The king's courtesan wife

C H A P T E R 3

Back at the brothel, everyone were rejoicing on the news of Sandhya's marriage with the King.

Whereas Sandhya knew somewhere she was making a mistake that she will regret terribly one day. Marriage is not something in a courtesan's destiny.

Abhimaan on the other hand felt the happiest he ever felt. He wanted them to get married at the moment itself. So, they went to the temple where a hesitant priest was getting them married.

The mantras were being chanted and prayers were getting done.

The only people attending the wedding, were Abhimaan's chief in command and his soldiers.

"Please get up for the pheras." The priest said and Abhimaan quickly got on his feet and helped Sandhya.

They did the rounds of fire and with each round gave a vow to each other. The first being to nourish each other. The second was to grow together in strength. Third, to preserve their wealth. Fourth, to share their joys and sorrows. Fifth, to care for their children and parents. Sixth, to be friends all life long and the final one to be together forever.

"Now, fill the bride's partition with sindoor." The priest instructed.

Abhimaan took a pinch of the red sindoor and gazing into Sandhya's eyes, he lifted lifted her maang tikka and filled her hair partition with the sindoor.

Sandhya could see the love in his eyes for her and this reassured her and threw all the bad feelings out of the window. She accepted being his wife wholeheartedly and now felt the happiest. She gave him a heartwarming smile. Now she somewhat felt that she was not making a mistake. This man truly loves her.

"Tie the mangalsutra around the bride's neck."

Abhimaan realised that they did not have a mangalsutra.

"Maharaj, the wedding is incomplete without a mangalsutra." The priest expressed.

Abhimaan remembered about the necklace his mother gave him before he left for the battle and untied it from his neck.

It was a gold necklace with an om pendant.

He tied it around Sandhya's neck.

"When we will go back, I will give you a befitting mangalsutra." He said.

"With this, you both are now tied in the marriage bond. May the gods keep their blessing upon you."

The newly wedded couple took the blessing of Maa durga and wished for a happy married life.

~

They took off for their journey to the kingdom of Maheswar, right after.

Soon the night fell and Abhimaan thought it would not be wise to travel  any further.

"It's already nighttime, It's not safe to travel at this hour. We should stop by a nearby village and rest for the night." He advised and everyone murmured something, agreeing with him.

When they got in a nearby village, Abhimaan stopped his horse as he saw a group of people. He climbed down and helped Sandhya down as well.