In my Devil's Arms

He was a miracle. A blessed soul. A child prodigy. A precocious boy. Not born with silver but a golden spoon. Apple of his parent's eye.

Rajeev truly proved that he was Shiva's son. He spoke his forst word by 9 months. It was

' SHIVA'. At 10 months he was walking. At an year old he picked a chalk as he wrote ' Maa'.( mother)

At 2 years old he started riding. At 3 he started school. Within six months he could speak three languages. He was good in arithmetic and calculations too.

" I don't know what kind of hurry he is in", said Jeniffer.

" He is just brilliant", said old king Randhir. " He has given me extra life. He is going to make us all proud one day. Look how efficiently he rides. He is not even four".

" Maa look I ride the horse", shouted the boy.

" Be careful", said his mother. At that Raj picked up speed.

" Raj", said everyone.

He pulled the horse's reins right before he would crash onto his parents and brought it to a neat halt.

" Shiva save us all", said the old king.

" Gotcha", shouted Raj as he jumped down.

" I am going to spank you", said Jeniffer as she ran after Raj.

" Maa sorry. Grandpa, daddy save me", he ran as he said. They both laughed.

Rajeev's life was like a dream. Beautiful. Two loving parents. A strong family background . Grandpa. Every materialistic thing you could ask for.

HE WAS A CROWNED PRINCE AT HIS FOURTH BIRTHDAY.

Life was a mirage.

Shortly after his fifth birthday Rajeev's life came crashing down.

He was excellent at both studies and sports.

He was playing football with the servants. He did not have any friends. Boys his age were intimidated by him either due to his riches or talents. He hit the ball hard and it went out. They were at a hotel as his father was on a business here.

" I'll get the ball", he said as he went out.

He was picking the ball up. It was on the road. A speeding truck came towards him. He could not see it until very late. HE WAS ABOUT TO DIE.

" Shiva", he cried.

At that moment he was pushed away from the road by a strong force.

" Aaahhh".

" Maaaa"

Rajeev saw his mother rise high up in the sky. The boy collapsed. He lost consciousness. When he awoke he found out Queen Jeniffer has left this Earth. Along with all the love his father had for him.

" Maaa don't go don't go. Come back", he cried over his mother's body.

" Leave her you murderer. You killed her", cried king Ranbir. " It should have been you. DIE", he wailed.

" Ranbir it was an accident. He is a mere boy. Your son", said the old king.

" Not my son", cried the king. " Go away", he said.

With heartbreak the family bid Jeniffer a goodbye as she was mingled into five elements.

" I killed maa", said Rajeev to his grandfather. " Daddy is angry".

" It was not your fault son. It was an accident", said his grandpa. " You father is grieving. He will come around".

The boy believed the old man. He woul cry to sleep holding his mother's photograph.

But king Ranbir did not forgive him.

An year later he remarried. Rajeev quietly accepted his step mother to gain favours with his father. He got none.

" Take him away. I don't want my new marital life to be tainted by his presence", said king Ranbir.

" I am taking him to Dubai. I am meeting my brother-in-law", said the king. And so he left.

An year later twins Rahul and Rakesh were borned. King Ranbir was overjoyed. His love returned. But not for his eldest son. Just for the new borns.

As the kids grew up Rajeev worked hard. He excelled at everything. From studies to sports , combats, riding , music. He started taking an interest in business. He was a prodigy. His grandfather made him a partner by 12. He made very close friends by then. He hoped a word of love or appreciation from his father but got none. The boy slowly gave up. RAJEEV REMAINED ONLY A HEIR AND NEVER BECAME RANBIR'S son again.

He was shipped off to Doon school at 14.

" He pushed Rahul from the stairs. He is rowdy", said king Ranbir.

"Ask his side of story Ranbir", said the old king.

" I did it", he said. " It was to teach him a lesson", he said insolently.

He did not do it. Rahul jealous by his half brother's success and provoked by his mother's constant nagging tried to push Rajeev but his defence skills were A grade. As he escaped Rahul lost his balance and toppled over the stairs. When asked in horror both the twins pointed fingers towards him.

Rajeev was relieved to leave the palace. His friends joined him. Doon school became their second home.

At sixteen he was robbed out of his birthright.

He was sitting under the Neem tree his mother has planted. His four friends were with him. He heard Kamini squealing

" Ohh look at so many bushes around brother. It looks like a forest. Get a nice gardener for me to do it".

" Sure sister sure", came a booming voice.

He looked around. Sure it did look a lot of wild bushes around. He liked forest. But he waved it off. Kamini and her sheningans.

But next day as he came back fro school with his friends the neem tree was chopped down.

" I will build a clubhouse here", said Kamini.

Rajeev had enugh. He saw red.

" You cut down my mother'tree", he roared. THEY SAW A DEVIL THAT NIGHT.

He threw Kamini's bedsheets, curtains all her dresses and make up in a heap. And lit a bonfire. The all froze in horror.

He stood before his father next day.

" Apologise to your mother", king said with clipped anger

" She is not my mother", he said calmly.

" Then who is she", the king was angry now.

" She is a sl*t who makes you forget your duties towards your dead wife and eldest son"" said Raj with equal anger.

" Control your tongue boy and apologise", the king was furious now.

" She should apologise first. She cut maa's tree", he said.

" She is queen. She has right to take decisions about the palace", said king Ranbir.

" No. Its my right to...", he was saying.

Slap

King Ranbir hit his eldest son.