Satranga Ishq

viii.

" Rajkumar " the murmurs grew louder, as the crowd bowed their heads in front of their prince.

" Hum aur rajkumari Bhairav mandir ke darshan ke liye aaye the. Par humein apeksha nahin thi, ki yeh sab dekhne ko milega. "

The priest joined his hands in greetings, " Aap jaisa soch rahein hain, waisa nahin hai- "

" Humein aur koi spashtikaran ki aavashyakta nahin hain, jo dekhna tha humne dekh liya hain. " that made the old man shut up.

The man who'd attacked Geetanjali look fearfully at the him, and fall on her feet, making her retreat, " Kshama kijiye rajkumari. " she looked at her husband.

" Tumhare liye chetavani hain, agar iske pashchaat bhi tumne kisi stree ke upar haath uthaya ya phir kisi anaitik karya karte huye pakde gaye, tab tumhara vichaar raj-mahal ke nyay-kaksh mein hoga. Jao ab. " he nodded at Mritunjay and ran away for his dear life.

" Aur sirf usko hi nahin, har kisiko yeh dhyan mein rakhna hain. Hum Gauravgarh mein kisi bhi prakar ka bhed-bhaav nahin sahenge. Yaha par ucch-nich jaati ki pratha nishedh hain, sab saman hain aur sthiti waisi hi rahein toh hi accha hoga. Humein nahin pasand hamare rajya ke prajao ke mann mein jaati-bhed jaise malinta rahein. Toh aap nagarwasiyon se wahi aasha hain ki aaplog ek dusre ke saath prem se rahein, aur khudko sristikarta na samjhe. " the last words were directed towards the priest.

He looked down in shame, while the people around nodded at the prince's thoughtfulness. After that, both Mrityunjay and Geetanjali walked back to their palace.

On their way home Geetanjali said, " Kya aavashyakta thi beech mein aakar uss aadmi ko prahar karne ki? Hum nahin chahte the ki aap ladai karein. "

" Jab tak yukti-tark chal rahan tha, tab tak thik tha. Par agar koi hamari patni ko chhot pohchane ki koshish karega, tab humein beech mein aana padega. Pata hain khudko sambhal sakti hain aap, par aapko surakshit rakhna bhi toh hamara hi kartavya hain Geetanjali. " she smiled at her husband and hold his hand, " Mahal pohuchkar vaidji se apna haath dikhwa lijiyega. "

•

A month passed like this, and only two weeks have remained for the raj-tilak ceremony. A lot has changed in this month. Geetanjali had started reading books -it become her new hobby- and practiced with other weapons like the knife and also learned archery and horse riding. Her shooting skills weren't that good, but her husband had said that it'll do. Mrityunjay also taught her, how to play chess, and that become the favourite pastime game for both.

The days were passing by with a good note and from nowadays, her mother-in-law wasn't taunting her either. What surprised her was that, Lekha had been extra nice to her recently. Though it raised suspicion in her mind, but still she's happy that her mother-in-law is getting to start liking her.But her happy bubble burst out, with the arrival of a certain someone.

Geetanjali had woken up late that morning, and her husband is at fault, since he kept her awake for the late of the night. Not that she's complaining, she likes it when her husband shower his love on her.

Blushing furiously at the remembrance of their last night activities, she didn't notice the other person in front of her, and bumped with her, " Kshama kariyega, hamaara mann nahin tha. Aapko kahin chhot toh- "

" Rajkumari Vishakha- " Lekha walked towards both of them, " -hum aapko hi dhoondh rahein the. Aaiye kuch kha lijiye, bohut dur yatra karke aaye honge na. Arey Geetanjali, aap uth gyi? "

" Ji pranam ranima. " Lekha nodded at her and turned to Vishakha, to do the required introduction.

" Rajkumari yeh hain hamari bahu, Mrityunjay ki patni Geetanjali. Aur Geetanjali yeh hain Rajkumari Vishakha, hamari priya sakhi ki putri. Raj-tilak ke avsar par hamare aamantran hetu Gauravgarh mein aayi hai. " she nodded at the princess.

" Aap bhi aaiye na, saath me bhojan karenge. " the three women walked towards the dining hall, when Vishakha opened her mouth.

" Aapko dekhne ki badi iccha thi humein didi- " Geetanjali frowned at the endearment, " -woh kya hain na bachpan se hi hum sunte aaye the ki Jay ka vivaah humse hoga, achanak se aap unki patni ban gaye, toh humein aacharya hua, ki aisa kya hain aap me ki unhone ek kshan mein vivaah ke liye haan kar di aur dwitiya vivaah ke prastaav ko bhi naa kar diya. " she could hardly smile after hearing those words.

Feeling that the conversation wasn't going the right way, Geetanjali interrupted, " Woh humein kuch karya yaad aa gaya hain, aap dono jaiye, hum woh karya samapt karke aate hain. " and walked away from there.

But before she could make her way out completely, the princess said loudly enough for her to hear, " Ranima, humein Gauravgarh bhraman karne ka bohut mann kar raha hain, uss talab ko dekhne ka jahan hum aur Jay khelte the bachpan mein. Jay ko kahiye na humein waha lein jaaye, unse ekaant mein baat bhi nahin hui hamari abhi tak. "

Lekha laughed -which seems like a cruel laughter to Geetanjali at that moment- and said, " Avashya. Mrityunjay bhi bohut utsaahit hain aapse milne ke liye. Aap sabse priye jo the unke. "

Fastening her pace, she made her way to the court room, to clear a few things with her husband. An unknown fear started crawling in her chest, as the reason of Lekha's suspicious behavior and the sudden arrival of Vishakha dawned on her.

~•~

Entry of a new character!!!! What you will be her role? Share your review. And please do vote, comment and support. Constructive criticism is welcomed. ☺❤