Thank you so much for voting and commenting on the previous chapter. I am glad you gave this book a chance.

The mentioned poems and Dohas are not mine. They belong to their respective owners who renowned poets for their time.

Zravasaya flipped the page of the book he was currently reading. He was sitting under one of the trees in the garden of the old palace. His back resting on the tree trunk, legs sprawled infront, he held the book in his one hand as he read the content of the book.

There was a serene smile resting on his face as the wind kept blowing around him, the sound of waves crashing far away on the sea port ringing like a soft muse in his ears. His freshly trimmed hair buzzing as the wind moved around him. The soft rays of sun falling from the sky peeped in between the empty spaces the leaves left falling randomly like a prism on his body.

His smile grew as the sound of waves crashed with the low sound of anklets. He could feel his wife near him as her Bangles giggled silently, her muffled chuckles twining with the serenity of the nature. The harmonious presence of his little vixen was enough for him to get distracted. He maintained his posture stiff clearly ignoring that he could feel her.

He was a trained warrior. Presence of mind was his favorite asset he could feel people around him in just one second and if the person was someone he lived on too how could he not recognize her.

Tanirika was like the peace he always craved, the soft caress of the morning breeze mixed with the warmth the sun laid on. For him she was the woman he could feel from miles away.

Zravasaya pulled his wife in a second making her gasp in fright. Tanirika shrieked giggling loudly as she fell on her husband's lap. She was silently walking towards her husband and had hid herself behind the tree he was siting under waiting for the perfect moment to tickle him.

"You little distraction " He accused  making her giggle in adoration, caressing his cheek she pressed her lips to his. Zravsaya sighed kissing her back his spare hand caressing the curves of her waist. Tanirika broke the kiss rubbing her nose with her husband's as a smile relaxed on her face.

"How did you hunt me down?" She whispered pouting. Zravsaya kissed her pout placing his book in her lap as she had accomadated herself in his lap.

"I didn't hunt you down. I knew you were around and I don't need a sound to feel my soul near me " She blushed circling her hands around his neck.

"What were you reading?" She asked him. He smiled rendering the brown book to her.

"Read it out for me, will you dear husband?"

"As you command, unul carajos " He nodded making her smile. She placed her face on his shoulder as he started reading out for her. It was a poetry book written in sanskrit which he had found in the small old library of the old palace.

" Hanumannāṭaka recites in sanskrit—

वदनम् अमृत-रश्मिं पश्य कान्ते तवोर्व्याम्
अनिल-तुलन-दण्डेनास्य वार्धौ विधाता ।
स्थितम् अतुलयद् इन्दुः खेचरोऽभूल् लघुत्वात्
क्षिपति च परिपूर्त्यै तस्य ताराः किम् एताः । । "

Meaning --

When your beauty was weighed
against the moon, my love,
The moon shot up
You came down
And the creator’s still sprinkling
the counterweights called stars. "

Tanirika smiled caressing his hair as he proceeded. His deep husky masculine whisper made those words reach deep into her souls.

"Another one states

तस्या मुखस्यायतलोचनायाः कर्तुं न शक्तः सदृशं प्रियायाः
इतीव शीत-द्युतिर् आत्म-बिम्बं निर्माय निर्माय पुनर् भिनत्ति ।।
(Subhāṣita Ratna Koṣa 458)

The moon tries every month in vain
To paint a picture of your face;
And, having failed to catch its grace,
Destroys the work, and starts again. "

"Brilliant" She whispered kissing his ear softly. He gave her side eye making her kiss him again on his cheek.

"I know one it's one of meera bai's for Krishna. I remember singing this one when I was a kid. I will recite it for you. " She ranted enthusiastically.

