Storms And Swords

Chapter 15. The Red Wedding.

Chitralekha had spent hours, sitting at one place, while women rushed around her to get her ready for the wedding. She still hadn't been able to comprehend the entire situation.

She had no time to prepare herself for whatever was supposed to happen.

Two of her attending ladies sat behind her, wrapping gajra into her long braided hair. Three others were wrapping different ornaments around her body.

Her wedding attire was a blend of Red and White. Her long hair nicely done in a braid covered with flowers, a light head piece was placed on her head and her waist held a waistband. Her chest and arms were covered with heavy jewellery.

If Chitralekha had felt suffocated previously, this was a whole different level.

When everything was complete, Meghna applies a coat of Kohl to her eyes, making them look bolder.

The women around her gush about her beauty, yet, Chitralekha pays heed to none of them.

A knock to the door silenced the entire room. Meghna moved to open the door. From the inside, Chitralekha couldn't see the person.

One by one all the ladies moved out when Meghna asked them to. Before Chitralekha could ask her for the matter, she left.

A sound of shoes had her looking back. There stood Shubh, with his head bowed low. Eyeing him for a moment, Chitralekha moved back to her previous position, with her back facing him.

Shubh moved forward towards Chitralekha. Standing right behind her, he asks, "Aap naraz hain?"
(Are you angry?)

"Nahi."
(No.)

"Lag raha hai naraz hai."
(Looks like you are.)

"Toh phir hain."
(Then I am.)

"Kyu naraz hain?"
(Why are you angry?)

Chitralekha turns around in a second. Putting her finger on her chin, she makes an act of thinking.

"Sochne dijiye. Um...humari shadi ho rahi hai. Abhi. Aise insan ke sath jo hume pasand nahi. Jinhone hume dhoka diya. Humare pita phir se singhasan hasil kar lenge aur....aur sunenge?"

(Let me think. Um...I'm getting married. Now. With a person I don't like. The one who betrayed me. My father is getting back the throne and...do you want to hear more?)

"Nahi...samajh gaye."
(No...got it.)

Chitralekha only glares at him. "Where were you?"

"I..I was..."

"I thought you were on my side, Shubh. I thought if no one else then you would understand. You would help me. But you disappeared too. Everyone did. I have no one. Did you not think about me?" She asks in a low voice, lips quivering.

"I'm sorry, Princess. I wanted to but I couldn't. Jayveer knew I would help you if I could so he made sure I never did."

It's always him.

"Why are you here now?" She asks.

"He wants you to come down for the wedding, now." Chitralekha kept silent, like she has been doing these past days. Accepting everything with no questions whatsoever.

She moves forward with her head bent low. Shubh moves behind her as they reach the hall.

High ranked people from all over the kingdom are present to witness the ceremony. The women whisper among themselves as she moves down the hall.

Her father speaks with his ministers, not even bothering to look at her. Her heart stings. She clutches her gown with shaky hands, trying to calm her breathing down.