Miraadhya

Saying that The palace of Gauda was beautiful would be an understatement, because it is simply breathtaking. The huge trees surrounding the fortress gave it a perfect scenic view, the yellow hue of the sunset making everything turn gold and sparkle.

The huge gate opens upon our arrival and I peek through the curtains to see a big fountain at the centre. I gently come out of the palanquin, the stiffness in my lower back still hurting but I help my mother and she stares at the fort for a moment. I look in her direction and take in the huge architectural structure around me and I gulp nervously.

"Let's go, it's your home now" Raja Abhijeet says and I feel uneasy hearing those words.

Home?

I am not used to such treatment and cannot help but wonder if it has some hidden motive or are we being tricked again,

"You sure about all this Maa? I am nervous " I say and hold her hand.
She smiles at me and tightenes her grip.

"It was long overdue my child, you deserve all of this"

I shake my head slowly still processing in my mind. I climb the steps to enter through the main door, a huge hallway welcomes us with illuminating path. There were big pillars around me which had very familiar intricate designs.

"These designs—-" I mutter.

"It's the signature designs of the people here, Gauda is known not only for its trade but also craftsmanship " Maa says proudly and for the first time I could see her genuinely happy.

"This is your home Maa" I whisper as I realise the gravity of these words as tears gather in my eyes.

"It's now ours" she says and leads me towards the resting hall.

"You know I would take dance lessons here, my father was against it but my mother helped me to get the best classes" Maa glees pointing me towards the centre. I smile as I imagine her little version dancing and laughing.

"And here I would hide from my mother when she tried to make me eat"
she adds and points at a huge and wide pillar, she laughs at the memories.

"Like you used to run behind me" I say and she smiles. "Yes I suppose now I understand how much I troubled her" she said and we both start laughing.

We laughed through our tears and I realise our laugh matches, a warmth spreading my heart, it had been years since we laughed like this.

Maa hold my cheeks.
"I want you to know Miraadhya, in all these years I have suffered a lot but you were the source of my joy." she whispers as my lips tremble.

"But you must have resented me" I ask slowly. She must have been devastated to know she had a child with a man who she didn't want.

She shakes her head. "When you came to this world , you gave me a purpose to live, I had lost hope before you- I felt weak and depressed but when I held you in my hands and your big eyes immediately recognised me I felt the greatest love of my life. And it was you. I am blessed to have such a wonderful and talented daughter like you Mira and it breaks my heart knowing you have suffered way too much" she says in her own hoarse voice and I hug her , tasting my own tears.

"And that's the reason I want to see you happy, I have called a great prince from the West, he saw your picture and is keen for marriage" she says and I look at her with hesitation.

Sending my discomfort she holds my arms. "It's a good match, please don't say no, this alliance will strengthen us more, I want us to be powerful now so that no one tries to hurt us again" she adds and looks at me in hope.

I couldn't say no, not when I have finally found her truth- her hardships.
If killing my heart is what will bring joy in her life then so be it. I would rather choose to stay with a person who wants me rather than I wanting them.

So I nod weakly and close my eyes, I can forget about him. I can.

"Miraadhya!!!" I hear a high pitched sound and immediately turn to see Sukanya running towards me. She engulfs me in a tight hug and I instantly hug her back.

"Are you alright!" She screams through her sobs and I pat her back.

"I am fine Princess" I say slowly as I hold her, relieved by the fact that she is fine and healthy.

"Nonsense! I have heard all " she looks at me with her beautiful eyes , her red flushed cheeks were now stained with tears and I smile at her.

"I have missed you Princess " I manage to say and she frowns at me making my own brows thin.

"I am your sister! What is this Princess? Just call me Sukanya" she scolds and I look at her in shock.

"You knew-" I say.

"I always had a doubt but after coming here Choti Maa confirmed my persistent questions and finally confessed, you know how happy I was knowing that my best friend is actually my sister" she says excitedly.

"Half sister and don't call me Choti Maa" Maa chips in with a frown and I eye her sternly.

"Maa don't speak to her like this" I scold her but she just rolls her eyes.

I can see Sukanya shrugging and gave me a small smile.

"Why didn't you tell me before?" She asks as she takes me towards the opposite side of the hall.

"Choti Maa I am taking her to her room" she says clearly not listening to Maa's frustated sigh.

"I thought you would resent me knowing the truth" I say softly.

She led me through an alley which led to a single door at the end, it opened to a huge room, half portion of the room was semi circular creating an arc view of the river from outside. It was breathtaking.

"I could never resent you Miraadhya, you know I can be naive sometimes but I am not weak " she says holding my hand and I look at her with a deep rooted fondness.

"Yes...yes you are not weak and I am proud of you. And this room is beautiful " I add.

She gives me a toothy smile.

"I personally choose this room for you , I know you love good amount of sunlight in the room and a beautiful nature's view. My room is just opposite yours, it's similar to this but has view of the forest."

I sit on the huge bed taking in my surroundings, this all felt like a luxury.

