Agneya - The Unknown King

Chapter 30 - Wife

Agni asked again in confusion, "Why so? We are yet to be married right? I agree that they have officially made you enter the palace but the rituals are still pending". She asked him in return, "Do you have seperate rituals in your realm to call a couple as married?". Agni was dumbfounded for a few moments and then came near her and asked, "What is a marriage here in this realm?".

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Rashmi replied, "The official welcome of the bride to her new home is what we call as marriage. This is the practice throughout this entire realm. Didn't you notice that I have worn a nose ring today? I have already mentioned that only married women will use that". She went silent as she observed him, who was shocked visibly and then went near him. She held his hands and said in a whisper, "Sorry, I didn't know".

Agneya shook his head and said, "It's not your fault. Nobody is at fault". Rashmi smiled at his words and admired him for thinking with a rational mind, even when he is overwhelmed by his emotions. She hugged him immediately but Agni was hesitant to reciprocate and after his inner turmoil, he finally hugged her back.

After a few minutes, Agni broke the hug and said, "You sleep here. I am going to my chamber in the Academy". Rashmi was shocked to the core as she realized that her husband want to spend their first night after marriage, alone and away from her. The fear of being abandoned by her soulmate once again was torturing for her. She could feel her tears waiting to pour out but controlled her emotions and turned around showing her back to him.

Agni didn't think about anything else right now. He opened the portal and went away. Rashmi let her tears out after hearing the portal closing behind her. She cried for a few minutes and then she talked to herself on seeing the mirror, "Why are you crying now? Your husband left you on your first night, that's it right? Did he betray you? Abuse you? Accuse you of anything? Then why to cry? He was shocked with the new information which he came to know today. So he needs sometime alone to come in terms with this change in their relationship. That's it".

Rashmi felt better after speaking whatever was running inside her head for the past few minutes and realized that she was so silly to cry over this small issue. Soon she removed her jewellery and laid down on the bed after changing her clothes. Then she slapped her forehead with a small smile and said, "How can you even compare Agni with that Dakshesh, Rashmi? Agni will really feel bad if he came to know that I have thought about this".

Rashmi turned on one side and her gaze fell on the set of anklets her father had gifted her after entering the palace. She didn't want to spoil the day by arguing with him. So she asked Dakini to collect it from him, which angered her father but he couldn't do anything. She thought of the time when he refused to give any gift on her birthday just because she didn't obey their orders and only gave the gift to charu.

As Rashmi was thinking about her so-called family, she got reminded about those times when Agni would narrate her about his family in Rakshatra. She unknowingly smiled thinking about the family she never met and also excited to meet them one day. She spoke out loud, "You are so lucky Agni". As she was about to sleep peacefully, she sat up suddenly.

Rashmi exclaimed in the silent room, "He is missing his family right now. He might have had some expectations regarding how his marriage will be done, in the presence of his parents and siblings". She sighed and thought, "Just because I don't have such a caring family and wouldn't mind their absence, doesn't mean that others won't have those expectations". She felt guilty for misinterpreting his actions earlier. She kept whispering sorry and then slept off while trying to stay awake for him.

On the other hand, Agni didn't go to the Academy Residence but reached the study chamber of Samrat. He cut his palm to draw blood and put his hands on the wall, where previously they had entered through the humongous door. But even after placing his hand, the wall remained the same. He was confused as to why it is not opening when he heard a voice from behind saying, "It will open only when the King places his bloodied hand on the wall. Not just Yuvraj".

Agneya turned back to see Meghnath coming near him. Meghnath continued, "So if you want to open the door, You have to become the King. For which you have to complete the Academic training and get married. The second one is already fulfilled but the first one remains unfulfilled". Agni fisted his bloodied hand in frustration.

Meghnath sighed and put his arms around Agneya's shoulder and pulled him to sit beside him on the couch. He said, "What happened? Why you suddenly want to leave to your Kingdom?". Agni replied stoically, "I have always wanted to leave". Meghnath nodded his head and then asked, "Why today? It's your wedding night and you are here?".

Agni took a deep breath and covered his face by his palms while his elbows were supported by his legs. In the same posture he mumbled, "I didn't know it was a marriage ceremony". Meghnath was taken aback and waited for him to continue. Agni narrated his ignorance regarding the customs being followed here. Agni told finally, "I feel like I have betrayed my parents and siblings, by marrying without their knowledge".

Meghnath rubbed his arm in an attempt to control him and said, "I understand your situation and I do feel guilty that I didn't inform you regarding this. But I cannot make decisions for you. It's upto you what you want to do. I promise you that I will make Samrat open the door for you".

Agni was visibly surprised as he looked up at him from his previous posture. Meghnath nodded and continued, "But please do think twice whether it is the right decision? What about your wife here? I know that you will come back to get her back to your realm. But isn't it her right to know about all your decisions".

As Meghnath was moving out, he said, "One more thing I forgot. The first condition for becoming the King of Pranyakta was to finish the training. But there is an alternative and short cut is also available although very dangerous". Agni was looking at him curiously when he said, "Just destroy the Asuras once and for all". Meghnath finally left, leaving behind Agneya who was thinking very deeply.

Glossary:
Samrat - Emperor
Samragyi - Empress
Rajkumar - Prince
Bratashree - Brother
Bhabhishree - sister-in-law
Acharya - Master/Teacher
Mamashree - Uncle (Mother's Brother)
Mamishree - Aunt (Mother's brother's wife)
Bade - elder or big
Chote - younger or small

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Precap:

Rashmi and Agni facing eachother, the morning after.

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Hi guys,

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Word count : 1200

Thanks,
SM.