The untold story of a Courtesan

twelve

The heat between us wanted to entice us once again but I quickly bowed and took a step back knowing that we can't give off any gossip or suspicion to people in the hall,and not wanting to know what the Singhs are thinking about what the prince said to me.

"Bajirao....where were you last night?!".His father Vikram asked him nervously not wanting to give Meera any suspicion.

"Why did you asked baba(father)?". Bajirao responded back not sure what to say.

"Why did you called her Meri jaan?".a voice interrupted them with her calmness.

The whole royal family looked at her not sure what to say to when the queen stood up and spoke"Amazing performance.....indeed!".she uttered and the whole crowd started clapping hands with them until she spoke further"As a gift to all you ladies especially you,the most well-known the tawaif of Jhansi!".Alia looked her in the eye ready to spat a few words at her but decided not to since she heard how vicious the queen can be and if anyone goes against her the consequences will be dire.

The crowd instantly reacted with a shocking expression and they started whispering and gossiping, saying all type of thing as"ohh.....so she the most desire women in all of jhansi,she beautiful.....I must say but these tawaifs must never be trusted!".one women uttered amongst the crowd.

"Look at her,showing off herself with her outfit and beauty to lure any man to her feet!".another replied.

"See how she stopped infront of the prince,a tawaif must never be trusted,what will Rajkumari(Princess) Meera say about this,poor thing!". someone else said.

Listening to all these hideous comments about her made so furious that she turned her face to the left and gave the musicians a head up to play a another song,when she turned her face back towards the royal family,the prince capture her eyes with a sad expression but sure what to do since he in a crowd filled with people.she wink at him as the music started playing and danced to her heart content that filled with rage.Bajirao covered his face with his hands feeling like the weakest man alive not defending the women he care about and looked at his mother,who kept on smiling for whatever reason and said"Ammi....why did you have to address her like that,she also a human and dancer!". Bajirao said with a grin in his words.

They all look at him for defending her and she said"she is what she is....a tawaif!".she replied.

"Enough.....don't dare use that word on her or else!".he said with roar giving his family and Meera fright.

Luckily the music was to loud for everyone to hear but Meera placed her hand on Bajirao shoulder and he instantly move his shoulder away slightly giving her the impression about the distance between them and she asked"do you know her perhaps?".Meera asked with confused look.

Alia then started singing and the way she couldn't stop dancing has captivated everyone heart in the room and as the music ended,Alia took a bow and Bajirao stood up from his chair clapping with his face in a happy mood and just as he was about to speak,his mother stood up again and said"your dancing is impressive and from our humble gratitude we gift you guys this!".a servant walked to the queen,with two red bags and she threw the bags to Alia feet with hearing the sounds of coins clashing against each other.then a man from the crowd behind us came forward and toss a bag towards soon a few people started tossing bag towards them and 10 bags of money were lying around them in a circle but The prince gave a replied shocking the crowd abit more.

"Namaste to y'all!........the performance was amazing truly!".he uttered while his eyes were fixated on Alia.

"Secondly as gift from me as the prince.....I will bestow clothing instead of money.......Please bring the gifts in!".a group of servant's walked in each holding a gold plate covered with red cloth and  everyone was surprised with his gift since it hasn't been done with dancers or courtesans in particular.

The servant's took the red cloth's off the plates and everyone saw a dupatta on each one,the prince took one plate in particular and showed the servant's to give it to each girl and while he walked up to Alia and stood two feet away from her,she felt intimidated by his presence but he took off the cloth and a pair of gold anklets lied on the plate.

Alia eyes grew big from this unique surprise,cause never has a man gifted her such a expensive gift or anklets or anything.she looked up to him ready to blush when he took the anklets and her hands were opened to receive it and as he placed the anklets in her hands,he placed his under hers and urged of desire kick in but she washed the thought away and said"Shukriya.......Meri jaan!".and he smiled brighten with her response.