Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya

Part II: The Haunting Begins

Chapter 8: The Watchful Shadows

Maya sat by the large window in her chamber, the gentle breeze caressing her face as the moon cast a silvery glow over the palace grounds. The night was quiet, yet a sense of unease settled over her, heavier with each passing day. Ever since she and Raja Vikram married, strange things had begun happening within the palace walls. The once majestic and welcoming home now felt cold and eerie.

Maya sighed, shifting uncomfortably in her seat. She glanced at the portrait of the late Rani Aranya that hung across the room. The beautiful queen's eyes seemed to follow her every movement, and it unnerved her.

"Why do I feel like I'm being watched?" Maya whispered to herself, her voice barely audible over the rustling of the wind.

That night, as she lay in bed beside Vikram, Maya tossed and turned, unable to shake off the growing discomfort. She heard whispers, faint and distant, like murmurs of a conversation she couldn't quite grasp. Her heart pounded as she strained to hear the words, but they eluded her, slipping away into the night air.

She sat up, her eyes scanning the dark corners of the room. "Is someone there?" she asked softly, her voice trembling.

Vikram stirred beside her, groaning. "Maya, what is it?" he asked groggily, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. "Are you alright?"

"I... I'm not sure," Maya replied, glancing toward the door. "I thought I heard something. Whispers... and I feel like someone's watching us."

Vikram's brow furrowed. "Whispers? Again?"

Maya nodded. "It's been happening for days now. I didn't want to say anything because I thought maybe it was just my imagination, but I can't shake this feeling. It's as if someone is here with us, but I can't see them."

Vikram sighed, his expression softening as he took her hand. "Maya, this palace is old. Sometimes the wind plays tricks on us, and the walls carry echoes. You've been under a lot of stress with everything that's happened. Perhaps it's affecting you more than you realize."

Maya bit her lip, unsure if she should push further. "I know what you're saying, but this feels different. It's not just the wind or the echoes. I can feel eyes on me, even when I'm alone."

Vikram's face grew more serious. He knew strange things had been happening in the palace, but he didn't want to scare Maya further. "Alright," he said, squeezing her hand. "I'll speak with Rajguru tomorrow. Maybe there's something we can do to bring peace to the palace. I don't want you to feel unsafe here."

Maya nodded, appreciating his support, but she wasn't entirely reassured. "Thank you, Vikram. I just... I hope this feeling passes."

They lay back down, but sleep didn't come easily. Maya's heart continued to race, and every creak of the palace seemed amplified in the darkness. The whispers returned, faint and haunting, like voices from another world. She buried herself deeper into the blankets, her mind racing with questions she didn't dare voice aloud.

The next morning, Maya wandered through the palace halls, her eyes darting toward every shadow, every flicker of movement. The servants moved about their tasks as if nothing was amiss, but Maya couldn't shake the sensation that something was watching her.

As she passed Rani Aranya's old chambers, she hesitated. The door was slightly ajar, and for a brief moment, Maya thought she saw a shadow move inside. Her heart leaped in her chest.

"Maya," a voice called out, startling her. She turned to see Meera, one of the palace maids, approaching her with a concerned expression. "Are you alright, Your Majesty? You look pale."

"I'm fine," Maya lied, forcing a smile. "Just a bit tired."

Meera hesitated, glancing at the door to Aranya's chamber. "You should avoid this part of the palace, My Queen. Ever since Rani Aranya's passing, strange things have happened here."

Maya's stomach twisted. "What do you mean?"

Meera lowered her voice, casting a wary glance around before speaking. "The servants say they've seen things... shadows, strange movements, and heard voices. Some even believe that Rani Aranya's spirit lingers here, unable to move on."

Maya swallowed hard, her unease growing. "And you? What do you believe?"

Meera met her eyes, her expression grave. "I believe that the dead don't always leave us in peace. Rani Aranya was beloved, and her sudden death left many unanswered questions. If her spirit is still here, it may be because something was left unfinished."

Maya's heart pounded in her chest. "You think she's watching us?"

Meera nodded slowly. "I cannot say for sure, but many have felt her presence. Especially at night."

Maya felt a cold shiver run down her spine. "Thank you, Meera," she said softly. "You may go."

As Meera bowed and left, Maya stood frozen in front of Aranya's chamber, her mind racing. She hadn't wanted to believe in ghosts or spirits, but the strange occurrences had become impossible to ignore. And now, knowing that others felt the same eerie presence, Maya couldn't deny what was happening.

That night, Maya was once again plagued by the whispers. She lay awake, staring at the ceiling, her nerves frayed. The soft murmurs seemed closer now, as if they were in the very room with her. She turned to Vikram, who slept peacefully beside her, completely unaware of the torment she was experiencing.

Suddenly, the air grew colder, and Maya felt a distinct presence in the room. She sat up, her heart racing, and called out softly, "Who's there?"

No response.

She glanced toward the door, her eyes widening as she saw the faint outline of a figure standing in the doorway. It was a woman, tall and elegant, her form shrouded in shadow. Maya's breath caught in her throat.

"Rani Aranya?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

The figure didn't move, but the whispers grew louder, swirling around her like a haunting lullaby. The air was thick with tension, and Maya felt paralyzed with fear. She reached out to wake Vikram, but before she could, the figure vanished, leaving the room deathly silent.

Maya collapsed back onto the bed, her body trembling. She couldn't explain what had just happened, but one thing was certain-Rani Aranya's spirit was still here, watching her every move.