Shadow and Light

19

The light

The next few days after the marriage, everything went back to normal, she went back to her solitary life, but was always accompanied by Alaaya.

I still get her day-to-day updates from the spy whose identity was already known and turns out Ada doesn't do anything, rather than sleeping, eating and reading all day.

She doesn't have any access to weaponry, because she would do with a weapon in hand is dangerous.

I have never seen her fight, neither have I seen her with a sword. I don't know why people are so frightened of this woman, all I can see when I look at her is a woman who only knows is to curse and nag.

She spends hours with the merchant who brings in new clothes and shoes for the women living in the palace and buys everything she likes. I even had complaints from the finance minister that she was spending too much. But I couldn't help but smile because if I don't let her get her way she will definitely find a sword and do the unthinkable it was in the best interest of everybody that she stays distracted.

But there was one memory that kept ringing in my head, Ada the way she whispered her name still brought goosebumps on my back.

I had too much work for the following week, that I hadn't even considered talking to my new bride because this might be my second time but it was her first, maybe?

While drowsed in my thoughts I hear a knock on my study, it was late at night and all I could wish for was her being behind that door, but when I opened it, I found my brother smiling on the other end.

I raise my eyebrows and give him space to enter, "What do you want?" I ask, "Is that how you talk to your little brother?" his widen and mouth opens up in what looked like was pure disbelief, but I knew he was just acting.

"What does my sweet little brother want from me?" I say in a sing song voice, "Why are you here? Why aren't you with her?" he looks at me accusingly, "She is not really my wife and you know it" I said, "According to the Panditji she is, go and meet her and talk to her or something" he looked frustrated, "Why are you suddenly thinking about her so much?" I questioned, "Because you and I both know she doesn't deserve all of this, give her some liberty, make her feel like she is home" he explained, "She has all the liberty one could want, Adwith. She is free to roam around, do as she please, be with whoever she wants to, what else does she want?" I objected.

"She is absolutely lonely in this huge palace brother, at least make her feel home" he advised.

I stood still on his confrontation, I knew she was all alone, everyone was too scared to walk up to her and talk to her and I didn't know why.

She only had Alaaya by her side and the lack of people around her was maybe fuelling her psychotic mad behaviour.

"Fine, I will go meet her" I sigh, "But tomorrow" I add, "Now! She is awake, the lamp in her room is lit" he cocks an eyebrow, "How do you know?" I ask, "Her room is visible from the window over there" he nods on the window towards the right. "Right, I am going" I start to walk away, "Also, Namita Didi is coming tomorrow" he says, "Why?" "It's Raksha Bandhan?" he looks at me like it was so obvious, "I am getting old, I forget the festivals also I am a king, I have more important work to do" I knew it was an excuse but I had to give it a try, "Yeah, I agree, you are getting old, like look at all those wrinkles on your forehead and face. I wonder what other kings will think when they see your new bride, what would they think? Why did you marry her? It must be some needs? Huh?" he chuckled and I took a pillow from the nearest chair and threw at him.

He was still laughing when I left the room.

Upon reaching the doors of her gate my feet halted on their own. I wasn't scared, but I was also not prepared to meet my new wife who I had ignored for the past 5 days.