Sundari was ecstatic to show Raivati her new horse, Zara. She had spent days bonding with the mare, and she knew Zara was the perfect choice for their ride. Raivati, on the other hand, was hesitant. She had never been fond of horses, but Sundari's enthusiasm was infectious.
"Come on, Raivati, it'll be fun!" Sundari encouraged, patting Zara's neck reassuringly.
Reluctantly, Raivati agreed, mounting Zara with Sundari's help. The horse seemed calm at first, but as they began to ride, its behavior changed. Zara's eyes grew wild, and she started to gallop uncontrollably.
"Sundari, something's wrong!" Raivati cried out, clutching onto the reins in fear.
Sundari tried to calm Zara down, but the horse was possessed by some unknown force. It veered off the path, heading towards a steep cliff. Sundari and Raivati screamed as Zara leaped over the edge, sending them crashing to the ground below.
When Sundari regained consciousness, she found herself lying next to Raivati, who was groaning in pain. Sundari's heart sank when she saw Raivati's leg twisted at an unnatural angle.
"Oh gods, Raivati, I'm so sorry," Sundari cried, tears streaming down her face. "This is all my fault."
Raivati smiled weakly, trying to reassure her friend. "It's not your fault, Sundari. It was the horse..."
Sundari nodded, her mind racing with worry. She needed to get Raivati help, but they were far from the palace, and Raivati couldn't walk. Desperate, Sundari looked around for any sign of help.
Suddenly, she heard the sound of hooves approaching. To her relief, it was Rudransh, who had been searching for them since they didn't return as expected. He quickly assessed the situation and, with the help of some nearby villagers, arranged for Raivati to be carried back to the palace on a makeshift stretcher.
As they journeyed back, Raivati's pain grew worse, and she grew weaker. Sundari stayed by her side, holding her hand and offering words of comfort.
When they finally reached the palace, the royal physician was summoned. After examining Raivati, he confirmed the worst: her leg was broken, and she would need to be confined to bed for several weeks.
Sundari was devastated. She blamed herself for what had happened to her friend. But Raivati, ever the optimist, reassured her that it was just an accident and that she would recover in time.
Meanwhile, Rudransh was beside himself with worry. When Sundari and Raivati had not returned by nightfall, he had feared the worst. He had searched the surrounding area frantically, his heart pounding in his chest.
When he finally found them, his relief was palpable. But his joy was short-lived when he saw Raivati's condition. He rushed to Sundari's side, his eyes full of concern.
"Sundari, are you alright? What happened?" he asked, his voice filled with worry.
Sundari explained what had occurred, her voice trembling with emotion. Rudransh listened, his expression grave. When the healer confirmed Raivati's injury, Rudransh's heart sank.
"I'm so sorry, Raivati," Rudransh said, his voice filled with regret. "I promise to take care of you and ensure you have everything you need to recover."
As Raivati was carried to her room, Sundari and Rudransh stayed by her side, offering comfort and support. The healer delivered the news that Raivati would likely have a permanent limp due to the severity of her injury.
Sundari was overcome with guilt. She felt responsible for Raivati's condition and vowed to do everything in her power to make amends. Rudransh, too, was deeply affected. He blamed himself for not being there to protect Sundari and Raivati.
As Raivati lay in her bed, her leg throbbing with pain, the women of the palace began to gossip. They whispered in hushed tones, their words carrying through the corridors like a venomous snake.
"Did you hear about Raivati?" one woman asked, her eyes filled with malicious delight. "They say she'll never get married now. No man will want a woman with a limp."
The words stung Sundari like a dagger to the heart. She had always considered Raivati a friend, and the thought of her suffering because of the accident filled her with guilt.
But the worst was yet to come. Rudransh's stepmothers, always quick to seize an opportunity to cause trouble, approached him with their own suggestion.
"Rudransh, my son," one of them began, her voice dripping with false concern. "Perhaps it is time for you to consider marrying Raivati. After all, it was your wife's recklessness that led to her injury. It is only right that you take responsibility for her future."
Sundari's heart skipped a beat as she heard their words. She knew Rudransh loved her, but she also knew the pressure his stepmothers could exert on him.
Rudransh's reaction, however, was not what anyone expected. His eyes blazed with anger as he turned to face his stepmothers.
"I will not marry Raivati or anyone else," he declared, his voice firm. "I already have a wife whom I love dearly, and I will not betray her. I promise to find a cure for Raivati's limp and ensure she finds a suitable match."
His words were like a balm to Sundari's wounded heart. She looked at Rudransh, her eyes filled with gratitude and love.
Turning to the healer, Rudransh asked if there was anything that could be done to cure Raivati's limp. The healer hesitated, knowing the task ahead would not be easy.
"There is a way," the healer finally said, his voice grave. "But it requires us to find a rare purple grass that grows in the mountains. It is a perilous journey, and the grass is guarded by dangerous creatures."
Rudransh nodded, his determination unwavering. He knew the journey ahead would be difficult, but he was willing to do whatever it took to help Raivati.
As Rudransh made preparations for the journey, his stepmothers continued to berate him, insisting that he was making a mistake. But Rudransh ignored them, focusing only on his goal of finding the purple grass.
Sundari watched him, her heart swelling with pride. She knew she had chosen the right man to be her husband, a man of honor and courage who would stop at nothing to help those in need.
...
Don't forget to Vote
Also add 'Falling into oblivion,' to you TBR :)
YOU ARE READING
Praise The Husband
Fantasy"Your a woman?" he asked, his voice filled with a mix of anger and confusion. "Why did you deceive me into thinking you were a man?" Sundari's heart sank as she realized the weight of her secret had finally caught up with her. She had never intended...
