Sandhya could hear the chattering of the numerous invitees as she made her way to the banquet hall. Her face was covered with a veil to keep her identity anonymous for the moment.
The sound of her ghungroos were enough to make the room go silent and she could feel everyone's eyes on her.
"Arey, look who do we have here." Bhana announced getting up from her seat. "Maa sa, on this birthday of yours, this is your gift."
"Guards, bring him in too." Bhavna ordered while Padma looked at the unfolding scene in confusion.
Moments later, heavy steps could be heard along with the sound of heavy chains. Everyone except for Bhavna and Raj mata were shocked to see the General in chief as captive.
"What is all of this Bhavna?" Raj mata, Padma yelled.
"Wait, maa sa. There is a lot more. Today you will witness the truth of your beloved ones." Bhana said, circling around Sandhya and finally stopping behind her back, she pulled the veil from Sandhya's head.
"Bhavna!" Padma shouted but was instantly stopped by badi Raj mata.
"You have no idea what your beloved daughter in law and servant, who you treated like your own son for years, behind you and the King's back."
"Badi raj mata and myself are witness that Sandhya was committing adultery with Rajat."
Raj mata was shaking with anger. Sandhya looked at Rajat, her heart tearing apart at his state. His clothes were torn and scars of whip could be seen on his body and it was all because of her.
"Look! Look how they are still shamelessly looking at each other. Although we can understand why Sandhya did this, she was born and brought up in a brothel, her work is being a courtesan but Rajat? He was supposedly the king's most loyal man-"
"Stop it Bhavna!" Padma shouted and Bhavna was forced to stop.
"Sandhya tell me, what's the truth?"
Sandhya smiled a humourless smile. "What do I say Raj mata? Will the words of a mere courtesan be heard in this superiour royal household. I am already considered a culprit and any argument from me will eventually be heard to deaf ears, so I will withhold any argument, any punishment given to me, I will accept even if it is death. But I beg of you to spare Rajat bhai sa. He has absolutely no fault in this." Sandhya turned to Rajat and walked towards him. She stopped in front of him and folded her hands.
"Please forgive me bhai sa, because of me you are in this situation. I have accepted defeat, please you don't. After spending a few days here, I had forgotten who I was. I even forgot what will people think when they will see a woman like me with you."
Padma was about to get up from her seat when Badi raj mata ordered her. " You will not say or do anything and this is my order!" Padma sat back, feeling defeated. She knew something was wrong and did not belive what was being told to her. Badi raj mata then announced. "Do you want Rajat to be spared? Okay we grant you this wish. Rajat is forgiven. However for that to happen, you will have to dance for us, we should also see what is so special about you courtesans."
"No!" Rajat yelled. "I'll accept any punishment but bhabhi sa you will not do what they say."
"Guards." Bhavna just ordered and the guards started lashing Rajat's back. Sandhya could not witness an innocent getting punished. She took a step back
"No!" Rajat screamed.
"Sandhya we don't have all night to wait for you."
Bhavna held Sandhya by her arm and dragged her in the middle of the grand room, under the big chandelier and let go of her harshly. Sandhya stumbled on her feet and fell on knees.
"Guards, as long as this woman dance and sings, Rajat won't be whipped but as soon as she stops, you all know what to do." Badi raj mata ordered.
Tears fell nonstop from Sandhya's eyes but she did not let her tears weaken herself.
Di Nahi Dua Bhale
Na Di Kabhi Bad'dua
Na Khafa Huye
Na Hum Huye Kabhi Bewafa
Tum Magar Bewafa Ho Gaye
Kyun Khafa Ho Gaye
Ki Tumse Juda Hooke Ham
Tabah Ho Gaye
Taabah Ho Gaye
Tabaah Ho Gaye
Tabah Ho Gaye
Tabaah Ho Gaye
sandhya started singing and she got on her feet matching her steps to the rhythm of her song.
"No...Bhabhi sa. Stop. I won't be able to face the king." Rajat shouted and the guards immediately started lashing his back with the whip.
Phir Akhiyann Mein Preet Ki Teri
Reet Jaga Ja Na
Moohe Chhod Ke Jaane Khatir Hi
Laut Ke Aa Jaa Na
Phir Akhiyann Mein Preet Ki Teri
Reet Jaga Ja Na
Moohe Chhod Ke Jaane Khatir Hi
Laut Ke Aa Jaa Na
Sandhya steps slowed down hearing Rajat screams but as soon as she slowed down they started ruthlessly striking him.
Haan
Gair Ke Hamnava Ho Gaye
Kyun Khafa Ho Gaye
Ki Tumse Juda Hooke Hum
Tabah Ho Gaye
Tabah Ho Gaye
Tabaah Ho Gaye
Tabah Ho Gaye
Tabaah Ho Gaye
Bhavna deliberately stumbled with a standing crystal chandelier lamp, making it fall down, breaking it and the shards flew all over the floor where Sandhya danced.
"Don't stop Sandhya, or else..." Raj mata threatened.
"NO!!" Rajat shouted and fell on his knees in defeat.
Haan Sajde Mein Humne Maanga Tha
Umar Bhi Hamari Lag Jaaye Tumko
Khud Se Hi Tauba Karte The
Nazar Na Humari Lag Jaaye Tumko
Haan Sajde Mein Humne Maanga Tha
Umar Bhi Hamari Lag Jaaye Tumko
Khud Se Hi Tauba Karte The
Nazar Na Humari Lag Jaaye Tumko
Hum Magar
Hum Magar Na Gawara Tumhe
Iss Tarah Ho Gaye
Ki Tumse Juda Hooke Ham
Tabah Ho Gaye
Tabah Ho Gaye
Tabaah Ho Gaye
Tabah Ho Gaye
Tabaah Ho Gaye
The off white floors of the centre banquet hall turned red with the blood of their queen but no one dared to protest in front of the Superior queen mother because the power she has was given by the former King himself. It had been declared that she is the second in charge of the kingdom after the king and Abhimaan followed by this rule his father had taken in the past, not knowing that the same power would injure his love.
Sandhya fell dizzy because of all the dancing and also because pf the blood loss. She was in absolute pain. As she felt the last drop of energy leaving her body, she dropped her body and only prayed for the well being of her loved ones.
YOU ARE READING
The king's courtesan wife
RomanceTo him, she was only a gift, a reward, a trophy. But gifts are only cherished in the beginning and are temporary. Later, forgotten. To her, he was her everything, her world, her soul, her treasure, her forever.She found the love and shelter in him t...
