Beyond Destiny ~ A Saga Of Timeless Love

39 ~ The Cooking Drama

"If I had a flower for every time I thought of you....I could walk through my garden forever."

Ruhanika

A week has passed since the incident, and now that my period is over, I can finally be rid of my overbearing but undeniably adorable Dev. For the entire week, he was on his toes, refusing to let me do anything but rest. Despite my protests, he ensured Maya and Janki Amma were enlisted to his cause. Together, they pampered me to the point of tears—feeding me like a cow, fussing over every little thing, and ensuring I never lifted a finger. Dev, meanwhile, delegated my care to them, citing his busy schedule with preparations for the wedding.

Yes, the wedding. My wedding.

In just ten days, Dev declared, he would marry me. The announcement of the future queen had the entire kingdom abuzz with excitement. Joy swept through the streets, and the air was electric with anticipation. After the wedding, Dev will ascend the throne in a grand coronation ceremony. Both commoners and royal families are eager to learn more about the girl chosen to wed Magadh's crown prince.

Thankfully, Dev has kept my identity a secret for now, and for that, I am immensely grateful. I don’t feel ready to face the kingdom’s scrutiny yet. But that will change. I must be ready. I can’t let anyone criticize Dev for his choice. He chose me, and now, I must prove I am worthy of that choice.

However, something continues to unsettle me—the eerie silence of the king and queen. Their lack of reaction amid the kingdom’s wedding preparations feels ominous. I can’t help but think they are plotting something. Acceptance from them feels like a distant dream, and their quiet disapproval looms over me like a storm cloud. Whatever they have planned, I must be prepared to face it.

Tomorrow, the pre-wedding rituals begin, starting with my God Bharayi ceremony. From then on, I won’t be able to meet Dev until the wedding. He has already arranged for a royal chamber for me, complete with a group of attendees dedicated to my grooming. The process was elaborate and painstaking.

I spent four hours in the bath today, enduring a parade of massages and waxing. They used exotic clays and aromatic oils to cleanse my body and hair. By the time they were done, my skin felt like silk, and my scent was utterly divine. Even my hair was dried using fragrant smoke that left the lingering aroma of jasmine. It was enchanting and a little overwhelming.

The teasing from the attendants didn’t make things any easier. Despite my embarrassment, I couldn’t deny the relaxing effects of their meticulous care. Finally, they dressed me in a voluminous midnight-blue lehenga adorned with intricate embroidery and layered me with ornate jewelry. Kajal outlined my eyes, a delicate bindi graced my forehead, and the mirror revealed someone stunningly beautiful, someone I barely recognized as myself.

Yet beneath all the finery and fragrance, an inexplicable anxiety stirred within me. Perhaps it was pre-wedding jitters, or maybe it was the thought of being apart from Dev for the next few days. I yearned to see him, to steal a few moments together before the rituals imposed their restrictions. I wanted to do something special for him—something meaningful.

An idea sparked: kheer. His favorite dessert.

Since I was often the one receiving gifts, it felt right to prepare something for him this time. Material possessions would mean little to him; he already had everything a prince could ever want. A heartfelt gesture like cooking his favorite dish seemed perfect.

But there was a problem—I was terrible at cooking.

I tried not to let that dampen my resolve. I decided to sneak into the kitchen after everyone had gone to bed. The only issue was that I needed a partner-in-crime. Someone to assist me with the cooking and keep an eye on the door. Janki Amma was out of the question; she’d undoubtedly stop me from going to his chambers in the dead of night.