𝐀𝐧𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐚 : 𝐸𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐷𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠

~🥀 Sin & Swirl 🥀~

💗

The golden hour of dusk had bathed the courtyard of Aryawrat’s royal palace in a warm, honeyed glow. The towering sandstone fortress loomed with majestic symmetry, its intricately carved balconies and jharokhas lit with hundreds of diyas, casting a flickering orange hue over every inch of stone. Women from the royal family and noble clans lined the upper galleries and cushioned seating areas below, draped in vibrant lehengas and veils of crimson, marigold, and ivory. The scent of incense and burning sandalwood filled the air, mingling with the soft chime of ghungroos echoing across the open courtyard. Fire torches stood tall on marble pedestals, encircling the courtyard where dozens of women spun in sync to the rhythm of the traditional ghoomar, their swirling skirts blooming like marigolds under the twilight sky.

(Ghoomar ramvane aap padharo saa)

Haseena stepped down the sandstone stairs with quiet grace, her maroon lehenga shimmering under the soft torchlight. A veil rested lightly over her head, held by one hand, while the other moved in rhythm. Her gaze stayed lowered, her expression unreadable. The soft chime of her anklets and bangles filled the air, creating a rhythm of their own. Behind her, her dance companions followed in perfect harmony. The women of the palace watched from above, while in the center of the courtyard, Anubhav stood still his eyes fixed only on her.

(Aavo ji aavo ji Ghoomardi khelba ne
Padharo sa Ghoomardi khelba ne
Balam tharo gurar gurar guraave
Aaj mharo jivdo ghano hichkaave
O ghabraave mann mein bhaave
Mharo badilo bhanwar mann bhaave
Chamak cham baaje payal baaje
Baaisa khel..)

The rhythm deepened as the dance began. The girls balanced flaming pots atop their heads, twirling gracefully, the fire flickering with every spin. Their lehengas flared like blooming flowers, steps echoing in unison against the stone courtyard.

Haseena stepped into the center calm, regal, composed. The flames reflected in her deeply kohl-lined eyes as she joined her hands in pranam, leaning slightly forward in a graceful gesture of respect. Her gaze briefly met Rajmata Vaibhavi’s, then Maharani Jhanvi’s… before locking onto Anubhav.

He stood still, unreadable, but the moment her hands folded, he mirrored the gesture back his hazel eyes never leaving hers. Rajmata and Jhanvi followed in unison, returning the greeting.

Then, slowly, all took their seats.

(Chhamak chhamak ghunghra baaje
Aao sa ghoomardi khelba ne
Aao sa ghoomardi khelba ne)

The clinking of anklets echoed like a delicate storm as the rhythm intensified.

Forming a perfect semicircle around her, the other dancers moved in harmony spinning, swaying, creating a vibrant frame for their queen. Their lehengas flared with every step, ghunghroos ringing in unison, while the fire pots on their heads cast dancing shadows on the sandstone walls.

In the center, Haseena stood still for a fleeting moment her presence alone commanding the space, the very air around her shifting with anticipation.

(Kanak preet ki sar pe odh kar
Ghoomar ghoomar ghoome
Haan ghoomar ghoomar ghoome
O ralak reet sab jag ki chod kar
Ghoomar ghoomar ghoome bharke..)

Haseena twirled into motion, the layers of her lehenga blooming like a lotus in full grace.
With each turn, her anklets chimed in rhythm, her bangles shimmered, and the soft rustle of her dupatta echoed through the royal courtyard.

She moved like poetry fluid, poised, and regal.
There was no hesitation in her steps now only acceptance, only command.
The queen had begun her Ghoomar… and the earth beneath seemed to sway with her.