"I am listening "

"OK,  Meera recites in pain signing for her kanha

हे री मैं तो प्रेम-दिवानी मेरो दरद न जाणै कोय।
घायल की गति घायल जाणै, जो कोई घायल होय। 
जौहरि की गति जौहरी जाणै, की जिन जौहर होय।
सूली ऊपर सेज हमारी, सोवण किस बिध होय। 

गगन मंडल पर सेज पिया की किस बिध मिलणा होय।
दरद की मारी बन-बन डोलूँ बैद मिल्या नहिं कोय। 

मीरा की प्रभु पीर मिटेगी, जद बैद सांवरिया होय।

- मीराबाई

Meaning

"I am mad with love
And no one understands my plight.
Only the wounded
Understand the agonies of the wounded,
When the fire rages in the heart.
Only the jeweller knows the value of the jewel,
Not the one who lets it go.
In pain I wander from door to door,
But could not find a doctor.
Says Mira: Harken, my Master,
Mira's pain will subside
When Shyam comes as the doctor."

"Splendid! There are more in the book, you want me to read them for you?" He asked her.

"Yes, please "

Kaya gulped inaudibly walking around the passage of the guest chambers. Everytime she halted in her steps, Neera would push her from the back Making her groan in frustration. When Kaya had realized that the man she met near the pond was in real the king of Persia. The same Persia he was reciting stories about she wanted to dig a grave and bury herself in it.

How can she not see it in him? Beautiful men like him deserved to be kings. And he was the king of Persia.

Their conversation kept replaying in her head as she tried recalling if she had confessed something very problematic to him. She felt embarrassed of herself and wanted to run away. But her friend had boasted her confidence manipulating her in walking towards the King of Persia. They had waited till midnight,  The reason which Neera had given her was, Night is secluded and silent compared to day.

Kaya gulped as she stared at the huge door connecting to the guest chambers. The guards stationed outside appeared scary. She looked at Neera who rolled her eyes grabbing the ring and walking towards the guards. Kaya ran behind Neera as her friend walked fiercely towards the guards with determination.

The guards stopped both of them as the stepped near them. Kaya stood rooted at her place while Neera took charge of the situation.

"His majesty has requested my friend for the night " Neera asserted proudly making Kaya gasp in shock. She was about to spill the beans when Neera pulled her back glaring at her.

"What is the proof ? His majesty did not notify us about any woman's arrival" one of the guards replied making Kaya slap her forehead.

"Here is the proof. " Neera flashed the ring to the guards who shared a look before grabbing it from her.

"We will ask his majesty. Wait here " one of them ordered making neera sigh in relief. Kaya dragged neera to the corner glaring glaring her she wanted to kill her friend.

"That was the only way. "

"I could have just answered them with the truth" Neera rolled her eyes making Kaya gasp in horror.

"Your truth would have killed both of us. This way no one will doubt us. And this whole movement will appear less shady. "

"I do not get your logic "Kaya groaned making Neera assure her that this plan will work. She pulled Kaya's veil longer followed by hers as the guard called out for them.

"His majesty has called you both inside " He informed both the ladies.

"Both. Only she will go. My work was to deliver her here "

Neera hurried pushing Kaya inside.  Kaya threw a betrayal filled glance at her friend who ushered her to enter the chambers.  The guard rolled his eyes signalling Kaya Kaya move inside while Neera joined her hands in a prayer. She silently prayed for her plan to work as she waited outside near the chambers until Kaya came out.

Kaya stumbled inside the gigantic chambers nervousness walking like a second skin. She clasped her hands tightly walking inside. The haunting silence prevailed inside the room making her shiver in fear. Few papers were lying carelessly on the wooden table kept in one of the corners. She moved towards the another door which appeared as a passage to another room. Walking inside her curious eyes could not stop gazing around the chambers. Huge gigantic chambers always caught her eyes.

She was passionate about embroidery and the intricate designs engraved on the walls made the little seamstress inside her get distracted by it. She traced her fingers unconsciously on the designs feeling the designs, how beautiful they would appear on a silk cloth.

Sadly, she couldn't afford that.

The intricate carvings on the walls were exquisite and in detail. Glorifying the details of the skilled artisans who had designed these. She was a worshipper of art and every art deserved to be worshipped. The designs differed from the doors to the ceilings. This room had quite similar carvings as the outside passage which was open to everyone.

"Kaya," A masculine husky voice brought her back Making her turn around facing the man she had come to meet.

