The grand Sabhagrah of Amravati Palace was filled with the who's who of the Rashtrakuta empire. Intricately carved pillars and gold gilded mosaic of sculptures depicted epic tales and the dynasty's history.
The air was thick with anticipation and the scent of sandalwood, while jovial murmurs of those present filled the hall.
Kumud stood there, observing everyone when her eyes caught sight of a figure. Her eyes stilled. Her body tensed, as she quickly lowered her head to conceal the hatred that threatedned to spill out.
That person was none other than Abeera, the Gulbahar.......
Just as Kumud was about to loose her self constraints, Ketki's voice rang, " Oh! the Gulbahar is here! Is madam Abeera well?" Her voice bringing everyone's attention towards her and the incoming Abeera.
Abeera stilled. She lifted her beautiful eyes to look at Ketki, while a moving smile bloomed on her face. She moved towards Ketki, while people around her started to whisper on low tones.
" Its her.... She's so beautiful...." A nobleman said, his eyes filled with intoxication.
" She is pretty.... no doubt but, the prettiest? I think someone else will take up that title today...... look at that one....." His companion said, pointing at Kumud.
" I think she will be the one to show the mirror of truth to this Abeera..." That person said slowly.
True to his words, Abeera's smile stiffened, and her footsteps faltered, as she caught the sight of Kumud, who stood there, her radiant Aura, seemingly subduing the Palace's authority.... Just like.... Just like..... Padmini?
Abeera's breath stagnated, as her mind was thrown into a frenzy of emotions. Kumud's frigure, slowly morphed into Padmini's and her mind went back to the day, when she had similarly approached Padmini.....
She had smiled at her, and said, "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Devi Padmini... I have heard much about you and your esteemed family. It would be an honor to count you among my friends." And then, what did she do? She destroyed her, filled her life with poison and finally, finally......
" Devi Abeera? Are you okay?" Ketki said with a smile, yet her voice was tinged witha smear of ridicule....
" Oh! Yes! yes Devi Ketki..... I was just so surprised by your beautiful presence that I almost lost my mind...."
Abeera's words garnered smiles from everyone and even Kumud could not help but shake her head and smile. How could she not? It was exactly this smooth talking ability of hers that made her put down her guard in her previous life.
Abeera slowly lifted her head towards Kumud, who was staring at her too. Suddenly, he laughed as she exclaimed, " Ah! ha ha! Oh My! Who is this Devi? At a mere first glance, I assumed her to be a divine Apsara! Oh my! to think that she is a human! AH!" Her exaggerated words drew everyones's attention to Kumud, but.... there was a problem......
Initially, everyone was attracted to Kumud because of her Valiant and heroic air, but now, with Abeera's words, her heroism was almost ignored and all that remained was her beauty.... the superficial aspects of hers......
Vyom who was observing this commotion from a distance frowned. Although he could not see who Abeera was talking to, but that name made him stop dead in his tracks. " Did this Abeera say out ..... Kumud's name?" He murmured, as a sharp glint passed through his eyes.
He lifted his foot and moved towards the area where Kumud was standing.
Ketki's anger rose, as she took a step ahead to argue with Abeera, Kumud held Ketki back while staring intently at Abeera.
YOU ARE READING
Lotus among the Roses
Historical Fiction'I cried that night.....so much that it numbed me to my core' Padmini sobbed hard. Her life came crashing down at her when she found that her husband had a mistress....... " Gulbahar" this name signified the woman he loves......just like her name wa...
