Chapter 8|Caged in four walls

Morning fell in all it's glory, bronze and violet pastels mixed with the happy orange poured through the pellucid looking clouds wandering fecklessly in the new born sky. Golden threads of morning light peeked through the blinds filling the ambient space with warmth and positivity. It caressed the tear stained face of a girl crouched in a corner of a small chamber, stress lines prominent on her forehead contrast to her once baby like tranquil moon face reflecting a fresh bloom rose in the mist of the woodland.

How calm and serene her mind was and now havoc has wrecked her life. Yesterday, she cleaned the entire fourteen rooms of the palace, cooked dinner and washed the pile of dishes in the sink. When no shred of energy was left in her body, she was fed a meal only half stomach being excused as this is the amount of food you must eat in evening. She can't protest since she was threatened to put the life of her brother at stake if she didn't comply. 

Her back ached with the intense strech of muscles, doing the load of work all at once caused her muscle sore. She receeded nonchalantly to the servant's quarter with heavy steps, tired eyes and numb heart. The stabbing pain spearing through her body incessantly was the muteness of her husband towards the disrespect bestowed upon her since she stepped in this palace as the wife of prince. How come a prince's wife treated as a servant and he has no idea about it? Or maybe he acknowledges but chose to ignore since he doesn't concern his mind over what happens with his wife, maybe it's her problem and not his!

He didn't even call or message since their wedlock. And what's most ironic is that his wife doesn't have his phone number, information about his stay and also hasn't completely memorised his facial and bodily features...the wedding seems like a preplanned cage!

Tears pooled in her doe eyes seeing her ruffled hair, smudged mascara and puffy face manifestation of the brutal wicked game played by her destiny. Maybe the series of torture will continue till she is bonded to him in the holy matrimony. She can escape, right? No, her powers as a royal member is ceased inside the four walls of the mahal. She is still prince's wife for the locals and outsiders yet they can only witness their future queen when she steps out of this massive gate...but it ain't viable.

Her throbbing nerves jolted her out of the disruptive slumber. She rubbed her eyes, adjusting to the light in her room. Her eyes transpired the state she was in, she slept in the bridal gown in a fetal position on the dirty cold floor. How could she change when she wasn't given a second to breath. She had to indulge herself in the household chores in the same esemble. 

She heard the footfall approaching near the west wing where her room was at the farthest corner of it. 'Madam, rani sa has asked for your presence near the pool area. A maid appeared in her room and briskly left after speaking like a robot fed with AI. She stood numb for a moment before unwinding her stiff muscles to get ready to serve this palace. Afterall she's the brand new maid here!! She stepped inside the bathroom for a quick shower. 

Her hair was still soaked in water, few strands sticking on her fresh face. She wrapped a red sari around herself, applying bindi and vermilion on her parted hairline. She looked pretty like any other bride yet she felt dejected and lonely. The vermilion didn't mean anything now, more like a promise that he'd cage you with it forever. The gold chain with black beads that hung around her neck started feeling suffocating instead of giving her butterflies in her stomach. She strolled out of her room, her anklets tinkling, bangles clinking whenever her arms swayed in the cool breeze blowing through the giant windows. Ah, how pleasing the sound is! But did you ignore the mute heart craving to yell, craving to be heard?

She placed the pallu(free end of sari) on her head in a gesture of respect though her mind sat with a signboard 'F#ck this motherf#cking respect'. She can't get even a strand of hair plucked from his brother's head, that unconditional love and purity their sibling bond had. She paused reaching the stairs, queen stood near the railing of the terrace darting hard stares in her direction. Ignoring those ugly stares, she climbed to the top, walking towards the frame busy in enjoying the site of the morning sky brightening the whole city. 

'Rani sa, you asked for my presence?', she replied briefly gazing at the eagles soaring the sky of svamgarh. 'Hm..did you eat anything?', she was taken aback by her words. Has she struck her head somewhere? How come such vicious lady care if I ate something or not?

