Invitation

Chandrika

"Aah... my ear!" I said, gently rubbing my ear and looking at the maid.

"I'm sorry, Princess. The wire of this earring is bent," she said, carefully straightening it.

"Princess..." My attention shifted from the earring to Vishakha.

"A letter has arrived from Swarn Garh," she said, catching her breath.

"A message? What kind of message?" I asked.

"A message about Rana Shivansh's coronation. He has invited the entire family," she said, coming closer to put the other earring in my ear.

"Really? That means I'll get to go too!" I said excitedly.

"Yes, Princess. The King and Queen are talking about it right now," she said, draping a dupatta over my head.

"I'll go meet Mother right now!" I said, running towards my mother's chambers.

"Princess, at least put on the rest of your jewelry!" Vishakha shouted from behind me.

As soon as I entered Mother's chambers, my eyes fell on the crowd. Mother, Brother, Grandmother, and Father were all there together.

I quickly adjusted my veil and went inside.

"Chandrika, come in! You were the only one missing," Grandmother said, waving her hand.

"Chandrika, you've only put bangles on one hand, and where is the other earring? You haven't even worn your full necklace. Don't you know there are guests in the palace?" Mother reprimanded.

If she had seen me running through the palace, who knows what would have happened. She is loving, but also a little strict... or maybe a lot.

"Chandrika, what are you thinking?" Mother asked, patting my hand.

Making a quick excuse, I replied, "Oh, it's nothing, Mother. I just heard that a letter arrived from my sister's in-laws. What does it say? Is she coming?"

"No, the letter says that it is Rana Shivansh's coronation, and he has sent us an invitation for that," Mother said.

"Oh! That means I'll get to meet my sister soon!" I exclaimed, going to sit next to Grandmother.

"Yes, my child. Soon you will also be married, and then you'll get lost in your own world, just like your sister," Grandmother said, lovingly kissing my forehead.

"That won't happen, Grandmother. All of you are my world, and you always will be. No matter how busy I get, I can never forget you all. No one can love me the way you do," I said, hugging her tightly.

"Haha... my child, we will find a loving family just like this for you," Father said, stroking my hair.

"But no matter what, there will be no one in the whole world like all of you," I said.

"Silly girl," Mother said, gently pinching my cheek, "every parent wishes for their daughter to find an in-laws' family just like her own."

"Mother, you know no one can put up with her like we do. Even she knows that's the truth," Brother said, teasingly.

"Brother!" I said, pouting.

Everyone burst out laughing.

"Okay, now listen to me carefully," Mother said, getting my attention.

"We will all arrive at Swarn Garh in a few days. You, however, are leaving tomorrow."

"But why, Mother?" I asked.

Holding my face in her hands, she explained, "You know that Guru Ji is in the palace, and we can't leave him like this. Besides, you need to go and help your sister with the preparations. This is the first time such a big ceremony is being held at her place."

"Yes, Mother, you don't have to worry about a thing." I tried to look calm, but a mountain of happiness was erupting inside me. My stomach was fluttering with excitement; I was going to meet her tomorrow!

"Now, get ready properly and help out a bit in the kitchen. Oh, and with the help of the maids, make sure to pack your things today itself," Mother said before leaving the chamber.

Then, everyone else also began to leave the chamber.

"Go live your life, my child! Because after you get married, your mother-in-law will 'love' you even more than Mother does," my brother said, teasing me with a mischievous grin before he left.

"Hmmm," I said, pouting.

I stuck my tongue out at him, teasing him back.

After that, I quickly got ready and, after helping Mother in the kitchen, I hurried back to my chamber to pack.

“Rajkumari, don’t forget this lehenga. It’s new and perfect for the coronation ceremony,” Vishakha said, placing a heavy, red lehenga with intricate gold work on the bed.

“Yes, yes, put it right there! And don’t forget my jhumka. Also, give me the dried rose ubtan that Mother made for me,” I said, opening a large wooden box.

“Jii, Rajkumari,” Vishakha replied.

“Vishakha, please look. Am I forgetting anything?” I asked, my eyes scanning the scattered items.

“No, Rajkumari. I believe you have everything,” she said, her gaze sweeping over the things. “Clothes, shoes, jewelry, and makeup. And your ubtan as well.”

Just then, Mother came over to me. "Chandrika, these are your sister's favorite ladoos. Keep these as well," she said, holding out a small pouch.

"Oh, wow! And nothing for me?" I said, making a dramatic, pouty face.

"It's not like that, my child. She loves the ladoos I make. I don't know if anyone makes them for her there," she said, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Mother, I was just joking!" I said, my voice softening as I wiped a tear from her cheek. "And why do you get emotional so easily? Don't worry, I'll give them to her."

"Okay, have you kept everything carefully?" Mother asked, placing the laddoo in the box.

"Yes, I have everything," I said, stretching my arms with a sigh of relief.

"Alright, then we will be leaving now," she said, turning to go.

"Vishakha, I need a moment of solitude," I said.

"Yes, Princess," she replied, and softly closed the door behind her as she left.

I had last seen him two months ago at my sister's wedding.

In the month and a half since, I had sent him four letters. But not a single reply had reached me.

This time, I will deliver this letter to him with my own hands.

I unfolded a sheet of paper and began to write the letter.

My Dearest Ansh,

From the day I first saw you, your face has been before me every waking moment, every hour of every day. I wait for your letters with bated breath, but you have not replied to a single one.

My heart is completely surrendered to you. It is becoming impossible for me to live without you; with each unanswered letter, you only increase my torment.

Please do not turn your back on me. I beg you, just look my way one more time. If you ask me to wait a lifetime, I will gladly do so until my last breath.

I will be waiting for your reply.

Your beloved

With the letter folded, I carefully secured it and placed it deep inside the box with my other belongings.

To see the time, I walked over to the window. The moon had risen, casting a silvery glow over the palace grounds.

Oh, Moon, you must be seeing everything happening in this world right now. Can you tell me what he is doing at this very moment? Does he ever think of me?

“Now I understand why you were named Chandrika. Even as a child, you were overjoyed just by looking at the moon, and you are still just as connected to it,” my aunt said, walking over to me.

She couldn’t attend my sister’s wedding, so she would be joining us on our journey to Swarn Garh for a few days.

I was startled when she spoke so suddenly. I quickly turned around and was surprised to see her standing there.

"Aunt! You were at your mother’s house. How and when did you get here?" I asked.

“You’re going to Urvashi’s place tomorrow, aren’t you? And our Big Sister will be joining you in a few days. So we came back,” she said, lovingly pinching my cheek.

“We don’t like leaving without seeing you either, Aunt,” I said, wrapping my arms around her in a tight hug.

“Alright, you’ve been in your chamber for a long time now. It’s time for dinner,” she said, leading me out of the room. “You should eat quickly and go to sleep. Tomorrow will be a very tiring day for you.”

After dinner, I met with my uncle and then quickly returned to my chamber.

I wearily lay down on the bed.

I was trying to fall asleep.

But my mind kept returning to a single thought: "Tomorrow, I will meet him." Just the idea of being in his presence was enough to give me butterflies in my stomach.

First update!!!

Follow, vote , comment and share.❤️