Trishalini ~ The Jewel of Mahabaleshgarh

16 ~ Delicate Roses

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Abhinandan POV

It had been a few days since Rudra's crowning ceremony. And, as I had promised Daadisa, I found myself back at the Temple with her. The familiar scent of incense and the soft glow of the candles brought a sense of peace. Daadisa's smile was radiant, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of happiness at the sight of it.

I even contended to have my family back. Everything was improving between my mother and grandmother, but nothing was improving with my father. Neither was I trying to. I had been avoiding him at all costs as I knew I would say the wrong things. I did not want to preach before the King; he would not want to listen.

Well, there was nothing to listen or do now. The damage to our reputation and pride was done.

Speaking of pride, I was also trying to forget about Trisha. She was getting married, and I should not have thought about an almost-married woman. It was immoral.

And, speaking of marriages, a group of ladies entered the den of the Temple to celebrate someone's pre-wedding ritual. I did not care who she was, and I immediately looked away as we were done praying and offering.

But, my Daadisa wished to stay longer to enjoy it. I did not know what kind of obsession she had with marriage. According to her, getting married was the only greatest thing in life. Ever since I knew I was alive on this earth, she had talked about me getting married to a beautiful Princess.

Growing up, once a week, she would remind me of my invisible wife, sometimes over a spoonful of sweet dish that one day my wife would cook for me, or a ring that I would give her after our wedding, or this or that.

She had dreamt of my wedding more than I did. Even my parents were crazy about my wedding more than Nandani's. They wanted a grand celebration for it. Like the Baarat would go on a vast Elephant, there would be a month-long feast, everyone would be there, and it would be grandest.

But I had no thoughts like that. Even, I had no thoughts at all about my wedding.

I came down and stood beside my horse. I could not help but wonder if Trisha's pre-wedding ritual would also begin in a few days. I did want to stop her from getting married, but I could not figure out the 'why'.

And, considering my previous standings over the last few matters, I had to point out that 'Why'. I could not force her to stop marrying over nothing. I did not know what to do even if she denied getting married on my word.

I sighed deeply.

What was it?

And, why the other day did I feel as if someone lit the torch to help me see the direction when Agastya asked me to suppose we were getting married?

I did not want to marry Trisha.

Or did I?

I pressed my teeth together to shake my mind off it. I noticed the soldiers standing around me. The weather was a good day.

After a few moments, I noticed that my Daadisa and those ladies had come down, too. I smiled when I saw my grandmother walking closer to me with Prasad in her hand.

"Here," she offered me, but I had no option but to take it. I only liked Kheer in sweets.

"Do you know who the girl was?" my Daadisa and I ignorantly looked away while helping her sit in the palanquin.

"It was Guruji's daughter," and when these four words came out of her mouth, my eyes widened with shock.

"What?" I immediately looked up to look at the ladies walking away.