Siya's life in Chandipur was marked by resilience and solitude, her days consumed by nurturing the vibrant blooms of her flower shop. Abandoned at birth and haunted by the mystery of her parents' disappearance, she had grown accustomed to the whispe...
📖 "Raipur's queen, standing shoulder to shoulder with her Hukum." ﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌ ˚ ༘♡ 🪷🪕🪞🦢⋆｡˚ ❀
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The early morning air felt cool against my skin as I stepped out onto the grand terrace. The sky was still painted in shades of pink and orange, the first rays of sunlight breaking through the horizon, but I could already hear the hum of preparations below. Today was the day. My oath ceremony, my first true step into becoming the Queen of Raipur.
I felt excitement and nerves coursing through me. I had dreamt of this day, but now that it was here, my hands shook slightly as I adjusted my dark pink Sabyasachi saree. The delicate gold embroidery shimmered under the early morning light, and the elbow-length blouse hugged my arms with grace. It felt regal, fitting for the occasion, yet I couldn't shake off the nervousness settling in my chest. Maa-sa had reassured me repeatedly.
"Don't worry, Siya. Everything will be fine. Just follow your heart, and Raipur will follow you."
But despite her words, the weight of expectations sat heavily on my shoulders. This wasn't just a ceremony. It was a commitment to the people, to Adhiraj, and to myself. A promise to uphold the legacy of the Rathore family, and to protect Raipur as its Rani.
I smoothed my saree one last time, the pallu covering my head like a veil, leaving my face open to the world but without the security of pins to hold it in place. The thought struck me, nothing is held together with pins today. It's all raw, real, and exposed. A true reflection of the path I was about to walk.
With a deep breath, I stepped out, led by one of the maids. The sounds of people gathering below echoed through the halls as I made my way toward the stage. The mic was already set up, the chairs and stage prepared for what would be one of the most significant days of my life. I swallowed hard, trying to calm my nerves.
And there, at the edge of the stage, was Adhiraj. My Hukum. Dressed in a crisp white kurta paired with a black coat that fit him perfectly. His presence grounded me, the way it always did. As I walked up the steps, I felt the weight of hundreds of eyes on me. The people of Raipur had gathered to witness this moment, their queen-to-be standing before them. My steps felt slow, deliberate, and yet too quick all at once.
When I reached the top, I saw Adhiraj stretch out his hand toward me, his fingers curling slightly in a silent invitation. I hesitated for a moment, then took his hand. He gave it a gentle squeeze, his dark eyes locking with mine.
"Aapke sath hoon, Sab theek hoga,"
"I'm with you, Siya. Everything will be fine," he whispered. A shiver of relief ran through me. I couldn't find the words to respond, but I nodded, squeezing his hand back. The strength of his presence, the quiet confidence in his eyes, was enough to calm the storm inside me.
Before me, the people of Raipur sat in rows, their faces filled with hope, curiosity, and expectation. The future stretched before them, and I was to be a part of it; a key part. With my head held high, people applauding for me as I walked to the centre of the stage, standing before the mic as the sun rose behind me, casting a golden light over everything. I took a deep breath, readying myself for the oath. The words I had practiced over and over again flowed through my mind like a song but in the blink of an eyes, all words wiped from my mind, constant of nervous lurking me.
