And in one night, my life changed completely. The man who tried to kill my father forcefully married me and captivated me.
One who is powerful and I'm lost in this new life that I never choose...
Running to my room, locking myself in. Breaking with tears on the ground. All the question in my mind are haunting me. Dizziness made my eyes go blank. The dark is dense. No hope for light.
"We have to tell her truth."
"She is too young to understand all this, tara."
"Vanraaj, she's our daughter. She is as brave as you. She is staking her entire life for us. She didn't even once ask what sin's punishment she is going to suffer from."
"But, tara.."
"Our daughter is not a little girl anymore. She is a woman now."
"She's still too young. You don't have to worry, I will convince her, and we'll leave tonight. I won't let her suffer for my sins."
"I was the same age as her, when we got married. When I took the most important decision of my life. When I fall in love with you." Her voice is stuffed. "I know, my daughter. When I didn't let anyone choose for me. Why will I take this right from her."
"You want to send your daughter to that monster." an accusation.
"No.. I don't. But, our daughter is very capable and is determined to take her life's decision. And, most of all, she deserve to know the truth."
"Maa.. Daata.." whisper of me calling them, pulling their attention to me.
"Maithili.." they both hurried towards me.
"Thank god, you are ok."
"What happened?"
"You fall unconscious. You haven't eaten anything since yesterday."
"Here, have this.." Extending fruits in her hand to my mouth.
"Maa.. I don't want to.."
"Maithili Chandel, you better listen to me now. I have had enough of all this." she bellow.
I silently agree. And, they feed me with their hands. I heard their conversation. I know they are going to tell me the truth now. A past they have been hiding for far too long. But right now, I just want to live in this moment, Kanak also joined us. And, we had the precious moments while eating as a family.
After lunch, Kanak went to buy some medicines for me from the nearby market.
"Maithili, we... we want to tell you the tr.. truth." Ma stammers. But, I kept quiet.
"I killed Late King of Rudhrgadh. King Sujaan Pratap Singh." Daata proclaims.
"What? Why would you do that?" I blurt, in shock.
Ma and Daata looked at each other. Confirming the consent, Ma nods her head lightly.
**************
"Please Maithili, don't marry that man. He is doing all this just to take his revenge."
"Okay Maa" I hugged her tight. Trying to take away all the pain she suffered over all these years.
We packed the necessities we need for the next few days. At midnight, we sneak out of the house from the back door. Daata somehow managed to distract the guards keeping watch on us. We sit in the carriage. After travelling for hours, we fell asleep. We didn't stop anywhere in our way. Travelling the whole day...Carriage suddenly stop, jolting us all.
"And I thought, my future queen will not run like a coward as her father." A familiar voice from the outside came. Carriage door swing open, "You have really disappoint me.." His eyes meet mine. He extends his hand towards me, a sudden pull take him to opposite direction. It's Daata. With a sword in his hands.
"Don't you dare touch my daughter."
"Finally, you are acting like a man, who's tales I have heard, all my childhood." With a smirk, "It'll be a delight to kill you, with my hands."
Swords clank like a thunder. Two great warriors are fighting with each other. But, daata is still weak. His hands are trembling, with breathing grows faster. A last move, and daata's sword is lying far on the ground.
"Now, I can have my revenge. I waited for this moment all my life." and, he raise his sword in air, to...
"NOO..." running toward daata. I stand in front of him. Guarding him, as he did all his life for us. When the sword, stops an inch away from my neck.
'Maithili, get away." Daata says with weak voice.
"No.. I will not anything happen to you." turning back to him, "You want your revenge, kill me if you want. But please... let go of my family, please..."
"I was sparing his life, but you broke your words. You betrayed me. Now watch your father die..."
"No... I'm sorry... I won't do this again. I'll marry you. But please, let my daata go. Please..." I was stupid to think, I will trick him. And, leave him behind.
After a long minute of silence he finally says "Fine, for you I'll give you one more chance." his eyes never left me, "Chain him up"
With swift he lift me in the air, as we both land on his horse. Holding the leash, we run like a fire spreading in the forest.
Sitting behind me, he whisper in my ears again, his breaths falling on my neck "Next time you break a promise, and I'll punish you in a way, your whole body will tremble, begging me for mercy. My Queen."
Smirk coming on his face, can be sensed from his voice. A bitter taste swirled in the back of throat.
Reaching back to my house, which is now covered in flowers and lights. A grand decoration await us.
Wedding pavillion is set in the courtyard. with very few guards and Minister Madhav is standing. We got off the horse. Everyone greet us. "It's good you are not late, my lord." Minister Madhav says.
"We are late, actually." King replies.
"But, there's still time for the auspicious time."
"I know, but my queen has to get ready too." And, I'm again in the air, in his arms. As he walk inside the house, he leads toward the bathroom. Placing me on the table, which used to be in my room, till last night as I remember. Bathroom is also decorated with the yellow marigolds. And a haldi bowl (Turmeric paste).
"You missed your Haldi Bath. Its an important ritual to fulfill. Shall we?"
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