DHRUV:

As Ashwatara's shimmering palanquin disappeared round the corner, I turned back to see mother talking to Rani Dharma.

I looked around impatiently but father was nowhere to be seen.

"Err Krishna!" I called out.

"Yeah?!" He asked, panting from hurrying somewhere.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes." He said quickly.

"Um - have you seen father anywhere?"

"Yes! He's just over there. Have you seen mother?" He asked me quickly.

"Yeah - she's there." I said quickly.

"Thanks." I patted his shoulder and we both started in opposite directions.

"Father!" I stopped in front of him as he was deeply engaged in a conversation.

"Wait a minute." He turned back to talk.

"Err father - I think .... m-mother's l-looking for you, I think." I said hoping he would talk to her.

His eyes widened. "Oh of course! I need to talk to her." He patted my shoulder and I sighed in relief.

KRISHNA POV:

"Um... mother - I think father was asking for you. I don't know why but he was saying he wanted to talk to you." I said quickly.

"Ohh... alright." She nodded and went off inside.

I smiled secretly.

KAURVAKI'S POV:

I hung around the inside hall, trying to find Ashok. Just then, his walking figure on the opposite side caught my eye.

"Ashok!" I called out to him.

"Ahh! There you are." He grinned.

"Yeah... um - I was looking for you." I looked down at my fingers twiddling with the frayed fabric of my dupatta.

"So was I actually, well -"

"I wanted to..." we chimed together.

We paused and broke into a giggle.

"I needed to...." we said at the exact same time again!

"Okay you first." Ashok smiled.

"No - you first." I said stubbornly.

"Err - I don't know how to start this but, I think our kids are now growing up and..."

My eyes lit up.

"Go on...." I urged him.

"So - I was thinking maybe.... maybe we should have a bride in mind." He looked at me as if he was talking to a teacher.

I tried hard not to burst out smiling in excitement.

"And, who have you thought of for our son?"

"Rukhsana..." he said quietly.

I couldn't resist showing my pair of pearly whites this time.

"It's such a co-incidence that I was about to mention her too!"

"Really?" He chuckled.

"Really." I nodded.

"Right, I'll go and inform Krishna straight away. He was much awaiting your response."
Ashok hugged me quickly.

My smile twitched and faded.

"Err - Krishna?" I giggled uneasily like he had cracked a joke.

He nodded. "I can see love for each other in their eyes, Kaurvaki."

My legs almost finished with standing up and I felt the ground beneath them move although my head was spinning like crazy. I gulped, not meeting his gaze and turned round with a sickening face.

"Kaurvaki? Are you all right?!" Ashok said quickly, arching his eyebrows and resting his hands on my face.

"You've gone .... pale." He stated worryingly.

I tried to give a decent smile. "N-no... I'm just-"

"Shocked?" He said.

"Y-yes..." I stared over his shoulder into the far distance.

"If you feel unwell again then...."

"I won't." I said quickly, trying to rid the sore, painful lump that had formed in my throat. My voice came out croaky.

An image of Dhruv smiling innocently came into my eyes as I turned to walk away, fixing my gaze on an object with tear brimming eyes.

I had to grip the right railing of the stairs as I plonked myself onto each step with a heavy heart.

"Kaurvaki dear?" A voice sounded.

I quickly blinked back the tears.

"Oh - h...hello Rani Maa. What brings you here at this hour of night?" I said, trying not to let my broken feelings show.

She stared at me with a confused smile. "Why are your cheeks red?" She observed.

"Oh it's nothing. Just the - heat." I said ironically, even though the cold air almost blew off the curtain fabric next to us.

"Well, take good care of yourself. The wedding has been exhausting. You need a rest."

"You're right. I need a rest." I said, staring at the carpet.

"Goodn-" she began, but I walked off, not looking at where I was going.

"Mother!" The sudden thump against Dhruv made me jump out of my trance.

I gulped.

"What did father say, mother?" He asked me intriguingly. "Did he say yes?"

I met his anticipating eyes and tried not to let a tear slip down.

I turned away. "Dhruv, why are you still awake? Go to bed."

"But - moth..."

"NOW." I said quickly.

He gave up and went away and I felt my knees giving way as soon as I reached my bedroom.

I locked the door with shaking fingers and sunk down to the foot of the door, sobbing into my lap.

What would I tell Dhruv?

I lifted my damp face and tucked the messy hair strands behind my hair.

No. I would never let my son sacrifice his first love just because of a - of a burden that has been placed on me.

Dhruv loves Rukhsana, and I'm sure she does too. I will never let her son take away mine from his desires.

RUKHSANA'S POV:

"Why aren't you married yet?" Padma asked me, making everyone giggle.

"Maybe because I haven't found the perfect one for me yet." I replied bluntly, walking over to the window.

"Well - who is your perfect match then?" They asked from the bed.

"Someone who cares for me more than their pride." I began, looking dreamily at the moon shimmering outside in the dark sky, which was like a dark velvety blanket rolling across.

"Someone who makes me smile no matter how glum I am." My hands wrapped around a candle which was almost about to blow out.

"And...." my eyes raised to the window sill.

"Someone who falls easily for my tricks." I blushed.

"Hmm... then you must be talking about Prince Dhruv." Padma started mischievously. I knew she had always fancied him.

"No. I mean his brother......" I tilted my head to the side and said disbelievingly, like she had cracked a joke.

My mouth fell at what I had said as i saw the faces of my friends gleam with joy when I revealed an admiration which I wouldn't ever admit to.

"I mean -"

"Krishna! That's who you mean!" They all sang with joy.

I blushed and shook my head in disbelief, running out of the room.

"Oh god." I stopped in front of a pillar and felt so embarrassed, although a naughty chuckle slipped out unknowingly.