Satranga Ishq

iv.

" Pranaam pitaji, pranaam ma. " Mrityunjay folded his hands, and stood in front of his father, his mother seated right beside him.

" Aapka uttar? " Lekha smirked at her son.

He royally ignored her, and looked at Geetanjali, who's timidly standing at the threshold of the court room.

Isn't she going to say anything? Is she already giving him up?

" Geetanjali ko dekhne ki aavashyakta nahin hain. Unka uttar aa chuka hain, baari aapki hain. " he clenched his fist, closing his eyes.

No, he couldn't do it. Even if his wife gave her affirmation to this stupid second marriage, he just couldn't bring himself to marry another woman.

" Hamara nirnay- "

" Maharaj, humein aapatti hain. " three pairs of eyes snapped to her way, as Geetanjali walked up to where Mrityunjay is.

" Par tumne toh- " Adhiraj raised his hand, motioning Lekha to stop whatever she's going to say.

" Maharaj hum hain, aap nahin. " that made her shut up, " Kya aapatti hai aapko? "

" Rajkumar ke dusre vivaah se. " she side-eyed her husband, who had a poker face on.

" Iska arth janti hain aap? "

" Ji, hum jante hain. Aur iske saath aane wale daayitvya se bhi gyaat hain hum. "

" Phir rani- "

" Par isme hamari aapatti hain Maharaj- " Lekha couldn't stop herself from marching towards her daughter-in-law, " -hum Geetanjali ko rani ke roop mein kabhi swikaar nahin karenge, kyuki humein unme woh khoobi nahin dikhti. Aur yeh, Gauravgarh ke aadi-niyam hain, ki apna uttaradhikari chunne ka adhikar, sirf aur sirf, vartmaan ke Maharaj aur Maharani ko hi hain. "

Geetanjali bit her lips, lowering her gaze, when she felt a callous hand wrapping around hers, squeezing it a little. Her husband burned holes in her mother-in-law's head.

" Parantu, woh ek Rajkumaari hain ma, aur hamari patni- "

" Aapko lagta hain wohi kaafi hain rani banne ke liye? Geetanjali ne raj-gurukul se shiksha nahin li. Unhone kabhi astra-vidya nahin li. Arthshastra? Unhein toh pata bhi nahin hoga, yeh hota kya hain. " she laughed mockingly, " Nyaayalay kaksh me unhone kabhi kadam bhi nahin rakhan. Rajya mein prajao ke beech kabhi gayin ho aap? " Geetanjali shook her head.

" Toh aapko nahin pata ki praja mein kya samasyai hain, unhein kya apeksha hain, Maharaj aur Rani se. Satranj, janti hain aap kaise khelte hain? " she again shook her head, ashamed, " Har ek rajkumari ko itna toh pata hi hota hain, par hamaari Geetanjali? " Lekha scowled at the said girl.

Mrityunjay clenched and unclenched his jaw, while Adhiraj looked at Geetanjali with pity, feeling bad for how his wife was degrading her.

But, Lekha was right in a way, these are the basic parameters for being a queen, and Geetanjali had none. Though, he knew that she'll be one of the kindest queen of Gauravgarh, if given chance, but he can't take risk. He's the king, and he would've to think about his empire first.

" Ab aap hi bataiye Maharaj, kya aap swikaar karenge inhein itne bade padd par, ek abodh- "

" Ma, aap apni seema laangh rahein ha-"

" Satya hamesha karwa hi hota hain, Mrityunjay. "

" Humein nahin pata tha aapke shabdo mein itna vish ho sakta hain, ki kisiko itna aaghat de sakein. Ab pata chala. " his mother just rolled her eyes at her son's words, " Aapko lagta hain Geetanjali kabhi rani nahin bann payegi? "

" Isme koi sandeh nahin. " she raised an eyebrow nonchalantly.

" Phir thik hain. Hum aapko chunautee detein hain, Geetanjali rani banengi aur sabse yogya rani Gauravgarh ki. Ki aap bhi yeh baat swikaar karne ke liye mazboor ho jaye. Aur iska daayitvya hum lete hain. " Mrityunjay voiced out determined.

" Aur agar nahin bann payi toh? "

" Phir aap jo bhi ladki pasand karenge, hum unhi se vivaah kar lenge. " Geetanjali widened her tear filled eyes at him, shocked at what her husband had just stated.

" Chunautee swikaar hai, Jay. " Lekha smirked viciously.

" Toh nirnay ho chuka hain. Jab Mrityunjay ka raj-tilak hoga, ussi din rani ke taaj ke liye uttaradhikari bhi ghosit kiya jayega, aur woh ghosna antim hogi. " nodding at Adhiraj, both the mother and son looked at each other, challengingly, no one ready to back down.

" Chaliye Geetanjali, aapki prashikshan ka samay ho rahan hain. " Lekha looked at Mrityunjay, dragging her away from there.

No matter what, she ain't going to give her decision in their favor!

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Done dana done...... Yeh bhi....... Now Geetanjali ki training period start hgi * moon face * get ready to see Mrityunjay as a smouldering hawt trainer........do vote, comment and support. Constructive criticism is welcomed. ☺❤