Beyond The Palace Walls| ONGOING

Chapter - 10

Meera couldn't help but burst out laughing as she listened to Agastya's ridiculous statement. "Oh, Agastya, you can't be serious!" she said, still chuckling.

Agastya looked at her with a serious expression, but Meera could see a glimmer of something else in his eyes. "I'm telling you, Meera, I know what I'm talking about." He said his voice firm.

But Meera wasn't having it. She laughed even harder, her eyes shining with mirth. "Oh, Agastya, you're not the Agastya I knew. Hum jis Agastya ko jante hai woh toh zabardasti shaadi karwane me icha rakte hai" she said, wiping tears from her eyes.
(The Agastya I know is believes in forced marriage.)

Agastya felt a surge of indignation at her words, but before he could respond, something strange happened. His head started to play a snippet of a conversation with someone else - a woman's giggles and a man's husky whisper in his ear. The words echoed in his mind: "If you laugh like this,Vanika, I can make you swing day and night."

Agastya's heart raced as he tried to shake off the vivid memory. Who was this woman? And why did he still remember her like it was yesterday? Meera's voice broke through his reverie, snapping him back to reality. "Agastya, kya hua?" She asked, concern etched on her face. Agastya shook his head. "It's nothing..."
(Agastya, what happened?)

Agastya suddenly looked at Meera with a concerned expression. "I'm so sorry, Meera, but I have to go," he said, his voice tinged with regret.

Meera looked up at him curiously. "What is it?" she asked, her brow furrowed with concern. Agastya hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "Mujhe ek bohot hi zaruri kaam hai. Mein iske baareme poori tarah se bhool Gaya tha."
(I have a very important work. I had completely forgotten about it.)

Meera nodded understandingly. "Of course, go ahead."

But Agastya hesitated, looking at her with a hesitant expression. "Mein aapko mandir tak chod dunga" Meera waved her hand dismissively. "No, no, I'll be fine. Hum bas thodi der aur yaha tehelna chahte hai."
("I will drop you to the temple" Meera waved Her Hand Dismissivalay. "No, no, it's fine. I just want to walk around here for a little while longer.")

Agastya seemed to consider this for a moment before finally agreeing. "Okay, be careful then. Hum firse milenge."
(We will meet again.)

With that, Agastya turned and jogged towards his car, which was parked nearby. He opened the door and slid into the driver's seat, feeling a sense of relief wash over him as he settled in. But just as he was about to start the engine, the sky above darkened and it started raining.

He got out and ran towards where Meera was. As Agastya approached Meera, he couldn't help but be mesmerized by the sight of her dancing in the rain. Her white anarkali fluttered around her legs like a cloud, and her dark hair was plastered to her face, giving her a mysterious and alluring look. Her anklets jingled with every step she took, filling the air with a sweet melody that seemed to match the rhythm of his own beating heart.

Agastya smiled and approached Meera, his eyes locked on hers as he reached out to take her hand. She turned around, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, and didn't pull away when he grasped her hand.

"Rajkumari," he said, his voice low and husky, "Aapko Sardi lag jaegi." He nodded towards the rain-soaked streets, the water dripping from their hair and clothes.
(you will catch cold)

Meera laughed, a bright, musical sound that sent shivers down Agastya's spine. "Saal ki pehli barsaat hai" she said, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Hum bimar padne se kyu darenge? Yahi toh Hume bhagwan se jude hone ka ehsaas karati hai."
("It's the first rain of the year" she said, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Why should I be scared to fall ill? This is what makes me feel connected to God.")