Acceptance Is Treachery

Chapter 9

The day for Karva Chauth arrived. Nazia had been fasting for a whole month now, for Eid as well. Nazia was no longer excited for this festival. Each day, Ram was ignoring her. He always showed her the cold shoulder. This marriage was definitely not progressing. Nazia hated each day in Uttarakand. Despite having everything she needed here, she still missed Faizabad. In Faizabad she was always happy. She longed to go back to Faizabad.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Hadija. "Queen, it's time for iftar and you have not been eating properly throughout this whole month." Hadija chided the Queen. "How am I supposed to eat, when I'm not at peace? King Ram ignores me more with each passing second. I hate being here." Nazia lamented while she took the veneration platter. "I can't see you like this, Queen." Arnav commented from the entrance of the door. "Arnav. Please don't tell King Ramji. He will hate me even more, if everyone starts to blame him for my health." Queen Nazia begged. "Only if I have to, I will tell him." Arnav shook his head disapprovingly before walking to the prayer area.

Once, Nazia arrived at the prayer area she heard multiple chants from the common folk.

"All hail Queen Nazia of Uttarakhand!"

She still was not used to that title. She still regarded herself as 'Princess Nazia of Faizabad.'

Nazia walked over to her husband, who was standing directly in front of an enormous window. The light of a thousand stars illuminated on Ram's body. The light was bouncing off of his golden jewellery and his crown, making him look immensely divine. He looked like a God to Nazia. With every step she took closer to him, she reminisced about all the times her Hindu caretaker told her about the King of Uttarakhand. About his morals, virtues, values and his heart.

All of which were reflected through the immortal glow that was vibrating off of his skin. He reminded her of a deity that her caretaker told her about. However, she could not remember which deity he resembled.

Nazia reached the step at which her husband stood. The moon rose and its reflection was priceless in the vessel of the water. Nazia dipped her hands in the vessel of water. Her skin looked pale below its surface not its usual warm cream colour. Nazia fixed her gaze on where the water met the air, on the strange bend that made it seem as though her hands were in a different world beneath her.

Nazia proceeded to pick up the veneration platter and she faced Ram. However, before she circulated the platter around Ram's face, the King held onto her forearm. "What do you think you are doing?" Ram asked Nazia sternly. Nazia looked at Ram in shock. "I'm participating in the Karva Chauth Festival." Nazia replied. "You don't have to. You are not my wife. You are not my beloved. I don't love you and I can't accept you. Do you think a single festival will change my perspective about our marriage?" Ram questioned. "But, the mangalsutra?" Nazia asked controlling her tears from falling. "It means nothing. It was just a marriage of alliance." Ram replied monotonously. The entire Kingdom of Uttarakhand gasped as King Ram has never done such an action.

Nazia looked at the King who now did not resemble any divine being. Nazia had tears rolling down her face continuously, unable to utter even a single comment. This was not the same King Ramji that she had met a year ago in Faizabad. This man standing before her was a stranger to her. Nazia ran back to her prayer room with Hadija running after her yelling her name repeatedly over and over again.

The people of Uttarakhand began to disperse from the palace. The festival was cancelled.

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