1~The new begining
Year 1532
Meera pov~
"Aaj se aap dono pati- Patni h"
“From today onwards you both are husband and wife.”
The moment I heard those words I clutched my lehenga tightly in my fist and curled my toes inwards. I can feel my heart sank down deeper to my stomach hearing pandit ji.
Finally, Now I am married to an unknown man about whom I know nothing other than his name- Abhimaan Pratap Singh. The king who won our kingdom in the war.
As he won our kingdom, I am married to him to strengthen our political relationship and as a security to our kingdom. And I am least worried about this. If this is for my kingdom, my people who are my first priority, my first home. Who were here when I raised up since childhood, I can do anything for them. I am ready for the life ahead waiting for me. Which can be cruel and tough as hell or maybe peaceful and loving as heaven.
But the thing which is making my insecurities go on its high is .........
Does he know about my disability?
Does he know that I can't speak? That I am a mute princess.
I am sure my father would never hide such a huge thing but still I cannot help. I can imagine my future, present in my new palace as a mute girl. I will be thrown with one of his mistresses in palace.
I have heard about him alot, As he is a young king I am sure he is a womanizer and maybe he already have a wife or more. Or not?
Whatever it is this is my life now. I felt my vision getting blurry due to the tears pooling into my eyes.
"Please take blessings from elders and pray to your gods to nourish your marriage."
I was brought back from my world of thoughts by panditji.
Mahi, my personal attendee came forward and helped me to stand up as I was wearing a heavy attire.
She lift up my heavy skirt a little and I stood up with shaking legs. We went towards my father and seek his blessings. He blessed me with a happy and cherishing life and victory, pride to my husband.
We went to the temple to seek blessings from God and perform aarti together. I prayed for the my people, to bless them with peace and prosperity. Guide my heart to lead with compassion and courage for my new kingdim, my now family. And grant my husband strength and wisdom to lead his kingdom with honor and a long life with good health.
We did the offerings and our convoy got ready for departure.
And now it's time for my vidaai. The mere thought of leaving my home forever and going to a new place that too alone was making my chest tighten. More tears rolled down my cheeks and I was thankful for the veil which was covering my face.
Palanquin arrived and Mahi help me settle inside, lifting my lehenga and heavy dupatta. And to my relief Mahi was coming with me as babasa didn't want me to go alone to a new place.
I bid my last goodbye to maasa and babasa and we headed towards my new kingdom, my new.
I lean my head back and straighten my back a little, closing my eyes. And didn't felt when I drifted to sleep.
"Ranisa please come out. We have arrived. "
I was awakened by a sudden voice ranging in my ear.
I open my eyes adjusting to the fire lamps which were enlightening in mid night. A girl, maybe in her early twenties, nearly of my age was standing outside parting the curtains of palanquin.
I replied with a nod and got down gathering my dupatta from my lap.
I was hell tired by now, due to this heavy jewellery and attire which was weighing more than me. It was making it difficult for me to even walk. But the anxiety in my heart was overcoming my tiredness perfectly.
She took me ahead and I stood beside my husband. I lifted my head a little upwards and took a glance at the palace through my veil.
No doubt it was beautiful. Even bigger than my paternal home.
The open, grand gates which were welcoming the new bride with their open arms adorned with flowers and lights. The guards outside were standing straight. I can't see much from outside due to tall gates but the outer beauty alone was screaming royalty, and I can sense peace in the air.
We climbed the stairs which were quite good in number, large and high. We arrived at the main door of the palace where a lady in her fifties was standing with a huge Aarti plate in her hands. Maids and attendees were surrounding her giggling and slow murmuring into each other's ears.
She smiled a little while looking at us and completed our aarti by applying tilak on our forehead and showering little petals of marigold. She placed a kalash filled with rice in front of my feet and said.
"Daughter, kick this kalash lightly with your right foot."
She said in her beautiful, calm voice and I felt a sense of calmness and emotions in my body listening to her calling me daughter. I nodded.
I hit the kalash, letting the rice land on the floor and a maid came forward to place a huge Kumkum filled liquid plate in front of me.
"My child, step in this Kumkum and leave your footprints as you come inside. From now on you are the queen, the laxmi of this kingdom and this is a symbol of bringing prosperity and good fortune to your kingdom."
She said and I couldn't help but feel a warmth spreading across my chest. She wanted me to do this ritual as the laxmi. I was thinking I would be just thrown somewhere in the estate but she seems nice.
I gulped thickly the heavy lump in my throat and blinked my lashes under veil to push back the tears forming in my eyes.
I took a step forward and a maid helped me lift up the skirt a little. I stepped inside the kumkum and moved forward with my red inked foot imprints on the white fabric.
"Bhaisa hum kab se apni bhabhisa ki pratiksha kar rhe the. Aap ne aane mai boht vilambh kar diya. Jaiye hum aapse rusht h."
