Beyond The Palace Walls| ONGOING

Chapter - 21

In Pali,

Meera stormed into the palace, her heart racing with anxiety. She couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that Veer's words and actions had left her with. She found her parents in the throne room, discussing something with their advisors.

"Maa! Baba!" Meera exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion. "Aap samajh nahi rahe hai, Veer woh nahi hai Jo woh dikhate hai! Woh croor aur chalaak hai!"
(You are not understanding, Veer is not what he appears to be! He is cruel and manipulative!)

Sumitra and Achintya exchanged worried glances. "Meera, beta, calm down," Sumitra said, trying to soothe her. "What are you talking about?"

But Meera wouldn't be silenced. "I'm talking about the way he looked at me, the way he spoke to me! He's not interested in me, he just wants to use me for his own gain!"

Achintya's expression turned stern. "Meera , hum ye baat pehle bhi kar chuke hai. Maharaj Chitrasingh ne Alwar ke virudh yudh mein sahayata karne ka vachan Diya hai. This alliance is crucial for our kingdom's survival."
(Meera, we have talked about this before also. Maharaj Chitrasingh has promised to help in the war against Alwar.)

Meera felt a surge of frustration. "But at what cost? You're sacrificing my happiness, my safety, for a political gain!"

Sumitra tried to intervene, placing a gentle hand on Meera's arm. "Meera, please understand..."

But Meera shook her off, tears streaming down her face. "No, Maa! You never understand! You never listen!"

With that, she turned and ran, fleeing to the safety of her chamber, where she collapsed onto her bed, sobbing uncontrollably. Her heart felt heavy, her future uncertain.

Meanwhile, Sumitra looked at Achintya, concern etched on her face. "Achintya, maybe we should listen to her. Maybe there's more to Veer than we know."

Achintya's expression remained resolute. "We can't afford to doubt now, Sumitra. We have to trust Chitrasingh and hope for the best."

But Sumitra's eyes lingered on the door Meera had exited through, her mind filled with doubts and worries about her daughter's future.

Meera gazed out the window, her mind racing with thoughts of escape. She longed to flee back to Jaipur, to find solace in Agastya's arms. But fear held her back. If she ran away, would her parents be harmed? Would Veer's wrath fall upon them?

As she stood there, lost in thought, memories flooded her mind. She remembered Agastya's eyes, the way they used to look at her. Even in anger, his gaze had never held the lustful intensity she saw in Veer's eyes today.

Meera's heart ached, comparing the two men. Agastya's passion had always been tempered with respect, with a deep emotional connection. Veer's desire, on the other hand, seemed to strip her of her autonomy, reducing her to a mere object.

She thought about the way Agastya used to challenge her, to push her to be her best self. Veer, in contrast, seemed to want to control her, to mold her into his ideal.

Meera's resolve strengthened. She couldn't marry Veer, no matter the cost. But how could she escape the fate that seemed to be closing in around her?

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the palace, Meera made a decision. She would find a way to protect her parents, to ensure their safety. And then, she would find a way to be with Agastya, to follow her heart and forge her own path.

With newfound determination, Meera turned away from the window, her eyes scanning the room as if searching for a way out. Little did she know, fate had already set wheels in motion, wheels that would change the course of her life forever.