Beyond The Palace Walls| ONGOING

Chapter - 02

Meera's POV:

I walked down the bustling streets of Jaipur, my eyes scanning the crowds for any familiar face or landmark. But everything seemed foreign and overwhelming. I had come to this city to escape the suffocating arrangement my parents had made for me - marriage to Veer. But now, as I wandered through the streets, I was starting to realize that I was truly alone.

I stopped a stranger and asked if they had heard any news from Paali. The man looked at me curiously, but shook his head. "No, no news from Paali. Suna hai ki waha aag lagi thi . Shayad usse buja Diya hai abhi.I (Heard that there was a fire there. Maybe they extinguished it  now.)

I continued to ask strangers about Paali, but all they could tell me was that the palace fire was out, and there was no other news. I was starting to get worried. Where was I supposed to go? How are my parents?

As the sun began to set, I found myself in front of a small temple. I hesitated for a moment, then pushed open the door and stepped inside. The air was cool and quiet, a welcome respite from the chaos outside.

I approached the pandit, who sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by candles and sacred texts. He looked up at me with kind eyes and asked what he could do for me.

"Please, pandit ji," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm lost and alone in Jaipur. Hume rehne ke liye jagah aur khane ki zarurat hai. Kya aap humari madad kar sakte hai?"
(I need place to live and food. Can you help me?)

The pandit nodded sympathetically. "Of course, child. Tum mere saath yaha reh sakti ho jab Tak koi intezaam na ho jaye."
(You can stay here with me until some arrangements are made)

I felt a wave of relief wash over me as I nodded gratefully. "Shukriya, pandit ji. Aap bohot ache hai."
("Thank you, Pandit ji. You are very nice." )

The pandit smiled and gestured for me to sit down beside him. "Tell me, what brings you to Jaipur? Kya tum kisee cheez se bhaag rahi ho?"
(Tell me, what brings you to Jaipur? Are you running away from something?)

I hesitated for a moment before answering. "I'm trying to escape an arranged marriage," I said quietly.

The pandit's expression turned serious. "Ah, I see. Toh tum apne upar thamaaya hua kartavya se bhaag rahi ho."
(So you are running away from the duty imposed on you.)

I nodded vigorously. "Haan bilkul. My parents have arranged for me to marry Veer, but I don't want to marry him. Hume Paali vapas nahi jaana."
(Yes absolutely. My parents have arranged for me to marry Veer, but I don't want to marry him. I will not go back to my Pali.)

The pandit nodded thoughtfully. "Main samajhata hoon. Kabhi kabhi kartavya bhoj ban jaata hai jab hum usse khush na ho."
(I understand. Sometimes duty becomes a burden when we are not happy with it)

We sat in silence for a moment before the pandit spoke up again.

"Mujhe Shak hai ki tum sirf shadi se bhaag nahi Rahi ho." He said softly. "Tum kisi aur cheez se bhi bhaag rahi ho"
("I suspect that you are not just running away from marriage." He said softly. "You are running away from something else as well." )

I looked at him in surprise, but before I could respond, he continued.

" Your eyes are haunted by something," he said gently. "Kuchh aisa jo tumhare peeda aur bhay ka kaaran ban raha hai"
(Something that is causing your pain and fear)

I felt a lump form in my throat as I realized that he was right. The pandit's words struck a chord deep within me.

"Aap kaun hai?" I asked suddenly, feeling a surge of curiosity.
(who are you?)