Parivara: Story of a Family

22 : Broken

Again, Aditi had been hiding away and avoiding Vishu. She didn't know how long it would be before her thoughts and desires consumed her, and she knew she couldn't let that happen with him. She kept herself busy with studying and training, going through the tiresome lessons her mother put her through. She used to hate the singing and sewing lessons, but now they were happy distractions. Meanwhile, Payal used to love these lessons and would always be present and be the best at everything. But now, it seemed the two sisters had reversed their roles and the elder one was never in class anymore.

For once, however, both sisters were present to practice their sewing together for an hour. Aditi said as they sat down to begin, "I haven't seen you at lessons for a while. Have you been ill?"

"No, just busy with other things." Payal smiled as she prepared her sewing needle. "Have you actually been going to your lessons?"

"It turns out I'm not so busy with other things anymore," Aditi replied, feeling awkward. Sometimes she felt as if everyone knew about her and Vishu, and they were all just waiting for her to blurt it out. But she hadn't spoken to Payal in days, she couldn't know anything. "How've you been, sister?"

"Fine," Payal responded, though of course she'd been more than fine. She and Abhay spent almost all their time together, and Divya hadn't shown her face around the castle since Payal confronted her. It made Payal feel as if the world was finally working the way it should. "And you?"

"Fine," Aditi replied, though of course she was not fine. But the sisters said no more as they continued sewing and stitching. When their hour was up, the sisters stood and walked out of the room together, to find Abhay leaning against one pillar outside while Vishu was leaning against another. Payal happily sauntered over to Abhay, while Aditi tried to walk away before Vishu noticed, but was caught anyway.

"Aditi!" Vishu called, catching up to her. "I was waiting for you, didn't you see me?"

"No," Aditi lied.

"Aditi, don't lie to me." Vishu said, grabbing hold of her arm and turning her to face him. They both stopped walking and Aditi was forced to look at him. He looked alright, a little unhappy maybe but not too sad. He still didn't realize how serious she was. "Rakesh left this morning, to go to the province we've been working on. I've been instructed to go later tonight, with the rest of our men. I don't know how long I'll be gone."

"Oh," was all Aditi could muster. On the inside,
she was panicking, a million questions going through her mind. Was Vishu going to fight? Would he be alright? When will he return? It wouldn't go on for more than a week or so, would it?

"Yes," Vishu responded slowly. He slid his hand down her arm and took her hand in his. "I thought maybe we could spend the day together, so I could say goodbye to you before I left. We could go on a picnic?"

There was nothing Aditi wanted more. Except maybe to kiss him and hold him before she had to let him go off on an expedition with unanswered questions. But she had seen it in his face, his ignorance of how serious she was. He still didn't understand that once she had said they had to end their relationship, she had really meant it. There was no way they could go on a picnic, no way she could ever hold or kiss him again, and no way they could ever be together. He still didn't believe her when she said that, and she realized there was only one way she could make him believe her. She had to break his heart.

"Vishu, I've already told you before. There is no 'we.'" She began, keeping her voice strong though she felt the weakest she'd ever been. "There is only me, and then you. I'm a princess, and one day I will marry a king and become a queen. I will help rule a nation, and give birth to princes. You... you're just my father's servant boy. There is no room for you in my life now, or in my future." Aditi slipped her hand out of his and walked away, never looking back to see the pain in his face. She had forgotten that in order to break his heart, she'd have to break her own as well.

***

"Hello," Abhay held an arm out and Payal took it, smiling as she said hello back. They began strolling through the open halls, the sun shining through the pillars and warming them.

Payal rested her head against his shoulder and said, "How was business?"

"Tiresome, but well. I have to figure out how to rearrange my taxes again." Abhay sighed as they entered his chambers. Payal went over to his desk and picked up the papers on top. She looked them over for a minute, then put them back down on the desk. Abhay watched as she took a pen and crossed out some numbers, writing in new ones. She presented the papers to Abhay who only had to look them over for a second before turning to her and saying, "Are you some sort of genius?"

Payal giggled as Abhay placed the papers back onto the table and leaned her against it. He kissed her lips slowly, running his hands up and down her arms. He moved to start kissing a pattern on her neck, Payal throwing her head back a little to give him more access. "Don't you have any patience? Why don't we wait till tonight?"

"I don't know if I'll have time to visit you tonight," Abhay answered between kisses. "I still have some business. And tomorrow night as well. I also have to reserve one night for Divya."

"What?" Payal asked, thrown out of her pleasure. But Abhay just kept kissing her neck as he responded, completely unaware of her sudden stiff demeanor.

"I haven't visited her bedchambers in a while. I need to talk to her, and we need to spend a night together. We still have the duty of delivering an heir."

He still kept kissing her, though Payal could enjoy it no more. She realized she hadn't won. She was the mistress, Divya was still the wife and queen. She was still second choice. Only second best.

And Payal's world crashed around her.