Parivara: Story of a Family

6 : Release

Warning: Mature Content

Divya prepared for that evening's party, pinning her hair back prettily. She always had to look pretty; otherwise she wasn't any good to her husband. That's all Abhay needed her for: looking pretty and birthing heirs. But she was failing in one of those standards.

Divya stopped pinning her hair, her fingers frozen in the strands of dark tresses. She slowly put her hands in front of her on the dresser and closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. Every time she thought of having children, her body seemed to go on some sort of panic mode. She opened her eyes and stared at her reflection; hair was luxurious, eyes were enchanting, not a single flaw in her gown or appearance. She always looked right, entertained guests right, but the most important thing she was to do she failed at.

Divya took another deep breath, then stood and patted herself down once more. Satisfied that her dress and everything else was perfect, she made her way out of her room.

She waited outside with her guards until Abhay appeared with his to escort her. He held his arm out without looking at her and she took it ruefully. She tried to remember if there had ever been a moment where the two of them loved each other, but it was no use. Abhay was incapable of love.

"Any news of a pregnancy?" Abhay asked apathetically. Divya's muscles tightened and her body shook a little nervously.

"No. Could you be patient, please? The last time we tried was only a month ago, I won't know anything just yet."

"I have been patient." Abhay stopped and turned vengeful eyes onto her. "I have been patient for three years now. Surely you understand why my patience wears thin now?"

Divya shrank under his glare and almost had to pull him so they could keep walking. She hated arguing in front of guards, but it didn't matter anymore. Everyone at their palace knew the king and queen hated each other.

They finally reached the dining hall and were announced in with great fanfare and pomp. After the general greetings, they thankfully let go of each other so Divya could join the ladies while Abhay went to sit at the head of the hall.

Divya's father approached him with a smile on his face. He bowed to Abhay, then said, "My daughter Payal has put together a song and dance in honor of you and this party. Would you like to see it?"

Abhay simply nodded as Payal took her place in the center of the hall. She began the dance, a traditional Bharatnatyam number, with high energy and intricate moves. Along with the dance, she sang a variation of the lullaby Abhay had caught her singing earlier, though this was a version with a higher tempo. Abhay was entranced, watching her circle around the room, twirling, jumping, and swaying as she sang the beautiful melody. When the song finished, Payal stopped and held Abhay's gaze, not flinching under his stern eyes. She slowly lifted a hand as in greeting. Abhay nodded in return, unable to concentrate on a single thought. Payal gave the same smirk she had given him earlier that day when he had found her singing, and sauntered out of the hall. Abhay could not help but be entranced by her retreating form, and had to remind himself of who he was. A king, who had to be strong in front of subjects. Even so, he could feel his resolve slowly begin to crumble.

***

Divya clapped along with everyone else after Payal's performance. Oh, Payal; she hadn't changed at all. Always putting on a spectacle so she could be in attention.

Divya went back to the familiar motions of greeting and chatting. It scared her sometimes how easily she could put her emotions aside and plaster a polite grin onto her face. She listened to the incessant chatter of the womenfolk, letting that feigned smile stay on her face while her mind wandered off to other things. She wasn't even sure what she was thinking about, just anything but clothes and parties and gossip.