It was a luck that the yell was from outside making both of them alert as the kaurava Rajkumar immediately walk out the cave while Hidimba abruptly through the Angavastram from ground over head before she and the elder woman left to be the only ones inside the cave.
It was all silent and numb until the elder woman who is currently cleaning the room, ask "what happened putri?"
While remaining silent, Hidimba took a deep breathe before removing the Angavastram as the elders turn around to look at her, confused by the silence before her eyes widen.
"You........"
"I am not married...........We both are not married"
"Putri-"
"Please forgive me Mata!" A sob ripped out of her throat and before she could comprehend, a warm embrace engulfed her, holding her gently yet tight enough to know that she is alone.
The crying, sobbing, wailing and sniffling went for more than noon until the Rajkumari found herself good enough to handle her own self as she tried to back off from the warmth filled embrace but couldn't as the elder woman didn't let her.
A confused noise bubble out of her throat before she hears gentle voice from above "it's okay putri. I won't lie that you aren't at fault but you are not the only one who is at fault. It is me too-"
"No-"
"-Sush! Cause you tried your hardest to be how a Rajkumari should be but I forgot that you are my daughter too and no one in this world has right to order my daughter to follow any rule or tradition until she does not want"
"Mata-"
"You aren't obligated to get married, have kids, live like how a Rajkumari should with no purpose other than being a woman beside the King for just show................Let me tell you something about Maharani"
"Maa?"
"Hmm, when Maharaj went out for something, she was the King of Rakshas. She command, order and take care of every matter and when I meant every, means every single one from political to household"
"Maa did all that?" Hidimba asked as the elder woman smile, hearing the awe behind the Rajkumari's question as she reply while combing Hidimba's hair.
"Yes. Not only when Maharaj was away, even when he was here, in his presence, right beside him and he never uttered a word to tell her to step back from these matters or go inside, everything that has happened from starting till end, is in front of her, in her presence and with her acknowledgement"
"Maa.........she was so cool"
"She indeed was and I know you will be too" The word poured whisperly into her ears as the hands slowly left her tied hair.
Hidimba closed her eyes, taking a deep breathe before looking at the elder woman, asking "what should I do now?"
"That I can't answer putri but I know you can and you soon will. It is a question to your own self and only you can answer it"
Hidimba nodded as she hears the footsteps fading making her get up too, going at the entrance of the cave, sneaking glances outside before her eyes caught the other elders laughing and talking, making her smile subconsciously too by the happiness filled laughters of her parent like elders. She moved forward to go towards hem until her eyes caught the figure sitting on the chair, speaking about something which is making the elders laugh.
For a moment she stood still stunned until the figure's eyes caught her own making her immediately stumble back but to her surprise the figure also stood up, politely excusing himself out of the crowd towards his rest place as the elders turn around to leave but found themselves confronting their Daughter like Rajkumari.
"Come putri"
"Are you okay now?"
The elders asked as Hidimba stepped forward realising that the man left cause he wanted to give her shared time with her elders.
"Ji"
"Don't worry about them, okay?"
"Exactly, we will handle them"
"Of course"
"For sure"
Hidimba watch them tearful fondness as she realised once again, how much she is lucky to have such elders. She chuckled hearing the enthusiasm behind their sentence before she heard voice from behind.
"You can worry less Putri"
"Pandit ji"
"If you both love each other then no one in this world can separate you from each other. The only thing that made everyone sad is that we couldn't get to see you getting married-"
"It is-"
"-but no worries cause as long as you are happy, we all are too. Just remember us when you go to in-laws house"
The said daughter felt herself getting overwhelmed by the turmoil or emotions that is coming from their care for her, their love for her, their trust in her and the guilt she has, the lie she said, the deceiving she did with them, these are only making her throat twist and chest tighten as she nods, feeling a year slide down her eyes but ignored with while saying "what are you even saying? Of course I will remember you all" with a guilt full but fake happiness smile which luckily pandit ji didn't noticed due to the veil.
IN THE EVENING
The atmosphere by he evening became completely chaotic with sounds of children laughters, elders talk and chuckles, women's praying and rustle of trees by brittle breeze as a passaggio voice whispers into the air "I have to go soon otherwise Jyeshthshree will make weapon out of me" until sounds of anklets took its attention.
"Rajkumari Hidimba"
"Rajkumar........" Hidimba light nodded, acknowledging the silent greeting behind the confused yet concern full acknowledgement of her sudden presence.
They both stood still at the riverbank, staring at the calm flow of river before Hidimba gulped, glancing towards the man beside her. There is no denying that all he royals have a look that screams royalty and that's what make them different from others and infact there are almost to no such royal men that does not know warriorship giving them a good sturdy and muscular physique but that's not what that is keeping her attention to his man. He reason here is the fact that this man helped her without asking for anything in return, without giving a second thought, without asking any question to her, he just helped her and is still doing it even though it is only making his life's everyone moment of right now, terrible but he is doing it............
"Rajkumar"
"Ji-"
"Few months ago, I met a man-
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YOU ARE READING
MIRAGE OF HEARTSTRINGS
Historical FictionIn the shadow of a legendary feud, where ancient rivalries simmer, a hidden truth awaits. Beneath the surface of animosity and pride, a tangles web of emotions threatens to upend the fate of sworn enemies. As the winds of destiny sweep them towards...