Her eyes fell on the Persian man who stood near the huge bedding resting in the middle of the room. She had unconsciously entered his bedroom. There were no lamps illuminating in the room. The only light spreading across the room was the moon light, the curtains flew aimlessly making the cold air stick to her skin. She stood infront of him timidly totally embarrassed of herself.

His half done robe allowed his toned muscular chest peak from inside, her eyes widened looking at his disheveled state, his wet curls bouncing on his shoulders informed her that he had just taken a bath. She gulped inaudibly, frantically turning around as redness swarmed her cheeks.

Biting her pink luscious lips she wiped the sweat drops falling from her face to her neck. His damped skin and clean features made her stomach flip in anticipation. She could not her brain luring over his muscles. Oh god! What was wrong with her.

"Uh- Apologies I - I am so sorry" She blabbered. Ayas looked at her  with confusion not understanding why was she so flustered.

When his guard had informed him about a woman' arrival he was going to decline the offer.  He was not interested in any woman. But when the man flashed the white ring Ayas face curved into a smile. After all, he had dreamed of her visiting his chambers. Only her.

"Kaya, what's wrong?" He asked moving towards the flustered woman. Kaya peaked behind for a second and moved away from him. She hurriedly walked towards the door moving out of his bedroom.

"You are running away without telling me the reason" He whispered following her out.

"You! You should properly get dressed. " She stated moving around, her Palm covering her eyes. Ayas stared her for a second and then at his chest which was on wide display. He chuckled tieing the knot of his over coat loving the affect he was having on her.

"I am covered you can look" Kaya peaked slowly through her fingers, when her eyes noted his fully clothed body she sighed removing her hands from her face. Ayas smiled warmly at her making her heart beat faster.

You should not take his name and always cast your eyes down.

Neera had taught her. She immediately casted her eyes down bowing her head in respect. She paid her respect to the king of Persia.

Ayas frowned looking at her timid self,  he walked towards Kaya who stood rooted in her position. He pressed his index finger on her chin, slowly pushing her face upwards. Kaya could feel him near her, his breathe fanned over her face making her turn into the darkest shade of red.

"Did I make you uncomfortable?" He whispered, his warm gaze providing comfort to her. She closed her eyes savoring the moment feeling his comfort. Ayas caressed her cheek in his rough hand making a lone of tear drop through her eyes.   Ayas frowned looking at her vulnerable state. He wiped her tear softly moving her baby hairs out of her face.

"I did. I apologize. " He said moving away when she held his wrist shaking her head.

"No its not you. I - I mean " She looked at him and then again looked down fearing his reaction. She was basically standing there to use him. To use a king. How could she do that.

"Your majesty I apologize for barging in your room this late. I should probably go. I am so sorry. I came to return the ring. Yes I came to return it back. " She whispered pulling away from him. Ayas felt his soul sucking out of his body when his gaze took in the vulnerable state of the woman he liked. She was acting strangely and the pain which her eyes reflected pierced right through his heart.

Kaya turned around running away from him. Tears rolled down her eyes as realization hit her. She was weak yes. But she could not be selfish. She could not use his care for her own benefit. He had the most beautiful feel around him, the one which made her feel insane. She had no power to back stab him.

He was the king of Persia and she? She was no one. Her little heart has started dreaming about him with one meet. Earlier he was a trader tonight he was a king. The most powerful man who ruled a kingdom. What could a village girl like her offer him. And on top of that she was going to use him for her own benefit. No she was not that.

Neera who was standing outside the chambers jerked in attention when her eyes fell on a very fragile Kaya. Kaya blinked the tears falling down her eyes as she walked away from followed by neera. The moment they reached Neera's chambers, neera closed the door hugging her friend tightly.

"Did he hurt you? I am so sorry Kaya. I pushed you into this. I am so immature. He tried to overstep right. I would have known that men always take advantage of defenseless woman. " she ranted rubbing kaya's back. Kaya gulped her tears moving away from her friend who rubbed her shoulders in return.

"He didn't. He didn't do anything wrong. It was me. I couldn't do it. He cared for me so much,he was so worried I couldn't take advantage of him. I couldn't. Neera, I am so sorry. I feel so pathetic " Kaya cried holding neera' hands who hugged her again feeling the goodness her friend possessed.

