The Decision Was Yours.....

22

Next morning...

Both were prepared to leave but one of his person came to inform him.

"Kuwarsa hamare sarey logo ko kisie ne zeher diya hai hume yaha se abhi gupt raste se nikalna parega" he said in a hurried tone.

He gripped Anamika's hand and followed the directions given by his men.

The guard slided the tiles like door from the floor.

They entered and placed it back in its original state.

It was an emergency tunnel made to escape during war.

Anamika twisted her leg while escaping, she felt a sharp pain on her ankle,she closed her eyes and fisted her dress trying to control it.

Arjun was ahead of her he didn't notice her discomfort.

Anamika was limping but finally crossed the tunnel and escaped from the place.

Both were covered with bruises but luckily they were close to a village and decided to stay the night there.

Arjun saw Anamika limping and walking behind them.

She was exhausted and weak.

"Aap thik toh hai aap aise kyu chal rhi?" He asked his brows creased in confusion

"Kuch nhi hua hai...bs thora" before she could complete the sentence she fainted.

"Anamika" he patted her cheeks but she didn't respond. He freezed at the moment when she fell limp.

Arjun lifted her in bridal style an old couple saw them and invited them inside the house.

After few minutes a women came and checked Anamika.

"Chinta ki koi baat nhi unhe bukhar aaya hai inke pao mei chot k karan" she replied and gave some herbal medicine and a paste to apply.

Arjun was sitting beside her clutching her hand.

Anamika slowly opened her eyes blinking a few times.

She felt weight on her arm, she turned her head and saw Arjun sleeping holding her hand.

She tried to take loosen the hold.

Arjun rubbed his eyes and lifted his head. He saw Anamika who was now wide awake.

"Sorry for disturbing your sleep" she said

"It's fine. How are you feeling now?" He asked

" Don't do this again please" he said in a low voice.

"I am fine Ranasa " she cupped his cheeks and joined her forehead with his.

They stayed there for a night and decided to leave the next day.

Next day...

Arjun was ready, the villagers were helpful they provided them with food and animals for transportation.

Anamika and Arjun left the village thanking the people showing his gratitude.

Prathabhgarh was not much far from there. When they reached it was dawn.

Looking at their condition Maharaj Prithviraj was furious.

"He will regret playing with fire" Arjun gritted his teeth and balled his fist.

"I knew it. I shouldn't have accepted it" Maharaj replied with guilt

" Babasa it was not your fault. We too didn't see it coming" Anamika tried to console him.

"From his action now its clear that doesn't want any peace treaty but it was his plan to start a war" Prithviraj said calmly.

Anamika and Ranisa exchanged glances but they knew that even they can't stop it from happening.

Arjun then took Anamika to their room and placed her on the bed.

" kya aur koi samadhan nhi hai iska?"

(Is there no other way of dealing with them)

"Aap to dekh hi chuki hai koshish toh ki thi humne aapne taraf se "

[You know it that we tried from our side]

"Aapko kya lgta hai ye hamare liye aasan hai?"

[Di you think taking this decision is easy for me?]

"Humne ye faisla josh mei nhi liya hai balki soach samaj k liya hai"

(I didn't decide it overnight but thought about all the pros and cons)

Anamika could now just pray for them to return safely with less injuries.

On the other hand Rani Sumira was trying her best to convince Maharaj.

"Aap rokte Kyu nhi Arjun ko? Samajhaiye ki zid chor de"

(Why don't you stop him please convince him to take his steps back)

"Hum iss lea nhi rok rahey kyu ki iss bar unlogo ne seema langa hai"

(I am not going to stop him cause this time they have crossed their limits"

"Aur aap kaise Rajput ho kr peechey hatne ko keh rhi?"

(And being a Rajput yourself how can you say to back off?)

"Hum ek Rani bann k keh rahey hum kaise itne logo ka hatya hote hue dekhey?"

(I am thinking as a queen. How can a see my own people being killed ?)

"Wo hatya nahi balidan hota hai unka aur dushman ko hamare logon ko chot pohchane se pehle humse ho kr guzarna hoga"

(It is not killing but oblation and the enemies have have face me first before reaching for my men)

Sumitra understood that it is of no use to give a point infront of him. He had already decided and now it is impossible to convince him.