Rudraansh

I hated myself the moment I saw Miraadhya's fragile body being held by that vicious old men.

Upon seeing me the soldiers parted their ways for me to enter and see him face to face, I feigned ignorance seeing her but only I knew what was I feeling.

Is she hurt? Why is she unconscious? Where are the men who was supposed to safe her? How the fuck did he touch her? Is she okay?

"Your army has lost this battle Zafar- it would be better if you surrender as well" I say nonchalantly as if it didn't affect me at all.

"Huh? You killed my brother in law! Widowed my sister!"

"And What I did is a favour on your sister." I say with vehemence and he huffs in annoyance.

I eye behind him seeing Durga curled up - crying and guarded by men- she wore a red dress that angered every blood cell within my body.

"Favour? You say? And the reason for this favour? Was she the reason? This bitch!" He spits holding the limp body of Miraadhya - not before slapping her hard right in front of me.

He smirks at my reaction. "Ah! She is important! I knew it!" He raises his hand again but I don't see anything except his death.

I charge at him- his hold loosening with my impact as I hit him with a punch. I saw his bleeding chest- covered with a cloth where I had hit him with an arrow- he spits blood.

I pick up Miraadhya in my arms - her eyes opening in shock upon seeing me- Rajaji - she whispers in short breaths and I caress her head.

But then I hear a shuffle- men screaming and before I realise Miraadhya pushes me with all strength and I move easily having not anticipated the sudden move- collective gasp comes out of everyone while I hear a loud grunt - she hugging me as if to guard me.

I hear more sounds - the scream of Zafar as he shouts in pain.

"Dada!" Raghav voice echoes but I go still - what just happened?

"Sh...shona?" I whisper slowly.

She looks at me - confused- I immediately hold her but then she turns back to reveal a man lying down and grunting in pain- clutching his stomach.

I look equally relieved and concerned- Zafar lay almost lifeless as my men and Raghav attacked him. But I notice the men's back who took the attack for me.

Miraadhya quickly stand up- her own expression changing to fear as she runs at the man's aid - I too follow and turn him around.

"Oh god!" Miraadhya whispered while I stare at him in shock -

"What did you do Anirban? why are you here!" I yell in shock seeing my childhood friend lying in blood.

"You...our home was attacked...how can I not come to aid my Maharaj" he speaks through his coughs and I hold him firmly.

"You fool! I sent you away not to return you moron!" I shout inspecting his wounds.

"You bloody took a stab for me? Didn't you think I could take it! " I say while holding the knife- my hands shivered and with one breath I took it out! His cries reached my ears and heart both.

I opened my pagdi and wrapped the cloth around him firmly.

"I took...took it to safe the Queen" he says and I see him emotionally.

Miraadhya stars crying beside me and I hold her hand. Anirban manages to give a foolish smile - his teeth's smeared with blood.

"Pick him up"

I instruct as we picked him up- " I ...I am  sorry my Queen that you were poisoned because of me." he speaks roughly and Miraadhya cries harder.

Anirban spits blood and I grow white-

"What is happening? It's just a small stab! Why is he coughing blood!"

"Rajaji!!" Miraadhya holds my hand as she couldn't shake her head.

"The ..I don't know I had washed it- the knife— it had poison on it " she speaks.

That damn poison!

"Raghav! Call Guruji Now!" I grow frantic .

"And you were ready to take the stab knowing the knife had poison!!!" I yell at her now -as they take Anirban to the infirmary. Raghav quickly rides away- I needed that antidote.

She doesn't reply but after a moment she does and her words take every breath away from me.

"My first instinct was to safe you- You are my everything " she says without missing a beat.

Such simple yet powerful words uttered in such softness and purity, my chest ached with a sudden pressure as I see her eyes staring at me with concern- worry -love.

She still loves me after what I had showed her today- how vicious I could be while killing people and she was still seeing me with her pure divine eyes like I am the only one ?

I don't say anything- I couldn't because one word and I would break down in front of all these men- and a king should be powerful and strong and should not show his emotions.

