Ghungru

Who am I?

Pain was in both of their heart, one was in pain for his behaviour and one who received that out of her curiosity.

The morning was unusually bright but Shana's mind still had her doubts. 'Is it really His fault..? How can such a free fun loving nd kind person commit such sins? Or is it any misunderstanding?' Thoughts like these clouded Shana's mind.

She got out of her bed and quickly dressed up as if she was expecting Ali to come meet her. She wore a peacock blue dress and coloured her lips lightly with the colours of berries. Drew her eyes kohl nd wore very light silver.

She was braiding her hair when Shehnuba came in with some flowers in her hand. She took a glance at Shana and said,"Dear you are a court dancer here, you should dress up more to make you look like one."

Shana felt uncomfortable at her words and asked,"Pardon?"

"I mean to say abide by the post you are given to don't try to achieve more than your fate."

She indirectly meant to not dress up like a sober lady which may make others think of you as a royalty or noble. Shana understood what she meant to say.

"But I don't like wearing heavy jewels or makeup. I like to be sober and plain."

"And what if a prince took a liking for you after seeing this extraordinary behaviour of a simple 'court dancer' huh?"

"Aunt! What are you saying?! How is that possible?!"

"Ye Allah! Shana.. you can hide this from me, from yourself but you can't hide the rumours that are spreading like fire..."

After brief silence, she asked,"What rumours?"

"Bout Ali and you..." Shehnuba placed her hands on Shana's shoulder and continued,"Look dear, you are like my own daughter and I don't want you to be in any trouble. Royalties are nasty! They only know bout politics.. and falling for the crown prince.. you are just pushing yourself into a never ending harem"

Shana remained silent and Shehnuba reminded her for the last time,"Your life will be in despair if you continue this path.. you can love and marry a commoner but not the future emporer Shana.. as you are no one to him"

Shehnuba left after saying this. Shana wasn't angry on her, she knew she was just worried but it made Shana upset. She got up and went to the courtyard outside and waited for him.

After a long time he came. But there was no emotion on his face. He just briefly said,"Would you like to come to that secret garden of mine?" Shana nodded.

They didn't utter a word to each other till they arrived there. Shana remembered how he carried her up and took her to that place for the first time. She was feeling more and more distant.. that coldness in him was tearing her apart. And at a moment like this Shehnuba's words rang in her mind 'You are no one to him'

Finally they arrived there and sat on the diwans separately. After a lot of awkward silence they both broke it with a sync of words 'I'm sorry'

They both got surprised and chuckled at it. As if everything Shana was worried bout faded away.

Ali said,"I'm really sorry for last night.. I shouldn't have behaved like that"

"I'm sorry too.. but it's just that I wanted to know bout it.. there are many doubts in my hear--"

Even before Shana could complete Ali stopped her saying,"Let's better forget bout it" There was clear pain visible on his face.

Shana with a disappointed look,"But you can trust me.. I'll not judge you.."

"No I can't. I do trust you but it's something personal"

"I thought after all this time.. we trust each other with personal things also"

"Few things can't be told to anyone."

"To anyone? Or to anyone stranger?!"

"Please Shana now stop it!"

Shana was not in her right mind as Shehnuba already planted the seed of insecurity in her. She almost shouted and said,"WHY?! WHY CAN'T YOU?!"

Ali got irritated and said,"Don't test my patience. Now stop it." In a calm but demanding voice.

"NO NO NO! AFTER ALL THESE MONTHS.. ALL THESE GESTURES.. YOU ARE STILL DOING THIS?!"

"ENOUGH SHANA! YOU ARE NO ONE TO ASK ME THAT!"

Shana's mind got blank.. she couldn't process his words.. perhaps Shehnuba was right?

After a long silence she looked at his eyes and with cold eyes said,"Yes right.. who am I to you? Maybe just a 'court dancer' for your time pass.." she gave a cold smile nd turned away to leave.

Ali almost couldn't believe his ears and regretted his words he tried holding her hand to explain. But Shana didn't give him a chance and ran away.

Suddenly that bright morning was cloudy with heavy rain. That rain was enough to hide her tears too.

To be Continued...

Author's note-  Too much dramatic right? 🤣🤣🤣