Rani hands him a book from which they have a test tomorrow, he must study himself and let her read too. Raja jumps inside and whispers her name in her ears. She insists on him to go home else they will get late. Raja agrees, then says she left his anklet. He asks her to come and take it, can’t she walk a few steps to get it back. She goes to him, he holds it up and demands her to come closer.
He finally holds her arms, make her sit and put the anklet on her foot by himself. He finally whispers in her ear that he is leaving her room only, but may come in her dream.
Raja comes to Bari Rani Maa and asks for her help, she allows him to insist. Raja informs her that he is ready to fight the elections this time. He wants something in return. He is turning this palace into a hotel, he wants to take the responsibility of this project. Bari Rani Maa was happy he is helping his father. He denies doing it for him, Bari Rani Maa hugs him as she know for whom he is doing. Raja says he is doing this all for Rani, as he wants to offer her a job in this project. They took her all wrong, she isn’t greedy. He wants to give her something that doesn’t ruin her self-respect and their friendship.
Bari Rani Maa wonders why he is doing so, she is studying. Raja says she needs money for her Dadu’s treatment, but rejected his offer. Bari Rani Maa assures she will also care for Rani only, from now on. Raja leaves, Bari Rani maa was curt that she reached where she had once left.
Bari Rani Maa sat on rocking chair in her room, thinking about childhood Rani and Raja’s care for her now. She curtly says the thorn she got rid of years ago is again pricking her heart, Raja got his older friendship. The older the wine, the faster it works. She won’t get Rani get into Raja’s heart.
Raja taunts Jeewan for always being late, in this world, college and in Rani’s life. He will always be second. Jeewan boasts he won’t even run in a horse. Raja insults him for being illegitimate. They hold each other’s collars. Bari Rani Maa thinks that British left, but taught us two thing, to say a sorry after even a murder and divide and rule policy. She comes to scold both of them.Bindu meets Raja in the way with a smile, he heads to pass by but she holds his hand back. She asks if he is forgetting something. Raja asks what? She was upset, he smiles and bring about a gift for her. She asks if he really remembered her birthday and cheers. Raja demands for his return gift. Bindu says everything she has is his.
Raja holds her hand and asks her to invite Rani on her birthday party as well. Bindu withdraws her hand and says it’s a party, she can’t call beggars. Raja scolds her. Bindu shows her dislike, she only got him caught in front of VP. Raja insists she saved him as well, rani is his friend and Bindu must not force him chose one of them. Tears fell off Bindu’s eyes, Raja leaves. Bindu wonders how he can even think about it. Bari Rani Maa comes to her and sides Raja, Rani is her old friend as well. She has an old relation with the palace. Bari Rani Maa thinks about taking care of Rani the way it was left in childhood.
Rani await restlessly in the college. Meenu taunts her, Rani says she was waiting for Raja and wants him to attend the classes regularly but he would never improve himself. Raja’s friends come with flowers for her handing her one by one. Rani demands Raja what was the need of this all. Raja says this is an apology for all his mistakes, he promises not to make her wait again. Rani was conscious about everyone around, Raja asks her to forgive her. She was irritated, and says she has been his friend. Now she wants him to be friends with books. In the corridor, he held her dupatta. She asks him to leave it and come alone. He abides by her.
In the café, Raja comes to Bindu and Rani. Bindu looks towards him, she thanks Rani for not complaining to VP about her, and sorry for hurting her. Rani says it’s ok. Bindu stops her and asks her forgiveness by heart, she must come to her birthday party tonight. A flashback of childhood birthday party plays in front of Rani’s eyes. Rani takes an excuse as she has to study, Raja insists. Rani smiles towards him and agrees to come. Raja holds Bindu and thanks her, Bindu assures anything for him. Raja leaves. Bindu was determined to be a bad girl for him today.
In the room, Rani was concerned about her clothes and hairstyle. Meenu only stared her and asks if she is getting ready for sir? Rani denies. Meenu inquires why she is being so shy. Rani denies again. Meenu qualifies she is only a topper in study, not lying. Sir won’t look towards her if she wears anything from this. Rani insists clothes don’t change anyone’s personality, but was again concerned about what to wear.In the evening, Raja stood beside his car outside the college. Rani comes downstairs in white party attire. The lights across the corridor are switched on as she walks along the corridor.
She comes to face Raja who was staring her all the way, he encircles her. He reads some poetic verse, he has seen her many times; but it seems as if it’s the first time, then presents a red rose to her. Meenu was shocked to hold it as Raja forwards the flower towards her. He asks Meenu if she would sit on his car’s front seat with him, kiss the back of Meenu’s hand and takes her along. Rani goes to take the backseat angrily. Raja corrects the rear view mirror to see Rani who had turned her face away, he smiles and drives towards palace.
They arrive at the palace, Raja comes to help Meenu first, and Rani feels annoyed and tries to open the door. Raja comes to open the door and gives her a hand. She curtly says she will come down just the way she climbed up, she doesn’t need him at all. She comes down and slip when Raja holds her in his arms. He smirks that whether she wish or not, he will always take care of her.
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