Devika :

I SAT LOOKING at my reflection on the mirror. Aviram sat behind me, busily platting my long hair. I watched him on the mirror, taking my hair in his hands carefully and tying them up.
The King of Jodhpur looked absolutely invested in my hair, careful too, trying not to hurt me.
Apparently he used to do the same for Nayan when she was around.

My lips were spread into the most endearing smile I could possibly have. 
It was impossible to stay angry with this man, the moment I reassured him that everything was fine - he was back to loving me in the not-so-conventional ways. 
We had had our dinner and changed our clothes. He was wearing a white kurta and trousers which were comfortable, I wore an ordinary cotton saree, yellow in colour.

I had come to slowly realise why Anamika could not love a man like him. His ways were different. I knew that his parents never loved him through physical touch, kisses on the cheek, hugs were not a common thing for such palaces. The only love he had known was through such ordinary things, tying the hair for someone, admiring from afar, not physical touch. 
Not everyone can appreciate the love of a husband who does not go for a kiss first on a romantic night. 

"Ram?"
"Done!", He said finally finishing with his work. He glanced up at the mirror, looking back at our reflection. His lips broke into a satisfied smile.
"Now check if it's good. Although I am no professional.. I am hoping it's not too bad. And I did not hurt you either.", He said proudly.
I turned to face him.
"I know it's lovely.", I whispered, looking him in the eyes. The eyes held the love of births, as if they had never loved anyone but me.
I edged closer to him and softly rested my head on his chest.
"When are you properly starting your job with Akhilesh?", He asked, as I felt his arms softly wrap around my body.

"I don't know if I want to work with him anymore.", I said honestly.
He drew in a deep breath.
"Don't do this because of me.", He said plainly.
I looked up at him.
"He is an enemy-"
"My enemy, not yours. Leela.. I know you are still young and impulsive. But don't take your life decisions out of impulsiveness. He has given you a good offer, you should take it. We can work on opposite fronts and still be in love when we come back home.", He said smoothly.

"Ram, you might have reached moksha.. where you can be at peace while knowing you are working for an enemy.. but I can't. Fine.. you were wrong to have sent his parents away.. so what? You lost your parents too! Karma served. End of story.", I said burying my face in his chest, hugging him tightly.
I heard his chuckle.
He rested his chin on my head.
"Now you are making up theories to justify me. Are you on social media now? Making random theories to justify your favourite character?", He asked, amused.

I looked up at him with narrowed eyes, as he looked down, smiling his serene smile.
"Good night!", I snapped edging away, feeling like a stubborn teenager. He looked at me amused, smiling away as I turned off the lights and lay down on the other side of the bed, looking away from him.
I heard him draw in a deep breath.
He lay down on the bed too.

"Now why are you angry?"
"I am not making up theories! I am just trying to change my perspective and love you the way I should!", I said irritably. He sighed.
After a moment I felt his arm wrap around my bare waist, I felt a chill down my spine. He was so close, my heart skipped a beat. I could feel his body against my back, his breath near my neck. He pulled me towards himself.
"I love the way you are straight forward and fierce, Leela. Don't end up justifying me and losing yourself.", He whispered. Even the most pious of words, seemed to sound sensuous.
Does he even know what he is doing to me?

"I.. I can do whatever I like.", I whispered, feeling my heart pace a little faster. 
"Turn towards me.", He said.
"No.. I..", I mumbled but to no avail. I turned to face him anyways. He removed his hand from waist as I turned to face him. He lovingly removed the strands of hair from above my face, he placed his hand on my cheek.
"I know you will do whatever you like.. But I want you to be truly happy.", He whispered.

After talking about non physical love am I yearning for it? What is wrong with me?! 
My gaze was somehow fixed on his lips. Maybe the first kiss.. it had left me wishing for more.
He noticed it.
"You are okay?", He asked, a little amused.
"Ha? Yes.. Of course. Good night.", I said, feeling my cheeks go hot.
He smiled back, softly edging closer and kissing my forehead.
"Good night.", He said.

I immediately edged closer to him, curled up in his arms, hugging him.
For moments I felt him stiffen, as if this was something he was not used to. And then he gave in. He wrapped his arms around me and relaxed. 

My mind was somehow unable to stop thinking about the kiss, his taste, the surge of hormones. I realised it was like a drug, I needed more of it. My husband did not seem to have any such urges, though. How about getting him drunk someday and.. 

Leela where are your sanskars?

...

Aviram :

Golden sunlight lit up the puja room, as I sat before my Lord, for my regular morning aarti. I did not play the Rudra Veena anymore, but that did not stop me from bathing in the chilling cold waters of the holy pond in the palace garden at five in the morning and worshipping Lord Shiva.
I wore my usual dhoti, upper body bare.
I would lie if I said I wasn't freezing because of the cold wind from the window before me.

"Jai Mahakal!", I said as I stood up, finally.
"Jai Mahakal.", I heard from behind. The voice I recognised quite instantaneously. I drew in a deep breath as I joined my hands, said my silent prayer for everyone's well being.
I turned to face him.

Vinay.

I pretended to not notice him as I was about to walk past him.
"Bhaisahab-"
"You have lost the right to call me brother, Vinay.", I said coldly. His injured face, was the last face I had wished to see this morning.

He drew in a deep breath, I knew he was regretful. I would have forgiven him. But he had dared to touch the woman I love and worship.
For that, I had no forgiveness.

"Thank you for letting me stay here.", He said.
"I am not unethical, even if I detest someone. You carry the same blood as mine, and you have rights over this palace, so I will give it to you. You can stay here, eat, sleep, waste time, but do not..", I finally looked at him. He looked back at me with guilty eyes.
"Do not look at the Queen of this palace. Again.", I said sharply, unlike my otherwise cold self I found a strange fire. 

"With Anamika, both of us know what your relationship with her was. Your marriage was forced, you loved her as your duty and she never did.", Vinay said immediately, "Anamika liked me first. Otherwise I was burning in my resentment alone. Apparently you had ruined her life by marrying her."

I looked away, feeling the sting again.
"As of Devika.", He said, "She is like a sister to me. I would never look at her that way. What I did.. I will forever be apologetic about it."
I nodded as I took a step to leave.
"I have an important update, Aviram.", He said immediately.
I paused.
"Anamika has joined hands with Akhilesh Vohra.", He said.

I immediately turned to look at him, taken aback.
"Akhilesh is the one I was talking about that day..", He added, "My mother is out of prison by the way.. Thanks to Mr. Vohra. But do you, the Raja, know about it?"

I stood still, absolutely stumped.
"I want to redeem myself Aviram. That is why I am telling you all of this. They have planned something, they had planned before too. Why do you think Anamika left you the exact day your parents passed away? You know what goes on within your business empire or Jodhpur.. but do you know what happens within your palace?"

I drew in a deep breath. This was not as simple as I had believed. Something told me, Vinay was not lying today.
I did not say anything as I nodded and walked back to my bedroom. Devika was still asleep. The clock struck 6:45 am.

I looked at her.
They have planned something.

I pulled Devika into this mess of a family, because I deemed it right. But I could not indulge her further. I must find a way to let her have her dream without the family drama.
Akhilesh had a plan. 
And I could see what his plan was.

Although Raghuvanshis never believed in planning and plotting, I might break a few more rules and norms for love.
...

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