Chapter 7.

"Maa, you called me?? What happened?? Chanda said you were asking for my immediate presence." I asked entering her chamber.

"Are... Come... Sit beside me Aadya... Beta Navratri is going to start soon," She informed me.

(Navratri is a nine days festival where for nine days people fast and pray to the nine forms of goddess Parvati. The nine different forms signify the nine different characters of a woman. It is to pay respect to all the nine forms residing in a lady and pray for well-being.)

"It is also your first festival after marriage. I want you to take the charge of everything and prepare a feast on the last day of Navratri. And here choose nine different colours for nine days. It would signify you as the Navadurga of our kingdom, people would learn a bit about their to-be queen and will look up to you with new respect and admiration filling their eyes." She told me and I nodded.

We chose nine different colours for the Navratri and I did the chores left for the day.

Day went and night arrived. I didn't know that I would soon become accustomed to this new life as a wife, daughter-in-law, crown Princess, sister and much more.

I was sitting in front of my dressing table and removing all the jewellery. This time of the day is my favourite. I could let go of all my burdens at this time and have a peaceful dinner with my husband cum friend.

Aditya has become my habit by now. Waking him up, helping him dress, eating breakfast with maa and pitaji sitting beside him, practise sessions with him, discussing the political issues together, making him forcefully eat lunch amidst all the scrolls laying around him, evening with maa and pitaji and Aditya in the palace temple, and at last the peaceful dine and the cuddles we are now addicted to.

Now that I think my whole life revolves around him. All day my lips utter just these, Aditya this, Aditya that, Aditya here, Aditya there, etc. etc...

"What are you smiling at my queen?? Are there some jokes reeling in your pretty mind??"He said startling me.

I didn't even know I was smiling until he remarked. He came behind me and started removing all the accessories from my hair and therefore setting them free.

A week has passed since the day of our fight. We started to give our relationship a try and I think it is working. This always reminds me, only five days to go to our wedding night. I don't know what would happen, or what wouldn't but one thing I can be sure of is that he would never force me into something I don't want.

"You know why I help you with your hair when needed to be set free?? It's because they were forced to be bound because of me, but I feel down I love to see my wife as a free lioness, patrolling her territory. Your open hair reminds me always what a truly beautiful, and compassionate woman you are. A true mother you are to the people of our kingdom. They look forward to seeing you as the new queen. I heard some saying how much they would love to see you sitting on that throne beside me just like maa sits beside baba." He explained to me. I could only smile and look at him. his hand that was kept on my shoulder, I took it in my own and squeezed it stating how much I loved his words.

We went to our bed and sat down to eat. As usual, I fed him and he sat there stating what all happened the whole day like a child to his mother. Although I was with him almost the whole day, the spark in his eyes when he explained everything to me made me not want to stop him.

After dinner, we laid side by side. It was not much awkward considering we cuddle every while, and still call each other friends. I can't let my feelings rise for him when I know he came to our kingdom to get his love. He loved someone there. How do I know?? Simple. Vidyut Bhai (brother).

He explained to me how Aditya went to the forests in found a woman. She instantly captured his heart and he started to look for her. He was crazily in love. Too much.

After that what happened, there was a mystery to him too. With all the thoughts lingering in my mind I drifted to sleep.