“Bhaisa I was waiting for bhabhisa for so long. You took so much time to come. I am angry with you now.”
A voice from behind caught my attention and i turn my heada little sidewards to look at the sulking tone.
Rawal sa, I know he is the younger brother of Ranasa. He said in a dramatic tone while showing fake anger and I sucked on my lower up biting down my smile.
It brings a light smile to my face. He is known for his uncontrollable anger in whole hind. It is said that he is filled with so much rage and fury for his enemies that he could chop them alive. No doubt ranasa holds the power of the king. But Deversa is not less than him in any way.
"Abi aapki rushtta dur kr dete hai hum"
“Wait! I will make it up to you right now.”
And I heard the voice of my husband for the first time. dominating and rich. I gulped curling my toes in and fisted my fingers together under my chest.
Ranasa said with a raising brow and held his ear twisting it.
"Ahhhh bhaisa leave. Please, it's hurting.”
Devarsa winced in pain while holding his wrist and I lowered my lashes for a moment.
My bhaisa also used to scold me like this.
"Pr abi toh apko boht thithori sooj rhi thi"
“But you were saying something just now.”
Ranasa said while twisting his ear even more and deversa winced in pain tugging his shoulder upwards. His one eye was closed in pain as he held ranasa’s wrist to help himself a little.
I think it was really hurting him.
I wish my bhaisa was here too, to see me off to my new home.
"Sorry bhaisa, pleaseeeee leave na.”
I came back from my thoughts hearing his pleading and raised my lashes up under the veil. Ranasa left his ear and everyone giggled at their childish act.
He came to my side again and I lowered my lashes feeling timid. Not even once I looked at him, I just cannot. I wonder if he has seen me yet!
We stepped ahead and heard a voice,
"Chaliye hatiye! hamari bahu ko pareshan mat kriye aap sab."
“Come on! Move aside you all. Don't trouble my daughter in law."
That same lady from before said, coming forward and lifted my veil, keeping it over my head and held my chin to lift my face up.
A wide smile.
"Hey narayan!!” She gasped palming her mouth and my heartbeats raced insanely.
She didn't like me? Am I that ugly? Do I not have a good face to even stay in their kingdom, in a corner? Will she throw me out right now?
Hot tears brimmed into my eyes and I gulped thickly, looking down to floor to stop any tear rolling down my cheeks to her palm. She will feel dirty, no?
“Chand ka tukda laye hai aap hmare liye, Abhi."
"Beautiful, you surely bought a moon for me, Abhi.”
She exclaimed in excitement and my lashes lifted up a little. I immediately lowered them back while a dust of pink kept across my cheeks listening to her compliment.
Really?
I blushed unknowingly and felt him staring at me from my peripheral vision. My cheeks felt even warmer and I fisted my hands trying to control my wild heartbeats.
He must have heard them.
"What is your name daughter?"
She asked and I gulped. I sucked on my lower lip silently, not knowing what to answer, how to answer and before I could even do something to embarrass myself, a voice came.
"Meera"
And I know to whom this voice belongs to but didn't dare to turn my head towards him.
“Her name is meera, maasa.”
He repeated in his dominating voice and I heard devarsa whispering something to him.
"Beautiful name, just like you, my child"
She said and I smiled a little.
"Hum Abhi ki maasa hai aur ab se aapki bhi."
"I am Abhi's mother and from now on yours too."
She said palming my cheek and I joined my hands greeting her and bent down to touch her feet. But she stopped me midway holding my shoulders and made me stand again.
I looked at her in confusion and she shooked her head.
"Now you are the queen of Suryagarh and a queen should never bow down infront of anyone except for god."
She said, patting my shoulder slightly and my brows furrowed.
'But u are my elder, my mother in law, it's my honour to touch your feet. And a real queen is the one who follows her cultural legacy. No matter if she is royal too or what would people learn from an open book in front of them'
I want to tell her, but I can't because I know nobody will understand what I am trying to say. So I lowered my lashes slightly and nodded. She smiled engulfing me in a hug murmuring warm welcome and blessings in my ear and I raised my arms hugging her back with a smile.
We parted after a moment and she signalled someone. A girl came forward and stood in front of me.
"She is Rma, your headmaid. You can ask her for any help you want, she will always be with you."
She informed and I nodded again. Maasa told us to freshen up as it was a good long and tiring journey and I nodded again. And I was finally away from the burning, stealing glances of my husband.
Me, Rma and Mahi moved forward through the high walls of the palace.
We walked through the hallways which were fully enlightened and stepped inside a gallery which was surrounded by gardens on both sides. She took me to the last part of the palace as it was much peaceful with very few movements. Only necessary guards were present and the maids doing their work stopped their hands momentarily to look at me as if they were seeing a ghost.
I gave them a slight smile which they returned wholeheartedly with a bow and I gulped. Until now, I know this much that I am not just his mere mistress or any other women. I know that I am his wife for others but is he going to accept me? Or will I be just used as an object here? Is he really going to throw me in a brothel? Or maybe something even worse than that.
