Ace of Hearts

13 - The Expectant Groom

The heavy gold pendant of the sacred thread shone brightly under the hot rays of the afternoon sun notifying every curious eye of it's presence. Cushioned amongst the large inherited neck pieces, the mangalsutra glowed stretching the prince's lips into a proud grin. Smothered under the seemingly immeasurable weight of the jewellery,  the new bride fought an escaping groan forcing herself to appear interested in her mother-in-law's detailed explanation of the rituals that awaited her in her new house. Her thoughts flew to her trip to this very palace as a maiden, the journey that delivered her, her fate. She wondered if she would ever start viewing the palace as her home. 

"Do not worry dear mother. Everything will have been arranged perfectly. My wife, Tusharika and I are eager to perform all the rituals sincerely." Duryodhan assuaged his mother watching her fuss over the arrangements and shout instructions to the maids.

It had been a prahar (three hours) since the couple's arrival in their home and the queen invited them to her chamber to elucidate their next course of action. Though the queen had been extraordinarily kind to the young girl, the new bride - who had still not entirely accepted the marriage and it's implications in her life - couldn't bring herself to acknowledge it thereby paving way for a budding bitterness. Instructing the newly weds to be present on time, the queen excused her audience returning to her work.

"So, I guess I will have to wait till this evening to be graced by your presence again." said Duryodhan upon exiting his mother's chambers.

"This evening? Why so soon? I suggest you perform my part of the rituals too. You seemed pretty eager to participate back there." Tusha nodded towards the chamber they just left, a sarcastic smirk on her lips.

"I would, but one ritual poses an issue. You surely remember tonight right? Our first night as a couple." Duryodhan shrugged, smirking in amusement, his eyebrow quirked as he took a step towards his wife. 

"Oh I do! Believe me neither will I forget this night nor will I let you forget it ever." replied Tusha, stepping towards her husband closing the one feet distance between them.

Her soft thumb teasingly caressed the prince's cheek leaving goosebumps in it's wake as their eyes met, the girl's left eye dropping in a wink. The eldest son of the king remained rooted in his place watching his wife sashay along her way twirling a stray curl with her index finger. The girl paused at the corner leaning backwards to get a glance of her astounded husband and tugged at the end of the curl letting it bounce before disappearing behind a pillar, letting her laughter echo the hallways. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The large heavy curtains escaped their binds and waved enthusiastically at the greying sky littered with dark voluminous puffy clouds that hid the afternoon sun. Aided by the stormy winds, the red and gold fabric brushed against the stray tendrils of the lone occupant of the room forcing them to dance to it's tunes.  With hands clasped behind his back clutching a piece of parchment, the broad chested man gazed out of the circle topped window of his study with his eyes on a mountain but mind elsewhere.

Despite his best efforts to steer his mind to the numerous important issues on his hand, his mind spiraled back to one train of thoughts. Duryodhan still remembered the encounter with the then princess of Malva half an year ago in his chambers. The spark in her eyes, the conviction in her tone, the boldness that oozed out of her stance and her words, each indicated her resolve to end the alliance. He had observed not one flicker of hesitation or doubt in her back then and he was very sure of the reluctance that was absent on her lips during the wedding but present in her demeanor if noticed closely.

Having said that, the princess' behavior that morning confused the prince and threatened to kindle an extinguished hope in his heart. The warrior in him alerted him of foul play but the husband in him hinted at her acquiesce. Duryodhan unclasped his hands and twirled the parchment eyeing it wistfully.