We walk away from here- from a very injured body of Zafar Shah- Miraadhya goes towards a terrified Durga and picks her up gently, I see my baby sister whom I failed to protect. She hugs Miraadhya and completely breaks down as my own heart goes numb- my eyes burning with the apparent tears.

She picks her up and caresses her face like a mother.

"Shob thik hoye gecheche- Kaade na Maa- Kaade Na Mona"

"Sab thik ho Gaya hai, Rote nai hai Maa- Rote nai hai Mona"

"Everything is okay now- don't cry baby- don't cry" she speaks softly.

Miraadhya holds my arms - my heat radiating as we stand in front of my sister. She looks at me with her broken eyes and hugs me- I look at Miraadhya as if I need her strength to face her - she nods and I hug her back- my baby sister.

"Your brother failed you Durga! I am so sorry" I say with a strain voice and she continues to cry clutching me.

I try to giver her comfort but it is me who needs it the most.

As the time pass - the aftermath of the battle comes to an conclusion, Zafar Shah was heavily injured- I have to give it to that old man for not giving up even with such injuries- he was now kept under supervision, the physician trying to safe him in the process.

The only reason of doing is to avoid further conflict-killing a Mughal Ruler would attract more intruders and we cannot allow that- even if we have strength it doesn't mean conflicts would not weaken us.

I stand in the balcony of my chamber, my mind going haywire- I have no strength of dealing with more shit - and I could only hope Abhijeet and Raghav were seeing the aftermath.

Durga was taken to Thakurma who was held locked inside her own room- only a mother's warmth could heal the child now.

I hear the familiar sound of anklets,
But I didn't wanted to see her now - I felt too ashamed. But then her close proximity doesn't allow me to say a word.

"Rajaji" I hear her soft voice which instantly soothes my racing heart, she leans her head on my bicep and wraps her hand around my hand. I close my eyes to collect myself for a moment- to actually be able to breathe.

"You should hate me." I voice my deepest guilt- I left her unprotected, couldn't protect my sister and almost lost them.

"Never" she whispers- caressing my hand with her thumb- I don't understand how these small actions could make me feel so much more, her light massage felt like she was taking away a huge burden over my head.

I see her, her hairs exposed, her forehead had a slight dirt on it, she kept her eyes closed , her lashes long and beautiful , her cheeks pressed against my hard skin. She was beautiful.

I take her small hands in mine, she looks at me with her big eyes as I rub the dirt away from her forehead- my entire focus on it, she doesn't stop me while I get more worked up, I try to gently remove all the dirt, making sure her skin is clean but then I feel my eyes burning.

She palms my rough skin, her thumb gently stroking my skin as I still try to rub her head. I don't realise when a single tear escapes my eyes- I don't realise her slight action of comfort when she steps closer to me.

"You must be in so much pain- but don't blame yourself , it's not your fault. I am proud of you - I am truly proud of you" she says softly and then the tears never stops.

When was the last time I cried? I don't even remember. Even my father's death didn't make me cry but as if I was falling apart and crumbling down into thousands of pieces—a shaky breath leaves my mouth.

My throat clogs as I control my cries but then Miraadhya quickly engulfs me in a hug and I loose it- my body coming down on my knees as she wraps me, my head on her chest like a baby.

I cry- all the frustration of these past months, all the things that have happened- I cry for all those times. I have always been good with controlling my tears- they were a sign of weakness but as I cry my heart out in front of her I was finding it oddly satisfying.

I have been tensed for months, the consequence of this war still awaits but for now I can feel peace in her arms.

"It's okay- I am here " she slowly kisses my forehead and I swear I felt full in my heart - like somehow I felt completed.

"If you dare to leave or betray me again I swear I will loose my mind" I mumble in her warm chest, the sound of her chuckle illuminates me.

"You are stuck with me." She says and I involuntarily smile.

"I am happy to be stuck then." I say and earn a laugh.

I calm down - still hugging her tightly, her gentle strokes on my hair and I breathe her in. I can conquer anything- win any wars only if I get to be in her arms while she holds me tightly.

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