Tu hoga zara paagal, tune mujhko hai chuna
Tu hoga zara paagal, tune mujhko hai chuna
Kaise tune anjanaa mujhse dil ka ye rishta joda
Yeh moh moh ke dhaage, teri ungliyon se jaa uljhe
Main bhavra, yahaan wahaan bhatakta rehta hoon
Tu hai kahan, main yahaan sapnon pe pehra deta hoon
Kaisi hai ye uljhan, kaise yeh pal pal
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Aaranya got dressed in a beautiful kurti she found in the closet, pairing it with jhumkas and a bindi between her brows. She kept her makeup minimal, just applying a little lipstick, blush and eyeliner.
After confirming for the nth time in the mirror that she was looking fine, she went out of the room.
As she took in the scene of the large hallway with glowing golden chandeliers, the entire place was in elegant colour codes, with expensive-looking furniture neatly arranged. She hadn't toured the palace yet because she woke up directly in her bedroom.
Today her brothers and father had informed her that they will announce it to everyone in the kingdom that the princess of Alwar is back.
She was walking down the stairs, Veer noticed her first and came towards her "Beta are you ready to meet everyone. You know right we can postpone this if you aren't comfortable right now." He said his voice etched with protectiveness.Β
It washed over a feeling of being loved and cherished over her.
She smiled and held his hand reassuringly "Bhai sa its fine, I'll meet the people."
He sighed and patted her head before leading the way towards the large balcony from where the entire kingdom was visible.
Aditya, Devansh, Lakshay and their dad were already standing there on the balcony.
People were gathered under the balcony waiting to get addressed by their king.
Veer approached the balcony gently holding Aaranya's hand. He walked over near the railing and cleared his throat before beginning to speak.
"Namaskar sabhi Alwar vasiyon ko, Hame aaj aap sab ko yeh batate hue behat khushi ho rahi hai ki is rajya ki rajkumari, Hamari Aaranya laut aayi hai. Umeed karte hai ki aap sab unhe wahi izzat aur prem denge jaisa pehle dete the." He completed and Aaranya stepped forward a bit. People broke in applause like they were waiting for their little princess to return back to the city.
(Greetings to all the residents of Alwar, I am feeling really delighted to tell you all that the princess of the kingdom, our Aaranya is back. I hope you all will give her the same love and respect as before.)
β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°
My lips twitched curling upwards into a smile as I took in the love and respect from the people around her. First from my brother's, then the man who claimed to love me, then my father and now all these people of the kingdom.
I can't help but feel grateful and overwhelmed with all this. I had longed for a family, for a support to hold onto for ten years and after that God gave me my reward.
Veer bhai sa handed me the mic and I took it, with no planning at all about what will I say.
I just spoke the words that my heart recited.
"Dhanyawad sabhi ko, aap sabhi jaante bhi nahi honge ki yeh sab hamare liye kitna Maine rakhta hai. Bhai, Baba aur aap sabhi ke pyaar aur izzat ke liye mai bahut abhaari rahungi. Hamesha. Maanti hu mujhe abhi kuch yaad nahi hai par Mai hu wohi Aaranya."
(Thank you everyone, you all don't even know how much all this means to me. For my Brothers, father and all of your love and respect I am really grateful. Forever. I know I don't remember anything as of now but I am still the same Aaranya.)
I handed back the mic to Veer Bhai sa and wiped the stray tear that had fell down.
After talking a bit to everyone, we went towards the dining space for breakfast.
Aditya Bhai sa pulled out a chair for me helping me sit. I smiled politely and complied. We all were talking catching up on life missed by all of us when a man made his entry in the room.
An old man with silver hair, lean and was walking with the help of a stick but still his aura commanded respect and attention.
We all turned our attention towards him my face twitched in a confused little frown while the rest others seemed almost normal.
Meanwhile the old man's look was kind of disgusted.
Ah! Whom is he looking with disgust? Is it me? But what did I do? Did I did anything ten years back? Arghhh I can't remember anything.
β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°β’Β°
"Itne saalo pehle is mahal se woh kali raat ka shrap chali gayi thi aur tum log usse wapis le aaye. Kuch nahi laayi thi yeh hamare mahal mai srif barbaadi aur dard ke alawa." The old man said with a sneer smile and a mocking harsh tone.
