Sivi Rajy was one of the most beautiful places I had been to. Although it was around modern day Haryana and Rajasthan borders, it was vastly different from what we had seen.

There were lush trees and forests. The canopies hung low creating a cool atmosphere, one where you could lay down with in the day to rest and relax in peace. The people were extremely proud of their culture and it showed. All the houses were decorated with various types of artworks, narrating incidents of the lives of their previous kings and queens.

As we got down our horses, we were welcomed by the King and Queen of Sivi,  the maids. Maids? Dasis. I don't know, they held phoolmalas for us to wear. It was the most interesting welcome I had ever received.

" Pranipat Kumaron. I am eager to host you in our home. You are free to think of it as your own. You may bring any requests or complaints to my dear daughter. " Maharaj said, while we agreed.

As everyone settled for the day, my historical mind began to wander and took me on a wanderlust tour of the castle. The walls were made of stone, with deep intricate designs of paisely and colourful stone craft. The tapestries depicted the victories of the kings and queens and one such photo, was of their own darling princess, standing above a man, his head in his hands as she looked down at him with anger, a scythe in the other hand.

" They think I became  maa Durga that day."

" Every woman has Durga, Parvati, Kaali, Lakshmi and Sarasvati in her. It's only a matter of time before someone triggers it. I admire your bravery. "

" But this is a grossly misunderstood painting. It didn't happen like this. "

I waited for her to continue, unaware of anything I could say here.

" That day, all I could do is pray to Mahadev that I would survive. I suppose I did. They assume I look like mata Durga, but all I felt like was being crushed like an ant by him. He was a horrible man? Human? I don't know. Even rakshas seems like an insult to the rakshas clan. He would kidnap women purposefully and marry them off to other men. It was brutal. My father and I had a plan. One my mother was vehemently against. I decided to be abducted by him. There we would infiltrate and leave. But a woman fell unconscious mid way and we had to fight. It was chaotic and bloody, but thankfully all the women survived. I had promised a village lady, whose daughter had been killed by him for not cooperating with him, to bring her his head on a golden platter. So I did. That's what the image is and it has been taken out of proportion. They attribute the victory to me when it is of each and every woman who fought with me. " She finished, eyes hard and simultaneously moist, recalling the incident.

" I think it's very brave of you and the title of maa Durga would fit you wonderfully, if you ever wish to take it. You would become a wonderful queen for your subjects. "

" Don't you think I need to marry someone for that? " Her questions always made me think as if she was inspecting my character. It was weird.

" No. With or without marrying you would be a queen. A woman is a queen by choice. If she wishes, each woman is a queen in her own story, even if she falls in love, or if she chooses not to. How is that related to being a queen? "

" You may yet be the most eligible bachelor as of now Raajkumar Ajatshatru. " She said, walking away with a smirk.

What does that mean now..... I need to contact Saag immediately. This is getting way out of my league.

     ^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

My hand on his mouth did remind me of how close we stood. I could see him, as I sat by, the strong muscles in his hand as it supported his weight on the ground. The softness in his eyes. The beautiful yet mesmerizing way his eyebrows would scrunch as if in worry. It was slight, but noticeable if you look for it. He was handsome, much more than what the world expected them to look like. I also realised how close I was, truly.

" Didi! I'm going out to play. I'll come back by 7."

We jumped apart. Looking at everywhere but each other, before locking eyes and bursting into laughter.

I realised, that he was a man of proprietary and would not touch me unless we were married, which we are not and I have no plan to do so yet. So I shifted next to him, holding one of his hands with a head on his shoulder. He stiffened, hands tight as I held it. But then relaxed, keeping his head on mine and that was the start of something new. Beautiful and wholly unexpected.

I never thought about love even though I did imagine it. It was different than what I did. I had imagined butterflies in my stomach from excitement, but this felt peaceful. Maybe not butterflies, but this felt better. Because this was real.

The sun went down as we sat there, talking about our lives, his likes and how he dealt with his brothers.

A few hours passed when I felt a sharp pain in my stomach. Assuming it to be PMS, I shaked it off.

When I did stand up, the man by my side yelled in so mucch panic, I felt as if he'd imagined me dead.

" Sagarika! Why do you bleed? Why is your pajyama and kurta stained with blood? Do we need to visit the hospital? " He said, turning me around as if to inspect how bad it was.

Blood? Now? Oh. Oh shit. Well. That was a nice touch wasn't it. Literally everything and everyone in this universe is against us being giddy in love eh? This time it's mother nature.

" Oh it's periods. I'll just go and change. " I told him offhand, unassuming that he would not be able to understand.

" What is that? " And that is when I realised. He doesn't know it by that name, nor does he realise what that word meant.

" Give me fifteen minutes. I'll change and come back. "

" But are you purely sure that we don't need to visit the hospital? " He asked. He looked terrified. As if all his masks fell down.

I kept my hand on his face, and he leaned into it. " I am fine. I will tell you when I come out. Give me some time. Alright? Don't worry. I'm not injured. Well not truly. " He seemed to accept that, though still hesitant to let me leave alone.

     ^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

Soaking the clothes in warm water and soap, I changed my clothes and walked out of the washroom to see him pacing in the hallway, worried.

" Oh you're out. Now tell me. "

" Acha. Wait. Come sit down. "

" No. First tell me what's wrong with you. "

" Arre. I said I'll tell. I'm in pain. I want to sit. " I insisted.

He agreed, if only to lessen my pain. How sweet.

" Do you know what happens to women every month? " I asked, hoping he did.

" Well yes. They bleed. It indicates the absence of pregnancy. " He said. I sighed in relief. Well that's good.

" Well that's exactly what happened to me. We just call it periods. Because they occur on a periodical interval, usually. "

" Oh. " Now he shied away. That was not nice.

" Hey! What's wrong? Aren't you supposed to be way more accepting of these issues? As far as I know, women and men are rather well versed on these things in your time? "

" It's not that. It's just. Now you'll isolate yourself in a room for a week and I wont be able to see you. "

" Why would I do that? "

" Well, that's because you won't be able to move around so much in fear of staining your clothes. It's why you won't cook or enter the temple. Your clothes will be stained. " He said, looking devastated. It was hilarious. I couldn't keep the laugh in.

" Why do you laugh. It will hurt you more. " He said reproachful, looking at me as if I was wrong to do so, wrong to make fun of his lovelorn nature for a week.

" I won't isolate myself, nor will I stain anything. You need not worry. We are living in the future Yudhishthir. There are much more advanced ways to deal with this. Don't worry. You'll see me all week. After all, who will I cuddle up to when I feel like crying? " I said, doing exactly that, cuddling up to him on the bed.

He felt relieved at that. More at peace. I even got a kiss on my hair! I don't know whether to cry because of the love I was getting, or shy away. My body apparently chose the latter as my ears turned red and the man next to me laughed out, his smile like the radiance of the sun.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

I'll be adding funny images from the behind the scenes from now. The one that I find that is, while searching Pinterest for inspo pics. Totally not planned.

Well, he is a happy man now that he knows Saag won't isolate herself.

How is Devika and AJ. Devi  seems to be analysing him as if for a job interview.

Share your opinions through inline comments and votes .

Much love

RadheKrishn ❤