The Two Kingdoms (Completed)

49.

Meera had left Agra the next day an hour before the sun had come out.
She hadn't left a goodbye note for Ammi jaan or Abhishek or Avantika, she wanted no tied back to Agra.

Hania and Jamila had at once told her that they would leave the place with her, Meera had refused their company. She wasn't cruel to uproot their lives back in Agra for her own selfishness.

"I'm an orphan Malika, you are the only family I have." Hania had said, "you can't separate me from yourself."

Jamila too had been persistent to come along with the two however Meera refused and told her she would write to her and whenever Jamila missed Meera too much she could always visit Meera.

Hania and Meera had traveled for 18 long days and reached the kingdom of Bundelkhand. Her brother was her last hope.

"Your kingdom is pretty Malika." Hania said looking around in awe.

"It is." Meera said with a small smile.
"Do you remember when you  first met me?"

"I do, how could I ever forget Malika."

"When was it ?"

"I had brought you food in the tents a few kilometres from here somewhere." Hania said and smiled at the memory. "I was so glad that i had been chosen to serve you, they said you were so beautiful, just like the petals of rose, delicate."

"Do you remember what you called me first ?"

"Rajkumari Sahiba ?"

"Yes, I'm no longer your queen Hania, you don't have to-."

"So should i call you Rajkumari Meera again ?"

"Well you can but I'd prefer Meera."

"Okay then lets settle for Meera baaji ." Hania said with a wide smile and Meera laughed.

Their carriage had entered the east gate of the palace, where the royal family lived.
Meera was happy to be home but her heart beat went erratic, she knew her brothers would fight for her,  but would her father accept her again ? Would he believe her ?

The doors of the carriage were opened and small makeshift stairs were place to help her get down. Hania quickly scrambled off the carriage and extended her hand for Meera to take and ascend down.

Meera took Hania's help and got down slowly.
As she steadied herself on ground she looked up to see so many familiar faces.

Her brothers, her sister-in-law, her companions back at home, their prime minister, the all had assembled to welcome their daughter home.

"Samar Bhaisa." Meera rushed to her brother and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"How are you my doll ?" He said in a hoarse voice trying to control his emotions.

"Better now that I'm home." She said holding on to him like her life depended on it.

"Good." He  kissed her head.

"Bhaisa will you not give me a chance to meet Meera didi, she is my sister as well." Aaryan complained making Samar and Meera laugh a little.

"Of course you can meet me. Look at you, you have grown up do much." She said holding him by his arm.

"Of course I've been training hard since you have gone." He said wrapping his muscular arms around Meera's petite frame, his eyes reflected pain. Aaryan had blamed himself for his sister been taken away by the Mughal king just like Samar had.