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Gauri, a young village girl holding firm views about morals a...
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Vasundhara fiddled with the end of her sari nervously, straining her ears to listen to what was occurring beyond closed doors. She wasn't alone, Ambika and other maids tried to do the same. Their wicked minds accumulate a negative image- one where the new bride faces the punishment of her life.
The king seemed quite mad and had openly shown his wrath. There were zero chances of Gauri escaping his den unscathed. And why not? She should be punished for indulging a lowly man and understand her responsibilities as the bride of a King. Where most village girls could only dream of living a life full of luxury, Gauri came in like a burning comet. God knows for what reason the queen mother chose this girl, who became a sensation in a single night while showing destiny a middle finger.
The maids knew how the lowly are treated because they were the sheep of the same hoard. And when one of them was lifted to be stroked with gold and platinum, they couldn't help but feel envious. Gauri was no match for a King. It was simply her good Karma and their fate mocking them.
Enslaved by anxiety and unable to bear the suspense, Vasundhara started knocking at the door, fearing her son might harm her daughter-in-law in a fit of rage.
"Yagya... Gauri... open the door." She commanded as she beats her knuckles against the strong wood. The wild chime of silver anklets was heard from the other side before the door was opened with a thud.
"Mother!" Gauri exclaimed with pink cheeks and pretended to right her hair and clothes. Everybody gawked at the calm and cool King tugging at his shirt and correcting his rolled-up sleeves. His eyes landed on them as he reached for the blazer. Instantly, all the women ducked away, pretending to be interested in the patterns weaved on a lush carpet.
"I'll be on my way to the office." He whispered in Gauri's ear as he passed by her side and pecked her forehead, earning a relieved sigh from his mother. "Mom, don't wait up for me, I'll be late."
She nodded as he bowed to touch her feet and speedily walked towards the exit.
Vasundhara watched him disappear in a daze and turned to face the poor girl who was manhandled not a few minutes ago.
"Please tell me he didn't hurt you." The mother almost begged while doubting her foster.
"No, mother." Gauri sang in embarrassment, keeping her eyes elsewhere.
"Oh. Good. What happened?" Vasundhara asked while guiding her towards a couch in the main hall, away from the room.
"Nothing. He was angry that I didn't ask him to teach me but your chauffeur. The whispers of maids only drove him to thunderous rage. He disliked the way they addressed me and has delivered firm instructions to discipline them accordingly." Gauri boasted loudly, causing the maid servants to freeze in their stance. A cruel look masked Vasundhara's once-worried persona and she turned to glare at them.
"How dare they?" The Queen mother demanded with venom, ready to strike and demolish the outsiders pointing fingers at their household. Gauri smiled sorrowfully before holding Vasundhara's hand.
