Love and Redemption

Chapter 53

Tired Aparajita sighed as she reached the heart of the forest. Sitting on the bank of stream, she smiled as she reminisced her conversation with the prince last time looking at the giant banyan tree. Since there was no one in the forest, the little girl inside Aparajita chirped looking at the water rippling peacefully in the lap of nature.

Desires to feel the cool and calm waters pooled up inside her but she knew someone was coming to meet her and hence, taking a bath in the stream was indeed, forbidden.

Ultimately she allowed her feet to feel the serene waters that rippled in the stream. This peaceful spot in the forest was indeed, her favorite, she thought as she closed her eyes drifting in her own world.

Veerbhadra, on the other hand, had finally reached the forest. He appreciated his idea of coming to Vijaygarh in a bullock cart after all, he was less tired. His main reason of avoiding a horse ride was that he had to bring his bow and quiver of arrows for the hunting expedition. Bullock cart made sure that his weapons were hidden from the royal guards at the entrance of Vijaygarh.

Veerbhadra smiled goofily as he saw a celestial woman sitting beside the stream as soon as he reached the most peaceful spot in the forest. Blood rushed to his cheeks as he admired the gorgeous beauty of the queen clad in a green hunting dress. Slowly he went towards her careful enough to avoid making any noise as he did not want to disturb Aparajita who was lost in her own thoughts.

As soon as the prince sat down beside the queen dipping his feet in the water, Aparajita got startled and opened her chocolate brown eyes. Creases on her forehead disappeared and her facial features softened as she saw the intruder was no one but her friend, Veer.

“I am glad you came, queen”, Yuvraj Veerbhadra Singh Rajput said in a husky voice looking in chocolate brown eyes of the queen trying to search emotions in her eyes.

Controlling the butterflies that erupted in her stomach as she heard his raspy voice, the queen gave him a tight-lipped smile and answered, “My not-so-secret admirer had invited me on hunting expedition so I thought of granting him his wish”.

Veerbhadra was truly taken back by the witty and bold response of the Rathore queen. He could not help but chuckle as he said in an equally challenging tone, “I am still your secret admirer, my queen. After all, you cannot reveal that you are meeting me.”

Remembering the conversation with her father, Aparajita smirked at him, as she said, “Who is there to stop me to meet you or anyone, prince?”

Veerbhadra wondered what she had eaten in the morning that turned his innocent goldfish into a bold shark. Fumbling to find words, he said tactfully, “Aparajita, who would approve you meeting your rival?” as he tried to probe her mind. He felt happy as he realized it was his turn to smirk for now.

“O! Innocent Prince, why does a queen need approval to meet her rivals or friends?” said Aparajita with newly found confidence mocking at the prince who looked at her with shock in his hazel green eyes.

She was not afraid anymore about what would people think of her as she realized she was her father’s pride who would surely understand her and that was all, she needed. She had realized she was not committing any incorrigible crime and she was no less than her male counterparts. Her father’s words had truly boosted her confidence and lessened her fear of meeting a prince all alone in the forest.

Veerbhadra was taken aback for once. Quickly composing himself, the prince said, “Your actions in past tell something else, Aparajita.”

Aparajita smiled at him as she said, “Veer, my father told me today that I can find a groom for myself so now how can I hesitate in meeting my rival or friend?”

Veerbhadra nodded in affirmation as he felt proud of the old king, Maharaja Vijay Singh Rathore who was advocating women empowerment in the royal families in true sense.

He smiled as he said, “Trust me Aparajita, I will be your true friend”, but his eyes chose to betray him. The prince of Shivgarh, for the first time lacked courage to look into the eyes of the lady who sat beside him.

“Says the one who called himself my rival”, Aparajita said as she scoffed looking at him. Her tone was laced with mockery and annoyance.

Veerbhadra wanted to slap himself for using the word ‘rival’. Scratching the back of his neck, Veerbhadra tried to find a response. Smirking at the queen, he said, “I wanted to know what the queen thinks of me”.

Winking at her, he spoke in his raspy voice, “I wanted to clear if the queen is my true friend or feigning to be one.”

Maharani Aparajita Singh Rathore lost her cool for once. Glaring at the prince angrily, she said, “Yuvraj Veerbhadra Singh Rajput, Rathores don’t need to feign.”

Raging in anger, the queen roared, “I am Maharani Aparajita Singh Rathore and I would have slashed your neck in this same forest when I killed the dacoits months ago if I wanted to continue animosity with you and your kingdom, Yuvraj Veerbhadra Singh Rajput”, and unknowingly Veerbhadra flinched as he gulped an unfamiliar fear building up inside him.

“Dear queen, I was just joking. Calm down.” Veerbhadra said as Aparajita looked at him cluelessly. She wanted to be angry but her anger vanished listening to his soothing words.

Taking a deep breath, the prince said, “I am a friend and I shall remain a true friend to you”, while his mind was clouded with a plethora of thoughts.

They both sat in silence for a while. The queen wanted to go away from him but her body seemed to be glued near Veer, the handsome prince who was sitting beside her. She truly enjoyed his company for some unknown reasons.

Contemplating whether he was doing a right thing or not, Veerbhadra could not help but question the queen, “Aparajita, what if someday someone tells you that am a rival disguised as a friend”.

The prince wanted to know her views, her stand as he was truly taken aback by the anger of the queen. He wondered how she would react if she would get to know the truth.

Maintaining her composure and giving the best smile she could give, Aparajita said in a calm yet enraged tone, “Yuvraj Veerbhadra Singh Rajput, if I ever find out that you are trying to backstab me in the name of friendship, or infatuation, trust me, I have power to decimate you, your power and your kingdom. I will keep you alive so that you can witness your downfall and I will make sure that you could not stand up again”.

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