5. Three days only!

I see as palace is getting decorated for my birthday which is today but is going to be celebrated with my people tomorrow.

I am turning 17 and I feel like I have grown much more since yesterday than all this years.

I feel the weight of unknown obligations and responsibilities.

I know that you were worried for me mother. But what am I gonna do. I don't know anything about marriage. Please give me strength and patience for this new journey.

The night before that day….

Kumud Ma is sitting beside me trying to assure me everything is ok. The men are talking among themselves. But I don't want to listen to anything.

I look at Rudra and try to process everything that happened from the beginning. He knew everything. Uh! I now remember what I did and said. It's so embarrassing all because of him and also my father. I will talk to him in private.

Father comes towards me and says," I will talk with my daughter in private. But let's have dinner first."

"I am not hungry anymore. You all eat. I will have something later. Right now I want to rest. I think I am starting to feel little worn out because of the day I had." I say as I get up suddenly, totally forgetting about my foot and stumble. My father and Rudra both try to hold my arm but I stop them both by showing my hand.

" Anshu, let's go. We are going to garden." I say as I steady myself and take Anshu's hand and try to walk past them all with as much dignity as I can as I limp.

" Ma, tell a maid to send food for Anshu there only." I say as I pass the doorway.

I want to think about all this things and then make decisions. I know my father will never force me. But that doesn't mean I will forget my mother's promise. As much as I knew my mother, she never made hasty decisions. She always thinks through everything. Even when we visited some of the home of our ministers and people. There is always some good purpose behind all her decisions. So I cannot doubt her this decision.There is more to this than it looks like. I have ask father.

We reach the garden. Torches are lit and moon is also full today which makes garden look magical. We go towards sitting area, where there two big sofas, two chairs, one table in between them and one at the corner and a swing is at that centre of garden with beautiful wood work. It was my mother's.

Anshu runs towards it and I stop him saying that first he should eat then join me there. A maid feeds Anshu while I sit at the swing and think about all the things.

Whenever I sit here, I feel like her arms are around me telling me that she is going to here always with me. I feel at peace here. I think about all the decisions she ever made. A advise of her comes to my mind unexpectedly.

"My Mumu, sometimes some decisions don't look rational but they can make a good turn if the intentions are good, if your heart is at the right place. And the only thing you can think about is if I do this, many people's life will change for good. Even though you don't feel happy about it at first but that doesn't mean you can't change it in your own good way to make yourself happy. You just need to be strong and optimistic about it."

The time when she said that I didn't understand the meaning of it. I was more focused on her voices as sweet as it was and her eyes which were looking at me with so much love.

I close my eyes and make my decision. I am married so it is better to accept it. And if my mother thinks I would be safe with this people then I will make sure that I also give them benefit of doubt. Even though I don't have any choice to deny this marriage because in this era women can't say no to marriage. And I don't want my father to go through any troubles. But that doesn't mean I will surrender myself to my husband and his family easily. Husband. I have husband now. 

Yes! You have a husband, and you don't know anything about your wifely duties and what if your mother- in -law makes your life difficult. You are in for some many unknown stuff. If you need any help I am right here. To annoy and irritate you. My ESV says while smirking.

Yes like I will ever ask her anything.

Anshu runs towards me and I help him sit at swing. We stay there for a hour. Then I start to feel hungry and ask the maid send something to my room and start towards my room. Anshu also yawn it means it sleep time.

As we are leaving, Dharma uncle and father comes towards us. Uncle picks up Anshu in his arms and say, "I will take him. Your father will help you to your room. Good night dear! Say good night to Di and uncle, Anshu."

"Good Night Di! Good Night Uncle!" Anshu says.

"Good Night Anshu! Good Night Uncle!" I say and turn towards my father and take his arm for support and start walk. He takes me by my shoulder and helps. 

We reach my room where all my favourite food items are presented with Kumud Ma waiting for me.

She looks up at us and after seeing my father with me, she says, "Make sure she eats something. And Mumu, you also make sure that your father eats something. You both are reckless. Being hungry will not solve your problems. Like father like daughter. Good Night both of you. And don't think I won't know anything. I will ask the maids what you both ate. And if I knew you dismissed my words then you both know what will happen." 

