Chrysalis

7

The overwhelming joy and chaos adorned the royal court of Mayurmukhi. The ministers of ranks high and low were equally satisfied that their kingdom was begetting a strong ally. There was an assurance of safety in everyone's mind, all at the cost of Tara's happiness. Not that she was unhappy but she hadn't sketched her life the way it was turning out to be.

Her brief encounter with her would-be husband was a short affair, unabashedly guarded by her own ice-walls. The greater part of her heart twirled in victory for her so-called hushed plannings would soon gain prominence. The sour hatred which she had borne in her shoulders would attain it's reprisal.

The living corpse of her brother lay unbothered in a quiet chamber. Her eyes darted to his chamber. The bitter-sweet memories of two mischievious siblings swam through the back of her head. She always used to complain how her brother, Utkarsh quarelled with each and every thing of hers. Suddenly, after that dreadful eve, Utkarsh had no way other than to listen to her endless monologues and the intermittent sobs.

The royal physicians had opined to let her free of his soul from his immobile corpse, but the guilt of killing her own brother would've been too much to bear for her. She knew that was a better option though.

The grand priest was busy matching their birth horoscopes. Rajmata Damini and Lady Sirsha deeply concentrated at the predictions made by him. She knew well, Mahamantri Sukhrai would never mind even if their horoscopes didn't match. Afterall protecting the limit lines of the kingdom was more significant than matching the lines and squares on their horoscopes.

Abhimanyu greatly admired the luscious flower garlands which accentuated the charm of the court. He nodded at times when Revant narrated how the Mughal army conquered the fortress at the North of Rajputana. Revant and he always shared a cordial relation, more than two mere cousins. Revant, being the military Commander of the whole battalion of Indrapuri, had always been Abhimanyu's right hand. Although Dhiraj gave him good company but his nonchalant way of life always bored Abhimanyu.

Between all words, his eyes would rest on hers till they both get heavily aware of their surroundings and continue in their own unmarried sea of thoughts.

Breaking the tensed silence, the grand priest merrily declared that the birth horoscopes were matched and the knot would be tied on the Poornima (full moon) of the forthcoming month. Congratulatory hugs were given and received from both the sides. Rajmata Damini tied a golden pendant around Tara's neck as a token of blessing, which she humbly accepted.

The royal and delegates had retired to their chambers after the afternoon meal. Tara moved towards the library following her routine.

"Tara, why don't you show Maharaj your library?" Lady Sirsha stopped her, to which Rajmata Damini passed a knowing smile. She wanted to roll her eyes, but restrained herself from doing so. 

Abhimanyu was more than willing to join her. Although he felt no romance for her, that didn't mean he hated her. Her usual aura had buried a keen interest in him.

They walked by the corridor in the quietest way possible, both overly aware not to interrupt the other.

Abhimanyu composed himself though he grew restless to break the uncomforting silence between them. Why it was always on him to start a conversation? Does she lack the decency of making a guest feel at home? He thought.

Much to his surprise, her deep and soft voice rung in his ears. "Here we are." She said pointing at the closed door. She thrusted the brown metal doors as he took in the sight of the neatly arranged shelves of innumerable books.

Soon the conversation flourished between them. Both realised their common love for books. He was impressed how beautifully she had by-hearted the world history, battles won and lost by the greatest of the warriors on Earth.

He, too had narrated his collection of swords, daggers and bows. She had been a keen listener to each of his musings with equal amount of enthusiasm.

Incidentally, a number of times their fingers had brushed for a piddling stint. Much to both of their reluctance, they had enjoyed it awhile.

"Do you think the shepherds of Arab....."  An intense chill ran through her spine, as he tucked the loose strand behind her right ear. Submitting to her absolute dismay, his warm touch kept resonating every fibre of her being. A touch so gentle as if a dew trickled down a green blade of grass.

It was an urgency for him to set aside the wild lock away her serene face. It was involuntary in a nutshell. He was bewildered when she choked in her own words. The very next while he was proud enough to feel how puzzled he made her; the effect of him on her was indeed undeniable.

"So, where was I?" She stammered, blinking cluelessly. A hue of ripe vermillion heated her face, not going unnoticed by him.

'In my heart'. His eyes sparkled at her shy gesture. Of course, this audacity of his heart were far from being uttered through his tongue.

Abhimanyu needed no explanation, thereafter. He knew he was in.....love.