Beyond Destiny ~ A Saga Of Timeless Love

18 ~ Mahashivratri

"Tu hi to jannat meri,
Tu hi Mera Junoon
Tu hi to mannat meri,
Tu hi rooh ka sukoon
Tu hi akhiyon ki thandak,
Tu hi dil ki h dastak
Aur kuch na janu mein,
Bas itna hi jaanu
Tujhme rab dikhta hai
Yaara mein kya karu,"

Ruhanika

The palace was adorned in a celestial glow, its ornate halls decorated with fragrant marigolds, jasmine garlands, and flickering diyas casting a soft, warm glow against the walls. The faint scent of sandalwood incense lingered in the air, mingling with the delicate perfume of flowers. Every corner of the palace thrummed with energy as the preparations for Mahashivratri reached their peak. The divine festival was to honor the eternal union of Lord Shiva and Parvati, a day revered for overcoming darkness, both within and around.

It had been a long day. My hands ached from preparing for the rudrabhishek with Maya, who still wore a faint frown whenever she glanced at me. I couldn’t help but smile at her annoyance, a rare crack in her usually composed demeanor. She was always the epitome of serenity, and watching her fuss like this was amusing.

But despite the festivities, my mind kept straying to Dev. Ever since yesterday, I hadn’t seen him. I knew it was mostly my doing—I buried myself in the preparations, avoiding him after that charged encounter. Yet, I could feel his presence even in his absence, an invisible pull drawing me toward him. Mahashivratri was tomorrow, and as the crown prince, he would lead the rituals, performing the sacred rudrabhishek for the prosperity of his people. I could only imagine how regal he would look, draped in traditional white silk, his hands raised in prayer.

Despite my lack of belief in worship, I respected the sanctity of these rituals. I was not an atheist, but I had no reason to worship the gods who had stolen the most precious thing from me—my family. How could I find faith when they had been taken from me without reason? People would say, "God has given you life, he has protected you." But all I could feel was resentment for the lives he took, leaving me alone. The bitterness I harbored clouded my reverence, but I couldn’t deny the existence of something beyond human understanding. Was that God? Perhaps. I didn’t know, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to.

Dinner was soon to be served. It was a grand affair, for tomorrow everyone would fast. Each chamber was abuzz with servants carrying heavy trays of delicacies. Somehow, I found myself responsible for bringing Dev’s meal to his chamber. Everyone else was busy with final preparations, leaving me no choice but to take it alone.

As I approached his chamber, my steps slowed, my heart inexplicably speeding up. The door creaked as I stepped inside, and there he was, seated near the large window in his living room, the evening breeze gently ruffling his dark hair. His back was to me, and he held a thick leather-bound book in his hands, reading by the dim light of a nearby lamp. The sight of him—calm, focused, with the moonlight casting shadows across his sharp features—sent a shiver down my spine.

I knew by now that Dev found solace in books about warfare and strategies. His fascination with battle was as much a part of him as his need to train and hone his body. Every day, he would practice fencing, archery, and martial arts. His body was sculpted like that of a warrior, radiating power and strength, but it was his mind—the keen, calculating way he approached everything—that fascinated me more. To an outsider, he might appear like a beast, but those who knew him understood the depth of his compassion, his unwavering respect for elders, and his quiet wisdom. One day, he would be a great king.

I stood in the doorway, watching him for a moment, lost in thought. But I didn’t notice how long I had lingered until his voice pulled me back to reality.