After warning us she leaves. I look at my father and he looks at me and we both burst out laughing.

We sit down for dinner and I feed my father first and then he feeds me. After eating enough maid cleans up the area. And I know now my father is going to say something.

" Dear, I know this society asks women to go through many obligations which sometimes she doesn't want to. But you know I will never force anyone for anything. And if you say no for this I don't care about anything I will do as you say. One word and they leave without you."

By hearing those words, I feel proud to be his daughter. He never forces anyone in his reign. Society be damned he only thinks about justice and happiness of his people. But I know what is at risk here. As much as I am proud of him I cannot let his pride getting hurt. And I was going to marry someone in near future, so what if I got married earlier. It was going to happen either way. 

"I am ready for this father. Not because I don't have any choice or something but for mother. She made this decision for me. And she was never wrong about anything. I trust her decision. But the only thing I want to know is why did she do that? And when did you came to know about all this?" I ask him.

"It was around the time when there were fueds going on between Prabhakaran and other states. With Swarnalipuram our relations were not that good. But we were never at war. It were the outside forces who wanted us fight each other. So they can get advantage out of it. Your mother and I used to discussed lots of things those days. She always said that with power there comes a price due. Many allies surrounding us were not what they looked like." He said.

"You were very ill those days. There were lots of things going those days. Your mother promised the gods that if you became well and good again she will take you to temple of Lord Shiva, which is situated between Prabhakaran and Swarnalipuram. She had great belief in that temple. Whenever she asked something and it came true, she will go there for worship. By your mother's prayers and healer's help you were getting better. The situation of our country was tensed. But your mother said a promise is a promise, and she is going to take you to temple at any cost. I could not leave palace because of those situations. But I sent your Bhima uncle with her, to protect both of you. When she came back she was tense but there was a small kind relief in her eyes. Bhima told me later that your mother killed a man who attacked her in their tent when they were on temple's ground. And that your mother took you temple at midnight without telling him. And came back hours later. He told me he thought she was worried for you so that's why she stayed in temple with you for her mind's peace."

" I later asked your mother what happened she told me that everything is going to be alright. She never told what actually happened except that she married you to someone in Swarnalipuram's royal family. I was angry at her that she made your life's biggest decision without telling me. And that so when you were just four. I asked her again and again but she didn't told me anything other than that it was for your safety. I didn't talked to her for days. And then one day she came to me and confessed that this secret has to be kept between three people. No other should know until the time comes otherwise your life would be in more danger than it is now. I got worried. She cried and apologized to me. And you know better than anyone how much I love your mother. I can never stay away from her for long time. She told me not to tell anyone until…" My hesitates.

" Until… What?" I asked.

" Until your husband comes to take you." He says a bit upset with husband word.

"I didn't got to arrange your wedding." My father says sadly.

" Who said we can't. I will ask them to wait for few weeks so we can have proper wedding ceremony with all of my family and people of our state." I said with a smile.

" We can't dear." He says.

"But why? What's the problem?" I asked now worried seeing his tensed and annoyed expression.

" Because there are traitors between us that even we don't know about. And if word gets out of this palace that you are married to crown prince of Swarnalipuram, there are many who will do anything to break this alliance. They will even kill one of you or both of you. Then all your mother's sacrifices would be waste. And the sacrifices you are willing to do would be also waste. So not until you safely reach Swarnalipuram's royal palace, we are not saying or doing anything."

I think for few minutes then ask the most nagging and difficult question, "Fine. When do I have to leave?"

"Within three days" my father says with unshed tears in eyes.

I squeak," Three days. But why only three days. There so many things. I can't just leave you like that only." I stand and roam around my room as I say, " There are so many things I have to take with me. That books and then my clothes. And I don't know so much things. I want time."

My father stands up and takes me into his arms and embraces me. We shed our tears. And then my father says," I know dear. But I can't let you take all of it. Even I want some pieces of my little cub's memories, won't I? And it's not like you are not gonna visit me. Once everything settles down I will also come to visit you too. I will come so many times to meet you there that your in-laws will taunt you for it."