My mind was flooded with so many questions but there was no one to whom I could ask or share.
"Rani sa this is your chamber. " Rma told me breaking my chain of thoughts and I blinked..
I looked around and it was a beautiful round chamber. Dark maroon, thick carpets were lying on the floor, the long maroon curtains covering all the talk walls were touching down the floor.
A huge round bed was placed at the end in the center of the wall which was led by two steps of stairs. Maroon, Silk sheets were neatly placed on it with huge round pillows.
It was midnight so maids brought the oil to refill the glass lamps, lit the candles and lightened the huge chandelier placed on the floor. Soon the chamber was fully enlightened and they pulled the iron strings from both sides, letting the chandelier hang on the roof and display its real beauty.
Now the things were looking even more alluring .The huge couch was placed on the one side of the bed with a table and little light was coming from a door attached with a chamber. Maybe a dressing area. There were a total of three doors opening inside this chamber.
"Ranisa, should I prepare your bath? "
Rma bought me back from the beauty of my new place and I nodded. We headed towards the bathing room.
It was a large open pool and a separate, smaller pool was also there. Water was already mixed with milk and rose petals and the whole area was smelling like heaven. Many essences were getting mixed; jasmine, rose, sandalwood and many oils.
We move forward and a few more attendees joined. They began to remove my heavy jewellery which finally let me breathe some air and I let out a deep sigh. I stripped out of all my clothes and sat inside the pool wrapping a thin cotton fabric around my naked body just with my nuptial chain and toe rings.
I rested my back against the wall and they began applying the sandalwood, multani paste on my body. I closed my eyes and set my head back at the wall to let them do their work.
I noticed they have used so many oils and lotions which smells really like heaven. Even I got mesmerized by their smell.
Finally after a relaxing long bath they washed away the paste and massaged my body a little with warm oil. And it soothes me. After a long tiring journey it was badly needed.
As I finished I unwrapped the wet cloth and they passed me a fresh one. Drying myself with a thick cotton cloth I wrapped it around me and came out of the pool.
They guided me to dressing area and I sat in front of the dressing table on a stool and noticed the whole dressing room was filled with many trunks. I was looking for mine but they were nowhere to be seen.
Soon they got me ready in a light yet beautiful red attire with deep neck blouse and done all the shringar. An attendee braided my long hairs falling down my hips and embellished them with jasmine flowers.
I placed the vermillion in my partition and there was an announcement made by guards that maasa was coming. I settled my dupatta over my head and stood up from stool, turning around.
She came towards me and held my cheek in her palm. Her skin was soft and warm.
"Beautiful."
She breathed and I smiled lowering my lashes in timidity.
"Take ranisa to her chamber."
She told Rma, who was standing behind me and she mumbled a small okay. Sharing a loose hug with maasa, we came back to the bedroom and maasa went out. I stepped inside bedroom from the door of dressing area which opens there and lifted my lashes up.
what?
Now, the whole chamber was enlightened with dimmed lights and scented candles while the bed was adored with scattered rose petals. It was covered with thin curtains from all sides, allowing only a blurry sight.
A thick carpet of flowers was laid from the entrance of room to the bed stairs and understanding it's meaning my breath caught in my throat.
How can I forget??
It's my wedding night!!
My heartbeat raced suddenly and I gulped down the thick saliva feeling the sudden uneasiness rising through my body. All the calmness which I was feeling after a long and relaxing bath flew away in moments.
I clutched my hands on my sides as sweat broke through my neck and my chest shivered. They all began to walk me ahead while giggling and laughing and I was frightened.
I stepped ahead, my heart thumping against my chest as they made me sit in the center of bed and again drawn the curtains down. The room fell in deep silence as they all left, closing the door behind and leaving me all alone with my thoughts.
I pulled my knees close to my chest as tears began to appear in my eyes. Turning my head a little sidewards, I noticed a plate of fruits kept on the nightstand with a big glass of milk. Maybe it was for me to eat, but I don't think I am in any situation to even take a bite.
I can hear my heart beating so loud that I fear it might jump out of my chest any time soon. My fast heartbeats were ringing in my ear.
What if he does not like me?
What if he doesn't know about me being unable to speak?
I was fidgeting with my fingers with my chest churning with uneasiness and a thought to remove my jewellery myself and sleep right now, crossed my mind when he didn't came for long time. But I decided to wait for a little more, of course that's what I am here for.
And soon I heard the door of the chamber opened and closed followed by heavy footsteps. As the footsteps were getting louder my heart was sinking down to my belly.
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There will be few chapters in author pov initially, later the whole book will continue in character's pov. Also pardon my grammatical errors. This was my first book ever and also the very first draft on Wattpad. I am not making any changes on Wattpad and inkitt version. Hope you all will also love this book like the the Wattpad audience did. Thank you for choosing this story.
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