Sukanya sits beside me and keeps her hand on my knees. "They have treated me well you know despite knowing I am no one to them, that who my father is, I didn't know my father could be this cruel Mira, I am ashamed by his acts and ashamed to be called his daughter" she cries softly and I shake my head.

"No.. No it's not your fault. Please don't cry" I say as my own tears threatens to come. I am on an edge of having an emotional meltdown. "I am sorry Sukanya...your father... I meant the King..." I hesitate to say the truth about her father's whereabouts.

"King Rudraansh has taken him as a prisoner " she says.

"How did you-"

"I am the one who asked King Abhijeet to handover father in exchange for you." she utters and I stand up.

"What ? Are you crazy Sukanya? Why will you do such things?" I exclaim.

"Because sooner or later King Rudraansh would have attacked here to get him or worst he could have harmed you- my father " she stops as she sighs a bit.

"I know you think I love him the most and he loves me but that's not actually the whole truth, I have loved him and will continue to do so but I never liked him Mira- he had treated me and my mother very poorly before. He dotted on me simply because he felt guilty after my mother's death. I understood the source of his affection which was guilt and I accepted it in that way.
I still cannot see him dying but ignoring all his crimes would be a sign of coward ness" she speaks and I see her proudly.

"What did you do to my naive Sister?" I tease as my heart feels heavy with pride. She wipes her eyes and smiles at me. "Your sister just accepted the truth and followed her heart and Inwant you to do the same " she adds and her words stick in my mind.

Follow my heart?

She is King Rudraansh's mistress

The words echoed in my mind fooled by his smile and his touch and I immediately shake my head as I sit on the bed.

"So tell me how was it staying with King Rudraansh, I even heard he had shifted you to a chamber which was beside his" she says with a smug smile and I frown at her

"Who told you this?"

"Abhijeet had sent people over there so they would report him and I would occasionally eavesdrop, but then I got to know an inspection was conducted and all the informants had to leave " she says and my mouth open in shock.

"I didn't know you were so witty "? I question, a playful smile on my lips. She winks at me and I laugh.

"So tell me how was it? Did you see him close?Is he still a rude person?" She asks inching towards me.

"Umm ..." I look anywhere but her thinking of my next words. "He kept me close because he had doubts that I was pretending to be someone else. We hardly had any conversation " I say brushing off the topic.

"So did he get to know that you were pretending?"

"Yes" I sigh slowly.

" Oh god! Then ?He must be so angry!!!" She exclaims and I nod.

"We had a very big fight that day, I even slapped him" I say and instantly bit my lips for I have uttered more words than needed.

"What? You slapped him?" Sukanya's eyes could bulge out any moment now and I laugh nervously .

"Ohh no I meant I had pushed him once" my fingers fidget and she looks at me intently.

"I did hear Abhijeet saying that the King seemed smitten by you- " she scrunches her eyes as she started giving it a more thought but then I speak to change the subject.

"You call my uncle by his name?" I rather ask and she bits her tongue realising her mistake. I sigh in relief seeing her now distracted.

"Yes sometimes it slips through my head that he is a King, he can be a child sometimes " she says and a small smile appears on her face.

My heart beats increase seeing her, sensing there might me more.

"Sukanya are you aware about the marriage?" I ask her carefully.

"Your marriage right? Yes I heard some prince will be visiting- let me tell you I will assist him first making sure he is good for my sister " I take her hand and shake my head, my own heart sinking with my next words

"I am talking about Your marriage Sukanya " I say and her expression changes

"My marriage?? What? With whom?"

I bit my lips as I take a heavy breath. Why did no one tell her?

"With King Rudraansh Sukanya, my mother had also put up the condition of your marriage with him as part of the arrangement and he agreed. I want to tell you my mother wants to take revenge on Harshadip and your marriage with him is also part of her some plan so please be careful, I know you like him and I want you to be happy." I say but then her frowns deepens.

"This condition...of marriage was made in front of King Abhijeet?" She asks and I don't understand the meaning behind her question, I thought some part of her will be happy knowing she would marry her childhood crush.

"Yes, he was there" I say slowly and see her fisting her knuckles in anger.

"What happened? I know this seemed unfair and I want to be honest with you, you might hate me for this- but I....I mean Rajaji and I...." what am I even supposed to say her!

"Abhijeet agreeed for my marriage?" She asks again.

"Why are you concerned with him Sukanya?" I ask.

She stands up. "I .... I have to go Mira. You take rest, you must be tired . I will see you tomorrow " she said and sprinted out of the room.

I look at her in confusion. Was she not aware of this, how could Maa put such condition without letting her know?

And he has already agreed to it. Why will he even consider marriage with me, he never had feelings for me. I saw it in his eyes - the hatred he felt towards me.

And after what he did to me and what his father did to my mother, I could never see him again. I don't want to see him ever again.

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I love Miraadhya and Sukanaya's bond💕💕💕. What do you guys think?