I laugh through my tears and say," I don't care." 

We stay like that for few minutes and then I make a firm decision.

" Father I am not going to just go away from here like that only. You will see my wedding. It would be simple one. Just our family. I want to give you this. You deserve this. And I am not going to let anyone stop us. Even I want a wedding. I deserve it, don't I?" I look at my father as I say that.

" Okay as the my princess says. Tomorrow is your birthday with us only. We will celebrate it with our people day after tomorrow. I will ask the royal priest for a auspicious time for your wedding after two days. So I can give you away properly with respect you should have from your home. Now sleep my dear you must be tired. I will make sure these coming three days would be as joyful and filled with happiness than you ever imagine. Good Night my little cub." My father says as he give me a kiss at forehead.

"Good Night Father" I say.

He leaves and I get ready for bed.

Fortunately sleep embraces me in its arms.

Next Morning…..

I wake up early at morning as I have to get ready and go to temple first. I walk to my gallery and feel sun rising from behind the mountains. I feel it's first ray hit me and with it the reality of everything. 

But the time for thinking useless things are gone. It's best to move forward. I start to get ready. I don't usually need maids for it, because I don't do anything fancy for my hair. Either they are in simple braid or they are open. One time Kumud Ma tried to style it as it would look good as my hairs are long and straight. But God that was awful. I looked pretty but all those pins. I felt someone was constantly steaching my head. After that I said no. And if anytime one of the maids comes with those pins near me, I literally point my sword towards them and they just scream and runaway. Today I washed my hair so after drying I keep them open as they are still little wet and I getting late for temple. I wore my favourite colour dark pink blouse and heavy skirt and dupatta with intricate designs. And a bit heavy jewelry. I prepare a thal(plate) with things for pooja. I double check everything then start to leave my room. When maid comes in and says that the sweets are all ready for pooja. I tell her to bring them to temple. We have a small temple of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati at the centre of our palace.

I reach there and wait for my father and other family members. I put everything in front priest and touch his feet for his blessings. He wish me birthday and a good healthy life. I hear footsteps and turn around to scold my father for being late. But I see him there. 

Rudra.

I think his name is Rudraveer. But obviously you will call him Rudra with love as his pet name. As we are on topic about pet names, will you tell him yours. MUMU. hahahahaha. My ESV laughs evilly. 

No way I am never going to let him know my pet name. I will die of embarrassment. As I stand there like a statue, Rudra comes towards me and smiles. I don't know why but when he smiled I felt like I was again standing under rising sun. It was that warm and beautiful. 

" Happy Birthday, Princess!" He says. 

"What is my name?" I ask him.

Girl did you just forget your own name. My ESV says.

I roll my eyes mentally at her. And the next second he asked me raising his one brow and grinning, "Don't you know your own name?"

He looked so devilish at that moment. Why the hell I am having this thoughts.

"Don't you know my name?" I ask him in return.

"Yes I know what it is. Why?" He asks, now puzzled at my questions.

"Say it." I say.

"But why?" He again asks.

I get irritated and but try to say politely, "Because it's my birthday and it's my wish that you say it."

"What kind of wish is that?" He asks and now seriously I felt like shouting but as he is my husband and the priest is behind me, I take a deep breath and give him my biggest smile and tell him sweetly.

"It's my birthday Rudra. Can't I ask whatever wish I want?"

Rudra stares at me for few seconds and I start to feel uneasy, the priest calls for me and in hurry to run away from Rudra I turn suddenly, due to that I slip because of my skirt but Rudra's arms came around me and he fulfilled my wish that I wish I hadn't asked.

"Manvi, Are you okay?" He says.

Hearing my name from his lips made me shudder. Why? I shake away the thoughts.

"Yes, I am fine. Thank you." I said. And then asked, "Was that so hard?"

"What?" He asks scrunching his brows in the cute way.

"Saying my name. I hope now you will stop calling me princess and start calling me by name. Manvi." I say smirking at him. Never knowing that in the next few seconds my worst nightmare will come true.

"Happy Birthday Mumu!"