Shubda was fully prepared to leave Vajji as soon as possible, but Maharani Karunika's kind heart trapped her here.

Which is why, when Maharaj Adam suggested, that they hold a swayamvar for her on her behalf, she was on crossroads.

Should she go ahead with the swayamvar, or wait for the shooting star, one whose guarantee of success was less than seeing a white dwarf star in the night sky.

With her mind at war with her heart, she approached the one woman who could help her.

The maharani of Vajji herself.

Walking into the room, she saw her holding a scroll with one hand, while holding Madirakshi in the other. The child was intent on chewing at her mother's hair, which she kept prying out of her mouth at periodic intervals.

"Maharani? "

" Yes, do speak Kumari, don't be shy. " She said, looking up from her scroll to shift Madirakshi to the other lap.

" I have a question to ask of you and I think you might be able to help me. "

"Alright, speak child. "

"Maharani, isn't it adharm to hold a swayamvar, knowing that you already have given your heart away to someone else? "

"It is, for it isn't fair to the other prince and Kings who have come to try their hand at winning the swayamvar. "

"But what if, the prince is so oblivious to our love, that their can never be any hope -"

"Never say never putri. My first anuj, Yudhishthir always says, life is unpredictable. So never say
never. "She said, holding Shubhda's face.

" But Maharani, if the person who I have made place for in my heart doesn't return my affection, or rather anyone else's affection, what then
Should I move forward or wait? "

" In my opinion, you should take some time out and then think about how to move forward . If the person is in your fate, you'll meet eventually, maybe not in the ways you imagined but you will. But if not, then there is no point chasing a fever dream. But that's what I think. You may choose a different life story. "

"Thank you maharani, I am grateful to have you in my life. "

" Anything for our guest my dear. "
"Soon family maybe. " Karunika muttered under her breath.

  ~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

She next went to one of the closest people to the Yuvraj.

His brother.

"Pranipat Yuvraj Moksh. "

" Pranipat Raajkumari, please wait. Alata! " He called, as she walked out into the balcony where they all sat.

"I'm sorry, if there is something personal,even then she must be here. She is my wife and you can share anything you want with us. People have made allegations against her, claiming she married me for money, so me meeting another woman alone will just increase that. I hope you understand. " He said and his wife smiled behind him.

"Avashy I understand. The people are all looking for ways to trouble one's life. We mustn't let that get to us though. I have a matter of discussion for you. If I may. "

"Please, go ahead, without hesitation."

" My heart has made a place for someone, however I am sure that the person does not return -"

"Oh he does. Bhrata Nirmay does return it. He is just scared to let it come true, for he fears falling too deep to be able to come back out if his heart is broken. " Alata said suddenly and then a hand went to cover her mouth.

"Well, since that is out of the bag now, yes, Nirmay does return your affections, rather he closes his eyes in front of you because he is scared to keep staring. So please, do go talk to him. " Moksh said, laughing.

" No. I won't do that. He runs away each time. I've made the effort since the past month. Now he has to make his effort. "

"Well, I have a plan. " Moksh smiled, while both women just looked suspiciously..

  ~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Aahana  was received graciously by the kingdom of Vajji for the swayamvar of Avanti Kumari Shubhda.

"Sakhi! How have you been? Both of you? Oh it has been so long since I saw either of you. " She said, embracing both women in a hug, when Moksh said, " Am I supposed to stand here with your gift or go back? My archery practice awaits-"

"Shhh! For once in your life, just appreciate this. " Aahana said, moving to hug him.

"Now, where's my gift? "

"I knew you'd only hug me for this. Come later in the evening by the old ace we went to as children. I'll show. " He said and she looked at him sceptical.

She went to greet both her parents and her bhrata Nirmay, who embraced her in a warm hug.

"We're holding the swayamvar of Shubhda the day after Holi. Is that fine? " Moksh asked.

Aahana looked back to see him looking at Shubhda with warm eyes.

Further extending her vision, she saw a rather dejected Alatakshi and an even dejected Nirmay.

"Ahem. Moksh? May we now eat dinner? " Aahana asked, her mind unable to understand what was happening.

" Oh yes. "

" Kumari, please sit here. " He welcomed him to his right.

Aalatakshi looked up with dismay from his left, which did not go unnoticed by the family.

Karunika and Adam's hearts broke to see their son treating their own daughter in law like so, but he'd told them to trust him. So they did.

Nirmay on the other hand, " Moksh, your wife does not like it. Let Kumari Shubhda sit somewhere else. "

"Bhrata Nirmay, I respect you, but how would you know what my wife likes? Alata? Do you mind Kumari sitting here? " He asked. Rather a rhetoric question to say the least, for his eyes glared the answer, rather obvious.

"N-no. What Arya says is fine by me. " She said, surreptitiously wiping a tear away from her eyes.

Aahana couldn't bear her friend feeling dejected, but it was true. She was his wife, if she wouldn't speak for herself, who would?

As dinner ended, Moksh said, " Kumari, would you like to spend the night playing chausar with me in my room? "  That was the final straw and Aahana had had enough.

As she was about to speak, her hand was caught by Moksh, a clear indication to keep quiet.

Alata meanwhile tried her best not to burst into tears, yet the way her eyes watered, it was evident it wouldn't take much.

" Moksh! It's not only your room. It's your wife's too. Ask her permission first. " Karunika finally shouted.

"Mata, I never said I'll be going alone. We'll play in the bedroom, while Alata spends time in the balcony. Is it fine, priye? " He added, but there was no warmth behind the Priye, it was simply a cold word.

"J-ji-ji Arya. " She whispered, walking and then running away, a hand on her mouth.

The others were all fuming, but before they could speak a word, both Moksh and Shubhda were gone.

  ~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

As night grew, Aahana went to the hidden acloves in the garden. There she saw her brother, sitting next to Alatakshi with her head on his shoulder, while Shubhda stood by them.

"You! I took you to be a friend and you are here to ruin my brother's marriage! " She shouted when she felt a hand on her mouth. Alata's hand.

" Dear bahana. Do you truly not trust me so? How was our acting? "

∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆

So.... Kya khichdi pak rahi hai? Tell me in the comments what you thought of Moksh's behaviour before the real reveal.

Please do vote if you liked.

Much love

Shubh Choti Holi  🙏🏼

Radhekrishn ♥