The untold story of a Courtesan

Seventeen

I was confuse by her words and tears escaping her eyes and said"what do you mean?,I don't understand?".I asked her curiously while caressing her arm.

"Do you know that the day I found out about you and him was on my engagement to him!".she said a giggle coming threw her words.

I immediately pulled my hand away and said"if you know he doesn't love you,why are you still with him?".I asked not understanding the situation.

She then told me the story of her father and their kingdom and what was she to Bajirao family and she can never leave Jhansi and my heart broke into pieces and comfort her and said"I'm sorry for what happening to you and im one of the reasons.......please find a place in your heart to forgive me!".I beg her while holding her tightly and she did the same,at first I was shock but silence just took over.

"You don't have to be,that how life is never work in anyone favour!".She uttered and I replied back"true....I agree with you on that one!".I said with a giggle.

She wipe her tears and said as we pulled away from the embrace and look at me and asked"the day of the engagement when he called you Meri jaan infront of us was for me odd but then Ammi Kashi said who you were which clear my doubt until after the performance,when Bajirao had the heated argument with with his mother and you standing behind him,I was there!".she uttered.

I felt this girl pain for some reason and told"don't speak anything further about him if it's make you sad!".I replied back.

"But quick question that I may ask?".she asked while at me smiling.

"Go ahead!".I uttered.

"How did you and Bajirao meet?".she asked and my face instantly lit up but didn't want to make it all awkward and said with a serious expression"we meet on the day before your guys engagement,on the night of Diwali!".I replied.

"Interesting story to know!".she said.

"But he shouldn't abuse or choke like this......I will talk to him about it".

"No don't say anything to him to upset him further!".she asked with fear coming out of her words.

We then sat for a while and didn't know what to say to each other until she then stood up and fixed herself and spoke"well it's time for me to leave!".

"Already you can stay a little longer and find out more about Bajirao,if that okay with you?".I asked her.

"Nope......nobody knows I left the palace!".she replied back.

"Okay then I guess this is goodbye for now......never thought we would get to know each other like this.. hahaha!".I laughed which she end up giggled about.

"See you then,bye!".she hugged and  look my belly and said"take care of the little one for my part!".she asked.

"I will!".I replied and she left.

I then walked up to the window and sat there when a cool breeze swept on my face and in a way I felt relief about the two of us but not happy with how Bajirao treating her cause he doesn't love her.the day went on like any other day for me and before long time flies quickly then we thought.

Five months later:

"Ammi.....you can't dance,you still pregnant and the baby almost here!".Raj said as he stopped Alia from putting on the ankle bells.for months she couldn't dance and it made her moody at times and said"okay I will teach them like I been doing?".I replied.

We both then walked to the main hall where the girls were busy practicing and said"good morning ladies......before you carry on....I will be teaching some basic details about dancing that maybe will improve your ability better!".Alia uttered and the girls nodded in response.

She sat down a few feet from them and count to three with Raj playing the drums.they practice for hours and as they were done,the girl's were told to leave and left the hall quickly when someone stood at the entrance of Laal Mahal.

Both Raj and I looked to see who it was when the words came like hope and a sense of yearning.

"Salam alaikum my begum!".the deep voice was just enough to make me stand up and called out his name in shock for not seeing him for seven months straight."Zafar!!".