The king's courtesan wife

C H A P T E R 1 5

Past

Sandhya ran inside, following her mother who left angrily. She knew very well where she would be.

She took the stairs heading to the rooftop terrace and spotted the head lady sitting on the swing that overlooked the beautiful garden.

Nandhini stopped swinging and looked the other way when Sandhya came in front of her.

"Maa?" Sandhya called, dropping on her knees at her mother's feet.

"You don't want me to go. Then, I won't go. I won't marry Maharaj. But don't be angry at me." She pleaded laying her head on her mother's lap.

A moment passed before Nandhini ordered.

"Get up, Sandhya."

"No. I won't until you tell me you are not angry anymore." Sandhya insisted hugging Nandhini knees tighter.

"Sandhya! You are going to be a king's wife and being on your knees in front of someone like that does not suit you." Nandhini scolded.

"Maa, even if I marry the king, you will always be my mother. And for me you are like my god, It's my right to be vulnerable in front of you." Sandhya said, lifting her head.

"No." Nandhini got up, suddenly startling Sandhya and took a few steps away from Sandhya.

"From today, starting now. You are not my daughter anymore." Nandhini declared, making Sandhya neck snap towards her.

"What are you saying?"

"The truth. I am no longer your mother. These girls that you know since your childhood are no longer your sisters and friends. You have no relation to this place."

"Maa!" Sandhya tried to stop Nandhini.

"From now on, you won't come here. You can't even turn to look back at this place. Erase this place, it's people and memories from your mind. Marrying the king will be like your reincarnation. He will be your only world and family. After marriage, the honour of a man is in the hands of his wife and his honour is now in yours and always cherish it. No matter what happen you will never come here or try to contact us. Not only for him but for your own honour. This place only put a taint on you. Do you understand? Promise me, Sandhya that you will forget about this place."

"How can I forget? This is my home. How can I forget this place, my friends, and my mother? How?" Sandhya asked.

Nandhini kneeled in front of Sandhya, cupping her cheeks lovingly.

"You have to forget, Sandhya. not because I want to separate myself from you but rather it's for your own good. A King's wife should not keep  relationships with courtesans. If not for you also, but at least for him. Arey, you are the apple of my eyes. you don't have any idea how I am hurting inside to say these words. Sandhya, I could not have my own kids but since I was young I wished to become a mother. And when I wished for a child, your mother left you in my arms. you are my years prayers and yearning coming true. I did not give birth to you but I love you more than anyone else in the world and any decision I take or any advice I give you is for your own good."

Sandhya broke down in tears. She sobbed in her mother's arm as her mother cherished the feeling of possibly holding her child for the last time.

"Come on, Get up." Nandhini said, helping Sandhya up.

"Come, for the first time a girl is going from here as a bride. This is no less than a festival for us. We'll dress you up like a bride before bidding you away." Nandhini said as they headed back to the common area.

"Arpita, Damini, Namrata." She called out. "Our Sandhya is going to get married. Go, get her ready. and make her wear my red Lehenga. She will look divine in it." Nandhini added, getting emotional herself.

"Go." She said and hid her tears from Sandhya.

Arpita and Namrata brought Sandhya to her bathing area whereas Damini went to fetch the Lehenga from the head lady's room and got started with getting the bride ready. They helped her to bathe in ubtans and then smeared scented oil on her body before bringing her back to the room.

As she sat at the dressing table, Damini came holding the most beautiful dress in her arms.

She smiled and walked towards Sandhya.

"You remember Sandhya, how we all used to fight who will get to wear this Lehenga. And see, you on. But this could not look better on anyone but you." 

"Yes Sandhya, today after getting married you will set history for us courtesans. those wrecked people also should see, we are no lesser than other women. we too can have a family."  Arpita added.

"What is our mistake? Is it that we were born in a brothel? Why couldn't we live freely like everyone else? But after today, maybe people's perception change, maybe people will start realizing that we too are like any other women." Namrata said.

A drop of tear escaped Sandhya's eyes. She was going to sacrifice all of her relationships for the sake of love and she was not even sure that her marriage will be strong enough to face all the extra baggage that comes when a king will marry a courtesan.

"Come on now. Let's stop with all of this crying and get you ready." Damini said, wiping away her tears.

As they were getting done with getting Sandhya ready, Nandhini came in the room.

"Are you done, Girls?" 

"Yes, we just need to put her jewelry on, by the way which one should she wear?"

"Here you go. This is perfect for my daughter." Nandhini said opening the box in her hand. Sandhya watched through the mirror and let out a small shocked gasp. It was a set of gold, diamond, rubies and emerald jewelry. It was not over the top but still it was one of the most beautiful pieces Sandhya had ever seen and she, living in a world of extreme wealth and luxury her whole life has seen a lot of exquisite items.

"This is my mother's. It's so pretty and pure that I never allowed myself to wear it. Just like she gave it to her daughter, I am handing it over to you." Nandhini said, adorning Sandhya with the jewelry.

She placed a black kajal dot behind Sandhya's ear. "With such a beauty, anyone would bow for you."

"Come on, it's time for your vidaai."