The Cinderella Of Rewa

26. Vedika

Vedika looked down at her foot which stared back at her with a swelling.

After she had jumped into the carriage and asked the horseman to drive her home as fast as possible, after they had taken every shortcut possible to reach Thakur Mansion before Daju Ma, after Omisha's magic had worn off and the horses became rats again and the carriage went back to being a pumpkin, after she had fooled her stepmother and stepsisters by pretending to be asleep when they walked into the house, Vedika finally had time to get back up and examine her naked foot.

It was swollen with all her running. But somehow that did not trouble her. Nothing could trouble her tonight. She could not remember the last time she had felt so happy in her life. Without bothering to even massage or apply something to her swelling, she lay back on her cot and fell asleep dreaming of  horses, golden chandeliers, rose balconies and the taste of Nakuk's lips on hers. 

•••

The next day the city was full of talk about the grand and resplendent engagement party. Praise for the warm hospitality of the Mittals stood on every tongue.

Half way through the day, however, the bad news from Mittal Mansion leaked out onto the streets and the city which had been deprived of such spicy content for years, pounced upon the good gossip, forgetting the gratification they had felt for their hosts from the previous evening.

In this way, the rumours travelled from house to house.

Some said that the Mittals had agreed for the new arrangement, some said that Akshat Mittal had attempted suicide. Some others who lived closest to the Mittals and knew better, said that Nakul Mittal would never agree to the arrangement as he was already in love with another girl.

The last category was proven right when people came to know that a golden sandal had started doing the rounds around the city. Every young woman in every household had to try on the sandal and whomsoever's foot fit perfectly into it, would be taken to Mittal Mansion on Sunaina's orders. The butler of the Mittals was riding around Rewa, on his mistress' orders trying to find the girl who has stolen Nakul Mittal's heart. 

•••

The Thakurs, being on the other end of the city had still heard neither about the scandal nor the sandal in the Mittal house. It was a very lazy morning. Daju Ma and her daughters were completely exhausted after the previous night. All three of them got up really late and came down for breakfast only at noon. Daju Ma looked slightly suspicious when she saw Vedika's smiling face. She had been crying when they had left, the previous evening.

"What are you so happy about?", she grunted at breakfast. Vedika shrugged silently and carried on with her chores.

There was barely any noise in the house that day. The servants went on with their daily work. Vedika kept herself busy and stayed out of her stepmother's and stepsisters' way, hoping that they would do the same. She was surprised when Daju Ma came and knocked on her door as she lay on her bed in the afternoon. Vedika sat up as she saw Daju Ma.

"We're leaving for the bazaar", she said curtly.

"Pardon?" Vedika asked.

"We..that is me, Madhuri and Sonakshi are going to the bazaar. You will stay here without making any trouble"

"Right".

"You're not to venture out into the garden".

"Right".

"You're not to go into the kitchen either. I've already told the maids not to give you anything even if you go".

"Right".

"You're not to touch any of your sisters' or my belongings".

"Right"

"I think I'd better lock you in this room".

"You do that".

Surprised at the lack of argument and disappointment or just because of her own exhaustion, Daju Ma left the room looking disgruntled. Vedika fell back on her bed as she heard the key turning in the lock, outside.

•••

Vedika didn't know how long she had slept again when she heard the door being open. What was with Daju Ma, disturbing her so many times today, she wondered irritably.

But when she got up, she saw that it was not Daju Ma. It was Ranga at the door. She hadn't spoken to him for long.

"Thought I'd let you out for a breath of fresh air", Ranga shrugged, "Your stepmother didn't even take the key with her. She just left it here in the kitchen".

"Thank you", Vedika said as she got up and stretched her arms. She followed Ranga into the kitchen. It was still afternoon.

"So", Ranga said as Vedika helped herself to some peanuts "What was it like to watch a royal bethrotal?"

Vedika stared at Ranga.

"Come on Vedika", Ranga shrugged, "All of us saw you leaving yesterday. We saw all of it from the windows. All the light and the electrifying presence in the air. Shiva! It seemed unnatural. How did it happen?"

"Even I'm not sure about that", Vedika said and smiled enigmatically, refusing to give further information. The servants, anyhow wouldn't have seen Omisha and Vedika saw no point in telling Ranga about her.

"Alright, I'll go and see if there's any work to do. I'm bored of sleeping ", Vedika said and slipped out of the kitchen.

•••

Vedika asked one of the maids who gave her some sewing to do for Madhuri. Though her stepmother had forbidden her, she went to Madhuri's room to do the work.

As she sewed, she remembered one of the songs that the musicians had played at the engagement ceremony, the previous night. It had been a unique piece that she had never heard before. They had played it when she was talking to Nakul.

Subconsciously, she began to hum the song as she worked. She was in no way a good singer but her pleasant voice carried out of the room and into the corridors. Vedika kept humming without realising what was coming.

She had her back to the door as she sang and was so indulged in the tune that she didn't hear the approaching footsteps.

It was only when the door opened and she heard the familiar swishing of the saree pallu that Vedika realised there was someone there. And she knew who it was.

It was too late now.

Even before she turned and faced Daju Ma, Vedika knew what she had put herself into.

Her step mother had heard her humming the song that only people at Mittal Mansion, the previous night could've heard.

The hide-and-seek game was over.

A/N : Pheww! 😅

My beautiful people, I'm so happy to be back with this update. Thank you for waiting. I really hope you liked this chapter. We're getting intense from here.

It's both heartbreaking and heartwarming for me to say that we only have a few more chapters of this book left before we complete Vedika's journey ❤️

As always,thank you so much for sticking around, being so supportive and understanding. I can keep saying it forever.

Once again, thank you and do stay tuned!

See you next week ❤️

Much love!
Nivetha