Rudra Tara - A Love Bound By Duty

19.MISUNDERSTANDING

Rudraksh’s POV

I had spent hours in the kitchen, preparing a meal for Jaanki, eager to find her and clear up the misunderstanding. With the food ready, I headed to Tara's room, hoping to find Jaanki there. I knocked gently on the door, and when Jaanki’s voice asked, “Who is it?” I pushed the door open, stepping inside.

The room was unexpectedly crowded with princesses, their voices creating a backdrop of chatter and laughter. I asked them where I could find Jaanki, but their expressions were less than welcoming. One of them said, “Don’t you have any manners? This is the princess’s room. You have no right to just walk in.”

“I’m sorry,” I replied quickly, trying to keep my tone calm. “I’m looking for Jaanki. I need to speak with her.”

As I turned to leave, a girl from the group grabbed my arm and pulled me into another room. Her eyes were intense, and she spoke with a mixture of determination and affection. “I know you’re a rajkumar,” she said softly, “and I love you. I fell in love at first sight when I saw you.”

Before I could react, she began touching me, her hands lingering inappropriately over my chest and lower regions. I jerked her hands away, trying to maintain my composure. “Please, stop,” I said firmly, but she was insistent. She pulled me towards her, and we fell onto a bed. She tried to kiss me, her lips approaching mine.

At that moment, I heard a sharp noise—a pot clattering to the ground. I turned to see Jaanki standing in the doorway. Her expression was one of silent heartbreak and betrayal. I felt a pang of guilt and desperation. The girl had stopped pretending to kiss me, but her actions had already caused enough pain.

“Jaanki, wait!” I called out, moving towards her, but she turned and fled from the room. I reached out to follow her, but my bua (aunt) grabbed my arm, her voice urgent.

“Where are you going?” she demanded. “You need to get ready for the ceremony. Your clothes are waiting. Come quickly.”

I was torn. I wanted to explain everything to Jaanki, to make her understand the truth. But my duty to my bua and the ceremony was pressing. “Bua, I need to—” I began, but she interrupted, “Are you listening? Come now. I need to show you the attire for tonight.”

Reluctantly, I followed her, my mind consumed with worry for Jaanki. The ceremony consumed my time, and amidst the flurry of guests and princesses, I couldn’t find her. Some of the princesses, initially shocked by my intrusion into Tara’s room, felt guilty and apologized. They attempted to charm me, but my focus remained solely on finding Jaanki.

Throughout the ceremony, my thoughts were with her. I was eager to explain the truth, but I feared that revealing my identity as the future king of Udaygarh at this moment would only add to her distress. When the ceremony finally ended, I scanned the room for Jaanki, my heart heavy with worry.

I spotted Princess Tara, standing with my bua and parents. Her expression was a mixture of confusion and fear. She had discovered that I was to be the future king, but Jaanki did not know. I needed to find Jaanki and reveal everything myself.

I approached Tara, but she tried to avoid me. I positioned myself in front of her, now in my royal attire, hoping she would give me a chance to explain. “Princess Tara,” I said softly, “I’m sorry. I was about to explain everything to Jaanki. Have you seen her? Where is she?”

Tara’s eyes were filled with concern as she replied, “I saw Jaanki go into a room crying. She wouldn’t tell me what was wrong. She hasn’t eaten anything since morning, which is unusual for her. She always needs to eat. After I ate, she changed her clothes and left, saying she needed some peace.”

I felt a pang of regret and concern. “Do you know where she might have gone?” I asked urgently.

Tara shook her head. “I don’t know. She didn’t say where she was going. But please, don’t reveal anything to her right now. It might make things worse.”

“I beg you, Princess Tara,” I pleaded, my voice breaking with emotion. “Please don’t tell her about my true identity as the prince and future king of Udaygarh. I want to explain everything to her myself. I care for her deeply and want to make things right.”

Tara nodded, her gaze softening. “I won’t tell her anything. But you need to find her and speak to her soon. She’s in a fragile state.”

With a heavy heart, I thanked her and set out to find Jaanki. I was determined to clear up the misunderstanding and show her that my feelings for her were genuine. As I searched for her, my thoughts were filled with anxiety and a deep longing to make things right.