Don't forget to vote!!!!
.
.
.
.
Enjoy reading!!!!
________
2 days to go–
The morning sun cast a golden hue over the palace of Suryagarh, its rays filtering through the intricately carved windows of Aadrika’s chamber. The light, warm and bright, was a stark contrast to the cold emptiness she felt inside. Today was the day of her engagement to Abhiraj Rao, and despite the festivities and the grandeur that surrounded the occasion, Aadrika felt as if she were walking to her own execution.
She had barely slept the night before, her mind a storm of restless thoughts and futile plans. The hours had passed in a blur, and now, as dawn broke over the horizon, she was confronted with the inescapable reality of her situation. There was no escape, no last-minute reprieve. She had tried everything, and still, she was trapped.
A knock on her door broke the silence of her chamber, and Aadrika sighed, knowing what was to come. Her maids entered, carrying trays of shimmering silks and gold ornaments, their faces glowing with excitement. To them, this was a day of celebration, a day when their beloved Rajkumari would be betrothed to the powerful king of Indraprastha. But to Aadrika, it felt like the day she was being buried alive.
The maids fussed over her, brushing her long, dark hair until it shone, pinning it up with jeweled pins that sparkled in the sunlight. They draped her in layers of luxurious silk, the deep red of the sari symbolizing the bond she was about to enter. Gold bangles clinked as they slid onto her wrists, and a heavy necklace was fastened around her neck, its weight a constant reminder of the chains she was about to wear.
As the maids worked, Aadrika stared at her reflection in the mirror. The woman who looked back at her was a vision of regal beauty, her eyes lined with kohl, her lips stained with the deepest red. She looked every bit the queen she was meant to be. But behind the flawless exterior, Aadrika felt hollow, as if all the life had been drained from her.
“Rajkumari, you look like a goddess,” one of the maids whispered, her voice filled with awe. “King Abhiraj will be enchanted.”
Aadrika forced a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Thank you,” she murmured, though the words felt empty. She couldn’t bring herself to care about the admiration of others or the allure of the opulent attire. All she could think about was the crushing inevitability of what was to come.
As the final touches were made, a servant entered, bowing low as he announced that it was time. Aadrika stood, her movements mechanical, and followed the procession out of her chamber. The corridors of the palace were decorated with flowers and colorful banners, the air thick with the scent of incense and the sound of music. But to Aadrika, it all felt like a mockery, a cruel joke played at her expense.
The grand hall where the engagement ceremony was to take place was filled with guests, nobles, and dignitaries from both Suryagarh and Indraprastha. They had all gathered to witness the union of two powerful kingdoms, and their faces were alight with anticipation. As Aadrika entered, a murmur of admiration rippled through the crowd, but she barely registered it. Her eyes were fixed ahead, where Abhiraj stood, waiting for her.
He was dressed in regal finery, his face as unreadable as ever. Aadrika’s heart sank further as she approached him, knowing that this was the man she was to spend the rest of her life with—a man who seemed to feel nothing for her but disdain. As she took her place beside him, she caught sight of her brother, Rudra, standing among the guests.
Rudra’s eyes were narrowed with resentment, his lips curled into a sneer. He had always despised Aadrika, envying her intelligence, her strength, and the way their father had always favored her. Today, however, there was a glint of satisfaction in his gaze, as if he were reveling in her defeat. He had always wanted to see her brought low, and now it seemed he was getting his wish.
As the priest began the rituals, chanting prayers and offering blessings, Aadrika felt a sense of detachment wash over her. The words, the actions, the people around her—they all seemed distant, as if she were watching the scene unfold from afar. She went through the motions, her hands moving automatically as she accepted the offerings, as she made the vows. But inside, she felt nothing.
When the time came to exchange rings, Aadrika felt a momentary surge of panic. This was it—the moment that would seal her fate. But Abhiraj’s cold, impassive face offered no solace, no hint of understanding. His touch was firm but devoid of warmth as he slipped the ring onto her finger, a symbol of a bond she wanted no part of.
As she placed the ring on his finger, Aadrika felt as if she were signing her own death warrant. The applause that erupted from the crowd felt like the clattering of nails in her coffin. She forced herself to smile, to play the part of the dutiful princess, but inside, she was screaming.
The rest of the ceremony passed in a haze, the celebrations beginning in earnest as the engagement was officially announced. The hall was filled with music and laughter, the guests dancing and feasting as if this were the happiest day of their lives. But for Aadrika, it was nothing more than a funeral—a funeral for her freedom, her dreams, her very soul.
As the night wore on, Aadrika found herself standing alone on a balcony, staring out at the darkened sky. The stars twinkled above, indifferent to the turmoil that raged within her. She felt a tear slip down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away, refusing to let anyone see her weakness.
This was her life now. A life she hadn’t chosen, a life she didn’t want. But there was no escaping it. She was bound to Abhiraj, bound to the throne of Indraprastha, and there was no way out.
As she stood there, the sound of the festivities echoing in the distance, Aadrika felt a cold resolve settle over her. She had been defeated today, but that didn’t mean she was broken. She would find a way to survive this, to carve out a place for herself in this life she hadn’t wanted. And maybe, just maybe, she would find a way to reclaim the power she had lost.
But for now, all she could do was endure. And so, with a heavy heart and a mind full of unanswered questions, Aadrika turned and walked back into the palace, ready to face whatever the future held.
_______________
VOTE|COMMENT|FOLLOW
Take care~
Laters;)
YOU ARE READING
AADRIKA : The writer of the story
Historical FictionAADRIKA : " Everything has beauty, But not everyone sees it." Aadrika was a famous writer who never thought that one day she would be trapped in the very own story she wrote herself. After getting in an accident, when she opened her eye...
