I was staring out of the window when I heard a slight grunting noise coming from behind me.

I turned round to see what it was and to my surprise, Ahankara had gained consciousness and was narrowing her eyes amidst the brightly lit room with natural candlelight.

I sat beside her, quickly pouring a glass of water and pressing it to her lips.

She hesitated and denied it.

I pushed it deeper, more firmly and this time she agreed, sipping it obediently.

She coughed after a while and I took the vessel out of her mouth.

I got up to go as her awakened face gave me reassurance, but I felt a tight grip around my wrist.

I looked back unsurely.

Ahankara was sitting up in bed, looking rather pale but stared at me solemnly through her wide eyes.

I broke eye contact and came nearer the bed, trying to avoid her gaze.

"Thanks." She said, barely above a whisper.

I smiled for a nano second and returned back to my stern face, turning to go.

"I mean it." She grabbed my wrist again.

This time, I turned round completely, facing her with confidence.

"No, count it as a favour." I replied quietly, resuming my work of crushing some herbs and placing them in a bowl.

"How can I? After all, you're family."

I looked up, stopping my movements.

"Yes of course, belonging to the same husband indeed makes us 'family' doesn't it? I started.

All she did was smile faintly.

"Yes. It does. Our heart beats for the same person. We have something in common."

I smirked sarcastically and got back to work.

"You have permission to stay here until you feel better. Take advantage of the family environment, who knows whether you'll receive it again or not." I taunted.

She lowered her gaze and stared at her weak hands.

"I'm spending time with my family anyway. Even at this second."

I got up surprisingly.

"You count me as your family don't you? Yeah? Well, the truth is bitter and - I'm afraid you have no-one here except for Ashok. They're after you, Ahankara. They won't leave you in peace. Rani Dharma, the most kindest woman. She isn't on your side. She can't defend you. You're exposed." I blurted out, my voice shaking uncontrollably.

She began calmly. "It's not about sides. It's about the feelings we have towards ea...."

"What feelings? Feelings that don't even matter?" I shouted in a high pitched voice.

She stared at me in sorrow.

I calmed down slightly, exhaling deeply.

"No one cares about your feeling here in Magadh. You're exposed to the cruelty of Magadh. And I'm afraid it remains like that until death. You'll have to be strong enough to bear the consequences, the curses and injustice you receive from people. I'm sorry." I trailed off, wiping a tear off the side of my eye.

She tried to get up but she screamed so suddenly that I dropped the bowl and went over to her, offering a hand.

She gazed at me thankfully.

"I like people who care for me. I'm sorry. I can't resist thanking your help. I know you don't like me, but I like you. You're a nice person." She said with a smile.

I looked at her in surprise and felt touched by her words.

"Sukanya, look after her." I ordered my maid.

I left her, feeling sympathetic.

My feet stopped directly in front of Rani Dharma's room.

"Rani Dharma?" I knocked.

The door opened and she looked up at me, trying to smile.

"Come in, Kaurvaki."

I entered her room, looking around at the beautiful array for clothes she had stitched for my child.

"Wow!" A smile crept up on my face and she grinned at me surprised face.

All my worries seemed to be sulked out as soon as I saw these cute little outfits.

"Haha, I knew you would like them." She said with excitement. "Now keep on resting and don't move around too much. You're in your ninth month, I don't want anything to go wrong at this stage, alright?" She said sternly.

"Yes Rani maa!" I said lazily.

"Hmm, what did I just say?" She asked me, as I began to walk around the room, bending over to have a closer look at the objects scattered around.

I bit my lip.

"Oops!"

The door knocked and Maharani entered without our agreeable permission. After all, she was the high queen of the court.

Our smiles vanished and the never ending trail of worries re-appeared.

"I've stitched the robes, I just need to tie the loose ends together." Rani Dharma said quietly.

Maharani narrowed her eyes with a cold smile.

"No no, Dharma. That's not what I'm here for. In fact, I'm here to wish Kaurvaki good luck." She turned to me and showed me her pair of pearly whites.

"But - what for?" I asked her confusingly.

"For your delivery of course!" Maharani said in surprise.

"From now?"

"9 months will pass like a second. And anyway, I may not be there before hand to wish you, so I'm wishing you now. Otherwise you'll say your elder mother never gave you well wishes..." she scowled.

I see, that's what she's so worried about.

"Hmm, thanks very much Maharani. But my values teach me that sometimes silence carries far more effective words than spoken words. Maybe - that could be the case?" I shaded her.

She straightened up and frowned even more.

"Anyways, tell the maid to prepare my palanquin. Me and Sushim are going on a royal visit to Trishankhet. We may be back by next week."

She scowled more obviously this time and left, pivoting on her heel proudly and getting her pride back again.

"Why is she going to Trishankhet?" I asked Rani Dharma.

"Probably to spread good news about her son's crowning. Politics is very important. I hope they do win the votes from the locals." She sighed.

"I wonder if they're going to make themselves appear good or make others appear.... bad...?!" I muttered under my breath.

"Pardon?"

"Nothing."

"Alright then, back to your room. Oh wait - Ahankara's there. Stay here. Stay with me." Rani Dharma suggested.

"She's taken your room, your husband - what more...?" Rani Dharma arched her eyebrows while folding the clothes in her hands. She shook her head in disappointment.

Our eyes locked for a second and we burst out laughing.

"Oh God...." our hysterical laughing faded and we trailed off on an emotional note.

"It's true though. Never be kind too anyone. That kindness reflects off into the pond." I sighed with a shaky voice.

Rani Dharma pondered upon my thoughts.

Never be too kind to anyone. That kindness reflects into the pond.....