Uttara ran to her room and crashed on her bed, sobbing. She buried her head in the pillow, the pillow cover soaking her tears.
She felt hurt and insecure. She saw how close Abhimanyu is to Rati, how comfortable he is around her, but what about her?

She loved him, but does he feel the same for her? What place does she hold in his life?
These thoughts made her even more sad.
He was a Rajkumar, he can marry multiple times. He married her only because his Mata-Pita wished for him to. But now what?

Now will he marry another woman? This time by choice?
She wasn't insecure about her position. Mata Draupadi had promised her Mata that she would be the Yurani, but she was least bothered about that.

But she was insecure about her husband loving someone other than her.
If he married again, if he really loved someone else, she would feel like an outsider in her own marriage. What would she do then? Where would she stand?

'No', she thought. 'I won't come in between him and his happiness.'
But she couldn't help but feel upset. If he loved another woman, he should have told her. She wouldn't have had any hopes then.
Lost in deep thought, she fell asleep.

She was awoken by someone shaking her lightly.
"Wake up", a voice whispered in her ear.
She opened her eyes to see Abhimanyu. The sight of him, which would otherwise be the reason of joy, just caused her pain. Tears pricked her eyes, but she didn't dare to cry.

"What?", she spoke harshly.
Abhimanyu was taken aback by her.
"I brought you dinner", he said, placing the plate between them.
"I missed dinner?", she gasped. "Why didn't anyone wake me up?"
Abhimanyu chuckled. "You were deep in sleep and looked tired, so we decided not to wake you up", he explained with a smile.

He reached for the delicacies, about to feed her, but she snatched the plate and started eating herself.
A look of hurt passed Abhimanyu's face, but Uttara ignored it.
Abhimanyu frowned, wondering what happened to her.
He was about to ask her, but didn't, looking at the angry expression on her face.

Once Uttara was done eating, she kept the plate aside and lay on the bed, shutting her eyes, not in a mood to talk.
Abhimanyu sighed. Sometimes he wished that he could read her mind to know what was troubling her.
He will definitely find out.

         ♡♧♤◇♡♧♤◇♡♧♤◇

The next day

Rati was already present in the treasury when Uttara walked in. Rati observed her silently. She looked tired. Her eyes were slightly swollen and it seemed like she didn't sleep well.

"Pranipat", Rati greeted her with a cheerful smile, but Uttara just nodded at her before burying herself in work.
Rati frowned at Uttara's hostile behavior. She was alright yesterday. What could have happened now?

But the frown was replaced by a smile. She remembered noticing Uttara yesterday when she was with Abhimanyu. But Uttara never came upto them, and today.....
Rati couldn't help but replay her conversation with Abhimanyu.

"So, how have you been?", Abhimanyu had asked.
"I have been great", she replied. "And what about you?"
Abhimanyu sighed. "I have been fine."
Rati frowned. Abhimanyu didn't sound fine to her.
"What is wrong?", she asked him, worriedly, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Abhimanyu didn't reply.

Rati took a deep breath. "Is it about your marriage?", she finally asked. She had been wanting to ask him about it, but was hesitant. It wasn't her place to interfere or know about his married life, but looking at him now, she couldn't help it.

Abhimanyu looked at her, wide eyed.
"How do you know?", he asked, surprised.
Rati sighed. "Abhimanyu, I am your best friend. You can't hide things from me."
"Hmm."
"So tell me what's wrong. I know you were married against your will, but if you aren't happy, then I can do something for you. I can talk to Mata Draupadi....", she hated seeing him sad.

"No!", Abhimanyu exclaimed.
"Why not?"
Abhimanyu sighed. "I was married against my will, but I am not unhappy. I have started to accept Uttara but....."
"But what?"
"I don't understand what I am feeling", he truthfully confessed. "I constantly feel like being with her. I want protect her. Whenever she is upset, it makes me sad. I can do anything for her.....", he trailed off.

"Abhimanyu!", Rati exclaimed. "You are in love."
Abhimanyu looked at her. "You think so?", he was still unsure.
"I know so", Rati replied.
"But I have not been good with love. What if I am not ready, what about her?"

Rati placed her hand on his shoulder again, feeling happy for him.
"You are ready, I am sure of it", she said gently. She was so happy that he forgetting his past and finding true love and happiness he deserved.
She understood his dilemma and hesitation, but she knew that he has to take this step.

"And what about her?", he asked.
Rati smiled. "I am sure she loves you. And when the right time comes, I know she will realize."
Abhimanyu smiled at her. He put his arms around her and embraced her.
"Thank you", he mumbled. "Thank you so much."

From the corner of her eye, Rati saw Uttara run away from them.

Rati smiled. Uttara's behavior suggests that she is jealous. That means that she does love Abhimanyu.
All she wanted to do was go and tell Abhimanyu. But she didn't. It was not her place to tell him about Uttara's feelings.

She can't do anything directly, but that doesn't mean she can't help them indirectly.

******************
Rati knows they love each other. But what will she do now?