As the carriage came to a halt before the main gates of the Ashoknagar Palace, my breath hitched for a moment. Outside, it was an entirely different world—the resounding beat of drums, the fragrance of flowers, and the glow of celebration everywhere. Hundreds of people were busy decorating the palace walls and its every corner.
We descended from the carriage, and I pulled my veil even deeper.
We entered through the main gates. Every corner of the palace was a haunting reminder of old memories. Gurumata turned to look at me, signaling with her eyes to follow her. She spoke to a palace minister, who, upon seeing Gurumata, bowed low before her.
Pointing toward me, Gurumata said, "This is my new Student worker... we have come here to contribute to this wedding."
The minister led us to a chamber to rest. A servant brought breakfast to our room.
As I finished breakfast, my restlessness kept growing. Seeing every single preparation for the wedding, my anger deepened. All this effort, all these arrangements... they were meant to be mine; they were for my wedding. But today... today, all of this is happening for someone else. Right before my eyes, they were decorating everything that belonged to my Veer in someone else’s name.
I was becoming desperate with the urge to go closer to him. I just needed to see him once. After all, how happy is he with this marriage? Is there a trace of my memory left in any corner of his eyes?
I stepped out of the room.
And then, I saw him. I quickly adjusted my veil.
Manveer was standing outside the palace with his soldiers. That same smile on his face, that same glint in his eyes that had once made me fall in love with him. With just one glimpse of him, everything else seemed to vanish for a moment. My rage, my revenge, my destruction... everything turned pale before that smile.
But the moment my gaze fell upon the royal platter kept beside him, which held the 'shagun' for the Princess of Bundelkhand, that smile, which just a moment ago had brought me peace, now stabbed my chest like a sword.
I clenched my fists so hard that my bangles bit into my wrists.
"No... this smile is not for me. This glint is not in my memory, but for that 'Diya' who is coming to claim my palace, my crown, and my 'Veer'."
My old love, which had awakened for a split second upon seeing him, now transformed into a burning volcano. I felt furious with myself for how easily I had drowned in his presence. He was happy there; there was no regret on his face, no sadness. It was as if Princess Rajsree had never existed.
"Did you erase me so quickly, Veer? Do you think you will take these wedding vows so happily? No. I will not let you belong to someone else so easily. If this celebration is not mine, then it shall belong to no one."
I rushed back to my room. I was breathless, not from exhaustion, but from the fire raging within my chest.
"Kashi!" Gurumata’s voice brought me back to my senses. I immediately adjusted my veil.
"Why are you sitting in the room? Come with me, there are many preparations yet to be done outside," Gurumata said as she entered the room.
"Yes, Guru maa," I said softly, and after fixing my veil, I followed behind her.
We both arrived at the 'Bhog Bhandar'. The sight alone made my head spin—giant stoves were burning everywhere, and a feast was being prepared for hundreds of Brahmins. The aroma of halwa and pure desi ghee was everywhere, but to me, this fragrance was no less than poison.
"Aah! Hey... be careful!"
Suddenly, a maidservant rushing by collided with Gurumata. She was holding a royal tray in her hands.
"Forgive me, Guru maa... but I can barely walk due to an injury to my foot," the maid said, clutching her leg. There were tears of pain in her eyes; perhaps an old sprain had flared up again.
Gurumata’s heart melted. She said kindly, "If it hurts this much, why are you working? Go, get some rest."
The maid replied with a faint smile, "Guru maa, when will a day like today ever return to the destiny of Ashoknagar? It is the hukum's wedding... how can I rest on a day like this?"
Her words pierced my ears like a sharp sword. Ashoknagar’s destiny? I clenched my fists.
"Fine, but tell me, who are you taking this sarbat for?" Gurumata asked, looking at the fragrant glass placed on the tray.
"It is for the Prince. The rani maa made it especially for him... if this had fallen, the rani maa would have been very angry," the maid explained while steadying the glass.
Gurumata looked at me and then told the maid, "You sit here for a while. 'Kashi' will deliver this sarbat."
The maid breathed a sigh of relief and handed the tray into my hands. "Carry it carefully, girl... the Prince is in his chambers."
I took the tray. The cold glass of the royal syrup was in my hands, but my palms were burning with rage. This was the very path that would lead me straight to Manveer.
I looked toward Gurumata; she simply gestured, and I moved toward that part of the palace.
I walked slowly toward the Sheeshmahal.
As soon as I pulled aside the heavy curtains, the silence inside began to scream in my ears.
Manveer stood with his back toward the mirror. He was wearing his golden royal wedding attire. His stature was the same, but today, his shoulders seemed to carry a strange burden.
I placed the tray on the table. My hands were trembling, causing the glass tumblers to rattle slightly.
"Why did you take so long, gauri Manveer asked without turning around. His voice... that same deep and soft voice that once sang songs for me, was now cutting through me like a stranger’s.
I said nothing; I only pulled my veil even lower.
"Leave the water here... and go," he said in a weary tone. He had closed his eyes, as if he were utterly exhausted.
I picked up the glass and moved closer to him. My heart was beating so loudly I feared he might hear it. I placed the glass at the edge of the table, but my gaze remained frozen on his reflection in the mirror.
Suddenly, Manveer opened his eyes and looked into the mirror. For a split second, our gazes met through the reflection.
A wave of surprise rose in his eyes. He turned around instantly.
"You... you are not gauri. Who are you?" he asked, taking a step toward me. His eyes were fixed on mine, hidden behind the veil.
I immediately lowered my gaze. "Gauri is unwell... that is why I have come," I said, disguising my voice, keeping it low and muffled.
Manveer stopped. He was so close that I could smell his scent—that same fragrance of sandalwood and earth. He reached out his hand, perhaps intending to pick up the glass, but his fingers accidentally brushed against my wrist.
I jerked my hand back instinctively.
A strange expression crossed Manveer’s face. But then, he sat back down on the bed.
"Wait!" Manveer said in a slightly stern tone as I was about to flee "Show me your face."
"I said... lift your veil," Manveer repeated, this time his voice carried a strange restlessness alongside the firmness.
With trembling hands, I raised my veil just a little.
But just as I was about to reveal my entire face, Manveer suddenly stepped back. He closed his eyes, as if he were trying to erase an old memory.
"No... this cannot be," he muttered. Then, he looked at me and yelled furiously, "Go! Get out of here right now!"
His voice no longer held that old softness; instead, it contained a coldness that stabbed my chest like a sword. I said nothing, only lowered my head and turned away.
I had barely reached the chamber door when I heard Manveer’s clap from behind.
Snap! Along with it, dozens of maidservants emerged from behind the walls, as if they were already prepared.
"Hukum?" they asked, bowing their heads.
Manveer stood before the mirror. His back was toward me, but I could see his reflection in the mirror.
"Today, adorn me in such a way... that when 'Diya', the Princess of Bundelkhand, looks at me, she remains looking," he told the maidservants.
Every word he spoke dissolved into my ears like poison.
I fled that chamber and rushed toward the dark corridors. Tears were streaming from my eyes, but they were not of sorrow; they were of the terrifying truth that had come before me.
He betrayed me. While I was here, praying every moment for a chance to return to him, he was there, preparing to welcome someone else's bridal palanquin. My parents are gone, my kingdom is gone... and today, my Manveer is gone too.i?"
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