Ahankara stood outside the room, waiting for Raaj Mata Hansa Bai to grant her permission to enter. Her heart was knocking at her ribs, and she could feel beads of sweat start to form on her forehead. She had no idea how her meeting would end up, whether Hansa Bai would admit to the wrongs she had done, or would straight off deny it all. She knew Hansa Bai hated her, and even if she didn't earlier, she hated her now.
"Bhabhi Sa," Shivanya grinned as she stepped out of her mother's room.
Shivanya and Phool had no idea about what had happened.
"Shivanya," Ahankara smiled. "How are you?"
"I'm good Bhabhi Sa, why are you standing here? Is everything okay?" She asked.
"I'm actually waiting to meet Raaj Mata, I have to talk to her about something very important," Ahankara replied.
"Oh, then I guess you shouldn't waste time. Why don't you go inside? I'm sure Maa Sa won't mind," Sh
"You will still remain the Maharani, but I do need a wife, Ahankara. I can't live my life with someone who... Who already belongs to someone else," he said softly, causing her to go silent.She blinked at him, as one last tear left her eye."I only belong to you, Yashvir," she said softly, causing Yashvir's eyes to widen slightly. A familiar emotion flashed in his eyes, but it was gone as fast as it came. An emotion Ahankara had missed seeing in his eyes since a long time."We both know that's not the truth," Yashvir said softly, and Ahankara gazed down at his hand, which was tightly gripping onto his sword."And yet somehow, you want to believe I'm telling the truth," Ahankara stated, looking him in the eye. Yashvir immediately looked away, clenching his jaw."I'm not," Yashvir replied.Ahankara stepped closer to him, and for the first time ever, she cupped his cheek. He
"Anyway," Ananya said, smiling at her. "It's a pleasure finally being able to meet you. You're a good person.""Likewise," Ahankara replied, offering her a small smile. She then looked at Yashvir, who immediately shifted his gaze elsewhere. A smile stretched across Ahankara's face, realizing that she had caught him staring. Once dinner was over, everyone returned to their respected rooms, and after a long time, Ahankara entered her room with a huge smile on her face."I'm guessing it worked," Neharika grinned as soon as she saw her face. Ahankara gave her a huge smile, before running up to her and pulling her into a hug. She laughed, hugging her back."He was staring at me the whole time. He couldn't take his eyes off me," Ahankara grinned."I told you, he loves you, Rajkumari. He will love you forever, no matter what.""Yeah, I know," Ahankara smiled, her eyes soft. "He's just a little up
It was the day before the first occasion of Yashvir and Ananya's wedding. There was a ruckus in the entire Palace, as the preparations went on in full swing. Every corner of the Palace radiated a beautiful fragrance, and gleamed with the light from decorative oil lamps.Ahankara walked through the corridors, staring at the walls and the decorations. With every step she felt her heart sink further and further into her chest, whilst she held onto Neharika's hand for moral and emotional support. Her eyes were glassy with unshed tears, as everything made her reminisce her own wedding. The wedding she always thought she would think of and cry, but for very different reasons.Ahankara let out a loud sigh as they exited into the garden, making Neharika walk in front of her and stand in her way."What are you doing, Rajkumari?" She asked, her eyes filled with sadness and concern."What?" Ahankara asked, not sure o
"I said, you apply it," Ahankara stated, feeling her heart clench at her own words. She turned her face to the other side and closed her eyes, not wanting to see him leave."Alright, Rajkumari," Neharika replied softly, glancing at Yashvir. As she made a move to sit down beside her, Yashvir raised his hand to stop her. He placed his index finger on his lips, ushering her to remain quiet, as he took the small bowl from her hands. He gestured for her to leave the room, and although hesitant, Neharika obliged. Once she had left and the door was closed securely, Yashvir sat down beside Ahankara, causing the bed to dip."He's such a jerk," Ahankara whispered, sniffing. "You know what he said, Neha? He was only showing care and affection because he wants me to be at the wedding. Or else he wouldn't even care if I'd just go and die in a ditch."Yashvir bit his lip, and took some ointment onto his fingers, before tracing it on her
"I told him I love him," Ahankara announced, closing her eyes shut in pain, as she stood up from the throne. Yashvir immediately rushed to her, catching hold of her arms to support her, so she would not get hurt again. She gave him a small smile before turning her attention back to Ananya. Ahankara made her way to her, before standing in front of her."So you told him you loved him. What, you hadn't before?" Ananya rolled her eyes."I hadn't," Ahankara replied. "And that's why it was hard for him to believe me, when I tried to clarify our misunderstanding. Finally when I confessed, he believed me. Because that's what love is. You trust the one you love, and you trust the one who loves you.""As adorable as that sounds, what about me?" Ananya asked, her teary gaze shifting to Yashvir. "What about me, Yashvir? Why did you do this to me?"Yashvir shifted his gaze to the floor in guilt, sighing. "I'm sorry. I
Yashvir held onto Ahankara's hand from behind, his other hand resting on her waist. His warm breath tickled her ear as he leaned in to her, placing his chin on her shoulder."Keep your eyes on your target," Yashvir whispered, before he made her swing the sword around. "And then attack.""Hmm," Ahankara replied, her breath hitching and her heart beat pacing. His close proximity was making it difficult for her to focus, and a small, bashful smile stretched across her lips."Keep your grip firm, or the sword will be knocked out of your hands," he said, tightening his fingers around hers. "And don't just use the blade. You can use every part of the sword to your advantage.""How?" Ahankara asked, turning her head to look up at him. He leaned in and touched his nose against hers, gently nudging, before he pressed his lips to hers. She kissed him back, closing her eyes, as she let go of the sword, letting it fal
Ahankara carried the tray of colors to the bed, her lips pressed into a thin line as she tried to suppress her smile. She placed it on the side table, watching to make sure Yashvir was fast asleep. She sat down beside him, careful not to move the bed too much, and took some of the pink color into her hand. Grinning, she slowly brought her hand towards his face, but before she could touch him, Yashvir woke up with a jolt and caught hold of her wrist. Ahankara gasped as he pulled her closer, his eyes narrowed dangerously."What do you think you're doing?" He asked."I... Uh..." She muttered, biting her lip as her gaze flickered from him to her hand, and back to his face. She realize her closed fist was vertically above his cheek, and she grinned before unclenching it, causing the color to fall onto his face."Ahankara!" Yashvir snapped, closing his eyes and scrunching up his nose."Happy Holi," Ahankara smil
Yashvir walked inside the room, his gaze meeting Ahankara's as she offered him a small, tired smile. He walked up to the bed and sat down beside her, after which everyone else left the room, except the doctor."Is she okay?" Yashvir asked, looking up at the doctor as he took Ahankara's hand in his. "Thank you for showing up on such short notice. The Palace doctor is out of town.""It's an honour, Maharaj. And your wife will be perfectly fine very soon. I would, however, suggest you take special care of her from now on. Such an accident could potentially harm your baby. You're lucky she-""What?" Ahankara and Yashvir said in unison, their expressions mirroring each other's."Did you say baby?" Yashvir asked in disbelief, frowning."Um, yeah," the doctor nodded, smiling. "You two weren't aware? She looks eight weeks to me.""I told you!" Ahankara breathed, her eyes turning g