Queen of my heart (continued)

The Bitterness

Ashwini pounded at the door.

"Devika, open it. Don't you dare do anything regretful. DEVIKA, it was not your fault, now open the door or I'll break it. " He shouted.

But Devika never replied. What Ashwini had been told was Devika had asked all the helpers out to perform meditation for peace and closed the door afterwards. Few hours since then they didn't sense any movement inside the room and that's when Ashwini was informed of the happenings.

The brown cedar door carved with the icon of swastika was made to fall by the guards.

Ashwini dashed inside and searched for Devika; she wasn't in the room. He looked in the balcony in case if Devika had run away again, but she didn't.

"Maharaja, rani Devika is lying at the edge of the pool! " A maid shrieked.

He ran in that direction.

He stopped in his path. Blood rushed to his face. His ears went red. He fell near her. Few bangle pieces laid near her, and her hand was dipped in the water which made it turn red due to the blood, which profusely made an exist from her veins.

A tear fell from the Maharaja's eye.

"Oh, foolish maids, pave way, Oh Ashwini! " Ambika Devi gasped. She patted his shoulder.

With that pat, he came back to his senses. He placed his ear on her chest. He heard her heartbeat. The heart that belonged to him. She was alive.

He took her in his arms and called for the doctor.

******

"Aye, Rudra, you have grown up to become a very handsome man. " Surya patted his back.

"Thank you, Brother." He said for formality and continued his experiment.

"What are you doing? " He made a face looking at the paste Rudra made from leaves.

" Oh, this is actually, a medicine " Rudra shut his mouth before he gave away his secrets.

Surya noticed this and smirked inwardly.

******

" Maharaja, this medicine will cure the wound." the doctor handed it to the maid.

Ashwini clasped the hand of Devika while she laid on the bed, looking like an angel in deep slumber.

The more she indulges in such actions, the more she will divert Ashwini's mind from the court affairs and the more will the kingdom become prone to mayhem. Is this how curse works? thought Durgeshwari as she got the news that her sincere daughter-in-law had attempted suicide.

"She has lost a lot of blood, Maharaja. I recommend letting her rest and spinach and kale will be good to increase the blood count. " Doctor said and departed.

Ashwini kept mum all this time. His eyes were solely on Devika.

Ambika ran her hand through his hair. "Ashwini, don't punish yourself for this. It's no one's fault."

"Is it so? Does she know I care for her? that I love her? Or does she consider me to be one of those who lust after her all because of her beauty? Why does she have the need to protect me from the curse. I am the greatest ruler of Bharatvarsha yet my wife tries to protect me. Isn't it shameful? " He roared and stomped out of the room.

Devika did listen to him faintly. She was sorry not at her act of attempting suicide but his act of marrying her.

*****

"My worthy man, I want you to probe into Rudra's chamber and inform me about everything he does and has." He said to his footman who took his leave.

He sat on the plump bed and sigh. "Half-brother, I envy you. "

------------- 

"Rani Devika " Surohi patted her cheek. Devika opened her eyelids very leisurely.

"Rani, Maharaja ordered me to feed you this." Surohi indicated to the silver bowl in her hand.

Devika nodded; she couldn't speak for three reasons, one, she felt very weak to talk; second, she was surprised to see Surohi , whose wedding was cancelled because of her as she believed and lastly, she feared the wrath of Maharaja, she didn't know what to say to him.

Surohi placed a a pillow on the headrest and helped Devika to sit.

Devika looked at the bowl and made a face.

Surohi smiled and replied, " The doctor recommended spinach so.........."

She picked the spoon with the design of violent horses and brought it closer to Devika's pale lips.

She didn't open her mouth instead she looked at the eye bags formed beneath the eyes of Surohi .

" Rani, I can't do anything. Its Maharaja's order." She looked at the bandaged queen helplessly.

Devika bared down her weapons and tasted the green salty liquid. She grimaced but she had to reap what she sows.

After much battle in her mind, Devika whispered "I am sorry."

Surohi went still and then a smile crept on her lips "Princess, it wasn't your fault, you shouldn't be sorry for that and anyway we will get married someday, Amrish and me."

Devika's heart lurched with joy, but she still felt guilty.

"But I am cursed Surohi . I feel culpable." She looked at her hands.

"Princess, if you feel so then you can atone by promising me one thing."

"What is that Surohi ? "

"You will never run away, nor will you ever try to kill yourself."

"I promise you." A faint smile appeared on her face.

****