Ace of Hearts

6 - Dysfunctional Family

"Malvika!"

"Wake up!"

"For god's sake wake up Malvika!"

Tusharika gasped at being shaken awake. A scowl marred her features as she registered her surroundings and the name she was referred with. Since her arrival in the previous yuga, she was referred by every individual, except her supposed twin, by the name 'Malvika'.

Her twin and confidante, Kaivalya, explained the meaning of the name to be 'One who lived in Malva' or more specifically 'The Princess of Malva kingdom.' Since she heard the meaning, Tusha began to despise the name from the core of her heart. It was a constant reminder of her true parentage and everything that she has lost in her journey to the previous era.

Understanding her reservations towards the name and her need of time to process things, Kaivalya took to calling her Tusharika but failed in convincing his mother to do the same. His mother insisted on calling her Malvika reasoning that it would benefit both the girl and the kingdom if she accepted her identity as soon as possible.

"Oh stop scowling. We have reached Hastinapur. Smile." said Eravati.

She grabbed her daughter's arm in her tight grip and pulled her closer narrowing her kajal lined eyes.

"Listen here. Do not. I repeat, Do not dare to sabotage this trip. You are representing the prestigious kingdom of Malva. I will not have your recklessness and savagery destroy the arduous efforts of our great king." hissed the queen.

"Now make yourself presentable and you better have a smile on your face when you step out of the palanquin. Remember to greet with proper salutations and speak only when spoken to."

Eravati left her daughter's hand and fussed over the girl's ornaments and hairdo. Giving a once over, her sharp eyes caught the reddish purple imprints of her fingers on her daughter's delicate fore arms. Taking out a couple of her own bangles, she slipped them onto her daughter's unsuspecting hands and adjusted them to cover the bruise.

Satisfied with her daughter's look, Eravati smiled proudly and exited the palanquin shooting a final warning look at Tusharika. Sighing in relief, Tusharika blinked away her tears of frustration and pain and massaged her forearms. Taking in a couple of deep breaths, she gathered herself and plastered a smile on her otherwise stone face.

"Rajkumari, it is time." informed her chief attendant Rasika.

Adjusting the heavy bordered cream uttariya that she draped around herself replicating a saree, Tusharika stepped out into the fresh air, her mahogany curls bouncing in contrast to her dark blue blouse. Her long golden earrings swayed greeting the air that welcomed the princess.

Tusharika's fingers traveled to her collarbone hunting for a familiar metal source of comfort only to be remembered of it's void. Drawing comfort from the memory of her loving family, she raised her eyes gasping at the sight of the majestic view before her.

High walls closed in on two watch towers that sandwiched large intricately carved doors. A heavy iron gate was suspended ahead of the doors by thick ropes on each end. The ropes traced back to two big manually operated axels. On the base of the iron gate were sharpened iron shards sticking out intending to slice through any enemy under them.

Beyond the welcoming party, Tusharika could see artistic fountains shaped as flower vases with diyas surrounding them. Glowing golden under the light of the lamps, lotuses enclosed the fountain amplifying it's beauty. Tusha then shifted her attention to the royals lined up at the gate.

Three men and two women awaited with polite smiles and a set of helpers trailed them. She watched the couple standing a few steps ahead greet her brother with an arti as few helpers showered him with rose petals. The distant look in the man's eyes and a cloth covering the woman's led Tusha to deduce that they were the acting king and queen of Hastinapur.