Kaya was a rare gem. People like her were rare to exist. And she wad glad she had befriended her. 

One thing Neera had made a knot about was she was going to cross boundaries to make her friend happy again. Even if it resulted in her losing something  very precious to her she won't care.

Lekha has debated herself over Kaya over and over. She tossed in her bed thinking about all the times she had interacted with Kaya. She did not appear as someone who could be a part of some conspiracy but Kaya and her mother were two different people. What if Kaya was innocent but her mother was not. She had never met her mother.

Lekha sighed throwing the comforter away, she picked her duappata from the table making her way out of her chambers. Moving out of her room she looked at tanirika's room before walking towards her destination.

The guards stationed outside bowed respectfully opening the gate knowing very well that lekha being there was not a unknown site. Lekha walked inside the huge chambers which had huge canvas lying carelessly around. She rolled her eyes moving past them towards the balcony where meglos stood.

"I heard you wanted to see me. In the middle of the night " He smirked looking at lekha who stared back at him. Lekha fidgeted with her cloth when Meglos passed on a red rose in her direction. This was a daily routine she  sighed taking the rose from him making him grin at her.

" common let's start our session tonight shall we? What's tonight's story?" He whispered laying straight on his bed. Lekha refrained herself from rolling her eyes as it could be a sign of disrespect.

" I want to meet commander loki and I want you to take me to him " Meglos jerked himself up looking at lekha who pointed towards the door.

"And why In the heavens you want to meet loki at this hour of night " He glared slamming the pillow. Lekha sighed putting the pillow back on its place.

"I want to inform him about something regarding the attack which took place on Tanirika. " She stated making meglos sigh in relief.

"Oh but you can tell whatever you want to tell him in the morning or you could just tell me i will fill in him with it " He suggested wriggling his brows lekha shook her head not giving up.

"No. I want to meet him right now. I have already wasted alot of time since the morning. I cannot take this anymore. This feeling of knowing something and not able to convey it gives me anxiety " She rambled. Meglos stared at his little rose, the way her expression changed, her brows creased and her lips moved he just wanted to take a taste.

"Master Meglos, your majesty are you listening. ?" Meglos blinked his eyes nodding at her. He stood on his ground moving away, he tried shaking the evil thoughts back. God! Not now.

"Yes yes I am listening you are the only one I listen too. Let's go. " He ushered motioning towards the gate making lekha smile in delight.

"But" Lekha stopped turning around her eyes locking locking meglos who smirked challenging walking towards her. His fingers traced her cheek making her shudder.

" I am the most handsome man in the palace and you are allowed to gaze only at me, the same way I look at you. Got it, my little rose. " Lekha gulped nodding at him, his smirk grew wider as he walked ahead leaving a flustered lekha behind.

"Now if you would hurry up. We have important matters to attend " He called out making lekha run behind him.

Lekha followed meglos as he walked towards loki's room. Meglos as usual pushed the door open without a knock making lekha roll her eyes.

"Oh " Meglos trailed spotting a woman inside the room. Lekha who had followed him stopped in her tracks when  her eyes  fell on the familiar figure who stood in the middle of the room as loki sat behind the table on his chair.

Namaste,  my little brinjals 🍆 .

I DESERVE A ZRAVASAYA TOO
I DESERVE A ZRAVASAYA TOO .

I AM SO F8KIN SINGLE
I AM SO F8KIN SINGLE

anyways, Zravi deserves this cute love. Ayas and Kaya are too cute. Kaya is like the most innocent and Pure kid of the class.

And meglos is he's so jelly jelly lmao. One in million My dear meglos.

And what do you think lekha has to inform loki about?

And was there a woman in loki's chambers OMG IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.

Shame on loki someone mail jigansa please.

hehehe

Anyways I hope you guys liked this chapter. And start cutting onions because the reunion is going to happen soon. And I will try my best to make it best for you guys. 

And officially jugnu's bride is named as "jugni" soon making her grand entry in the royal book. Brace yourselves.

Stay hydrated and take care of yourselves.

Bye guyssss will meet tomorrow 😏.

Love Aditi ❤