Yashika The uncanny puzzle of KING[ 18+]

35- Her secret Lover

The response was thunderous, a chorus of voices rising in unison, a powerful declaration of loyalty and courage. As they prepared to march into battle, Digvijay felt Yashika's words echoing in his heart.
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The plan was set, and the soldiers stood ready to attack. Digvijay had sent Madhav as a messenger while they held their positions. Madhav, being both clever and diplomatic, knew exactly how to talk people into his schemes. Meanwhile, Ratan Singh enlisted the help of Nayantara to carry out another part of their plan: smuggling Yashika into the castle.

Nayantara took a great risk but successfully brought Yashika to her chamber. She quickly dressed Yashika in a maid's uniform, covering her head with a heavy veil.

Just as they reached the chamber, a familiar sound made Nayantara freeze—her mother's voice echoed down the corridor, her footsteps nearing. She was accompanied by several maids carrying jewelry and fresh garments.

"Nayan," her mother called out. Nayantara barely had a moment to react before her mother swept through the doors. In a flash, she tugged Yashika's veil down further, concealing her face completely.

Drops of sweat beaded on Nayantara's forehead. Her fingers trembled, and her gaze darted around the room, avoiding her mother's. Her mother paused, noticing her daughter's unusual nervousness, her suspicion growing.

"Leave these here," she commanded the maids curtly, who then filed out obediently before her mother dismissed them completely. Yashika did not dare move; her hands were clenched at her sides as if rooted to the spot.

"Are you deaf, girl? Didn't you hear what I said?" her mother demanded. Yashika gave a single, silent nod and slipped away, but rather than leaving the chamber entirely, she veered left and slipped behind the thick curtains that framed the room. There, she hid behind a large trunk filled with Nayantara's elaborate clothes, hoping to remain unseen.

Yashika crouched to hide, but as she did, her elbow hit the trunk, and pain shot up her arm. She rubbed it, wincing, when she suddenly heard a familiar cry. Her heart froze as she realized who it was.

Peeking carefully from behind the trunk, Yashika saw Nayantara's mother tightly gripping her daughter's hair, pulling so hard that her scalp was stretched. Nayantara's brows were knit in pain, her hands clutching her mother's wrist as she pleaded silently.

"I told you to change and get ready," her mother hissed, holding her even tighter. Nayantara whimpered, trying not to scream, but her mother's anger only grew. "You were nowhere to be found when I ordered you to prepare for your engagement to the King of Devgadh!"

Tears rolled down Nayantara's cheeks, a mix of pain and betrayal. Yashika's heart ached for her friend, but she knew she couldn't interfere now. One wrong move could destroy their plan and put everyone in danger. All she could do was wait.

Nayantara's mother finally released her with a shove, causing her to stumble backward. Nayantara fell to her knees, crying. "Maasa, I don't want to marry him," she begged, hands folded.

"I'm not asking you," her mother snapped, grabbing Nayantara's jaw harshly. "I am ordering you. You have no choice."

Fear flickered in Nayantara's eyes as her mother continued, "And if you try to defy me, I will have your little lover hanged before you. Remember that."

With those final, cold words, her mother left the room, leaving Nayantara shaking and heartbroken.

The moment her mother left, I rushed to Nayantara and wrapped my arms around her, hoping to give her every bit of comfort I could. Questions raced through my mind, but they could wait. Right now, she just needed someone to hold on to, someone to trust.

"Nayan, matt roiye... sab thik ho jayega. Aap bas honsla rakhiye" ("Nayan, please don't cry... everything will be fine. Just keep up your courage"), I whispered softly. Something in my words seemed to reach her, and she broke down completely, her quiet sobs turning into cries of pain and helplessness. In that moment, I saw a reflection of myself in her — the Yashika who had once been left alone, treated like nothing.

"Shh...," I murmured, hugging her tighter, rocking her gently back and forth. I held her for as long as she needed, until her sobs quieted, and she seemed a bit calmer. Then, I helped her to her bed, poured her a glass of water, and patted cool water on her cheeks to soothe her.

Sitting beside her, I took her clenched hand in mine. "Will you tell me who he is?" I asked gently. I felt her tense up at the question, but I had to know if I was going to help her.

She hesitated, then looked at me with a glimmer of hope. "Kya aap waada karti hain ye baat aap ke paas hi rahegi?" ("Do you promise to keep this to yourself?") she asked, her voice soft.

I nodded, cupping her cheek with a reassuring smile. "Waada karti hoon, mein ye baat Bhaisa se nahi kahungi, jab tak aap khud na chahen" ("I promise, I won't tell Bhaisa until you want me to").

A blush slowly replaced the sadness on her face as she tried to avoid my gaze, her cheeks turning rosy. I couldn't help but smile. "Nayan... bataiye, kya mein use jaanti hoon?" ("Nayan... tell me, do I know him?") I teased. At that, her face lit up, her smile as warm and bright as the morning sun.

My brows furrowed as I searched my memory, piecing together who might have captured Nayantara's heart. Suddenly, it struck me. "Ratan Singh!" The name tumbled out of my mouth without a second thought. The way Nayantara looked away, unable to meet my eyes, said it all. In a heartbeat, she wrapped me in a hug, as if she'd just confessed a long-held secret.

"Is it really Ratan?" I could barely contain my excitement, and her frantic nodding was all the answer I needed. I pulled back from our embrace, holding her at arm's length to see the happiness in her eyes. After a moment, I couldn't contain myself and jumped up, bringing her with me. "Nayan, I can't even tell you how happy I am!" I exclaimed, hugging her tightly once more.

"I promise, once all this is over, I'll speak to your Bhaisa myself about you and Ratan Singh's marriage." Nayantara's eyes widened in surprise and disbelief, clearly taken aback. I was treating her like my own sister, ready to advocate for her happiness, but she was also shocked at the thought of this news reaching her elder brother, who was not only her sibling but the king himself.

"Don't worry," I reassured her with a gentle smile. "I won't say anything unless you're ready. Only when you feel the time is right."....

...yes!!!! Finally secrets are coming out and a war is about to begin 💕be ready with your cozy blankets and nail biting moments 💕🙆🏽‍♀️see you all soon in next chapter