Lavanya : The Chosen Queen [On-Hold]

Her Past : Chapter 2

"Lavanya, where have you been?" The male voice thundered, making Lavanya flinch.

"Father, why aren't you sleeping yet?" Lavanya said casually as she removed the hem of the turban covering her face and the turban from her head, letting her long braided hair fall below her waist level.

"How can I sleep peacefully when you roam around as Sanvika Devi at this time?" Lavanya's father lit some diyas (oil lamp) enlightening the entire room. His shadow cast on the wall, showing how strong and well built his figure was. His thick, black hair was hanging a little above his shoulders while his well-shaped mustache showed his glory as General of Maheswari.

"Father, why are you worrying about me? Lavanya is your sweet little daughter while Sanvika Devi is the savior of the poor." Lavanya said casually while she folded the turban well before putting it in its place.

"But both of them are you and I am worried about you Lavanya." Lavanya's father, Bhargav's voice quivered as he knew how stubborn his daughter was. No matter how hard had he tried but without her wish, she won't change herself.

"Father, don't worry about me. I am your daughter, General of Army of Maheswari's daughter." Lavanya smiled in an assuring manner. "Father, you taught me about all techniques used in wars and various types of rare fighting skills. Moreover, I do have the body strength of a male. Then why are you worrying about me? No matter what, your daughter was, is, and always will be the winner." Lavanya said with a determined voice that formed a faint smile on Bhargav's face.

"You will never grow up." Bhargav smiled. "Your mother will be so happy to see you like this. You are a girl but your entire behavior and courage are like a boy." His hand rose and gently caressed Lavanya's head. "It's already 9 pm. I think you should have dinner and take a rest. Tomorrow you have to go to offer prayers at the temple." His every word was full of affection and fatherly love.

"I know father," Lavanya replied as if she wasn't interested in going to the temple. "You should sleep now. I can take care of myself."

"But..."

"No more buts. Now go and sleep." Lavanya said like a whiny kid and took her father to his respective room. Bhargav looked at her daughter before retiring to his bed. "Good night father." She smiled and left the room.

She went to her room and changed her clothes from the men's dhoti and shirt to a simple, light-colored lehenga-vaani. Adjusting her dupatta, she went to her mirror and took a small bindi kept on her table to put it in the space between her eyes-brows so that she would look like a decent girl.

That's it. This is how Lavanya looks like. She smiled as she checked herself in the mirror and went to the kitchen to have her food. She took a bronze plate and served pulihora, stir-fried vegetables, and some mango pickle. A smile formed on her lips as the delicious aroma of pulihora reached her nose. Taking the plate of food in her hands, she went to her room so that she could enjoy her dinner in the calm, soothing moonlight.

She sat beside the huge window, allowing the moonlight to touch her face softly while the gentle breeze gazed across her face, causing a few of her locks to blow freely. She raised her head so that she could see the beautiful full moon shining gently.

"Mother, I miss you so much." Lavanya's voice trembled while a glassy layer of tears covered her eyes. She felt a lump forming at her throat upon reminiscing her sweet moments spend with her mother.

Lavanya lost her mother at the age of 6 years while protecting her from dacoits when they were returning from their grandmother's house. Since then she decided to grow up like a man so that no problem could stop her which could stop a girl. She learned war techniques as well as various types of fighting skills. But all these were kept as a secret from the entire world.