AADRIKA : The writer of the story

Chapter 25 : Diya?

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Aadrika woke up to the soft warmth of the morning sun filtering through the silk curtains of her new chamber. It was the first morning in Indraprastha, her new home. As her eyes fluttered open, the unfamiliarity of the grand room sank in. She wasn't in Suryagarh anymore; she was now the Queen of Indraprastha. But despite the grandeur surrounding her, she felt strangely… unmoored.

She stretched out, the fabric of the silk sheets rustling softly. Her thoughts were still clouded by yesterday’s overwhelming wedding ceremonies. Her hand grazed the cool bedspread, and she noticed something that startled her—she wasn’t alone. At the foot of her bed, a familiar figure sat quietly.

“Diya?” Aadrika blinked, half expecting it to be a dream.

Diya smiled shyly. “Good morning, Your Majesty.”

Aadrika sat up, surprised but also relieved. “You’re here? How did you come to Indraprastha?”

Diya bowed her head slightly, her eyes twinkling with fondness. “Maharani Rajeshwari insisted I accompany you. She thought you’d want someone familiar by your side.”

Aadrika’s surprise melted into gratitude. She hadn’t known Diya would be allowed to come, but having her here was a comfort in this strange new place. “I didn’t know… But I’m glad you’re here, Diya.”

Diya beamed. “I will always be here for you, Maharani.”

Aadrika waved her hand dismissively. “Don’t call me that when we’re alone. It feels too formal. Just Aadrika.”

Diya’s smile widened, but she said nothing. She busied herself, preparing Aadrika’s queenly outfit for the day.

After a bit of small talk, Diya helped Aadrika get ready. The queen’s outfit was exquisite, a deep red silk saree embroidered with gold threads that shimmered as it caught the light. Her jewelry, heavy with gems, adorned her neck and wrists, and her hair was styled intricately.

As she looked at herself in the mirror, Aadrika felt the weight of her new role. It wasn’t the fabric or the jewels that made her feel burdened—it was the knowledge that she was now the queen of a kingdom she barely knew, married to a man she had once wanted to avoid at all costs. And yet, here she was, willingly stepping into the role. She still didn’t understand why.

Once dressed, Diya gently reminded her, “Your Pehli Rasoi, Your Majesty.”

Ah yes, the first ritual where she would cook for the family and earn their blessings. Aadrika wasn’t nervous, but she wasn’t exactly looking forward to it either. It felt like just another performance in the long series of duties she had to fulfill.

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In the palace kitchens, Aadrika busied herself, with Diya by her side. The cooks offered their assistance, but Aadrika waved them away. “This is my responsibility.”

She prepared a traditional breakfast—pooris, a selection of chutneys, and kheer, all from her home in Suryagarh, infusing the dishes with a flavor that only a royal of Suryagarh would know. It had been a while since she had cooked herself, but her hands moved with the confidence of someone who had been trained for such moments.

As she worked, the doors to the kitchen burst open, and Meera and Vikram appeared, their faces alight with mischief.

“Bhabhi!” Meera exclaimed, her voice filled with amusement. “Is this what they make the queen do on her first morning?”