(After so many years you all brought the dark night's curse back. She hadn't brought anything in the palace except pain and destruction.)
He pointed at Aaranya before speaking further, his look filled with disdain and disgust "Is ki hi wajah se aaj hamara sukhi parivar toot gaya hai, hamari bahu aur is ghar ki badi rajkumari ko sab se dur kar diya gaya hai."
(Because of her our happy family is broken today, my daughter - in - law and the eldest princess is away from everyone.)
Aaranya couldn't remember or process anything why was he saying this to her. She was in a full self-blame mode trying to put everything on her by saying that she must have only did something and she didn't really deserve a good life.
Tears started falling freely down her cheeks, she felt the words of the old man whom her father said was her Grandfather were cutting through her heart. Each one worse and more painful than the last one.
"Bas Dada sa bahut ho gaya, ab shaant ho jayiye. Hamare rajye ki rajkumari aur hamari behen ke kilaf aur ek shabd bhi Ham nahi sun na chahte" Veer stood from his chair, his voice was cold and commanding making Pritvi Singh Rajput halt in his steps.
(Stop Grandfather enough, be quiet now. We don't want to listen anything against the princess of the kingdom and our sister anymore.)
"She is a---" He tried speaking more, maybe in his defence or maybe to humiliate Aaranya more but Veer added on cutting through his voice.
"Jis raat usne janm liya tha usme uski koi galti nahi hai, yeh srif purani baate aur aapka andvishwas hai."
(The night she was born, she had no fault. These are just superstitions and old talks.)
Flashback
26 years ago
It was the night of the red moon, a night everyone fears.
No one comes out of their houses or talks loud as it is said that this night is cursed and supernatural spirits roam around freely.
The queen on Alwar was pregnant with twins and suddenly her contractions began and her water broke. Everyone in the house panicked about how to take them to the hospital.
The king, Rajendra rushed his wife in his arms to the car and drove as fast as he could to the hospital.
The four princes, the princess and the former king also went behind them in another car.
As soon as they reached, the met with the sight of Rajendra's break down. He was sobbing hard, tears streaming down his face.
A little girl wrapped in a soft pink cloth was resting in his arms clutching his finger tightly as if trying to console him.
Even she seemed a little stressed and sad. As if she didn't wanted to come into this world alone without her twin.
Yes, that girl is Aaranya.
"Kya hua Rajendra, ro kyu raha hai beta. Bahu aur dusra baccha kahan hai?" Pritvi, the former king asked him with softness in his voice which was unlike his real personality.
(What happened Rajendra, Why are you crying? Where is our daughter- in - law and the other child?)
"Baba sa They said that the other twin, the little boy is born still and Rajeshwari is fine just exhausted by delivery." He said between his almost faded sobs.
"Is kali ratri aur yeh laal Chand ke beech mai hamare rajya ne apna nanha Rajkumar kho diya." Pritvi Singh Rajput said and left the hospital without any other word.
(Because of this dark night and red moon our kingdom lost its little prince.)
All the four princes took the little princess in their arms one by one, really happy with the arrival of a little bundle of joy and happiness is their lives.
Even Rajendra who was earlier upset with the grief of losing his son, now became positive and vowed to protect his daughter always.
But amidst the care of her father and brothers, her Grandfather and mother still despised her and thought that she doesn't deserves happiness.
Flashback Ends
"Aur Dada sa is mai uski koi galti nahi hai aur ham aasha karte hai ki ab aap bhi is baat ko bhula le." Lakshay spoke, his voice firm and protective for his little sister who just returned back to their lives.
Tears were streaming down Aaranya's face, her heart ached listening to her Grandfather. It was like he just gave her a reality check.
Everything became too overwhelming for her suddenly. One second it was all like a dream and now it was like the dream had shattered in shreds.
She ran towards her room without glancing back, tears falling down like water.
Veer, Devansh, Lakshay and Aditya tried stopping her but before they could do anything she had already slammed the door shut.
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Spoilers and updates for this chapter and the next chapter have been uploaded on my Instagram handle 'khushiiwrts'.
THIS CHAPTER IS ALSO UPLOADED ON WATTPAD AND INKITT.
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