I don't know when I slept, but I stirred as I felt somebody's presence around me. I woke up in panic to see blurred figures all around me. What the hell, there are people in my bedroom?! I rub my eyes, and stare again. There are four Angels. Four angels in my bedroom. I repeat it again, slowly, for my brain to register.

All the angels look alike. Actually, it's difficult to differentiate, but by staring at them for the last few minutes I could make out some minute differences. They are clad with milk white robes and have wings on their backs. They are smiling at me. I'm amused to find them in my room, sitting around me on the corners of my bed, my panic long forgotten. It's kind of crazy to think they are real. I take in my surroundings to find my room covered with snow and realize it's quite chilly. I covered myself with a blanket and looked at the angels questioningly to find their glances on me. I'm afraid if I open my mouth or even move, they might disappear.

It's the first time I'm having guests in this apartment so I don't want them to leave anytime soon. Their presence invigorated me. The aura is heavenly, it's so soothing. Their charms seemed to be working, because I felt my heart at ease. I was mesmerized by them. Are they really Angels? What do they want from me? Did they come to bless me? Or to grant me a wish? Or to take my life? I clutched my blanket around me tightly as if it will keep my soul from leaving my body. But they didn't seem to be like that. Were they sent by my parents to look after me?

One Angel kept her hand on my arm and gave me a reassuring smile.

"We came here to enlighten you about something. It's about your past birth. Don't you ever feel, it's so unfair to not be loved by anyone?"

Her voice was very smooth and gentle, but reverberated in the room. I gave a thought to what she said, and nodded as it was true.

Another Angel spoke out this time.

"So, you have lost your faith in love and you don't want it anymore, isn't it? "

I felt a piercing pain in my heart on hearing the question. But however painful, it was the truth. With tearful eyes, I looked at her and nodded my head again.

"It's all because of the curse you got in your last birth. You are just paying for that." stated another Angel.

I was flabbergasted with the revelation. What is she saying?! Do things like these happen? Is this real? But who knew I'd be talking to angels in my bedroom one day! If this could happen then anything could be true... Maybe my mind is playing tricks to get comfort from the heartbreak. Interrupting my never-ending debate, the last Angel narrated the mystery of my last birth.

"There is a Kingdom named Sanchali. The King is Santhanu. He has a beautiful and brilliant daughter, Sammohana Devi, the Princess of Sanchali. She learned Sanskrit and read all the Vedas from childhood. She knows Archery, sword fighting, horse riding. She is the only heiress to her father and the Kingdom, so she learned enough to get crowned next to her father. Maybe because of her special talents or because of her position, she has immense arrogance. She will donate to the needy on every event she finds, but treats them lowly.

Her father once asked her if she was ready for marriage while they were discussing future plans. She hadn't thought about it till that time, so she asked him to give her some time.

Upon thinking a lot, she decided to get married to a person who will be better than her in everything and he should have some specific qualities, she thought, and must be a Prince. She decided to marry only the guy who gets ticked off everything on her list. Her father was astonished with her determination. Anyway, he wanted to let her choose her groom, so he announced a Swayamvaram/Groom choosing ceremony.

Ranadheer is the Sanchali Kingdom's Senaapathi/ the commander. He admired Sammohana Devi from long back. She's beautiful. She's generous. She's strong. She's an artist. She's a warrior. She's the Princess. He knows she is off limits. His love is forbidden. But that doesn't stop him from loving her. He can give his life to protect her. They both used to practice the war fights in childhood. But they were never friends. It's just respect that stayed between them. She never spared a look towards him. So, asking her hand for marriage, was definitely going to be a big task for him. But he's a person who doesn't think about giving up till the last trial.

Sammohana devi was not satisfied with the Princes and Kings that came for the Swayamvaram. Either they got defeated against her or didn't measure up to her list of qualities. King Shanthanu was worried after some days because of her behavior. The neighbor Kings were criticizing the Princess's persistence. But she didn't pay any heed.

Ranadheer made up his mind one day and went to the private room to practice sword fighting. Sammohana Devi was already there, practicing. Ranadheer dared to remove his robe. His warrior-built figure is exposed with veins bulging out. He started practicing, his muscles flexing along with his movement. His moves were precise, artistic. Anyone who saw him like this will think he didn't come for practicing sword fighting but to seduce her. He would have succeeded in attracting any girl, but alas! She wasn't just any girl, she was Sammohana devi.

She doesn't falter even for a second. She gave him zero attention. Ranadheer didn't mind it. He took it as a challenge. He was well qualified in sword fight, archery, whatever involved war, more than her. But he is not a Prince or King like she wants.

