As the morning chores were done and hasty preparations for this unplanned engagement were made, I settled myself down on the dressing table seat in front of the mirror.

I was happy that Ahankara would be a part of our family, but it was regretful that she would be marrying someone she didn't want to.

I knew this feeling; all those glares I gave Prince Dhiraj when he was engaged to me.... alright let's not go there.

"Kaurvaki......" Ashok came through the door with royal robes in and stopped short when he saw my languid eyelashes fluttering at him in the mirror.

He seemed mesmerized; resting a gentle hand on my shoulder as I got up slowly.

My eyes gleamed at the glisten in his eyes which sparked a light in mine.

My long brown locks winded down my face and air from the window swooped into our room, flooded with sunshine and blew through my strands.

Ashok ran a hand through my hair which made pleasure flow through my veins and I closed my eyes with a smile.

I felt his hands coming down the sides of my arms and I went closer... and closer...... and - closer.

I rested my head on his shoulder diagonally, feeling the bare coldness of his shoulder caressing my cheek.

A tear slipped down my cheek from my closed eyes.

Ashok stiffened up by the salty touch of it.

He pulled back and wiped it away slowly.

His questioning, worried look seemed to ask: "what's the matter?"

"We couldn't help Ahankara." I said shakily.

He smiled gently at my compassionateness.

"We will."

I didn't seem convinced.

"Let's go to the altar. We don't want to be late."

We headed to the altar room, with an anxious feeling, well - at least I did.

As we entered through the corner, beautiful garlands of flowers were hung around the altar and platters full of flowers placed around a ring  were resting against the different types of wrapped goods.

The atmosphere felt so complete and family-type.

The most attractive thing was however, the person sat right in the center, surrounded by dancers and courtesans all celebrating in joy of the ceremony.

Ahankara was wearing a beautiful, simple lehenga topped with heavy jewelry that glistened in the natural Sunlight, however she wasn't wearing the most beautiful ornament of all; her smile.

A hopeless, distraught expression was drawn up on her face and her dry thin lips pursed up between each other.

I went over and talked to her for a while, whereas Ashok joined in helping Sushim.

"You're looking keen today, Ashok?" Sushim taunted.

"It's my best friend's wedding you see, Rajkumar Sushim."

Sushim scowled.

"Nowadays there's jealousy all around isn't there?"

"Hmm, yeah - especially in love interests." Ashok grinned.

Sushim put on a cold, sarcastic smile at this conversation.

"May all the family members please be present at the altar." The priest called out.

Ahankara was sitting with her knees up and her hands resting gently on them.

"Today is my son's engagement - nothing should go wrong today."

The celebration began.

The priest did a few small rituals and they were asked to sit on the couple couch while courtesans and dancers all began their performances.

There was music, dance, drama and happiness - but not for our trio.

Sushim was sitting proudly, glistening in his royal robes and not even looking at his scared Wife-to-be.

How selfish.

I went and stood over at the side of the couch near Ahankara and rested a hand on her shoulder, just when I realized she was shivering; probably by the coldness of Sushim to be very frank!

Everyone suddenly stopped and made way for a servant who was carrying a platter towards us.

She bent down on her knees and Sushim plucked the ring out of its holder.

"Come on, Son." Samrat gestured him.

Sushim eyed Ahankara with a cold smile and grasped her hand up so quickly that she forgot to breathe for a second or two.

Sushim was just about to put the ring on when he saw a large bandage crossing her two fingers; one of which was the ring finger.

"Oh, what happened? How did you injure yourself before the engagement?" Maharani frowned and raised her voice.

"Calm down Maharani, Ahankara - take your right hand. Yes that's right, good. Sushim - put the ring on her finger."

Sushim's scowl turned into a glare and he thrust the ring onto Ahankara's finger.

Ouch.

I saw her skin curling up by the small ring.

"Ahankara...." I began.

She picked up the ring gently and it slipped from her fingers in fright.

Sushim got up in anger and everyone got up from their allocated seats.

"Sushim beta, sit down."

Ahankara looked angry.

"Alright, never mind - find the ring." Ashok beckoned the servant to search for the ring but it wasn't found till a long time.

Finally the ring was found but it was scratched and scarred.

Maharani rolled her eyes and sighed.

Ahankara also thrust the ring onto Sushim's finger like he did to her.

Woah. That was a good move.

I felt a smile drawing up on my face but I didn't want to seem rude so I nudged Ashok slightly who looked at me with a serious face and shook his head in disapproval slowly.

This made me instantly look down and feel serious.

"The engagement is complete." The priest announced and the dances began again.

I was sat doing patterns with some of the servants at the entrance when I saw dancers circling Ahankara.

"She's having fun isn't she?" A servant told me.

I tried to fake a smile but I witnessed a hesitancy.

I got up and bumped into Rani Dharma.

"Kaurvaki dear, please take this to Ashok."

"Yeah, I'm just...."

"Kaurvaki, come and meet the king of Southern India. "

"But... okay samrat."

"Ohh and - give this to Rani Dharma."

With all these chores I lost sight of Ahankara; she was no longer amidst the dancers and nowhere to be seen...