'No need to be shocked. You need energy to work', she curtly answered turning around to face the shocked woman. Saanvi mentally facepalmed, how can she be so dumb to assume she cares for her!? She only cares about the fact that work should be done at any cost!! You die, well I don't give a damn f#ck!

'No', saanvi's voice was clipped, lack of warmth and interest to reply. She nodded sprawling on a pink ivory, reaglly carved chair signalling her through her sapphire ring clad index to sit on the opposite of her on yet another vacant chair. They both sat in silence, staring at each other. One's gaze was fierce and intense, other's was befuddled and doubtful. Another stroke of brisk air blew the strands over her face kissing the blossom now and then.

'Have it!', queen spoke sliding a plate full of pink macarons in her direction. She too bit one of these, dramatically smiling while chewing it, her eyes isn't moving for a flick from her face. She slightly frowned yet took a piece and bite into it, savouring it's delicious sweetness...'Have as much as you want. After you're done eating, clean the pool area!'

'She choked yet swallowed it somehow. Tears pricking her eyes as she started coughing badly. Whole pool area? The pool is bigger than her room!!! She'll probably pass out cleaning the mucky water. She stuffed 4-5 of these, being almost starved since yesterday. Only few morsels kept her burning stomach calmed to an extent to let her sleep. 

After a while, she proceeded near the pool area built on the edge of the terrace with chlorine water, skimmer net, a pool brush, vaccum hose and head and a telescopic pole. Tucking the pallu around her waist, she started removing the algae grown on the standing water with the skimmer net. She has to be careful as the saree was long enough to tangle in her feet and she could possibly trip into the deep water. the pool is around 3.5 metres deep and she don't know swimming.

She successfully cleaned the skimmed layer on the water, pouring the gallon of chlorine into it. Everything was provided to her by a maid whose only job was to familiarize her with the palace, not to do chores as she was already entitled for it.

Adrit was working on a laptop sitting near the window of his chamber. It straightly faces the terrace so the sunrays directly hit the glass pane. While working, his gaze fell on his sister in law waltzing around on the terrace with a pole in her hand. His eyes widened and it didn't took second for him to realise who sent the poor woman near the deep water.

He frantically ran upstairs bolting towards the figure busy in cleaning. 'Bhabhi(sister in law)!! What are you doing here? Don't you know how dangerous it is to stand near the pool, that too in saree!!?', he almost yelled at her though his intention was only to warn her, he was somewhat scared about her safety in this palace. Her body stumbled at his sudden voice but before she could leap into the pool, a pair of hands held her shoulders preventing her from splashing into the metres deep gaping thalassophobic waters.

Her heart started palpitating in fear as her mind turned blank. She was about to get drowned...! The loud thumping sound was the only sound audible to her ears apart from the blaring whistle blowing in the back of her head. She stayed frozen, sightly tilted towards the pool and her muscles froze in extreme trepidation. After slowly regaining her breath, she closed her eyes heaving shallow yet quick breaths to clam her disturbed mind. Nothing happened, it's alright...she whispered to herself slowly unlatching her hands from his arms that she clutched in hurry.

'Be careful bhabhi, if you sink, no one will come for your rescue!', he spoke maintaining a small distance between them. His face was furious yet voice laced with concern. He's the only man in this house that respects her and give off comforting aura.

'Why?', she asked rubbing her hands on her arms as cold air caused goosebumps to erupt all over her exposed skin. 'Because the pool isn't made of glass. On top of that, it's secluded and no one is allowed on this part of terrace except for me and my brother. How come you even thought of standing so close to the edge?', he was basically scolding her for her silliness though he wasn't in position to do so. He was younger than her and also lower in position to scold her like that. But he was scared to be frank but she didn't mind.

A smile lingered on her face witnessing his worried countenance. Unaware of the pair of eyes watching the duo with evil smirk laced on vile lips.