He made a move towards her. With a snap, she pointed her weapon to his face. He surrendered. While withdrawing her sword, she pierced his under shirt. She smirked at his glowing, calloused body.

"I know, as of my name, I can be mesmerizing and an enchantress. But I am a fierce femme. Be alert around me. I don't want my commander to be trapped with this weakness. It's going to cause loss to our Kingdom. "

"It's not your beauty I'm attracted to, it's your personality I like. I love you, hon. Princess Sammohana Devi."

"What!? How dare you even think about it! I'm a Princess and you are my commander. You can't become my partner at all. I will never accept it. I will only marry the person who can meet all my requirements. Specifically, a Prince. I am not going to compromise that for anyone. You dishonored me by loving me."

"There's no dishonor in Love. Love is above all. It never degrades a person. If you can't accept my love at this point of time, I can wait. Until you change your mind."

"It's never going to happen."

After their agitated encounter, whenever Ranadheer appeared in front of Sammohana Devi, she never failed to show him his place. His face would be crestfallen after meeting her. This continued until the day the King got to know about it. King Shanthanu was upset with his daughter's behavior. He called for her and when she came, he warned her to correct her behavior. She got furious. It's the first time her father talked to her like that.

She went straight to her patio and ordered to bring Ranadheer. When he came, she didn't give him a chance to speak.

"You said you are in love with me. But do you know what you've done? Your love has become a headache for me! The sight of you alone, is making my blood boil. Because of you and your love, my father and I are on bad terms. Your love is letting me down. Do you even love me?! Is it really honest? Or is it your plan to get the throne?! That's so cheap of you! I can never love a person like you!"

Her words were venomous. She not only degraded him but also insulted his Love. He couldn't tolerate that. His body started convulsing due to his anger. He took her sword and said,

"Whether you love me or not, it's your choice. But you didn't even value my love. You trampled my heart. You doubted my pure intentions. You dishonored my love. You don't deserve to be loved. You will face the feeling of being rejected. No one will love you in your next birth. You will experience the pain of heartbreak, numerous times. This is for hurting me. This is my curse for you."

He killed himself with her sword. He had given his life because of his unrequited Love.

You are that Sammohana devi from your past birth. That curse of the past birth is haunting you. That's why you are alone, unloved and having heartbreaks." the angel concluded.

Silence filled the room. But my mind was in chaos. So, till now I was paying for the curse... but how many days are left for it to expire? How many heartbreaks do I have to suffer... Oh my God!! Even in this birth I have rejected love proposals...! What about them? Am I going to be punished for them too!? And Dheeraj? Is he Ranadheer? And....

"Do you want to ask us anything?"

I let them understand all my worries. They smiled knowingly at each other.

"You haven't paid enough for the curse. When you thought about ending your life because of the pain, even though it was for a second, we thought you deserved a chance to know your curse and how you can get redeemed. We came here to advise you that if you won't redeem your curse in this birth, it will follow you in the next birth too. So, don't do any stupid activities. You can love like any other girl. There is no one stopping you. You will have our blessings. Just make him fall for you and love you. He is the only one who has the power to free you. "

"Thank you. But I have some doubts, what happened to the Princess after Ranadheer killed himself?"

"That's a tale for another time. You will be allowed to know only which is related to this birth."

"But I want to know. You can't leave me hanging here. I am feeling restless. That story doesn't end there, does it? She must have suffered too right?" I probed.

"You haven't changed much on accounts of stubbornness. OK we will tell you but you shouldn't ask questions about it. You shouldn't try to justify it."

"Sure. I just want to know."

"After the Commander killed himself, the news about his death spread like a wildfire and reached the ears of the neighbor king who had an eye on this Kingdom. He was waiting for a chance to start a war. Now, with the death of the powerful Commander, only the old King and inexperienced princess left, he had the best chance to wage a war.

Though the Princess Sammohana was brave, intelligent and somewhat tried to protect the Kingdom, the people were rebellious due the demise of their inspiration, the Commander. Thus, they withdrew their support, ultimately leading to defeat and loss of the Kingdom. Sammohana, being stubborn, didn't give up and died in the war because of severe injuries. Though she died early and quite pathetically, it's not what the curse meant, so you had to carry it to this birth."

That made me think for some time.

"OH! OK then. Are Ranadheer and Dheeraj Ram, the same? Does he also know this flashback?"

The Angels grinned at me.

"Both are the same Persons. But he will not get to know about it. And you don't tell anyone about our arrival here. "

"OK. I promise."

"Any more doubts? Because we have to leave before dawn. "

I don't know what else to ask. My mind is full of uncertainty. If I miss this chance to ask, I can never get to know about it. After giving it a lot of thought, I asked,

"Do you want anything to eat or drink?"