Insects and birds of prey making noises gave the jungle a scary atmosphere but they all stopped and Bajirao tap Alia arm and she yawned and opened her eyes to see a Mahal(Palace) entirely of white marble that shimmer under the night sky with a terrance just on top of the entrance almost like Laal Mahal but this time it will be her home forever.
She admire the beauty of the Mahal,the doors was dark brown blending well with the white marble and having holes carved into rectangle shapes instead of windows which Alia mouth hanged opened at this place for a while till she hop of the horse with her baby and not concerned about herself,Bajirao quickly jumping off himself to help her since she gave birth a few hours ago.
He took of his cloak and threw it over Alia shoulder to keep her and the baby warm, when she looked at Bajirao and asked"what is this place?".
"This place used to be my family vacation place but for many years also known as Rang Mahal.we haven't came here cause the duties and responsibilities of being a royal take over ones life!.......I usually come here alone when I need to think or get away from the palace!".he said to her.
"But now you can use this place!.....I actually wanted to take you to the palace as my second wife and".he was cut off when Alia moved away from him and said"that will never work, your mother will kill me and what will the people say about me as a tawaif as their queen!".I replied to him with a worried look and he nodded his head in agreement and said"don't call yourself ever that infront of me and I know people will never understand our love......but remember I will always love you with all my heart!".He said and pulled me into his arms.
"I love you more!".I replied holding him tightly.
We pulled away and I looked back to see Nadia and Raj fast asleep by the two guard's they rode with.I giggle and Bajirao told the guards to bring the two of them.
Bajirao and I proceeded forward with them behind us and as we reached the entrance,Bajirao pushed both doors opened and it was so dark,that one could barely make out what was inside when he took a lantern from one of the guards and shine it which gave the first part of the Mahal light.the first room infront of us was a empty room almost like the main hall of Laal Mahal and we turned right and walked into the second room which was one of the many bedrooms in
Rang Mahal.
He went in and placed the lantern on the table and saw that almost of the furniture was covered with a white cloth.he pulled each cloth off and the dust shot into the air and we coughed it up till we stopped,then i made the bed up and told the guards lay Raj and Nadia down.
I looked at Bajirao and said"it's seems the is the end".
"I'm staying here with you tonight and the guards will stand watch!".he said and the guards left the room and I gave my child to him which he couldn't stop smiling and I fixed the bed.
After I was done,we both lied down with our son between us and stared into each other eyes and smiled endlessly.
"So are you really going to burn down Laal Mahal?".I asked curiously waiting for his reply.
"Don't you worry about that.... just go to sleep Meri jaan!".he said closing his eyes and placing his hand under his head.
"If you do......get Pooja body for me,she deserves a proper funeral since she pay the price with her life for my freedom!".I replied and closed my eyes and Bajirao opened his and wanted to say something but no words came that he could express.
Not long after silence overwhelmed the room and everyone was fast asleep and before long Alia woke up with a smile and a note that reads.
YOU ARE READING
The untold story of a Courtesan
Historical FictionFor many of us, we grow up hearing stories of how bad prostitutes are and courtesans just being an older version and what they mean in our society. But majority of people don't seem to realize that these women are humans at the end of the day. peop...
