AADRIKA : The writer of the story

Chapter 3 : Another Mother

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Aadrika stretched her arms, lazily rubbing her eyes as she blinked herself awake. The first thing she noticed was that she wasn’t in her room. Instead, she found herself in a large, lavish chamber, one fit for a royal, with intricate carvings and golden tapestries that adorned every corner.

“Wha—?” Aadrika started, then trailed off. The reality of her surroundings hit her like a truck. This wasn’t her life. It was the chamber of a Rajkumari.

Her heart ached as her thoughts drifted to Kaira, her best friend back home. Kaira would have waltzed into her room by now, grimacing with distaste at the black coffee she made her drink every morning. “How can you drink this poison?” Kaira would always say, scrunching her nose. Aadrika smiled sadly at the memory, a pang of loneliness gripping her heart.

“Stop being so emotional, Rika,” she muttered to herself, shaking her head as if to shake away the thoughts. “I need to figure this out.”

But how? She had no idea where to begin. The confusion was suffocating. “What am I supposed to do?” she asked aloud, frustration lacing her voice. Her thoughts kept racing, and the self-doubt crept in.

As she turned her head, Aadrika noticed faint sounds coming from outside. Hoofbeats? Cheers? It sounded like some kind of grand procession. Curiosity piqued, she moved toward the large window draped in heavy velvet curtains. Pulling them aside, she saw a vast courtyard filled with soldiers mounted on regal horses, their armor gleaming in the sunlight. There was also a palanquin, dazzling in gold.

What is happening? Aadrika’s thoughts raced as the sound of a soft knock broke through her reverie.

“Rajkumari, Raja Sahib has returned with Rani ji and wishes to meet you,” Diya’s gentle voice floated into the room.

Aadrika turned to face her, the confusion still palpable on her face. “Rani ji?” she asked. “But I met her yesterday, didn’t I?”

Diya, always patient, gave a small smile. “Rajkumari, you met Rani Sahiba yesterday, not Rani ji.”

Aadrika frowned, trying to wrap her head around this. “And who is Rani ji, then?”

“Rani Avantika is Raja Sahib’s second wife,” Diya explained calmly. “We all refer to her as Rani ji, but you call her Choti Maa. She’s much younger than Rani Sahiba.”

Aadrika slumped down onto the bed, the weight of her elaborate lehenga making her feel even more exhausted. “Why did... Pitaji marry Choti Maa?” she asked, suddenly eager to understand this twisted family dynamic.

Diya hesitated for a moment before answering, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. “Only a few know the true reason, as it can be seen as disrespectful to Rani ji.”

Aadrika raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Do you know the reason?” she pressed.

Diya nodded. “You told me, Rajkumari.”

Aadrika’s eyes widened. “And what did I tell you?”

Diya took a deep breath, leaning in as if preparing to share a great secret. “Raja Sahib married Rani Avantika many years ago, shortly after he was announced as the crown prince. Rani Avantika was a healer at the time, known for her knowledge of herbs. One night, during one of her travels, she stayed in a small hut near a riverbank. It was the same night that Raja Sahib was passing through the area. He rested outside the hut, and at dawn, he left before anyone knew he had been there.”

Diya paused for effect, watching as Aadrika absorbed the story. “But rumors began to spread. Someone saw him leaving, and soon, everyone believed that he had spent the night with the young healer. The scandal threatened his position as crown prince. Maharaj—your grandfather—urged him to marry her to protect her honor and the throne’s reputation. At first, he refused because he loved Rani Sahiba. But in the end, it was Rani Sahiba who convinced him to marry Rani Avantika.”

Aadrika’s heart raced. This wasn’t just any random story. This was her story. The story she had written herself, woven with her own imagination and dreams. How had she ended up inside it?

Excitement surged through her as a realization hit her—this wasn’t just a dream or an illusion. She was living her own creation. And that meant she could shape it, control it, even rise to the highest level of power here. She was Rajkumari Aadrika of Suryagarh, and if she played her cards right, she could rule this kingdom.

“I remember everything now, Diya,” Aadrika suddenly said, feigning the excitement of someone who had just regained their memory. She threw her arms around Diya, who gasped in shock.

“Really? You’ve remembered?” Diya’s voice trembled with emotion, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She had been by Aadrika’s side for so long, her loyalty unwavering. Aadrika nodded enthusiastically, making her act as believable as possible.

Diya pulled back, wiping her tears with a sniffle. “I’ll go inform Rani Sahiba at once!” she said, nearly stumbling over herself as she rushed out of the room.

As the door closed behind her, Aadrika let out a sigh of relief, the smirk that had been threatening to surface finally breaking through. “I knew I was a good actress,” she muttered, walking over to the ornate mirror. “Where’s my Oscar?”

She struck a pose, admiring herself in the mirror. The intricate lehenga hugged her figure perfectly, accentuating her curves. She twirled slightly, the heavy fabric swishing around her feet. “I should wear clothes like this more often,” she mused, unable to take her eyes off her reflection.

Just as she was lost in self-admiration, heavy footsteps echoed from the hallway. Aadrika’s heart leapt in anticipation. It was time to play her role, and she was more than ready for it.

The door swung open with a grand flourish. Rani Sahiba—no, Maa—was the first to enter, her regal presence commanding attention. Behind her came Raja Sahib, followed by Rani Avantika, the famed Choti Maa.

“Aadrika!” Rani Sahiba’s voice was filled with relief as she rushed forward, enveloping Aadrika in a tight embrace. The warmth and concern in her touch felt so foreign, so overwhelming, that Aadrika nearly faltered in her act. She hesitated, then hugged her back, playing the role of the loving daughter.

When Rani Sahiba finally pulled away, Raja Sahib stepped forward. He caressed her head, his eyes soft with emotion. “When I heard what happened, I couldn’t rest until I saw you myself,” he said, his voice gentle.

Aadrika smiled, keeping up her charade. She hugged him tightly, the weight of his authority grounding her. His presence was strong, protective.

Rani Avantika stepped forward next, embracing her softly. “I’m so glad you’re safe, my child,” she whispered, her voice laced with sincerity.

Aadrika smiled sweetly. "Choti Maa."

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